Robinson Cano is still the biggest fish on the market, but his asking price is way too high.  Everyone knows that Cano wants $300 million and even though the two sides are about $150 million apart in negotiations the Yankees have again requested to speak with Cano and his agents.  According to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman the Yankees are also pursuing multiple other targets in case they miss out on putting Cano’s bat back in the middle of their order.  They already took one step towards filling the possible void by adding veteran Catcher Brian McCann.  McCann fits for the Yankees in more way than one, as a leader behind the plate and a big bat in the middle of the order.

Over the weekend two more chips fell off of the table as shortstop Jhonny Peralta and outfielder Chris Young were both signed.  Peralta signing with the Cardinals makes things interesting for teams looking for a shortstop on the open market as the only big name shortstop left is Stephen Drew.  

With McCann off the table, and to a lesser extent Jose Molina, teams in need of a catcher only have two names to look at in free agency, Jarrod Saltalamacchia and A.J. Pierzynski.  Both have been linked to the Twins now that perennial all-star Joe Mauer has taken a career move to first base, but multiple teams with catching needs are looking at both players including the Red Sox and Rangers.  The Twins are also looking at starting pitching after having a tough year in the rotation in 2013, and are highly interested in veteran Bronson Arroyo.

The Angels have made multiple moves over the last few days, the biggest being the trade that sent centerfielder Peter Bourjos and a minor leaguer to the Cardinals for corner infielder David Freese and reliever Fernando Salas filling two needs.  The fun didn’t stop there, though, as they signed 29-year-old Joe Smith to fill a big need in their bullpen.  The Angels are not done there.  Word is that they plan on adding a veteran starting pitcher to help stabilize a rotation that was horrid at times in 2013.  They have been linked to Bartolo Colon and Arroyo but a deal is not imminent with either player.t.  The Angels are only approximately $8 million away from hitting the luxury tax.

The Pirates are looking to improve in multiple positions in hopes of taking the next step in the 2014 season.  They are currently looking to improve at first base, but with a lack of power that they can afford it is rumored that they will instead look for someone who can platoon with Gaby Sanchez.  It has also been rumored that they have joined in talks with Rafael Furcal in the hopes that he can put together a healthy season and improve the middle infield.  Meanwhile, talks with free agent starter A.J. Burnett who has said he’d either like to retire or return to the Pirates are still at a stand still.

The biggest rumor lately has been yet another trade involving the Cubs.  If you haven’t paid attention in the 2013 season the Cubs traded every veteran trade chip they had outside of Edwin Jackson and they appear to be ready to send an even younger trade chip as they are in talks with the Blue Jays to send starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija north of the border.  Right now it is all talk, though, as it appears no trade has been proposed yet by the Blue Jays.

Other players signed recently include Dan Haren to the Dodgers and Jason Vargas to the Royals taking two more starting pitchers out of the market.  One other trade went on and went under the radar of the bigger moves as the Red Sox acquired another bullpen piece Burke Badenhop.  The Tigers could be on the verge of settling their closer conundrum as they are rumored to be signing Brian Wilson.