MLB Player News

Although the Mets are in the market for a shortstop, general manager Sandy Alderson said Wednesday he won't panic if Wilmer Flores is the opening day shortstop in 2015, according to The Star-Ledger.

While Flores hit .251 in 78 games, he actually hit well down the stretch. He batted .267 with a .489 slugging percentage, .791 OPS, one triple, four home runs, six doubles, 13 RBI and 15 runs over his final 23 games. He also had a .979 fielding percentage at shortstop in 2014.

While the Royals talked to the Phillies about first baseman Ryan Howard, Kansas City showed little interest in trading for the veteran slugger, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

The Royals responded to Philadelphia's inquiry by saying, "We're concentrating on pitching."

The Royals are showing interest in acquiring Phillies veteran first baseman Ryan Howard, according to USA Today.

The Phillies are trying to trade Howard and the $60 million remaining on his contract. The Royals are unlikely to take on that much money, but if the Phillies will pay most of the contract, the Royals could be interested in trading for Howard, who turns 35 on Nov. 19.

The Royals have had internal discussions about acquiring Howard, according to the report. They believe Howard could replace Billy Butler as the team's DH and be the 20-homer, 75-RBI threat they need to get back to the World Series.

Although, a source told the Philadelphia Daily News that Howard isn't considered the top option for the Royals. Trading for Howard could be an option down the road, if the team's first few options don't pan out.

White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu won the AL Rookie of the Year award unanimously, drawing all 30 first-place votes from the Baseball Writers Association of America. Abreu, 27, who defected from Cuba last offseason, batted .317/.383/.581 with 35 doubles, 36 homers and 107 RBI.

Abreu is the first White Sox player to win the award since shortstop Ozzie Guillen in 1985.

The Phillies met Monday with the agent for Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas, according to CSNPhilly.com. The two sides have been in talks since Tomas worked out for the Phillies in September.

"There are several teams that I could say are frontrunners, but yes (the Phillies are one of them)," Jay Alou said at the general managers' meetings Monday. "We continue to speak. I know they have things in-house they want to take care of. We’ve been talking. I respect (general manager) Ruben (Amaro Jr.) a lot and he respects me."

The Phillies are expected to make an offer for Tomas, but no formal offer has been made yet, according to Alou. The Padres, Tigers, Mets and Giants are some of the other teams showing interest in Tomas.

Tomas is a power-hitting corner outfielder. Alou said his client has "a lot more" power than White Sox slugger Jose Abreu, who hit 36 home runs as a rookie in 2014.

"With the way home runs are going, this is a guy who can hit 40," Alou said. "He can miss balls and hit them out. Tomas is a very impressive hitter. I represent Jose Bautista and he hits a lot of home runs. I’ve never seen a guy hit them as far (as Tomas)."

The Athletics are among teams interested in free agent shortstops Asdrubal Cabrera and Stephen Drew, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Looking to rebuild their roster after a disappointing 2014 season, the Phillies have begun seeking trade partners for first baseman Ryan Howard, according to  ESPN senior writer Buster Olney.

Howard, 35, hit .223 with 23 home runs and 95 RBI in 2014, but his production has begun to dip below his salary, which stands at $25 million for 2015 and 2016.

Twins first baseman/outfielder Chris Colabello is scheduled to undergo an MRI and X-rays this week on his ailing right thumb, according to the Pioneer Press. Colabello said he still feels numbness and tingling in his right thumb as a result of getting jammed on a pitch during an April 23 game against the Rays, according to the Worcester Telegram.

By most standards, White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu had a strong second half, batting .350 with a .513 sluging percentage after the All-Star break.

Though, while he hit for a higher average than in the first half (.292), Abreu saw a drop in home runs, belting just seven in the second half after having 29 before the break.

"It could be some fatigue, but I would say it was a mental fatigue," White Sox strength and conditioning coordinator Allen Thomas said, per the Chicago Sun-Times. "And the league knew him a little better in the second half. He still took singles and the opportunities to get hits, he just missed by a little bit."

Nationals second baseman and soon-to-be free agent Asdrubal Cabrera is hoping to stick around in the nation's capital.

"I really enjoy it to play with this team," he told the Washington Post. "Great guys. Good front office. I was really happy to be here and in this moment with the team."

Cabrera was traded from Cleveland to Washington with just two months remaining on his contract and was moved from shortstop to second. He could receive strong consideration in a thin free agent class for shortstops headlined by Hanley Ramirez and Jed Lowrie. He also proved steady at second base, though he has little range at either middle infield position. And the Yankees will be seeking a new shortstop to replace retired Derek Jeter.

The presence of Ian Desmond would prevent Cabrera from moving back to short if he remains with the Nationals.