MLB Player News

Reds manager Walt Jocketty said Tuesday he has not talked to the Red Sox about a trade involving outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. 

The Reds seem like a potential trade partner for the Red Sox since they are in need of an outfielder and Boston is in the market for a starting pitcher. Four of the Reds' starting pitchers -- Johnny Cueto, Mat Latos, Alfredo Simon and Mike Leake -- are due to be free agents following the 2015 season.

As expected, the Tigers have tendered contracts to all four arbitration-eligible players prior to the midnight deadline on Tuesday, reports the Detroit Free-Press. Those players include: Al Alburquerque, J.D. Martinez, Rick Porcello and David Price.

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said in a radio interview Wednesday that outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is in the team's plans for next year. 

“We acquired him at the deadline in the [Jon] Lester trade because we felt that was the best deal at the time, we still feel that way. He’s in our plans for next year and his versatility and skill in the outfield and gives us the flexibility, could play any of the three positions," Cherington said. "We’ll just see what the rest of the offseason brings. We have a long way to go, and as we get to January, closer to spring training, we’ll know more about who’s here and how it all adds up.”

Cespedes hit .260 with 100 RBI last season between Oakland and Boston. 

Red Sox manager John Farrell said Tuesday he talked to outfielder Yoenis Cespedes following the news Boston was signing Hanley Ramirez to play in left field. Farrell said Cespedes is open to playing in center and right field.

Cespedes continues to be at the center of trade rumors. He is in the final year of his contract.

The Mariners have discussed trades on multiple right-handed hitting outfielders, including Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, Red Sox outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and Braves outfielder Justin Upton, according to FOX Sports reporter Jon Morosi.

All three players have been mentioned in trade rumors, and the Cespedes speculation has picked up in the last day with the Red Sox signing Hanley Ramirez, who is expected to move to the outfield. Cespedes and Upton are in the final year of their contracts, while Kemp is signed through 2019.

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said there have been a few discussions with outfielder Yoenis Cespedes' new agents, according to The Boston Globe. However, a new deal is not a top priority.

Cespedes is in the final year of a four-year contract he signed with the A's as a top international free agent in Feb. 2012. He was traded to Boston in July.

Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington said Saturday that the team is not looking to move any particular player, including outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, WEEI.com reports.

"Several teams have asked about our outfielders, not any one in particular," Cherington said. "Because we have some depth there, theoretically, we’ve gotten asked on that, particularly with teams that may match up. I’m not ruling out getting into a trade conversations where we might match up. But there is no particular player that we’re looking to move, including Cespedes. But we’re going to make the team better where we can and we’ll try to be open-minded when trying to do that."

Cespedes' name has come up in trade rumors as he is about to enter the final year of his contract. He hit .260/.301/.450 with 22 home runs, 100 RBI and seven stolen bases in 600 at-bats between Oakland and Boston in 2014.

Marlins president David Samson has claimed that slugger Giancarlo Stanton "is on the team either way" in 2015, according to the Boston Herald, which is offering that the Red Sox could seek to obtain him through the trading of top prospects.

Speculation is that the Marlins, who have been working on a contract extension with Stanton, cannot afford to keep him. Stanton is slated for free agency after the 2016 season. But he will be needed if Miami hopes to make a playoff push next year in a mediocre National League East. The Marlins were on the periphery of playoff contention through much of 2014.

Brad Ausmus is considering using 2014 Tigers surprise J.D. Martinez at designated hitter next season if Victor Martinez flies the coop in free agency.

"It's possible," Ausmus told the Detroit News. "We're certainly hoping something works out with Victor, but we have talked about that, about using J.D. there depending on how things shake out."

Martinez was used primarily in left field this year.

"I don't think you'd have to stick him at DH and never take him out or not use him in the outfield," Ausmus added. "Really, at that age -- Martinez is 27 -- I don't think I'd want to pigeon-hole him at DH."

Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera underwent right ankle surgery to remove bone spurs and to repair a stress fracture in a bone at the top of his foot on Wednesday, the team announced on Friday, per MLB.com. Cabrera, who was plagued by the injury throughout the season, batted .313 with 25 homers and 109 RBI over 611 at-bats. Cabrera is expected to be re-evaluated in three months.