Eight Teams Inquire On Mark DeRosa
Jon Heyman must have bumped into Mark DeRosa's agent today, because the SI reporter lists eight clubs that have already called on the player. Heyman's tweet indicates the Yankees, Mariners, Nationals, Dodgers, Phillies, Rangers, Orioles, and Giants have inquired.
That seems to be an indication that DeRosa's November wrist surgery will not limit his market.
Heyman On Figgins, Pineiro, Braves
SI's Jon Heyman reports from Chicago, where the GM Meetings are wrapping up…
- The Phillies are "intent on pursuing Chone Figgins hard," while the Mets are also fans of the Seth Levinson client. The Angels still hope to re-sign Figgins. Joel Sherman of the New York Post has more on the Mets' interest, explaining that moving Luis Castillo would make signing Figgins easier. Sherman thought another reasonable addition for the Mets might be Carlos Lee, but his idea was shot down by Ed Wade and a Mets official.
- Heyman senses mixed signals with the Mets and Matt Holliday – Omar Minaya loves the player, but the money required will be huge and the Mets might be better-served spreading it around.
- The Mets are interested in Joel Pineiro, and Minaya met with his agent Arn Tellem.
- On Page 2 of the article, Heyman quotes a couple new Scott Boras gems.
- Braves GM Frank Wren admitted he'll field offers on his starting pitching excess. It appears inevitable that the Braves will trade one starter, Derek Lowe or Javier Vazquez according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman.
- My Billy Wagner-Cubs idea should probably be put to bed, as Jim Hendry said he wouldn't spend a lot of money on a closer given Carlos Marmol's talent. Marmol himself is due a large arbitration raise.
Brewers Eyeing Starting Pitchers
Regarding the Brewers' search for starting pitching, we heard yesterday that John Lackey is unlikely while Jarrod Washburn and Doug Davis are possibilities. Today, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has further details.
Brewers GM Doug Melvin didn't seem to rule out Lackey, saying:
"It depends what they’re asking for. I don’t know if it could fit or not. I might have to make some other moves to make it fit."
Haudricourt says Randy Wolf could be a more reasonable target; Melvin met with his agent Arn Tellem at the GM Meetings. Wolf is seeking a multiyear deal. Tellem's agency also represents Joel Pineiro, Rich Harden, and Vicente Padilla, by the way.
Haudricourt adds that Melvin spoke to Steve Canter, who represents Davis. Plus, Scott Boras confirmed the Brewers' interest in Washburn. And what about Braden Looper, who has a $6.5MM mutual option? MLB.com's Adam McCalvy says that's due Saturday.
Another Brewers note: Melvin reiterated that Prince Fielder is not available, and confirmed that he'd like to pursue a long-term extension with his first baseman before the season begins.
Curtis Granderson Becomes Available
The Tigers are letting teams know center fielder Curtis Granderson is available, according to an NL executive who talked to the New York Post's Joel Sherman. Sherman believes the Yankees would have interest.
Sherman qualifies the rumor, saying Granderson nor Edwin Jackson are players the Tigers truly want to trade. Sherman notes that Jackson appeals to both New York teams.
While we named Granderson in our center fielder trade market post, we didn't think he was really available. One thing I learned writing that post is that Granderson's 2009 batting line was misleading, and he's well worth the $25.75MM owed to him over the next three seasons. The Tigers could restock the cupboards with a Granderson trade. Pure speculation, but might the Cubs be interested in the Illinois native? Way back in March of '07, Granderson talked to us about the possibility of playing in Chicago.
Cubs Likely To Sign John Grabow
1:47pm: Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune believes a Grabow deal may be finalized "in the next week or so."
9:12am: The Cubs are nearing a deal with lefty reliever John Grabow, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The writers say the Cubs are "making progress" on a possible two-year deal. Of course, we've read these rumors for a few weeks now.
Blue Jays, Mariners Discuss Overbay Trade
The Blue Jays and Mariners have discussed a deal involving first baseman Lyle Overbay, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The writers say Overbay "would welcome" a deal, and note that he's been coming up in multiple rumors. Overbay almost went back to Arizona in a deal for Chris Snyder before the Blue Jays backed out.
At $7MM next year, Overbay is reasonably priced. Nonetheless, the Jays seem to prefer to go in another direction at first base. Aside from the Mariners and D'Backs, the Orioles, A's, Rangers, Braves, Mets, and Giants might have openings at first.
Reds Talk: Votto, Budget, Olivo
John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer has the latest on the Reds, after talking with GM Walt Jocketty.
- Asked about trading Joey Votto, Jocketty replied, "Oh God, no."
- The Reds are restricted by their payroll, but Jocketty said, "not yet" as far as trading players to make the budget. Check out our Reds Offseason Outlook for details on their commitments.
- If the Reds can't negotiate a new deal with Ramon Hernandez, Fay feels that they might consider free agent catcher Miguel Olivo.
Freddy Guzman, Josh Towers Elect Free Agency
Freddy Guzman and Josh Towers were outrighted by the Yankees and elected free agency, according to Chad Jennings of The Journal News. Towers would've been arbitration-eligible.
Guzman, 29 in January, hit .223/.272/.294 in 381 plate appearances for four Triple A teams this year. Towers, 33 in February, posted a 3.05 ERA in 103.3 Triple A innings for two clubs.
Anthopoulos Would Deal Within Division
Same-division dealing won't be a big factor for new Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos, according to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald. Said Anthopoulos:
That will never be a stumbling block, if we get the return that we feel, no matter what player it is. We're trying to worry about the Toronto Blue Jays and what makes us a better team.
A comment like that tends to fuel the fire regarding rumors that the Red Sox or Yankees will have interest in Roy Halladay. Indeed, SI's Jon Heyman just tweeted that the Yanks plan to inquire.
Rockies Rumors: Hawpe, Atkins, Barmes, Street
Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post has the Rockies hot stove chatter; let's take a look.
- GM Dan O'Dowd explained that, "There is a difference between listening and attempting to move a player." Brad Hawpe falls squarely into the "listening" category. Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports say the Rockies would probably seek a right-handed hitting outfielder and a reliever for Hawpe.
- New contracts for O'Dowd and manager Jim Tracy are still pending a few small details.
- The Rockies are trying to trade Garrett Atkins. If and when they fail, they'll release him. So rather than wait until the December 12th non-tender deadline, Atkins should join the free agent ranks by November 20th at the latest. The Rangers have "moderate interest" in Atkins, according to Jeff Wilson of the Dallas Morning News.
- The Rockies will attempt to sign arbitration-eligible players Clint Barmes and Huston Street to multiyear deals, but if that doesn't work they'll simply get one-year contracts.
- Catcher Paul Phillips who had 54 plate appearances with the big club this year, is expected to be designated for assignment re-signed to a minor league deal to create 40-man roster space.
- Click here to read Monday's Rockies rumors.