Will’s Mill
Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus is at the Winter Meetings, and filing reports daily. Best of all, his notes today are free:
The specific Manny Ramirez deal offered by the Dodgers that the Red Sox turned down was for Jonathan Broxton and Andy LaRoche. Sounds like it would take one more player (or an equivalent starter instead of Broxton) to get the deal done. Either that, or the Sox are just showing Manny how valuable he is, and how much they love him. I get the feeling that the Red Sox and Manny are like a Hollywood couple–let’s say Pam Anderson and Kid Rock–and all the troubles aren’t real, they’re just a way of keeping everybody’s name in the newspaper. All the time.
The Rangers are in on Mike Piazza. Anybody else think that Jon Daniels’s strategy is to bid on every single player Billy Beane shows interest in, driving up the price and making it impossible for Billy to acquire players? He did it with Frank Thomas before Thomas signed with the Blue Jays; maybe he’ll jump into the Alan Embree negotiations next.
Will also prints the idea that Barry Bonds would be well-served by waiting until May to start playing. Like Roger Clemens did last year, he could pick the team that looks best, and he wouldn’t suffer through a month of intensive coverage in March.
By Jeff Sackmann, Brew Crew Ball
Mercury News On Lowry, David Wells
The Mercury News has all sorts of good Giants info for us today.
Couple of wild three-way scenarios…you’ll just have to click the link for those. It’s not really the offseason until the four-ways start surfacing though.
Could the Giants sign David Wells? Insert old guy joke here. Other starts on the radar include Ted Lilly, Mark Mulder, Jeff Suppan, and Darren Oliver.
Would the Giants really trade Noah Lowry? It doesn’t make much sense to me, but I guess it depends on the return. Felipe Alou did a number on Lowry.
The Giants inquired with Doug Melvin about outfielder Geoff Jenkins.
ESPN At The Winter Meetings
Of course ESPN’s live thread from various writers at the Winter Meetings is a must-read for rumormongers. Here are the highlights:
The Reds have offered a two-year, $6MM deal to Mark Loretta. Where does that leave Brandon Phillips?
Seattle may not be shopping Adrian Beltre or Richie Sexson, after all. In the case of Sexson – why not?
Oakland’s still the favorite for Mike Piazza.
The Rangers still like Kenny Lofton at CF; haven’t heard what the Cubs are thinking lately about Lofton.
The Rockies aren’t left with many options for CF. If they don’t get Lofton, it could be such studs as Darin Erstad or Steve Finley.
The Padres could sign a second baseman like Ron Belliard. They’re also in the mix on Jason Schmidt and still hope to sign Greg Maddux.
The Devil Rays and Barry Bonds? Denied, accoring to Buster Olney. Where would that leave Jonny Gomes?
Possible Barry Zito suitors include the Mets, Rangers, Mariners, and Angels.
Mariners May Not Sign John Thomson
Seemed like it was nearly a done deal four days ago, but the Seattle Times is reporting that John Thomson is just a fallback option for the Mariners. You can never have too much pitching, so the Ms might want to just sign him now if it’s affordable.
So far no other rumors have surfaced regarding Thomson, as much of the starting pitching market has yet to settle.
Astros Interested In Peavy, Jennings
The Houston Chronicle informs us that Astros GM Tim Purpura has inquired about the availability of pitchers Jake Peavy and Jason Jennings. Peavy has the same agent, Barry Axelrod, as Craig Biggio and Jeff Bagwell. According to Axelrod:
"I know there have been inquiries about Peavy," Axelrod said. "I can’t say for sure, but I think Houston was one of the teams."
Of course, they are still waiting on a decision from Andy Pettitte.
Blue Jays Make Offer To Lilly
The Cubs made an offer to Ted Lilly this weekend; the Blue Jays chimed in late last night.
Lilly’s agent meets with six clubs today; perhaps a contract will be reached.
Baltimore Orioles Rumors
Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun has a slew of Orioles rumors for us this morning.
A trade has been discussed that would send Hayden Penn and Brian Roberts to Atlanta for Marcus Giles and Adam LaRoche. The Orioles love Roberts, though, so it’s a long shot. The Braves are pushing for him. Tim Hudson could be part of a package as well.
Zrebiec calls the O’s a long shot for Luis Gonzalez with something near a one-year, $7MM offer. Rosenthal calls it the best offer, though Gonzo may not accept it because of geographical preference.
A Miguel Tejada possibility is raised. It’s also mentioned that the Mariners want Erik Bedard for Richie Sexson. Shooting for the stars I guess.
The Orioles like the idea of importing Rocco Baldelli, but would hesitate to send both Adam Loewen and Chris Ray to Tampa Bay.
Maddux To Padres Not Finalized
Ken Rosenthal reports that Scott Boras still has Greg Maddux on the market at this point. The hangup is a second guaranteed year. Why, I don’t know. Mad Dog will be fine in 2008, I promise.
Rosenthal mentions the Dodgers and Astros as possible players. A decision should come down later today.
Rockies/Cubs/Pirates Three-Way?
Calm down, this is a family trade rumor site. I am referring to Steve Phillip’s latest, found via RotoWorld.
The idea: Jason Jennings to the Cubs; Jacque Jones, Carlos Marmol, Paul Maholm to the Rockies; Brad Hawpe to the Pirates.
If this one is legit, Dan O’Dowd lied to Brad Hawpe‘s agent.
Miss A Rumor?
Rumors are flying fast and furious now. Don’t forget that you can click the December 2006 link under Archives and see the entire month.
Or, just bookmark this link right now.