Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports (via Twitter) that the top left-handed relievers on the market — J.P. Howell, Boone Logan, Eric O'Flaherty and Scott Downs — should begin to start coming off the board in the next 24 to 48 hours. It's already been reported that O'Flaherty is in talks with the Braves about a return to Atlanta. Here's the latest on the market for relievers…
- Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post tweets that there's a sense that the Nationals will land a left-handed reliever today.
- The Orioles have had talks with John Axford, tweets Morosi. They're also said to be the current favorites for Grant Balfour.
- A rival executive estimated that the Phillies would have to eat about 40 to 50 percent of Jonathan Papelbon's remaining salary to trade him, tweets Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Papelbon is owed $13MM in each of the next two seasons and has a vesting option for a fifth year.
- The Rockies have had discussions with Joaquin Benoit but are a ways apart in terms of salary, Morosi reports. Talks between the two sides are fading, as Benoit appears likely to seek a more lucrative deal elsewhere (Twitter links).
- Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer tweeted yesterday that when the dust settles from the Winter Meetings, Matt Guerrier's name could be a of interest to the Indians.
- Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports that even after re-signing Juan Carlos Oviedo and acquiring Heath Bell, the Rays are still looking to improve their bullpen. One option could be injured lefty Jordan Norberto, who underwent Tommy John surgery last season.
Phillies need to eat about “40 to 50 pink slips” in their front office with the personnel decisions, talent evaluation, and resource allocation that has gone on the last 5 years.
J.P. Howell has the nastiest movement in baseball. I wish the Rays would re-sign him.
I doubt the Phillies would eat that much salary anyway, but now is certainly not the time to do it. They should hold off until at least the deadline when a few closers have imploded and a contending team gets desperate.
Would the phillies trade within Divison? Could see a Paplebon for Storen swap.
Not sure why the Nats would do that. Papelbon costs a lot of $$$ for a set up guy, even if the Phillies eat salary. And the Nats already have Soriano, who’s been terrific for them. Even if they were interested in Papelbon for an 8th inning role, wouldn’t you rather stick with Tyler Clippard, who is cheaper, not showing the same signs of decline, and doesn’t come with Papelbon’s baggage (read: perceived attitude issues)?
I liked the idea of Wilson to Nationals so we don’t have to address that need every off-season but I will be OK with Howell or Eric kind of signing as well.
If the prospect(s) were worthwhile I’d eat $10-$12 million off that contract. I don’t know what the package would be to make that worthwhile though.