Capuano discussing deal with Red Sox, Mariners

The Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox have emerged as key players in the race to sign veteran starter Chris Capuano. Ken Rosenthal was the first to report the Red Sox' interest, while Jon Heyman initially noted the Mariner's role. Capuano had reportedly been seeking a two-year deal earlier this offseason, but that now appears unlikely this late in the offseason.

The Marlins and White Sox have also shown interest in Capuano, according to our own Chris Cotillo.

#Mariners are in on Chris Capuano, as @JonHeymanCBS said. #Marlins, #WhiteSox among other teams that sources have linked to him.

— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) February 18, 2014

The Red Sox recently lost Ryan Dempster for the season due to personal reasons, and could use some extra rotation depth as they look to defend their World Series title. However, as Ken Rosenthal notes, the Red Sox are looking for more of a swingman, rather than a rotation regular considering they already have a full staff of Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, John Lackey, Jake Peavy, and Felix Doubront. While Capuano has worked in relief before (including last postseason with the Dodgers), he is likely looking for a greater chance to start.

Meanwhile, the Mariners could very well use Capuano, providing some certainty behind the formidable duo of Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwakuma. Capuano's price tag is considerably lower than Ervin Santana's, meaning were the Mariners to sign Capuano, they could have enough funds remaining to sign a bat such as Kendrys Morales or Nelson Cruz.

The 2006 All-Star has been a consistent, league average arm since returning from Tommy John surgery in 2010. He has spent the past three years as a member of the Dodgers' and Mets' rotations, notching a 4.15 ERA, 3.14 SO/BB rate, and 4.8 WAR over 490 innings. In 2013, Capuano enjoyed a career-best 3.67 xFIP, 3.55 FIP, and 9.6 HR/FB in 105.2 innings, missing time due to various injuries, including a strained calf. He saw his fastball velocity jump in 2013, as his 88.4 MPH average was his best since the early 2000's in Milwaukee.

Earlier this offseason, the Orioles were mentioned as possibly suitors for Capuano, but that appears unlikely now considering their recent addition of Ubaldo Jimenez.