Russell Martin Rumors

Odds & Ends: Atkins, Twins, Carlyle

Links for Friday, as the free agent market officially opens... As Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports points out, the Angels' lack of interest in Matt Holliday bodes well for the Cardinals, but not for Scott Boras. Scott Boras tells FOX Sports that interest in Adrian Beltre and Mike Gonzalez is strong so far. The agent says he's fielded offers for eight players already. The Nippon Ham Fighters signed minor league free agent pitcher Buddy Carlyle, says NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman. Newman also says the Yokohama BayStars are working to sign Chris Bootcheck, Jose Castillo, and Terrmel Sledge. The Nats...   Continue Reading

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Heyman On Dodgers, Valentine

The latest from SI's Jon Heyman... Heyman, like many writers, believes the Dodgers need a #1 starter. He says Dodgers people "aren't overly optimistic" about snagging Roy Halladay or John Lackey, however. Heyman believes the Dodgers should consider trading one or all of James Loney, Russell Martin, and Chad Billingsley. Billingsley was ineffective in July and September, but the 25-year-old is under team control for three more years. Interest would be very strong. Heyman guesses the Indians might be willing to go to $2.5MM for Bobby Valentine, while GM Mark Shapiro doesn't expect money to be a factor.   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Chapman, Iglesias, Dodgers

They're not quite as good as Saturday morning cartoons, but here's some Saturday morning links... David Lennon of Newsday writes that the Mets are among a handful of teams that are exploring a deal for Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman. We learned that Chapman was officially declared a free agent by MLB yesterday. ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr. sat down for a chat with Jose Iglesias, who the Red Sox signed for over $8MM this summer. When asked why he chose the Sox, Iglesias said they "were a team that needed a shortstop," and "they are my father's favorite team." With Andre...   Continue Reading

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Failed Deadline Blockbusters

Today was hectic, but imagine how much wilder it would have been if these two deals had gone through: Via Twitter, Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Padres almost dealt Heath Bell and Adrian Gonzalez to the Dodgers for James Loney, Russell Martin, Blake DeWitt, James McDonald and Ivan Dejesus. Wow. Danny Knobler of CBS Sports confirms that the division rivals considered a blockbuster deal involving those players. Knobler also says the Rangers and Angels both pursued Heath Bell aggressively this afternoon. The Angels and Padres were discussing Jose Arredondo, Sean O'Sullivan and Sean Rodriguez. Brewers GM Doug Melvin...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal On Penny, Yankees, Dodgers, Rays

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Red Sox are open to dealing Brad Penny, even with Tim Wakefield and Daisuke Matsuzaka on the DL. They could add a bat or a prospect for Penny, but it's unlikely they'll actually move him. Here are the rest of Rosenthal's rumors: The Yankees could use some rotation depth, as it makes sense to keep Phil Hughes and Alfredo Aceves in the 'pen, but you can rule out a Carl Pavano acquisition. As one Yankee official says, the players would "go crazy" if the Yanks added Pavano. Rosenthal says Russell Martin wouldn't qualify...   Continue Reading

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Roy Halladay Rumors: Sunday

Tired of Roy Halladay rumors yet? Have some more. Joel Sherman of the New York Post has listed 10 do's and dont's for blockbuster deals. Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times says Frank McCourt can make World Series champions out of the Dodgers if by acquiring Halladay and he could start by offering Russell Martin in a package with prospects Devaris Gordon and Josh Lindblom. Shaikin concedes, "This is not to say the Jays would accept Martin, Gordon and Lindblom for Halladay, or even that the Dodgers would offer that package. The coaching staff would be reluctant to lose...   Continue Reading

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Ausmus, Dodgers Complete One-Year Deal

Veteran catcher Brad Ausmus and the Los Angeles Dodgers finalized a one-year, $1MM contract Monday, The Associated Press reports. The parties agreed to terms last week, and the three-time Gold Glove winner needed to take a physical. He can earn an additional $350,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances. Ausmus, 40 in April, spent the past eight seasons with Houston, and he batted .218 with three home runs and 24 RBI in 81 games in 2008. He will back up catcher Russell Martin in Los Angeles. Ausmus lives in Del Mar, about 100 miles south of Los Angeles.   Continue Reading

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Dodgers Avoid Arb With Martin, Broxton

12:40pm: MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger says the Dodgers also reached an agreement with Jonathan Broxton ($1.825MM plus $200K in incentives), leaving Andre Ethier as the team's lone arbitration case. 11:50am: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers avoided arbitration with catcher Russell Martin by signing him for '09 at $3.9MM. It's a record for a first-year arb catcher, though a smaller amount than I was anticipating.   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal On Roberts, Hudson, Counsell

Let's take a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal. The Orioles have their ears open Brian Roberts, whose trade value has diminished as he nears free agency. The White Sox can't afford him, the Braves are reluctant to give up talent, and the Cubs didn't discuss him in the Felix Pie talks. The Roberts market may improve once Orlando Hudson signs. Rosenthal's source says the Michael Young-Jermaine Dye discussions did take place. If you read Dave van Dyck's article, Ken Williams never specifically denied talks with the Rangers. Rosenthal believes that if the Cubs make another big move, it'll...   Continue Reading

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Russell Martin Hopes To Discuss Extension

According to Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times, Dodgers catcher Russell Martin hopes to discuss a long-term extension with the team this winter. Martin changed agents this offseason. He's arbitration-eligible for the first time, so his salary will jump up from $500K to several million. Said Martin: "I just want to get treated fairly. I'm not trying to steal the bank." Martin had a private lunch with the McCourts yesterday at the Dodgers' new spring home, but they did not discuss a contract. Brian McCann will be paid $15.5MM for his three arb years, $8.5MM for his first free agent...   Continue Reading

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