The Angels are still looking for pitching help leaving open the chances that they trade away Howie Kendrick or David Freese.
Set to become a free agent at the end of the 2015 season, the Angels are willing to deal Kendrick and allow either Gordon Beckham or Grant Green to play at second base this coming season.
The 31-year-old Kendrick has been a productive bat in the Angels lineup for years. He appeared in 157 games last season hitting .293/.347/.397 with seven home runs and 85 runs scored.
Blue Jays check in on Utley, Bastardo and Hamels
The Blue Jays have talked to the Phillies about the availability of Cole Hamels, Chase Utley, and Antonio Bastardo according to the Toronto Sun.
It is unclear if Hamels could or would block a trade to the Blue Jays. The Phillies have been rumored to be looking to deal him for months now as they try to pull off a massive rebuild.
Hamels is coming off a fine 2014 season in which he had a 2.46 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP in 204 2/3 innings of work.
Utley, 35, can block a trade to any club though it remains unclear if he would reject a trade to the Blue Jays. Coming off a year in which he hit .270/.339/.407 with 11 homers and 78 RBI there should be more then enough interest in him for the Phillies to get a deal done if they want.
Bastardo has been one of baseball’s better left handed relievers and will be getting a raise over the $2 million he made in 2014 after appearing in 67 games posting a 3.94 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. He may be the easiest of the three for the Phillies to move.
Padres continue to work on deal to re-sign Josh Johnson
Josh Johnson may have had his $4 million option for 2014 declined by the Padres but that does not mean the team is not looking to bring him back. Johnson missed all of 2014 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in April.
Ideally the Padres would bring back Johnson at a lesser salary or on a deal that is heavily based on incentives.
When healthy Johnson has proven he can be among baseball’s best but keeping him on the field has always been a problem.
