Seems like his first half and the reasonably affordable nature of the option will get it picked up. Alexei's overall batting line looks awful, but he hit .282/.329/.426 from July through season's end, and there's not much out there at SS anyway. It boils down to a one-year, $9MM decision on him, since the buyout's $1MM anyway. I think he stays.

They'll be closer than we thought a month ago due to a slight bit of concern around Yoenis' shoulder, probably. I still think Cespedes gets it, but we've been kicking this around as a staff, and I believe I'm in the minority.

They should. It's a no-brainer. I fully expect them to, but they haven't indicated yes or no yet.

Decisins due Friday. We'll know everything by then.

I'd expect a Joseph/Clevenger pseudo-platoon, yeah. They have other, bigger issues. Namely the rotation and corner outfield.

I don't think so, no.

Virtually nonexistent, I'd say. They'd need to add $100MM or so to the biggest contract they've ever given out, and Jays ownership hasn't shown the willingness to spend at that level. They're not cheap -- they have a large payroll -- but that type of investment isn't in their history.

All depends on the "prospects" involved, but Gardner has worlds more trade value than Castro, in my eyes. It's not even close.

The Braves signed him while they were rebuilding and are now closer to contention than they were at the time of the signing. It'd be a complete 180 for them that doesn't sound particularly logical. (Though I still don't get why they signed Markakis)

Friday. Again, we just announced all kinds of dates for our content and for offseason events:

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/11/mlb-offsea...

Sure, but they'll be joined by some 15-20 teams in that pursuit. I don't think he goes there.

I have him going back to KC right now, but if Jon Heyman's correct that the Royals were hoping to get him on a "hometown discount" three- or four-year type of deal, then he can kiss them goodbye. I think five years in the $105MM range for Gordon. He'd make an interesting replacement for Heyward in St. Louis, considering he's more or less just an older version of J-Hey.

They are but I don't think they'll win the bidding. Lots of teams with deeper pockets, and the posting fee alone could be $10MM+ this time around.

Rockies don't trade Arenado for only Carrasco. Not underselling Carrasco, just saying Arenado's a monster.

Yeah I can see that. I think I have him penciled in for Baltimore with Davis signing elsewhere in my list of predictions at the moment, but it's not final, and I did kick around the A's for him. An AL club where he can spend some time at DH and be platooned seems like the best fit for Morneau.

I'm sure they'll try -- it's just a matter of finding a bad contract they can line up with. Preferably one at shortstop or catcher. Tim Dierkes suggested some kind of Nolasco/Jose Reyes framework that at least makes some sense, though there'd need to be other elements in play there.

Schwarber+Edwards+Vogelbach doesn't even get those two. You want them, I'd start with Bryant or Russell, which

Schwarber+Edwards+Vogelbach doesn't even get those two. You want them, I'd start with Bryant or Russell, which

Yeah, it kind of does, but Greinke's also better than all of them, with the exception of Scherzer. He'll cost less than Max though, too.

FWIW, I'm the only one of the seven MLBTR writers who currently has Greinke going elsewhere, I think, and I can 100% see the Dodgers paying top dollar (Lester-ish money) to keep him around. He's not going to get to $200MM simply due to age.

Yeah he does, though you'd really be piling up on the K's then. I still think it's a reasonable fit and have considered the option. I've seen Houston reporters indicate they don't think the 'Stros will be on that caliber of free agent though. Doesn't mean they won't... plans change all the time.

Soler.

Sure, but he's a Scott Boras client hitting at Coors Field, and he's already going to start getting paid. Don't think there's much of a chance, but no reason not to at least kick the tires.

I think the best pitcher on the D-Backs next season's going to be Patrick Corbin, and if they add another top arm, Samardzija/Zimmermann/Maeda are more likely than trading for Gray, who will be incredibly difficult to pry away from Oakland.

If he's taking a two-year deal I think it's less than that. I have him around 1/10 on a one-year deal, personally, but maybe he wants to max out and go 2/16 or 2/18 or something -- that's possible. There's just no pitching on next year's market, so if you're considering a one-year make-good deal as a pitcher, now's a better time than ever.

I have not. But you should see me after a few drinks at weddings. It's a sight to behold.

They'll be in on the top names like Greinke, Price, etc. I also kind of like them as a fit for Dexter Fowler, though that presents some issues since they have Pagan around as well, to say nothing of Jarrett Parker and Mac Williamson waiting in the wings for OF at-bats.

My initial landing spot for Greinke was in San Francisco, though I don't know that I'll stick to that. I just think they'll add some form of bigger starter than Leake. Zimmermann's possible, too.

Daniel Murphy or a trade. Trevor Plouffe, Yunel Escobar, Jed Lowrie, Luis Valbuena -- there are options out there.

I doubt he's an everyday guy, no. Pick a team that needs some help at a few infield positions. I haven't thought about it much. Yankees maybe? White Sox?

Think I presently have Steve Pearce going there over Napoli. GET EXCITED!

I can see Texas playing for some more notable rotation arms, though. Maybe some kind of outfield bat -- De Aza type. Bullpen arms.

I'd rather diversify the risk and go with the two mid-tier arms. I can see the Cubs making a legitimate play for Price though, even though I prefer the tactic of them signing Lackey and trading for Ross or something.

Yeah. Fister to any big park on a one-year deal works for me. Oakland, Detroit, Pittsburgh, KC.

"Hey A's, we'll give you all of our blocked spare parts for your pre-arbitration ace. Hello? Billy? Where'd you go? Hello? *Dial tone*"

I'm pegging him to stay in Toronto around 3/30 right now.

I wouldn't give up anything of value for Avi Garcia, and Teheran has some value.

I think he can get two at a bit higher price than that. Neshek got 2/12 with less of a track record. Madson has the injury history, but he looked great this season and has the previous pedigree. 2/12 seems attainable to me, or at least 2/10.

I don't.

People will think I'm making this up.

Jalepeno, pineapple and green olive. Spicy, sweet, salty -- it's awesome.

I don't love the idea of any team trading for one year of Chapman at a huge price. And it seems like if anyone does it, Arizona and the Yankees are the likelier clubs. But trading for one year of a crazy expensive reliever, no matter how good, just seems like a poor strategic plan.

Price and Greinke are absolute locks to do so. Cueto, I can see around $125MM but possibly slipping into the $110-115MM range also.

That whole situation was an unmitigated disaster, and it's embarrassing for the Nats to have offered Bud Black, of all managers, a one-year $1.6MM deal. Offering any outside managerial hire that figure is a slap in the face.

I don't like the Dusty hire, but he's a good communicator and his players love him. That's what the Nats need after the Williams debacle. I just don't think his in-game tactics will be particularly progressive, and I expect his bullpen management to be similar to Williams. They didn't really have anywhere to go but up, though.

Won't be Alvarez. Lind, Morneau, maybe the new market entrant -- Dae-ho Lee. They need a change, but no one that's going to break the bank, of course. Logan Morrison might make sense too as a platoon guy.

Only if the Padres are taking Nolasco back in the deal, but there'd be tons of moving parts to that deal and I don't consider it all that likely in a general sense.

Blue Jays. Not even close.

Why are they trading Morales when the aim is to contend in 2016 and he's signed at a reasonable rate? He's a DH only, so it's not like some team's gonna clear the farm for one year of him. Just keep him.

I think he'll retire, but there are some in the Sox writing community who seem to think that's possible. Would be a good story if he went there for a farewell tour. Even if he hangs it up this winter, a one-day contract to retire with the ChiSox would be cool.

In no way does Tim Lincecum get $18MM this winter. Plus if he's looking to rebuild value, Citizens Bank isn't the best spot to do it.

I've talked to scouts and those with ties to KBO who feel like Son is a fourth OF at best and just plain not a Major Leaguer at worst, so I don't know if I'd be too anxious for them to jump into that market.