Latest news and rumors: Cubs gain money to spend, the Machado Market and more

Jake Roth - USA Today Sports

by Ken Allison - Columnist - Sat Jan 12 10:42:57 GMT-05:00 2019

Cubs’ news and notes

Cubs’ Opening Day: 75 days.

Pitchers/Catchers Report: 32 Days.

First Spring Training game: 43 Days. (Saturday, February 23, Brewers vs. Cubs at Sloan Park)

Money to spare? After all, was said and done with pre-arbitration settlements for the Cubs, the team spent approximately $2M less than what was initially projected.

With a clearer picture of “available funds” the team may finally be able to go forward with securing relief help now, as they still have bullpen openings left to fill from Jesse Chavez, Justin Wilson, Jaime Garcia, and Jorge De La Rosa. The Cubs are also now able to pursue several pitchers from other teams who were due for arbitration, as for most, those salaries have also been settled.

Latest news and rumors from around the league

Manny Machado: The Machado camp is once again spreading rumors that a third team is involved in talks with Machado. The White Sox and Phillies are known to be the last of the contenders, as the Yankees reportedly bowed out after signing DJ LeMahieu.

A ton of pre-arbitration settlements poured in overnight. Here’s the latest update for teams around the league.

Astros: RHPs Lance McCullers Jr., Will Harris, Roberto Osuna, Brad Peacock, Ryan Pressley, Collin McHugh, OF Jake Marisnick avoid arbitration with 1-year deals. Gerrit Cole did not settle with the Houston Astros and is likely headed to an arbitration hearing. Gerrit Cole asked for $13.5M, Astros submitted $11.425M. Carlos Correa is also directed to arbitration; Correa asked for $5M, Astros offered $4.25M.

Athletics: Closer Blake Treinen and the Oakland A's did not reach a deal and are headed to an arbitration hearing. Meanwhile, Khris Davis and the Athletics have reached an agreement on a one-year contract worth $16.5MM.

Blue Jays: OFs Randal Grichuk, Kevin Pillar, INFs Devon Travis, Brandon Drury, RHPs Marcus Stroman, Aaron Sanchez, Joe Biagini & Ken Giles avoid arbitration with 1-year deals.

D-Backs: OF David Peralta, INF Nick Ahmed, RHP Archie Bradley avoid arbitration with 1-year deals.

Indians: Cleveland avoids arbitration with Francisco Lindor: one-year, $10.55M deal. Cleveland has also claimed righty AJ Cole off waivers from the Yankees.

Nationals: The Nats have avoided arbitration with Anthony Rendon; one-year, $18.8 deal. The Nats did fail to reach an agreement with Michael Taylor. Taylor has requested 3.5M, Nats have proposed 3.25M. Kyle Barraclough is also heading for arbitration: Barraclough asked for $2M, Nationals offered $1.75M.

Orioles: Baltimore has claimed INF Hanser Alberto off waivers from the Yankees and has designated catcher Andrew Susac for assignment. RHPs Dylan Bundy, Mychal Givens, INF Jonathan Villar avoid arbitration with 1-year deals.

Phillies: OF Aaron Altherr, RHPs Jerad Eickhoff, Vince Velasquez, Hector Néris, 3B Maike Franco, 2B César Hernández, LHPs José Álvarez, Adam Morgan avoid arbitration with 1-year deals. The Phils have also signed infielders Andrew Romine and Gift Ngoepe to minor league deals.

Rays: Looks like Tampa, and Tommy Pham are headed to arbitration: Pham asked for $4.1M, Rays offered $3.5M.

Rockies: Neither Trevor Story nor Nolan Arenado don’t have a deal yet with the Rockies yet and may be heading to arbitration. Arenado sought $30M; the Rox offered him $24M.

Tigers: OF Nicholas Castellanos avoid arbitration with a 1-year deal.

White Sox: 1B Jose Abreu, RHP Alex Colome, LHP Carlos Rodon, INF Yolmer Sanchez avoid arbitration with one-year deals. RHPs Chad Bettis, Jon Gray, Scott Oberg, LHP Tyler Anderson, INF Trevor Story, and catcher Tony Wolters avoid arbitration with 1-year contracts.

Yankees: RHPs Dellin Betances, Tommy Kahnle, 1B Greg Bird, SS Didi Gregorius, OF Aaron Hicks, LHP James Paxton and catcher Austin Romine avoid arbitration with one-year deals. Sonny Gray settled for $7.5M.

Jeff Passan: According to Jeff Passan, the full list of players who did not reach pre-arbitration deals is as follows: Arenado, Barraclough, Bauer, Cole, Correa, Devenski, Fulmer, McFarland, Nola, Pham, Severino, Taylor, Tepera, Treinen and Wood.