Juan Rivera Rumors
By Tim Dierkes [December 22, 2008 at 12:02pm CST]
12:02pm: Boras gave a prepared statement regarding the Angels and Tex, saying that the player's interest has been sincere. Boras left the door open for the Angels, but why wouldn't he? 11:28am: So the Angels are out of the running for Mark Teixeira. Now what? They've re-signed Juan Rivera, making Manny Ramirez a "reach" according to Jerry Crasnick's source. Mike DiGiovanna has suggestions: The Angels...could also look to bolster their offense by pursuing a free-agent outfielder such as Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell, Adam Dunn, or, possibly, Manny. Or, they could look to trade for a hitter such as Jermaine Dye,...
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [December 20, 2008 at 1:27pm CST]
Links for Saturday... RotoAuthority looks at projections for Chris Davis. 35 home runs next year? Bill Madden suggests Paul Kinzer screwed up in both the Rafael Furcal and Francisco Rodriguez negotiations. More details on Dan Johnson - the Rays are selling him to a Japanese team for $100,000-500,000. Tim Redding's agent says "the Mets are very much in the mix" for the righty. Juan C. Rodriguez confirms the Marlins' interest in Derrick Turnbow, but says they aren't going after Ray King. The Rockies could pursue Braden Looper. The Orioles have expressed interest in Phillies catcher Chris Coste. New National Josh...
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By Tim Dierkes [December 19, 2008 at 2:44pm CST]
2:44pm: The AP reports Rivera's three-year deal is worth $12.75MM. It might turn out OK if Rivera is able to hit .300 to push his OBP to an acceptable range. FRIDAY, 1:49pm: ESPN's Jerry Crasnick says Rivera has agreed to a three-year contract with the Angels. Three years seems excessive, but we don't know the money yet. Does this take the Halos out of the mix for Manny Ramirez? THURSDAY, 10:37pm: According to Yahoo's Tim Brown, the Angels are nearing a three-year agreement with free agent outfielder Juan Rivera. Brown says the Halos are pursuing other free agents as well...
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By Tim Dierkes [December 17, 2008 at 9:35pm CST]
The Reds' search for a right-handed hitting bat continues. The latest from John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer: GM Walt Jocketty suggested that the positive news regarding Rocco Baldelli's condition could change the way the Reds see him. The Reds are waiting to hear back regarding a counterproposal made to Jerry Hairston Jr. The Reds discussed Milton Bradley internally, but haven't contacted his agent. In a recent article, Ken Rosenthal named the Cubs, Rays, Reds, Angels, and Nationals as suitors for Bradley. Talks with Juan Rivera are ongoing.
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By Tim Dierkes [December 10, 2008 at 11:46pm CST]
11:46pm: Amusing story from Joe McDonald: A group of Cincinnati Reds personnel, including manager Dusty Baker, were playing roulette Tuesday night. A member of the contingent yelled "Put it on No. 5 for Rocco Baldelli" and now it appears the Reds are having talks with his agent. McDonald adds that the Red Sox have apparently stepped back with their interest in Baldelli. Buster Olney wrote on Monday that he'd be shocked if Boston didn't sign Baldelli. 9:24pm: According to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Reds talked to the agents for Rocco Baldelli and Juan Rivera (the agents initiated)....
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By Tim Dierkes [December 10, 2008 at 10:13pm CST]
10:13pm: According to Ed Price: The Dodgers have had internal discussions about extending their contract offer to Manny Ramirez to three years. 9:47pm: Dan Graziano's source suggests "there is a push by some members of the Yankees' organization to make a play for free-agent outfielder Manny Ramirez." 5:02pm: Despite numerous reports to the contrary, Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times says the Angels are "believed to be considering a two-year offer to Manny Ramirez." Shaikin adds that Juan Rivera remains on the Halos' radar. 4:12pm: Jayson Stark talked to a source who said the Angels have zero interest in Manny....
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By Tim Dierkes [December 9, 2008 at 4:29pm CST]
4:29pm: ESPN's Jayson Stark says the Phillies will not tread water to see if they get DeRosa from the Cubs. A friend of Ibanez told Stark the Phils are his first choice, so there seems to be mutual interest. The problem: the Cubs want Ibanez too and may not be willing to move DeRosa until they get their outfielder. 3:46pm: Pat Burrell's agent Ed Hayes would be surprised if his client re-signs with the Phillies, as would most observers. Todd Zolecki believes the Phils' top three candidates to replace him in left field are Raul Ibanez, Mark DeRosa, and Juan...
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By Tim Dierkes [December 8, 2008 at 4:44pm CST]
4:44pm: Mike DiGiovanna says the Rays are also believed to be interested in Juan Rivera. 3:14pm: Rosenthal adds that Bradley went to lunch today with Rays officials. 3:12pm: According to SI.com's Jon Heyman, the Rays are "thought to be considering" Milton Bradley, Pat Burrell, Bobby Abreu, Jason Giambi, and Raul Ibanez. Heyman adds that Ken Griffey Jr. would be thrilled to play for the Rays. I imagine the Rays will wait back until January in hopes of signing somebody to a one-year deal.
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By Tim Dierkes [November 26, 2008 at 11:13am CST]
ESPN's Jerry Crasnick lists nine possible free agent bargains in his column today. A few notes: Randy Johnson is looking for a one-year deal, and his agent says the list of interested clubs is approaching double figures. The Dodgers may make sense, though Johnson is on the backburner for them. Crasnick speculates that Philadelphia could be a nice fit for Felipe Lopez. Scott Boras seemingly wants a multiyear deal for Joe Crede, as he's using the Magglio Ordonez contract as a model. Maybe his new team would have the ability to opt out after the season if Crede hits the...
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By Tim Dierkes [November 11, 2008 at 10:14am CST]
Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times describes the Angels' strategy regarding free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira. He says that since Tex will test the open market regardless, the Halos will not make an offer within their exclusive negotiation period. So much for resolving the situation quickly. The Angels do not want Scott Boras shopping around their offer to the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, and Nationals and driving up the price. Just a guess, maybe the Nats consider Josh Willingham their cleanup hitter acquisition and will back out of the Teixeira derby. DiGiovanna adds that the Angels "plan a serious...
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