Brandon Wood Rumors

Cafardo's Latest: Jenks, Teahen, Wood, Mulder

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe has some rumors from around the league. Let's sift through them.

• The Dodgers, Brewers, and Phillies remain interested in Mark Mulder who is finishing his rehab and hopes to entertain offers in a week.
• Cafardo speculates if former Royals GM Allard Baird will deliver Mark Teahen, a former player of his, to the Red Sox. Baird is currently assistant to the GM in Boston.
• The Mets might be able to add about $5 to $6MM in payroll before the deadline.
• Brandon Wood would have to be a part of the package for Roy Halladay if the Angels were to make a serious push.
• There's a "good chance" Kenny Williams is looking into Halladay, says Cafardo. He wonders if Williams, who now has back-of-the-bullpen depth, would trade Bobby Jenks to shave payroll.
• The Red Sox are confident with the pieces they have, even if obtaining Halladay might guarantee them a championship. Regardless, the Jays "would likely not want to deal Halladay within the division," says Cafardo.

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Rosenthal On Yankees, Angels, Glavine

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Yankees will eventually "target the best available late-inning relievers." Here are some names to watch and the rest of Rosenthal's rumors:

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Rosenthal On Penny, Bay, Brandon Wood

The latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports...

• Rosenthal suggests Cecil Cooper of the Astros may be the first manager fired; he says the team's veterans "do not care for Cooper."  He's in the last year of his contract.
• With a comeback season for the Red Sox, Brad Penny could be in line for a lucrative free agent deal after the season.  One executive told Rosenthal Penny had the least amount of structural issues in his arm compared to similar free agents last winter.
• The Red Sox are said to be "maintaining a quiet dialogue" with Jason Bay, who is eligible for free agency after the season.  Rosenthal says there's no acrimony or deadline; the sides are just trying to determine Bay's value.  It's a tricky calculation for corner outfielders, and the market will be flush after the season.
• Angels infielder Brandon Wood appears big league ready.  Will the Angels trade Chone Figgins this summer to make room, or at least let Figgins leave as a free agent after the season?  There are plenty of ways to sort out the situation, but Wood deserves to play.
• Dodgers reliever Ronald Belisario, signed out of the Venezuelan winter league, drew strong praise from one scout.
• One scout had this to say regarding Emilio Bonifacio: "He's just a guy."

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Rosenthal's Latest: Pedro, Wood, Pudge, Gonzalez

Ken Rosenthal weighs in on a few of the recent hot topics...

• Like we heard earlier, Rosenthal says the Dodgers would only be willing to add Pedro Martinez to the mix if he is willing to "pitch for pay" and accept an incentive-laden contract. Rosenthal adds that Martinez' agents reached out to the Dodgers and that the Dodgers contacted Pedro's personal trainer but deny that any serious conservations have occurred.
• Rosenthal feels that the Dodgers have a better shot of landing a starter if they trade Delwyn Young who is out of minor league options.
• Rosenthal says Brandon Wood has given up hope that the Angels will trade Chone Figgins to clear a spot for Wood on the roster. Wood does have a minor league option remaining. Rosenthal says the Angels would need to find another leadoff hitter if they let Figgins walk at the end of the season as a free agent.
• Rosenthal adds that the Marlins are "warming to the idea" of signing Ivan Rodriguez, but that playing time remains an issue as Pudge wants to play five days a week.
• According to Rosenthal, Luis Gonzalez is willing to resign with the D-Backs, but it may only happen if Eric Byrnes continues to have problems with his hamstring.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

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Rosenthal On Pedro, Wood, Pudge, Gonzalez

Ken Rosenthal weighs in on a few of the recent hot topics...

• Like we heard earlier, Rosenthal says the Dodgers would only be willing to add Pedro Martinez to the mix if he is willing to "pitch for pay" and accept an incentive-laden contract. Rosenthal adds that Martinez' agents reached out to the Dodgers and that the Dodgers contacted Pedro's personal trainer but deny that any serious conservations have occurred.
• Rosenthal feels that the Dodgers have a better shot of landing a starter if they trade Delwyn Young who is out of minor league options.
• Rosenthal says Brandon Wood has given up hope that the Angels will trade Chone Figgins to clear a spot for Wood on the roster. Wood does have a minor league option remaining. Rosenthal says the Angels would need to find another leadoff hitter if they let Figgins walk at the end of the season as a free agent.
• Rosenthal adds that the Marlins are "warming to the idea" of signing Ivan Rodriguez, but that playing time remains an issue as Pudge wants to play five days a week.
• According to Rosenthal, Luis Gonzalez is willing to resign with the D-Backs, but it may only happen if Eric Byrnes continues to have problems with his hamstring.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

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Odds and Ends: Rhodes, Happ, Manny

Let's round up some links and rumors.

• The Brewers scouted Arthur Rhodes last night, according to Jon Heyman.
• About a "half-dozen" Braves are subject of trade talks, according to GM Frank Wren.
• Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Goldstein notes that Brandon Wood's stock is rising in case the Angels want to use him as a trade chip.
• Phillies prospect J.A. Happ wasn't necessarily pulled from his start last weekend because of a big league promotion.  Phillies assistant GM Mike Arbuckle admitted that a trade is another option.  [UPDATE: Happ has indeed been recalled to the Majors, though.]
• Tom Verducci of SI.com believes the proper business decision for the Red Sox will be to keep Manny Ramirez and exercise his $20MM option for '09.
• Richard Durrett of the Dallas Morning News says the D'Backs, Rays, and Tigers had scouts at last night's Rangers-Mariners contest.

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Heyman's Latest: Holliday, Teixeira, Burnett, Blake

10:19pm: Angels GM Tony Reagins laughed at Charley Walters' Teixeira rumor, blaming it on..."those bloggers."

11:16am: The latest from SI.com's Jon Heyman.

• The Rockies and Braves will wait until right before the July 31st deadline to decide whether to trade Matt Holliday and Mark Teixeira.  The Rox have been more active calling around about Holliday, though.  Heyman notes that Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd has spoken to the Mets, Angels, Phillies, and other teams about him.  The Rockies are seven games out, while the Braves are six back.
• The Braves are reportedly making a list of trading partners for Tex, including the Red Sox, Angels, Rays, and D'Backs.
• Charley Walters has a rumor: Teixeira to the Angels for Robb Quinlan and Brandon Wood.
• The Yankees haven't even considered signing Barry Bonds, despite the Hideki Matsui injury.
• Heyman spoke to a "Yankees person" who is fearful of A.J. Burnett's contract.  I could see an acquiring team pushing for more certainty by buying out or guaranteeing the contract.
• Heyman considers Manny Ramirez's $20MM option for '09 a bargain.  For me, it's not nearly as clear-cut.
• Omar Minaya is "especially" a fan of Cleveland's Casey Blake.  He would be a great fit for the Mets.
• Heyman is still hearing the rumor about the Mariners trying to lure Pat Gillick for an upper management position next year.

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Orioles Want Jered Weaver, Brandon Wood For Tejada

Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times writes his "State of the Angels" Winter Meetings intro, and some information is revealed regarding Miguel Tejada.

As you know, Tejada is the Angels' fallback option if they can't get Miguel Cabrera.  Well, it doesn't sound like the price is reasonable on Tejada either.  The Orioles want both third baseman Brandon Wood and starter Jered Weaver for him.  The Angels would be comfortable with one of Joe Saunders or Ervin Santana plus a lesser prospect.

Given the lack of interest in Tejada and the multiple question marks, it's surprising to see such a huge demand for talent.  No wonder Ken Rosenthal said the Giants, Astros, and Cards don't have the young talent to get Tejada.  And by the way - the Orioles won't be eating any of the $26MM owed to Tejada over the next two years.

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Angels Out On Teixeira?

According to Mike DiGiovanna and Ben Bolch of the L.A. Times, the Angels are done trying to acquire Mark Teixeira.  Casey Kotchman and Joe Saunders were agreed upon.  The Angels wanted the Rangers to settle on Terry Evans or Nathan Haynes as the third player.  The Rangers, however, wanted one of Brandon Wood, Nick Adenhart, Howie Kendrick, and Ervin Santana.

Perhaps there is some middle ground, like a Hank Conger, Sean Rodriguez, or Erick Aybar?  The L.A. Times says the door is not completely closed on Teixeira but the Angels won't relent to Jon Daniels' list.

Meanwhile, the L.A. Daily News sings a different tune.  Doug Padilla suggests an offer of Kotchman, Adenhart, and Reggie Willits.  He does not believe the talks to be dead.

Jermaine Dye or Mike Piazza look like the logical alternatives for the Angels.  Buster Olney believes Piazza to be a fine idea, and I agree.  Interestingly, the Angels kicked the tires of Miguel Cabrera but were rebuffed.

Teixeira may now be left to the Braves, Dodgers, and Red Sox.  I still expect a deal to be made.  The sticking point for an Atlanta appears to be John Schuerholz's demand to get a solid reliever back with Teixeira if he is to include Elvis Andrus.

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Rosenthal's Latest

Ken Rosenthal posted a new article this afternoon.  A good read as usual, though not chock full of new rumors.

• Rocco Baldelli remains the Devil Rays' best trading chip; they hope to see the 25 year-old return and re-establish the trade value he had in 2006.  Many are already saying the Rays waited too long on Baldelli, but let's see what they get for him before making that judgment.
• Reggie Willits has hit his way into a starting job for the Angels.  Nice to see an Angel drawing walks 12% of the time.  That will enable Willits to remain effective after his batting average regresses.  Rosenthal says third base is the clear position for upgrade for the Angels.  Garrett Atkins is desired, and Rosenthal would consider Brandon Wood a reasonable bounty.  If I'm Dan O'Dowd, I'm making that deal.  Meanwhile, Bill Shaikin believes the Blue Jays would ask for Wood for Troy Glaus, but would settle for Ervin Santana and 1B/3B/DH Matt Brown.  Shaikin's source says J.P. Ricciardi is not yet prepared to trade Glaus, however.
• Rosenthal speculates that the Braves would like to add a big-time starter to get away from the current plan of "Hudson and Smoltz and pray for lightning bolts."  Sorry, that was the best weather rhyme I could come up with.  He mentions Rich Harden and Dontrelle Willis, accompanied by the obligatory Jarrod Saltalamacchia rumor.  Poor Salty.

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