We’re keeping track of all the latest free agent and trade rumors.

March 9: Snell has “strong preference” to play for Angels (report)

The Giants, Phillies, Yankees and Angels have all been linked to reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell in recent weeks. Plus, there may be some mystery teams in the bidding. It’s difficult to gauge each club’s interest level in the left-hander, but Snell is very interested in joining the Angels, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney.

“I’m hearing that Blake Snell’s preference — strong preference — is to go to the Angels,” Olney said during Thursday’s edition of the Baseball Tonight podcast. “There [has] been back-and-forth with that team. That’s where I think he’s going to land.” More >

March 9: Marlins have had talks with J.D. Martinez (report)

The Marlins have been in talks recently with designated hitter J.D. Martinez, per the Miami Herald’s Craig Mish. Adding Martinez would make sense for Miami, which lost free-agent slugger Jorge Soler to the Giants last month.

However, Mish said that the 36-year-old Martinez is “not a fit, at least for now” because the Marlins would prefer to use multiple players at DH, including Josh Bell and Jake Burger. Avisaíl García could also see more reps at that spot this year.

Martinez is coming off his most productive season since 2019 as he bashed 33 homers and recorded an .893 OPS in 113 games for the Dodgers. He is seeking a two-year contract, a source told Mish.

March 4: Interest in Snell, Montgomery picking up?

The regular season begins for all clubs in just a few weeks, and Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery are still on the open market. A handful of teams have been linked to the left-handers recently; MLB Network insider Jon Paul Morosi said Monday that the Yankees are a possibility for Snell. Morosi also said that the Angels are a possible landing spot for each starter.

The Giants have been mentioned as well, and it sounds like the number of clubs interested in Snell and Montgomery is increasing. Scott Boras, the agent for both players, said Monday that four new teams have contacted him regarding the pitchers since the start of Spring Training.

The identity of those teams is unknown, but given the injuries that come during Spring Training, it makes sense that clubs that may not have had Snell or Montgomery on their radar during the winter are now considering a rotation upgrade.

March 1: Giants ‘need help’ in rotation — is Snell or Montgomery a must?

Just weeks into Spring Training, the Giants have already dealt with injuries to two members of their projected starting rotation. No. 4 starter Keaton Winn was shut down with mild right elbow soreness, while No. 5 starter Tristan Beck will be unavailable for at least the start of the season after being diagnosed with an aneurysm in his upper arm.

San Francisco is down two-fifths of a rotation that includes National League Cy Young Award runner-up Logan Webb, rookie Kyle Harrison and free-agent signing Jordan Hicks, who will stretch out to become a starter during Spring Training. Starters Robbie Ray (Tommy John surgery) and Alex Cobb (hip surgery) could return midway through the season.

According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the Giants should be pursuing Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery and other free-agent starters, including right-hander Michael Lorenzen.

“They need help,” Rosenthal said Thursday on “Foul Territory.” “There’s no question about that.”

Even after their reported three-year deal with third baseman Matt Chapman, the San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser reports that the Giants are “still very much in” on Snell.

Rosenthal reported for The Athletic (subscription required) that teams might be hesitant to sign Snell, the reigning NL Cy Young winner, to a contract with an opt-out after the first year — something included in the Cubs’ agreement with outfielder Cody Bellinger and the Giants’ deal with Chapman.

Since Snell received and rejected a qualifying offer from the Padres, any team but San Diego that signs the left-hander must forfeit at least one draft pick. That could be too steep a potential cost for a club if Snell opts out after just one season.