MLB rumors: Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds

On the last Sunday of November, let's examine some of the latest MLB rumors, news and notes surrounding the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds.

Pittsburgh Pirates rumors: A pair of potential first basemen?

According to FanSided's Robert Murray, the Pirates could be looking at signing Rowdy Tellez or Dominic Smith to be among the options for the team's primary first baseman in 2023.

Murray notes that Tellez, who was non-tendered by the Milwaukee Brewers, already has "familiarity with hitting coach Andy Haines from their time in Milwaukee," perhaps giving Tellez a leg up on the competition with the Pirates should he land there. Smith, meanwhile, posted an OPS+ of 92 and slash line of .254/.326/.366 in 586 plate appearances during his first season with the Washington Nationals in 2023.

MLB rumors: Would this Chicago White Sox-Cincinnati Reds trade work?

Two names that have had a lot of trade buzz attached to them this offseason are Chicago White Sox pitcher Dylan Cease and Cincinnati Reds second baseman Jonathan India. With that in mind, could the duo be involved in the same swap? It's a possibility if things were to work out in a perfect world, according to Jim Bowden of The Athletic.

In this mailbag article (subscription required), Bowden believes a deal that would send Cease to Cincinnati in exchange for India and right-hander Ty Floyd, ranked 12th among all Cincinnati prospects by MLB.com after being selected 38th overall in the 2023 MLB draft, could potentially work well for both teams.

Bowden writes, "The White Sox control Cease for only two more years. They’d get their long-term solution at second base with India and a starter with similar upside to Cease but many more years of team control."

With a rebuild underway on the South Side, finding long-term pieces is a key for the White Sox. Would the Reds be willing to pull off the deal in what is shaping up to be a very interesting offseason for the National League Central? It's something to keep an eye on as the days tick away before MLB Winter Meetings begin.