Rangers Interested In Vizquel
T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports that the Texas Rangers are interested in signing Omar Vizquel to a one-year deal.
Vizquel would help the Rangers for a year in the event that Elvis Andrus isn’t major league ready in 2009. It again appears that Michael Young will not be playing shortstop for the Rangers anytime soon.
Writes Sullivan, "A source said there is a good chance the deal will get done."
Rosenthal’s Latest: Garcia, Perez, O-Dog
A few quick notes from FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal…
- The White Sox, Rangers and Mets have strong interest in Freddy Garcia. Rosenthal believes he would accept a minor league deal if a team gives him a chance to start.
- The Diamondbacks are not willing to pay the money that Oliver Perez desires.
- Rosenthal notes that few teams have openly expressed interest in free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson and believes he could fall to the Nationals if large market teams give way.
Twins Pursuing Lyon, Gagne
MLB.com’s Kelly Thesier has an update on the Twins’ ongoing search for a setup man. According to her report, the team is focused on Brandon Lyon and Eric Gagne.
- Lyon has drawn interest from several teams this offseason and, according to his agent, could sign with one of them next week. The Tigers and Cardinals are two of the teams in pursuit of his services. The 29-year-old righty posted a 4.70 ERA while recording 26 saves for the Diamondbacks last season.
- A source told Thesier that the Twins have actually discussed terms with Gagne’s representatives. He’s coming off his worst major league season and should come fairly cheap. Then again, his agent is Scott Boras.
Cardinals Not Interested In Re-Signing Springer
Free agent reliever Russ Springer told Matthew Leach of MLB.com Friday that the Cardinals have not expressed a desire a to bring him back for the 2009 season.
"I loved the opportunity to play for the Cardinals and the fans," said Springer. "I did everything I can to come back. I told them I’d take a pay cut, play for incentives. And it just never went anywhere… They don’t have any interest in bringing me back. That’s fine. That’s baseball. I enjoyed the time I played there and I made a lot of good friends there. I want to put myself in the best opportunity now to go out and play for a competitive team and maybe get to the playoffs."
Springer, 40, posted a 2.32 ERA in 50 1/3 innings for St. Louis last season. He claims to have a couple of contract offers on the table, but would not reveal which teams they’re from.
Marlins Discussing Andruw Jones
Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel is reporting that the Marlins have conducted internal discussions concerning free agent outfielder Andruw Jones.
According to the Sun-Sentinel’s report, Jones has a strong relationship with Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez that dates back to 2003, when Gonzalez was the third base coach in Atlanta. The Fish are likely to go with 21-year-old Cameron Maybin in center field this season, but Jones might be willing to play right or left if the price is right. As it stands, most teams probably wouldn’t be willing to hand him more than a minor league contract.
Phillies Avoid Arb With Greg Dobbs
According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, the Phillies have re-signed Greg Dobbs to a two-year, $2.5MM contract.
Dobbs can also make an additional $300,000 in performance-based bonuses. The 30-year-old utilityman hit .301/.333/.491 last season with nine home runs and 40 RBI in 226 at-bats for the World Champs. He could play a key role for the Phillies next season if Pedro Feliz has any complications with his offseason back surgery.
Orioles Talking With Luke Scott, Eyeing Ohman
Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun writes about the Orioles’ attempt to sign arbitration-eligible outfielder Luke Scott before figures are submitted on Tuesday. Baltimore’s other arb-eligible players are Nick Markakis and George Sherrill.
The O’s made an offer to Scott’s agent Page Odle on Tuesday, and the offer was countered on Thursday. Odle described it as "pretty positive dialogue."
Zrebiec also learned from Odle that the Orioles remain interested in Will Ohman, as are the Braves, D’Backs, Indians, and Rangers. Ohman has two offers in hand, but not from the O’s.
Regarding Sherrill, MLBTR has learned that the Orioles called his agent yesterday to give a number they were looking at. It was their first contact of the offseason.
Angels Avoid Arbitration With Darren Oliver
According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, the Angels avoided arbitration with reliever Darren Oliver by signing him for $3.655MM for ’09. Oliver was one of few Type A or B free agents with the foresight to accept his team’s offer of arbitration.
Padres To Pass On Omar Vizquel
Ken Rosenthal suggested yesterday that the David Eckstein signing might mean the Padres will pass on Omar Vizquel. Jenny Cavnar of Channel 4 San Diego spoke to Padres GM Kevin Towers, who told her the Padres will go in-house at shortstop, probably with Luis Rodriguez or Chris Burke.
Red Sox Owner John Henry To Meet With Varitek
According to WEEI’s Alex Speier, Red Sox owner John Henry said in a Comcast Sportsnet interview that he is meeting Jason Varitek tonight one-on-one. Tony Massarotti confirmed with Varitek that a meeting will take place. You have to think a meeting without Scott Boras might speed up talks.