Mets Offer Perez Revised Contract
According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Mets have offered another contract to Oliver Perez. They already offered a deal that appeared to be for three years and about $30MM, but the Mets are "believed to have improved" their first offer. Earlier today we heard that the Mets might be willing to add a fourth year to their offer.
The Mets are still talking with representatives for Randy Wolf, Jon Garland and Ben Sheets, but Perez remains their top target.
New Medical Report Reassures Sheets’ Suitors?
SI.com’s Jon Heyman has heard from MLB executives that a new record of Ben Sheets‘ medical history "may have sparked some renewed interest in the talented pitcher."
Sheets provided teams with updated information about his health. Heyman learned that previous health reports were not "debilitating," but they had issues. The Rangers, Mets and Brewers are presumably among the teams currently looking over the new information.
Astros “Pretty Well Set” Without Pettitte
Astros owner Drayton McLane told the AP today that his team’s pitching staff is "pretty well set," even without Andy Pettitte. He said he does not see the Astros negotiating with Pettitte.
He didn’t completely rule out the possibility of Pettitte’s return, saying "it’s a long time until spring training."
Mets To Sign Rob Mackowiak
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post the Mets will sign Rob Mackowiak to a minor league contract worth at least $600K. Incentives based on plate appearances could raise the value of the deal by $200K.
Troy Renck of the Denver Post adds a detail on the incentives: Mackowiak will earn $200K if he reaches 500 plate appearances.
Astros Work To Avoid Arb With Geary, Rodriguez
According to MLB.com’s Alyson Footer, Astros GM Ed Wade said the team has "ongoing dialogue" with both Wandy Rodriguez and Geoff Geary. They are the only arbitration-eligible Astros who have not yet settled.
Rodriguez asked for $3MM and was offered $2.25MM. Geary asked for $2.1MM and was offered $1.425MM. If negotiations go well, Wade said there could be deals by "early next week."
Nationals Rumors: Zimmerman, Prospects
Chico Harlan of the Washington Post came up with some Nationals rumors at their season ticket holder luncheon today.
- Nationals GM Jim Bowden said he’s working on an extension with Ryan Zimmerman and is "optimistic that it will get done at some point." He mentioned Nick Markakis, Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia and Evan Longoria as reference points and said he has a "phenomenal" relationship with Zimmerman.
- Bowden said prospect Jordan Zimmermann could be MLB ready and is in the running for a rotation spot.
- Ross Detwiler could also have an impact on the Nats in 2009.
- Bowden said the Nationals would have had to overpay to sign any major free agents this offseason.
D’Backs Focused On Jon Garland
According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Diamondbacks "seem to be focusing now on free agent hurler Jon Garland." Heyman says the D’Backs originally had their eye on Pedro Martinez and Curt Schilling, but now believe they might be able to afford a younger pitcher. The D’Backs struck out on Randy Johnson, Brad Penny, and Randy Wolf already.
Surprising to see no mention of Braden Looper, who was reportedly the next target.
Mets Willing To Go Four Years For Oliver Perez?
According to ESPN Radio’s Andrew Marchand:
The Mets will eventually be willing to go to four years for Oliver Perez. Meanwhile, the Mets have growing interest in Ben Sheets. A source says that the Mets don’t think Sheets’ arm is perfect, but it is not terrible either.
Marchand’s source expects the Mets’ negotiations for Perez to continue to drag. If there’s another club willing to go to four years for Perez, that info has been kept away from the media thus far. Sheets, as you know, met with Rangers brass yesterday. Dan Graziano provides his take on the Mets’ plans over at his blog.
Chipper Wants To Stay With Braves
MLB.com’s Mark Bowman talked with Braves third baseman Chipper Jones, who is entering the final year of his contract. Jones would like a three-year extension, but hasn’t had any talks with the Braves this winter. He’d prefer not to negotiate during the season.
Jones, 37 in April, hit a massive .364/.470/.574 in 534 plate appearances last year. His defense came out above average in the plus/minus system. FanGraphs placed a phenomenal value on Jones’ season: $34.4MM.
Dodgers Intensify Talks With Wolf, Garland, Looper
3:30pm: A bunch of reporters played telephone with Rosenthal’s "inside track" report on Wolf, saying the Dodgers were close to a deal. You can see that Stark rejected that notion below, and Tony Jackson agrees that they are not close.
12:50pm: According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, the Dodgers have intensified their talks with free agent starters Randy Wolf, Jon Garland, and Braden Looper. Stark says that rather than favoring Wolf, the Dodgers have equal interest in all three and hope to sign one within a few days. He adds that the Dodgers haven’t spoken to Wolf’s agent Arn Tellem in several days.
Stark says the Dodgers continue to pursue Dennys Reyes, Luis Ayala, and Russ Springer, and plan to take care of their pitching staff before addressing Manny Ramirez.