Alex Rios Rumors

Rosenthal's Latest: Gross, Rios, Perez

The tireless Ken Rosenthal has another column up today. Not a whole ton in the way of trade rumors, but let's see what we can salvage from the article. The A's could be a team interested in trading for the Brewers' Gabe Gross, who is the likely casualty once Mike Cameron returns from suspension. Gross can play all three outfield positions, and it's not clear whether the A's view him as a roving fourth outfielder, or a replacement for Emil Brown. Rosenthal notes that the Blue Jays are following the lead of David Eckstein, hustling like crazy to first base....   Continue Reading

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Blue Jays Sign Alex Rios, Aaron Hill

Surprise move by the Jays today - they inked second baseman Aaron Hill to a four-year, $12MM deal with club options for three years after that. The deal begins with the '08 season and then covers his three arb years. Orlando Hudson, a decent comparable, got about $12.8MM for a similar slice of his career. Sounds fair, and the options are a nice bonus for the Jays. The Jays also completed Alex Rios' six-year, $64MM deal. This is another fine contract for Toronto, as they get four of Rios' free agent years at a below-market price. The Jays have a...   Continue Reading

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Rios Extension To Be Announced Today?

Baseball Digest Daily is reporting a press conference scheduled at the Rogers Centre this afternoon. The belief, from BDD and many other quarters, is that they'll be announcing Alex Rios' extension. Standard PR move to wait until the home-opener. It's supposed to be a six-year, $65MM deal extension. It would start with the '09 season with an option for 2015 for around $15MM. If those numbers are correct, it sounds like a smart move for Toronto.   Continue Reading

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Latest On Rios Negotiations

12:24pm: J.P. Ricciardi is optimistic the Rios extension will get done, and the two sides are pushing their deadline back a few days. 8:17am: According to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun, the holdup in the Alex Rios negotiations is the amount of money for the option year. It might be the salary or the buyout amount. Sounds like a minor stumbling block before completing the six-year, $65MM pact. J.P. Ricciardi is cautiously optimistic; the Jays kick off their season in less than four hours. That is supposedly the deadline, but stretching it another day or two doesn't seem like...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Quintero, Rios, Pierre

A few random notes from around the MLBiverse... Henry Schulman says the Giants are in need of a backup catcher and a logical choice may be Astros backup Humberto Quintero, whom Bruce Bochy is familiar with from his days with the Padres. He also notes that the Rays have two experienced catchers that were just reassigned to the minor leagues in Josh Paul and Mike DiFelice. The Jays and Alex Rios are closer today to an agreement on a long-term extension than they were yesterday. That according to Rios' agent, Paul Kinzer. Yesterday it was reported that the Jays had...   Continue Reading

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Jays Close To Long-Term Deal With Rios?

SATURDAY, 9:41am: The six-year, $65MM offer is on the table for Rios. If the sides can't make a deal this weekend, the talks will be pushed until after the season. TUESDAY, 11:57am: This deal remains close, but not done. The Jays have a firm Sunday deadline with their offer to Rios. MONDAY, 11:02pm: Ken Rosenthal reports that the Blue Jays are nearing a long-term extension for right fielder Alex Rios. The six-year deal would cover two arb years and four of free agency, starting with the '09 season. The amount would be around $65MM, apparently with a 2015 option for...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Gross, Weaver, Encarnacion

Ken Rosenthal is on the scene with some new rumors. Astros president Tal Smith arguing other teams' arbitration cases. Rosenthal finds it a bit awkward, while Keith Law finds it to be a hilarious conflict of interest. Possible trades of Matt Murton to the Padres or Rangers seem to have fizzled. The Padres may turn to the Brewers' Gabe Gross, a player who previously caught the eye of the A's, Indians, and Braves. Our good friend PECOTA sees a .267/.366/.467 line from Gross this year. With Gross and various veteran starters, the Brewers have some surpluses to work with. Rosenthal...   Continue Reading

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Jays To Talk Long-Term Deal With Rios

Jeff Blair of the Globe and Mail spoke to Alex Rios' agent Paul Kinzer today. Blair learned that Kinzer will meet with Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi early this week to talk about a long-term contract extension. Rios recently agreed to a $4.835MM contract for '08. Rios, eligible for free agency after 2010, seeks at least a three-year extension (buying out one or more years of free agency). Rios, 27, hit .297/.354/.498 for the Jays in '07. The average AL right fielder hit .288/.359/.465 by comparison. Additionally, the Fielding Bible's panel of experts ranked Rios as the best defensive right fielder...   Continue Reading

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Sabean Takes Lincecum/Cain Off The Table

The Aaron Rowand signing has led Brian Sabean to pull his young starters off the market (to the extent that they were ever available). Specifically, the idea of an Alex Rios for Tim Lincecum swap is dead. The Giants are still looking for help at the infield corners and in the 'pen. It's hard to figure out what Sabean is doing - is he trying to win in 2008   Continue Reading

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Giants Interested In Rowand, Fukudome

Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News has a few new tidbits concerning the Giants. They're considering a late push for Kosuke Fukudome. Baggarly notes that Fukudome is expected to get at least 4/44. I think Fukudome makes a bit of sense for the Giants; he could be a draw. Baggarly says the Giants are in more heavily on Aaron Rowand. This makes less sense to me, as Rowand probably isn't going to put butts in the seats. He is, however, going to require four or five years at $12-14MM per. Indeed, Buster Olney heard the Giants could be..   Continue Reading

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White Sox Like Alex Rios

What team wouldn't like to have Alex Rios? Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times notes the White Sox' interest, but admits that the Sox don't really have what the Jays would want in return. Not that the White Sox can spare pitching at all, but Javier Vazquez would be quite valuable as a trade chip. He earns a reasonable $34.5MM over the next three seasons, and he's always healthy. Rios has another three years under team control also, though he'll be significantly cheaper. If the Sox hadn't traded Jon Garland, you could almost see this as a slight possibility. Then..   Continue Reading

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Jays Waiting On Rios For Lincecum Offer?

UPDATE, 12-08-07 at 3:12pm: Brian Sabean spoke on the radio about making this decision within a few days; there's even a rumor the Giants could pursue the Tigers' Dontrelle Willis to replace Lincecum. UPDATE, 12-8-07 at 12:17pm: George King talked to a Blue Jays source who said "there was nothing to reports the Giants were talking to Toronto about Alex Rios for Lincecum or Cain." Who's right here, Blair or King? FROM 12-5-07 at 11:36pm: According to Jeff Blair, it's in the Giants' hands: Alex Rios for Tim Lincecum. A Jays official suggested to Blair that Brian Sabean might sit..   Continue Reading

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The Giants and Hideki Matsui

As we learned earlier this week, the Giants and Yankees have talked about a Hideki Matsui trade. Let's discuss. According to Andrew Baggarly, talks are still in the early stages but the teams will meet again soon on the topic. A source close to Matsui indicated that he'd waive his no-trade for San Fran. However, the Giants are said to prefer adding a right-handed slugger. Baggarly thinks the Giants would readily part with Jonathan Sanchez and Brad Hennessey, with Noah Lowry a possibility. The Giants won't part with Brian Wilson, their closer of the future. Other notes from Baggarly -..   Continue Reading

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Giants Discuss Hideki Matsui, Reds Like Rios

UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 1:38pm: Abraham has more than a no comment now - he confirms that the Yankees and Giants have discussed Matsui. Abraham speculates that Noah Lowry could make sense. UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 12:29pm: Peter Abraham got a "no comment" from Cashman on Matsui. Abraham implies that the no comment could be telling. Abraham also adds that Matsui has said he would waive his no-trade clause. FROM 12-6-07 at 10:31am: Good stuff from the Toronto Sun's Bob Elliott today. Just a small blurb from Elliott - the Giants and Yanks have discussed Hideki Matsui. Elliott notes that Matsui has..   Continue Reading

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Rios For Cain Or Lincecum?

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 6:16pm: Jeff Blair says the Jays' offer on the table is Rios for Lincecum, straight up. UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 12:34pm: Brian Sabean wants more than just Rios for Lincecum (yes, the Jays prefer Lincecum based on service time). The Giants want an improved proposal from the Jays, and Toronto could add Robinzon Diaz, Curtis Thigpen, or Brett Cecil. Cecil would have to be a player to be named later since he was drafted in 2007. He signed on June 22nd, so he can't even be named as a PTBNL until December 22nd. UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 10:56am: Peter..   Continue Reading

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Indians Asked About Miguel Cabrera

Anthony Castrovince has a few notes about the Indians this evening. For Miguel Cabrera, the Marlins asked for Asdrubal Cabrera, Adam Miller, and then some. Obviously the Tribe said no thanks. There's not much going on with the Indians and Jason Bay. And rumors of their interest in Alex Rios proved false. Cliff Lee has been linked to the Mariners, Pirates, and Blue Jays. However no one has given the Indians an actual offer for Lee. Castrovince suggests the Indians may explore a long-term deal for Fausto Carmona this spring   Continue Reading

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Rios For Franklin Gutierrez and Cliff Lee?

UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 10:03am: Per Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun: no match for the Indians and Jays on Rios. I knew Gutierrez/Lee didn't sound right. FROM 12-4-07 at 9:46am: Joel Sherman has a new column up with some fresh rumors. The Indians and Blue Jays are reportedly talking about a swap that would send Alex Rios to the Tribe for Franklin Gutierrez and Cliff Lee. Seriously? That seems like a lousy deal for the Jays. How long until a debunking on this one? The Jake Peavy signing is a cause for optimism as the Indians seek to re-sign C.C...   Continue Reading

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Chronicle Rumors: Haren, Blanton, Lincecum

Susan Slusser and John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle have an extensive collection of A's and Giants rumors from Monday's Winter Meetings mayhem. The asking price for Dan Haren is said to be massive, is in 3-4 blue chippers. The Tigers might even be willing to part with both Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin for him - wow. The D'Backs are a bit more gunshy about their top prospects, though most believe Carlos Gonzalez to be available. I imagine Justin Upton is off limits. The Dodgers are going the hardest after Joe Blanton, with the Mets trailing. Huston Street..   Continue Reading

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Jays In On Lincecum, Bedard, Bay

UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 12:34am: Blair has updated his article to reflect the Jays' interest in Cain and Lincecum. He says the Giants spent much of the day watching tape of the two, trying to decide which they prefer. Putting two and two together, maybe the "interesting offer" Brian Sabean spoke of today was Alex Rios? FROM 12-3-07 at 8:46pm: The Globe and Mail's Jeff Blair has several new rumors in his column tonight. The Jays' President, Paul Godfrey, is all about bringing in a big-name Canadian player. Blair rattles off Jason Bay, Erik Bedard, Ryan Dempster, Rich Harden, and Eric..   Continue Reading

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Phils Covet Rios

Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi was pretty clear on his intentions: "we're not trading Rios." But what else is he going to say? Jeff Blair of the Globe and Mail has a source that says despite that declaration, Pat Gillick still wants him for the Phillies. Blair says the Jays won't trade Rios unless they're getting Brett Myers or Cole Hamels in return. We'll label that as educated speculation on Blair's part. Such a trade would make about as much sense as using Myers as closer. The much talked-about scenario involves the Phils somehow wresting Rios from the Jays without..   Continue Reading

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Gillick Visits Ricciardi

Phillies GM Pat Gillick swung by the Blue Jays' camp yesterday to talk some baseball with J.P. Ricciardi. The Globe and Mail's Jeff Blair writes that the Phils like Alex Rios and Dustin McGowan and are trying to trade Jon Lieber. Reed Johnson could be a more reasonable bounty for Lieber. As Blair says, the Jays want to see what they've got first. And I'm not sure why the Phillies would be actively trying to acquire an outfielder with Burrell, Rowand, and Victorino under contract. That looks like a decent outfield to me. The Phillies are weak in the bullpen...   Continue Reading

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Jays Offered Rios For Myers, Billingsley

According to Ken Rosenthal's latest column, the Blue Jays wanted either Brett Myers or Chad Billingsley plus Matt Kemp or Jonathan Broxton in return for right fielder Alex Rios. Both clubs are known for their current starting pitching surpluses; the Phils actually have the need for an outfielder. Not too many teams are looking to unload an AL-East-ready starter, so the Jays might have to lower their expectations. Plenty of teams could make room for Rios as a right or center fielder   Continue Reading

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Alex Rios On The Block

ESPN's Buster Olney reports in his blog that the Blue Jays are willing to trade right fielder Alex Rios, who turns 26 in February. The Blue Jays are in search of one more quality starter to pair with Roy Halladay, A.J. Burnett, Gustavo Chacin, and perhaps Casey Janssen or Shaun Marcum. It's a necessity in the AL East. Back in 2004, Baseball America ranked Rios sixth among all prospects, between Rickie Weeks and Kaz Matsui. Rios earned a promotion to Toronto without mastering Triple A, and his growth kind of stagnated for two years. He played some center field while..   Continue Reading

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