linkage juniority: Fantasy baseball players in the news

First Baseman

1B | Adam LaRoche | free agent | Free Agents, Fantasy
The Baltimore Orioles are interested in free-agent 1B Adam LaRoche (Nationals) but are hesitant to forfeit the draft pick it would require to sign him.

1B | Lance Berkman | free agent | Free Agents, Fantasy
The Houston Astros are reportedly still interested in free-agent 1B Lance Berkman (Cardinals), even after signing 1B Carlos Pena.

Shortstop

SS | Alcides Escobar | Kansas City Royals | Fantasy
Kansas City Royals SS Alcides Escobar is hitting .342 in 18 games in the Venezuelan Winter League.

Catcher

C | Alex Avila | Detroit Tigers | Injury, Fantasy
Detroit Tigers C Alex Avila (knee) had a platelet-rich plasma injection in his left knee shortly after the World Series, and after taking some time off, he resumed working out with teammate 3B Miguel Cabrera three weeks ago. He said Friday, Dec. 14, that is feeling "great."

C | Yadier Molina | St. Louis Cardinals | Fantasy
St. Louis Cardinals C Yadier Molina is playing winter ball in his native Puerto Rico and is expected to remain on the roster for roughly two weeks. Molina has also committed to play for Puerto Rico in next spring's World Baseball Classic, where he'll be joined by OF Carlos Beltran. Molina had two hits and an RBI in 11 at-bats over the weekend in Puerto Rico.

C | Travis d'Arnaud | New York Mets | Transaction
The New York Mets have traded SP R.A. Dickey, C Josh Thole and C Mike Nickeas to the Toronto Blue Jays for C Travis d'Arnaud, C John Buck, P Noah Syndergaard and OF Wuilmer Becerra.

C | Mike Napoli | Boston Red Sox | Free Agents, Fantasy
Updating a previous report, the Boston Red Sox are trying to reduce C/1B Mike Napoli's three-year contract to only two years to protect against his physical deterioration. No agreement has been reached, though, and the Red Sox are keeping in contact with free-agent OF Nick Swisher (Yankees) and 1B Adam LaRoche (Nationals) just in case the deal falls through.

Outfielder

OF | Josh Hamilton | Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim | Fantasy
The Seattle Mariners reportedly offered OF Josh Hamilton a four-year, $100 million contract before the slugger chose the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The Mariners' offer also included two vesting option years worth $25 million each. Hamilton chose the Angels for five years and $125 million.

Starting Pitcher

SP | Edwin Jackson | free agent | Free Agents, Fantasy,
The San Diego Padres are trying to sign free-agent SP Edwin Jackson (Nationals) to a multi-year deal, but the talks are "just chatter" now, or not serious, according to a source with knowledge of the situation.

SP | Bud Norris | Houston Astros | Fantasy,
The Houston Astros have fielded calls about SP Bud Norris, with the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers among the potential suitors.

SP | R.A. Dickey | Toronto Blue Jays | Fantasy,
Toronto Blue Jays SP R.A. Dickey will make $5 million in 2013 and some of the money in his new deal will be paid out next season, including a signing bonus, to offset the difference in taxes between the United States and Canada. The two sides are still trying to settle on how much money will be front-loaded. Dickey will also have a $12 million option for the 2016 season.

SP | Anibal Sanchez | Detroit Tigers | Fantasy,
Detroit Tigers SP Anibal Sanchez's agent, Gene Mato, said that his client turned down a more lucrative deal in order to stay in Detroit. Sanchez's five-year, $80 million deal includes a team option for the sixth season.

SP | Colby Lewis | Texas Rangers | Injury, Fantasy,
Texas Rangers SP Colby Lewis (elbow) has been cleared to begin a throwing program on flat ground after receiving positive results during his checkup with Dr. Keith Meister last week. However, Lewis still isn't expected to be ready for opening day, and his tentative target date is June 1. If he continues to have positive results, Lewis' return date could be pushed up, though. SPs Martin Perez, Robbie Ross and Justin Grimm are candidates to hold down the fifth spot in the rotation until Lewis returns.

SP | Mike Pelfrey | Minnesota Twins | Injury, Fantasy,
Minnesota Twins SP Mike Pelfrey (elbow) has been facing hitters at his former college this winter as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. "I'm on track for Jan. 15. So everything is going well," Pelfrey said. "Tim Hudson came back in seven months (from Tommy John surgery). Joba Chamberlain last year came back in eight before he broke his ankle. And I'll be about eight and a half or so. I'll definitely be ready when spring training rolls around."

Relief Pitcher

RP | Joel Hanrahan | Pittsburgh Pirates | Fantasy,
The Pittsburgh Pirates are pushing to move RP Joel Hanrahan, and one potential trade partner might be the Los Angeles Dodgers.