Darin Erstad Rumors

Week In Review: 8/24 - 8/30

Sunday afternoon is here again... let's have a look back at some of the moves and rumors since last time: The injury-plagued Red Sox acquired Mark Kotsay to help compensate for their injuries. In exchange, the Braves received minor league outfielder Luis Sumoza. Nice acquisition by the Red Sox; Kotsay has been swinging a solid bat this season. The Twins acquired Eddie Guardado from Texas in exchange for minor league pitcher Mark Hamburger. Guardado has spent the majority of his career with Minnesota and provides a solid arm to the bullpen. To make room for him, they DFA'd Mike Lamb....   Continue Reading

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Astros Sign Erstad, Moehler To Extensions

Astros MLB.com beat writer Krysten Oliphant reports that the team has signed veteran outfielder Darin Erstad and right-handed pitcher Brian Moehler to one-year extensions. Erstad gets a $1.75MM deal plus bonuses and Moehler nets a $2.3MM extension and bonuses; he has an option for 2010. Erstad and Moehler have been a couple of bright spots among Ed Wade's offseason acquisitions.   Continue Reading

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Molony's Latest: Red Sox, Kelly Johnson

Here's a look at the latest blog post from MLB.com's Jim Molony. Molony agrees with previous reports - the Red Sox are eyeing outfield help. An inquiry on Darin Erstad fizzled, while Mark Kotsay remains on the radar. Drew might be headed to the DL. The Red Sox might also be eyeing another starter, given Josh Beckett's injury. Molony speculates that Kevin Millwood or Vicente Padilla could make sense (both have cleared waivers). Molony expects Braves second baseman Kelly Johnson to be traded this winter. Johnson, 26, slipped to .264/.333/.405 in 482 plate appearances this year. He'll be arbitration-eligible for...   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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Darin Erstad Signs With Astros

Minor signing tonight, as the Astros inked Darin Erstad to a one-year deal. It's a one-year, $1MM deal plus incentives. Erstad has become a popular stathead target but as long as the Astros don't give him hundreds of at-bats, does it really matter   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Gregg, Hawkins, Tavarez

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 1:12pm: Per Troy Renck, the Rockies denied interest in Tavarez. UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 9:22am: The Rockies are one NL team confirmed to have an interest in Tavarez. He pitched for the Rox in 2000, making 12 starts. FROM 12-5-07 at 12:31am: Early Wednesday collection of randomness... The Marlins' highest paid player is Kevin Gregg at $2.5MM. Trade that man, post-haste! The Rockies are starting to warm to the idea of giving LaTroy Hawkins two guaranteed years. Could've had him for one but they declined his option. Julian Tavarez would like to be traded to the NL and..   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Tavarez, Lieber, Stewart

Another collection... A few notes from Brian Cashman...the Yanks have talked to Luis Vizcaino's agent about bringing him back. Also, they've yet to inquire on any free agent center fielders. Miguel Cabrera has been talking to Ozzie Guillen daily since the season ended. The article makes Cabrera sound like a big kid. The Red Sox have had a couple of inquiries on Julian Tavarez. Five or six teams have inquired on Shannon Stewart, who wants a two-year pact apparently. The Phillies, contrary to previous reports, are not interested in re-signing Jon Lieber. On a scale of 1 to 10, the..   Continue Reading

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Brown's Latest: Erstad, Livan, Tomko

Yahoo's Tim Brown checks in with his own set of rumors after working the floor a bit. Darin Erstad is popular - the Padres, Mariners, Astros, and Rays have inquired. His mystique lives on. The Phillies appear to have a serious interest in Livan Hernandez, though he doesn't seem to be what they need. Brett Tomko's agent met with the Rockies today. Brown says the Pirates, Nationals, Marlins, Reds, and Rangers are after him too. Separately it's been said that the Astros are in on him too. The Padres made a weak $1.5MM offer to Tomko   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Fukudome, Eckstein, Lowell

Ah yes, the odds and ends post, where I cobble together the day's random links. The Rangers have mild interest Scott Podsednik. Pods had two separate stints in the Rangers organization but never reached the bigs with them. The Big Lead has an interesting interview with Yahoo baseball guy Jeff Passan, wherein a run-in with Jose Lima is recounted. Passan also takes on Fire Joe Morgan a bit. Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog is hearing that Kosuke Fukudome is looking for three years and $30MM. Sounds fair. The Angels are considering signing David Eckstein and/or Darin Erstad, for some reason. Bob..   Continue Reading

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Random Rumors: Erstad, Gagne, Podsednik

Here's a smattering of random rumors. The Twins have tried and failed to acquire Mike Piazza, Jermaine Dye, and Kevin Mench. Instead of Dye, the White Sox offered up 33 year-old outfielder Darin Erstad, he of the .671 OPS. The Twins passed. Eric Gagne will apparently earn Type A status as a free agent, despite pitching only two innings in 2006. Rob Bradford has the details. This was apparently a big factor for the Red Sox in making the deal. The Chicago Sun-Times debunks a rumor that the Cubs are trying to trade for Scott Podsednik. How come I wasn't..   Continue Reading

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White Sox To Sign Erstad

Pending a physical, the White Sox will sign center fielder Darin Erstad to a one-year deal with an option. The Sox don't have much certainty in left or center field, so Erstad will have plenty of opportunity. The average AL CF hit .275/.334/.437 in '06, which is probably out of Erstad's reach. Brian Anderson seems to have fallen out of favor with Chicago, leaving Ryan Sweeney as Erstad's main competition in center. Scott Podsednik is expected to hold down left field again once he recovers from groin surgery, though he'll have to hold off Josh Fields. To hear PECOTA tell..   Continue Reading

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Erstad Options

According to Ken Rosenthal, free agent center fielder Darin Erstad is expected to choose a team this week. The 32 year-old has a slight chance at signing with the Angels or Cubs, but is more likely to choose between the Marlins or White Sox. It appears that Florida is Erstad's best shot at regular playing time, given that his competition is Alex Sanchez. With Chicago Erstad would split time with Brian Anderson and perhaps Ryan Sweeney. Rosenthal reports that the Cubs hope to acquire a young, cheap CF to hold the fort until Felix Pie is ready. This comes despite..   Continue Reading

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A's Make Offer To Erstad

MLB.com reports that the A's have made a one-year offer to 32 year-old first baseman/center fielder Darin Erstad. Oakland needs a solid fourth outfielder for the Jay Payton role, as Milton Bradley and Mark Kotsay are not pictures of health. RotoWorld reports that the Cubs, Mariners, Rays, and Rockies have interest in Erstad as well. The OC Register throws the Orioles and Cards in the mix too. The Angels are probably out   Continue Reading

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Teams Showing Interest In Erstad

Darin Erstad has had his ankle surgically repaired, and feels that he could play center field regularly. According to the L.A. Times, six teams have expressed interest. Among them: the A's, Orioles, Rockies, and Mariners. Erstad earned $8.5MM in '06 in the last year of his contract. There's a chance the 32 year-old could still hit like a league average center fielder (a .760 OPS or so). He'll have to prove that he's still fast and mobile enough to play credible defense. If he wants a starting job, he could find center field vacancies on the White Sox, Marlins, Nationals,..   Continue Reading

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Angels Should Pursue Javy Lopez

Javy Lopez and his agent have been making a stir lately, pushing for a contract extension or a trade. Lopez is in the last year of a three-year deal, and will make $8.5MM in 2006. A recent Baltimore Sun article mentioned: "The Orioles have had some discussions with teams about Lopez, including a potential trade for Angels first baseman/outfielder Darin Erstad during the winter meetings, but the Angels weren't interested in making the deal." In between the flurry of rumors back in December, this is one I missed. The Angels should not have dismissed this trade so quickly. Erstad makes..   Continue Reading

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