Jon Lieber Rumors

Mets Still Like Jon Lieber

By Tim Dierkes [December 28, 2007 at 9:43am CDT]

The New York Daily News reiterated the Mets’ interest in free agent starter Jon Lieber this morning. Liebs turns 38 in April. He’s probably just as good as Livan Hernandez, but less durable. The Mets’ interest in Lieber was previously reported by Jayson Stark on December 5th.

Other teams connected to Lieber – the Reds, Royals, Astros, and Rangers.

Peter Botte and Roger Rubin name Lieber as one of many free agent options for the Mets if they fail to trade for a frontline guy. Kyle Lohse, Freddy Garcia, and Bartolo Colon are candidates. Matthew Cerrone says the Mets have been watching Colon "quite closely as he pitches in the Dominican Winter League."

Odds and Ends: Sabathia, Loretta, Patterson

By Tim Dierkes [December 7, 2007 at 2:13pm CDT]

You know the drill, here’s a roundup of some rumor nuggets. I’ll update the post continuously throughout the day.

Corey Patterson wants a multiyear deal, which probably isn’t something the Rangers want to do.

The Indians met with C.C. Sabathia‘s agent on Thursday, but have yet to submit an extension proposal. That will happen this month, most likely.

Check out how excited Pirates Rule 5 pick Evan Meek was. Pretty cool.

The Astros expect Mark Loretta to accept their offer of arbitration. The deadline is midnight tonight for players to decide. Despite what Ed Wade says I doubt they really want a $4MM utility player.

David Wells, Jon Lieber, and Brett Tomko are the types of names the Reds are considering. Tomko came up a Red but went to Seattle in the Griffey deal. Boomer is also a former Red.

The Padres signed Shawn Estes, but it sounds like they’ve only made an offer to Milton Bradley.

Andy MacPhail didn’t say no when asked whether he had interest in Eric Gagne and Octavio Dotel. Didn’t say yes, either.

Royals, Astros, and Reds Interested In Lieber

By Tim Dierkes [December 5, 2007 at 4:37pm CDT]

According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, free agent hurler Jon Lieber is garnering interest from the Royals, Astros, Reds, Mets, and Rangers. Liebs is expected to be ready for Spring Training after a foot injury.

Stark had previously reported that the Astros were not interested.

ESPN’s Latest: Sosa, Prior, Kuroda, Reyes

By Tim Dierkes [December 4, 2007 at 11:20pm CDT]

UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 11:19pm: Ah, the truth comes out. Sammy Sosa‘s people approached the Royals, but they weren’t interested.

FROM 12-4-07 at 3:17pm:

ESPN has a huge team at the Meetings; here are some tidbits that haven’t appeared elsewhere on MLBTR.

Enrique Rojas says the Royals have interest in Sammy Sosa. Could that indicate a Mark Teahen trade is in the works also? Teahen is expected to move to first base to accomodate Jose Guillen, which would push Billy Butler to DH. But Sammy can only DH.

Buster Olney says the Rangers and Padres are in on Mark Prior.

The Padres also like lefties Glendon Rusch and Shawn Estes, and may sign both after the Rule 5 as a means of adding starting depth.

Jayson Stark says the Mariners made an offer to Hiroki Kuroda in the range of four years, $45MM.

Jerry Crasnick says Anthony Reyes is generating a lot of interest. The Cards, by the way, are open to trading Rick Ankiel, Chris Duncan, or Jim Edmonds.

The Rockies have gotten in touch with Marcus Giles‘ agent.

The Astros aren’t interested in Jon Lieber, despite previous reports. They liked Matt Clement a bit among the injury guys but are over him now.

Ryan Howard‘s agent and the Phillies will sit down soon to talk about a long-term deal.

Odds and Ends: Tavarez, Lieber, Stewart

By Tim Dierkes [December 4, 2007 at 12:47am CDT]

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 chances of the Astros trading for a Miguel Tejada were rated a 2. The ‘Stros don’t want to give up the farm. That’s also why Joe Nathan is unlikely for Houston.

Scott Boras recently called Ed Wade to sell him on Eric Gagne, Jeff Weaver, and Rodrigo Lopez. Wade seemed unimpressed.

Nothing much new on the Padres front – still interested in Kosuke Fukudome, Geoff Jenkins, Jim Edmonds, Darin Erstad, and Mark Prior.

Brian Cashman’s phone has been ringing off the hook about Melky Cabrera.

Odds and Ends: Colon, Clark, Gagne

By Tim Dierkes [December 2, 2007 at 9:44am CDT]

Random rumors, let’s round ‘em up.

How about Bartolo Colon to the Mets? David Lennon notes that Omar Minaya sold the farm to acquire him in 2002 as the Expos’ GM.

Scott Lauber says Aaron Rowand is insisting on a five-year deal. He adds that the Phils have interest in Geoff Jenkins but he might be too expensive.

Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller are considered untouchable, so don’t look for the Tigers to make any big trades.

Patrick Saunders runs down some free agents the Rockies may consider for the back end of their rotation: Tony Armas, Matt Clement, Steve Trachsel, Josh Fogg, Jason Jennings, Jon Lieber, Mark Redman, Brett Tomko, and Kip Wells.

The Rays may go after Tony Clark, in large part because they’re seeking leadership. Marc Topkin agrees, and also rattles off Geoff Jenkins, Brad Wilkerson, Cliff Floyd, Mike Lamb, Mark Sweeney, Corey Koskie, and Greg Nortion as other possibilities.

It’s expected that Eric Gagne will not accept Boston’s offer of arbitration, because he wants to close. One place he could do so is Texas, who like him if he’ll take one year.

The Marlins’ new marketing materials exclude Miguel Cabrera.

The Rangers have interest in Sean Casey and Mike Lamb.

Phillies Could Re-Sign Lieber

By Tim Dierkes [November 16, 2007 at 8:48am CDT]

The Phillies need pitching, and they intend to spend money on it. Jon Lieber is a free agent, and he still has a little left in the tank. Why not bring him back?

Lieber’s agent said yesterday that Liebs still has the Phillies under consideration. His ’07 season with them was cut short by foot surgery. For the Phillies the contract would probably have to be one year plus incentives. Lieber’s agent wisely wouldn’t say whether he was up for that. Who knows, maybe a guy like Lieber snags two years guaranteed somewhere.

So far the Astros are the only other team known to be considering Lieber.

Full Story | Comments | Categories: Jon Lieber | Philadelphia Phillies

Astros Interested In Lieber, Linebrink

By Tim Dierkes [November 6, 2007 at 4:44pm CDT]

Ed Wade is contacting all sorts of free agents, and going public with it. The latest was starter Jon Lieber, who seems like a bargain and a decent fit for them. Wade was behind the Phillies’ signing of Lieber in ’04.

Lieber will turn 38 in April of next year. He only pitched 78 innings for the Phils in ’07 a strained oblique and a ruptured tendon in his foot. He had surgery on the foot in July. Maybe the Astros can get him on a one-year deal.

Jim Molony’s MLB.com article also mentions that the Astros have reached out to reliever Scott Linebrink. The Astros lost Linebrink to a Padres waiver claim in May of ’03.

It’s been previously stated that Wade has been in touch with Torii Hunter, Aaron Rowand, Luis Castillo, and perhaps Tom Glavine.

Full Story | Comments | Categories: Houston Astros | Jon Lieber | Scott Linebrink

Update on Garland: Phillies Scouting

By Tim Dierkes [September 28, 2007 at 3:25pm CDT]

We said a few weeks back that the White Sox May Shop Jon Garland and that Garland knows it. The White Sox are seeking 2 relievers. As Tim noted, the Red Sox, Rockies, Braves, Yankees, Mariners, Dodgers, Mets, and Phillies have all shown interest. Well, it starts here: Paul Hagen recently caught wind of the Phillies scouting the tall right hander during his complete game shutout of the Royals last Wednesday.

Garland is due $12MM in the final year of his contract. The Phillies will be waving goodbye to Jon Lieber and flop Freddy Garcia, opening up $17MM and the (incredible) need for a quality starter in a rotation comprised of Cole Hamels, Kyle Kendrick, Adam Eaton, and the indefatigable Jamie Moyer.

As Tim noted, the ChiSox tried to shop him last offseason to the Astros, but the deal unraveled just before the scheduled press conference. The bad news for GM Kenny Williams: Garland went on to make ’07 his worst season in recent memory going 9-13 with a 4.23 ERA. Good news for Kenny Williams: The man finished strong, flat out dominating in September by posting a 1.38 ERA over 39.1 IP, and going over 200 Innings for the 4th straight year.

Still, judging from your comments, MLBTR readers aren’t too high on Mr. Garland. Are the Phillies?

Posted by: Nat Boyle

Lieber For Farnsworth?

By Tim Dierkes [May 3, 2007 at 9:51am CDT]

At this point, the rumor appears more speculation than actual confirmed talks between the Yankees and Phillies. But plenty of folks see the logic in a Jon Lieber for Kyle Farnsworth swap, including Peter Abraham.

The Yankees find themselves with a rotation of Mussina, Wang, Pettitte, Igawa, and pray for rain. Pavano, Hughes, and Karstens are all hurt. Igawa is in the rotation mainly by necessity. Brian Cashman can hold out, hope for a Roger Clemens rescue. Or he can find some sort of reinforcement now. Is Lieber the answer?

Has the Lieber of old returned? It’s only been three starts. Lieber’s 6.27 hits per nine isn’t sustainable; a 1.7 K/BB is low for him. And let’s not forget how different it is to face the Red Sox as compared to the Nationals. I know beggars can’t be choosy, but we also can’t wishcast the current version of Liebs is the same as ’04.

The Yanks’ bullpen is pitching OK with a 3.97 ERA so far. Farnsworth has had a rough 9.1 innings in the early going, but I’m not sure he’s expendable. Brian Bruney and Mike Myers have been solid, but that’s about it. The Yanks owe Farnsworth $10.75MM for 2007-08.

Meanwhile in Philly, Tom Gordon flew back to have his shoulder checked. That increases the need for Brett Myers in the pen, but trading Lieber would further weaken the rotation. I agree with Tom that the Phils should stand pat. Or at least acquire relief help without trading away key parts of the team. Remember, Lieber was expendable back when Myers was starting, Adam Eaton seemed tolerable, and Gordon was somewhat healthy. All of those things have changed.

Jon Lieber Rumors

Mets Still Like Jon Lieber

Odds and Ends: Sabathia, Loretta, Patterson

Royals, Astros, and Reds Interested In Lieber

ESPN’s Latest: Sosa, Prior, Kuroda, Reyes

Odds and Ends: Tavarez, Lieber, Stewart

Odds and Ends: Colon, Clark, Gagne

Phillies Could Re-Sign Lieber

Astros Interested In Lieber, Linebrink

Update on Garland: Phillies Scouting

Lieber For Farnsworth?

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

FB

Top Stories

Search MLBTR

MLBTR Features

Recent posts

MLBTR Mailing List

Featured Posts

Rumors by team

ad: 160x600_MLB

Navigation

MLBTR Info

Connect