Phillies Interested In Garciaparra
Ken Rosenthal and Jim Salisbury have both heard from major league sources that the Phillies are interested in Nomar Garciaparra as a bench player.
Salisbury writes that the Phillies haven’t yet made an offer, but could if Nomar seems interested.
Both Rosenthal and Salisbury hear that the Phillies have some interest in Gabe Kapler.
Levine On Young, Dye, Poreda, Peavy, Heilman
ESPN Radio’s Bruce Levine has some good info tonight.
The White Sox are seeking a top-of-the-order hitter, and they’ve discussed Michael Young with the Rangers. The Rangers asked for Jermaine Dye and Aaron Poreda, and the Sox are unwilling to trade Poreda. The Rangers like Dye, so maybe the two teams will find a match on players. Young is owed roughly $60MM over the next five years.
If the Cubs are to restart their talks for Jake Peavy, the new ownership groups for both the Cubs and Padres will have to be willing. Levine also notes that the Cubs have an eye on Mariners pitcher Aaron Heilman, a player they’ve shown interest in before. Levine speculates that Ronny Cedeno could be a fit for Seattle.
Cardinals Looking In-House For Closer
A week ago, John Perrotto mentioned Tony La Russa was considering using Chris Carpenter as a closer. Today, Matthew Leach of MLB.com reports Cardinals GM John Mozeliak is comfortable turning toward internal options to fill the closer role.
Chris Perez and Jason Motte, as well as Ryan Franklin are listed as most likely options. Franklin had 17 saves last season for St. Louis. Leach mentions the Cardinals could attempt to work out a deal for Brandon Lyon or Juan Cruz, as well as the possibility of signing free agent Chad Cordero, to add depth and expand their options in the ninth inning. Interest in Cordero is more curiosity than anything, says Leach.
What about Carpenter? Said Mozeliak, "The right-hander will only pitch out of the bullpen if there is a compelling medical reason to use him there rather than in the rotation." Tony La Russa expressed similar sentiments on Monday, according to Leach, despite Perrotto’s report last week.
Returning Adam Wainwright to the closer role has not been discussed.
Derek Lowe Rumors: Friday
7:45pm: Mark Bowman reports that the Braves are actually readying their first offer for Lowe, which they plan to make on Monday or Tuesday. More from Bowman here.
3:40pm: O’Brien has details on the Braves’ five-hour meeting with Lowe and Boras. He says the Braves’ offer is expected today and they want Lowe badly. It may require a four-year commitment.
As far as Kenshin Kawakami – the Braves are among the four finalists. On the offensive side O’Brien suggests Adam Dunn or Xavier Nady could be targets.
9:26am: According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves met with Derek Lowe and Scott Boras for several hours yesterday. O’Brien says the Braves’ offer was unknown, implying that they did make an offer.
O’Brien also reiterated that Boras said the Mets’ widely reported three-year, $36MM offer was never made and would’ve been far too low anyway. O’Brien mentions the Phillies, Brewers, and Angels as other Lowe suitors, but Ken Rosenthal said those three clubs denied interest. Brewers GM Doug Melvin said Tuesday in regard to Lowe: "We’re not in on him."
Dodgers Sign Shawn Estes
The AP is reporting the Dodgers have come to terms with Shawn Estes on a minor league contract worth up to $1.55MM. According to the report, Estes would get $550,000 if he makes the 40-man roster and could earn up to $1MM in performance bonuses for games started.
No announcement yet from the Dodgers. This will be Estes’ 8th Major League team.
Giants Invite 16 To Big League Camp
Including a couple of Giants prospects, catcher Buster Posey and right-hander Kevin Pucetas, San Francisco has invited 16 players to its Spring Training camp, Chris Haft of MLB.com reports.
The rest of the list: third baseman Jesus Guzman; infielders Scott McClain and Ivan Ochoa; right-handers Francis Beltran, Brandon Medders and Justin Miller; catcher Eli Whiteside; first baseman-outfielder Josh Phelps; outfielder Andres Torres; catcher Todd Jennings; infielder Jake Wald; catcher Jackson Williams; right-hander Ronnie Ray; infielder Matt Downs.
Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 14.
Twins Not ‘In’ On Crede
La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune writes that the Minnesota Twins are not going after free-agent third baseman Joe Crede, despite an earlier report.
Neal believes that the Twins aren’t interested because of Crede’s balky back and its susceptibility while playing on turf in the Metrodome. Neal adds that the Twins do want to upgrade their third base options, but with a healthy player.
Neal writes that a healthy Crede would be an option, though he describes it as a longshot.
Manny Ramirez Rumors: Friday
San Francisco Giants beat writer Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle isn’t buying that the Giants are about to expedite the process to acquire left fielder Manny Ramirez.
I am told that (agent) Scott Boras is spreading word that the Giants are going to make a big push for Ramirez in the next day or two. The Giants’ reaction to that was laughter on the other end of the phone line, Schulman writes.
Schulman believes the Giants’ brass because of logistics. He doesn’t think there is a rush to force the issue, especially when, he thinks, the Giants would be looking for a short-term deal with Ramirez. Plus, Schulman adds that the Giants aren’t looking to overspend on Ramirez, another sign the organization would likely remain patient in the process.
Cubs’ New Owner Might Push For Peavy
Barry Rozner of the Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, Ill.) believes a new Chicago Cubs owner might increase general manager Jim Hendry’s payroll budget, which would make room to acquire Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy from the San Diego Padres. Especially if that new owner is Tom Ricketts.
Ricketts will want to win and win fast, so if it’s him and it happens soon his first call might be to GM Jim Hendry with the news that he can up the payroll and get Peavy out of San Diego, Rozner writes.
Ricketts is the CEO of a Chicago investment bank named Incapital. Rozner wrote that Ricketts is a local guy who loves the Cubs and will have only their "best interests at heart. He even, reportedly, met his wife in the bleachers at Wrigley."
Peavy has been the subject of trade rumors since the offseason began, and the Cubs have been mentioned often in the same sentence.
Royals Avoid Arb With Kyle Davies
According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Royals avoided arbitration with pitcher Kyle Davies by signing him for $1.3MM.