MLB rumors: Yankees preparing 'presentation' for Aaron Judge; Blue Jays interested in Brett Gardner

Here are Tuesday's hot stove rumors

Tuesday is the deadline for teams and their arbitration-eligible players to file salary figures. In a normal offseason, the vast majority of players sign contracts before the filing deadline. This is an unusual offseason, however, and we may see more players file salary figures. We often see long-term extensions signed prior to the filing deadline too, like Ryan McMahon's new deal with the Rockies. Here are Tuesday's hot stove rumors as the arbitration salary filing deadline approaches.

Dodgers sign Pillar

The Dodgers have signed veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar to a minor-league contract, the team announced. He will be in big league spring training as a non-roster invitee. The Dodgers are pretty well set in the outfield with AJ Pollock, Cody Bellinger, and Mookie Betts, plus Chris Taylor can play the outfield as well.

Pillar, 33, spent last season with the Mets and going to camp with the Dodgers allows him to showcase himself for other teams, if nothing else. His center field defense is no longer elite like it was in his prime, though he remains a capable defender with double-digit home run power. Pillar can still help a club as a fourth or fifth outfielder.

D-Backs sign Davies

The Diamondbacks have signed veteran righty Zach Davies to a one-year contract, reports MLB Network's Jon Heyman. The deal can pay him up to $4.5 million. Davies struggled badly with the Cubs last season after coming over as part of the Yu Darvish trade with the Padres. He is a good bet to take the ball 30 times, however, and there's value in eating innings.

Arizona's fifth starter spot behind Madison Bumgarner, Zac Gallen, Merrill Kelly, and Luke Weaver was pretty wide open going into camp. Tyler Gilbert and Corbin Martin were the frontrunners for the job, but now Davies knocks them down a peg on the depth chart, and allows the rebuilding D-Backs to not push any young pitchers harder than they have to. Davies could also pitch his way into trade chip status at the deadline. 

Yankees preparing presentation for Judge

The Yankees are preparing a "long-term presentation" for Aaron Judge regarding a contract extension, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post. It will be delivered next week. Judge is eligible to become a free agent after 2022 and he's said he will not discuss an extension after Opening Day, which is only two weeks away. Here's what Judge told the New York Post's Dan Martin last week:

"If we're able to talk and get something done in spring training before the season starts, that would be ideal, especially since this is an important year," Judge said in his first comments of the spring. "We've got a lot of things to focus on during the course of the year, winning a division and winning a championship here in New York. I don't want contract talks or extensions and all that talk to be a distraction throughout the year. So, if we're able to agree to something here in the spring before we head up to New York, that's wonderful and it would be an honor. If not, we'll talk after the season."  

Judge, 30 next month, finished fourth in the AL MVP voting last season and has performed at an MVP level whenever he's been on the field, though injuries have been an issue at times. He is projected to earn $18 million or so through arbitration this season. Kris Bryant's seven-year, $182 million deal with the Rockies suggests Judge could secure a guarantee north of $200 million.

Yankees, Padres checked in on Contreras

The Yankees and Padres were among the teams to check in on Cubs catcher Willson Contreras in recent weeks, reports Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. Prior to the lockout it was reported the Cubs would make Contreras, a free agent-to-be, available if the two sides could not agree to a contract extension. He still does not have a long-term deal. Here's what Contreras told Levine:

"Baseball is a business, and it's something I learned from watching the guys last year and what they went through," Contreras said. "Everyone can be moved or traded. No one is indispensable. You must come in and do your work every day. The rest will take care of itself."  

Contreras, 30 in May, is one of the top hitting catchers in baseball. Chicago signed Yan Gomes to a two-year contract to serve as catching depth, though top prospect Miguel Amaya will miss a chunk of the season following Tommy John surgery. Catchers are always in demand, so Contreras will undoubtedly have suitors at the trade deadline if the Cubs hang onto him and are out of the postseason race.

Angels interested in Manaea, Montas

The Angels are among the teams with interest in Athletics starters Sean Manaea and Frankie Montas, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. The Twins, Red Sox, White Sox, and Yankees have been connected to Manaea and/or Montas since the lockout. Oakland is beginning a rebuild and Manaea and Montas are their best remaining trade chips. Manaea will be a free agent after 2022. Montas is under team control through 2023.

Earlier this offseason the Angels signed Noah Syndergaard and Michael Lorenzen to boost their rotation, and they've also invested in their bullpen. There is always room for improvement, however, and both Manaea and Montas would represent a significant addition for an Angels team that has only been to the postseason once in Mike Trout's 10 full seasons. There figures to be a bidding war for the A's two hurlers, so parting with quality prospects is a must.

Blue Jays interested in Gardner

The Blue Jays are among the teams to express interest in free-agent outfielder Brett Gardner, according to Erik Boland of Newsday. Gardner, however, continues to hold out hope that the Yankees will make him an offer.

Gardner, who will turn 39 in August, has spent his entire career with New York. Last season was one of the worst of his career, as he amassed a 90 OPS+ in 461 trips to the plate. The Yankees recently signed outfielder Tim Locastro to a big-league deal, suggesting they might not have room for another outfielder on their roster, barring a late-spring injury. It's unclear if or when Gardner would become more willing to join a different team.