Stark's Latest: Bonds, Howard, Vargas

ESPN's Jayson Stark has a new Rumblings and Grumblings up; let's take a look. Stark surveyed execs from three teams about why Barry Bonds remains unemployed. They provided the answers you'd expect, and collusion isn't one of them. One of the team officials believes a major injury to one of the 14 DHs could very well result in a Bonds signing. Related note: Gary Sheffield just tore a tendon in his finger. Meanwhile, Joel Sherman speculates that Bonds would be a nice match with the Blue Jays. There are signs that Ryan Howard wants an unprecedented contract - he won't...

Miguel Cabrera Signs Extension

4:08pm: John Lowe has the year by year breakdown and adds that there are ten teams Cabrera can be traded to without his permission. TUESDAY, 12:44pm: Cabrera's seven-year extension is official. $20MM a year is a solid price for 25 year-old superstar who has never been injured. And Cabrera sets himself up for one more massive deal, just like A-Rod did. MONDAY, 8:57am: Though we don't have an official announcement and press conference from the Tigers yet, it's obvious that an agreement has been reached. Sabernomics thinks Cabrera will be worth $268MM over this time period; PECOTA feels differently. Cabrera...

Tigers' Talks With Miguel Cabrera Continue

John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press informs us that the Tigers' talks with third baseman Miguel Cabrera about a long-term deal are ongoing. Signing the superstar is the team's top priority. The popular opinion is that Cabrera will get something in the neighborhood of ten years and $200MM. He's contracted for '08 at $11.3MM and then has one more arbitration year before free agent eligibility. I could be wrong, but I don't know of any athlete other than A-Rod who broke the $200MM barrier.

Odds And Ends: White Sox, Angels, Crisp, Gillick

Here are a few links to whet your appetite, including a Brian Roberts sighting. You didn't think we could go two days without a Robert update, did you? Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune notes that the White Sox are looking for a middle infielder and wonders if they might get involved in the Roberts sweepstakes. However, Rogers wonders if there is anything left in the system to intrigue the Orioles. Scott Miller of CBS Sportsline looks at the recent rash of injuries plaguing the Angels pitching staff and wonders if it was a blessing that they did not trade...

Miguel Cabrera Talking Extension

SI.com's Jon Heyman reports that the Tigers and Miguel Cabrera's agent have "begun to talk" about a long-term deal. Heyman believes a deal could be hammered out fairly quickly given the nice fit with Detroit for Cabrera. Heyman doesn't have inside info on the years or amount, but got Cabrera to admit that ten years, $200MM sounded about right. Would an extension start with 2009, Cabrera's last arbitration year? I imagine so, though maybe the ten years would start with 2010. Regardless, Cabrera's level of production is truly worth $20MM annually into the forseeable future. Doesn't hurt that he's gotten...

Miguel Cabrera Rumors

I think it's about time to dissect the Miguel Cabrera situation, don't you? The Angels, Dodgers, Giants, White Sox, and maybe the Rangers are battling to acquire him. Five days ago, the Angels were the frontrunners. It was even suggested a trade could be completed by Thanksgiving. But according to Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers now have the lead. It may require Matt Kemp, Andy LaRoche, and Clayton Kershaw. Now that's quality. Rosenthal has a source saying the Halos may counter with Ervin Santana, Howie Kendrick, Chris Bootcheck, and Nick Adenhart. It's thought that the Angels' acquisition of Jon Garland frees...

Orioles, Dodgers Talking Bedard, Kemp

Earlier this month, we learned that the Orioles will listen to offers for Erik Bedard. Sounds kinda crazy, shopping a potential Cy Young candidate with two years remaining until free agency. But if the Orioles can pick up a couple of younger but still MLB-ready players, so be it. The first connection comes from the Dodgers, who are offering a package centered around -- guess who -- Matt Kemp. Kemp himself won't get this deal done. Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports lists the usual suspects from the Dodgers: Andy LaRoche (because 93 at-bats is a plenty big sample), Jonathan Meloan,...

State Of The Marlins

The Miami Herald's Barry Jackson has all sorts of info concerning the state of the Florida Marlins. We've heard this before - the Fish can't afford to keep both Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera. Do you trade the cheaper guy, or the more valuable one? As Jackson says, it really just depends on the offers. It wouldn't be a complete shock to see both traded if the Marlins received separate knockout offers on each. The Marlins are likely to non-tender Miguel Olivo, with an eye on bringing Paul Lo Duca back to Florida to provide veteran leadership for the young...

Marlins To Focus On Rotation, Defense

Marlins starters posted a 5.58 ERA this year, worst in the National League. The five with the most starts were Dontrelle Willis, Scott Olsen, Sergio Mitre, Byung-Hyun Kim, and Rick VandenHurk. Only Mitre was able to avoid posting an ERA above 5.00. Marlins president Larry Beinfest has labeled the rotation the team's #1 area of need this winter. Olsen and Mitre are cheap, and you can find positives with both. VandenHurk whiffed a batter per inning, and deserves a look in the #5 slot. Kim will depart via free agency. Josh Johnson will miss all of 2008 with Tommy John...