MLB Rumor Roundup: Nationals Shift Focus To Donaldson

Nationals eyeing Josh Donaldson

The Washington Nationals are the latest team to be in on Josh Donaldson, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network. As Heyman notes, they would welcome the addition of Kris Bryant but have no intention of trading Victor Robles in a deal for the Chicago Cubs third baseman.

The Nationals are just one of a handful of teams interested in Donaldson, as the list includes the Twins, Dodgers, Rangers, and Braves. Whichever team is willing to give the former MVP a fourth year may end up getting him to sign with them.

Padres looking for a left-hander

The San Diego Padres may have not been linked to the top tier pitching free agents this offseason, but with their desire to win in 2020 Jon Heyman is reporting that they are taking a look at lefties Madison Bumgarner and Dallas Keuchel. The team has also talked to the Boston Red Sox about David Price and while they have not been linked to  Hyun-Jim Ryu, one has to imagine that getting one of their divisional rivals top arms would not be out of the question.

Rays add a slugger

The Tampa Bay Rays and Japanese slugger  Yoshitomo Tsutsugo have agreed to a two-year deal worth $12MM total per Jon Heyman and first reported by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The left-handed-hitting Tsutsugo, 28, was posted by the Yokohama DeNA BayStars meaning the Rays will have to pay a fee equal to 20 percent of his guaranteed money, meaning the deal will cost the Rays around $14.4MM total.

Tsutsugo will likely see time at first base and left field, but due to his defensive limitations, he will likely spend the majority of his time in the designated hitter role.

Brett Anderson going to Milwaukee

Buster Olney of ESPN is reporting that the Milwaukee Brewers and left-handed pitcher  Brett Anderson have agreed to a one-year deal worth $5MM and an additional $2MM in potential incentives. In 2019 Anderson produced a solid season, throwing 176 innings over 31 starts for the Oakland Athletics resulting in a 3.89 ERA.

Charlie Culberson re-signs with Braves

Fan and clubhouse favorite, Charlie Culberson, is returning to the Atlanta Braves on a minor league deal with a non-roster invitation to Spring Training the club announced today.

Lance McCullers Jr. avoids arbitration

Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle reports that the Houston Astros and Lance McCullers Jr./strong>. have come to an agreement, thus avoiding arbitration for the 26-year old right-hander.  The $4.1MM he will receive is the exact amount he received last season but that is to be expected when you consider McCullers Jr. missed the entire 2019 season.

The Astros will be relying on McCullers to return from Tommy John surgery and help the rotation make up for the loss of Gerrit Cole.