Rumor Roundup: Nats, others seek Sale

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 trade talks continue The Nationals continue to be involved in trade talks for White Sox ace Chris Sale, as well as for Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen, sources told Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal on Saturday.

Several other teams, meanwhile, might still be interested in Sale, but only if the White Sox are willing to lower their high asking price. According to Rosenthal’s report, the Red Sox are open to a trade for the left-hander, but not for what it would currently take to land him. The Astros and Rangers are out on Sale at the current asking price, per Rosenthal, and the Dodgers are focusing on free-agent signings over trades, while the Braves are still in the mix.

MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman had reported on Friday that those five teams — the Nationals, Astros, Red Sox, Rangers and Braves — were “starting to separate themselves at the forefront” of the trade talks for Sale. But 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.

Heyman also reported that the Cardinals, Blue Jays and Giants looked 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.

Melancon talks advancing Mark Melancon’s free agency talks are “moving along,” with the Giants and Nationals both still candidates to sign the closer, according to a report from ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick on Friday.

Sources told Crasnick that Melancon, one of the top closers available along with Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen, could get a deal in the range of four years, $60 million. That would be a record deal for a reliever, but likely less than what Jansen or Chapman will command — one executive told Crasnick that Jansen could get five years and $80-90 million.

Washington traded for Melancon midseason in 2016 to secure the back end of its bullpen. He had a 1.82 ERA and 17 saves in 30 appearances for the National League East champs, who are interested in bringing him back. The Giants’ bullpen struggled in 2016, blowing an MLB-worst 30 saves during the regular season and two more during their Division Series loss to the Cubs.

The Giants, according to Crasnick, are focusing on signing a closer. The Nationals, meanwhile, are also discussing possible trades for Sale and Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen.

Giants pursuing outfield bat The Giants are looking to acquire a power-hitting outfielder and are “pursuing all avenues” to do so, sources told Yahoo! Sports’ Jeff Passan on Friday.

According to Passan’s report, the Tigers’ J.D. Martinez is a possibility, and Detroit would be willing to trade the 29-year-old. Martinez batted .307 with 22 home runs and 68 RBIs this season, while being limited to 120 games due to a right elbow fracture he suffered in June.

The Tigers are looking to shed payroll heading into next season, and per Passan, Martinez and second baseman Ian Kinsler have drawn the most …

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