Rumor Roundup: Rangers, Rockies in touch?

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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Rangers checking in on Rockies outfielders

The Rangers have reportedly been in contact with the Rockies about their surplus of outfielders, according to MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi.

Texas has taken a blow in free agency this winter, losing key offensive contributors such as Carlos Beltran (Astros), Mitch Moreland (Red Sox) and Ian Desmond (Rockies). The Rangers retained Carlos Gomez on a one-year, $11.5 million deal, and would be open to shifting Shin-Soo Choo to designated hitter if they were able to bring in another outfielder, per Morosi.

The Rockies have plenty of outfield depth to offer, though they value that commodity greatly and would likely ask for a major haul in return.

MLB.com reported last week that Charlie Blackmon was mentioned in discussions with the Blue Jays, and Carlos Gonzalez has been speculated as a trade chip with just one year left on his contract, worth $20 million. However, Rockies general manager Jeff Bridich has aggressively shot down trade speculation for either, and he said he told Blackmon earlier this week “to take all the rumors and anything he might be reading with a huge grain of salt.”

“As the situation was with CarGo over the last few years, there are teams that are doing their jobs and their due-diligence and calling on our guys,” Bridich said on Tuesday. “But we have no plans that we want to or we need to trade Charlie Blackmon. That’s never been part of our M.O.”

The Rockies signed Desmond, for five years and $70 million, to play first base, a position he’s never played. But Desmond brings defensive versatility to be shifted back to the outfield, where first played in Texas last spring.

Such a transition would open the door for the Rockies to sign one of the sluggers who also play first base remaining on the market, such as Mark Trumbo or Edwin Encarnacion, though Bridich shot down many of those speculations on Thursday. And signing either would be highly unlikely unless they traded some of their current outfield depth, which also includes David Dahl and Raimel Tapia, who the Rockies value tremendously.

The Rangers have also been in contact with Encarnacion’s agent about his asking price, per Morosi, however it remains unclear if there’s an offer currently on the table. Encarnacion would cost Texas a first-round Draft pick as part of the qualifying offer he turned down from the Blue Jays. But the Rangers have the flexibility to part ways with theirs, as they will receive a compensation pick in the first round since Desmond rejected their qualifying offer.

Jeff Bridich has been arguably more aggressive in these recent weeks than ever during his two-year tenure as Rockies GM. The club signed reliever Mike Dunn on Thursday to a three-year, $19 million deal to help Colorado’s beleaguered bullpen, which finished with an MLB-worst 5.13 ERA in 2016.

Ziegler nearing a decision

Free-agent reliever Brad Ziegler has multiple offers on the table and could soon make a decision on where he will play next, a source told SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo on Thursday.

It’s anticipated that Ziegler will land either a three-year deal or a two-year contract with an option, per Cotillo.

The 37-year-old right-hander went 4-7 with a 2.25 ERA in 69 games split between Arizona and Boston last season. Ziegler went 2-4 with a 1.52 ERA after he was dealt to the Red Sox on July 9.

The right-hander has reportedly been linked to multiple clubs, including the Nationals, Blue Jays and Mets.

Dodgers, Twins talking Dozier trade

The Dodgers and Twins have had ongoing discussions regarding a possible trade that would send Minnesota second baseman Brian Dozier to Los Angeles, sources told MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi on Wednesday.

Per Morosi, no deal is imminent, but the two sides “remain in dialogue.”

With veteran Chase Utley now a free agent, the Dodgers are looking to make a play for Dozier to help fill their vacancy at second base.

Dozier set an American League record for most home runs in a season by a second baseman when he clubbed 42 total long balls last season.

The 29-year-old still has two years and $15 million remaining on his current contract.

Rangers looking into …

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