The 2013 Major League Baseball winter meetings may have recently come to an end but as general managers from each of the 30 professional team's head back to their respective locations, trade rumors and free agent mumblings continue to pick up steam with spring training approaching. Major names like Jacoby Ellsbury (signed with Yankees), Brian McCann (Yankees), Prince Fielder (traded to Texas), Ian Kinsler (traded to Tigers), Curtis Granderson (signed with Mets) and many others have found new homes but a significant number of names still remain available and with multiple teams looking to upgrade, expect the moves and rumors to continue to grow.
One of those names continuing to grab attention is free agent outfielder Nelson Cruz. Cruz - a two-time All-Star and 2011 American League Championship Series MVP - is one of the top available bats on the open market. Recently becoming a free agent after completing a 27-home run season for the Texas Rangers while serving a 50-game suspension for his role in the Biogenesis scandal, the 33-year-old Dominican Republic native is drawing high interest from American League East contender Baltimore. The Orioles would love to add another solid bat in the outfield and adding a player like Cruz to a crop that already includes Adam Jones and Nick Markakis would certainly be a likeable move.
Appearing in 109 games last season, Cruz batted .266 with 27 home runs and 90 RBI. One of the most consistent power bats in the American League, the 33-year-old has eclipsed the 20-home run mark in each of the last five seasons, with the former Rangers star blasting a career-high 33 homers in 2009. While Nelson Cruz - who recently met with Orioles officials - continues to become a hot target, the New York Yankees are reportedly interested in adding to their already solid offseason.
After signing outfielders Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran, catcher Brian McCann, infielder Kelly Johnson and shortstop Brendan Ryan in the last month, the Bronx Bombers are now in the market for starting pitching and would much rather acquire an arm via trade as opposed to spending in free agency. The club was unable to come to an agreement with former second baseman Robinson Cano and now that the 31-year-old All-Star is in Seattle, the Yanks have turned their attention to upgrading a starting rotation that right now includes only three guarantees in CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova and Hiroki Kuroda.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, New York is interested in a three-team deal that would send outfielder Brett Gardner out of town in exchange for Cleveland Indians starter Justin Masterson. Cleveland is not in the market for another outfielder with Michael Bourn patrolling centerfield while Michael Brantley and David Murphy anchor the corner outfield spots so a third team would be a necessity in order to push this deal forward. Though time remains for this trade to a happen, a third team has not come into the picture yet.
The 28-year-old Masterson made 29 starts for the Indians last season, posting a 14-10 record with a 3.45 ERA and 195 strikeouts in 193 innings.
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