MLB Rumor: Red Sox Add Veteran Outfielder Lymel Tapia.Mariners Acquire Tommy La Stella

We’re less than a month away from Major League Baseball’s spring training, but the MLB offseason isn’t quite over. Rather, there are still rumors and we see movement. CBS Sports keeps track of all the latest rumors, news, and notes for key players, so keep them here all Thursday.

Royals agree to deal with Chapman

The Kansas City Royals have agreed to a deal with left-handed relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman. Full story here.

The Seattle Mariners have announced a one-year deal with Tommy La Stella. The 33-year-old utility man is coming to the end of his two uninspired seasons with the Giants, but 2019 and he showed great promise for 2020. During the two campaigns, he appeared in his 135 games, batting .289/.356/.471 (121 OPS+) with 22 doubles and he had 21 home runs. Also note that he is a contact-oriented left-hander and in 2023 the new shift his rules will be implemented.

After seven seasons in the big leagues, veteran Lymel Tapia will join the Red Sox on a minor league deal, according to WEEI. Tapia had originally announced the signing on his personal Instagram account.

Tapia, who turns 29 in early February, spent last season with the Blue Jays. He had previously played his entire career for the Rockies. Overall, he batted .277/.318/.392 (83 OPS+) with 26 home runs and 53 stolen bases. Tapia’s contribution is worth more than an estimated 0.8 wins, according to the calculations posted in the Baseball Reference.

Tapia’s numbers serve as depth of organization, at least to start the season. The Red Sox recently signed veteran Adam Duvall to join the outfielders of Alex Verdugo and Masataka Yoshida. Tapia has Jalen Duran and Sedan Rafaela potential, and given that he could also take into account off-roster invitee Greg Allen, Tapia is unlikely to make any significant move. It seems that.

A not considering trading Laureano

According to The Athletic’s Dan Hayes, the Athletics aren’t open to a move for veteran outfielder Ramón Laureano.

Laureano, 28, has a career 113 OPS+ in some of his five big league seasons. As judged by OPS+, he has had the worst offensive showing of his career and is no longer considered a routine centerfield option. Given how much veteran core they’ve disposed of since their lockout was lifted, it’s surprising that the A’s are reluctant to move Laureano.

In fact, the A traded Matt Olson, Matt Chapman, Sean Murphy, Frankie Montas, Chris Basitt and Sean Manaira among others. Laureano would not be in that rank, at least not yet.