Johan Santana Rumors

Olney On Wilson, Johan, Harper

ESPN.com's Buster Olney says the Red Sox could take advantage of the shortage of teams willing to take on payroll by offering little more than salary relief to their trading partners. Rival executives told Olney that the Red Sox could offer to take on the salary owed to players like Jack Wilson, without including any highly touted prospects in proposed deals. Here are a couple more details from Olney's column: It's looking more and more like Bryce Harper will be eligible for next year's draft and it's looking more and more like the Nationals will again select first. Olney wonders...   Continue Reading

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No Elbow Tests For Santana

3:06pm: Marty Noble of MLB.com reports that Santana won't have his elbow tested. He felt fine after a bullpen session and told the Mets there is no need for tests. 1:44pm: Lennon reports that Santana's elbow tests have been delayed because winter storms are expected in New York. 10:29am: An encouraging update from Lennon at Newsday. Johan Santana completed a bullpen session this morning without pause, and did not report any elbow discomfort. Santana will still go to New York for tests. 10:01am: Marty Noble of MLB.com confirms that the exam of Johan Santana's elbow will take place, but says...   Continue Reading

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Murray Chass: Furcal, Sabathia, Lowe, Teixeira

Murray Chass has a nice Sunday post covering some of the biggest names in the game. Let's take a look: Chass summarizes the Rafael Furcal fiasco nicely, and explains the potential legal hazards that refusing to work with the Wasserman group could lead to. Brian Cashman has said that his refusal to trade for Johan Santana last year was because the Yankees knew C.C. Sabathia was going to be a free agent this year. Chass looks at their numbers side-by-side and points explains how by not trading for Santana, the Yankees risked missing out on both aces. The Mets are...   Continue Reading

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White Sox Have Inside Track On Abreu?

Here's a rumor from Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News that slipped through the cracks yesterday. His source says the White Sox seem to have the inside track on Bobby Abreu, assuming they trade Jermaine Dye first. Feinsand doesn't figure the Rays will match Abreu's price, though they met with his agents at in Vegas. He adds that Johan Santana is pushing the Mets to sign Abreu.   Continue Reading

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Angels Begin Talks With Sabathia

According to Bill Shaikin and Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times, the Angels have begun contract discussions with C.C. Sabathia. The authors believe the Halos could make an offer in the range of Johan Santana's six-year, $137.5MM deal. If the Angels do make such an offer, you have to imagine the Yankees will respond by upping their bid significantly. Despite the talks for Sabathia, Mark Teixeira remains the Angels' top priority. They haven't made an offer yet, but Scott Boras seems to want ten years while the Angels are willing to do seven. It makes sense to open serious dialogue...   Continue Reading

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Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Pedro, Sabathia, Peavy

A look at what is being written about the hot stove in the Blogosphere... Fire Brand of the American League looks at the ramifications of the Coco Crisp trade and what could happen if the Red Sox acquire Mark Teixeira and are unable to move Mike Lowell. Baseball Opinion says the Crisp deal leaves the Royals with a crowded outfield and a depleted bullpen and wonders if Mark Teahen or David DeJesus will be the next to go. Nationals Pride sees the Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham trade as a good start towards building a team with a core of...   Continue Reading

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Stark's Latest: Putz, Manny, Lackey, Ibanez

Let's take a look at the latest column from ESPN's Jayson Stark. Stark does the math and finds 15 potentially available closers versus six clubs in the market for one. Should result in a few bargains or teams holding on to their surpluses. The Mets don't seem willing to extend to four years for Francisco Rodriguez. Stark says J.J. Putz would become the Mets' top closer target if he's made available. MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone wrote a few days ago that the Mets are likely to trade for a reliever with closing experience before attempting to sign one. J.P. Ricciardi quote:...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Hughes, Tigers, Affeldt

Links for Monday... I'm working on this year's Top 50 Free Agents list, with predicted destinations. It's always a tough puzzle to assemble. Anyone have educated guesses on where Ben Sheets, Oliver Perez, Braden Looper, and Jon Garland might sign? MLB.com's Mychael Urban believes Mark Mulder would like to return to the A's, but the team may not be interested. Plus, Mulder isn't even considering destinations until he is healthy. Japanese free agent pitcher Kenshin Kawakami hired American agent Tony Attanasio. The Red Sox may be interested. Joel Sherman of the New York Post takes the Yankees to task for...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Byrnes, Teixeira, Swisher

Random links for Tuesday... SI.com's Jon Heyman notes that a Cy Young award for Johan Santana would lock in his 2014 option at $25MM. Mark Healey of Gotham Baseball wonders if the Mets might end up signing Ivan Rodriguez. The Jays officially received Fabio Castro to complete the Matt Stairs deal. Buster Olney had this one in August. Bummer to see Larry Borowsky of Viva El Birdos stepping down from blogging. He's been my favorite Cardinals writer. Nick Piecoro wonders if Eric Byrnes could be traded for another bad contract player like Luis Castillo. The Red Sox treated Mark Teixeira...   Continue Reading

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Hank Steinbrenner Forming Advisory Group

SATURDAY: Cashman responds to the advisory group comments. He wouldn't say whether he wants to return. THURSDAY: Peter Abraham relays comments Hank Steinbrenner made to the AP today. Hank will review the entire organization and put together an advisory group for decision-making. Brian Cashman would still be in charge, but it sounds like too many cooks in the kitchen. Cashman probably will not want to stay if he loses autonomy. Speculation is that Cashman could consider the vacancies in Philadelphia or Seattle. One thing's for sure - the Yankees are prepared to throw around some cash this winter. Steinbrenner seemingly...   Continue Reading

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