Rumor Roundup: Beltran pool coming into focus

The Hot Stove season is underway, and we’re keeping you up to date with the latest free-agent news, trade buzz, rumors and more.

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Beltran market narrowing The market for free agent Carlos Beltran appears to be down to four teams.

Joel Sherman of The New York Post reports the Yankees, Red Sox and Astros “are the most competitive teams” for Beltran, who turns 40 next April. The Rangers, who acquired Beltran from the Yankees in August, also are lurking in the background, per Sherman.

Beltran is sought after because of his veteran power bat and is not tied with Draft pick compensation. He hit .295/.337/.513 with 29 home runs and 93 RBIs in 151 games last season with the Yankees and Rangers, and he’s expected to receive a one-year deal in the $15 million to $18 million range.

Blue Jays present Encarnacion with offer The Blue Jays remain interested in retaining free-agent slugger Edwin Encarnacion, putting a four-year, $80 million offer on the table for the first baseman/designated hitter, according to MLB Network’s Jon Heyman.

Toronto appears to be serious about bringing Encarnacion back despite recently signing Kendrys Morales.

Encarnacion, who will turn 34 in January, hit .263/.357/.529 with 42 home runs and an American League-leading 127 RBIs in 2016. He also walked a career-high 87 times in 702 plate appearances.

Other teams that have been linked to Encarnacion this offseason include the Astros, Rangers, Red Sox and Yankees. According to Heyman, even a couple of National League clubs have inquired about Encarnacion, indicating he’s seen as a serviceable everyday first baseman.

Castro has multiple offersJason Castro has received multiple three-year offers, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, who notes a team willing to offer a fourth year could land the free-agent catcher.

Which teams have offered the 29-year-old is unclear, but the Rays, Braves, Twins and Astros have shown the most interest in the past. The Angels also are believed to have some interest.

Castro hit just .210/.307/.377 with 11 homers and 32 RBIs in 376 plate appearances in 2016, but he’s seen as a plus defender with good pitch-framing skills.

Astros interested in Napoli The Astros are interested in free agent first baseman/designated hitter Mike Napoli, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.

Napoli, who turned 35 at the end of October, hit .239/.335/.465 with a career-high 34 home runs and 101 RBIs for the American League champion Indians in 2016.

Houston has already made some significant moves this offseason, signing free agent catcher Brian McCann and right fielder Josh Reddick.

Currently, the Astros’ depth chart has Yulieski Gurriel at first base, with A.J. Reed seen as the future at the position but perhaps not ready for everyday action at the big league level. Gurriel may also play left field, however, if George Springer plays center, with Reddick in right.

Other teams that have shown interest in Napoli are the Indians and Mariners.

Mariners asked about McCutchen The Mariners inquired about Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen earlier in the offseason, according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi. The talks, however, “did not advance.”

The 30-year-old McCutchen is coming off the worst season of his Major League career, hitting .256/.336/.430 with 24 home runs and 79 RBIs in 2016. He’s owed $14 million in 2017 and has a team option of $14.75 million in 2018, with a $1 million buyout.

The Mariners’ outfield situation — in which left-handed-hitting Seth Smith, Leonys Martin and Ben Gamel are the likely starters but in a platoon arrangement with right-handed hitters Danny Valencia, Guillermo Heredia and designated hitter Nelson Cruz — remains fluid.

Adding McCutchen could solidify that to a large extent, as he could become the everyday starter in left or right field.

FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reported a couple of weeks ago that the Nationals also discussed McCutchen with Pittsburgh last summer.

Dodgers interested in Forsythe The Dodgers are interested in versatile Rays infielder Logan Forsythe, according to Morosi. Los Angeles has needs at second and third base after the departure of Howie Kendrick in free agency, and the pending free agency of Justin Turner.

Forsythe, who turns 30 in January, has played the majority of his career at second (456 games), but has also played at third (56 games), including nine games there for Tampa Bay last season. He hit .264/.333/.444 with 20 home runs (a career high) and 52 RBIs in 2016.

Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman traded for Forsythe while he was Rays general manager in 2014.

Blue Jays looking at Fowler, Eaton The Blue Jays are now looking for a left-handed-hitting leadoff man with a high on-base percentage, and free agent center fielder Dexter Fowler is one possibility, …

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