Angels Leadoff Links: December 1, 2014

There is no better way to start your day than by catching up on all the news that matters most to the Angels from around Major League baseball. I am writing this from just over 39,000 feet on my way to Las Vegas. That may not mean anything to you, but I am pretty excited about it. Somehow, I think I have already lost money and we have not even landed yet.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that former Angels first baseman, Kendrys Morales, is drawing interest from “several” clubs this offseason. Morales spent 2014 slit between the Minnesota Twins and the Seattle Mariners, never really finding his stroke with either organization. Morales posted career lows across the board last season, and thus his market has been pretty slow to develop. Heyman suggests that the Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals, and Texas Rangers have all checked in with Morales lately. Morales will likely take a one-year deal worth less than $10 million in an effort to prove he is still an offensive force, and then hit free agency again in 2015.

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Ex-Yankee’s closing pitcher, David Robertson, is sitting pretty as one of the best closers available on the open market. According to Jon Heyman, Robertson has already received a three-year offer worth a reported $39 million. No word on which team offered this deal to the veteran reliever, but the New York Yankees are a pretty good bet. Robertson and his agent are expected to be searching for a four-year contract this winter, and at this rate may just get it. It has been suggested from various outlets that the Yanks do not want to offer Robertson the four-year deal he is seeking, but you can bet that a team desperate for relievers will. Somewhat surprisingly, Robertson has drawn significant interest from the Houston Astros this offseason.

According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Baltimore Orioles retaining right fielder, Nick Markakis, is no longer a “forgone conclusion.” Markakis had a great campaign in Baltimore last season, batting .276 with 14 home runs and 50 RBI’s, also winning his second career Gold Glove. The Orioles are said to be very interested in re-signing Markakis, but apparently the two sides are not close to a deal. Markakis has been connected to the Toronto Blue Jays this offseason, but that was before they acquired, Russell Martin, and, Josh Donaldson. Markakis will likely end up back with the Orioles in 2015, but according to Rosenthal the club views, Matt Kemp, as a possible replacement. The O’s have reached out to the Los Angeles Dodgers regarding the availability of Kemp, but it appears the O’s prefer to re-sign Markakis or, Nelson Cruz.

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On Saturday, we reported that Torii Hunter had narrowed his list of potential landing spots to four teams, the Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins, and Baltimore Orioles. On Sunday, Ken Rosenthal, added that the Kansas City Royals are “still in the mix” for the veteran outfielder. The Ex-Angel will be 40-years-old midway through next season, but his numbers have stayed relatively consistent over the past few seasons. Hunter is regarded as one of the greatest defenders of his generations, but predictably, age has caught up to him. Hunter is one of the best people in the game, and adding him to a team’s locker room can only produce positive results.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reported on Sunday that the Boston Red Sox might have some interest in trading for Jeff Samardzija. The A’s have been aggressively shopping Samardzija for the past 48-hours. The Red Sox likely view Samardzija as a back-up plan if they are unable to sign, Jon Lester, or trade for, Cole Hamels. The Chicago White Sox and Atlanta Braves have both expressed interest in the righty in recent days. One thing is for sure; the 2015 Oakland Athletics will bear little resemblance to the 2014 version.

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