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Archives for December 2007

Would Mets Consider Marquis?

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On November 29th, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick mentioned that the Cubs are "listening on Jason Marquis."  This would clearly be a salary dump, as Marquis will earn $16.25MM over 2008-09.

Since then we haven’t heard of any teams interested in the 29 year-old righty.  However, Mets manager Willie Randolph brought up Marquis yesterday as a consideration for the team’s rotation.  The article’s author, Adam Rubin, added that the Cubs are fans of Endy Chavez.  It wouldn’t be fair to equate the two players, however.

Hat tip to MetsBlog on this one.

Indians Rumors: Haren, Blanton, Bedard, Inge

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Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer gets the Indians rumor mill churning.

  • As we mentioned earlier today, the Indians have spoken to the A’s about Dan Haren and Joe Blanton.  They’ve also inquired on Erik Bedard.  The Tribe is quietly looking to pair C.C. Sabathia with another ace.  Such an acquisition would soften the blow if Sabathia leaves after the ’08 season.  Hoynes says a Haren acquisition might require one player from the Indians’ 25-man roster plus at least one near MLB-ready guy.
  • The Tribe had brief talks with Detroit about Brandon Inge, but they’ve moved on.  Doesn’t seem to be much interest in Inge.
  • Cliff Lee and Kelly Shoppach weren’t part of the Jason Bay discussions.  Instead, the Pirates were looking for a slew of the Indians’ best prospects.  It seems the Bay talks have since cooled.

Levine On Fukudome

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Interesting stuff from ESPN 1000’s Bruce Levine this morning regarding Kosuke Fukudome.

  • The Rangers offered the most money.
  • The White Sox were not outbid – they offered about the same as the Cubs.  However, Fukudome did not want to displace Jermaine Dye from right field.
  • Fukudome was just intrigued by the Cubs, and liked the idea of being their first Japanese player.

Odds and Ends: Mench, Kent, Durbin, Wang

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Rounding up this morning’s Odds and Ends, to be updated periodically…

Surprise Players For Haren

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During the Winter Meetings, there wasn’t much talk of the Indians or Reds pursuing Oakland starter Dan Haren.  However, there’s buzz that both Ohio teams have interest. 

The Tribe definitely inquired on Haren.  See Susan Slusser’s article today, where she notes that Asdrubal Cabrera was "believed to be an A’s target."  The Indians don’t want to part with the young infielder, a player they stole from the Mariners in June of 2006 for Eduardo Perez.  Paul Hoynes further solidifies it, saying Mark Shapiro has spoken to Billy Beane about Haren. 

Slusser believes the Reds "might turn their focus toward Haren with an offer that could include starter Homer Bailey" if they can’t get Erik Bedard.  Slusser’s report is unclear whether Wayne Krivsky has had conversations with Billy Beane about Haren.  Ken Rosenthal says the Reds are "pushing for Haren," which does indicate talks. 

Rockies Close On Kip Wells, Pursuing Vizcaino

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According to Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News, the Rockies are "working toward finalizing a deal" with Kip Wells.  Ringolsby says Wells could give the Rockies flexibility, acting as the fifth starter or a reliever as needed.  I imagine he’s looking for $3MM or so one a one-year deal.

Ringolsby adds that the Rockies are targeting Luis Vizcaino and seem willing to go to two years on him.  Vizcaino’s agent, Bean Stringfellow, indicated recently that the Viz was looking for three or four. 

Padres Sign Tadahito Iguchi

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UPDATE, 12-12-07 at 9:15am: Iguchi gets "nearly $4 million," according to Krasovic.  It’s surprising he couldn’t do better elsewhere.

FROM 12-11-07 at 10:25pm:

Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the Padres have signed second baseman Tadahito Iguchi to a one-year deal.  This will give Matt Antonelli time to get a little more seasoning.  The second base prospect will turn 23 in April; he has 49 games above A ball under his belt.  The free agent market for second basemen is now pretty bleak, with David Eckstein perhaps the best choice.

Now that the Padres’ top offseason target Kosuke Fukudome is a Cub, the Padres will set their sights on other outfielders.  Mike Cameron and Geoff Jenkins remain the top options, according to Krasovic.

Willis Wants Extension With Tigers

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Now that he’s on a club with the financial resources for it, Dontrelle Willis would like to talk contract extension.  Willis is only 26 in January.

The model would apparently be Jeremy Bonderman’s four-year, $38MM deal.  That deal was signed two years prior to Bonderman being eligible for free agency, as Willis is now.  Add a little inflation and maybe it’s 4/40 or 4/42 for Willis.  A few years from now that might be the going rate for a guy with a high-4’s ERA who can eat 200 innings.  So even if Willis doesn’t bounce back the extension could be reasonable.  If he does, it’s a bargain.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Santana, Cabrera, Kuroda, Edmonds, Rolen

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Ken Rosenthal checks in with the latest hot stove buzz around baseball.

  • Johan Santana is Boston’s only target – they’re not after Dan Haren or any other starter.  The talks keep slugging along.  For what it’s worth, Curt Schilling expects the Red Sox to get him.
  • 36 year-old first baseman Alex Cabrera is a sleeper power threat among free agents.  The former Rockie, Cub, and Diamondback has been mashing in Japan since 2001.  The Nationals don’t have any room for him but want him anyway.  Rosenthal says A.L. clubs are looking at him as a DH candidate, also.  Cabrera hit .295/.377/.512 with 27 HR in 441 ABs in Japan in 2007.
  • Hiroki Kuroda has not reached an agreement with any team, according to Rosenthal.
  • The Padres are still considering Jim Edmonds as a center field candidate.
  • Here’s a new one: the Indians expressed interest in Scott Rolen.  The talks have cooled however.
  • Rosenthal says the Astros don’t think they will get Miguel Tejada.  Instead they’ve moved on to…Ron Mahay and Jeremy Affeldt.

Prior To Be Non-tendered?

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According to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune, Mark Prior "seems headed for the non-tender list" unless the Cubs pull off a trade or Prior concedes to an option year for 2009.

The 27 year-old hasn’t started a big league game since August 10th, 2006.  If he becomes a free agent, I imagine many teams would view him as a low-risk, high-reward option.  The Padres have cooled on him, though.

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