Sounds like the Blue Jays are intent on adding a bat after losing Edwin Encarnacion (see Encarnacion is an Indian). Jerry Crasnick is reporting that the club is thinking about making a move to add Andrew McCutchen, while Jeff Passan says a reunion with Jose Bautista is still possible. McCutchen has been a hot topic this offseason as the Pirates continue to try and deal their former MVP at his lowest level of return since he became a Pirate. Crasnick also noted that the Pirates are likely to keep McCutchen and the Jays would have to take a “big bite out of farm system to land McCutchen.” Bautista might return to Canada as his market certainly hasn’t developed as expected after he turned down the qualifying offer of $17.2 million over one year. Bautista likely wouldn’t return unless he was offered more than that, but it sounds like he might be agreeable to a one year deal with the Jays are in for more than $17.2 million.

What if Will Ferrell’s Elf wasn’t a comedy?

MINOR MOVEMENT

Check out the Free Agent Tracker for all the moves this offseason.

Alexei Amarista is now a Rockie after agreeing to a 1-year deal. The 27 year old utility player will hope to snare a roster spot, though even with Coors Field as his home yard it’s extremely unlikely his bat will excite even in NL-only leagues as he’s a career .230/.276/.320 hitter.

Alex Avila is back with the Tigers on a 1-year deal. He will backup James McCann. The 29 year old will make $2 million, for what? Good question. The last 124 games he’s appeared he’s hit 11 homers with 24 RBI. The only thing he’s done is get on base, he’s hit .202 with a .329 SLG in 428 plate appearances, but he does own a .349 OBP which is pretty solid. In fact, that is the third best mark of any backstop with a minimum of 400 plate appearances the last two years (Francisco Cervelli .373 and Buster Posey .370).

Josh Hamilton is a free agent looking to extend his big league career. There are whispers of a reunion with the Rangers. The 35 year old, 36 in May, hasn’t been anything for years as his body just doesn’t work anymore. He has three seasons of 30-100, but he’s also hit just 18 homers with a .259 batting average his last 139 games, and that effort doesn’t include a single game played in 2016. He’s nothing more than a dart throw in league specific setups, nothing more.

Yes, it happened. We released the 2017 MLB Fantasy Alarm Draft Guide. I know it’s only 2016, but you need something to read if you don’t have anyone to share the holiday with. You might need something to read if you hate the people you’re spending the holiday with (I know you are out there). You might want to give your significant other a special gift? Maybe you should just reward yourself for a good year? Whatever the reason, the Guide is available right now! For more, check out this description of the Guide and why it is so amazing this season. It will end up being our best effort yet, no doubt... and it’s available right now.

Michael Morse, Jimmy Rollins and Justin Ruggiano signed minor league deals with the Giants.  Morse, who turns 35 in March, appeared in just six games with the Pirates last season. After being released, he didn’t play again. He returns to the Bay Area where he had some big hits for the Giants in the playoffs. He was last a viable bat in 2014 and offers nothing but fifth outfielder upside as an NL-only play. Rollins is 38 years old and has hit a combined .223 over the past two seasons with just 17 stelas. From the Bay Area, he will hope to stick as a utility infielder with one last shot at a ring. Ruggiano will be 35 in March. He’s stolen seven bases while hitting 14 home runs the last three seasons over 147 games. Just a guy trying to hold on.

Jonathan Sanchez signed a minor league deal with the Royals. He didn’t throw a professional pitch last season. Back in 2010 with the Giants he won 13 games with a 3.07 ERA and 205 strikeouts.

Brett Wallace is back with the Padres after signing a minor league deal. Wallace has hit a mere .238/.316/.389 in 494 big league games marking him as a total failure for a player who was drafted 13th overall in 2008. He continues to hit while in the minors with a .304/.377/.481 slash line. Mr. AAAA here.

Jemile Weeks is now a Cub after agreeing to a minor league deal. The 29 year old was a first round pick in 2008, and through nine minor league seasons he’s hit just .277 though with a solid .372 OBP. It’s yet to happen at the big league level though and the last time he had 100 plate appearances at the big league level was 2012. So much promise unfulfilled after that .303 effort with 22 steals his rookie season.

Matt Wieters could still end up with the Braves. Wieters if from the area having been born in South Carolina while going to school at Georgia Tech.

Luckily Elf was a comedy...

 

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday/Tuesday and Thursday/Friday, 8 PM EDT, Wednesday 7 PM EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 9 PM EDT PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).