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.

Dodgers tendered contracts for all eight arbitration-eligible players, including agreeing to a one-year deal for Darwin Barney prior to Tuesday's midnight deadline, per the team's official website. Those players include: Catcher A.J. Ellis, closer Kenley Jansen, infielder Dee Gordon, third baseman Justin Turner, catcher Drew Butera, pitcher Juan Nicascio and newly-acquired outfielder Chris Heisey.

The Giants have tendered contracts to all six arbitration-eligible players, per the team's official website on Tuesday. Those players include: Brandon Belt, Brandon Crawford, Gregor Blanco, Hector Sanchez, Travis Ishikawa and Yusmeiro Petit.

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.

The Marlins have made long-term offers to outfielder Christian Yelich and shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria, and are expected to offer a contract extension to outfielder Marcell Ozuna early this week, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

The offer to Yelich is patterned after the six-year, $31 million deal Pirates outfielder Starling Marte received, but for less money.

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.

Now that the Marlins have signed star outfielder Giancarlo Stanton to a long-term deal, the team is still trying to sign shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria and outfielder Christian Yelich to multiyear deals, according to CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

As far as outfielder Marcell Ozuna and starting pitcher Jose Fernandez are concerned, however, it appears it could be a little more difficult to work out contract extensions, especially for Fernandez.

The Marlins and star outfielder Giancarlo Stanton have a deal in place for a record $325 million over 13 seasons, team sources told CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman.

Stanton is expected to receive an early opt-out clause and a no-trade provision as part of the deal. The opt-out clause is expected to occur not long after Stanton turns 30 years old.