Akinori Iwamura Rumors

Odds & Ends: Lackey, Upton, De La Rosa, Wood

Some more links to check out as you celebrate the end of the work week... MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez confirms that the Red Sox did indeed meet with John Lackey's agent. This morning we learned that Boston expressed preliminary interest in the free agent hurler. ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that the Rangers asked the Rays about outfielder B.J. Upton as part of their offseason routine, but no talks are ongoing. Rockies' GM Dan O'Dowd said that they will only look at a one year deal for the arbitration eligible Jorge De La Rosa, according to Troy Renck of The Denver Post....   Continue Reading

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Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Dodgers, Red Sox, Iwamura, Matsui

On this date 33 years ago, Bill Campbell became one of the first players to sign a contract with a new team under baseball's new free agency system. After saving 20 games with the Twins in '76, Campbell signed a four-year, $1MM deal with the Red Sox. In his first season in Boston, he would save 31 games and make his only All-Star appearance. As we enter the 34th Hot Stove season, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere... MLB Notebook suggests Ben Sheets or Erik Bedard for the Dodgers over Vicente Padilla. Around the...   Continue Reading

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Iwamura Interested In Exploring Long-Term Deal

Just two days after being acquired from Tampa Bay, Akinori Iwamura said he's "interested" in exploring a long-term deal with the Pirates during a conference call, according to Dejan Kovacevic of The Pittsburgh Post Gazette. "I'm definitely interested in the long term, but I first have to do what I can do. We'll see what happens. Hopefully, we can go to the playoffs next season." You have to love the optimism. Yesterday we learned that GM Neal Huntington "has interest in exploring an extension" with his new second baseman at some point, so the first obstacle of getting everyone on-board...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Lilly, Iwamura, Beckett, Marlins, Dunn, Cubs

Here's some links to check out while waiting for what might be the final start in the great careers of Andy Pettitte and Pedro Martinez... Ted Lilly had arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder today, and the Cubs expect to have him back in their rotation "within the month of April," according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat. Might the Cubbies look for a little extra rotation insurance this offseason? MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch mentions that the Pirates "began to show heavy interest" in Akinori Iwamura back in September. GM Neal Huntington confirmed that they had several scouts watch Aki after he came...   Continue Reading

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Pirates Talk: Iwamura, Ankiel, Wilson

As usual, Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has the latest on the Pirates... The Akinori Iwamura addition does not necessarily mean more significant moves are coming. The Pirates are comfortable with their internal options. The Pirates intend to inquire on Rick Ankiel when free agency begins. Moreso than Chris Bootcheck, perhaps this is a sign that the team is not letting bad blood linger with Scott Boras from the Pedro Alvarez situation. Kovacevic says Ronny Cedeno is not a lock at shorstop, and there is at least some mutual interest in bringing Jack Wilson back. First, the Mariners would...   Continue Reading

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Rays Deal Iwamura To Pirates For Chavez

6:15pm: The deal is official, as per a press release by the Pirates. The deal is Chavez for Iwamura straight-up. 4:34pm: ESPN's Buster Olney tells us the Rays will receive reliever Jesse Chavez in return. Chavez, 26, posted a 4.01 ERA in 67.3 innings this year as a rookie, with a 6.3 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9. He throws hard - his average fastball was 94.5 mph. Chavez is under team control through 2014. Kovacevic believes the Pirates "will probably get another player in the Iwamura deal." He notes that Iwamura would be the Pirates' highest-paid player. 3:35pm: Topkin says Iwamura...   Continue Reading

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Cubs Rumors: Hendry, Bradley, Iwamura

Cubs GM Jim Hendry told Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune that he doesn't feel like he's "on the clock" this year, even though new owners are taking over and the Cubs are coming off a disappointing season. Instead, Hendry says he's focused on building a strong team for 2010. The Cubs are working on re-signing John Grabow and they'd also like to acquire a speedy leadoff hitter. The club's direction depends on its ability to move Milton Bradley and the $21MM remaining on his contract. Sullivan speculates on a possible trade that would send Bradley to the Rays for...   Continue Reading

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Discussion: Akinori Iwamura

Rays second baseman Akinori Iwamura faces a $4.85MM club option for 2010 with a $550K buyout, according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. Topkin notes that under the terms of his contract, Iwamura will become a free agent if the Rays decline the option (despite not having six years of service time). A healthy Iwamura should easily be worth that amount; he was in 2007 and 2008. However, he was limited to 260 plate appearances this year due to a knee injury. What's more, the Rays are tight on payroll and have other strong options at second base....   Continue Reading

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Rays Rumors: Zobrist, Iwamura, Kapler

MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez provides the latest on a few Tampa Bay Rays: If Ben Zobrist becomes the team's everyday second baseman, the club may decide to bring free agent-to-be Gabe Kapler back as a backup outfielder. Kapler made $1MM this year and hit .239/.329/.439 in 245 trips to the plate. If the club keeps Zobrist at second, it appears highly unlikely that the Rays would pick up Akinori Iwamura's $4.25MM option. Other club options to watch: Carl Crawford at $10MM, Gregg Zaun at $2MM and Brian Shouse at $1.9MM. It's likely that the team will look for affordable late-inning relief...   Continue Reading

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Iwamura Wants To Return To Tampa Bay

Earlier in the week we heard speculation that the Rays could decline Akinori Iwamura's $4.25MM option for 2010. The Rays need the money and, because of Jason Bartlett, Reid Brignac and Ben Zobrist, they don't need the middle infield depth. But, according to Mark Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times, Iwamura wants to return. "I love this team," he said through his interpreter, "and I love the Tampa area." The 30-year-old second baseman has a .294/.356/.388 line this year, right in line with his career averages. Iwamura, who says his knee is at full strength, has been a league-average fielder...   Continue Reading

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