Brian Fuentes Rumors

Cafardo on Gonzalez, Martinez, Webb, Lackey

In his column today, the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo brings us a great deal of tidbits from around the majors: Former Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi and ex-Padres GM Kevin Towers will "likely surface somewhere soon." Cafardo wonders aloud if new Padres GM Jed Hoyer could work out a deal with his former club and send Adrian Gonzalez to Boston. One AL GM identified Gonzalez and Heath Bell as major chips that could be moved as part of a rebuilding effort. Hoyer is obviously familiar with Boston's assets, but Theo Epstein might be reluctant to part with Casey Kelly, Clay Buchholz...   Continue Reading

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Discussion: Huston Street

This winter marks the last time that Colorado closer Huston Street will be eligible for arbitration. In today's Denver Post, Troy E. Renck implores the Rockies to skip the arbitration session and lock the 26-year-old up in a multi-year agreement. Back in January, the Rockies avoided going to arbitration with Street by inking him to a one-year deal worth $4.5MM. Renck feels that Street is in line to make at least $7MM in 2010. Using the negotiations that Colorado had with closer Brian Fuentes nearly a year ago as a reference point, he sees Dan O'Dowd offering a deal which...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Swisher, Nady, Kapler, Zaun

The latest from Ken Rosenthal. A recent Ned Colletti-Scott Boras conversation about Manny Ramirez didn't result in progress. Boras still has his sights on at least $100MM over four years. Rosenthal adds that Manny is "cool to the idea of playing in San Francisco." Nick Swisher and Xavier Nady are drawing "significant interest." Rosenthal speculates that the Giants, Braves, or Pirates would make sense. The door is not closed with the Yankees and Andy Pettitte. Pettitte recently rejected the Yanks' one-year, $10MM offer. Some Mets people prefer Oliver Perez to Derek Lowe. The Braves have yet to speak to Boras...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Andruw, Marquis, Coonelly

Links for Monday... In his first post for RotoAuthority, David Chase looks at players who were said to have lost weight or gained muscle during Spring Training '08. How did they perform in '08? The Red Sox inked infielder Nick Green to a minor league deal. Murray Chass explains why the New York Times Company's purchase of a share of the Red Sox was a conflict of interest. Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik: "We’ve got an offer out right now for a piece of the puzzle, and I’d hope to hear in the next few days." David Laurila talked to new...   Continue Reading

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Angels Sign Brian Fuentes

12:46pm: Olney has the financials: it's a two-year, $17.5MM deal. $8.5MM in '09, $9MM in '10, and a $9MM vesting option for '11 based on (55) games finished. 12:08pm: According to ESPN's Buster Olney, Brian Fuentes signed a two-year deal with the Angels. A press release from the Angels is out; there's a third-year club option. The Rockies will receive the Angels' #33 pick in the June draft, as well as a supplemental pick. Fuentes, 33, was excellent in 2008. He posted a 2.73 ERA and 11.78 K/9. At the outset of the offseason he was expected to get a...   Continue Reading

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Cardinals Payroll Developments

Here's a bit of "pure speculation" from Buster Olney: he wonders if the Cardinals have scaled back their payroll going forward. Cardinals president Bill DeWitt III recently sounded reluctant to lower payroll, saying it would lead to a "spiral" he'd rather avoid. The Cards have been patient on the free agent market so far, but the Mark Teixeira saga slowed everything down, so they could be more active soon. Now that they seem to have pulled their offer to Brian Fuentes, the Cardinals' next steps will be telling. Olney's sources tell him that some teams have scaled back spending by...   Continue Reading

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Cardinals Practice Patience

Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that the St. Louis Cardinals are taking a patient approach to the free agent market. Cardinals management is being cautious after making offers early in the offseason that didn't receive much response. That status stands for free agent closer Brian Fuentes, who had an offer from the Cardinals before the franchise pulled it. Goold notes that the Los Angeles Angels have become suitors for Fuentes.   Continue Reading

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Brewers Done Until After Holidays

It looks like the Brewers won't be making any moves prior to the holidays. General Manager Doug Melvin revealed on Sunday that the team was interested in pitcher Braden Looper, but also said that nothing is close. He echoed those statements earlier today, saying that doesn't think anything will happen with the free agent righty. "I think he's going to wait until after the holiday, too. Players are all still looking for multiyear deals and waiting for other players to sign," said the GM. Melvin also addressed the issue of lefty closer Brian Fuentes. The Brewers have targeted him, but...   Continue Reading

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How Will The Angels Spend Their Money?

12:02pm: Boras gave a prepared statement regarding the Angels and Tex, saying that the player's interest has been sincere. Boras left the door open for the Angels, but why wouldn't he? 11:28am: So the Angels are out of the running for Mark Teixeira. Now what? They've re-signed Juan Rivera, making Manny Ramirez a "reach" according to Jerry Crasnick's source. Mike DiGiovanna has suggestions: The Angels...could also look to bolster their offense by pursuing a free-agent outfielder such as Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell, Adam Dunn, or, possibly, Manny. Or, they could look to trade for a hitter such as Jermaine Dye,...   Continue Reading

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Olney: Latest On Fuentes

Buster Olney has an update on the future of Brian Fuentes. Fuentes will likely not be receiving the three-year, $30MM deal he was recently hoping for, says Olney, and could expect something closer to $15-18MM over the same three year period. Olney looks at ten teams that could end up with Fuentes, with the St. Louis Cardinals at the top of the list (although it's not quite clear that the ten teams are ranked on likelihood of acquiring the free agent). The Cardinals have been linked to Fuentes quite often this offseason, but are perhaps waiting for the price to...   Continue Reading

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