Advertisement

Hot Stove Digest: The Nats are making progress on a Chris Sale trade

Progress was made Monday night in Chris Sale trade talks between the Nats and the White Sox. (AP)
Progress was made Monday night in Chris Sale trade talks between the Nats and the White Sox. (AP)

Welcome to The Stew’s Hot Stove Digest, our daily rundown of MLB news, rumors and gossip for Hot Stove season. Here you’ll find a quick recap of all the day’s action and other fun stuff from around the internet that we think is worth your time.

A NATIONAL BLOCKBUSTER? The Washington Nationals reportedly turned up the volume in their trade talks with the Chicago White Sox about ace Chris Sale. Rumors hit Monday night ranging from the Nats “advancing” talks to having a “legitimate shot” to get Sale. The Nats would have to give up a lot to get Sale, obviously, but what a rotation that would create along with Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg. The latest Monday night said the two sides were making progress but a deal wasn’t close to being done. [FanRag Sports]

ALSO: The Nats have reportedly cooled off on an Andrew McCutchen trade, determining the asking price is too high for the Pirates star outfielder. [@JoelSherman1]

ROLL TRIBE: The Indians are reportedly exploring a deal with free-agent slugger Edwin Encarnacion, but that would require some out-of-character spending on their part. [Cleveland Plain Dealer]

HOWEVER: Lots of people are still in on Encarnacion and his camp says there is “no favorite.” In other words: pony up, Cleveland. [@ChrisCotillo]

ROYAL RUMORS: The Royals, who are trying to figure out whether to sell, were mentioned in a number of trade rumors Monday, including deals including closer Wade Davis and All-Star outfielder Lorenzo Cain. As you can imagine, a number of teams are interested. [KC Star]

The Rockies are reportedly interested in Mark Trumbo. (AP)
The Rockies are reportedly interested in Mark Trumbo. (AP)

GIVE ME ALL THE DINGERS: The Rockies are eyeing a “big-ticket” first baseman, a list that includes Encarnacion and Mark Trumbo. [MLB.com]

RAYS OF HOPE: The Rays pitchers are drawing a good amount of trade interesting. Chris Archer, of course, but also Alex Cobb and Jake Odorizzi. [@JonHeyman]

FOUR FOR FOWLER? The Blue Jays reportedly have a four-year offer out to free-agent outfielder Dexter Fowler. [Yahoo Sports Canada]

BRACH TO QUEENS? The Mets are interested in getting relief pitcher Brad Brach from the Orioles. The O’s meanwhile are into a few of the Mets’ excess outfielders, namely Curtis Granderson. [@Buster_ESPN]

ICYMI: In the day’s biggest deal: Rich Hill went back to the Dodgers on a three-year, $48 million contract. [Yahoo Sports]

ICYMI: The Giants got their closer in Mark Melancon, paying him a record-for-a-closer $62 million over four seasons. A record that will soon be broken by Aroldis Chapman and Kenley Jansen. [Yahoo Sports]

More MLB coverage from Yahoo Sports:

Mike Oz is the editor of Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at mikeozstew@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!