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Archives for December 2007

2009 MLB Free Agents

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The following players are currently free agents.  I've categorized them by position; the player's 2009 age is in parentheses.

Updated 9-3-09

Catchers
Gary Bennett (37)
Rob Bowen (28)
Johnny Estrada (33)
Toby Hall (33)
Paul Lo Duca (37) – Type B, not offered arb
Javier Valentin (33)

First basemen
Tony Clark (37)
Richie Sexson (34)

Second basemen
Ray Durham (37)
Damion Easley (39)
Mark Grudzielanek (38)

Shortstops
None

Third basemen
None

Left fielders
Moises Alou (42) – Type B, not offered arb
Chris Duncan (28)
Luis Gonzalez (41) – Type B, not offered arb
Jay Payton (36)
Wily Mo Pena (27)
Dave Roberts (37)
Shannon Stewart (35)

Center fielders
Jim Edmonds (39)

Right fielders
Geoff Jenkins (34)

DHs
Frank Thomas (41) – Type B, not offered arb
Jose Vidro (34)

Starting pitchers
Brandon Backe (31)
Tom Glavine (43)
Chuck James (27)
Mark Mulder (31)
Odalis Perez (32)
Sidney Ponson (32)
Kenny Rogers (44)
Ben Sheets (30) – Type A, offered arb

Relievers
Winston Abreu (32)
Jesus Colome (31)
Scott Elarton (33)
Tom Gordon (41)
Mike Koplove (32)
Aquilino Lopez (34)
Al Reyes (38)
Ricardo Rincon (39)
B.J. Ryan (33)
Justin Speier (35)
Derrick Turnbow (31)
Jamie Walker (37)

MLB4U and Cot's Baseball Contracts were used in the creation of this list.

Carlos Silva Signs With Mariners

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UPDATE, 12-20-07 at 3:18pm: The bar is raised higher than we thought – four years, $48MM according to Rosenthal.  This is the new price of a big league innings eater.  The Mariners remain interested in Erik Bedard and Johan Santana.

UPDATE, 12-19-07 at 7:03pm: MLB.com’s Jim Street is reporting via a source that the Silva deal is done.  He agrees with Rosenthal’s original figure of four years, $44MM.  Remember a year ago, when the Twins weren’t sure whether to exercise his $4MM option?

UPDATE, 12-19-07 at 3:08pm: John Hickey of the Seattle PI expects Silva to be introduced to Seattle on Thursday.

UPDATE, 12-19-07 at 11:11am: The AP is reporting that the Ms are "closing in on a deal" with Silva.

FROM 12-18-07 at 1:59pm:

A scoop from Ken Rosenthal – the Mariners are in "serious negotiations" with Carlos Silva for a deal worth at least four years, $44MM.  It appears that talks for Erik Bedard would not be affected by this signing. 

Rosenthal notes that $44MM or more would represent the bar for Silva’s tier of starters being moved slightly up.  That is to be expected; some have speculated it might take more like $12MM annually to get Silva.  Silva may not be anything special, but he’s shown the ability to eat American League innings.  Those guys don’t grow on trees.

By the way, Charley Walters says the Royals put out a three-year, $30MM offer to Silva.

Odds and Ends: Santana, Cabrera, Kapler

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A few good reads that I didn’t know how to fit elsewhere.

The Mark Prior Derby

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Let’s do a recap on the Mark Prior Derby, which is getting more confusing each day.  Jerry Crasnick has added some good info this afternoon.  Prior wants a one-year deal and hopes to be on a big league mound before the end of May.

  • Yankees – They’ll probably pass, per Hank Steinbrenner.
  • Red Sox – Named only by Jayson Stark.
  • White Sox – Named only by Stark.
  • Mariners – Named by Stark, denied by Jim Street.
  • Mets – Named by Stark, Crasnick, Ken Rosenthal, Ed Price
  • Cardinals – Named by Stark, Crasnick, Rosenthal, Matthew Leach
  • Padres – Named by many, made an offer according to Crasnick. Prior went to USC but would have to take less money to play in San Diego
  • Astros – Named by many, made an offer according to Alyson Footer
  • Giants – Named only by Stark
  • Reds – Named by Stark, Crasnick. Prior previously played under Dusty Baker
  • Nationals – Named by Stark, Crasnick, Bill Ladson
  • Rangers – Named by Crasnick but not Stark, aggressively pursuing according to Rosenthal
  • Marlins – Named only by Crasnick
  • Indians – Named only by Crasnick

One more and we’re at half of all baseball teams linked at some point.  The Phillies and Pirates are not interested, and it’s probably safe to count the Cubs out.

Nothing Imminent With Orioles

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Sean Welsh of the Baltimore Examiner spoke to Orioles’ president Andy MacPhail, clearing up some rumors that had been buzzing around.  MacPhail would be "very surprised" if the Orioles strike deals for Erik Bedard or Brian Roberts before year’s end.

Welsh says the Cubs are focused on Roberts, while the Reds are still on Bedard’s trail.

Cubs Considering So Taguchi?

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Trusted reader Alex writes in with a George Ofman report on 670 The Score out of Chicago.  Apparently the Cubs are considering signing free agent outfielder So Taguchi, which may be related to the Kosuke Fukudome signing.  The is much less damaging than signing Kaz Matsui would’ve been, at least.  But it could lead to Matt Murton being traded for less than he’s worth.

Olney On Blanton/Mets

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Buster Olney heard that the Mets could acquire starter Joe Blanton from the A’s if they’d agree to surrender Carlos Gomez, Aaron Heilman, and Kevin Mulvey.  I wonder if Oakland would try Heilman in the rotation. 

The A’s would probably go with an outfield nucleus of Travis Buck in left, Gomez in center, and Carlos Gonzalez in right.  That could make Nick Swisher – signed for five years through 2012 – expendable.

Mets fans: would you do it?

Willis Signs Extension With Tigers

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UPDATE, 12-20-07 at 11:52am: Jerry Crasnick says Willis has agreed to a three-year, $29MM extension with Detroit.  The deal buys out one year of free agency.  I like it – assuming Willis’ elbow checks out, the Tigers paid the innings-eater rate for a guy who could be more than that.  And by 2010, can you imagine what the innings eater rate will be?

UPDATE, 12-20-07 at 9:04am: Morosi reports that progress has been made on this extension.

FROM 12-19-07 at 1:57pm:

The Tigers have begun talks with Dontrelle Willis’ agent on a three or four-year extension, according to Jon Paul Morosi.  Morosi is thinking around $25-30MM.  It would be Willis’ first multiyear contract.

Morosi notes that both Willis and Nate Robertson are free agents after the 2009 season, and Kenny Rogers might be done after ’08.  Robertson also wants to talk extension.

Jeremy Bonderman is signed through 2010.  He’ll team with Justin Verlander and Rick Porcello to form the team’s pitching nucleus.

Steinbrenner: “Outside Chance” For Johan

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Hank Steinbrenner spoke to Kat O’Brien yesterday regarding Johan Santana.  The key quote: "There’s still an outside chance that we get him."  Steinbrenner also indicated that he has final say over this deal, in case you were wondering.

Plus, Steinbrenner said the Yankees looked into Mark Prior but are not currently interested.  No worries for Prior, he’s got plenty of suitors.

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