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Hot Stove Digest: Yankees and Mets looking to cut payroll

Chris Cwik
·Staff writer
The Yankees may not be able to add much more this offseason. (Getty Images/Rich Schultz)
The Yankees may not be able to add much more this offseason. (Getty Images/Rich Schultz)

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.

TAPPED OUT: Don’t expect the New York Mets or New York Yankees to add any more money to their payrolls this offseason. Both teams are reportedly looking to cut payroll, and are currently in holding patterns unless they can sell off expensive veterans. The Yankees’ payroll is already over the 2017 luxury tax limit, and the club is determined to get under the $197 million limit for 2018. The Mets are under the 2017 luxury tax limit, but don’t want to add to their $150 million payroll. [New York Post]

MYSTERY TEAM: A mystery team made a strong offer for Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen, but the Pirates opted to pass on the deal. The team in question reportedly offered prospects who were far away from the majors. Pittsburgh is seeking young players who are either already established, or close to making an impact at the major-league level. [@JonHeyman]

DONE DEAL: The Milwaukee Brewers have signed pitcher Ryan Webb to a minor-league deal. Webb, 30, posted a 5.19 ERA over 17 1/3 innings with the Tampa Bay Rays last year. He’ll attempt to compete for a spot on the team’s 25-man roster in camp. [@Brewers]

ANOTHER DONE DEAL: The Brewers also acquired catcher Jett Bandy from the Los Angeles Angels. In exchange for Bandy, the team will send catcher Martin Maldonado and pitcher Drew Gagnon to Los Angeles. The 26-year-old Bandy hit .234 over 231 plate appearances last season. Maldonado hit .202 in 253 plate appearances. [@JeffPassan]

A couple teams have shown interest in Justin Wilson this offseason. (Getty Images/Duane Burleson)
A couple teams have shown interest in Justin Wilson this offseason. (Getty Images/Duane Burleson)

TALK ABOUT IT: The Houston Astros have been in contact with the Detroit Tigers regarding reliever Justin Wilson. Wilson, 29, posted a 4.19 ERA over 58 2/3 innings last year. Wilson has been mentioned as a popular trade candidate all offseason. The Chicago Cubs have also shown interest in the reliever. [@jonmorosi]

CLAIMED: The San Diego Padres have claimed pitcher Zach Lee off waivers from the Seattle Mariners. The 25-year-old pitcher spent all of last season in the minors. He posted a 6.14 ERA over 148 innings in Triple-A. [@MLBRosterMoves]

SIGN THEM: The Washington Nationals made a handful of minor-league signings Tuesday, including pitchers Tim Collins and Jacob Turner and infielder Emmanuel Burriss. Collins, 27, posted strong numbers as a reliever with the Kansas City Royals from 2011 to 2014, but has been limited by injuries since then. Turner posted a 6.57 ERA in 24 2/3 innings with the Chicago White Sox in 2016. Burriss was limited to 50 plate appearances with the Philadelphia Phillies last year. [@MarkZuckerman]

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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik