« Mets, Pedro Feliciano Avoid Arbitration | Main | Rangers Rumors: Red Sox Pitching, Andruw »

Stark On Andruw, Swisher, Hudson, Pedro

The latest from ESPN's Jayson Stark...

  • Stark looks at all the factors influencing this year's slow-moving free agent market, talking to all sorts of anonymous execs.  It's a good read.
  • Among all the teams, the Phillies have added the most to their payroll this winter ($30MM+).  Only ten teams raised payroll this year.  The Phils are still looking at the same cast of righthanded bench bats, and are also looking to sign a reliever for one year.  Names of interest: Joe Borowski, Rudy Seanez, Will Ohman, Joe Beimel, Dennys Reyes, and Randy Flores.  Stark notes that Flores is out until June due to shoulder surgery.
  • Andruw Jones is looking for a team that will give him playing time.  One of Stark's sources says Braves manager Bobby Cox is "lobbying harder for Jones than the rest of the baseball operation."
  • The Braves are the top suitor for Nick Swisher, but their suggestion that the Yankees eat some of Swisher's contract was shot down.
  • Stark has heard that Angels owner Arte Moreno is ticked at Scott Boras and Mark Teixeira for the way they handled negotiations.
  • Stark received conflicting answers on whether the Elias formulas "can be changed without a special negotiation."  It figures that the players union would push to eliminate the Jason Varitek/Juan Cruz/Orlando Cabrera situations we saw this winter.  The D'Backs may have interest in re-signing Cruz, but don't look for a Cabrera-White Sox reunion.
  • The Yankees and Mets have not pursued Orlando Hudson, despite Hudson's statements of their interest.  Stark sees a one-year deal with the Nationals or Dodgers in his future. 
  • One assistant GM doesn't think the WBC will be a good gauge for Pedro Martinez's abilities, since he'll be doing short stints.
  • Stark has details on Eddie Guardado's contract, which has interesting provisions if he is to be traded.








Lijit Search




Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner









NAVIGATION

Site Map
Forums
Archives
Feeds by Team

MLBTR INFO

Advertise
About
Commenting Policy
Privacy Policy

CONNECT

Contact Us
Widget
Twitter
Facebook
Rss Feed


Partner of USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties. MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com.