Reds, Astros, Cards Interested In Rusch
Glendon Rusch is attempting a comeback, and the Reds, Astros, and Cardinals are interested. Rusch played under the Reds’ Dusty Baker in Chicago.
This morning Tom Krasovic said the Padres were close to terms with Rusch, so I guess we’ll see. The Royals are another club that has been linked to him.
Phillies Rumors: Iguchi, Carrasco
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 10:52am: It’s "more unlikely than likely" that the Phils re-sign Iguchi.
FROM 12-5-07 at 8:53am:
Scott Lauber has a few Phillies notes for us this morning.
- Since the Phillies released him at the end of the season, a waiver will have to be obtained for Tadahito Iguchi to be allowed to re-sign with the Phillies and start the season normally. It can be done.
- Lauber says Pat Gillick indicated for the first time that he’d be willing to trade prospects for pitching. Lauber names Carlos Carrasco, Joe Savery, Josh Outman, and Adrian Cardenas as possibilities to go.
Dodgers Inquire On Bill Hall
According to Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times, the Dodgers asked the Brewers about Bill Hall. Hall, who turns 28 soon, is owed $4.8MM in ’08, $6.8MM in ’09, and $8.4MM in ’10. He could play third base for the Dodgers.
You may also recall that the Dodgers called the Brewers about Ben Sheets recently. We also know that the Brewers have discussed trading for Andy LaRoche. Can Ned Colletti and Doug Melvin find a match?
Hernandez’s article also mentions that Troy Glaus could be an option for the Dodgers, but that may just be speculation.
Rangers Rumors: Blalock, Lamb, Padilla
Evan Grant has the latest Rangers hot stove buzz.
- 27 year-old third baseman Hank Blalock is getting a lot of play. Grant names the Cardinals, Phillies, Twins, and Dodgers as teams that have inquired. Jon Daniels says no team has made an impressive offer and he’s not inclined to trade Blalock. It would be a bit of a sell-low move.
- The Rangers met with Mike Lamb‘s agent yesterday afternoon; they’re the frontrunners for him. They have a full-time first base job for Lamb, who came up in the organization.
- Teams are interested in Vicente Padilla, but everyone wants the Johan thing to be finished before moving on pitching.
Red Sox Want To Extend Varitek
According to Sean McAdam, the Red Sox want to discuss extended Jason Varitek‘s contract before Spring Training. Tek’s 4/40 deal was labeled a rare loyalty/fan-influenced move by the Red Sox, but it has turned out OK. I’m guessing they’d tack on another two years and $12-14MM.
Mets Meet With Livan’s Agent
Matthew Cerrone at MetsBlog sums up the Livan Hernandez situation. Omar Minaya met with Hernandez’s agent, and the Mets seem plenty interested. However, if Hernandez is the only starter the Mets come away with this winter, fans will be quite disappointed.
A few other clubs like the Nationals and Phillies have some interest in Hernandez.
Mariners, Reds, Like David Wells
A couple of clubs have their eye on 44 year-old southpaw David Wells: the Mariners and Reds. Hey, for a few million bucks why not.
The Ms would represent Boomer’s ninth organization. Signing him surely wouldn’t preclude them from acquiring another, more reliable starter.
He did have a brief stint with the Reds in 1995, making 11 starts for them before being sent to Detroit in a deadline deal. I read Wells’ book several years ago, but can’t remember exactly how his "tortured dealings" with Marge Schott played out.
Wells has interest in pitching for the Mets, but his agent hasn’t been able to get an audience with them yet.
Brewers Sign David Riske
It’s official: the Brewers have signed 31 year-old reliever David Riske to a three year, $13MM deal. Incentives based on closing could bring the total to $20MM, and there’s a 2011 option at $4.75MM.
This is the going rate for a guy like Riske. He wasn’t particularly popular when the 2006 season ended, but had a well-timed fine year in ’07. I don’t hate the deal, but it certainly lacks creativity.
Rockies Interested In Iguchi
According to Troy Renck and Patrick Saunders, the Rockies met with Tadahito Iguchi‘s agent yesterday to discuss their second base opening. Iguchi prefers the idea of second base, and is looking for a two-year deal. Other teams interested in Iguchi are the Dodgers, Giants, Phillies, and Brewers.
Other second basemen on Colorado’s radar include Chris Burke and Mark Loretta.
Cubs Asked For Spilborghs
A note at the end of Troy Renck’s column today: when the Rockies asked the Cubs about southpaw reliever Will Ohman, the Cubs asked for outfielder Ryan Spilborghs. Spilborghs hit 11 home runs in 264 ABs this year. The Rockies passed, and the Cubs went on to trade Ohman to the Braves.
Renck adds that the Cubs are "closing in on Kosuke Fukudome," which echoes Geoff Baker’s take last night.