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Archives for December 2007

Willis/Pudge Spinoff To Mets?

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UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 8:13am: Adam Rubin’s source still believes Willis could be flipped to the Mets.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 9:21pm: Danny Knobler says the Tigers did briefly consider a three-way scenario that sent Willis and Pudge to the Mets.  That permutation was dismissed before anything went public and won’t be revisited.

FROM 12-5-07 at 6:08pm:

According to Sweeny Murti via MetsBlog, the Tigers have looked into the idea of spinning Dontrelle Willis off to the Mets.  I’m sure this would thrill the Marlins, who didn’t want to trade within the division.  No offer has been made, but it’s been discussed. 

The part that doesn’t make sense is the inclusion of Ivan Rodriguez to the Mets as a salary dump.  The Tigers, after all, chose to exercise that $13MM option on Pudge.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Bradley, Haren

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Ken Rosenthal checks in with the latest buzz.

  • The Astros might be "on the verge of a major deal."  Rosenthal notes the availability of Chris Burke and Luke Scott plus the team’s interest in Damaso Marte.  He also says some clubs are after Houston’s young pitching.  Ed Wade spoke of two-way, three-way, and even four-way discussions before he hit the hay last night, but nothing seemed imminent.
  • Rosenthal says the Padres might have a better chance of re-signing Milton Bradley than Mike Cameron.  He also implies that the Friars could reach a one-year agreement with Michael Barrett and then shop him.
  • Despite Hank’s proclamations, Rosenthal says the Yanks are "lurking" on Dan Haren. Sounds creepy.

Beckett Won’t Ask For Restructured Deal

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Remember when Josh Beckett signed his three-year, $30MM extension on July 16th of 2006?  At the time of the signing, Beckett’s Boston career consisted of 114 innings of a 5.12 ERA.  Many considered the extension questionable.

A year and a half later, Beckett’s extension is a huge bargain.  He could easily get the same amount over two seasons.  There had been some concern that the Red Sox might trade for Johan Santana and pay him upward of $20MM per year, perturbing Beckett.

Rob Bradford was able to contact the gruff Beckett last night, and his salary doesn’t seem to be a concern.  Beckett knows plenty of pitchers had worse years in 2007 and made more money (Mike Mussina, for example).  He’ll get paid in line with his work starting with the 2010 season. 

Dodgers Sign Andruw Jones

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UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 7:42am: Make that $36.2MM, plus a no-trade clause.  I wonder why it was done with the huge $12.2MM bonus.  Meanwhile, Tom Krasovic said the Padres never got around to bidding on Jones despite the talk of a one-year, $17MM offer.

UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 1:14am: The salary structure to Jones’ deal is interesting: $9MM in ’08, $15MM in ’09, and a $12MM signing bonus.  That setup could make Jones much more tradeable if the need arises.

UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 12:23am: Tony Jackson has a hunch that the Dodgers will now trade Matt Kemp or Andre Ethier in a package for a frontline starter.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 11:50pm: The Dodgers have reached an agreement with Jones – two years, $36MM. Despite all the posturing from Scott Boras, the Dodgers got Andruw for a reasonable rate and term.  Nice move by Ned Colletti.

FROM 12-5-07 at 11:12pm:

Ned Colletti and Andruw Jones haven’t reached common ground, but they did make progress today.  It sounds like Colletti may be warming to the idea of three years.  No deal is expected before the end of the Meetings, though.

While the Royals have well-documented interest in Jones, former teammates indicate he prefers the NL.  In regards to his poor 2007, the article suggests a secret elbow injury may have contributed.

Padres To Acquire First Rule 5 Pick, Take Barton?

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UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 1:12am: Chris Kline at Baseball America believes the Padres may buy the first pick from the Rays and take Barton.

UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 9:50pm: Damn it, looks like the Rays don’t want Barton after all.  Baseball America has that tip plus other Rule 5 rumors.

UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 11:59am: Looks like we were on to something here, as Baseball America also thinks the Rays will grab Barton with the first pick.

FROM 12-2-07 at 7:59am:

The Rule 5 draft is coming up on Thursday, and the Rays have the first pick.  They might be able to find something good – Josh Hamilton and Joakim Soria were selected last year.  In ’06 the Rays sold their first pick to the A’s for $100K.  Anyway, A reliable source has informed MLBTR that the Rays are eyeing 25 year-old outfielder Brian Barton from the Indians for the first pick.  Barton was once fairly highly regarded, but the Tribe chose not to protect him this year.

Of course with the Rule 5 the selection has to stay on the Major League roster all year.  Barton may be polished enough to do so without causing harm, as he’s posted solid numbers in Double A.  Barton is a center fielder by trade.  Acquiring him makes sense for Tampa Bay given their subtraction of Delmon Young and Jason Pridie. 

Barton may be near MLB-ready but some have questioned his ceiling.  Said Baseball Prospectus’ Kevin Goldstein: "He’s always been old for his level and many scouts see him as a mistake hitter and minor league performer as opposed to a player with long-term major league value."

Erik Bedard Rumors: Wednesday

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UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 1:10am: Geoff Baker believes the Mariners are still in on Bedard, and that no team has beaten their offer yet.  However, that offer still may not be enough for Andy MacPhail and Co.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 1:38pm: Jon Heyman says Bedard turned down a three-year extension offer from the Orioles.  He has some interesting thoughts; check it out.

Meanwhile there’s chatter of a 610 WIP report coming out of Philly about the team’s attempts to acquire Bedard.  Something like Kyle Kendrick, Shane Victorino, Carlos Carrasco, and others.  I don’t put much stock in this one as the Orioles could do much better.

FROM 12-5-07 at 1:59am:

Tuesday ended with 11 teams expressing interest in Erik Bedard.  Let’s start a new thread for today’s rumors.

Geoff Baker cautiously names the Mariners the frontrunners for Bedard, now that the Dodgers have vowed not to give up Jonathan Broxton.  He says the front office is salivating over Bedard and could offer up some combination of Adam Jones, Wladimir Balentien, Brandon Morrow, and George Sherrill.

Hiroki Kuroda Rumors: Wednesday

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UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 1:08am: Geoff Baker reads between the lines, and thinks the Mariners may have added that fourth year to their offer for Kuroda.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 5:59pm: Per Scott Lauber, the Phils are out on Kuroda.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 10:46am: Todd Zolecki says Kuroda will visit the D’Backs, Mariners, and Dodgers next week, so it’s fair to assume those are three of the four finalists.

FROM 12-5-07 at 9:41am:

Yesterday morning it was reported that the Mets had reached "Round 2" of the bidding for free agent Hiroki Kuroda.  At that time 8-10 teams were in on him.

Now, the Kuroda derby is down to four finalists and the Mets aren’t one of them. David Lennon agrees, saying the Mets were "drifting to the back of the pack" for Kuroda.

My guess on the four finalists: Mariners, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, and Royals.

Cardinals Turn To Free Agent Market

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The Cardinals want to add at least one starting pitcher.  Once thought to be interested in Carlos Silva and Kyle Lohse – the "premium" options – John Mozeliak is already digging through the bargain bin.  Matthew Leach and Joe Strauss have the latest.

  • Mozeliak has talked to Bartolo Colon’s agent and the Cards will take a look at his medical records.  It’s been suggested that Colon will not take a one-year deal.
  • Livan Hernandez is under consideration, but Mozeliak says he’s "not yet" a fit.
  • Josh Fogg is on the radar too.
  • The Cardinals have marginal interest in Kris Benson, and they’ll attend his workout on the 17th.
  • Interesting non-pitcher note from Mozeliak: the Cards have expressed interest in Aaron Rowand.

Rockies Rumors: Iguchi, Grudzielanek, Rusch, Fukumori

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UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 12:20am: Troy Renck says that if the Rox do acquire a second baseman, Dan O’Dowd is ready to trade both Clint Barmes and Jamey Carroll.  The Cardinals, Marlins, and Indians would be suitors for those two.

FROM 12-5-07 at 10:09pm:

MLB.com’s Thomas Harding checks in with a slew of new Rockies rumors.

  • The Rockies have their eye on Tadahito Iguchi and could offer him a two-year deal.  However, Iguchi is craving a contract similar to Kaz Matsui’s three-year, $16.5MM pact.  Should one bad contract beget another one?
  • Mark Grudzielanek can be had, but the Rox aren’t interested.
  • The Rockies will take a gander at the suddenly popular Glendon Rusch.
  • The Rox will pass on Kazuo Fukumori – they’re worried about his elbow.

Nats Talk Extension With Wily Mo Pena

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UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 11:02pm: According to Nats GM Jim Bowden, they’ve talked with Pena about an extension but no agreement has been reached.

FROM 12-5-07 at 8:35pm:

ESPN’s Enrique Rojas reports that the Nationals have signed Wily Mo Pena to a two-year extension worth $7MM.  He’ll get $2MM in ’08 and $5MM in ’09.  The deal buys out one year of free agency.

Is Wily Mo worth it?  Hard to say, as his development has stalled a bit after spending a few years as Boston’s extra outfielder.

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