MLB roundup: Marlins going after LaRoche, Shields

[November 21, 2014]  The Sports Xchange
 
 The Miami Marlins, who signed outfielder Giancarlo Stanton to a record 13-year, $325 million contract this week, have reportedly made free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche a two-year offer worth $20 million and are set to make a run at veteran right-hander James Shields.

LaRoche, 35, belted 26 home runs and drove in 92 runs for the Washington Nationals last season while batting .259. LaRoche reportedly also has drawn interest from the Chicago White Sox and San Diego Padres.

Shields turns 33 in December and is a free agent following a 14-8 season with the Kansas City Royals last season.

--The Washington Nationals are telling teams that right-handed pitcher Jordan Zimmermann is available for a trade, USA Today reported.

Zimmermann, 28, is the team's ace, and went 14-5 with a 2.66 ERA this past season.

He earned $7.5 million in 2014, but his salary increases to $16.5 million in 2015, the final year of his contract.

--The Atlanta Braves are reportedly joining the chase for Cuban slugger Yasmany Tomas as new president John Hart expands his pursuit of multiple free agents.
 

Tomas, a prodigious slugger who at 24 might be ready for the major leagues, has drawn interest from several teams.

The Braves hosted free-agent pitcher Jon Lester on Thursday as it was learned the Boston Red Sox had already extended an offer north of $110 million for six seasons. Hart called signing Lester a long shot, but also said it was his job to keep doors open.

--Major League Baseball owners are expected to vote on Thursday on a five-year contract for commissioner-elect Rob Manfred, CBSSports.com reported.

The five-year deal is expected to be approved for Manfred, who takes over in January from Bud Selig.

---Right-hander Ronaldo Belisario was the Chicago White Sox's closer for part of the 2014 season, but the White Sox designated him for assignment and dropped him from the team's 40-man roster.

Belisario was eligible for arbitration, and the White Sox opted to designate him for assignment rather than non-tendering him.

--Right-handed pitcher Juan Nicasio, who started 14 games for the Colorado Rockies in 2014, was designated for assignment by the Rockies.

Nicasio suffered a scary injury during his rookie season in 2011, when he suffered a fractured skull and a broken neck after being hit by a batted ball.

Nicasio, 28, had a 6-6 record with a 5.38 ERA in 2014.

---The Minnesota Twins established their 40-man major league roster, adding right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer, left-handed pitcher Jason Wheeler, outfielder Eddie Rosario and infielder Miguel Sano.

Sano was ranked the No. 2 prosect in the organization by Baseball America; Meyer was fifth and Rosario 10th.

--The Cleveland Indians announced they added five players to their 40-man roster.

The five are right-handed pitcher Cody Anderson, infielder Giovanny Urshela, right-handed pitcher Shawn Armstrong, catcher-infielder Tony Wolters and left-handed pitcher Ryan Merritt.

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