Cubs Sign Ted Lilly
Ken Rosenthal reports that the Cubs have signed southpaw Ted Lilly to a four-year, $40MM contract. Lilly will turn 31 in January. The Cubs’ rotation now looks something like this:
Carlos Zambrano
Ted Lilly
Rich Hill
New Guy
Mark Prior/Wade Miller
The price isn’t too bad; I thought Lilly could’ve snagged as much as $12MM annually if he waited longer.
A month ago I had a full writeup of Lilly here at MLBTradeRumors. Check it out.
Pettitte To Pitch In 2007
Well, the fire is still there for Andy Pettitte. He’ll play next season, and will choose between Houston and New York. He’ll also take his sweet time deciding.
Peter Abraham seemed to indicate a while back that Pettitte’s wife was not altogether thrilled with the idea of a return to New York.
This morning, Will Carroll reported that Pettitte was "reportedly close to signing with the Yankees, but close isn’t done."
Mets Like Harden
As more sources report it, it seems that the Mets are indeed talking to Oakland about Rich Harden. John Delcos is hearing a slew of pitchers who could be swapped between the two clubs, including Aaron Heilman, Philip Humber, and Joe Blanton. And Lastings Milledge seems likely to go as well. And Delcos just got finished speaking to Omar Minaya directly.
Meanwhile, Matthew Cerrone checks in to indicate that a deal involving Harden seems unlikely. That is reasonable given Harden’s health issues in recent years.
Meche Still Undecided
John Hickey has an update as the Gil Meche sweepstakes seesaws back and forth between the Cubs and Blue Jays.
With the Yanks and Cubs chasing Lilly and the Jays and Cubs after Meche, one of the teams is going to be left standing when the music stops.
A’s Sign Mike Piazza
It’s official: the A’s have signed Mike Piazza to be their designated hitter for 2007 at a price of $8.5MM for one year. Not a bad signing at all, as the A’s continue to rotate quality hitters through their DH slot.
Piazza turned 38 in September. He bounced back to a .283/.342/.501 line for the Padres. An even lighter load in the American League could mean an equally solid year.
Schmidt Deal Not Done?
Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Cardinals have been told there’s no deal yet for Jason Schmidt. This is as of 4:14 CST today.
I quote:
"DeWitt and Jocketty have been told that there’s no deal yet — and that they (Schmidt and his agents) would like to still have discussions…. so as far as the Cardinals are concerned, there’s still reason to have discussion with Schmidt’s agents… and I am told the Cardinals are making a ‘strong" offer.’"
This would be quite a development, as the deal has been reported all over.
Mariners Trade Rafael Soriano for Horacio Ramirez
Bill Shanks of Scout.com is reporting that the Mariners have traded reliever Rafael Soriano to the Braves for Horacio Ramirez. He also mentions that Atlanta is close to an Adam LaRoche for Mike Gonzalez swap.
The first rumor, if true, seems a steal for the Braves. Soriano would automatically become Atlanta’s best reliever, Wickman included.
The second trade has been tossed around for some time but it was said that Dave Littlefield wouldn’t surrender Gonzalez.
UPDATE: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Bucs will make this deal, but the Braves are waiting to verify Gonzalez’s health. Particularly, his left elbow.
Gotham On Penny, Harden, Brian Roberts
Gotham Baseball’s Mark Healey checks in with an interesting rumor mill.
The Mets have been linked to Brad Penny, who is now a hot trade commodity since the Jason Schmidt signing. Penny started the All-Star Game, but he also posted a 6.25 ERA in the second half.
The Reds have interest in Rodrigo Lopez. He’s OK, but I can see the Reds overpaying. Speaking of Lopez, the Royals are having heated discussions about him. KC is on the way to crafting a slightly less laughable rotation.
The Twins are all over Steve Trachsel for a two-year pact.
The Florida clubs are tossing around a Baldelli/Yusmeiro Petit + prospect type deal. I don’t see the Fish getting Baldelli without breaking up their rotation, personally.
ESPN Updates
The latest from ESPN:
Mike Lieberthal is officially the backup catcher in L.A. I like the move.
The Twins are still trying to convince Brad Radke to return.
The A’s are closing in on a contract with Mike Piazza to be the DH.
The Astros are interested in bringing back Aubrey Huff.
Rosenthal’s Latest Update
Ken Rosenthal has some fresh hot stove for us.
He says that the Cubs are still going after both Ted Lilly and Gil Meche. They are also looking into outfielders Kenny Lofton, Cliff Floyd, and Ryan Church. It’s a little early in Matt Murton‘s career to be platooning him, yes?
Rosenthal adds the Mariners to the Miguel Batista suitors. The Cards and Royals and also still in the mix.