Seven Teams Have Monitored Freddy Garcia

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, at least seven clubs have monitored Freddy Garcia's progress: the Mets, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, White Sox, Rangers, and Mariners. It wouldn't be surprising if even more clubs show up to watch Garcia throw when he is able to audition. A midseason free agent has major appeal. The Indians are one additional club rumored to have interest. Garcia remains a mystery - we don't know when he'll be ready, how much money he'll want, or how effective he'll be.

Freddy Garcia To Throw For Teams Soon

Ken Davidoff of Newsday writes that free agent starter Freddy Garcia will soon invite teams to watch him pitch in Miami. Davidoff offers his most likely suitors; the Mets definitely seem like a strong possibility. Since Garcia will only cost money, it's likely that a good dozen teams will have at least passing interest. Garcia would probably play for something like $5MM for a half season. He seems a long shot to contribute, given the difficulty of coming back from shoulder surgery.

Odds and Ends: Botts, Red Sox, McLouth

Roundup of links! According to Jamey Newberg, Jason Botts has cleared waivers. He probably won't get another chance with the Rangers though. Gordon Edes notes that the Red Sox have five picks in the first three rounds of the June draft. Even though they don't start until the 30th pick, the Sox have had much success in recent years. No extension talks have begun with Nate McLouth, but Dejan Kovacevic does expect it to happen. I updated the fantasy baseball closers depth chart over at RotoAuthority. SI.com's Jon Heyman says Freddy Garcia is "progressing nicely" in rehab and will throw...

Odds and Ends: Rauch, Fielder, Braun, Garcia

Some links for you to peruse... We suggested on Wednesday that Jon Rauch makes sense for Detroit. That same day, the Washington Post's Barry Svrluga wrote that the Tigers "will watch Rauch very closely." You have to appreciate Matt Morris' candor regarding his salary. We learned on Saturday that the Brewers made offers to sluggers Prince Fielder and Ryan Braun. Today the team's owner said talks with both are ongoing. Other multiyear offers have been made, though the players are not known. Tom Haudricourt speculates on Corey Hart, Yovani Gallardo, J.J. Hardy, and Rickie Weeks. Ken Rosenthal sees Freddy Garcia...

Indians Inquire On Freddy Garcia

SI.com's Jon Heyman reports that the Indians inquired on free agent starter Freddy Garcia. Garcia, 31, hopes to return around June from rotator cuff and labrum surgery. Garcia was linked to the Rangers and Red Sox this offseason; the Mets denied interest. I said in today's video mailbag that I think Garcia will be a non-factor this year. Ozzie Guillen suggested the same in January.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Garcia, Lohse, Colon

With a full slate of Spring Training games underway today, there are still some big names hanging out in the free agent market. After the Red Sox signed signed former Cy Young winner Bartolo Colon to a minor league deal, there are still two big-name starting pitchers that have yet to find new homes. Former all-star Freddy Garcia is not expected to be ready until mid-season after having rotator cuff surgery last fall, but may have interest from several clubs. On the other hand Kyle Lohse is still looking for work despite being perfectly healthy. His biggest ailment maybe that...

Odds and Ends: Fields, Garcia, Bonds

Welcome to today's roundup... Josh Byrnes would never give a pitcher eight years, just so you know (hat tip AZ Snakepit). South Side Sox explains how Josh Fields was posturing in not signing his contract. Unrelated interesting fact - Fields seemed headed to Florida in a Miguel Cabrera for a split-second in December. Bobby Jenks' salary is set to skyrocket next year, as he becomes arbitration-eligible. Freddy Garcia's agent talks about the Mets, Yankees, and Red Sox for his client. Garcia is targeting a June or July return. DRays Bay's free season preview guide is now available. Speaking of the...

Red Sox Evaluate Freddy Garcia

Rob Bradford of the Boston Herald reports that free agent pitcher Freddy Garcia is in the Red Sox clubhouse today. He believes it's more than just a visit; the Red Sox may be evaluating his health. No signing appears close though. Garcia may have a dozen teams to choose from if he proves healthy and markets himself around June. Michael Silverman confirms that Boston's training and rehab staff took a look at Garcia.

Mets Not Interested In Garcia

TODAY: SI.com's Jon Heyman says that line about Garcia just visiting friends may be a cover. That's because Garcia brought his agents with him and went to Omar Minaya's office. So this apparently had a business element after all. Heyman adds that two or three other clubs are interested, with the Yankees an option given Garcia's apparent affinity for New York. If he's throwing well on June 1st I predict the rumors will involve ten plus teams. 2-20-08: The New York Post is reporting that the Mets will not sign free agent Freddy Garcia. Earlier today Jon Heyman had reported...

Odds and Ends: Roberts, Garcia, Crede

Today's assortment of links. Gary Sheffield is not fond of Scott Boras. Arte Moreno and the Angels aren't closing the door on K-Rod yet. Turns out Brian Roberts left camp because of a possible kidney stone. From Small Ball To The Long Ball has all kinds of cool data that I haven't seen elsewhere. For example, average initial pitch speed for pitchers. Dustin McGowan's fastball: 96.11mph. Tim Wakefield's: 75.62mph. Seems that Freddy Garcia might wait a few months before signing. Andrew Baggarly says the Giants consider Joe Crede a possible long-term piece even with his impending free agency. So maybe...

Mets Meet With Garcia

Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that Freddy Garcia met with the Mets in Port St. Lucie today (hat tip to MetsBlog). As you know, the Mets have had interest for quite a while. Garcia seems like a great pickup, a possible summer reinforcement. Heyman notes that the Mets' success with Pedro Martinez's shoulder injury is a reason they're after Garcia. Garcia is one free agent who does not need to scramble to get into camp. It's all about how much risk he wants to take on. If he's confident that he'll be useful come June, he could sign then and...