November 2007

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Rockies Talking To Redman, Trachsel

UPDATE, 11-30-07 at 11am: Troy E. Renck spoke to Dan O'Dowd, who indicates the Rox are not close on Redman or Trachsel. They like that pair, but Brett Tomko and Jason Jennings continue to catch O'Dowd's eye. FROM 11-29-07 at 2pm: According to Tracy Ringolsby, the Rockies already have their 2008 rotation picked out: Aaron Cook, Jeff Francis, Ubaldo Jimenez, Franklin Morales, and Jason Hirsh. Of course, counting on each to make 30 starts would be folly. With that in mind, Dan O'Dowd is looking for some veteran filler. Specifically, he's trying to sign Mark Redman and Steve Trachsel. Trachsel..   Continue Reading

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The LaTroy Hawkins Derby

Wow, who knew 35 year-old reliever LaTroy Hawkins would be such a hot commodity? It started when the Rockies decided on October 31st that Hawkins was not worth a net of $3.5MM for one year. In hindsight that might've been one to exercise. The Rockies still hope to sign Hawkins but for one year. The Tigers have had preliminary dialogue with Hawkins' agent, with a two-year, $7MM deal the demand. Detroit has backed off on Octavio Dotel and expect David Riske to finalize his deal with the Brewers soon (the Crew had interest in Hawkins before getting Riske). As for..   Continue Reading

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MLB Trade Rumors: Yankees Close With Loretta?

UPDATE, 11-30-07 at 10am: Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has more on this situation. The Rockies got in touch with Loretta's agent recently but weren't optimistic on getting a deal done. While Loretta is close with the Yanks, he will let the Rockies' second base situation play out before signing because Colorado is his first choice. FROM 11-30-07 at 8:40am: Ryne Crabb of The Transaction Guy writes of a Buster Olney radio report wherein the Yankees were said to be close to signing Mark Loretta. Before we punch Robinson Cano's ticket to Minnesota, remember that the Yanks have..   Continue Reading

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Blue Jays Like Lo Duca, Clement, Armas

J.P. Ricciardi is going bargain-shopping this winter. The Jays won't be in on any big-name free agents. Instead, names like Paul Lo Duca, Matt Clement, and Tony Armas are on Ricciardi's shopping list. The Jays like the idea of pairing Gregg Zaun with another veteran backstop, but don't want to give out a deal greater than one year. It doesn't seem like Lo Duca would go for that, but sometimes the last catcher standing has to settle. It happened to Bengie Molina in '06 and he was coming off a decent year. The Marlins could pluck one of Lo Duca..   Continue Reading

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Erik Bedard Rumors

The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec has the latest regarding ace Erik Bedard. Some rank Bedard as the best available starter, all-in-all - he's under team control for longer than Johan Santana, doesn't have no-trade rights, and has better stuff than Dan Haren. The Orioles and Bedard's agent never actually exchanged salary figures, and now contract extension talks have come to a stop. Andy MacPhail isn't concerned but no one seems to expect the O's to pony up the money needed to retain their ace beyond 2009. Johan Santana should set the bar; Bedard may become a $20MM pitcher. Zrebiec lists..   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Peavy, Guillen, Barrett

Ken Rosenthal checks in with another fine rumor-filled column. Johan Santana doesn't seem a great fit for the Angels, partly because he'll be very expensive and the Halos actually do have a payroll limit. Jake Peavy knows he'd have to take a discount to stay in San Diego...but even a $15MM per year type deal would be unprecedented for them. He's under the Padres' control through '09. Rosenthal's sources are divided on whether the Mets will go after Jose Guillen. Such a scenario is possible if Lastings Milledge and/or Carlos Gomez are dealt. It's said that the Mets are still..   Continue Reading

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Phils Not Interested In Mora

Steve King reported yesterday that the Phillies were interested in third baseman/outfielder Melvin Mora. Not so, according to Todd Zolecki of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The specific words were "no chance." I saw this debunked elsewhere as well; can't recall where at the moment. As I said before, Mora doesn't have much value and I'd imagine any team willing to pay his entire salary could have him for a song   Continue Reading

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White Sox Looking At Fukudome, Bay

According to Ken Rosenthal, the White Sox have cooled on Aaron Rowand as they do not want to give him a five-year contract. Instead, they've set their sights on Kosuke Fukudome and Jason Bay. This isn't the first time they've been linked to Fukudome; Dan Graziano noted back in August that the Sox had scouted him. The White Sox could entertain using Fukudome in any of the three outfield positions. He could easily handle left field if Joe Crede is traded and Josh Fields plays third. He could probably get by in center. And he's probably better than Jermaine Dye..   Continue Reading

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Zrebiec On O's and Free Agents

The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec was recently named Rumor Royalty for the Orioles. Jeff answered a few questions for MLBTR. MLBTR: Andy MacPhail has said he doesn't expect to be in on many free agents, but there was a rumor that the O's are entertaining Jose Guillen [note: written prior to debunking]. Do you expect them to spend any money on free agents this winter? Zrebiec: First, the Guillen report was inaccurate. He's exactly the type of player the Orioles are not interested in at this stage. As for other free agents, I see the Orioles making a couple of..   Continue Reading

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MLB Trade Rumors: Astros Sign Kaz Matsui

Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000 reports had it first: the Astros have signed second baseman Kaz Matsui to a three year deal worth $15-16MM. Ed Wade saved Jim Hendry from himself. Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald and Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle confirm the signing. Richard Justice speculates that the 'Stros could shop Chris Burke now, and maybe even package him with Luke Scott. Matsui is the early favorite for worst free agent signing of the winter. He is probably not worth half the money, and a three-year commitment for him is insane. Since he joined..   Continue Reading

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