Hot Stove Digest: Giants have discussed bringing back Pablo Sandoval
Welcome to The Stew’s Hot Stove Digest, our daily rundown of MLB news, rumors and gossip for Hot Stove season. Here you’ll find a quick recap of all the day’s action and other fun stuff from around the internet that we think is worth your time.
REUNION?: Would the San Francisco Giants really consider reuniting with Pablo Sandoval? According to Evan Drellich of the Boston Herald, they have at least discussed that option internally. It’s unknown if those discussions will morph into serious trade talks, or whether the Red Sox would even be receptive, but it’s one of the more interesting rumors out there.
Sandoval left the Giants to sign a five-year, $95M contract with Boston following the 2014 season. His performance was underwhelming in 2015, as he hit just .245/.292/.366 with 10 homers in 126 games. He was limited to seven games in 2016 after undergoing shoulder surgery. [Boston Herald]
THE STRUGGLE: Milwaukee Brewers star Ryan Braun is hoping for a resolution regarding his status with the team sooner than later, according to one report.
“Not knowing 100 percent where [I’ll] be playing is hard. It definitely complicates things,” the outfielder said at the team’s annual Thanksgiving food drive this week.
Braun was reportedly nearly dealt to the Dodgers during the regular season. He’s considered a prime trade candidate this winter as well, though no concrete rumors have surfaced so far. We could have an idea of his future at or around the winter meetings, which begin on Dec. 4. [Associated Press]
RECLAMATION PROJECT: The Miami Marlins are looking everywhere for pitching help. Their list reportedly includes 36-year-old left-hander C.J. Wilson, who hasn’t appeared in a game since July 28, 2015 because of elbow surgery in August 2015 and shoulder surgery this past July. [Miami Herald]
WAITING GAME: It sounds like both the Pirates front office and manager Clint Hurdle are content holding off on extension talks. Hurdle, 60, is signed through the 2017 season. His contract also includes a club option for 2018, so there’s no real urgency either. But there appears to be enough uncertainty on both sides in terms of the relationship continuing beyond the upcoming season. [Pittsburgh Tribune-Review]
EXPENSIVE SALE: Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale has been one of the most talked about trade candidates dating back to July. That’s expected to continue being true into the winter meetings in two weeks. It’s also believed the White Sox asking price has continued to go up as well. [@JonHeyman]
AIMING HIGH: Along those same lines, the Minnesota Twins are said to be aiming high in trade demands for Brian Dozier. The All-Star second baseman is coming off a 42-homer season in 2016 and would undoubtedly serve as an offensive upgrade for any potential trade partner. [@MikeBerardino]
ICYMI: Thanksgiving wasn’t a completely quiet day around MLB. The Atlanta Braves reached a two-year, $11.5M deal with Sean Rodriguez as they continue building what they hope will be an instant contender at SunTrust Park. The veteran infielder/outfielder had been a key contributor for the Rays and Pirates over the last seven seasons. He’s coming off his most productive season in 2016 after hitting .270 with 18 homers and 56 RBI. [@Ken_Rosenthal]
WBC NEWS: Yankees relief ace Dellin Betances has decided to pitch for the Dominican Republic and not Team USA in next spring’s World Baseball Classic. Betances, who was born in the U.S. but is of Dominican extraction, was given the choice between the teams but wanted to honor his family’s legacy. [New York Post]
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at bigleaguestew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
