Pettitte Return To Houston Is Unlikely
Astros GM Ed Wade admitted Thursday that an Andy Pettitte return to Houston is highly unlikely. Alyson Footer filed the report for MLB.com.
"We haven’t had any discussion with Andy or his representatives and we don’t see a scenario where he would fit into our payroll scenario at this time," Wade said. Most experts in the baseball industry believe Pettitte will eventually return to the Yankees. But he may now have to settle for less than the one-year, $10MM offer that the Yanks extended to him previously this offseason.
Nationals Discouraged On Dunn, Hudson, Wolf
According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, the Nationals will not sign any major free agents this offseason.
The Nats have fallen short on offers to Mark Teixeira and Milton Bradley, and aren’t intrigued enough by Adam Dunn or Orlando Hudson. Ladson claims the organization will instead focus on their minor league system and look to trade for some young players.
Chico Harlan of the Washington Post says the Nationals are not out on Dunn, Hudson, and Randy Wolf, but they are discouraged about their chances given the players’ demands. Harlan shoots down the idea of the Nats pursuing Derek Lowe. In another post, Harlan says the Nationals have not had any formal talks with Tom Glavine‘s agent.
Colletti: Dodgers Still Want Manny
Dodgers GM Ned Colletti reaffirmed his club’s interest in Manny Ramirez Thursday. Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com says both sides have been talking since last Friday.
"We want Manny, and Manny knows it," Colletti told reporters. "We’ll just keep talking and see if something can’t be worked out." With no other serious potential suitor, the Dodgers have no reason to offer anything better than the two-year, $45MM deal they worked up in October.
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Dodgers Watch Kris Benson Throw
According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, Dodgers assistant GM Logan White watched free agent starter Kris Benson long-toss today. Benson will work out for other clubs soon. Benson had rotator cuff surgery in March of 2007, and was not able to pitch effectively for the Phillies in ’08.
Cliff Lee Open To Extension
Anthony Castrovince talked to Cliff Lee‘s agent, Darek Braunecker (remember him?). Braunecker says his client is open to discussing a contract extension if the Indians are.
Lee is signed affordably at $5.75MM in ’09 with a $9MM club option for ’10. Lee will be free agent-eligible at age 32; what kind of extension would be reasonable?
Dodgers Sign Yhency Brazoban, Others
According to Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times, the Dodgers signed Yhency Brazoban and 14 others to minor league deals today.
Milton Bradley Signs With Cubs
THURSDAY: The Cubs’ three-year, $30MM deal with Bradley was finalized today.
TUESDAY: Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times says the deal could be announced Thursday. He adds:
His new contract is believed to contain language that protects the team on the back end of the deal if Bradley misses significant playing time on the front end.
MONDAY, 3:10pm: According to ESPN Radio’s Bruce Levine, the Cubs signed Milton Bradley to a three-year, $30MM contract "with some options in the deal." Ken Rosenthal has a similar story, noting that the two sides have to "work through language issues."
Bradley, 31 in April, had a monster .321/.436/.563 line this year for the Rangers, but he spent only 165 innings in the field. This is the first multiyear deal of his career. If he stays healthy, the switch-hitter will give the Cubs balance in the middle of their order.
The Rangers will get a supplemental pick for their loss.
Chat With Matthew Cerrone Of SNY
Yesterday I chatted with Matthew Cerrone of SNY. Check it out.
Derek Lowe Rumors: Thursday
1:15pm: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says the Mets and Lowe remain far apart in negotiations. Heyman sees the Angels, Phillies, and Brewers as other suitors aside from the Braves.
11:40pm: Mark Bowman notes that the Braves’ meeting with Lowe was arranged before they lost Smoltz, but their interest has increased this week. Chipper Jones already made a pitch to Lowe.
10:45pm: Gordon Edes of Yahoo says the Braves have "zeroed in on Lowe" and have significant interest. An Edes source adds that the Red Sox topped Atlanta’s offer for Smoltz by "a couple million."
9:41am: Interesting line from Mike Puma of the New York Post: "Some believe the Nationals could be a suitor for Lowe."
8:45am: According to Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe, Derek Lowe is scheduled to meet with the Braves today in Atlanta. The apparent loss of John Smoltz to Boston stings, but Lowe would be a huge addition.
I am with J.C. Bradbury on the Smoltz thing. While it will feel wrong to see him in any other uniform, $5.5MM guaranteed would’ve been risky for the Braves.