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Archives for December 2007

Kosuke Fukudome Signs With Cubs

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UPDATE, 12-11-07 at 10:43pm: MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat says the deal is for four years and $48MM.

FROM 12-11-07 at 9:40pm:

Dave Kaplan of WGN Radio reports that the Cubs have signed Kosuke Fukudome to a four-year deal.  Kaplan says it’s for about $50MM, maybe a hair more.  Fukudome will be a free agent after the fourth year; there will be no arbitration.

The Cubs got their man for right field; he’ll provide a strong dose of OBP.  The quality of available right fielders drops off drastically after Fukudome.  The deal isn’t without risk, obviously, since Fukudome is untested in the Majors.  Peter Gammons talked to a GM who described Fukudome as "a cross between Ichiro and a young, healthy Mark Kotsay."

Royals Still Want Kuroda; Could Turn To Silva

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Bob Dutton of the KC Star has the latest Royals buzz, as usual.

The Royals are being aggressive trying to win an unlikely bid for Hiroki Kuroda.  They might even send Trey Hillman to Japan to make a last-minute pitch.  The Dodgers currently lead for Kuroda, who will decide from Japan rather than take a U.S. tour.

Plan B for the Royals is said to be Carlos Silva, but not at a price higher than four years and $40MM.  That probably won’t cut it for Silva, who can probably get an additional $10MM or another year elsewhere.

Odds and Ends: Mench, Patterson

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Some random rumors for this evening…

Twin Sign Craig Monroe

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UPDATE, 12-11-07 at 8:05pm: Jerry Crasnick says Monroe will get $3.82MM plus incentives based on plate appearances.  Joe Christensen notes that it’s a non-guaranteed contract.

FROM 12-11-07 at 4:49pm:

A brief note, the Twins have signed outfielder Craig Monroe.  They were planning on non-tendering him if they couldn’t get him to sign for ’08 at less than the $4.8MM he earned in ’07.

It’s hard to figure out where exactly Monroe fits in now that the Twins have Delmon Young.  He’s kind of too pricey to be a bench guy but there’s no clear starting role for him.

Latest Johan Santana Rumors

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UPDATE, 12-11-07 at 2:54pm: Jon Heyman puts the Red Sox, Yankees, and Mets as the three leading suitors for Johan.  Matthew Cerrone, however, believes the Rangers, rather than the Yanks, are the third leading suitor.

FROM 12-11-07 at 8:52am:

Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune has the latest buzz surrounding the Johan Santana trade talks.

The Red Sox and Twins talked yesterday, and the Twins are leading toward Jacoby Ellsbury rather than Jon Lester.  Jed Lowrie and Justin Masterson would also be included, and the sides are trying to figure out a fourth player.

The Yanks and Twins haven’t talked much lately, but apparently Kei Igawa’s name has come up in the talks.  He can’t have much trade value in the Twins’ eyes.

Christensen implies that the Mets might be trying to finish second here, staying involved for the sake of PR.

Christensen also notes that the Twins are fond of Jered Weaver, and the Angels could jump in if they decide to use their trade chips on another starter.

Also, the idea of the Twins including another player on their end has come up.  In the past Joe Nathan has been mentioned, but Christensen is referring more to Twins’ prospects.  They don’t have much in the system though.

Rockies, Cook Agree On Extension

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The long-rumored three-year extension for Aaron Cook is now complete, according to MLB.com’s Thomas Harding.  The sinkerballer gets $30MM to cover the 2009-11 seasons.  He’s also got a mutual option for 2012.  Some of the money is a bonus going toward 2008, as Cook was set to earn only $4.5MM. 

Cook turns 29 in February.  He posted a 4.12 ERA in 25 starts in ’07, ranking fourth in the league with a 57.9% groundball rate.  Cook and fellow rotation anchor Jeff Francis are both locked in through 2011 now.  The Rockies are still trying to find someone to replace Josh Fogg, who is likely to land elsewhere this winter.

Non-Tender Deadline

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Midnight Wednesday marks baseball’s non-tender deadline.  That’s when teams must choose whether to tender contracts to arbitration-eligible players.  If they don’t offer a contract, the player is non-tendered and becomes a free agent.  While Kevin Mench and Matt Wise were technically designated for assignment, they’ll soon be non-tendered.  I’ve added both to the free agent list and will continue to update it.

Here’s a list of possible non-tenders.  Who do you think will be the best player to hit the free agent pool tomorrow?  Morgan Ensberg?  Joe Crede? Mark Prior?

Wise DFA’d, Brewers Look At Blalock

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UPDATE, 12-11-07 at 1:56pm: It’s official, Wise has been DFA’d.  If the Brewers aren’t able to trade him then he’ll hook on somewhere as a free agent.

FROM 12-10-07 at 10:20pm:

Tom Haudricourt has some quality stuff tonight, aside from the aforementioned return of Salomon.

  • 32 year-old reliever Matt Wise is looking like a non-tender candidate for Wednesday.  Eric Gagne took his uniform number.  Wise hasn’t been too bad while eating up relief innings the past few years.  He only made a million bucks in ’07.  The Brewers tended to use him in low-leverage situations in 2007.
  • Some other non-tender candidates are listed here.
  • Haudricourt is "starting to get some vibes" that the Brewers have their eye on Hank Blalock.  The 27 year-old third baseman hit .293/.358/.543 in limited duty this year.  He’s locked up affordably – $5.95MM in ’08 and a $6.2MM club option for ’09.  Would Dave Bush and a decent pitching prospect cut it?

Giants Interested In Rowand, Fukudome

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Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News has a few new tidbits concerning the Giants.

  • They’re considering a late push for Kosuke Fukudome.  Baggarly notes that Fukudome is expected to get at least 4/44.  I think Fukudome makes a bit of sense for the Giants; he could be a draw.
  • Baggarly says the Giants are in more heavily on Aaron Rowand.  This makes less sense to me, as Rowand probably isn’t going to put butts in the seats.  He is, however, going to require four or five years at $12-14MM per.  Indeed, Buster Olney heard the Giants could be the one team willing to give Rowand five years.  It would be a contract the Giants might regret.  They’re not expected to be in contention until at least 2010.
  • Nothing new on the Tim Lincecum for Alex Rios front.  The general vibe, though, is that Brian Sabean will pass.

Odds and Ends: Inge, Greene, Pavano

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A few tidbits this morning as we wait to hear more on Fukudome…

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