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Archives for December 2007

Bedard Not On Cubs’ Radar

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We thought we had 12 teams in on Erik Bedard when the Red Sox were connected to him today.

However, Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald says Bedard is not on the Cubs’ radar screen.  The New York Post’s Joel Sherman had thrown them into the mix on Tuesday.  So it looks like we’re down to 11 teams for Bedard.

Two years ago, the Cubs seemingly offered Mark Prior for Bedard and Miguel Tejada.  My, how times have changed. 

Astros, Orioles, Were Never Close To Tejada Deal

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The Houston Chronicle’s Richard Justice says that while the Astros and Orioles had intense discussions about Miguel Tejada, the two sides were "never, never, never" close to a deal.  It’s clear that Chris Burke, Adam Everett, and a prospect wouldn’t get it done.

Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun said today that the Orioles believe the Astros have the young talent needed to make a Tejada deal.  Zrebiec notes that a package based on Everett and Luke Scott wouldn’t cut it, either.  Andy MacPhail also discussed Tejada with the Cardinals, Giants, and Angels this week.  The Angels haven’t aggressively pursued him, and Andrew Baggarly said today the Giants are no longer interested.

Rangers Like Patterson, Ethier, Hamilton, Fukudome

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According to MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan, the Rangers are targeting various young outfielders.

  • Corey Patterson, 28, is a free agent and Scott Boras client.  He’s looking for multiple years while the Rangers only want to give one.  His talent might tantalize somebody, though he hit just .269/.304/.386 this year.  He’s shown in the past that he can hit like a league average CF and play plus defense, so he could be a bargain.  Patterson reversed his platoon split this year, hitting lefties pretty well.  He’s an Atlanta native; maybe the Braves would be a match.
  • Andre Ethier, 26 in April, is expendable now that the Dodgers have four outfielders.  His career line of .295/.357/.464 is solid, though that is average for an AL right fielder.  The Dodgers may opt to move Juan Pierre instead, if they can find a taker.  The Dodgers previously had interest in Rangers reliever Joaquin Benoit, according to Sullivan.  The Rangers would have competition from the Rays on Ethier.
  • Josh Hamilton, 27 in May, could be moved by the Reds for a starting pitcher.  Hamilton was incredible in 300 ABs for the Reds this year in his MLB debut, despite several years off and only 89 ABs above A ball.  That’s #1 pick talent.  He dealt with wrist, hamstring, and stomach problems this year however.  Sullivan says the Reds would want Edinson Volquez for him; there was talk of sending him to Florida for Dontrelle Willis previously.
  • Kosuke Fukudome, 31 in April, hasn’t decided yet whether to play in MLB.  Even limited by an elbow issue he hit .294/.443/.520 in Japan.
  • Milton Bradley, 30 in April, needs more time to decide on the Padres’ $4MM offer.  Coming off knee surgery, he might be interested in the Rangers’ open DH job.  Bradley is injury-prone, but he hit .306/.402/.545 in 209 ABs this year.
  • Others who have been mentioned: Coco Crisp, Rocco Baldelli, Jim Edmonds, and Juan Pierre.

Jamey Carroll Traded To Indians

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UPDATE, 12-7-07 at 8:19pm: Troy E. Renck says this deal is done, and right now it’s for a player to be named later.  Dan O’Dowd said he wasn’t eating any of the $2.15MM owed to Carroll, so that’s some pocket change to put toward a free agent reliever.  Yes, I just referred to two million dollars as pocket change.

FROM 12-7-07 at 9:46am:

Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News says the Rockies are set to trade utility infielder Jamey Carroll to the Indians.  It was to be for minor league starter Sean Smith, but that part has changed.  The teams will talk today and figure out the return.  The Rockies will save a few million bucks by moving Carroll.  The Rox previously offered Carroll to the Indians for Josh Barfield, by the way.

As for their second base vacancy, Tadahito Iguchi and David Eckstein remain on the radar.  There are complications with both.

Iguchi is said to want three years, but could settle for two.  He likes the idea of playing second base, and the Rox are the current suitor offering that (though the Orioles could enter the picture).  However Iguchi’s agent told Ringolsby that replacing countryman Kaz Matsui concerns Iguchi.

As for Eckstein, he’s said to want four years.  I could see him settling for three, but two would be a pretty big concession.

Barrett Accepts Arbitration

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Catcher Michael Barrett has accepted the Padres’ offer for arbitration, taking him off the free agent market.  He should end up on a reasonable one year, $5MMish deal, and the Padres will explore trade options.

Ken Rosenthal names the Rays and Pirates as interested parties.  Barrett is a lot more attractive to those clubs now that they don’t have to surrender draft picks to get him.  Rosenthal says a mid-level prospect would do the trick.  At one point this winter the Marlins were said to have interest; Barrett would be their highest-paid player.

D’Backs Still Searching For A Starter

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The D’Backs’ loss of Livan Hernandez should become official today when he declines their offer of arbitration.  That leaves the team with a rotation of Brandon Webb, Randy Johnson, Doug Davis, and Micah Owings.  The Big Unit is a question mark, so a starter must be acquired.

Back on November 15th, Nick Piecoro noted the team’s interest in Matt Clement and Bartolo Colon.  But the Diamondbacks are sticking to their no bonuses/no escalator clauses mandate.  So that pair will probably look elsewhere.

Hiroki Kuroda received a three-year offer and a pitch video featuring Randy Johnson.  He’ll visit Arizona next week.  If he chooses Seattle, L.A., or Kansas City, the D’Backs will have to move on.  It’s rumored that the Ms added a fourth year to their offer.

The big name is Dan Haren.  Jack Magruder says Arizona’s proposal included two of Carlos Gonzalez, Emilio Bonifacio, and Brett Anderson.  Magruder believes the A’s are also seeking Major Leaguers, which makes sense.  So that huge untouchables list might have to be compromised if the D’Backs are to get Haren.

Odds and Ends: Sabathia, Loretta, Patterson

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You know the drill, here’s a roundup of some rumor nuggets.  I’ll update the  post continuously throughout the day.

Yankees Bullpen Situation

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It’s well-known the Yankees want to improve their bullpen.  There’s been talk of converting young minor league starters into relief for 2008.  Otherwise, who’s on the radar?

  • A reliever could be acquired for Hideki Matsui – Tyler Kepner suggests Jonathan Sanchez or Kevin Correia.  Brad Hennessey is another possibility.
  • Kepner says the Yanks checked in on LaTroy Hawkins, Ron Mahay, and Trever Miller but haven’t made offers.  However, Mark Feinsand says the Yanks are talking to Hawkins about a one-year deal worth between $3.25-3.5MM.
  • Luis Vizcaino is probably out of the picture.  George King adds Jeremy Affeldt to the list of free agents the Yanks are checking out.
  • Peter Abraham says the Yanks are competing with the Royals for Mahay and that it might take three years, $9MM.  Pete Caldera recently said Mahay wants three years and $12MM though.  Bob Dutton notes that it’s Mahay’s agents pushing the Royals; they have little interest.
  • Rob Biertempfel says the Yankees and Astros have interest in acquiring Damaso Marte from the Bucs.  George King says John Grabow interests the Yanks as well.

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