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Rosenthal And Morosi On Harden, Putz, Wagner

By Luke Adams [November 10, 2009 at 3:35pm CST]

3:35pm: More from Rosenthal and Morosi:

The White Sox are expected to add a leadoff man, but Chone Figgins still seems too expensive.
John Smoltz is open to starting or relieving next year. He figures to end up in the NL after his failed stint with the Red Sox.
Phillies officials "strongly downplayed" the idea that they could trade for Roy Halladay. The NL Champs will focus instead on third base and the bullpen.

12:38pm: Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi are constantly updating their blog at FOX Sports with more info from the GM meetings. Here are some highlights from today:

Rich Harden could be a good fit for the Seattle Mariners, especially given his past success in the American League West and the close proximity of his hometown (Victoria, British Columbia) to Seattle.
Given their need for some offensive punch, the Mariners will also "kick the tires" on Jason Bay, says one major league source. As ESPN.com's Jason Grey points out, the Mariners have Dustin Ackley and Michael Saunders coming up through the system, so signing an outfielder like Bay to a long-term deal may not appeal to Jack Zduriencik.
J.J. Putz's agent Craig Landis says that his client wouldn't mind accepting a setup role. "He has a preference to be a closer, but absolutely will not rule out an eighth-inning job depending upon many factors," says Landis. The factors Landis mentions include location, coaching staff, team strength, and, of course, money.
Bean Stringfellow, Billy Wagner's agent, claims that six teams have called about the left-hander, and that all of them are interested in Wagner as a closer. We heard earlier today that Wagner's value could be hurt by his Type A status, but if you believe Stringfellow, it's not looking like a problem so far.
The Yankees are "taking it slow" in their discussions with Hideki Matsui.

Comments

as much as would love to have Putz back with the Mets...those comments from his agent about wanting money are no good.

Posted by: metboy518 | November 10, 2009 at 12:45 PM

Harden would be a great move for the M's. Bay however (who is one of my favorite current players), not so much.

Posted by: willardthegreat | November 10, 2009 at 12:45 PM

Mariners current OF depth chart:
1. Ichiro
2. Franklin Gutierrez
3. Michael Saunders
4. Ryan Langerhans
5. Bill Hall
5. Jr.
6. Dustin Ackley (1 year away)
7. Gillies/Halman (2 years away)

I just don't see where 3-4 years of Jason Bay fits in there. I give them a 3-5% chance of signing him.

Posted by: killak | November 10, 2009 at 12:56 PM

Re: Wagner,
I thought this was an exclusive signing period for the owning team. Can teams be calling about Wagner before then? Wouldn't that affect his decision to accept or turn down arb?

Just curious.

Posted by: go sox | November 10, 2009 at 12:57 PM

how about harden to the giants on a one or two year deal? He would make a great third starter and fill out their staff well.

Posted by: wildabeast4 | November 10, 2009 at 12:57 PM

"Re: Wagner,
I thought this was an exclusive signing period for the owning team. Can teams be calling about Wagner before then? Wouldn't that affect his decision to accept or turn down arb?

Just curious."

I was thinking the same thing. I thought I read someone once that they were just not allowed to talk money until after the 15 days but I may be wrong.

Posted by: chief | November 10, 2009 at 01:01 PM

Back to wagner, maybe mlbtraderumors is researching an answer as we speak and may post it?

Posted by: go sox | November 10, 2009 at 01:07 PM

The Mariners will NOT sign Jason Bay! No way they'd waste their money on a RH power hitter. Especially one that can't play the field. He's much, much better off in Boston (eventually taking over for Ortiz at DH).

Posted by: MarinerFella | November 10, 2009 at 01:15 PM

The Sox should go after Micheal Young for SS, They can afford his contract, he's a gold glove defender and The rangers would love some payroll flexibility. Would a package of delcarmin, Kotchman and a mid level prospect be enough considering the sox take on all of his contract?.

Posted by: Steven | November 10, 2009 at 01:18 PM

Bean Stringfellow? lol

Posted by: jc | November 10, 2009 at 01:25 PM

I doubt Mr. Stringfellow has six interested teams, but I guess it's possible.

Atlanta
Arizona
Baltimore
Cubs
Detroit
Florida
Houston
Philadelphia
St. Louis
Tampa Bay
Washington

All could be possibilities...

Posted by: vtadave | November 10, 2009 at 01:40 PM

Steven - Young is greatly overpaid and the Gold Glove he was wasn't deserved. I can't see the Red Sox taking a look at him unless they were desperate and/or the Rangers paid a significant portion of his contract. We all know that the Ranges like paying other teams to take their shortstops but in this case Young doesn't have nearly the upside that ARod did. Btw, wasn't young moved to 3b this season to make room for Andrus? Young may be at an age where moving back to a more demanding position may not work well for him.

Posted by: pageian | November 10, 2009 at 02:32 PM

Seriously.

Bean.

Stringfellow.

That's hilarious.

Posted by: Christopher Heer | November 10, 2009 at 03:05 PM

Bay could work in Seattle. He plays in LF for 1-2 years. The Ackley takes over and bay slides into the DH role.

I really think Damon is the lead off OF the White Sox are looking for. And if they give him a 2 year deal with a 3rd year option it would probably be enough to make him turn down a 1 year deal from the Yanks.

Posted by: BoSox | November 10, 2009 at 03:40 PM

The Mariners front office would be crucified if they went out and got Bay and than down the line didn't have enough money to retain King Felix.

Posted by: yanks09 | November 10, 2009 at 04:23 PM

Bay dosnt fit Jack Z's system that hes putting together. Hes a great hitter, but wouldnt be as good at Safeco. Besides if they wanted a player like Bay, why did they let Raul Ibanez (who bats lefty) leave as a FA last year?

Posted by: dj tizzo | November 10, 2009 at 05:17 PM

Going after Bay is totally antithetical to the defense-first mentality applied by Z when he got Wilson, Gutierrez, Chavez, Langerhans, Hannahan, et al.

Posted by: melonis rex | November 10, 2009 at 05:54 PM

Rangers would have zero use for Kotchman. Zero.

Posted by: bucs_lose_again | November 10, 2009 at 06:39 PM

Bean Stringfellow!!

Posted by: Leland11 | November 10, 2009 at 07:35 PM

I think the new CBA should have a provision that all agents have funny sounding names, like Bean Stringfellow, Mortimer McSnortimer, or Shamwow Q. Fruitbat.

In a related story, Scott Boras just filed to legally change his name to Greedy McSwindlefingers.

Posted by: notin | November 10, 2009 at 08:14 PM

Am I alone in thinking that Rich Harden would make a good closer?

Posted by: Svengoolie | November 10, 2009 at 09:34 PM

Am I alone in thinking that Rich Harden would make a good closer?

Posted by: Svengoolie | November 10, 2009 at 09:34 PM"

He would be lights out if his arm would hold up.

If being in the pen added 2-3 MPH on his fastball no one hold hit him.

Posted by: 661dodgerblue | November 11, 2009 at 04:52 AM

I think if the Mariners resigned Bedard which they probably wont and got Harden they would have a great front of the rotation. They could sign Crede to play third base and have a solid left side of the infield. Maybe go after a Jason Kendall for a veteran catcher.

RF-Ichiro
2B-Jose Lopez
DH-Jr./Matsui
1B-Russell Branyan
LF-Matsui/Saunders
3B-Joe Crede
CF-Franklin Guitterez
SS-Jack Wilson
C-Jason Kendall

Posted by: WindyCityWarrioe | November 14, 2009 at 09:57 PM

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Rosenthal And Morosi On Harden, Putz, Wagner

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