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The Chicago White Sox and free-agent shortstop Jeff Keppinger have an agreement in place on a three-year deal for about $12 million, according to a source.
Keppinger, 32, spent last season with the Rays, batting .325 with 9 home runs and 40 RBI in 115 games. He also plays second and third base.
The New York Yankees say they are not trading third baseman Alex Rodriguez, so they likely will need to find a player who could spell both Rodriguez and shortstop Derek Jeter.
Rodriguez, 37, made 38 of his 119 starts at designated hitter last season, and that number only figures to increase as he continues to lose mobility.
Jeter, 38, is recovering from surgery on his left ankle. While he is expected to be back by Opening Day, his availability could be limited early in the season.
The Yankees are not without alternatives: Eduardo Nunez, 25, plays both short and third, while Eric Chavez, 34, again could help at third if he re-signs as a free agent.
The team, however, needed to rely upon journeyman Jayson Nix at times last season, and would be in a similar position again if players higher on the depth chart suffered injuries.
An upgrade over Nix would give the Yankees further protection against issues with Rodriguez and/or Jeter — and both the free-agent and trade markets offer possible solutions.
Among free agents, Marco Scutaro would be one intriguing possibility; he started 25 games at short for the Colorado Rockies last season and 15 at third for the San Francisco Giants before taking over second for the Giants and helping the team to the World Series title.
Jeff Keppinger would be another option, though it might be a stretch to envision him at short, where he has not played since 2010. Keppinger started 41 games at third for the Rays last season, 23 at second and 21 at first.
The trade market offers less clarity, but the Detroit Tigers could trade Jhonny Peralta if they found a better shortstop, and the Arizona Diamondbacks could move Willie Bloomquist or John McDonald if they acquired a regular at short.
However it shakes out, the Yankees figure to need plenty of help behind Rodriguez and Jeter next season. And Chavez and Nunez probably will not be enough.
— Ken Rosenthal
The Houston Astros probably aren’t done dealing yet.
“We’re going to be open-minded on all fronts,” Houston general manager Ed Wade said late Friday, after announcing the trade that sent Hunter Pence to Philadelphia. “We’re going to be good listeners.”
Even after trading Pence to the Phillies and Jeff Keppinger to the Giants, several trade candidates remain – namely center fielder Michael Bourn, left-handed starter Wandy Rodriguez and right-handed starter Brett Myers.
Bourn, in particular, should be discussed in depth between now and Sunday’s 4 p.m. ET non-waiver trade deadline. The Nationals, Braves, Indians and Reds are among the clubs with varying levels of interest in Bourn, major-league sources say. The Nationals, looking everywhere for a center fielder, also have discussed Denard Span with the Minnesota Twins in recent days.
But in marketing Bourn to other clubs, the Astros will be competing against an available player at the same position who has much greater power potential: Tampa Bay center fielder B.J. Upton.
Bourn, 28, is regarded as a true leadoff man. He bats from the left side and has a .769 OPS this season to go along with a league-best 39 stolen bases in 104 games.
Bourn is earning $4.4 million this season and will receive a raise through salary arbitration in 2012 before becoming a free agent. Bourn is a Scott Boras client, so interested clubs will likely view him as a 1 ½-year acquisition.
If the Astros move Bourn, it’s logical that they would ask for a potential everyday center fielder in return. Among players on the active roster, Jason Bourgeois would be Bourn’s likely replacement. Bourgeois, 29, is having a career year, with an .836 in 52 games.
— Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal
The Yankees, searching for bench help, have spoken with the Astros about infielder Jeff Keppinger, according to major league sources.
A trade does not appear close, but the teams have engaged in recent discussions, one source said.
The Astros increased the possibility of trading Keppinger on Friday by reaching agreement with free agent Bill Hall on a one-year contract to play second base.
The Yankees had shown interest in Hall, but Keppinger, who stands to receive a raise from his $1.15 million in his second year of arbitration, could fill a similar role.
Keppinger, 30, was the Astros’ primary second baseman last season. He can back up at all four infield positions and also has made five career appearances in the outfield.
The Astros likely would ask for no more than a mid-level prospect in return, especially now that Keppinger has lost his everyday job.
Keppinger batted .288 with a .351 on-base percentage and .393 slugging average last season, with six home runs and 59 RBI in 575 plate appearances. He lacks speed and power, but was the most difficult player to strike out in the majors last season.
— Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi
