Rumor Roundup: Mariners eyed Smyly

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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Smyly deal discussed over Winter Meetings

The Mariners had discussions with the Rays during the Winter Meetings about acquiring left-handed starter Drew Smyly, according to the Seattle Times.

Smyly, 27, went 7-12 with a 4.88 ERA in 30 starts for Tampa Bay last season, striking out 167 and walking 49 in 175 1/3 innings. He’ll be entering his third year of arbitration after next season (he’s projected to make $6.9 million in 2017) and is due for free agency after the 2018 season.

But according to the Seattle Times report, the talks didn’t materialize because Seattle’s prospect depth is too thin.

While Rays starters Chris Archer and Jake Odorizzi appear to be out of the Mariners’ price range, Smyly would be easier to acquire because of remaining years of team control and projected salary. But beyond Kyle Lewis and Tyler O’Neill, Seattle’s No. 1 and No. 2 prospects, respectively, per MLBPipeline.com, the organization lacks the type of middle-tier prospects needed to make such a deal easier to reach.

Twins in talks with multiple clubs regarding Dozier trade

As the Dodgers continue talks with the Twins in an attempt to acquire second baseman Brian Dozier, the Cardinals, Nationals and Giants have entered the discussions, according to Darren Wolfson of 5 Eyewitness News in Minnesota. Per Wolfson, the Cardinals are “very much” in the running to acquire Dozier, while the Nationals and Giants “remain in dialogue” with the Twins.

The Dodgers have been the favorite to land the Minnesota second baseman for a few weeks and are still trying to work out a deal.

Dozier, 29, led all Major League second baseman with 42 home runs in 2016. He has a career .246 batting average over his five MLB seasons, all of which have come with Minnesota.

Dozier has $15 million remaining on his contract over the next two seasons.

Blue Jays interested in McCutchen

The Blue Jays are one of several clubs interested in trading for Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen, per a report from ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick on Saturday.

According to Crasnick, the Blue Jays — who could lose Jose Bautista in free agency — are continuing to explore trade options for an outfielder, with McCutchen being one name on their radar. McCutchen, though, would cost Toronto significant prospects to land.

• Report: Bautista open to Blue Jays deal if over qualifier

Despite the 30-year-old seeming likely to be traded early in the offseason, the Pirates held onto him through the Winter Meetings. Bucs general manager Neal Huntington said the team intends to hold on to McCutchen and “it’s unlikely that someone changes that going forward.”

McCutchen was an All-Star five seasons in a row from 2011-15, and won the ’13 National League MVP Award, before struggling through a down year in ’16. He dealt with a right thumb injury that made it painful to grip the bat, as he finished the season with a .256/.336/.430 slash line, 24 homers and 79 RBIs.

Report: Napoli may move on to O’s

The Orioles are reportedly interested in free-agent first baseman Mike Napoli, according to the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo.

Napoli would provide a replacement for Mark Trumbo, whose negotiations to re-sign in Baltimore stalled last week. The Orioles may face some competition from the Rangers, however; they’re said to be seriously considering Napoli, who played for Texas from 2011-12 and in ’15.

Napoli, 35, is coming off a career year with the Indians in which he totaled personal bests for home runs (34) and RBIs (101). But the Indians moved on from the veteran slugger Thursday when they reached a three-year agreement with Edwin Encarnacion.

Orioles interested in Rajai

The Orioles are interested in free-agent outfielder Rajai Davis, according to reports from the Baltimore Sun’s Eduardo A. Encina and MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman on Friday.

Davis hit .249/.306/.388 in 134 games with the Indians in 2016, with a career-high 12 home runs, 48 RBIs and an American League-leading 48 stolen bases.

The 36-year-old, an 11-year veteran, hit a memorable game-tying two-run homer with two outs in the eighth inning of Game 7 of the World Series off then-Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman.

The Orioles have been looking to upgrade their corner outfield — they’re set with Adam Jones in center — and Davis can play all three outfield positions. He spent the most time in center and left field last season. Davis could also potentially hit leadoff for the O’s.

Weaver may move down coast to San Diego

The Padres continue to look for ways to fill considerable holes in their starting rotation, so it should come as little surprise to hear they are interested in free agent starter Jered Weaver, according to Heyman, who reported Weaver is just one of several veteran possibilities San Diego is considering.

Weaver, 34, is a three-time All-Star and former 20-game winner who just concluded his 11th season with the Angels. The former ace has seen his production fade in recent years, due in large part to diminished velocity. Weaver’s fastball averaged 83 mph last season, …

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