A.J. Burnett Rumors

Odds And Ends: Delcarmen, Jays, Perez

Links for Thursday morning... Boston native Manny Delcarmen tries not to let rumors about his future distract him, as Steve Buckley of the Boston Herald reports. As Newsday's Ken Davidoff notes, J.P. Ricciardi's commitments to A.J. Burnett and B.J. Ryan hurt the Jays more than they helped. Rob Neyer of ESPN.com says Oliver Perez's return was "just short of a disaster." The Mets lefty is under contract for two and a half more seasons. None of the players on this list are getting traded again, but it's worth checking out Tom Verducci's ten most thrilling players ever. If you're wondering...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Yankees, Cubs, Red Sox

More links for Thursday afternoon... Jorge Arangure of ESPN.com says the Yankees could make a "splash" on July 2nd, when the international signing period begins. Adam Kilgore of the Boston Globe compares Brad Penny and A.J. Burnett. Kilgore says Burnett has an advantage, "but not an 82.5-to-5 edge." That's how much more Burnett signed for last offseason. A spokesman for Tom Ricketts says the family's deal to buy the Cubs is still on, according to the AP (via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette). David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News has a gut feeling the Phillies will make a deal "in the...   Continue Reading

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Stark On Red Sox Offseason Moves

In his latest column, Jayson Stark weighs in on the moves the Red Sox made this off-season. While Boston did not spend nearly as much as the Yankees, their moves have a ton of upside potential and that no team "had a more underrated offseason than the Red Sox." Stark spoke to one scout that thinks the Red Sox did a better job than the Yankees at filling their needs through free agency. Stark notes that the amount of guaranteed dollars for the Red Sox four free agents (John Smoltz, Brad Penny, Takashi Saito, Rocco Baldelli) is less than what...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Smoltz, Crede, Burnett

A few links for Sunday evening... Chicago Tribune reporters Todd Lighty and Oscar Avila have more info on the David Wilder bonus-skimming scandal. Terence Moore of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution talked to John Smoltz recently about players leaving or choosing not to sign with the Braves. SI.com's Pablo S. Torre digs into Ken Griffey Jr.'s decision. Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel learned that Marlins third baseman Dallas McPherson (42 home runs at Triple A last year) would like 500 at-bats, but a bench role is more likely. McPherson is out of options. Joe Crede talked about the White...   Continue Reading

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Free Agent Quota: 8 Type A/Bs

12:30pm: In an email, Bloom told me it is a combination of eight Type A and Bs (not eight of each) and whether or not the team offered arbitration has nothing to do with the quota. 11:37am: Bloom says that a unilateral exception was granted this offseason allowing any team to sign as many as eight Type A or B free agents. A total of 216 free agents filed, an exceptionally high number. Another note: Bloom learned from Manfred that while draft pick compensation would be eliminated if the player waits until after the June draft to sign, it has...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal On Lackey, Dunn, Young, Isringhausen

Here's a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal. John Lackey is due up for extension talks with the Angels, as he'll be eligible for free agency after the '09 season. He'd easily be the best available starter. Rosenthal says talks with the Angels should occur before the beginning of the season, but the Halos may not be willing to offer A.J. Burnett money (five years, $82.5MM). In November, Jayson Stark said Lackey had been telling friends he expects to have an extension by Opening Day. That came after Lackey's confirmation he'd wait to see the Angels' offensive plans before...   Continue Reading

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Gammons On Varitek, Teixeira

7:21pm Here is a link to the actual radio clip. 6:01pm Chad Finn of the Boston Globe recaps Peter Gammons' appearance today on WEEI. Gammons believes the Red Sox would sign Jason Varitek if he offered his services for $2MM. Gammons still believes the Red Sox would prefer to take the draft picks and trade for a different catcher. Gammons says the player's association was "strongly advising" agents to turn down arbitration offers, but that in the end it cost players like Varitek a lot of money. Gammons says a lot of players could be looking for jobs in the...   Continue Reading

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Olney's Latest: Peavy, Braves, Lowe, Sheets

More from Buster Olney's notes from around the majors: The Braves were so close to completing a trade a for Jake Peavy in November that they may want to revisit talks. Says Olney, "What they could do, if they are intent on contending in 2009, would be to sign Orlando Cabrera as a stop-gap at shortstop for 2009, and then deal [Yunel] Escobar in the package for Peavy." He also suggests the Braves give up on their refusal to give Peavy a no-trade provision for the entire length of his contract as that's been a sticking point. Landing Peavy under...   Continue Reading

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Return to Yankees "Doubtful" For Pettitte

FRIDAY: Kat O'Brien of Newsday: "The source said nothing had been finalized on Pettitte but that the Yankees were leaning toward no." THURSDAY: After spending more than $400MM on C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and, of course, Mark Teixeira over the last few weeks, Andy Pettitte's return to the Yankees is now "doubtful," a team official tells Mike Puma of the New York Post. Pettitte has not yet responded to the Yankees' original offer of a one-year, $10MM offer for 2009. The 36-year-old-lefty had a 4.54 ERA in 204 innings for the team in 2008.   Continue Reading

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Yankees Sign Mark Teixeira

3:58pm: Joel Sherman says the Red Sox were at eight years, $168MM, so the Yankees outbid them by $12MM. 3:38pm: The contract does not include an opt-out clause, according to Danny Knobler. Knobler agrees with Olney that the Red Sox fell about $10MM short. He says the Sox are not inclined to react by "stepping up their pursuit of Derek Lowe or any other top starting pitcher." 2:55pm: Olney now agrees it's an eight-year, $180MM deal ($22.5MM per year). Bill Madden says Teixeira told the Yankees he preferred them all along, after the Angels and Red Sox backed off. Ha....   Continue Reading

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