The 2023 GM meetings, originally scheduled to run through Thursday, were canceled a day early because team managers fell ill with a gastrointestinal virus, Sporst Illustrated reports. The league doesn’t want more people getting sick, and it’s pretty easy to conduct business virtually, so they’ll do that instead.
Now here are the latest hot stove rumors.
Yankees consider Burleson, Donovan
Brendan Donovan
STL • 2B • #33
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The Yankees have at least talked about pursuing Cardinals outfielder Alec Burleson and/or super utility man Brendan Donovan, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. New York and St. Louis held trade talks at the deadline, primarily involving Dylan Carlson and Triple-A pitchers in the Yankees’ system. The Yankees need left outfield bats and the Cardinals need pitching.
Donovan, 26, is the more desirable of the two players. The 2022 NL Utility Gold Glove winner is a career .283/.381/.398 hitter and has played every position except pitcher, catcher and center fielder. Donovan is recovering from elbow surgery and is expected to be ready for spring training. The 24-year-old Burleson has struggled in a part-time role the past two years, slashing .237/.295/.375. However, he does provide some power on the left side, something the Yankees sorely lack.
Phillies are open to trading Castellanos
Nick Castellanos
PHI • RF • #8
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The Phillies are open to trading outfielder Nick Castellanos, MLB.com reports. Of course, being open to trading someone and actively shopping are two different things, and there is no sign of Philadelphia pushing Castellanos in trade talks. The Phillies owe Castellanos $20 million per year from 2024 to 2026. You will likely have to repay some of it to facilitate a trade.
The 31-year-old Castellanos hit .272/.311/.476 with 29 home runs this season. His postseason was mixed: 9 for 23 (.391) with four home runs in the Wild Card Series and Division Series, then 1 for 24 (.041) with one home run in the Championship Series. Bryce Harper is expected to move to first base full-time, although he could easily move back to right field should the Phillies trade Castellanos. A trade could also pave the way for a reunion with Rhys Hoskins.
Breweries are open for business
Corbin Burnes
MIL • SP • #39
ERA3.39
WHIP1.07
IP193.2
BB66
K200
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After losing manager Craig Counsell, the Brewers are “open to moving virtually any player on their roster,” according to The Athletic. The Brewers recently traded Mark Canha to the Tigers and, most notably, could move Willy Adames and Corbin Burnes, who are a year removed from free agency. Closer Devin Williams is two years away from hitting the open market.
Milwaukee’s most sought-after players are young players in the pre-arbitration years, namely catcher William Contreras and outfielders Sal Frelick and Garrett Mitchell. These are probably the players the Brewers keep and build around. Christian Yelich has a full no-trade clause and is $136.5 million in debt through 2028, so moving him will be a challenge. Adames, Burnes and Williams are the big names to keep an eye on this offseason.