Yankees Backup Plans
Ken Davidoff of Newsday lays out the backup plans for the Yankees.
Mark Teixeira would come into play for Brian Cashman if C.C. Sabathia turns down the Yankees’ offer. Davidoff adds that Sabathia would likely turn down the Yankees if Tex turns down the Angels first. So we could have a scenario where Teixeira signs with the Yankees and Sabathia with the Angels, and neither team addresses its biggest need. The Yankees could also get in on Manny Ramirez if they fail to sign Sabathia.
There’s some hand-wringing coming out of New York as Sabathia continues to sit on the Yankees’ huge offer. I don’t think Sabathia’s silence sends a message, nor am I convinced he can’t get a larger contract. It’s sensible for Sabathia to hear the Angels out, especially with the rumor that they are considering a Johan Santana-like offer. If the Halos make that offer, the Yankees may have to come back with a seven-year contract worth more than $160MM.
Padres Rumors: Greene, Peavy
Let’s check in on the Padres.
- SI.com’s Jon Heyman talked to GM Kevin Towers, who doesn’t anticipate a deal for Khalil Greene anytime soon. The market for free agent shortstops is buzzing right now, so it makes sense to wait until after the top guys sign.
- MLB.com’s Corey Brock says Towers can’t move to address other team needs until the Jake Peavy situation is resolved. The package for Peavy will likely fill multiple pitching needs, and then Towers can move on to free agent bargains and a backup catcher.
- Sean McAdam has a Padres article up at ESPN.com, describing the sad state of affairs.
Astros Interested In Dave Ross
MLB.com’s Nick Zaccardi talked to Dave Ross‘ agent Ryan Gleichowski, who said the Astros are one of at least seven teams to express interest in his client. The interest is mutual. Ross, 32 in March, hit .225/.369/.352 in 182 plate appearances for the Reds and Red Sox. He showed big-time power in 2006, but not much since.
Zaccardi also talked to Barry Meister, who represents Paul Bako. The Louisiana native would be interested in playing for the Astros, but Meister wouldn’t say whether the Astros have been in touch.
Cubs Rumors: Ibanez, Abreu, Teahen
Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times has a couple of new Cubs articles up, here and here.
- Manager Lou Piniella would prefer the Cubs acquire a middle of the order hitter over a leadoff man, if only one can be acquired.
- Piniella had kind words for possible free agent target Raul Ibanez.
- Piniella continued to dismiss the idea of the Cubs pursuing Jake Peavy (despite recent comments from Padres GM Kevin Towers).
- He’d like to give Mike Fontenot more playing time in 2009, which would help balance the lineup. In the spring the Cubs will see if Fontenot can chip in at shortstop.
- The idea that the Cubs can only move Alfonso Soriano down in the order if they acquire a known leadoff man lives on.
- Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News reported on Friday that the Cubs had expressed interest in Bobby Abreu. Wittenmyer says that’s not true.
- Wittenmyer also reports a lack of movement on the Mark Teahen front, suggesting Phil Rogers’ recent report of Kansas City’s focus on Sean Marshall and Fontenot "continues to ring of hollow speculation."
Rockies Considering Embree, Shouse, Ohman
Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post talked to Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, who said the team has internally discussed lefthanded free agent relievers Alan Embree, Brian Shouse, and Will Ohman. Ken Rosenthal also suggests Embree is a possibility.
Another note from Rosenthal:
The Rockies, at least for the moment, seem content to keep third baseman Garrett Atkins and the three players they acquired in the Matt Holliday trade – left-hander Greg Smith, outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and reliever Huston Street.
Thinking about Street…it makes the most sense to trade him in June or July. Right now the supply for closers outstrips the demand, plus Street did not finish the season as a closer. The Rockies should let him rack up 20 saves, prove he’s on top of his game, and then move him during the summer when contenders are desperate for bullpen help.
No Varitek Talks Yet For Red Sox
TUESDAY, 9:45am: Gammons emailed to explain that the ESPN Rumor Central report was erroneous, and he did not say the Red Sox made a one-year offer to Varitek.
TUESDAY, 8:48am: ESPN’s Peter Gammons sides with Bradford, confirming the Red Sox made a one-year offer to Varitek. Boras denied it after Bradford’s initial report surfaced.
MONDAY, 12:41pm: A day of denials. The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo contacted Scott Boras, who said the Red Sox have not begun negotiations with Varitek.
8:43am: According to Rob Bradford of WEEI, the Red Sox made an initial offer to free agent catcher Jason Varitek. It’s one year, and the salary does not approach Jorge Posada‘s $13.1MM average.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Dye, Burrell, Young
Here’s a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- Rosenthal says the Braves are interested in A.J. Burnett, but you already knew that.
- Rosenthal believes Trevor Hoffman to the Dodgers "makes sense."
- The Red Sox apparently have confidence they could trade Mike Lowell if need be, but rival execs believe he’d have to prove his health in spring first. Lowell has two years and $24MM on his deal.
- The White Sox want a young starter and additional players for right fielder Jermaine Dye. The Mets, Rays, and Phillies are "balking at such a price." Rosenthal learned that most of the six teams on Dye’s no-trade list are in the northeast. Interesting that the White Sox are still willing to trade Dye after moving Nick Swisher.
- The Mets "aren’t enamored" with Javier Vazquez.
- Rosenthal suggests the Rays will sit back and hope one of the free agent DH-types becomes a bargain for them.
- SI.com’s Jon Heyman wrote on Friday that the "Braves, Dodgers, and Mets are believed to be among teams that have inquired about Rangers starting pitchers Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla." However, Rosenthal says the Braves and Mets are not interested in either pitcher and the Rangers aren’t desperate to move them.
- Rosenthal has Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, and Pat Burrell on the Angels’ radar if they fail to sign Mark Teixeira, C.C. Sabathia, or Manny Ramirez.
- A rival GM tells Rosenthal Twins outfielder Delmon Young is "very, very much out there."
Cards Make Offer To Rhodes
According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals made an offer to lefty reliever Arthur Rhodes. Rhodes’ agent says nine teams expressed interest, and a handful made offers. More offers are forthcoming for the 39 year-old.
Cardinals GM John Mozeliak continues to hammer out the details of a contract with Trever Miller; he hopes to add two lefties to the pen.
Goold says the Cardinals are also considering two righthanded relievers in Brandon Lyon and Jason Isringhausen. Three other teams have expressed interest in Isringhausen, who would like to regain his job as the Cardinals’ closer.
The Cardinals remain in the mix for Edgar Renteria, and they’ll be consulted before a deal is finalized with any other team. They’ll wait until after the December 1st deadline for offering arbitration.
Angels Begin Talks With Sabathia
According to Bill Shaikin and Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times, the Angels have begun contract discussions with C.C. Sabathia. The authors believe the Halos could make an offer in the range of Johan Santana‘s six-year, $137.5MM deal. If the Angels do make such an offer, you have to imagine the Yankees will respond by upping their bid significantly.
Despite the talks for Sabathia, Mark Teixeira remains the Angels’ top priority. They haven’t made an offer yet, but Scott Boras seems to want ten years while the Angels are willing to do seven. It makes sense to open serious dialogue with Sabathia to lessen the risk of missing out on both star free agents.
Odalis Perez Rumors
9:24pm: I can’t remember a day where so many rumors were floated and then debunked. The latest: Perez’s agent and a source familiar with the team’s thinking tell MLB.com’s Bill Ladson that no multiyear deal is in the works with the Nationals.
4:06pm: ESPN’s Enrique Rojas talked to free agent southpaw Odalis Perez, who said he has received offers from the Yankees, White Sox, and Nationals. Perez intends to stay with the Nationals, and his agent is working on a two or three-year deal with them.
Perez, 31, posted a 4.34 ERA in 159.2 innings for the Nats this year.