Brandon Lyon Rumors

D'Backs Offer Arb To Cruz, Lyon, Hudson; Not Dunn

Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic has the D'Backs arbitration decisions. They offered arb to Juan Cruz (Type A), Brandon Lyon (Type B), and Orlando Hudson (Type A) while declining to offer it to Adam Dunn (Type A). I'm surprised by all but Hudson. The D'Backs are taking on a risk, as they don't really have room in the budget for the two relievers. They must be confident they'll decline or they can make trades. Dunn at one year is a worthwhile risk with two draft picks at stake, but the D'Backs were apparently scared off by a possible payday...   Continue Reading

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Kurkjian Reports: Byrnes, Ibanez, Dunn

Tim Kurkjian at ESPN.com has a Friday morning round up for us, looking at several prominent team needs around the league. While the article mentions several big names like Mike Mussina, Matt Holliday, Francisco Rodriguez and Trevor Hoffman, perhaps the most interesting part of Kurkjian's article is that which discusses the offseason plan for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Part of that plan may include trading outfielder Eric Byrnes. Byrnes has two years and $20MM left on his deal with the D'Backs, and will be a challenge to move, says Kurkjian. Byrnes certainly has upside, with great speed and decent pop. But...   Continue Reading

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Cards Make Offer To Rhodes

According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals made an offer to lefty reliever Arthur Rhodes. Rhodes' agent says nine teams expressed interest, and a handful made offers. More offers are forthcoming for the 39 year-old. Cardinals GM John Mozeliak continues to hammer out the details of a contract with Trever Miller; he hopes to add two lefties to the pen. Goold says the Cardinals are also considering two righthanded relievers in Brandon Lyon and Jason Isringhausen. Three other teams have expressed interest in Isringhausen, who would like to regain his job as the Cardinals' closer. The...   Continue Reading

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Tigers Rumors: Zumaya, Hoffman, Miner

Joel Zumaya might be ready to pitch this spring--and he might not be, reports Jason Beck of MLB.com. Tigers assistant GM Al Avila calls it "basically a week-to-week, month-to-month situation." That's enough to force the Tigers to come up with a backup plan for their relief corps. Adding Trevor Hoffman as closer may be at the center of that plan. Brandon Lyon is another option for the ninth, says Beck. Zach Miner is mentioned as an in-house option for the bullpen, but likely wouldn't close. He may need to move to the rotation, pending an update on the futures of...   Continue Reading

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Tigers Interested In Darren Oliver

Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press talked to Darren Oliver's agent, who said the Tigers and Angels are two of four teams interested in his client. Morosi says the Tigers have also contacted the agents for Trevor Hoffman, Brandon Lyon, David Weathers, and Arthur Rhodes while also expressing interest in Florida's Kevin Gregg. Oliver, 38, posted a 2.88 ERA in 72 innings. His strikeout rate wasn't great, but he limited walks and home runs. He earned $2MM this year. As a Type A free agent, Oliver comes with the added tax of Detroit's second-round pick in the June...   Continue Reading

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Red Sox Inquire On Lowe

According to Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox have inquired on free agent starter on Derek Lowe. Scott Boras even gave them one of his infamous books hyping the 35 year-old righty. Massarotti figures the Red Sox consider Lowe a safer bet than A.J. Burnett or Ben Sheets. Massarotti adds that the Red Sox are looking for groundballing strike throwers in terms of bullpen additions. He wonders if Doug Brocail or Brandon Lyon could work. I noticed that Brian Shouse, Todd Coffey, Dennys Reyes, and Jeremy Affeldt also fit the profile, for what it's worth.   Continue Reading

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Tigers Interested In Lyon

According to MLB.com's Jason Beck, the Tigers have indicated early interest in free agent reliever Brandon Lyon. Lyon, 29, posted a 4.70 ERA in 59.1 innings this year. His strong command and high rate of hits dropping in indicates that he deserved a lower ERA for his efforts. Lyon earned $3.125MM in '08. Will he sign for the one-year term the Tigers crave?   Continue Reading

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Rockies Rumors: Holliday, Taveras, Atkins

4:54pm: More Rockies chatter from Troy Renck. The Rockies intend to sort out the Holliday/Atkins trade situations before moving on to other concerns such as the bullpen. They do like the idea of bringing Jeremy Affeldt back, though. Renck has the Twins and Indians kicking the tires on Atkins, while Tracy Ringolsby believes Michael Cuddyer could be a fit for Colorado. 11:18am: The latest Rockies buzz... Buster Olney says the Rockies are very motivated to move Matt Holliday. Olney wonders if the Rox might end up taking a bit less than expected for him. Troy Renck says various execs see...   Continue Reading

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Lyon Open To Eighth Inning Role

MLB.com's Steve Gilbert talked to Brandon Lyon's agent Barry Meister, who said his client would be open to closing or an eighth inning role. Lyon would be thrilled to return to the D'Backs, but they don't figure to match a multiyear offer. More likely, they offer arbitration but let him leave. Lyon, 29, posted a 4.70 ERA in 59.1 innings this year. His command was strong, possibly indicating better times ahead.   Continue Reading

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D'Backs Rumors: Hudson, Dunn, Johnson, Rauch

8:19pm: According to the AP, the D'Backs exercised Rauch's $2.9MM option for 2010. He'll earn $2MM in '09. 9:49am: Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic has the latest D'Backs hot stove chatter, here and here. The D'Backs figure to have nine draft picks in the first 75 or so next year. They will probably offer arbitration to Orlando Hudson, Adam Dunn, Juan Cruz, and Brandon Lyon, and see all of them decline to sign elsewhere. They could end up spending $8-12MM on next year's draft, but at least the farm system will be restocked. Team CEO Jeff Moorad says he...   Continue Reading

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D'Backs Face Decisions On Lyon, Rauch

Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic wrote Saturday about the tough decisions the D'Backs face on relievers Brandon Lyon and Jon Rauch. With Lyon, the D'Backs have to decide whether to risk an arbitration offer. Would they want him back for '09 on a $4-5MM contract? Lyon may make the decision easier for Arizona by falling out of Type B status. Then, there'd be no draft pick to gain. Lyon has a 7.52 ERA since June 1st. Meanwhile Rauch's contract requires the D'Backs decide on his 2010 option five days after this year's World Series. The option is for $2.9MM;...   Continue Reading

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Perrotto's Latest: Royals, Ibanez, Rauch, Gregg

It's Sunday, which means that John Perrotto has his Every Given Sunday column up over at Baseball Prospectus. Here's the highlights... Royals GM Dayton Moore will likely make a big splash in the free agent market once again. Two years ago, he signed Gil Meche to a five-year, $55MM deal. Last year, he signed Jose Guillen to a three-year, $36MM contract. This year, his big target appears to be Rafael Furcal, which would allow the Royals to move Mike Aviles to second base. Moore is also believed to be willing to trade anyone on the team with the exceptions of...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Dempster, Mora, Cameron

Ken Rosenthal has a new column up; let's take a look. Rosenthal agrees with those who considered C.C. Sabathia pitching the ninth inning Monday a needless risk. Sabathia already had thrown 112 pitches and the Brewers had a seven run lead, but he pitched the ninth to bring the total to 130. The innings shouldn't affect Sabathia's payday, but hopefully he remains healthy. Rosenthal sees a minimal chance of Ryan Dempster signing elsewhere, given his strong relationship with Cubs GM Jim Hendry. Dempster will be the Cubs' top offseason priority. I also consider Kerry Wood unlikely to leave. Add Melvin...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Angels, D'Backs, Giambi, Ellis

Here is the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Many important Angels will reach free agency this winter: Mark Teixeira, Francisco Rodriguez, Jon Garland, and Juan Rivera. Rosenthal doesn't expect any of these four back. Garret Anderson's $14MM option will not be exercised, but he could be re-signed. John Lackey and Vladimir Guerrero both have reasonable club options for '09, but the Halos need to plan beyond that. Several journalists have noted the D'Backs may restock the farm system if they let Adam Dunn, Orlando Hudson, Brandon Lyon, and Juan Cruz depart as free agents after the season. They're...   Continue Reading

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Rauch Ramifications

Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic has an article today about the implications of the Diamondbacks' acquisition of reliever Jon Rauch. The loss of second baseman Emilio Bonifacio doesn't exactly change the D'Back's plans, as they were skeptical on his ability to become a regular anyway. Still, people are asking whether they'll try to re-sign Orlando Hudson. Piecoro says Hudson is expected to test the free agent market, and doesn't seem likely to offer a discount. His salary should exceed $10MM. If Hudson leaves, the D'Backs could either look for a new second baseman or shift Mark Reynolds over there...   Continue Reading

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D'Backs Talk Extension With Lyon

According to Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks have had "brief discussions" with reliever Brandon Lyon about a multiyear deal. Lyon is one of a handful of players who will be free agents after the 2008 season and under 30 years old for the '09 season. Here's the wrinkle in Lyon signing a long-term deal now - he probably wouldn't get closer money, but could spend 2008 in the role. So, his agent feels that he might miss out if he signs for, say, two years and $8MM right now and then racks up 35 saves during the..   Continue Reading

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