Here are some quick notes on some of the big headlines around baseball Sunday:
- The San Francisco Giants and free agent third baseman Pablo Sandoval are making progress towards a potential deal, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney. Read more: theScore
- Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that free agent catcher Russell Martin will reject the $15.3M qualifying offer he received from the Pittsburgh Pirates. Read more: CBSSports.com
- Heyman also reports that the Kansas City Royals are “realistic” about their chances of signing starting pitcher James Shields but that the team will look at starter Ervin Santana as well as outfielders Melky Cabrera, Torii Hunter, and Nori Aoki. Read more: CBSSports.com
- Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly reports that the Phillies are now seeking three top prospects in a potential trade for left-handed starter Cole Hamels, and that at least two of the prospects must be major-league ready. Read more: CSNPhilly.com
- Left-handed starter Francisco Liriano is still deciding on whether or not to accept the Pittsburgh Pirates’ $15.3 qualifying offer before the deadline on Monday, according to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports. Read more: NBCSports.com
- Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports that the New York Yankees aren’t expected Alex Rodriguez to play third base in 2015, and that the team is considering a full demotion to the bench for A-Rod. Read more: Yahoo Sports
- Ken Rosenthal also reports that the Seattle Mariners have expressed interest in infielder Hanley Ramirez but that signing designated hitter/first baseman Victor Martinez is the team’s priority. Read more: theScore
- Finally, Rosenthal reports that the Los Angeles Dodgers are aggressively shopping outfielders Matt Kemp, Carl Crawford, and Andre Either, and that the team would like to trade one of them. Read more: Fox Sports
Chris Brown, St. Louis Baseball Today
