May 2016 - Baseball Wiretap

Mets, Antonio Bastardo Agree To Two-Year, $12M Deal
Antonio Bastardo will join Addison Reed as the primary relievers setting up closer Jeurys Familia.

Adam Rubin/ESPN

Justin Upton: Mike Ilitch Sold Me On Tigers
While Al Avila wanted to make small tweaks to increase the offensive production of the Tigers, owner Mike Ilitch wanted serious improvement.

Katie Strang/ESPN

Report: Nationals Make Offer To Cespedes
Washington has reportedly offered Yoenis Cespedes a contract worth less than what Justin Upton agreed to with the Tigers -- six years and $132.75 million.

ESPN

Fernando Rodney Agrees To Deal With Padres
The Padres have fortified the back end of their bullpen by signing Fernando Rodney to a one-year deal.

Corey Brock/MLB

Padres Monitoring Yoenis Cespedes
However, a source characterizes an agreement between San Diego and the Roc Nation client as unlikely.

Dennis Lin/San Diego Union-Tribune

Marlins Still Looking For Veteran Starter
Doug Fister, Alfredo Simon, Cliff Lee and Tim Lincecum are names that have been listed as options.

Barry Jackson/Miami Herald

Sources: Rockies To Part Ways With Kyle Parker
The Rockies are expected to part ways with Kyle Parker, who was their top pick in the 2010 Major League Baseball draft, according to sources.

Thomas Harding/MLB

Colby Rasmus Wants To Finish Career With Astros
Colby Rasmus, who signed a one-year, $8 million deal with the Astros this offseason, says he wants to play a few more years and then retire with the organization.

Rick Hummel/St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Yu Darvish Denies Gambling Following Brother's Arrest
Yu Darvish insists he has never been involved in gambling activities amid a Major League Baseball investigation after the arrest of his younger brother in Japan.

ESPN

Jonathan Lucroy Wants Brewers To Trade Him
The Brewers are in the early stages of a rebuilding program and Jonathan Lucroy thinks it would be best for both sides if he were traded.

Tom Haudricourt/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Mackanin: Howard Will Sit If He Doesn't Hit
Ryan Howard is entering his 12th and most likely final year with the Phillies.

ESPN

Nationals Could Go After Cespedes If Price Drops
The Nationals could become a potential landing spot for Yoenis Cespedes if the outfielder's price drops, according to a report.

Bob Nightengale/USA Today

Rockies Getting Calls About Surplus Outfielders
The Rockies have a surplus of outfielders and are listening to offers as the offseason progresses.

Thomas Harding/MLB

Marlins Have Discussed Pursuing Yoenis Cespedes
The Marlins have discussed pursuing Yoenis Cespedes on a short-term deal, according to a report.

Ken Rosenthal/FOX Sports

Dodgers To Sign Jon Blanton
The Dodgers have signed Joe Blanton to a one-year, $4 million deal.

Jeff Passan/Yahoo! Sports

Pete Rose To Enter Reds' Hall Of Fame
The Reds announced on Tuesday that Pete Rose will be inducted into the team's Hall of Fame.

ESPN

Diamondbacks, A.J. Pollock 'Not Far Apart' On Deal
The Diamondbacks and A.J. Pollock are "not far apart" in talks to avoid arbitration.

Steve Gilbert/MLB

Royals, Lorenzo Cain Reach Two-Year Deal
The Royals have reached a two-year agreement with Lorenzo Cain that will buy out his final two seasons of arbitration eligibility for a $17.5 million guarantee.

Jeff Todd/MLB Trade Rumors

Astros Unlikely To Sign Yoenis Cespedes
The Astros have been connected to Yoenis Cespedes, but the expectation is that he'll sign elsewhere.

Evan Drellich/Houston Chronicle

Shaun Marcum Retires, Joins Northwestern Oklahoma State Staff
Marcum spent much of the 2015 campaign with the Indians organization, splitting the year between Triple-A and the Major Leagues.

Northwestern Oklahoma State

Cespedes Offered Free Crab Cakes For Life To Sign With Orioles
The restaurant previously made a similar offer to Chris Davis, who signed a seven-year deal to stay in Baltimore.

ESPN

Jackie Robinson's Widow: More To Be Done For Diversity
Jackie Robinson's widow doesn't believe Major League Baseball has fully honored her husband's legacy.

ESPN

Tigers, Justin Upton Agree To Six-Year, $132.75M Deal
Justin Upton spent the past season with the Padres and batted .251 with 26 homers and 81 RBIs.

ESPN.com

Momentum Growing For DH In National League
John Mozeliak told fans at the St. Louis Cardinals' Winter Warm-Up that there is growing momentum for the adoption of the designated hitter in the National League.

Derrick Goold/St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Dodgers Covet Draft Pick Compensation For Kendrick
The Dodgers want the draft pick they would get if Howie Kendrick signs elsewhere much more than they want to bring back Kendrick.

Bill Shaikin/Los Angeles Times

Marlins Offered Marcell Ozuna To Rangers, Reds
The Marlins made separate trade offers to the Texas Rangers and Cincinnati Reds for Marcell Ozuna earlier this offseason.

Barry Jackson/Miami Herald

Tigers Among Teams Considering Cespedes
Al Avila said during the Winter Meetings six weeks ago that the Tigers were "out" on Yoenis Cespedes, but the market has shifted since.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Cardinals To Re-Sign Maness, Moss, Rosenthal
The Cardinals have agreed to re-sign Trevor Rosenthal, Seth Maness and Brandon Moss, avoiding salary arbitration.

Associated Press

Yoenis Cespedes May Be Close To New Deal
The Mets, Braves, and White Sox are known to have interest in signing Yoenis Cespedes.

MLB.com

Josh Donaldson Asking For Raise To $11.8M
Josh Donaldson won the AL MVP last season, leading the Blue Jays to the playoffs.

ESPN.com