Rumor Roundup: Mets could deal for CFer

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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Mets searching for center fielder

The Mets are actively exploring trade possibilities to acquire a center fielder, according to a report from MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal.

New York has been “semi-engaged” in trade discussions with several clubs, but has not built any momentum toward striking a deal, according to Rosenthal. Discussions with the Pirates about star center fielder Andrew McCutchen have been “off and on,” while the Mets don’t appear to have strong interest in the Royals’ Lorenzo Cain, who is set to enter free agency next winter, and Jarrod Dyson, whom New York views as similar to its current center fielder Juan Lagares in his limited ability to contribute offensively on an everyday level. Meanwhile, the Rockies appear to be hesitant to move Charlie Blackmon, and Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton doesn’t have a track record of getting on base that the Mets would prefer.

• Mets can still improve situation in CF

Making matters more complicated for New York is the fact that its depth chart is overcrowded in right field with left-handed hitters Jay Bruce, Michael Conforto and Curtis Granderson. The Mets would likely have to trade at least one, or perhaps two, of those players in order to acquire a center fielder, as well as replace one of the young pitchers that might also need to be dealt in order to check off the other positions on their wish list. Any of those three players would likely be a downgrade defensively in center field.

Shortly after Rosenthal’s report, MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi added that the Blue Jays remain in discussion with the Mets about acquiring Bruce or Granderson, likely planning for the possibility that Jose Bautista decides not to re-sign with Toronto.

Quintana could be next trade chip for White Sox

The Yankees might be ready to engage in talks for Jose Quintana.

A source told MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi on Monday that the Bronx Bombers are interested in the Chicago left-hander, who could be the next trade chip the South Siders move as they continue their rebuild.

Although Quintana isn’t quite in the same echelon as former White Sox lefty Chris Sale — who was traded to the Red Sox for four prospects — Quintana has been one of the American League’s best pitchers for the past four seasons, and he also has a team-friendly deal.

Quintana, who turns 28 in January, was 13-12 with a 3.20 ERA in 32 starts in 2016. He’s posted an ERA of 3.51 or lower while working at least 200 innings in four consecutive years.

Quintana is due to make $7 million in 2017 and $8.85 million in ’18, and he also has two team options ($10.5 million in ’19, $11.5 million in ’20).

The Yankees, thanks to last season’s non-waiver Trade Deadline deals of Andrew Miller, Carlos Beltran and Aroldis Chapman, have the type of prospects the White Sox have been looking for in exchange for Quintana.

Tyson Ross visits Wrigley Field

Free-agent right-hander Tyson Ross was reportedly in Chicago on Monday touring Wrigley Field and the City of Chicago. He also underwent an examination as he recovers from thoracic outlet syndrome, according to 670 The Score’s Bruce Levine.

The Cubs have been linked to Ross since the conclusion of the Winter Meetings, according to a previous report from CSN Chicago’s Patrick Mooney on Saturday.

Ross is recovering from October surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome — the same nerve condition that ended the seasons of Matt Harvey and Phil Hughes in 2016 — and was non-tendered by the Padres earlier this month.

The 29-year-old will likely be seeking a free-agent deal in the $9-11 million range, according to the Dallas Morning News’ Evan Grant.

Ross made only one start in 2016 due to injury, on Opening Day for San Diego, but posted 30-plus starts in both 2014 and ’15, pitching to a 3.03 ERA over that span and averaging 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings.

The Cubs previously targeted Ross before the 2015 non-waiver Trade Deadline, and the Rangers and Pirates are among other teams with reported interest in Ross this offseason.

Trio of southpaws on Toronto’s radar

Toronto is actively surveying the free-agent market for left-handed relievers, Morosi reported Monday.

Travis Wood, Jerry Blevins and Boone Logan are the trio the Blue Jays are showing the most interest in, per Morosi.

Wood, who turns 30 in February, had a 2.95 ERA in 77 appearances for the Cubs in 2016. He also would add rotation depth for the Blue Jays, as the 2013 All-Star worked exclusively as a starter for his first five seasons before shifting to the ‘pen the past two years.

Blevins, 33, posted a 2.79 ERA in 73 appearances for the Mets last season. He has a 3.44 career ERA in 10 seasons with the A’s, Nationals and Mets.

The 32-year-old Logan is coming off a season in which he posted a 3.69 ERA in 66 appearances in the final year of a three-year contract with Colorado. He has a 4.45 ERA in 581 career games with the White Sox, Braves, Yankees and Rockies.

Mariners interested in Fister

Morosi confirmed Monday that the Mariners have shown interest in free-agent right-hander Doug Fister, as Bob Dutton of The Tacoma News Tribune had previously reported.

Fister, who turns 33 in February, began his career with Seattle before being traded to Detroit in 2011. He is coming off a season in which he was 12-13 with a 4.64 ERA in 32 starts for the Astros.

Fister turned in a career year in 2014 with the Nationals, going 16-6 with a 2.41 ERA, but he has yet to regain that form since dealing with injuries in ’15.

Fister is 77-76 with a 3.60 ERA in eight seasons with the Mariners, Tigers, Nationals and Astros.

Rays may take a look at Bautista

Although Jose Bautista remains in talks with the Blue Jays, there are also rumors that he may join another AL East club — the Tampa Bay Rays.

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