Major League Baseball

MLB Hot Stove Tracker: Free agency, trades, rumors & news

Published Feb. 1, 2016 12:15 a.m. ET

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Chris Bahr

Can you smell it? That's the grass on Grapefruit League and Cactus League fields.

February has arrived and spring training isn't far behind. And although most of the premier free agents have signed big-money deals, some prominent names remain on the market. And the trade activity might even increase as teams tweak their rosters for camp.

● All of November's news, moves and rumors

● All of December's news, moves and rumors

● All of January's news, moves and rumors

We'll continue to track all of it, with help from our insiders Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi. Follow all of their tweets and all of the hottest industry buzz right here.

The latest:

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 17

● (10:03 p.m. ET): The Nationals agree to a minor-league deal with free-agent RP Matt Belisle.

● (4:54 p.m. ET): The Rockies agree to a two-year, $7.8 million deal with 2B DJ LeMahieu to avoid arbitration.

TUESDAY, FEB. 16

● (8:34 p.m. ET): FOX Sports Insider Ken Rosenthal explains why the Rockies should sign free-agent SS Ian Desmond. Full story

● (12:27 p.m. ET): The Astros and DH Evan Gattis agree to a one-year, $3.3 milion deal (with a $5.2 million team option for 2017) to avoid arbitration, the Houston Chronicle reports.

● (11:24 a.m. ET): FOX Sports Insider Jon Paul Morosi reports there is optimism that 3B Adrian Beltre and the Rangers will agree to a contract extension. Full story

MONDAY, FEB. 15

● (6:23 p.m. ET): FOX Sports Insider Jon Paul Morosi reports the Nationals aren't in active talks with SP Stephen Strasburg about a contract extension, and the two sides likely won't negotiate during the season. Strasburg is eligible for free agency after the 2016 season. Full story

● (4:56 p.m. ET): FOX Sports Insider Jon Paul Morosi reports Blue Jays DH/1B Edwin Encarnacion has set a deadline of Opening Day to sign a contract extension. He is under contract through just the upcoming season. Full story

SUNDAY, FEB. 14

● (9:16 p.m. ET): Free-agent 1B Ike Davis agrees to a minor-league deal with the Rangers, MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports.

FRIDAY, FEB. 12

● (6:45 p.m. ET): RP Aroldis Chapman and the Yankees agree to a one-year, $11,325,000 million contract to avoid salary arbitration. Full story

● (6:37 p.m. ET): The Athletics acquire OF Khris Davis from the Brewers in exchange for RHP Bubby Derby and C Jacob Nottingham. Full story

● (5:28 p.m. ET): Mets RP Jenrry Mejia becomes the first player to receive a lifetime ban under the MLB's drug agreement after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance for the third time. Full story

● (5:27 p.m. ET): The Indians sign free-agent RP Tommy Hunter to a one-year deal, The Plain Dealer reports.

● (3:54 p.m. ET): The Marlins agree to a minor-league deal with free-agent RP Craig Breslow, WEEI reports.

● (2:12 p.m. ET): In his latest column, FOX Sports Insider Ken Rosenthal says Reds OF Jay Bruce, Brewers C Jonathan Lucroy, Padres OF Matt Kemp and A's DH Billy Butler are just a few of the names being discussed in a busy late-offseason trade market. Full story

● (12:30 p.m. ET): The Brewers sign free-agent RP Blaine Boyer a minor-league contract.

● (10:08 a.m. ET): The agent for Cuban phenom "Lazarito" says his client isn't close to a decision and there are new teams in the mix to sign him, MLB.com reports.

THURSDAY, FEB. 11

● (10:25 p.m. ET): The Royals announce they have agreed with 3B Mike Moustakas on a two-year, $14.3 million contract, avoiding arbitration.  

● (4:35 p.m. ET): The Pirates sign free-agent RP Eric O'Flaherty to a minor-league contract, Yahoo Sports reports.

● (3:09 p.m. ET): The White Sox are among the teams interested in free-agent SS Ian Desmond, MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports.

● (2:35 p.m. ET): FOX Sports Insider Ken Rosenthal reports the Dodgers are trying to trade INF/OF Alex Guerrero.

● (8:13 p.m. ET): FOX Sports Insider Ken Rosenthal reports the Orioles have interest in free-agent INF Pedro Alvarez and Reds OF Jay Bruce, in addition to free-agent OF Dexter Fowler.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 10

● (4:53 p.m. ET): FOX Sports Insider Ken Rosenthal reports the Orioles also might pursue free-agent OF Dexter Fowler if they are able to complete a deal with free-agent SP Yovani Gallardo.

● (3:39 p.m. ET): The Giants and 1B Brandon Belt agree to a one-year, $6.2 million contract to avoid an arbitration hearing, MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports. Full story

● (10:22 a.m. ET): FOX Sports Insider Ken Rosenthal reports the Orioles are making progress in talks with free-agent SP Yovani Gallardo. Full story

● (8:07 a.m. ET): The Rangers agree to a one-year, $5.7 million deal with 1B Mitch Moreland to avoid arbitration, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. Full story

TUESDAY, FEB. 9

● (5:00 p.m. ET): The White Sox agree to a minor-league deal with free-agent OF/INF Travis Ishikawa, SB Nation reports.

● (1:52 p.m. ET): The White Sox agree to a deal with free-agent SP Mat Latos, ESPN reports. Update: The team announces it is a one-year, $3 million contract.

● (1:51 p.m. ET): The Mariners sign free-agent RP Joel Peralta to a minor-league contract, MLB.com reports.

● (1:38 p.m. ET): The Astros beat C Jason Castro in arbitration, and he will earn $5 million during the 2016 season. Full story

● (11:25 a.m. ET): The Rays are unlikely to sign free-agent SS Ian Desmond because they are uwilling to surrender the compensatory draft pick it would cost to do so, ESPN reports.

MONDAY, FEB. 8

● (11:20 p.m. ET): The Diamondbacks agree to a two-year deal with OF A.J. Pollock to avoid arbitration, MLB.com reports. FOX Sports MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal reports the contract is worth $10.25 million. 

● (10:25 p.m. ET): The Blue Jays and 3B Josh Donaldson avoid arbitration with a two-year deal worth nearly $29 million, Sportsnet reports. Full story

● (9:19 p.m. ET): FOX Sports MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal reports free-agent OF/INF Skip Schumaker agrees to a minor-league deal with the Padres.

● (8:12 p.m. ET): The Tigers and OF J.D. Martinez agree to a two-year, $18.5 million deal to avoid arbitration, MLB.com reports.

● (5:34 p.m. ET): The Mets sign free-agent OF Roger Bernadina to a minor-league contract.

● (4:10 p.m. ET): Free-agent RP Tyler Clippard agrees to a two-year, $12.25 million deal with the Diamondbacks, FOX Sports Insider Ken Rosenthal reports.

● (2:57 p.m. ET): The Indians agree to a minor-league contract with free-agent RP Craig Stammen.

SUNDAY, FEB. 7

● (11:41 a.m. ET): Free-agent SP Freddy Garcia plans to retire after 15 season in the majors, MLB.com reports. Full story

SATURDAY, FEB. 6

● (2:29 p.m. ET): The Jays sign free-agent SP Gavin Floyd to a one-year, $1 million dollar contract. Full story

● (1:42 p.m. ET): SP/RP Jesse Chavez defeats the Blue Jays in salary arbitration, improving players to 3-0 this year in cases that went to hearings. Chavez was awarded a $4 million salary. Full story

FRIDAY, FEB. 5

● (11:56 p.m. ET): Cubs SP Jake Arrieta agrees to a one-year, $10.7 million contract, avoiding arbitration with the highest one-year deal for a pitcher with four years of major-league service. Full story

● (6:34 p.m. ET): The Orioles agree to a one-year, $6.75 million deal with RP Zach Britton to avoid arbitration, MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports.

● (3:59 p.m. ET): The Giants have had discussions with free-agent INF Juan Uribe about a utility role but his asking price has been too high, ESPN reports.

● (3:02 p.m. ET): The Yankees announce the signing of 15 free agents to minor-league contracts, including INF Pete Kozma, RP Vinnie Pestano and RP Anthony Swarzak.

● (1:41 p.m. ET): RP J.J. Hoover beats the Reds in arbitration and will make $1.4 million this season. Full story

● (10:19 a.m. ET): The Blue Jays announce they have signed free-agent RP David Aardsma to a minor-league contract.

THURSDAY, FEB. 4

● (11:50 p.m. ET): RP Fernando Rodney and the Padres complete their one-year, $2 million deal. Full story

● (11:24 p.m. ET): The Orioles and RP Brian Matusz agree on a one-year, $3.9 million contract, avoiding arbitration. Full story

● (9:44 p.m. ET): The Blue Jays agree to a deal with free-agent SP Gavin Floyd, SB Nation reports.

● (5:42 p.m. ET): FOX Sports Insider Ken Rosenthal reports the Orioles remain interested in free-agent SP Yovani Gallardo. Full story

● (3:41 p.m. ET): Rays SP Drew Smyly wins baseball's first salary arbitration case this year. A three-person panel decided in the lefty's favor, awarding him a raise from $2.65 million to $3.75 million. Full story

● (1:30 p.m. ET): The Dodgers announce their two-year, $20 million deal with free-agent 2B Howie Kendrick.

● (1:15 p.m. ET): FOX Sports Insider Ken Rosenthal reports the Orioles acquire SP/RP Odrisamer Despaigne from the Padres in exchange for minor-league SP Jean Cosme.

● (11:44 a.m. ET): The Dodgers are telling other teams that OF Yasiel Puig is not available in a trade, USA Today reports. Full story

● (10:53 a.m. ET): The Orioles have interest in free-agent SP Tim Lincecum, The Baltimore Sun reports. Full story

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 3

● (8:49 p.m. ET): The Orioles sign RP Hideki Okajima to a minor-league deal, The Baltimore Sun reports.

● (8:36 p.m. ET): SP Drew Smyly and the Rays have argued baseball's first salary arbitration case this year. A decision is expected Thursday. Full story

● (8:01 p.m. ET): RP Jeurys Familia and the Mets avoid arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $4.1 million deal. Full story

● (4:51 p.m. ET): FOX Sports Insider Ken Rosenthal reports free-agent OF Jonny Gomes will play in Japan during the 2016 season. Full story

● (4:04 p.m. ET): FOX Sports Insider Jon Paul Morosi reports free-agent INF/OF Don Kelly signs a minor-league deal with the Marlins.

● (1:18 p.m. ET): The Mariners announce they have signed Korean 1B Dae-Ho Lee and free-agent C Steve Lerud to minor-league contracts. Full story

● (11:28 a.m. ET): The Phillies trade minor-league SP Jesse Biddle to the Pirates, according to Philly.com. Update: The Phillies receive RP Yoervis Medina in exchange for Biddle.

● (8:18 a.m. ET): The Braves will hold a private workout for 16-year-old Cuban phenom "Lazarito" this Saturday, MLB.com reports. Full story

TUESDAY, FEB. 2

● (3:15 p.m. ET): The Blue Jays acquire OF Darrell Ceciliani from the Mets in exchange for cash.

● (2:33 p.m. ET): Free-agent SP Mark Buehrle doesn't plan to sign with a team now but isn't officially retiring, ESPN reports.

● (1:54 p.m. ET): The Nationals sign free-agent INF Brendan Ryan to a minor-league contract, SB Nation reports.

● (12:24 p.m. ET): Free-agent OF Carlos Quentin agrees to a minor-league deal with the Twins, MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports.

● (5:59 a.m. ET): The Indians are targeting free-agent 3B Juan Uribe, ESPN reports. Full story

MONDAY, FEB. 1

● (4:15 p.m. ET): The Giants and RP George Kontos agree to a one-year, $1.15 million deal to avoid salary arbitration, MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports.

● (12:01 p.m. ET): The White Sox are exploring the possibility of a trade for Dodgers OF Andre Ethier, MLB.com reports. Full story

● (9:14 a.m. ET): The Reds plan to enter the season with Brandon Phillips as their starting second baseman after he twice vetoed trades this offseason, the Cincinnati Enquirer reports. Full story

● (8:11 a.m. ET): The Denver Post notes the Rockies have done nothing this offseason to improve their shaky bullpen, and quotes GM Jeff Bridich as saying reports of the team's pursuit of free-agent SP Yovani Gallardo are "fairly overblown."

● (7:26 a.m. ET): In his latest column, FOX Sports Insider Ken Rosenthal explains why signing OF Jose Bautista to a contract extension doesn't make sense for the Blue Jays -- unless they take the human element into account.

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