Bucco Blog Winter Meetings Update
Some highlights from the latest podcast at Bucco Blog.
As you know, the Pirates’ interest in Braves first baseman Adam LaRoche surfaced today from the winter meetings. But keep in mind that this rumor first originated November 20th at Bucco Blog. The situation remains the same: the Braves want Mike Gonzalez, and Dave Littlefield won’t do it.
Jake also considered today’s rumor that the Bucs would shop Jose Castillo to be nuts. Castillo is needed at second base.
And here’s the wildest one: Andrew McCutchen to the Marlins for Dontrelle Willis? Forget it.
Back to reality…sort of…the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says Littlefield is targeting Trot Nixon and Jeff Suppan. Don’t take those too seriously either.
Lilly At $44 Million?
Will Carroll is reporting mostly a lack of action in the early going in Orlando, but does have a tidbit concerning Ted Lilly: the asking price seems to be $11MM annually. Personally, I would not be surprised if Lilly gets $12MM annually if he waits out Barry Zito.
Or who knows, maybe the Cubs will go five years on him to seal the deal quickly. Not sure why people were balking at giving Vicente Padilla four guaranteed years but think it’s just fine for Lilly.
UPDATE, 11:40pm: Lilly’s agent will speak to the Cubs, Giants, Yankees, Blue Jays, and Mariners on Tuesday. And now the Globe and Mail mentions that Lilly’s agent will approach the Padres.
Padres Sign Jose Cruz Jr.
It’s official; the Padres have agreed to a one-year, $650K contract with outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. It’s not a bad idea – for less than twice the league minimum the Padres get a lefty masher to pair with Terrmel Sledge in left field. Plus, Cruz can play all three outfield positions.
It could make for a decent platoon. Sledge hit .265/.345/.459 against righties over the past three seasons while Cruz hit .291/.392/.493 against southpaws. It’s a way to get league average production for cheap.
Buehrle For Milledge?
Here’s a new one, courtesy of Scott Merkin of MLB.com.
The White Sox could send Mark Buehrle to the Mets for Lastings Milledge. An interesting idea, kind of the opposite of Kenny Williams’s Chris Young for Javier Vazquez deal last winter.
However, Merkin quotes Williams as desiring young pitching as the return for one of his veteran starters. Would the Mets entertain Mike Pelfrey for Buehrle? Just throwing it out there.
Kenny Williams has made a couple of deals with Omar Minaya in the past. In January of 2003, the Sox sent Rocky Biddle, Orlando Hernandez, Jeff Liefer, and cash to Montreal for Bartolo Colon and Jorge Nunoz. And in July of 2004, Williams acquired Carl Everett for Jon Rauch and Gary Majewski.
Chicago Tribune Winter Meetings Whispers
Phil Rogers, Dave van Dyck, and Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune gathered their notes from the meetings today to create a big ole’ rumors column. New stuff:
The Giants and Orioles could be the main players for Jacque Jones.
Julio Lugo "seems almost certain to sign with Boston."
Keith Foulke might accept arbitration in Boston.
White Sox Discuss Vernon Wells
Vernon Wells, the possible $20 Million Man, could be a target for the White Sox.
This kind of acquisition is just the kind of splash we’ve come to expect from Kenny Williams. The Jays are said to want a starter and a center field prospect in return. It doesn’t seem that the White Sox would have the best package to offer, but you never know.
As far as I can tell, Kenny Williams has never made a trade with J.P. Ricciardi. His most frequent trading partner has been Jim Bowden.
Teams Willing To Give Meche Four Years
Four years of Gil Meche? Awww yeah, sign me up. What’s next, a brand newish 2005 Chevy Malibu??
Yahoo’s Tim Brown lists the Blue Jays, Cubs, Mariners, Orioles, and Giants as teams willing to take it to 2010 for Meche. The last three are news to me.
UPDATE: John Hickey of the Seattle P.I. names the White Sox and Mets as two other interested parties.
Mariners Like Zito
It’s not a given that the Mariners get Jason Schmidt. In fact, they are "in the mix" for Barry Zito.
Reportedly, Scott Boras told the Rangers that the Ms were in on Zito. Can such a claim be trusted? Moreso than the yearly salary, it seems that Seattle would be turned off by the idea of a six-year contract. Maybe they could do like the Dodgers did with Furcal, up the salary to decrease the years.
Dodgers Working On Saito, Lieberthal
Hadn’t heard much about Takashi Saito, but apparently the Dodgers will have a deal hammered out with him by week’s end. Saito posted one of the best seasons ever by a Japanese pitcher in 2006.
In addition, L.A. is close to signing Mike Lieberthal as a backup catcher.
Rangers Sign Padilla
Seems that Vicente Padilla wants to stay in Texas. The Fort-Worth Star Telegram reports that the Rangers are close on a multiyear pact with the righty.
That fourth year is the sticking point. I think he gets it.
UPDATE: Ken Rosenthal is reporting that it would be a three-year, $34MM deal with a fourth year club option. And now ESPN agrees but Jerry Crasnick does not mention an option yet.
Alright, it’s settled. There’s a fourth year option for $12MM.