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Archives for November 2009

Odds & Ends: Jackson, Cabrera, Guillen, Bedard

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It's a slow night for rumors on the eve of Thanksgiving, but here's a roundup of a handful of interesting evening links:

Discussion: Brandon Lyon

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Earlier today, we heard that Brandon Lyon's number one priority this winter is signing a multi-year deal. This raises the obvious question: which teams in need of bullpen help will be willing to make a long-term commitment to the right-hander?

The 30-year-old is coming off perhaps his best season, in which he earned $4.25MM. In 65 appearances, Lyon worked 78.2 IP, recording a 2.86 ERA and holding batters to just a .205 average. Lyon gained some closing experience in Arizona in 2008, but wasn't exactly dominant in the role, losing the job toward the end of the year and finishing with a 4.70 ERA.

There's an uncertain market for Lyon's services. On one hand, he has been mostly reliable over the last few years and is coming off a very successful stint with the Tigers. Conversely, he's never put together two great seasons in a row, and was pitching in a contract year in 2009.

How do you expect the market for Lyon to play out? Which teams will be interested, and how much will they offer? Personally, I see Lyon earning $4.5-5MM per year over two or three seasons with a team like the Phillies, or perhaps somewhere where he'd have a chance to close (Tampa Bay?). Let us know in the comments section what you think.

Blue Jays Still Looking For Shortstop

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Despite agreeing to terms with John McDonald, the Toronto Blue Jays are still searching for a shortstop, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com (via Twitter).

Bastian tweets that McDonald's role is "undefined" heading into next year, and that the Jays don't view him as their starter. The team will attempt to fill that role via free agency, and GM Alex Anthopoulos hopes to get something done soon.

Incumbent shortstop Marco Scutaro is perhaps the most attractive of the position's free agent class this offseason, but Bastian reports that talks with the infielder have come to a halt. It's still possible the Jays and Scutaro could agree on a one-year deal, but it doesn't look probable that the 34-year-old will be back in Toronto.

Considering they already have one defensive specialist in McDonald, it seems unlikely that the Jays would pursue a player like Adam Everett or Alex Gonzalez. Of the rest of the free agent shortstops, only Miguel Tejada and Orlando Cabrera look like sure-thing, everyday options.

Wagner Will Be Presented With Offers Next Week

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Bean Stringfellow, agent for free agent reliever Billy Wagner, said that a few interested clubs will be presenting his client with offers "sometime next week," according to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com. Eight clubs have shown interest in Wagner, and all eight have the intention of using him as their closer according to his agent.

Stringfellow also indicated that Wagner is open to going back to Boston, even though he wouldn't be closing. He has “no doubt” the club will offer the Type-A free agent arbitration, and feels "Wagner will have enough offers in hand prior to that date that an informed decision can be made by the pitcher in regards to a possible return to the Red Sox."

Red Sox Acquire Tug Hulett

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The Red Sox have acquired utility player Tug Hulett from the Royals, according to Bob Dutton of The KC Star. The Royals will receive either cash or a player to be named later in the deal.

The 26-year-old Hulett has hit .194/.270/.254 in 75 career plate appearances in the big leagues, spending most of the last three seasons in Triple-A. He's a career .284/.394/.418 hitter in the minors, and is capable of playing second, third, and short.

Lyon Seeking A Multi-Year Deal

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According to his agent Barry Meister, free agent reliever Brandon Lyon is seeking a multi-year contract, says Steve Kornacki of MLive.com.  

“The main thing for me going into this after last year, and playing for two teams in two years, is a long-term deal,” Lyon recently told Booth Newspapers. “That’s more important to me this year. The shuffle is tougher and I want to dedicate myself to one team and one city, and have that peace of mind.”

Meister added that they're still "in the exploratory phase and a number of teams are interested,” noting that they will talk to the Tigers before anything else happens. Lyon said that he'd like to return to Detroit.

The 30-year-old righthander had a 2.86 ERA in 78.2 innings for Detroit this year, pitching extremely well in the second half.

Mets Close To Bringing Back Dessens

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4:10pm: Dessens' agent says the two sides are "getting closer" to a deal, according to an update from the FoxSports.com duo.

3:13pm: Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com report that the Mets are interested in bringing righthander Elmer Dessens back."We are talking," said Dessens' agent, Oscar Suarez.

The 38-year-old Dessens was actually pretty good for the Amazin's last year, posting a 3.31 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP in 32.2 innings out of the bullpen. The Mets are the ninth team he has played for in his 13-year career.

McDonald Re-Signs With Blue Jays

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WEDNESDAY 4:01pm: ESPN's Buster Olney reports (via email) that McDonald's deal is worth a total of $3MM over two years.

TUESDAY 7:52pm: Fanhouse's Ed Price (via Twitter) has learned that Toronto is "expected" to bring back free agent infielder John McDonald to a deal worth around $1.5MM, in what would likely be a one-year contract.

McDonald has been a reserve with the Blue Jays since 2005, and has become a fan favorite in Toronto due to his often-spectacular defense at shortstop.  He just completed a two-year/$3.8MM deal with the club and his return would give the Jays a strong back-up glove at third base (where Edwin Encarncacion and his "E-5" nickname has the starting job) and may even be a candidate to get regular playing time at shortstop given Marco Scutaro's Type A free-agent status.  McDonald's .258/.271/.384 line last season represented career highs in slugging percentage and OPS, but obviously the Jays would be absorbing a blow to their lineup by giving McDonald regular at-bats.

Phillies Sign DeWayne Wise & Wilson Valdez

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According to Matt Eddy and Baseball America's latest edition of minor league transactions, the Phillies have signed utility men DeWayne Wise and Wilson Valdez to minor league contracts.

Wise, 32 in February, declared free agency back in October after hitting .225/.262/.366 in 153 plate appearances for the White Sox this year. Meanwhile, the 31-year-old Valdez hit .256/.326/.337 in 95 plate appearances for the Mets.

Make sure you check out the transactions link for more moves, including shortstop Josh Wilson becoming a free agent.

Red Sox Interested In Justin Duchscherer

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A major league source tells Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com that the Red Sox are interested in righthander Justin Duschscherer as a starting pitcher.

The 32-year-old missed all of 2009 following surgery on both his hip and throwing elbow, plus a bout with clinical depression that ESPN's Jerry Crasnick chronicled today. Duchscherer was originally drafted by Boston back in 1996, and has a 3.14 career ERA in 27 starts and 192 relief appearances.

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