Pedro Martinez Rumors
WEDNESDAY: Jon Heyman weighs in on Pedro Martinez. He says the Indians were considering an offer in the $7MM range but they’re out now that they’ve signed Carl Pavano. Heyman confirms that D’Backs are still in on Pedro.
MONDAY: Ben Shpigel of the New York Times snagged a few quotes from Omar Minaya, who spoke on the Tim Redding conference call today. Minaya said Pedro Martinez is still an option for the Mets, but they’re looking at other guys. The implication is that they’ll only consider Pedro if they fail to sign Derek Lowe, Oliver Perez, or Randy Wolf. It’s probably time for Pedro to move on.
Could he stay in New York? River Ave. Blues discusses the possibility of Martinez signing with the Yankees. We know Pedro has narrowed his choices to two teams in each league, and may have rejected a $7MM offer from an AL club. The Diamondbacks could be another possibility, but the Marlins will pass.
Tigers Avoid Arb With Rodney, Thames
According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Tigers avoided arbitration with reliever Fernando Rodney and signed him to a one-year deal worth $2.7MM. Rodney is the Tigers’ closer-by-default at this point.
MLB.com’s Jason Beck says the Tigers also avoided arb with outfielder Marcus Thames and signed him for ’09. He’ll get $2.275MM.
Marlins Interested In Chad Cordero
According to MLB.com’s Alden Gonzalez, Chad Cordero‘s agent Larry Reynolds said the Marlins are one of about a dozen teams interested in his client. Cordero will begin throwing from a mound in a month.
Click here to see eight other teams known to have interest in Cordero, who had labrum and biceps surgery last summer.
Rays Avoid Arb With Gabe Gross
According to Marc Topkin, the Rays avoided arbitration with outfielder Gabe Gross by signing him to a one-year deal worth $1.255MM.
Freddy Garcia May Sign Soon
According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, free agent starter Freddy Garcia "is expected to make a deal in coming days." Heyman says the Yankees, Mets, Rangers, and White Sox are interested.
About a month ago, Jason Beck reported that an MRI on Garcia’s arm revealed shoulder tightness but no structural damage.
Rosenthal On Lackey, Dunn, Young, Isringhausen
Here’s a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal.
- John Lackey is due up for extension talks with the Angels, as he’ll be eligible for free agency after the ’09 season. He’d easily be the best available starter. Rosenthal says talks with the Angels should occur before the beginning of the season, but the Halos may not be willing to offer A.J. Burnett money (five years, $82.5MM). In November, Jayson Stark said Lackey had been telling friends he expects to have an extension by Opening Day. That came after Lackey’s confirmation he’d wait to see the Angels’ offensive plans before re-signing.
- The Braves paid $60MM for Derek Lowe, though no one else made a comparable offer. This is a testament to Scott Boras (and perhaps the Braves’ desperation), though Boras has more challenging work ahead in Manny Ramirez and Jason Varitek.
- The Red Sox have shown interest in Adam Dunn, one rival exec tells Rosenthal. Rosenthal considers the possibility a longshot – "a square peg in a round hole." The Sox could always make a midseason deal if their offense isn’t cutting it.
- A Rangers official put Michael Young‘s chances of being with the team on Opening Day at at least 90%. The Rangers aren’t interested in moving Ian Kinsler to left field and Young to second base.
- Rosenthal believes Xavier Nady is likely to garner Type A status when he becomes a free agent after the ’09 season, but half of the equation (his 2009 stats) is missing.
- Jason Isringhausen is considering four teams, and he’d have a shot to close for those clubs. The Dodgers aren’t terribly interested, while the Cardinals and Tigers are possibilities.
- Should the Mets sign Andy Pettitte as well as Randy Wolf or Oliver Perez? One rival exec suggested the idea.
- The Astros apparently made a three-year, $28.5MM offer to Wolf before pulling it back. Looks like he’ll be settling for less.
- Rosenthal says a Rangers trade for Jermaine Dye is "not happening." They’ll go with Hank Blalock‘s left-handed offense rather than sign an aging veteran. Blalock is headed into a contract year.
- If Todd Helton has a healthy spring, the Rockies could shop Garrett Atkins.
- The Red Sox and D’Backs are not close to a deal involving catcher Miguel Montero. Arizona will need to add a capable backup catcher if they do find a deal for Montero.
Orioles Closing In On Deal With Zaun
12:42pm: Roch Kubatko heard the Zaun deal is "pretty much done" assuming he passes his physical.
8:36am: According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles are "closing in on a one-year deal" with catcher Gregg Zaun. Zaun’s agent Dan Evans had been busy with the Kenshin Kawakami deal, but Zrebiec says the Orioles should have Zaun signed by week’s end.
Zaun came up with the Orioles in ’95 and was traded to the Marlins the following year.
Odds and Ends: Lowry, Kawakami, Lowe, Young
Links for Wednesday…
- Rany Jazayerli has withdrawn his support for Royals GM Dayton Moore.
- Chris Haft says that if Noah Lowry has a nice spring, perhaps the Giants should trade him rather than Jonathan Sanchez.
- Keith Law says Kenshin Kawakami should provide bulk innings for the Braves, while the risk with Derek Lowe is his age.
- La Velle E. Neal III doesn’t get the sense the Twins are interested in Michael Young.
- Jeff Wilson looks at the likely free agent options for the Rangers.
- Peter Abraham suggests the Yankees don’t have sufficient rotation depth without Andy Pettitte or a similar veteran addition.
- It was bound to happen sooner or later…a blog dedicated entirely to Scott Boras.
- The Reds are looking for power off the bench…Mark Sheldon has suggestions.
- A look at the Twins’ non-roster invitees.
- Geoff Baker says the Mariners screwed up with Jarrod Washburn.
Paul Byrd To Sit Out First Half
According to Ken Rosenthal, free agent starter Paul Byrd will sit out the first half of the season and then possibly join a contender. Byrd said he had "nice, competitive" offers to play all year but wants to spend more time with his family.
It’s uncertain whether Byrd will draw interest midseason, but I imagine he will. Remember how many teams were eyeing Freddy Garcia last year? The Braves, Rays, or Marlins woud be Byrd’s preference.
Indians Sign Saarloos, Aquino
According to MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince, the Indians signed pitchers Kirk Saarloos and Greg Aquino to minor league deals.
Saarloos, 30 in May, spent most of ’08 posting mediocre numbers in Triple A as a member of the A’s organization. Aquino, 31, pitched well at Triple A but his brief time with the Orioles did not go well. He missed time with a hamstring strain. Both players were designated for assignment by their teams in April but cleared waivers.