Juan Cruz Rumors

D'Backs Offer Arb To Cruz, Lyon, Hudson; Not Dunn

Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic has the D'Backs arbitration decisions. They offered arb to Juan Cruz (Type A), Brandon Lyon (Type B), and Orlando Hudson (Type A) while declining to offer it to Adam Dunn (Type A). I'm surprised by all but Hudson. The D'Backs are taking on a risk, as they don't really have room in the budget for the two relievers. They must be confident they'll decline or they can make trades. Dunn at one year is a worthwhile risk with two draft picks at stake, but the D'Backs were apparently scared off by a possible payday...   Continue Reading

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Kurkjian Reports: Byrnes, Ibanez, Dunn

Tim Kurkjian at ESPN.com has a Friday morning round up for us, looking at several prominent team needs around the league. While the article mentions several big names like Mike Mussina, Matt Holliday, Francisco Rodriguez and Trevor Hoffman, perhaps the most interesting part of Kurkjian's article is that which discusses the offseason plan for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Part of that plan may include trading outfielder Eric Byrnes. Byrnes has two years and $20MM left on his deal with the D'Backs, and will be a challenge to move, says Kurkjian. Byrnes certainly has upside, with great speed and decent pop. But...   Continue Reading

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Mets Rumors: K-Rod, Fuentes, Vazquez, Garland

The latest on the Mets. Joel Sherman believes the Brewers could interfere with the Mets' attempts to sign Brian Fuentes or Francisco Rodriguez. Ben Shpigel of the New York Times wrote this weekend that the Mets don't appear likely to dabble in the second-tier relief market for pitchers like Juan Cruz or Joe Beimel. Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog passes along a John Harper article from the New York Daily News, adding his own commentary. Harper believes the Mets may have to move on to Javier Vazquez, Jon Garland, and Edwin Jackson due to the high price tags on Boras clients...   Continue Reading

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Giants Interested In Hudson

According to Chris Haft of MLB.com, the Giants are seriously interested in signing Orlando Hudson. The Giants have already signed Jeremy Affeldt and Haft says their big off-season plans could also include C.C. Sabathia, Edgar Renteria, Rafael Furcal and Juan Cruz. Kevin Frandsen, who's played mostly at second base, could play third if the Giants obtain Hudson. The Indians, Mets, Yankees and Dodgers all seem interested in Hudson too.   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Griffey, Peavy, Dempster

A look at the latest column from FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal: Rosenthal wonders if Jason Varitek's viral sickness and divorce last year contributed to his poor performance at the plate. Ken Griffey Jr.'s wife gave him her blessing to play anywhere he'd like. If he's focused on getting a ring, Seattle might not make sense. Griffey's doctor believes his knee will be in better shape in 2009. Padres GM Kevin Towers wonders if Jake Peavy would've accepted a trade to the Braves, given Atlanta's club policy against no-trade clauses. Towers isn't talking to the Braves, Dodgers, or Yankees about Peavy,...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Peavy, Teixeira, Burnett

Ken Rosenthal's got an interesting new column up. Now that talks with the Braves have ended for the time being, Padres GM Kevin Towers is talking with the Yankees about Jake Peavy. The Yankees have had "numerous discussions" with the Padres, even though they just offered C.C. Sabathia a contract and are still considering A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe. Peavy's agent Barry Axelrod said that "the Angels probably would be more appealing" geographically, but "from other perspectives, they might be less appealing" than other teams Rosenthal talked with an agent who said that the Angels could wait a week or...   Continue Reading

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Mets Revamping The Bullpen

The Mets' primary focus this winter is to completely revamp their bullpen. Ken Davidoff and Joel Sherman outline Plan A: free agents. Names in the mix: Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, Kerry Wood, Joe Beimel, Juan Cruz, and Chad Cordero. Sherman figures the Mets are in a good position because most of the other big-market teams aren't looking for a closer. Plan B: trades. The Mets have already discussed Bobby Jenks with the White Sox. J.J. Putz, Huston Street, and Kevin Gregg are the other names. It all depends on how much young talent Omar Minaya wants to sacrifice. As a...   Continue Reading

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D'Backs Rumors: Hudson, Dunn, Johnson, Rauch

8:19pm: According to the AP, the D'Backs exercised Rauch's $2.9MM option for 2010. He'll earn $2MM in '09. 9:49am: Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic has the latest D'Backs hot stove chatter, here and here. The D'Backs figure to have nine draft picks in the first 75 or so next year. They will probably offer arbitration to Orlando Hudson, Adam Dunn, Juan Cruz, and Brandon Lyon, and see all of them decline to sign elsewhere. They could end up spending $8-12MM on next year's draft, but at least the farm system will be restocked. Team CEO Jeff Moorad says he...   Continue Reading

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Juan Cruz Headed For Free Agency

Hard-throwing Diamondbacks reliever Juan Cruz will be eligible for free agency for the first time after this season, and he's been looking forward to it. The 29 year-old boasts a massive strikeout rate, but problems with the free pass persist. This year he's missed time with oblique and neck injuries. In '06 and '07, it was his shoulder. Cruz is younger than most other free agent relievers, so he might be able to snag a multiyear deal at $3-4MM per year. Nick Piecoro says Cruz hasn't had any talks with the D'Backs about an extension; look for him to sign...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Angels, D'Backs, Giambi, Ellis

Here is the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Many important Angels will reach free agency this winter: Mark Teixeira, Francisco Rodriguez, Jon Garland, and Juan Rivera. Rosenthal doesn't expect any of these four back. Garret Anderson's $14MM option will not be exercised, but he could be re-signed. John Lackey and Vladimir Guerrero both have reasonable club options for '09, but the Halos need to plan beyond that. Several journalists have noted the D'Backs may restock the farm system if they let Adam Dunn, Orlando Hudson, Brandon Lyon, and Juan Cruz depart as free agents after the season. They're...   Continue Reading

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Latest D'Backs Rumors: Bonderman, Ervin Santana

Nick Piecoro has the scoop regarding all things Diamondbacks. Let's dive in. It had slipped my mind that the D'Backs don't do incentive-laden contracts when I suggested they'd sign Randy Wolf. Bad prediction on my part. The team's best trade chip: outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. The 22 year-old hit .286/.330/.476 in Double A last year, and has star potential. Kevin Goldstein recently ranked Gonzalez third among corner outfield prospects behind Travis Snider and Chris Marrero. Gonzalez could bring a coveted starter in a trade. Carlos Quentin is also talked about as a trade candidate, but he needs to get healthy and..   Continue Reading

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