Rumor Roundup: Astros in on Quintana?

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.

• Hot Stove Tracker

Astros emerge in continuing Quintana talks

Trade talks continue regarding White Sox left-hander Jose Quintana, and the Astros are one of the most serious suitors, sources told MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi on Friday.

With the Astros trying to get back to the playoffs after a disappointing third-place finish in the American League West in 2016, Quintana would slot in nicely at the front end of their starting rotation along with Dallas Keuchel.

Quintana, who turns 28 this month, is under a relatively team-friendly contract for the next four years. He’s thrown at least 200 innings in each of the last four seasons with a 3.35 ERA in that span. Quintana went 13-12 with a career-best 3.20 ERA in 32 starts in 2016, his fifth year in the big leagues with Chicago.

On Wednesday, MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal had reported that in addition to Houston, the Pirates and Yankees also remain in the mix for Quintana, although the Yankees are considered long shots to land him.

Rosenthal noted that the White Sox are standing pat on their steep asking price for Quintana, and while pitching remains a priority for the Yankees, they’re seemingly less willing than others to part with top prospects like outfielder Clint Frazier or infielder Gleyber Torres.

“I think the most important currency to have nowadays is high-end prospects, and I think we — by everyone’s evaluation — have collected a number of those,” New York general manager Brian Cashman told MLB Network. “So I think we can easily do that. It’s just, will we do that?

“I think we’ll stay engaged in the marketplace, and over time, if we do match up favorably with anybody where we can get what we want and they get what they want, then yes, we’ll try to pull something down.”

If Chicago can’t find a trade partner this winter, it could look to deal Quintana at next season’s non-waiver Trade Deadline. The White Sox already completed one blockbuster trade involving a pitcher this offseason, dealing ace Chris Sale to the Red Sox early last month.

Should they move on from Quintana, Rosenthal said the White Sox could turn to the free-agent market for a veteran replacement on a one-year deal to complement the club’s young starters.

Braves could be in mix for Dozier

The Braves might end up being the team that grabs star Twins second baseman Brian Dozier, according to a report from the Pioneer Press’ Mike Berardino on Friday.

A source told Berardino that Atlanta could be a “stealth landing spot” for Dozier, with trade chips like 24-year-old right-handers Matt Wisler and Aaron Blair. The Twins could use young, high-upside starting pitchers to complement their core of young position players.

On Wednesday, Morosi reported that trade discussions involving Dozier were expected to be sorted out in the next week, regardless of whether or not a deal gets done.

The Dodgers have been the favorite to land Dozier this offseason, and, per Morosi, they are still one of the clubs in talks with the Twins.

Dozier’s 40 homers as a second baseman set an American League record for the position, and he had 42 long balls overall. The 29-year-old owns a career .246/.320/.442 slash line in his five big league seasons, all with the Twins.

The Cardinals, Giants and Nationals have also reportedly shown interest in acquiring Dozier, who has $15 million remaining on his current contract over the next two years.

Tyson might join Joe in DC

While the Rangers and Cubs continue to be favorites to sign free-agent starter Tyson Ross, the Nationals are also in the mix, according to a report by Rosenthal.

The Nationals are still …

continue reading in source mlb.mlb.com