Jason Varitek Rumors: Thursday
7:58pm: Alex Speier of WEEI provides us with a Varitek-relevant quote from Curt Schilling’s appearance on the Big Show:
“I’ve talked with Jason a couple different times about this. I think there’s probably some discussion going on around the parameters of a deal since it was put on the table. In fact, I know there (has been). I think you’re going to end up with a deal that nets Jason the $10 million over two years, somehow guaranteed or tied into some incentives, that keeps him here, or I think he might end up taking the one-year deal. I’m not positive, but at the end of the day I think it’s going to be Jason Varitek catching for the Boston Red Sox, which is really all I care about."
5:01pm: Former teammate Sean Casey had this to say on the MLB Network Thursday:
"I’d be shocked if ‘Tek doesn’t come back to Boston. The fans love him there. The guys in that clubhouse love ‘Tek. I can’t imagine Jason Varitek putting on a uniform besides the Boston Red Sox. I saw him a few weeks ago. I know he wants to come back to the Red Sox. So I hope they get that done. I think it would be good for both sides, no doubt about it, especially that pitching staff."
3:50pm: Varitek faces a Friday morning (8:30am) deadline, says Tony Massarotti. Massarotti’s source adds that Varitek is "very seriously considering the option of sitting out the 2009 season and/or retiring rather than accepting the contract offer made to him last week."
Massarotti adds that the Red Sox are expected to reopen trade talks for Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Miguel Montero, independent of Varitek.
9:55am: A quote from WEEI’s Michael Holley in regard to Jason Varitek this morning:
"I have moles who have told me if the deadline were today, no deal." Catch the audio here, about 13 minutes in.
The deadline is tomorrow. Michael Silverman noted today that if Varitek declines the current $5MM plus an option offer, the Red Sox would either move on or make a lesser offer.
Twins Hot Stove Update: Ayala, Crede
Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune has a few updates on the Twins’ hot stove:
- The club has had discussions with free agent reliever Luis Ayala, who finished with a 5.71 ERA in 81 appearances for the Nationals and Mets last season.
- The Twins had two scouts at Joe Crede‘s workout on Wednesday. Christensen writes that "it sounds like they need to see him more times before they’ll feel safe investing millions of guaranteed money."
White Sox Proving Cautious With Spending
White Sox officials told CBSSports.com’s Danny Knobler that owner Jerry Reinsdorf presented a bleak economic picture at the start of the offseason and that the club is "comfortable going young."
GM Ken Williams elaborated on the point: "We have to be cautious, if for no other reason that so we don’t have to play all day games because we can’t afford the electricity. This is such a volatile time, and people are going to look at their discretionary spending."
It sounds like the Southsiders won’t be chasing any of the major free agents that are still on the market. Their biggest move this offseason was the signing of 35-year-old Bartolo Colon.
Mets Sign Four To Minor League Deals
According to the Associated Press, via ESPN.com, the Mets have signed outfielder Bobby Kielty, right-handers Tony Armas Jr. and Matt DeSalvo, and left-hander Valerio de los Santos to minor league contracts.
All four are invited to spring training. Kielty, 32, hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2007. DeSalvo, 28, pitched just two games out of the Braves’ bullpen last year. De los Santos made two starts for the Rockies last season, but spent most of 2008 in Triple-A. He’s 9-13 with a 4.57 ERA in nine major league seasons. Armas, 30, appeared in three games with the Mets last season.
Jones Unlikely To Rejoin Braves
Mark Bowman of MLB.com calls a possible Andruw Jones-Atlanta Braves reunion "doubtful."
Jones is apparently still searching for a major league deal and the Braves don’t feel comfortable handing him one. According to Bowman’s report, Jones "became defensive when a former Braves teammate simply suggested that this was an option that would allow him the opportunity to resuscitate his career in the familiar surroundings of Atlanta."
The 31-year-old outfielder hit just .158/.256/.249 last year with three home runs and 14 RBI in over 200 plate appearances.
O’Brien On Braves’ Outfield Options
David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on the Braves’ quest to add a power-hitting outfielder:
We think they’d like to make it one of these guys, maybe in this order of preference: 1. Bobby Abreu (we’ll explain), 2. Xavier Nady or Nick Swisher (both Yankees, one or the other expected to be traded), and 4. (there can’t be a No. 3 if two guys are tied for No. 2) Adam Dunn, whose asking price (reportedly $14MM per year) is still way, waaay above what the Braves have to spend.
O’Brien says the Braves have roughly $5-9MM to work with, and they also hope to sign Will Ohman and Tom Glavine. O’Brien then runs through the pros and cons of adding Abreu, Nady, Swisher, and Dunn.
Pirates, Eric Hinske Agree To Terms
4:30pm: Kovacevic says Hinske and the Pirates have agreed to terms one a one-year deal with a base salary around $1.5MM.
THURSDAY, 12:20am: Dejan Kovacevic says Friday is more likely than Thursday for Hinske to sign.
WEDNESDAY, 5:23pm: Jon Heyman agrees. He says the Pirates are in serious discussions with Hinske, working towards a deal worth roughly $1.5MM.
11:22pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Pirates are closing in on a one-year contract with Hinske. An agreement could be reached Wednesday that would pay Hinske $1-2MM plus incentives. Dejan Kovacevic also has the story, noting that the signing would end Doug Mientkiewicz‘s time in Pittsburgh.
7:35pm: Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette confirms that the Pirates have had contract discussions with Hinske and believes that the two sides "could be close to an agreement."
TUESDAY, 5:44pm: Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com has learned from a baseball industry source that the Pirates are targeting free agent outfielder Eric Hinske.
The Pirates could use Hinske as their fourth outfielder and primary pinch-hitting option. According to Langosch’s report, "discussions between the two sides have increased to the point where the Pirates may be bringing Hinske to Pittsburgh before the end of the week."
Manny Ramirez Rumors: Thursday
According to the AP, Albert Pujols said he can’t understand how his friend Manny Ramirez is not signed yet. Pujols gave Manny’s phone number to Tony La Russa and wondered if he’d give the Cardinals a discount.
When asked by Bill Shaikin if the Cardinals are interested in Ramirez, GM John Mozeliak said, "The answer is no."
David Newhan Re-Signs With Astros
THURSDAY: The Astros signed Newhan to a minor league deal. He’ll compete for a backup infield job.
FRIDAY: Brian McTaggart talked to Astros GM Ed Wade, who said David Newhan could rejoin the team on a minor league contract. That seems to be all Wade has cooking; here’s what he said:
"Otherwise, we’re not talking to anybody else. If things fall in our lap we have to think about — it’s got to be something of a front-line nature — but I think we’re covered with regard to competition at positions. In the existing player payroll budget, there is no more to cover anything of significance."
Newhan, 35, hit .308/.355/.535 in Triple A and .260/.297/.404 for the Astros. He’d contend for a backup infield job.
Odds and Ends: Kotsay, Redding
Links for Thursday…
- RotoAuthority ranks the catchers for fantasy baseball.
- Dave Cameron reminds us that talented minor leaguers often have delayed success in the bigs.
- MLB.com’s Mychael Urban talked to Mark Kotsay, who did not enjoy the free agent experience.
- MetsBlog’s Matthew Cerrone transcribes a Tim Redding MLB Network interview, where it was revealed that the Rockies, Pirates, and Orioles had interest before the pitcher signed with the Mets.