Archives for January 2009

Manny Ramirez Rumors: Tuesday

By Tim Dierkes | January 6, 2009 at 4:35pm CDT

4:35pm: Brian Sabean was on MLB Home Plate’s The Show with Rob Dibble and Jody MacDonald on XM 175 today. His comment on Manny:

"In our case I’m not sure yet. We’re monitoring the situation. We’ve had talks. We have not made an offer. We’ve talked in parameters of what would be yearwise. It would have to be a perfect fit dollarwise and more so what we’re doing to try and build this thing going forward on a younger basis. It’s actually not what we’re looking for, except that he’s such a profound middle of the order hitter. Which we need."

4:16pm: According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark:

According to one source familiar with the Giants’ thinking, just about every recent rumor connecting the Giants with Manny is "unfounded" or "baloney." "If a million things came together over the next few weeks, would it be possible? Maybe," the source told ESPN.com. "But for where [Boras] is right now and where the team is right now, it doesn’t make sense economically and it doesn’t make sense for how the team fits together."

Boras continues to set the floor at four years and $100MM, a stance which has caused the Dodgers to focus on other needs. Stark’s sources also believe the Giants’ interest in Joe Crede is exaggerated. The team cannot extend payroll to the $100MM range; they’re already around $85MM.

Nationals Rumors: Wolf, Dunn, Hudson

By Tim Dierkes | January 6, 2009 at 4:32pm CDT

Rounding up Nationals rumors…

According to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, the Nationals are interested in free agent lefty starter Randy Wolf. The Mets and Dodgers are also known to be in on him, while we haven’t heard much about the Brewers, Cardinals, or Orioles lately.
The Washington Post’s Chico Harlan says the Nats want to acquire players who will still be in their primes in 2010 or 2011. Adam Dunn and Orlando Hudson make sense, at the right price.
The Nationals aren’t interested in Xavier Nady and don’t believe they "have a legitimate shot at trading for Nick Swisher."
Odalis Perez remains under consideration, but isn’t a priority.

Scioscia Signs Extension

By Tim Dierkes | January 6, 2009 at 4:06pm CDT

TUESDAY, 4:06pm: This is getting crazy…MLB.com’s Lyle Spencer says Scioscia’s extension runs through 2018.

MONDAY, 10:35pm: Now DiGiovanna says it runs through at least 2015.

6:55pm: Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times says Scioscia’s extension runs through at least the 2014 season.

3:05pm: According to Yahoo’s Tim Brown, Angels manager Mike Scioscia signed a multiyear extension that will run through at least 2012.

Crasnick On Abreu, Eckstein, Bloomquist, Lowry

By Tim Dierkes | January 6, 2009 at 3:45pm CDT

ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick has a bunch of new info.

The Braves’ interest in Bobby Abreu is described as "lukewarm at best." And he’d have to be a huge bargain for the Mets to get involved. Abreu’s agent has his work cut out for him.
Two middle infield possibilities for the Royals: David Eckstein and Willie Bloomquist. The Royals also considered Jerry Hairston Jr., but are concerned with his health record. Also, Dayton Moore continues to deal with payroll limitations.
The Rangers are "keeping an eye on" Giants starters Noah Lowry and Jonathan Sanchez. Lowry had arthroscopic elbow surgery in September.

Marquis To Rockies Deal Finalized

By Ben Jones | January 6, 2009 at 3:21pm CDT

TUESDAY, 3:21pm: The Marquis for Vizcaino swap has been finalized. Gordon Wittenmyer says the Cubs are sending $875K to the Rockies. Jim Hendry said today he hopes to add another pitcher before Opening Day.

MONDAY, 9:55pm: The Chicago Tribune’s Dave van Dyck says the Cubs are "actively seeking more live arms, whether it be Jake Peavy or another starter to replace the innings of Marquis."

5:05pm: Chicago Cubs pitcher Jason Marquis is close to becoming a Colorado Rockies starter, according to MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat.

Muskat believes the deal, which will ship Rockies reliever Luis Vizcaino to the Cubs, will be finalized Tuesday. The move will free up Cubs money for the newly-acquired Milton Bradley.

Marquis (11-9, 4.53 ERA) is scheduled to make $9.875MM in 2009, the final year of the three-year contract he signed with the Cubs in December 2006. The Cubs are expected to pay $1MM of Marquis’ ’09 salary; Vizcaino will make $4MM this year, Muskat continued.

Muskat also notes that moving Marquis does not mean the Cubs will resume talks with the Padres regarding Jake Peavy, but more likely, Sean Marshall will fill the fifth spot in the Cubs’ rotation.

Indians Sign Carl Pavano

By Tim Dierkes | January 6, 2009 at 2:21pm CDT

2:21pm: Crasnick says the Indians signed Pavano to a one-year deal. He gets $1.5MM guaranteed plus another $5.3MM in possible incentives, according to Troy Renck. Anthony Castrovince says Michael Aubrey was designated for assignment to make room.

12:40pm: MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro says Pavano "has also been weighing a possible return to the Marlins," but the Indians are the "clear frontrunner."

12:30pm: ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick says the Indians "have emerged as a strong candidate" to sign Pavano. He may seek a contract similar to Hampton’s.

11:03am: According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Indians are in serious discussions with free agent starter Carl Pavano. Pavano will visit Cleveland soon and a deal could be wrapped up quickly. We’ll have to see if Pavano can come close to the $2MM guaranteed Mike Hampton received from the Astros.

Yankees Sign Jason Johnson, DFA Duncan

By Tim Dierkes | January 6, 2009 at 2:15pm CDT

According to Sam Borden, the Yankees signed pitcher Jason Johnson to a minor league deal. He will compete for the fifth starter job. Johnson, 35, is known for his ability to get groundballs.

Also, the accompanying move to the Mark Teixeira signing: Shelley Duncan was designated for assignment.

Brewers Not In On Lowe, Mulder

By Tim Dierkes | January 6, 2009 at 12:13pm CDT

A couple of Brewers rumors were denied by GM Doug Melvin today.

First up, Ken Rosenthal’s suggestion that the Brewers "are interested in Derek Lowe, but only at a modest price." Melvin said, "We’re not in on him." Next, Nick Cafardo’s rumor that the Brewers are "big on" Mark Mulder. Melvin: "I really haven’t contacted his guy."

MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy says the Brewers are not particularly interested in Oliver Perez or Jon Garland, but could re-sign Ben Sheets.

Odds and Ends: Saito, Teixeira, LaRoche

By Tim Dierkes | January 6, 2009 at 11:37am CDT

Gavin Floyd-Brian Roberts Rumor Shot Down

By | January 6, 2009 at 11:31am CDT

TUESDAY, 11:31am: Jon Heyman’s take on this does not seem to gel with the info the White Sox put out there about not talking to the Orioles:

The trade talks between the Orioles and White Sox regarding excellent leadoff hitter Brian Roberts stalled over Baltimore’s request for at least one player in addition to young starting pitcher Gavin Floyd. "They wanted Floyd plus,” one person familiar with the talks said.

MONDAY, 10:19pm: Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald shoots down this rumor. He learned that Sox GM Ken Williams has not spoken to anyone affiliated with the Orioles since November.

FRIDAY, 9:46pm: Kubatko thinks the Orioles should demand second baseman Chris Getz, who spent most of last season with the White Sox’ Triple-A affiliate in Charlotte. The 25-year-old hit .302 with 11 homers and 52 RBI in 111 games in ’08.

6:40pm: According to Roch Kubatko of MASN Online, the White Sox have discussed a trade with the Orioles for second baseman Brian Roberts.

Right-hander Gavin Floyd would be sent over from Chicago. The White Sox reportedly want to make it a straight-up swap, but the Orioles, predictably, are asking for more. Floyd, 25, went 17-8 last season with a 3.84 ERA and actually grew up in the Baltimore area.

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