Offishial news, 1/13/21: MLB hot stove; Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

We begin today’s link roundup with the MLB hot stove...

• The Marlins have been connected to Cubs catcher Willson Contreras. Having seen Chicago recent move NL Cy Young candidate Yu Darvish for an underwhelming return, the Fish are trying to finagle a trade for Contreras without surrendering any of their elite prospects, per Craig Mish.
• Outfielder Andrew Benintendi could be dealt by the end of the weekend, though the Marlins have reportedly dropped out of the negotiations. Just in case, check out these proposals.

• This week’s SB Nation Reacts survey focused on big-ticket free agents Trevor Bauer, DJ LeMahieu and George Springer. See below for their predicted landing spots. Sign up here to participate in future surveys!

• As mentioned on Monday, Corey Kluber has a highly anticipated mound session in West Palm Beach. The New York Post’s Joel Sherman reports a 10:30 a.m. scheduled start time. Kluber will be throwing 30 pitches in front of representatives from about 20 MLB teams—still no confirmation on whether that includes the Marlins.
• Slugger Garrett Cooper joined the Marlins Hot Stove Show. I was equally excited to hear from assistant director of player development Hector Crespo. He shared information nuggets on many of the Marlins players who have been competing in international winter leagues.
• Baseball has survived in Batavia, New York in the form of a college wood bat team. From 2013-2019, the Marlins had the Batavia Muckdogs as a short-season minor league affiliate, but the city was squeezed out of pro ball during the MiLB restructuring.
• Lots of ground covered on the Swimming Upstream podcast with Triple-A Jacksonville broadcaster/media relations liaison Scott Kornberg.

• Jumbo Shrimp owner Ken Babby also addressed the state of the team and how his business has adjusted—and will continue to adjust—in the midst of a pandemic.
• For those of you within a reasonable distance of Jax, season tickets and ticket plans are on sale now. Call 904-358-2846 or email info@jaxhsrimp.com.
• Left-hander Alex Vesia reflects on several key milestones in his baseball career.
• How legitimate was the breakout performance of old friend Donovan Solano? Pitcher List analyzes the Giants infielder.
• We have made it through 88 chapters of the All-Time Marlins Countdown.