Tampa Bay Rays Rumors

Cafardo On Cabrera, Penny, Upton

In his latest column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe examines the differing opinions on this year's free agent market and passes on some info from around the majors. The highlights: One National League GM on the top players in this year's free agent class: "[Matt Holliday] won’t get what Mark Teixeira got. No chance. [John] Lackey may get A.J. Burnett money, but I’m not even sure anyone would go that high." A separate source tells Cafardo that many teams will wait out the market this winter, potentially resulting in a few bargains for thrifty teams later in the offseason....   Continue Reading

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Rays Notes: Crawford, Swindle

Let's take a look at some Rays news from around the web: A report from earlier today suggesting that Carl Crawford wants out of Tampa Bay after his $10MM team option was exercised doesn't add up, writes Cork Gaines of Rays Index and Joe Smith of the St. Petersburg Times. Gaines points out that the alleged "handshake agreement" not to pick up Crawford's option would have happened when he signed his current deal before the '05 season, under a completely different regime. Reliever R.J. Swindle is back with the club on a minor league deal, reports R.J. Anderson of DRays...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Lackey, Bay, Matsui, Wilson

Some links to start off your weekend... Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe says the Red Sox are just doing their due diligence by touching base with John Lackey's agent, reminding us that they also spoke to CC Sabathia's and A.J. Burnett's representatives last offseason. WEEI.com's Alex Speier breaks down Joe Urbon's pitch for his client, free agent outfielder Jason Bay. Hideki Matsui acknowledged that he'd be disappointed if he didn't return to the Yankees, according to Anthony McCarron of The NY Daily News. Godzilla says that his agent Arn Tellem is taking care of the situation, but he doesn't...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Lackey, Upton, De La Rosa, Wood

Some more links to check out as you celebrate the end of the work week... MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez confirms that the Red Sox did indeed meet with John Lackey's agent. This morning we learned that Boston expressed preliminary interest in the free agent hurler. ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that the Rangers asked the Rays about outfielder B.J. Upton as part of their offseason routine, but no talks are ongoing. Rockies' GM Dan O'Dowd said that they will only look at a one year deal for the arbitration eligible Jorge De La Rosa, according to Troy Renck of The Denver Post....   Continue Reading

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Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Figgins, Halladay, Uggla

On this date 31 years ago, Red Sox free agent pitcher Luis Tiant signed a two-year, $875K contract with the Yankees. After eight seasons and 122 wins with Boston, Tiant would go 21-17 with the Yankees before finishing his career with the Pirates and Angels. With this year's free agents looking for new homes, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere... UmpBump attempts to determine how much Chone Figgins is worth. The Phrontiersman warns that giving up Cole Hamels is too much for Roy Halladay. We Should Be GMs analyzes the Phillies roster and suggests...   Continue Reading

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Hideki Matsui Reports

There was a throng of Japanese media at the GM Meetings, seemingly in the hunt for Hideki Matsui news the majority of the time. NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman has more today, after yesterday's Red Sox report was misinterpreted and repeated around the web... One report has Theo Epstein talking about how David Ortiz is his DH, making Matsui an unlikely match. There's word that the Rays could look into Matsui if they move Pat Burrell. The Angels could make sense, while the Mets would only if they convince themselves Matsui can play the field. Newman likes the White Sox and...   Continue Reading

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Milton Bradley Suitors

Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune takes a look at the Milton Bradley situation in an article this morning. Sullivan, like many, sees the Rangers as the favorite. Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News looks at all the factors there. Giants GM Brian Sabean was quizzed about a possible bad contract swap for Bradley, and shot down the idea. The Mets and Rays appear in the mix to a certain extent, with Omar Minaya even admitting he'll talk to Jim Hendry about it. Luis Castillo figures to be in that discussion, but Sullivan says reports suggest Mets ownership may...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Gonzalez, Halladay, Pettitte, Snyder

Here's some more links on a busy first day at the GM meetings... WEEI.com's Alex Speier writes that when Jed Hoyer took over as GM of the Padres, it only made it tougher for the Red Sox to pull off a deal for Adrian Gonzalez. “He knows all my tricks, and I know his,” said Theo Epstein of Hoyer. Meanwhile, WEEI.com's Rob Bradford reports that Roy Halladay has identified the Red Sox as a team he'd be willing to accept a trade to. Doc has a full no-trade clause. Andy Pettitte has apparently told his Yankee teammates that he'd like...   Continue Reading

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Rays Pick Up Crawford's Option, Decline Options On Zaun and Shouse

2:47pm: The team picked up Crawford's option, but declined Zaun's and Shouse's according to Smith. Zaun will received a $500K buyout, Shouse $200K. 11:35pm: The Rays have three player options they must make decisions about in the not too distant future, and Joe Smith of The St. Petersburg Times reports that those decisions may come as soon as today. Carl Crawford's $10MM option appears likely to be picked up according to Smith, but he says "an even bigger question is whether Crawford and the Rays can come to an agreement on an extension during the offseason." The longest tenured Ray...   Continue Reading

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Heyman's Latest: Holliday, Lackey, Bay, Trades

Jon Heyman has a new column up at SI.com, so let's dive on in... Scott Boras said on Sunday that the Cardinals have not made any proposals in an effort to retain Matt Holliday, and Heyman says "the chances for Holliday to remain a Cardinal look slim at this point." A source familiar with the situation said the Angels offered John Lackey an extension earlier this year worth less than $40MM over three years on top of 2009's $10MM salary, so if they wish to re-sign him now, they'll have to completely rethink their original stance. The Red Sox are...   Continue Reading

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