Report: Astros showing interest in pitcher Brett Anderson
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(4:55 pm ET) The Astros have checked in on free agent starting pitcher Brett Anderson, who lives in Houston, according to the Houston Chronicle. The Astros’ free-agent offseason targets include starting pitchers, relievers and help on the left side of the infield.

The oft-injured left-hander was 1-3 with a 2.91 ERA in eight starts for Colorado in 2014. He hasn’t made more than 19 starts since his rookie season in 2009.

Report: Marlins, White Sox, Padres inquire about LaRoche
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(4:51 pm ET) The Marlins, White Sox and Padres have inquired about free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche, sources told FOX Sports. He is also considered a contingency plan for some teams looking to trade a first baseman.

LaRoche became a free agent after the Nationals opted for a $2 million buyout for the 2015 season. The veteran slugger hit .259 with 19 doubles, 26 home runs and 92 RBI in 140 games.

Report: Astros avoid arbitration with outfielder Alex Presley
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(2:58 pm ET) Outfielder Alex Presley agreed to a one-year, $1 million deal with the Astros to avoid arbitration, a source told the Houston Chronicle. Presley hit .244 with six home runs and 19 RBI in 89 games with Houston last season.

Report: Indians might swap inflated contracts to shed Swisher
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(2:41 pm ET) The Indians are exploring a wide range of options, including a trade of veteran Nick Swisher for another player with an inflated contract, according to FOX Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal. Swisher is due to make $30 million over the next two seasons and has a $14 million vesting option for 2017.

Other players with large contracts that are reportedly on the trading block include Phillies first baseman Ryan Howard, Braves outfielder B.J. Upton and Orioles starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez. Rosenthal said those aren’t necessarily the players of interest to the Indians, but it’s part of the team’s thinking as they look to shape the roster for 2015.

Report: D-Backs eyeing Shields, but payroll flexibility is challenge
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(2:29 pm ET) While there hasn’t been a lot of chatter about free agent starting pitcher James Shields, one interested team is the Diamondbacks, according to FOX Sports reporter Ken Rosenthal.

The Diamondbacks have a need for a top-of-the-rotation starter, and major-league sources said the Diamondbacks like the veteran pitcher, who is 114-90 with a 3.72 ERA in nine MLB seasons.

The problem for the Diamondbacks will be creating enough payroll flexibility to sign an elite free-agent starting pitcher like Shields.

Diamondbacks chief baseball officer Tony La Russa recently told reporters the team’s payroll will range anywhere from $80 million to $110 million. Without considering any free-agent signings, the projected payroll as of now is around $90 million, which includes arbitration-eligible players.

The Diamondbacks tried to trade for Shields and Wade Davis two years ago as part of a three-team trade that would have sent Justin Upton to the Rangers and prospects to the Rays, according to Rosenthal. However, then Arizona general manager Kevin Towers couldn’t complete the trade, and the Rays eventually traded Shields and Davis to the Royals.

Analyst: Cubs feel Jon Lester might be headed back to Red Sox
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(2:08 pm ET) While there are reportedly six teams interested in signing free agent starting pitcher Jon Lester, one of those teams — the Cubs — believe Lester could be returning to Boston, baseball analyst Peter Gammons said during an interview with WEEI on Tuesday.

Lester is meeting with the Cubs on Tuesday and reportedly set to meet with the Braves on Thursday.

“I think the one thing — obviously the Cubs are going to make every play — I get the feeling the Cubs think he’s going to go back to Boston,” Gammons said. “I think it’s very smart for Lester and his agents to hold for another week. I think there is a feeling it is going to go past Thanksgiving, maybe into the first week into December and the hope is that the Yankees look at that starting rotation and they think — I mean how do they know [Masahiro] Tanaka, [Michael] Pineda and [Ivan] Nova are going to be healthy next year and they start thinking about, ‘OK, we have great bullpen, but…’

“That is Red Sox ownership’s worst nightmare — the Yankees and Theo Epstein negotiating against them. But, after spring training when ACES told them [they would see what the market bears], they are finding out the market is going to bare more than they ever imagined.”

White Sox sign reliever Zach Duke to three-year, $15 million deal
by Jeff Borzello | College Basketball Writer

(1:52 pm ET) The White Sox announced Tuesday they signed reliever Zach Duke to a three-year, $15 million contract. 

The former starting pitcher went 5-1 with a 2.45 ERA, 12 holds and 74 strikeouts in a career-high 74 appearances (58 2/3 innings) with the Brewers in 2014.

“Very early on, we identified Zach as one of the best left-handed free agents available this offseason, so we are very pleased he agreed to join the White Sox,” White Sox senior vice president/general manager Rick Hahn said. “He addresses an important need in our bullpen by giving Robin Ventura a veteran left-handed option late in games.”

Mets will not hold back Matt Harvey at start of season
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1:42 pm ET) Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said starting pitcher Matt Harvey, who missed the 2014 season due to Tommy John surgery, will be in the rotation at the start of the season and not begin the season late to conserve innings, according to ESPN.

The Mets are trying to formulate a plan for Harvey as he makes his return to the mound in 2015. The Mets are expecting to be in contention next season and might skip some of Harvey’s starts during the season, so he is available late in the year.

Report: Sandoval has discussed five-year deal with Giants, BoSox
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(1:34 pm ET) Free agent third baseman Pablo Sandoval has discussed five-year deals with the Giants and Red Sox in the range of $80 million to $90 million, according to ESPN.com writer Jerry Crasnick. Indications are a deal could come together quickly for Sandoval.

Sandoval is in Boston on Tuesday meeting with the Red Sox. It has been previously reported the Red Sox and Giants are favorites to sign Sandoval. The Blue Jays and White Sox have also been linked to Sandoval, and CBSSports.com Baseball Insider Jon Heyman reported earlier this week the Padres have also shown interest.

Mozeliak: Carlos Martinez will ‘be given clean path’ to rotation spot
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com

(12:16 pm ET) Carlos Martinez appears to be a favorite for the final spot in the rotation following the trade of Shelby Miller, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak indicated during an interview with MLB Network Radio on Tuesday.

“He’ll be given a clean path to fifth spot, if he comes to spring training prepared,” Mozeliak said.

Martinez spent most of the 2014 season in the Cardinals’ bullpen, but he did make seven starts, going 2-1 with a 4.45 ERA. Overall, he was 2-4 with a 4.03 ERA in 57 appearances.