Cesar Izturis Rumors

Orioles Targeting Izturis

According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles have contacted shortstop Cesar Izturis' agent to express interest. Zrebiec believes the 28 year-old defensive whiz tops their list. Izturis earned $3.05MM this year. The Orioles have also had trade discussions for Khalil Greene and Bobby Crosby. The Padres requested Garrett Olson for Greene, and the Orioles passed. Zrebiec says the Orioles are not interested in Rafael Furcal, Orlando Cabrera, or Edgar Renteria. If they spend big on a free agent, it'll be A.J. Burnett or Mark Teixeira. However, Furcal's agent Paul Kinzer said yesterday that the O's are one...   Continue Reading

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Orioles Rumors: Baez, Greene, Hernandez

Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun has a few Orioles notes today. Danys Baez, who hasn't pitched since 2006, would like to prepare as a starter for 2008. Andy MacPhail is open to the idea; the Orioles have more open spots in their rotation than their bullpen. Baez is set to earn $5.5MM in '09, the last year of his deal. Starting is where the money's at, unless you get a chance to close. The Orioles are interested in Khalil Greene, but prefer a long-term solution at shortstop. Nothing new on the extension front for Nick Markakis and Brian Roberts....   Continue Reading

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Cardinals Rumors: Pujols, Payroll, Needs

Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has the latest Cardinals buzz... The Cards are going to stand pat with their starting rotation until they learn more about Chris Carpenter's injury. He'll be examined in late November. Strauss says a swing man type acquisition is possible as insurance. The Cardinals are likely to approach Albert Pujols about an extension before he enters his 2011 option year. Pujols will earn just $16MM in each of the '09, '10, and '11 seasons. Teams must be salivating at the prospect of Pujols on the free agent market, but the Cardinals will try to...   Continue Reading

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Cardinals Sign Cesar Izturis

According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cards have signed shortstop Cesar Izturis to a one-year deal. The amount is $2.85MM with another $650K in incentives. You know the story with Izturis - anemic bat, stellar glove. He'll offer a bit more than Brendan Ryan would've and doesn't cost much. If John Mozeliak finds something better it will be easy to pull the plug. This also signals the end of David Eckstein as a Cardinal, as expected. Strauss adds that the team has "strong interest" in acquiring the Brewers' Chris Capuano. That's a reasonable target and a..   Continue Reading

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Zrebiec On O's and Free Agents

The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec was recently named Rumor Royalty for the Orioles. Jeff answered a few questions for MLBTR. MLBTR: Andy MacPhail has said he doesn't expect to be in on many free agents, but there was a rumor that the O's are entertaining Jose Guillen [note: written prior to debunking]. Do you expect them to spend any money on free agents this winter? Zrebiec: First, the Guillen report was inaccurate. He's exactly the type of player the Orioles are not interested in at this stage. As for other free agents, I see the Orioles making a couple of..   Continue Reading

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Cards Considering Jack Wilson, Izturis, Tejada

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Joe Strauss has an excellent update on the Cardinals' pursuit of a new starting shortstop. Sounds like the end of the David Eckstein Era in St. Louis - Strauss says it's a widespread belief that Eckstein will not be offered arbitration and probably will not stay around. While the Cards are drawn to Miguel Tejada, a deal seems highly unlikely. John Mozeliak wants to move quickly to fill the shortstop position and the Orioles are taking their time with Tejada. Sounds like there's a very good chance the Cards get Jack Wilson from the Bucs. They're..   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Clark, Izturis, Clemens

First day for teams to negotiate with free agents, always a good time. Here are today's odds and ends. Jeff Blair notes that one athlete may still be better paid than Alex Rodriguez: Kimi Raikkonen, a Formula One driver, earns $51MM per year. No need to debate on whether race car drivers should be considered athletes, I just thought it was interesting. The D'Backs don't figure to spend much on free agents, because they're a smart team. Tony Clark wants two years, $4MM, and the team is thinking it over. The Bucs will probably hold onto Jack Wilson this winter,..   Continue Reading

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Carlos Guillen to Play 1B Next Season

The Tigers anticipated this. Carlos Guillen's okay with it. Despite signing Guillen in March to a 4 year deal for $48MM to begin next season, the shortstop is going to be moving across the diamond sooner than expected to play first base. The move is designed to protect his knees from the physical stresses of SS. Tim argued that 4/48 was a bargain as long as he remained the Tigers' shortstop. Unfortunately, it appears Manager Jim Leyland has had to talk him into moving to first, despite Guillen's condition last week that the Tigers had to bring in a gold..   Continue Reading

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Bucs To Let Chacon, Armas, Izturis Go

According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates are likely to cut ties with three of their veteran players this winter: Shawn Chacon, Tony Armas Jr., and Cesar Izturis. As it should be. Chacon, 29, has been decent in relief (3.52 ERA in 76.2 innings). His 1.7 K/BB is worrisome, but Chacon has always been prone to the free pass. One change is that Chacon is back to getting groundballs near a league average rate, as he did when he succeeded with the Yankees in '05. While Chacon wanted to stay, a contract of at least two years,..   Continue Reading

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Pirates Acquire Cesar Izturis

The Cubs have traded shortstop Cesar Izturis and cash to the Pirates for a player to be named later. I suppose the move is meant to push Jack Wilson, but I don't really see the point as they're similar players. Addition by subtraction for the Cubs, who might want to call up Ronny Cedeno soon. Instead they brought up Jake Fox, who was moved off the catcher position earlier this year. He's hitting .284/.327/.504 in 91 games at Double A. Fox has been playing first base and outfield for the Smokies lately, so he can help fill in for Derrek..   Continue Reading

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Slick-Fielding Shortstops Available

If you're looking for an all-glove type shortstop this summer, you have plenty of options. The Giants could move Omar Vizquel, but only if they feel that he can't help them in '08. According to Tim Brown, he loves the city and would stay if they made an offer. The Giants talked extension with him in March but his offensive performance this year may have changed their mind. He has $1.8MM in salary left. With Ryan Theriot performing OK this year and Ronny Cedeno tearing up Triple A, the Cubs may deem Cesar Izturis expendable. Giving Cedeno the starting shortstop..   Continue Reading

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Jacque Jones Trade Near?

According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times yesterday, the Cubs are trying to trade another position player by Monday so they can add a 12th pitcher. That position player probably is our good friend Jacque Jones. Wittenmyer named the Padres, Rangers, and White Sox as interested parties. Bruce Miles adds the Mets to the mix. The Cubs would have to eat some of the $7.2MM or so remaining on Jones' contract, which runs through 2008. Another option would be to move shortstop Cesar Izturis, who has about $2.6MM left on his deal (assuming his '08 option is bought out)...   Continue Reading

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Chicago Tribune Takes Izturis Propaganda Too Far

As you probably know, the Tribune Company owns both a Chicago newspaper and the Cubs. Sometimes, this conflict of interest gets out of hand. A perfect example would be today's analysis of the Cubs' acquisition of Cesar Izturis. Let's break down the work of the three guilty sportswriters (their writing in bold). Phil Rogers: In Izturis, the Cubs have landed themselves an excellent all-around player. Shouldn't an all-around player not be among the worst hitters in baseball? He won a Gold Glove in 2004 and began '05 as one of baseball's best hitters, collecting 75 hits through May—the first Dodger..   Continue Reading

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Dodgers Acquire Greg Maddux

Ken Rosenthal tells us that the Dodgers have acquired Greg Maddux. Will be interesting to see who the Cubs end up with. UPDATE: CBS Sportsline indicates that the Cubs received Cesar Izturis in return. The Chicago Tribune's Dave van Dyck has a different take, but ESPN has confirmed the Izturis part   Continue Reading

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Do The Red Sox Need Izturis?

It is apparent that Dodgers shortstop Cesar Izturis is available, as the Dodgers don't have an opening for him at shortstop. I would think that the overall health/performance shakiness of the entire infield would be enough for L.A. to keep Izturis around as a backup all season. But the rumors persist, the main one being that the Red Sox are interested. I have to wonder why. The team already has a slick-fielding, walk-allergic shortstop, and his name is Alex Gonzalez. I admit, Gonzalez had a terrible April with the bat. But he's had similar months in his career, so why..   Continue Reading

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