Astros Notes: Valverde, Lo Duca
A few Astros notes from Brian McTaggart of the Houston Chronicle.
- The Astros discussed an extension with closer Jose Valverde, but ultimately signed him for one year and $8MM. Valverde is eligible for free agency after the ’09 season.
- The Astros are in negotiations with Paul Lo Duca. He could join the mix on a minor league deal.
Braves Offer Four Years, Close To $60MM To Lowe
9:12am: ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick has a source saying Lowe is "leaning strongly toward signing with Atlanta."
7:34am: According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Braves’ offer to Derek Lowe is close to $60MM over four years. The two sides are in serious discussions. Heyman says Lowe prefers the National League. The reported offer seems fair; it’s difficult to see the Mets matching it.
The Mets could end up with another Boras client, Oliver Perez. They’re at three years and $30MM for him. Jerry Crasnick and Matthew Cerrone both wondered today if the Mets will get in on Ben Sheets.
Red Sox Still Eyeing Miguel Montero
9:10am: WEEI’s Alex Speier talked to a source who said little has changed in the Montero trade talks. Speier says the D’Backs hope to receive a starter for Montero, meaning Daniel Bard might not cut it. The D’Backs aren’t in any rush to trade Montero.
TUESDAY, 8:40am: Massarotti says the D’Backs and Red Sox "clearly feel there is a fit." They’re still trying to determine which young Boston player is comparable to Montero. Massarotti reiterates that the Red Sox maintain interest in Jason Varitek and Jarrod Saltalamacchia as well.
MONDAY, 2:44pm: Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic weighs in:
We’re hearing the Diamondbacks aren’t getting the impression that the Red Sox are zeroing in on Montero. The clubs are still talking — or maybe we should say they are again talking — and the Sox have tweaked their offer, but it apparently is not to the point where it satisfies the Diamondbacks.
8:59am: According to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald, the Red Sox have been "intensifying talks with the Arizona Diamondbacks concerning 25-year-old catcher Miguel Montero." Silverman says the D’Backs have not been requesting Clay Buchholz, and the teams may be able to find a match. Last week Peter Gammons said the Red Sox would not give up Michael Bowden for Montero. Alex Speier wrote on December 9th that the Red Sox rejected that offer.
Silverman adds that the Red Sox are expected to continue to sign new players this week. They’ve already added John Smoltz, Brad Penny, Mark Kotsay, Rocco Baldelli, and Takashi Saito on one-year deals. Former Dodgers GM Fred Claire weighs in on Boston’s bargains at MLB.com.
Twins Aim To Sign Kubel For Two Years
According to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins hope to sign outfielder-DH Jason Kubel to a two-year deal. Such a contract would cover his last two arbitration years. Kubel, 27 in May, hit .272/.335/.471 in 517 plate appearances in ’08.
Neal says the Twins are just looking to do one year with their other arbitration-eligible player, reliever Matt Guerrier.
Dodgers Sign Guillermo Mota
TUESDAY: Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times says the Dodgers agreed to terms with Mota on a one-year deal.
MONDAY: According to MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick, the Dodgers are very close to a deal that would bring free agent reliever Guillermo Mota back to Los Angeles. Mota, 35, posted a 4.11 ERA in 57 innings for the Brewers in ’08 after coming over from the Mets in a deal for Johnny Estrada. Mota still throws hard, but control and home runs allowed remain a problem.
Jones Has Interest In Returning To Atlanta
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andruw Jones has interest in returning to the Atlanta Braves, MyFoxAtlanta.com reports.
In a video on the TV station’s Web site, Jones is shown working out with current Braves Chipper Jones and Brian McCann.
“It would be nice to kind of finish my career here,” Jones told the station from an Atlanta batting cage.
The station also interviews McCann, who said Jones, 31, looks great.
Reporter Buck Lanford notes that the Dodgers are supposed to trade or release Jones by Thursday.
Braves Make Offer To Lowe
David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the Atlanta Braves made an offer to free-agent pitcher Derek Lowe on Friday.
O’Brien guesses that the Braves’ offer was for more than the New York Mets’ reported three-year offer of $36MM. He also speculates that the annual amount would be at least $15MM in at least a three-plus-an-option deal, if not a four-year deal.
Mets Make Offer To Oliver Perez?
9:10 pm: Doug Miller of MLB.com touches on Heyman’s report here, as does The Associated Press here.
7:19 pm: Jon Heyman, one of SI.com’s "insiders" on the MLB Network’s show Hot Stove, reported that the the New York Mets made an offer to starting pitcher Oliver Perez on the show Monday evening.
Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog.com wrote about Heyman’s report here.
The offer, apparently, is three years worth close to $30MM.
Red Sox To Introduce Smoltz On Tuesday
The Boston Red Sox sent out a press release stating the team will announce the John Smoltz signing at 10 am Tuesday, The Providence Journal reports.
White Sox Announce Spring Invitees
The Chicago White Sox have announced their Spring Training invitees.
The White Sox invited 18 players: Left-handed pitching prospect Aaron Poreda and infield prospect Gordon Beckham; catchers Tyler Flowers and Donny Lucey; right-handed reliever Mike MacDougal joins fellow White Sox minor leaguers Poreda and Beckham as non-roster invitees.
These 13 signed minor-league deals with the White Sox: Infielders Javier Castillo, Bryan Myrow, Sergio Santos and Eider Torres; catchers Corky Miller and Chris Stewart; outfielders Josh Kroeger and Michael Restovich; right-handed pitchers Ryan Braun, Franklyn German, Brad Salmon and Jon Van Benschoten ; left-handed pitcher Randy Williams.