Rumor Roundup: Sale market gaining clarity

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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Sale market becoming clearer; Eaton also a potential trade target The trade picture surrounding White Sox ace Chris Sale is beginning to emerge. According to a report from MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman on Friday, the Nationals, Astros, Red Sox, Rangers and Braves “are starting to separate themselves at the forefront” of the trade talks for Sale.

However, that doesn’t necessarily mean Sale will actually be moved, since the White Sox would demand a huge return. An executive from one of those five teams told Heyman that “the asking price is so high, it’s hard to imagine he’s getting traded.”

The 27-year-old left-hander has been an All-Star for the past five seasons, posting a 3.04 ERA in that span while averaging 227 strikeouts per season, including an American League-leading 274 in 2015.

The Dodgers could potentially target Sale, per Heyman, but they don’t want to trade away their young talent. Heyman also reports that the Cardinals, Blue Jays and Giants look to be “on the periphery” of Sale trade talks.

Sale isn’t the only White Sox player who could be moved this offseason. With the Winter Meetings set to begin next week, players like outfielder Adam Eaton and first baseman Jose Abreu could also be trade targets. A rival executive told MLB.com’s Jon Morosi that Eaton seems more likely to be traded during the Winter Meetings than Abreu.

Former teams have eyes on Napoli It appears that wherever Mike Napoli brings the party this offseason, it’ll be a reunion.

Heyman reports of several clubs interested in the free-agent slugger, and all have employed Napoli in the past. The Red Sox, Indians and Rangers all have interest, according to Heyman. Napoli has played for four teams (the Angels are the other one) in his 11-year career, and has made the postseason eight times.

Napoli is coming off one of the most productive seasons of his career. He set career highs in runs (92), homers (35), RBIs (101) and total bases (259) — and strikeouts (194) — at age 34 this past season for the American League-champion Indians, and teammates revered him for his strong clubhouse presence.

The three interested teams are all looking to replace power bats. The Red Sox have to a Big Papi-sized hole in their still-formidable lineup. The Rangers lost Prince Fielder to injury and Carlos Beltran to free agency, while the Indians could use Napoli’s bat back to again provide much-needed thump.

Nats want to complete trade for McCutchen The Pirates and Nationals have advanced their discussions for a potential Andrew McCutchen trade, and Washington reportedly would like to strike a deal before Friday’s contract tender deadline, according to MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi. The Nationals remained the front-runner to acquire McCutchen as of late Thursday, though the Rangers were also in contact with the Pirates, Morosi reported early Friday.

The Nationals would like to complete a trade before the deadline because the likely after-effect of acquiring McCutchen would be to non-tender shortstop Danny Espinosa, whose position would be taken by speedster Trea Turner, who would move from center field.

The Pirates are seeking contractually controllable starting pitching in exchange, such as Joe Ross and Reynaldo Lopez, according to a report by ESPN’s Jayson Stark. …

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