Cristian Guzman Rumors

Week In Review: 7/20 - 7/26

This one will be a bit lengthy, which can be expected as the deadline approaches. Here's a review of some of the major moves and rumors of the last week: The Yankees acquired Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte from the Pirates for OF Jose Tabata, RHP Ross Ohlendorf, RHP Dan McCutchen and RHP Jeff Karstens . I agree with Tim that Ian Kennedy would've been a better centerpiece, but Tabata is pretty highly-touted himself. Kennedy would have made a more immediate impact, while Tabata is only 19 years old. The Dodgers acquired Casey Blake for minor league RHP Jon Meloan...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Darvish, Giles, Teixeira

Today's link roundup... I was a guest on Get Sports Radio yesterday to talk about the Reds. Click here to download an mp3 of the show. NPB Tracker notes that 21 year-old phenom Yu Darvish threw 165 pitches last night. GM Dave Dombrowski says the Tigers are definitely not sellers. They're undecided on whether to buy or stick with internal options. The Tigers' approach to the relief market may hinge on Freddy Dolsi's fatigued shoulder. Buster Olney says the Mets and Padres have discussed right fielder Brian Giles. He'd earn $11MM in '09 if traded. However, Joel Sherman doesn't think...   Continue Reading

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Cristian Guzman Signs Extension With Nationals

According to the Washington Times, the Nationals signed shortstop Cristian Guzman to a two-year extension today for a reasonable $16MM. It's a discount both in years and amount, based on comparable deals for shortstops. Nice signing by the Nationals.   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: K-Rod, Maddux, Wolf, Street

Rumor guru Ken Rosenthal is at it again. Angels GM Tony Reagins is doing his due diligence on available hitters. Rosenthal admits his own suggestion of a Mark Teixeira/Will Ohman blockbuster acquisition is unlikely. Rosenthal believes Francisco Rodriguez's expected asking price to be five years, $75MM. The Angels would not bite on that. Greg Maddux only wants to be traded to a West Coast team. He might accept a trade back to the Dodgers, if Ned Colletti and Kevin Towers want to go down that road. The Orioles would trade George Sherrill if someone wants to overpay. Tons of teams...   Continue Reading

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Heyman's Latest: Street, Durham, Holliday

SI.com's Jon Heyman just posted a new column. The Brewers and White Sox inquired on A's closer Huston Street. However, A's GM Billy Beane said "there is nothing going on" in regards to Street. The Sox were linked to both Street and Jon Rauch today, so Kenny Williams is clearly monitoring the relief market. Heyman says the Rays have not discussed Street with the A's, and the Dodgers "aren't believed to be heavily involved." Heyman is on board with the recent rumors about Ray Durham and Jack Taschner possibly heading to Milwaukee. Heyman also confirms Ken Rosenthal's report of the...   Continue Reading

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Nationals Rumors: Guzman, Rauch, Holliday

MLB.com's Bill Ladson has the goods on the Nationals. The Nationals are currently negotiating with Cristian Guzman's agent on a possible extension. Last month, the Nats proposed a two-year extension. It's thought that Guzman might make some concessions given how little he gave the Nats in the first three years of his current contract. But if the two sides can't reach an agreement soon, the Nats may choose to trade Guzman. Ladson also reports that the White Sox and Rays are scouting closer Jon Rauch. Rauch, you may recall, came up as a starter with the Sox and was traded...   Continue Reading

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Molony's Latest: Mahay, Loretta, Erstad, Guzman

Let's check in with MLB.com's Jim Molony. The Rays are scouting lefty relievers Brian Fuentes and Ron Mahay. The issue? The price for Fuentes seems exorbitant, and Mahay may not be available. Troy E. Renck names the Yankees, Mets, Cardinals, and Marlins as the main suitors for Fuentes aside from the Rays. A few contenders have inquired with the Astros as to the availability of Mark Loretta and Darin Erstad. As you might imagine, the Rangers are open to trading Frank Catalanotto. We mentioned yesterday that his contract is a bit of a burden. It seems that Jim Bowden is...   Continue Reading

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Nationals Close To Signing Cristian Guzman?

FRIDAY, 12:43pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Nats "reportedly are close to signing" Guzman to a two-year extension. Here's the thing though - usually when a journalist says "reportedly" he or she means that the info comes from someone else's published report. So maybe Rosenthal is just reading into the below MLB.com article about the Nats' offer. Or, maybe he has his own source saying an agreement is close. I'm not sure. WEDNESDAY, 7:28pm: According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, the Nationals have offered shortstop Cristian Guzman a two-year extension. This comes as a surprise, as the two sides were expected to...   Continue Reading

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Cristian Guzman To Wait On Contract Talks

MLB.com's Bill Ladson has some info on impending free agent shortstop Cristian Guzman. Apparently there will be no extension talks with the Nationals until after the season, a decision made by both sides. Ladson's source indicates that Guzman might be willing to cut the Nats a break since he was injured for much of his current four-year deal. That break might translate to a two-year contract. We'll see if Guzman still feels the same after the season. In my Free Agent Stock Watch post on Guzman, I mentioned him as a cheaper alternative to Rafael Furcal. Furcal is looking questionable,...   Continue Reading

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Free Agent Stock Watch: Cristian Guzman

Time for the first edition of Free Agent Stock Watch. Today we'll look at the rising stock of 30 year-old Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman, who is eligible for free agency after the '08 season. Jim Bowden was heavily criticized for signing the switch-hitting Guzman to a four-year, $16.8MM deal in November of '04. He was considered an all-glove, no-hit player. Guzman was awful for most of '05, though poor eyesight was suggested as one explanation. Guzman then missed all of '06 with shoulder surgery. The following season was cut short by hamstring and thumb problems. But since '07 he's been...   Continue Reading

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