Dodgers trying desperately to keep up in NL West arms race

The Los Angeles Dodgers dominated the National League West in 2015, winning the division going away with a 92-70 record. After a disappointing showing in the playoffs, the Dodgers were expected to solidify their roster with some solid moves this offseason and keep ace righty Zack Greinke. Things haven’t gone according to plan.

Instead, the Dodgers have largely remained silent while their NL West foes have stockpiled talent. The Arizona Diamondbacks stole Greinke away with a monster contract, then landed Shelby Miller in a swap with the Atlanta Braves, while the San Francisco Giants added both Jeff Samardzija and Johnny Cueto to the top of their rotation. The Dodgers appear to have been surpassed by their division rivals, especially in the pitching department. Now, Los Angeles is scrambling in an attempt to make up for that.

Todd Frazier trade talks heat up as other options disappear

Now that the big name pitchers and Jason Heyward are off the market, Cincinnati Reds third baseman Todd Frazier has emerged as the most coveted target of baseball’s offseason swap meet. The Reds are motivated sellers and now know they have one of the top pieces on the market ready to move.

Numerous teams have inquired about Frazier, with the Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians going hardest after his services at this point. The 29-year-old was an All-Star in each of the last two seasons and in 2015 belted 35 home runs while posting 89 RBIs and a .255 batting average. That was just his fifth major league season and he appears to be improving with each campaign.

Marlins want huge haul from Dodgers for Jose Fernandez

One of the hottest topics at baseball’s Winter Meetings is whether or not the Miami Marlins will deal ace Jose Fernandez. While the Marlins maintain they’re not inclined to move the 23-year-old right-hander, they have been listening to offers. More importantly, they have countered with proposals of their own.

A report on Tuesday claimed that the Marlins asked the Los Angeles Dodgers for a package that includes shortstop Corey Seager, lefty Julio Urias, center fielder Joc Pederson and two more players. That, my friends, is an insane price. The thing is, we’ve been told the Dodgers are actually considering a modified version of that deal that might include at least two of the prospects named. 

Chicago Cubs reach two-year deal with John Lackey

As we reported earlier, the Chicago Cubs have been going full-throttle after free agent right-hander John Lackey. Well it appears that hard work paid off, as multiple reports claim that the two sides have reached an agreement.

Ken Rosenthal says the contract is worth $32-34 million over two years and should be finalized shortly. This deal makes a lot of sense for both sides. The Cubs needed to bolster the middle of their rotation behind Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester while not committing long-term to an aging pitcher, and Lackey is getting a lot of money without needing to front a rotation.

Chicago Cubs going hard after John Lackey

John Lackey may be a 37-year-old with a shaky track record, but he’s also one of the most sought-after pitchers on baseball’s free agent market. Now the Chicago Cubs are apparently the front-runners to land the 13-year veteran.

The Cubs are reportedly “pretty hot” on Lackey right now and are discussing two- and three-year deals. After the Cubs completely whiffed on their top target, David Price, they appear to have set their sights far lower. Chicago has also apparently been turned off by Jeff Samardzija’s asking price and feel Lackey is more on their level.

Giants have backup plan if Greinke picks Dodgers

The San Francisco Giants are reportedly finalists to land ace right-hander Zack Greinke along with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but if they miss out, the 2014 World Series champions already have a backup plan in place.

If Greinke re-signs with the rival Dodgers, San Francisco will reportedly go hard after Jeff Samardzija and try to re-sign Mike Leake. John Lackey is also emerging as a backup option. With the money they would save by losing out in the Greinke sweepstakes, the Giants could almost surely afford to sign two of those three guys.

Ben Zobrist is baseball’s hottest free agent

Don’t look now, but Ben Zobrist has rapidly turned into the most sought-after free agent in baseball. Despite the fact that he doesn’t have a natural position and is about to turn 35, the World Series-winning super-utility man is set for a massive payday. And his price tag continues to rise.

As of now, roughly half the teams in baseball are interested in Zobrist, and he is staring a big contract right in the face. In fact, his potential deal is currently sitting in the four-year, $60 million range and only getting bigger. The New York Mets are reportedly very interested in him, but might not be willing to go to four years on a contract. No matter for Zobrist, someone else surely will give him what he wants.

Zack Greinke set to choose between Dodgers and Giants

Now that David Price has signed his ridiculous contract, Major League Baseball’s other big offseason fish appears ready to announce where he’ll be swimming next season. Reports on Tuesday claim Zack Greinke is close to making his decision and that it will come down to either the Los Angeles Dodgers or San Francisco Giants.

FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal says the ace righty’s deal will likely be a five- or six-year contract and could possibly top the $31 million annual average that Price got from the Boston Red Sox.

Report: Aroldis Chapman unlikely to be traded

The Cincinnati Reds are supposed to be in full sell mode after shipping Johnny Cueto to the Kansas City Royals over the weekend, but their other big pitching piece doesn’t look like he will be heading anywhere.

Jayson Stark is reporting that Reds closer Aroldis Chapman is unlikely to be traded despite high interest just a few weeks ago. The flame-throwing lefty had drawn interest from the San Francisco Giants, Arizona Diamondbacks and Washington Nationals, but it looks like he’s not going anywhere. We have been told that the market for Chapman has dried up over the past week or so as teams concentrated on other options.

Report: Rangers are front-runners for Cole Hamels

As Friday’s Major League Baseball trade deadline approaches, the rumors are coming fast and furious. One report on Tuesday caught our collective eye, as it appears the Texas Rangers will try to land a big fish this week.

Bob Nightengale is reporting that the Rangers are “now the clear-cut favorite” to land Philadelphia Phillies ace Cole Hamels.