MLB Offseason Trade Rumors, Free Agents, and Signings: Hitters Afraid of CitiField's Deep Fences; Robinson Cano Denies $300 Million Rumors
MLB executives have moved on from the Thanksgiving festivities to focus on improving their teams before the winter meetings.
There are still a number of notable free agents still on the market but it seems like the smaller moves will be the first priority of the offseason. Until then, players will be pondering over not only which teams they prefer to play for but which stadiums would best fit their abilities.
A perfect example of this is in New York where the Mets boast one of the most unique ballparks in CitiField. Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News reported that the big name free agents are remaining cautious about jumping to sign with the Mets due to the wide perception that CitiField is a pitchers park, which could hurt New York's chances this offseason. For some that is a problem, but for others - such as outfielder Chris Young, who was just signed by the Mets - that actually works in their favor.
"I've never been a big power guy as far as long, deep home runs," Young said. "My home runs are more line drives that fell out of the yard... Citi Field really doesn't affect that type of power, in my opinion."
In other news, free agent infielder Robinson Cano is denying the reports that he has demanded that the Yankees pay him $300 million if they want him wearing pinstripes next season. He said to the Dominican website El Dia that "Nobody has ever heard that come out of my mouth [$300 MILLION] and you're never going to hear it."