Eric Hosmer rumors are a hot item right now in the baseball world. Along with a handful of top players available for teams to bid on, Hosmer, along with Japanese star Shohei Otani is going to be front and center this week as the 2017 Major League Baseball general manager meetings take place this week in Orlando, Florida.

The Hot Stove talk is starting to heat up

This MLB offseason has a ton of questions that involve some of baseball's best players. Right at the top of that list is where will players like J.D. Martinez, Eric Hosmer, and Mike Moustakas land?

Also, will a team here in the US take a chance on two-way Japanese star Shohei Otani? Right now, it seems the Boston Red Sox are interested in both Hosmer and Otani.

WEEI is reporting that multiple sources at the GM meetings, which conclude on Wednesday evening (Nov. 16), believe that the Boston Red Sox appear to be primed to be among the teams submitting the $20 million posting fee when clearance is given to start that process on Otani.

The Red Sox have extensively scouted the 23-year-old phenom from Japan, who can reportedly throw 90-mph and hit 450-foot home runs. While Boston has shown they have interest in Otani, reports indicate that they can only offer him a $462,000 signing bonus this upcoming season.

That could be a huge problem if the Bosox want in on the Ontani sweepstakes. Many other squads are lining up for a shot at landing Otani, and the Texas Rangers are at the head of the class - that is in terms of offering the most bonus cash.

The Rangers can pony up $3,335,000, while the New York Yankees are right behind at $3.25 million.

The Minnesota Twins, who also have a strong interest in him, can offer $3,245,000 to Otani in 2018.

If this kid lives up to the billing, like Ichiro Suzuki and Hideki Matsui before him, he will be worth every penny. It is reported that eight teams have interest in Otani.

Padres interested in Eric Hosmer

It is no secret that Kansas City first baseman Eric Hosmer is in demand.

While the Royals would love for him to stay in Kansas City, several teams have shown interest in the left-handed slugger, but could a surprise team swoop in and land Hosmer? The San Diego Padres could be that team, according to an ESPN report.

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic is reporting that the Padres have discussed what it would take for them to get Hosmer to head to their team. While they have struggled as a team over the past few seasons, San Diego does have the cash to land Hosmer, but the real question is does Hosmer want a huge payday or play in a city that can win a ring in the next year or two?

How about heading home for the next four seasons? Hosmer, a Florida native was called out by current Marlins Manager Don Mattingly - in a good way of course.

Mattingly was chosen to hand out the hardware for first basemen Friday at the Gold Glove awards ceremony in New York. Kansas City.com reported that after "Donnie Baseball" announced that Arizona’s Paul Goldschmidt was the National League winner, Mattingly made a little joke, reportedly saying “The American League Gold Glove award winner is ... Eric Hosmer of the Miami Marlins.”

While everyone was all smiles, including Hosmer, you know Mattingly would love to have Hosmer playing for him in the Sunshine State this spring - all joking aside!
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