Hot Stove Lunch: Hanley being shopped; Yanks getting Cole for Xmas? and more

This is a daily BSJ off-season feature that will arrive in time for your lunch, Monday-Friday.

A spin around the leagues with the latest news, notes, and rumors around Major League Baseball

RED SOX

Is there a trade market for Hanley Ramirez? The Red Sox may be in the process of finding out.

Ramirez would seem to be a spare (but expensive) part, now that the Sox have Mitch Moreland back to play first base, and are still pursuing free agent J.D. Martinez. Martinez would likely become the Red Sox' main DH, which would limit Ramirez's playing time. Ramirez could still play first base against lefties, and occasionally DH, but that's not much of a role for someone who's scheduled to make $22 million in 2018.

Of course, such a deal wouldn't be made unless/until the Sox sign Martinez. If they moved Ramirez beforehand, they could get caught short.

The Sox have reportedly been testing the market to determine how much interest exists for Ramirez. Naturally, they'd have to take back a good chunk of the 2018 salary.

But the problems run deeper than 2018. Ramirez has a vesting option for 2019, too, also at $22 million. So even if the Sox pay off a good chunk of next season's money, the acquiring team would have to worry about Ramirez getting 497 plate appearances and vesting his 2019 option.

Then there's the matter of Ramirez's defense. Would a National League team have an interest in him at first base? Or is he strictly seen by other teams as a DH, limiting him to the A.L.?

These are the questions that Dave Dombrowski is currently contemplating.

AL EAST

The Yankees are after Pirates starter Gerrit Cole, but Pittsburgh is seeking the Yankees' best prospects in return. 

The Yankees longtime radio duo is returning for another  season in the booth, writes Neil Best.

Tim Beckham is stuck in limbo as the Orioles figure out what to do with Manny Machado.

AL CENTRAL

The Indians are in the market for a first baseman after the departure of free agent Carlos Santana.

Eric Hosmer is still on the market and the Royals still have hopes of re-signing him

A few seasons back, the Tigers tried to lock up J.D. Martinez with a contract extension.

AL WEST

The Angels will have a better team on the field in 2018 -- and a bigger video scoreboard, too.

Cole Hamels is making a big donation to charity this Christmas season.

A Mariners reliever wanted to go pitch in Japan, so the Mariners helped him out.

NL

The Cubs have targeted Yu Darvish and had a meeting with him.

They'd like to make some deals, but the Mets are hamstrung by a poor farm system.

TAKE I MAY REGRET IN A MONTH

The Derek Jeter Era is not off to a strong start in Miami. Maybe you've noticed.

The Marlins have had a series of bad PR flubs, including the firing of four popular ambassadors (Andre Dawson, Tony Perez, Jack McKeon and Jeff Conine) and a scout battling cancer.

Then they traded off Giancarlo Stanton, Dee Gordon and Marcell Ozuna, arguably the franchise's three best players.

And now, Christin Yelich and J.T. Realmuto want out and are reportedly being told: nope, you're stuck here.

Jeter is finding out that this ownership thing perhaps isn't as glamorous as he thought.