Padres In Search Of Left-Handed Bat
Padres GM Kevin Towers told MLB.com’s Corey Brock Tuesday that his club is in search of a veteran left-handed hitter.
"We’re waiting around until the first week of February," Towers said. In other words, something could go down early next week. Brad Wilkerson, Luis Gonzalez, Daryle Ward, Mark Sweeney and Doug Mientkiewicz are among the left-handed vets still on the market. Adam Dunn and Bobby Abreu are also unsigned, but they’re undoubtedly out of the Padres’ price range.
Jason Varitek Rumors: Tuesday
7:24pm: Massarotti notes that the exact date of the deadline is still a bit fuzzy. Either way, he writes that "it is possible that a resolution will be unknown until early Saturday."
5:13pm: CBSSports.com is reporting that Varitek has only until Friday to accept or decline either deal.
12:12pm: A source told Massarotti Varitek can choose between a one-year, $5MM deal or the deal with a dual option for 2010.
8:19am: A summary of what we learned recently: the Red Sox made an offer to Jason Varitek for $5MM in ’09 plus a $5MM club/$3MM player option for ’10. The offer has a Saturday deadline attached, with Varitek and the team putting other options on hold until the situation plays out.
A new tidbit from Tony Massarotti: the offer was made near the end of last week. Massarotti still contends that Varitek may prefer a straight one-year deal.
Brewers Could Be Done Dealing
Adam McCalvy of MLB.com passes along some telling quotes from Brewers GM Doug Melvin. It sounds like the club is done dealing, at least with major free agents.
"We’re pretty far down the road of building our ballclub," Melvin said. "But it’s still going to be competitive, and you can never predict whether you’ll have injuries or whether you’ll make waiver claims... There’s probably players we don’t know of yet that [will be acquired] by waiver claims or trades before the season starts. But as far as going to Spring Training, yeah, I don’t think there’s going to be that much more activity."
Red Sox Invite Six More To Camp
The Red Sox have extended six more non-roster spring training invitations. Adam Kilgore of the Boston Globe compiled the list:
Infielders Angel Chavez, Nick Green and Ivan Ochoa; outfielder Chip Ambres; right-hander pitcher Fernando Cabrera; and catcher Carlos Maldonado.
Navarro Arbitration Hearing Date Is Set
The Tampa Tribune’s Marc Topkin reports that the Rays and catcher Dioner Navarro have an arbitration hearing date set for February 9.
Navarro’s representatives have requested $2.5MM and the Rays have offered him $2.1MM. An arbitrator will decide between one of the two figures and announce his decision a few days after the hearing. Navarro hit .295/.349/.407 last season with seven dingers and 54 RBI.
Royals Ink Villarreal To Minor League Deal
According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post, the Royals have signed right-hander Oscar Villarreal to a minor league contract.
The deal is worth $400K and includes an invitation to spring training. Villarreal, 27, posted a 5.02 ERA in 37 2/3 innings for the Astros last season. He can request his release if he’s not on the Royals’ 25-man roster by May 15 or June 1.
Oliver Perez Rumors: Tuesday
4:57pm: Just to hammer the point home, Brewers GM Doug Melvin responded "absolutely not" when asked if he’s in on Perez.
4:02pm: Anthony Rieber’s source says the Mets are "a little bit closer" to signing Perez, but they’re maintaining dialogue with Ben Sheets, Randy Wolf, and Jon Garland. Rieber says the Mets have shown a willingness to go to four years for Perez.
1:34pm: Heyman says the Mets remain the favorite for Perez, even though talks slowed in the last day or two. The Mets’ offer exceeds three years and $30MM.
9:02am: Tom Haudricourt finds the Brewers-Perez connection to be Scott Boras propaganda – the Brewers don’t like his price and don’t want to give up a draft pick.
8:14am: Matthew Cerrone passes along a Jon Heyman MLB Network report of rumblings that the Rangers and Brewers may be in on Oliver Perez. The Mets remain the favorite.
At 27, Perez is the youngest free agent starter this year. However, I imagine a four-year deal would still be a tough sell for the Rangers or Brewers.
Wren To Meet With Glavine This Week
According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, free agent starter Tom Glavine is expected to meet with Braves GM Frank Wren this week. Wren wants a progress report on Glavine’s health; apparently Glavine received a positive report from Dr. James Andrews recently. Glavine would have to battle for the fifth starter job in Atlanta.
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Chase Wright Designated For Assignment
According to the AP, the Yankees designated pitcher Chase Wright for assignment to make room for Andy Pettitte. Wright, 26 in February, posted a 2.96 ERA at Double A and a 2.41 mark at Triple A this year despite low strikeout rates.