AL Notes: White Sox Making Moves, Angels Look for Catching Help, Yanks and LeMahieu Far Apart

Chisox loading up while everyone else sits on their hands

The virtual Winter Meetings did not generate much action and other than the New York Mets signing catcher James McCann to a four-year, $40 million contract last week, none of the prominent free agents have been signed. The Chicago White Sox are one of the few teams that have been active in making moves, adding starter Lance Lynn from Texas and outfielder Adam Eaton from Washington.

Lynn was 6-3, with a 3.32 ERA with the Rangers last season, and pitched for Sox “new” manager Tony Larussa in St. Louis. The right-hander provides depth to Chicago’s rotation behind Lucas Giolito and Dallas Keuchel and a veteran innings eater in the final year of his contract.

Eaton returns to Chicago after a four-year stay with the Nationals and likely slots in right field replacing Nomar Mazara, who was not tendered a contract last week.

Angels fall short on McCann, Realmuto too pricey?

The Los Angeles Angels were not willing to pay the price that the Mets paid for McCann, leaving the Halos still looking for help behind the plate. With four players (Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Anthony Rendon, and Justin Upton) making in excess of $20 million per season, and LA reportedly in the hunt for Cy Young winner Trevor Bauer, they may be looking for more economical options at catcher than free agent backstop J.T. Realmuto.

Yankees, Lemahieu far apart on new deal

Priority #1 for the New York Yankees is to keep infielder D.J. LeMahieu in the fold, but the club and the 32-year-old AL batting champion are reportedly not close on a new deal. According to Brendan Kuty of NJ.com , LeMahieu is looking for a five-year deal for $100 million, while the Bronx Bombers are offering a four-year deal.

Yanks GM Brian Cashman indicated this week that he would like to pursue starter pitchers with Masahiro Tanaka, JA Happ, and James Paxton all free agents, but if New York re-signs LeMahieu, they are likely not going to be able to bring back Tanaka if they are going to stay under the $210 million MLB luxury tax.

New York is fairly thin behind staff ace Gerrit Cole. Luis Severino is not expected back until July from Tommy John surgery, Jordan Montgomery pitched well in the playoffs after a mediocre regular season, and Domingo German is coming back after being suspended last season due to allegations of domestic violence.

That likely means that the Yankees will have to rely on youngsters Deivi Garcia, Michael King, and Clarke Schmidt or trade someone like Miguel Andujar or Luke Voit for pitching help.