Rumor Roundup: Will Chapman, NY reunite?

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.

• Hot Stove Tracker

Yanks play waiting game on Chapman The Yankees are the front-runners to land flame-throwing closer Aroldis Chapman if a new Collective Bargaining Agreement is adopted, but not if his price tag reaches five years at $100 million, according to the New York Post.

The 28-year-old left-hander, who helped the Cubs win their first World Series title in 108 years, could end up signing the largest contract ever for a reliever. But CBA negotiations over the luxury-tax threshold have delayed deals from being struck, as clubs have been reluctant to give general managers a budget while that issue is pending.

The Reds traded Chapman to the Yankees following the 2015 season, and New York then dealt to Chapman to Chicago in late July. In 28 appearances for the Cubs (26 2/3 innings), he posted a 1.01 ERA with 16 saves and 46 strikeouts.

The Post also reported that the Yankees are not likely to sign free-agent first baseman/designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion to the five-year deal he is seeking. Former Yankee Carlos Beltran, who turns 40 in April, may be a more attractive option in that case.

Nationals also in pursuit of Chapman The Nationals have joined the Yankees, Dodgers and Giants as a possible landing spot for Chapman, according to the Boston Globe.

Washington made an attempt to acquire Chapman from the Yankees prior to last summer’s Trade Deadline before the hard-throwing left-hander was ultimately dealt to the Cubs. Chapman, along with fellow free-agent closer Kenley Jansen, could smash the record contract for a closer — a four-year, $50 million deal that Jonathan Papelbon signed with the Phillies in December 2011.

The report also speculated that the Cubs, whose bullpen was bolstered by Chapman on their way to claiming their long-awaited World Series championship, are not out of the running to bring him back for the 2017 season.

Miami mulling Wilson The Marlins are showing interest in signing former All-Star left-hander C.J. Wilson, according to the Miami Herald.

Wilson, who turned 36 this month, has not pitched in the Majors since July 28, 2015, after undergoing surgeries on his throwing elbow and shoulder. Miami is searching for starting pitching — especially in the wake of ace Jose Fernandez’s tragic death in September — and Wilson’s asking price should be reasonable, considering his age and recent injury history.

Wilson went 8-8 with a 3.89 ERA in 21 starts for the Angels in 2015 before he was shut down. The southpaw sports a lifetime 94-70 record and 3.74 ERA in a career that includes back-to-back All-Star selections in 2011-12, when he was the ace of a Rangers staff that captured two consecutive American League pennants in ’10 and ’11.

Giants to reunite with Sandoval? The Giants have had internal discussions about a reunion with Pablo Sandoval, according to the Boston Herald. It’s unknown whether the clubs have discussed a potential deal involving the third baseman.

The 30-year-old Sandoval has struggled since signing with the Red Sox as a free agent following the 2014 season. In seven seasons with the Giants, he slashed .294/346/.465 and was a two-time All-Star. Sandoval was also the Most Valuable Player in the 2012 World Series, one of three titles he won with San Francisco before departing.

But since signing a five-year, $95 million contract with the Red Sox, Sandoval hasn’t shown the same productivity when in the lineup; he hit .245/.292/.366 with 10 home runs and 47 RBIs in 2015 before losing his starting role in Spring Training and undergoing shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum after three games in ’16.

Sandoval, whose defense also declined after signing with Boston, is owed $59.8 million (including a buyout on a 2020 team option) over the final three years of his contract.

Braun’s future in Milwaukee uncertainRyan Braun is reportedly having difficulty dealing with the possibility that the Brewers might trade him this winter.

“Not knowing 100 percent where [I’ll] be playing is hard. It definitely complicates things,” Braun said recently, according to the Associated Press.

The veteran outfielder and 2011 National League MVP Award winner, who has spent his entire career in Milwaukee, has long been linked to rumors that he may be dealt, and the Dodgers reportedly came close to acquiring him in August.

Braun, 33, still has four years and $76 million remaining on his contract, with a $15 million mutual option and $4 million buyout for 2021. The …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com