Hot Stove roundup: Trades highlight busy day
The Hot Stove burned quite a bit on Friday, as a handful of deals went down throughout Major League Baseball.
The biggest was a swap between the Cardinals and Angels that sent third baseman David Freese and right-handed reliever Fernando Salas to the Halos for center fielder Peter Bourjos and outfield prospect Randal Grichuk.
In another move, the Brewers sent right-handed reliever Burke Badenhop to the Red Sox for Minor League lefty Luis Ortega. Here's the Red Sox angle and Brewers' angle.
In New York, the Mets addressed their outfield situation by signing Chris Young to a one-year deal. The contract is pending a physical, which Young will undergo next week.
The Indians inked left-handed reliever Mike Zagurski to a Minor League deal, while A's infielder Scott Sizemore elected free agency.
Other news and notes from across the league:
American League East
• Although the Yankees are still interested in retaining second baseman Robinson Cano, the top free agent on the market, they are still addressing other needs and are engaged with five or six other free agents, general manager Brian Cashman said. Here's a breakdown of who and what the Yankees are looking at.
• News within this Rays notebook: Tampa Bay is expected to bring back all of its coaching staff, as well as catcher Jose Molina, who is reportedly close to a deal to remain with the club.
• Blue Jays reliever Sergio Santos is hopeful his injuries are in the past. The 30-year-old has appeared in just 35 games in the last two years since being acquired from the White Sox.
• MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli answers fans' questions in her Inbox, including inquiries about the rotation.
AL Central
• MLB.com's Jason Beck writes the Tigers still need to address their rotation despite shredding payroll in the Prince Fielder /Ian Kinsler deal.
• Former Royal Mike Sweeney helped the Royals land left-hander Jason Vargas.
• Pitching prospect Alex Meyer is rising in the Twins organization.
• The Indians released their Spring Training schedule.
AL West
• The Rangers are searching for another big bat to join Fielder, who will be introduced at a Monday news conference.
• The Angels have to look elsewhere for pitching help with Vargas now in Kansas City.
• A's prospect Jeremy Barfield is moving from the outfield to the mound.
• Former hitting coach Jim Eppard has returned to the Angels as a Minor League hitting instructor. The Angels also hired Nick Francona, Terry's son, as a coordinator of Major League intelligence, a role in which he will help Major League player information coach Rick Eckstein in helping to coordinate and build advanced scouting plans for each series.
National League East
• The Braves hired former Indians and Rangers general manager John Hart as a senior advisor in the baseball-operations department.
• MLB.com's Bill Ladson caught up with Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo for a Q&A. Among the issues discussed are the club's organizational depth and potential roster moves.
• New Marlins hitting coach Frank Menechino plans to stress a strong mental approach at the plate.
• Braves outfielder Joey Terdoslavich is working hard in winter ball, while second-base prospect Tommy La Stella impressed in the Arizona Fall League.
• Ron Darling agreed to a multi-year contract extension to remain part of SNY's Mets broadcast team.
NL Central
• The Cubs finalized their 2014 coaching staff, highlighted by the hiring of former Major Leaguer Bill Mueller as hitting coach.
• Pittsburgh's Andrew Lambo, an outfielder last season, is honing his defensive skills at first base in Venezuela.
• Cubs prospect Jeimer Candelario, a 19-year-old switch-hitting infielder, has a bright future.
NL West
• MLB.com's Chris Haft writes that the Giants will sign another starting pitcher relatively soon. The club is still talking with right-hander Ryan Vogelsong, but other options include righties Dan Haren and Bronson Arroyo.
• The Rockies officially inked right-handed reliever LaTroy Hawkins.
• The Padres announced their Spring Training schedule.