Darvish deal expected to be completed this week

Yu Darvish, arguably the top free-agent starting pitcher this winter, is expected to come off the market this week, according to MLB Network insider Jon Heyman, and the Cubs are reportedly the favorites to sign the right-hander.

The Twins, Brewers, Phillies and Yankees have also been linked to Darvish, with Milwaukee and Minnesota having reportedly made offers. However, the Twins are not willing to go beyond a five-year commitment, per Heyman, and view right-hander Alex Cobb as a potential backup should they not sign Darvish.

The Cubs have been in the market for starters all winter, as two members of their 2017 rotation, Jake Arrieta and John Lackey, are free agents. They have been long rumored to potentially bring Arrieta back -- particularly with how slow this offseason's free-agent market has progressed -- but have been more strongly linked to Darvish. The Cubs have already signed former Rockies starter Tyler Chatwood to a three-year, $38 million deal to shore up the back end of their rotation.

Darvish posted a 3.86 ERA in 31 starts with the Rangers and Dodgers last season, including a 3.44 ERA over nine starts down the stretch for Los Angeles following a deal just before the non-waiver Trade Deadline. The four-time All-Star was also excellent in the first two rounds of the postseason, posting a 1.59 ERA in two starts over the National League Division Series and the NL Championship Series. He was hit hard by the Astros over two World Series starts, surrend

Giants still looking for OF upgrades

Fresh off acquiring Andrew McCutchen from the Pirates on Monday, the Giants are trying to add even more talent to their outfield, with the former National League Most Valuable Player being told that he'll play a corner spot with the team this season, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.

San Francisco's main desire is to upgrade defensively in center field, and sources tell ESPN's Jerry Crasnick that the Giants rank Jarrod Dyson as their most coveted option behind Lorenzo Cain. The club is also interested in Jon Jay and Cameron Maybin, according to Crasnick, but values Dyson's "speed, defensive metrics and stolen-base ability."

The Giants, after bringing in McCutchen via a trade with the Pirates, do not have the space under the luxury-tax threshold to sign Cain at his projected salary, according to MLB.com's Jon Paul Morosi. Morosi reported that the club is looking to add a "defense-first player" in center field "who will be less expensive than Cain."

Dyson, Jay and Maybin will certainly all be less expensive than the former Royals center fielder, and Dyson led that group with seven Outs Above Average last season, according to Statcast™. Maybin was at plus-2 two while Jay was minus-3.

Dyson, 33, has stolen at least 25 bases in each of the past six seasons and would be a big boost to a Giants club that ranked 20th in the Majors with 76 steals last year. Jay has 51 steals in eight Major League seasons, but his .738 career on-base-plus-slugging percentage bests Dyson's .677 total.

Maybin owns a career .693 OPS and stole 33 bases during his time split between the Astros and Angels last season.

Castellanos on the trade block?

While the Tigers were ultimately able to avoid an arbitration hearing with Nicholas Castellanos, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reports that Detroit remains open to trading the rising slugger, citing multiple clubs that have engaged in discussions with the Tigers this offseason.

Castellanos, 25, agreed to a one-year, $6.05 million contract with the Tigers on Friday. Detroit's first-round Draft choice from 2010 is about to embark on his first full season in right field, but Fenech reports that the Tigers' uncertainty about his defensive ability could still lead to a trade before Opening Day. Castellanos has primarily manned third base during his first four full seasons in the Motor City, but he has rated below average in terms of Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) in each of those campaigns. He played 21 games in right last season.

Castellanos' prowess at the plate is much less in doubt. He broke out for a career-high 26 home runs and 101 RBIs for the Tigers in 2017 while recording a league-adjusted 110 OPS+ (where 100 is average) and pacing the American League with 10 triples. He was even more productive in some respects in '16, finishing with a 120 OPS+ over 110 games. While Castellanos will be eligible for arbitration again next winter, he will not test the free-agent market until 2020. That means Castellanos, for the moment, represents a controllable, relatively cheap hitter coming into his own -- regardless of his defensive ability.

Tigers general manager Al Avila revealed at the Winter Meetings that the team approached Castellanos about a contract extension toward the end of last season, but that no progress has been made.

Nationals reportedly considering Lynn

The Nationals are already above the $197 million luxury-tax threshold but are looking into options to shore up their rotation. According to a report from MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal, the team is eyeing free-agent right-hander Lance Lynn.

Washington is currently slated to have A.J. Cole as its fifth starter with Joe Ross a possibility to start late in the season as he recovers from July 2017 Tommy John surgery. The Nationals could also stand to add starting-pitching depth, as Gio Gonzalez and Tanner Roark are set to hit free agency after the 2018 and 2019 seasons, respectively.

The luxury tax could become a problem for the Nationals, as they already project for a $201.4 million payroll, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts. They paid a $1.43 million penalty for surpassing the threshold last season, and their penalty rate will increase from 20 to 30 percent this season. That penalty will further increase should their payroll exceed $217 million.

Earlier in the offseason, the Nationals were connected to top free-agent starters Jake Arrieta and Yu Darvish, but Lynn would prove to be a cheaper option.

Lynn, 30, had an excellent 2017 season with the Cardinals after missing the previous year recovering from Tommy John surgery. He went 11-8 with a 3.43 ERA and 153 strikeouts over 186 1/3 innings. He held an ERA under 4.00 in each of his six seasons.

If Lynn joined the Nationals, he would be reunited with pitching coach Derek Lilliquist, who had been the Cardinals' pitching coach throughout Lynn's tenure in St. Louis. Lynn has also been connected to the Rangers, Brewers and Orioles, among other teams.

Orioles said to meet with Cashner

The Orioles are looking to add upwards of three starters this offseason and have recently met with free-agent right-hander Andrew Cashner, according to a report from MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal.

Cashner, 31, had a nice bounce-back season with the Rangers, going 11-11 with a 3.40 ERA over 166 2/3 innings. However, he had a career-worst 4.64 K/9 and benefited from a .266 BABIP, which was the second-lowest mark among qualified American League starters.

Cashner will likely command a multiyear contract after settling for a one-year, $10 million contract last offseason to re-establish his value.

Baltimore is returning only Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy to its rotation after the departures of Chris Tillman, Wade Miley and Ubaldo Jimenez. Their internal options include Gabriel Ynoa, Alec Asher and Miguel Castro, but the team would like to make additions from outside the organization.

D-backs in pursuit of Machado

The D-backs have been the "most persistent" of the several clubs looking to trade for Orioles star third baseman Manny Machado, but the sides are not close to a deal, sources told MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal.

Arizona has been one of the many teams in pursuit of Machado since Baltimore began fielding offers for the 25-year-old infielder. While the Yankees and Red Sox have been two of the other clubs reportedly interested, Rosenthal notes it would likely be difficult for executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette "to sell owner Peter Angelos" on a deal to an American League East rival.

Rival executives see Machado opening the season in Baltimore, according to Rosenthal. The Orioles seem to be only willing to deal their former first-round Draft pick for a big return that would likely have to include multiple young starting pitchers.

Rosenthal discusses Machado06:3011:18 AM ET

Machado can be a free agent following the 2018 season. As Rosenthal noted, Orioles center fielder Adam Jones and relievers Brad Brach and Zach Britton are also eligible to hit the open market at the same time. Additionally, the contracts of Duquette and manager Buck Showalter are due to expire at the end of this season, meaning it could be Baltimore's final year with its current core group.

Machado is a .279/.329/.476 hitter with 138 home runs and 406 RBIs in 764 games over six Major League seasons, while also being regarded annually as one of the best defensive third basemen in the game.

A two-time Gold Glove Award winner, Machado has requested a move to shortstop, his natural position. It's a move that could increase his value even more as he looks to land a large contract next offseason.

Castro requests trade from Marlins

Starlin Castro, acquired in the December deal that sent slugger Giancarlo Stanton to the Yankees, has requested a trade from Miami, sources told MLB Network insider Ken Rosenthal.

Castro "does not want to be a part of another rebuilding process" as he was when he was with the Cubs from 2010-15.

The Marlins are in the midst of a full rebuild, and it's been expected that Miami would try to flip Castro to another team. MLB.com's Joe Frisaro reported last week that the Marlins might ultimately keep the 27-year-old infielder.

Castro is to make nearly $11 million in 2018 and almost $12 million in 2019. His contract comes with a $16 million club option for 2020.

Castro, a four-time All-Star, batted .283/.317/.442 with 37 home runs and 133 RBIs in 263 games over two seasons with the Yankees after hitting .281/.321/.404 with 62 homers and 363 RBIs across six seasons with the Cubs.