Derek Lowe Rumors
By Brian Shephard [June 1, 2009 at 7:02pm CST]
Mark Bowman of MLB.com talked to Braves GM Frank Wren about the possibility of trading for outfield help, and Wren's comments paint a picture of a tough market: "It's not going to be easy. We've been talking to clubs for a while, and most of them are reluctant to make a move right now. There are a number of clubs looking for offense with a power bat. None of us can shake one loose." Bowman writes that "there would likely be some power bats that come into the picture" if the Braves were willing to offer top pitching prospect Tommy...
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By Howard Megdal [May 20, 2009 at 8:01pm CST]
Tim Hudson, recovering from Tommy John surgery, believe he can rejoin the Atlanta Braves sometime in August, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. "I feel really good about where I'm at right now," Hudson said. "I haven't thrown breaking balls, splits or changeups or anything like that. But how I feel right now, it's hard to think that it's going to take me three months to get ready to pitch in a game." Hudson could encounter a logjam when he returns, between starters Derek Lowe, Javier Vazquez and Jair Jurrjens, not to mention prospects Tommy Hanson, Kris Medlen and the...
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By Tim Dierkes [January 20, 2009 at 1:08pm CST]
Let's take a look at the latest from SI.com's Tom Verducci. Interesting line: "One journeyman reliever, for instance, turned down a $2 million offer, saying he would retire before taking that kind of money." Many veterans will choose between swallowing their pride and retiring this spring. Verducci makes a comparison between Cole Hamels and James Shields, who were called up 19 days apart. The extra service time for Hamels gave him Super Two status, meaning he became arbitration-eligible four times instead of three. That decision probably cost the Phillies more than $10MM. The Mets were willing to give Derek Lowe...
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By Alex Walsh [January 17, 2009 at 4:53pm CST]
Reader Connor Garrison has identified an interesting point made in the middle of an article from MLB.com's Mark Bowman. The article focuses on the addition of Derek Lowe to the Braves' rotation, but offers a reason as to why the Braves went so strong so quickly after Lowe. Says Bowman: "Motivated by last week's meeting and under the belief that the Phillies might attempt to create payroll space by trading Brett Myers, the Braves acted quickly and provided an offer that Lowe couldn't refuse." Myers may have been taken off the block after Lowe signed with the Braves. On the...
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By Cork Gaines [January 16, 2009 at 12:17pm CST]
On this day 29 years ago, Albert Pujols was born. 2009 will be the sixth year of his eight year, $111MM deal (safe to say Cards will pick up his '11 option). According to Fangraphs, Pujols has already been worth $151.9MM in the first five years of the contract ($30.4M per season), begging the question: How much will Pujols command following the '11 season, when he will be 32? Last winter, Alex Rodriguez signed for 10 years and $275MM prior to his age 32 season. With less than a month to go before pitchers and catchers report, many players are...
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By Tim Dierkes [January 14, 2009 at 1:03pm CST]
Here's a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal. John Lackey is due up for extension talks with the Angels, as he'll be eligible for free agency after the '09 season. He'd easily be the best available starter. Rosenthal says talks with the Angels should occur before the beginning of the season, but the Halos may not be willing to offer A.J. Burnett money (five years, $82.5MM). In November, Jayson Stark said Lackey had been telling friends he expects to have an extension by Opening Day. That came after Lackey's confirmation he'd wait to see the Angels' offensive plans before...
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By Tim Dierkes [January 14, 2009 at 11:38am CST]
Links for Wednesday... Rany Jazayerli has withdrawn his support for Royals GM Dayton Moore. Chris Haft says that if Noah Lowry has a nice spring, perhaps the Giants should trade him rather than Jonathan Sanchez. Keith Law says Kenshin Kawakami should provide bulk innings for the Braves, while the risk with Derek Lowe is his age. La Velle E. Neal III doesn't get the sense the Twins are interested in Michael Young. Jeff Wilson looks at the likely free agent options for the Rangers. Peter Abraham suggests the Yankees don't have sufficient rotation depth without Andy Pettitte or a similar...
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By Tim Dierkes [January 13, 2009 at 10:59pm CST]
10:59pm: O'Brien adds that Lowe did not receive a no-trade clause. 9:43am: According to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves agreed to terms with Derek Lowe on a four-year, $60MM deal. For all the talk of the Braves' failed offseason, they've added three quality starting pitchers. Even if Lowe wasn't their first choice, he probably should've been. Ken Rosenthal says the Braves made their four-year offer to Lowe "on the condition that he accept the deal quickly."
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By Tim Dierkes [January 13, 2009 at 10:50pm CST]
Ben Shpigel of the New York Times looks at the Mets' plans now that Derek Lowe has signed with the division-rival Braves. Contrary to Jon Heyman's report yesterday, Shpigel says the Mets have not yet made an offer to Oliver Perez. He expects that to happen within a day or two. The Mets are also "weighing a run at Ben Sheets, but are wary of his injury history." This Sheets-Mets idea is picking up steam. Sheets is also a "person of interest" for the Rangers, but they have not made an offer. Randy Wolf seems to be Mets' fallback plan....
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By Tim Dierkes [January 13, 2009 at 9:12am CST]
9:12am: ESPN's Jerry Crasnick has a source saying Lowe is "leaning strongly toward signing with Atlanta." 7:34am: According to SI.com's Jon Heyman, the Braves' offer to Derek Lowe is close to $60MM over four years. The two sides are in serious discussions. Heyman says Lowe prefers the National League. The reported offer seems fair; it's difficult to see the Mets matching it. The Mets could end up with another Boras client, Oliver Perez. They're at three years and $30MM for him. Jerry Crasnick and Matthew Cerrone both wondered today if the Mets will get in on Ben Sheets.
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