Rick Ankiel Rumors

Red Sox Express Interest In Scutaro, Escobar, And More

Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald says the Red Sox have kicked the tires on many free agents already, with Marco Scutaro and Kelvim Escobar the newest names. Others include Rafael Soriano, Matt Holliday, Rick Ankiel, Adrian Beltre, John Lackey, Aroldis Chapman, Billy Wagner, Mike Gonzalez, Alex Gonzalez, and, of course, Jason Bay. Silverman cautions that not all names connected to the Red Sox have "enduring news value." Scutaro certainly makes sense for Boston; he's the best available shortstop, considering both the free agent and trade market. We ranked Scutaro the eighth-best free agent overall, perhaps a reflection of a...   Continue Reading

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Red Sox Express Interest In Four Boras Clients

The Red Sox have expressed interest in four players - all Scott Boras clients - early in the hot stove season, according to Mike Silverman of The Boston Herald. Those four players would be Matt Holliday, Adrian Beltre, Mike Gonzalez, and Rick Ankiel. Silverman notes that the Sox consider Holliday and alternative to Jason Bay, should they fail to re-sign him. Gonzalez could replace Billy Wagner, although Ankiel is somewhat redundant after the team acquired Jeremy Hermida earlier this month. Beltre could replace Mike Lowell at third, who Silverman says may "wind up being traded if the Red Sox go...   Continue Reading

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Mets Meet With Boras

Mets GM Omar Minaya met with agent Scott Boras last night at the GM Meetings for 45 minutes, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Sherman says Matt Holliday, Alex Cora, Jarrod Washburn, and Rick Ankiel were discussed. Of course, the Mets' plans extend beyond Boras clients, and Sherman says Bengie Molina sits atop their list of catching targets. The Mets made a play for Molina four years ago. Another target might be Chone Figgins, as suggested by SI's Jon Heyman. Sherman sums up the Mets' offseason situation: The Mets' priority list in order is a slugging left...   Continue Reading

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Pirates Talk: Iwamura, Ankiel, Wilson

As usual, Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has the latest on the Pirates... The Akinori Iwamura addition does not necessarily mean more significant moves are coming. The Pirates are comfortable with their internal options. The Pirates intend to inquire on Rick Ankiel when free agency begins. Moreso than Chris Bootcheck, perhaps this is a sign that the team is not letting bad blood linger with Scott Boras from the Pedro Alvarez situation. Kovacevic says Ronny Cedeno is not a lock at shorstop, and there is at least some mutual interest in bringing Jack Wilson back. First, the Mariners would...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Blue Jays, Rockies, Crede

Links for Monday... The Astros received permission to interview Red Sox first base coach Tim Bogar for their managerial job, according to WEEI's Rob Bradford. Brad Mills and Manny Acta will also interview, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart (via Twitter). McTaggart adds Bob Melvin, Dave Clark, and Al Pedrique as other candidates, while Alyson Footer adds Ned Yost, Randy Ready, Phil Garner, and Pete Mackanin. Nationals scouting director Dana Brown has been hired away by new Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. Rockies owner Dick Monfort told Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post that the team's...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Ankiel, Moyer, Griffey, Jays

Another round of links, expertly prepared... Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch believes the Reds might have interest in soon-to-be free agent outfielder Rick Ankiel. The Pirates are also thought to have some level of interest in the former pitcher, who's hit 36 home runs in the past two years and boasts one of the best outfield arms in baseball. (That's looking on the bright side of things, of course). As ESPN.com's Jayson Stark notes, Jamie Moyer's season-ending groin injury locks in his 2010 salary at $8MM. $6.5MM of that is base pay, and the other $1.5MM is available...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Nationals, Ankiel, V-Mart

Another round of links as we head into the evening... Nationals team president Stan Kasten told Bill Ladson of MLB.com Saturday that he feels his organization is headed in the right direction. "I'm not happy about the season," said Kasten, "and it signifies a horrible year on the field, but it has not been a horrible year in terms of progress toward our goal." The Nats are hoping to find a veteran arm on the free agent market this winter. Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post Dispatch believes super agent Scott Boras will be able to convince a GM...   Continue Reading

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Pirates Eyeing Rick Ankiel, Possibly John Grabow

The Pirates have money to spend in free agency and a desire to be more aggressive than last year, GM Neal Huntington told Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Huntington admitted that former Pirates may be of interest, leading Kovacevic to speculate that lefty reliever John Grabow could be a target. Kovacevic also learned that outfielder Rick Ankiel is on the Pirates' radar. A few weeks ago, we discovered that the Pirates will have less than $30MM committed heading into 2010 after beginning this season with a $48.7MM payroll. Grabow may re-sign with the Cubs before reaching free agency. But...   Continue Reading

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Cardinals Sign Rick Ankiel At Midpoint

According to SI.com's Jon Heyman, Rick Ankiel and the Cardinals settled at $2.825MM for '09 (the midpoint of their submissions). The hearing had been scheduled for today. Ryan Ludwick's hearing is set for Tuesday, if they can't reach an agreement beforehand.   Continue Reading

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Thursday Hearing For Ankiel, Cardinals

According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals and Rick Ankiel have a Thursday arbitration hearing scheduled. If the hearing takes place, the arbitrators will decide whether Ankiel earns $3.3MM or $2.35MM in '09. Ankiel, a Scott Boras client, is eligible for free agency after the season. He could be midseason trade bait if Colby Rasmus comes on strong.   Continue Reading

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