Hot Stove Digest: The Indians really want Edwin Encarnacion
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.
ALL OUT FOR EDWIN: There’s no indication the Cleveland Indians have emerged as a favorite to sign free agent Edwin Encarnacion, but they have emerged as his most aggressive suitor. According to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports, Cleveland is “pulling out all the stops” to try to sign the power-hitting first baseman as the centerpiece of its offense.
On Tuesday, Big League Stew’s Chris Cwik categorized Cleveland as one of two teams that needed to find a way to sign Encarnacion. The other team was the similarly positioned Texas Rangers. Both teams should enter 2017 as division favorites regardless, but adding Encarnacion would strengthen their case while weakening others, including Encarnacion’s old team, the Toronto Blue Jays.
Time will tell if Cleveland has the resources and perhaps the patience to make a deal happen. The same report notes that Encarnacion is not in a panic about signing, indicating this could be a long process. [FanRag Sports]
WHO’S IN?: Six teams have reportedly made serious offers to Encarnacion. It’s believed that Cleveland, Texas and Oakland are his most likely destinations, though teams like Colorado and Miami remain on the periphery. [ESPN]
NEXT IN LINE: Once Encarnacion does make a decision, agent Dave Stewart expects the market for his client Chris Carter to finally take shape. [@jcrasnick]
STILL TALKING: Brian Dozier to the Los Angeles Dodgers is not close, nor is it dead. The Twins and Dodgers are struggling to come to terms on a return package beyond pitching prospect Jose DeLeon. [FanRag Sports]
DREAM WEAVER: The Padres are considering making a run at veteran right-hander Jered Weaver in free agency. [@JonHeyman]
INQUIRING MINDS: The Texas Rangers seemed poised to make at least one aggressive move this winter. That could prove to be signing Encarnaction, or perhaps trading for Chicago White Sox left-hander Jose Quintana. The Rangers reportedly inquired on Quintana before the Aug. 1 trade deadline and have done so again. The asking price is expected to remain very high. [@jcrasnick]
WORKING HARD: Speaking of Quintana, the Pittsburgh Pirates have reportedly “worked hard” to acquire him in a trade. He’s one of the few available players who could fit within the Pirates lean budget. [@Buster_ESPN]
ON THE ROAD AGAIN: Here’s the story of reliever David Rollins, who has been claimed by four different teams this winter. [The Stew]
VERSATILITY: ESPN’s Veteran right-hander Trevor Cahill is drawing interest from up to six teams, with his versatility serving as the main attraction. It’s said three teams view him as a starter while the three others would like him in the bullpen. Cahill performed well in the latter role last season, posting a 2.74 ERA over 65 2/3 innings, but can essentially pick his role this season. [@jcrasnick]
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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!
