Rule 5 Draft Preview
THURSDAY, 12:10am: Yankees' GM Brian Cashman said that four teams have called about the first pick, however they'll keep it for themselves according to Mark Feinsand of The NY Daily News. Ben Goessling of The Washington Times says that the Yanks will have Washington take Kroenke, with the idea of him replacing the recently departed Phil Coke.
WEDNESDAY, 11:13pm: Mayo says the Royals will make a selection, which means we'll see a roster move soon. And it's now looking like the Pirates will take a right-hander instead of a position player.
9:16pm: Johan Santana, Dan Uggla and Shane Victorino were all Rule 5 Draft selections, so we could see some unheralded talent change teams tomorrow morning when this year's draft takes place. MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo has the latest on the draft, which he calls something of a "crapshoot:"
- The Nats will select first for the Yankees, followed by the Pirates, the Orioles for the Rangers, the Royals and the Indians.
- The Royals have a full 40-man roster so they can't make a selection unless that changes. They may create space to make a pick, though.
- Pirates GM Neal Huntington says there's a good chance he'll select someone. Mayo expects the Pirates to take a position player.
- Marlins outfielder John Raynor is gathering lots of attention; he has a career .299/.383/.452 line.
- D'Backs pitcher Hector Ambriz could also be an early pick, perhaps for the Indians.
- The Yankees might have the Nats take one of their own players, Zach Kroenke, to make sure no one else does. Ed Price of AOL FanHouse agrees: there's a chance the Yankees will have the Nats select Kroenke.
- Remember, Florida has Houston's eighth overall pick, from the Matt Lindstrom deal.
- Check Mayo's article for the complete draft order and some more intriguing names.
Agent: Bonds Won’t Play Again
It's not a retirement, but Barry Bonds won't play again. Agent Jeff Borris told John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle that a return to baseball this year is "nearly impossible" for the all-time home run leader.
"If there was any chance he'd be back in a major-league uniform, it would have happened by now," Borris said.
It's an anti-climactic ending to one of the greatest careers ever. Bonds won seven MVPs, eight Gold Gloves, made 14 All-Star teams and is the all-time leader in homers and walks. He stole 514 bases and posted a career line of .298/.444/.607. Allegations of PED use and a reputation for surliness stain an otherwise spectacular career.
Jason Bay Rumors: Wednesday
11:08pm: The Red Sox are one of four teams involved with Bay, according to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald. The Mariners and Angels are talking with him and Silverman hears indications that the Mets might be, too. Still, that's speculation at this point. The Red Sox are still interested in Matt Holliday and willing to get creative if Bay signs elsewhere.
5:04pm: Theo Epstein doesn't expect any kind of blockbuster move before the meetings end, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com. Talks haven't progressed with Jason Bay's reps.
2:16pm: Angels m anager Mike Scioscia said his team has "more pressing needs" than Bay right now, reports WEEI's Alex Speier.
2:41am: Although the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are among the main players for Jason Bay, they have still only engaged in "preliminary talks" with the slugger, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.
"He's a guy we have interest in," [GM Tony] Reagins said. "We have to find out what it's going to take to make a deal, and we don't have an indication right now."
We didn't hear a whole lot about Bay on Tuesday, so we'll see if Wednesday brings any more action.
Reds Rumors: Counsell, Carroll, Gomes
MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports that the Reds have interest in Craig Counsell. The Brewers have made Counsell an offer, but his versatility and .357 OBP interest other teams.
The Reds like that Counsell can play short, but they worry that another target doesn't have enough recent experience at the position. We found out yesterday that Jamey Carroll would love to play for the Reds, but they feel that Carroll, who hasn't played short since 2007 cannot be relied upon there, so they won't pursue him.
Meanwhile, Jonny Gomes still hopes to return to Cincinnati, but the team hasn't made any progress with its arbitration-eligible outfielder.
Astros To Sign Brandon Lyon
10:48pm: Rosenthal says the Astros agreed to sign Lyon for $15MM over three years. That's too much of a commitment in my opinion, but congrats to Lyon and his agent, Barry Meister. The Tigers get a supplementary rounder (not from the Astros) in next year's draft.
10:35pm: Rosenthal hears from one source who says Lyon received a three-year $15MM offer, presumably from the Astros.
10:14pm: MLB.com's Brian McTaggart says the Astros have reached a deal with Lyon, pending a physical.
10:13pm: The Astros are making a "strong run" for Brandon Lyon, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. At least one outlet is reporting that it's a done deal. Mark Berman, the sports director of MyFOX in Houston reports that the Astros have agreed to a three-year deal with Lyon. It would be puzzling to see the Astros sign Lyon to a three-year deal the same day they lost LaTroy Hawkins to the Brewers because of their reluctance to go beyond a single year.
Roy Halladay Rumors: Wednesday
10:32pm: ESPN.com's Jayson Stark hears that Halladay would approve a deal to the Phillies, Yankees, Red Sox and Angels. The Rays and Dodgers are possibilities, and one person "who knows [Halladay] well" doesn't think he'd go to the Mets. Check out Stark's entire article for a detailed breakdown of the "Doc on the block" part two.
10:26pm: One GM tells Jon Heyman of SI.com that the Jays should take the offer of Joe Saunders, Erick Aybar and Peter Bourjos if it's really on the table. Ed Price of AOL FanHouse says the Jays prefer minor leaguers to major leaguers.
9:00pm: Phils GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told MLB.com's Todd Zolecki that he's not likely to trade for a big-time starting pitcher. Such a deal would not be impossible, however.
7:30pm: A major league source tells Bastian that Halladay might waive his not-trade clause to join the Angels.
7:19pm: The Angels have made an offer, according to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun. They'd give up Joe Saunders, Erick Aybar and Peter Bourjos for Halladay. Saunders and Aybar are set to become free agents after 2012. Halladay, of course, would have to approve any deal, but one unnamed executive implies the Angels believe Halladay would accept.
6:56pm: Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that the Phillies are "joining the fray" for Halladay. MLB.com's Todd Zolecki said yesterday that the Phils have the pieces to complete a deal.
5:52pm: MLB.com's Lyle Spencer reports that the Angels could bring on two elite pitchers this offseason. It's "possible, but not likey," according to GM Tony Reagins.
5:30pm: Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos says the Jays aren't currently likely to make a deal at the Winter Meetings, according to Bastian. If they do make a trade, they'll look for above average players, not average ones. And what does the manager think? Cito Gaston expects Halladay to leave, he's just not sure when it'll happen.
2:12pm: SI's Jon Heyman says the Blue Jays requested Jesus Montero and one of Phil Hughes/Joba Chamberlain plus more from the Yankees for Halladay.
1:13pm: MLB.com's Jordan Bastian tweets that we should not count out the Phillies for Halladay – they're "still quietly in the mix." MLB.com's Todd Zolecki did an informal poll and determined that they do have the pieces to get it done. Still, GM Ruben Amaro Jr. finds a major trade for a pitcher unlikely.
7:05am: ESPN.com's Buster Olney (via Twitter) hears from officials involved in the Halladay discussions that the Jays are still in "info-gathering mode" and aren't close to a deal with any team yet.
6:50am: The New York Yankees remain very much in the hunt for Roy Halladay, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Sherman considers Doc to be the Yankees' Mark Teixeira, in that he's not their priority but Brian Cashman will monitor the situation.
In yesterday's round of Halladay rumors, we heard, among other things, that the Yankees' acquisition of Curtis Granderson would make it harder for them to trade for Halladay, since they parted ways with outfield prospect Austin Jackson. However, Sherman suggests that the Yanks have continued discussions with the Blue Jays, with their efforts to acquire Halladay even "intensifying."
The Blue Jays likely don't want to deal Halladay within the division, but according to Sherman's sources, Toronto "loves" New York catching prospect Jesus Montero. If the Yankees were willing to part with Montero and either Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain, the Jays would definitely be listening.
Tigers, Four Others Interested In Podsednik
Scott Podsednik has a new suitor, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The Tigers, who just traded away their regular center fielder, join the White Sox, Cubs, Giants and Royals in the hunt for Podsednik's services. As Rosenthal says, Podsednik can play center or left and lead off. He could give the Tigers depth while Austin Jackson develops.
The 33-year-old Podsednik hit .304/.353/.412 last year in 587 plate appearances for the White Sox, splitting his time between left and center. He was slightly below average as an outfielder, according to UZR/150.
Odds & Ends: Livan, Cameron, Matsui, Mulder
Time for another round of links…
- The Nats have "some" interest in Livan Hernandez, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
- The Red Sox "appear interested" in Mike Cameron, according to Joe McDonald of the Providence Journal.
- We know the Dodgers want pitching for Juan Pierre. Ned Colletti told SIRIUS XM radio that he'd accept a back-of-the-rotation pitcher, according to Diamond Leung.
- Jon Greenberg of ESPN.com takes a look at the influence technology has on the Winter Meetings. Within the article, a Cubs exec calls Tim Dierkes his hero, so it's worth a read for that line alone.
- Yankees GM Brian Cashman says the Curtis Granderson acquisition doesn't mean the Yankees can't bring back Hideki Matsui or Johnny Damon, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.
- Mike Scioscia told Lyle Spencer of MLB.com that the Angels would "definitely consider" Hideki Matsui.
- Padres manager Bud Black expects Adrian Gonzalez to return to the Padres in 2010, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Brewers met with Mark Mulder's representation today. He's also drawing interest from the Royals, according to MLB.com's Dick Kaegel.
- MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports that the Astros only offered LaTroy Hawkins a one-year deal, so he signed with the Brewers.
- The Orioles will meet with Aroldis Chapman's agents, though they remain "a longshot" to acquire the Cuban pitcher, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun.
- MLB.com's Lyle Spencer confirms that the Angels still have interest in Chapman.
- Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports that the Red Sox have not spoken with Justin Duchscherer's agents since they met Sunday night. Apparently 11 teams are interested in Duchscherer.
- Keith Law of ESPN.com says it makes sense for the Yankees to keep bringing Andy Pettitte back on one-year deals. Law doesn't mind the Randy Wolf deal, either.
- There may come a time when the Cardinals have to force Matt Holliday's hand, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Orioles Acquire Kevin Millwood
8:46pm: Evan Grant reports that the Orioles will send their third overall Rule 5 pick to the Rangers.
5:26pm: The trade is official, according to Jorge Arangure Jr. of ESPN.com.
3:36pm: Evan Grant hears that only the medical report approvals remain before this deal is done. He believes the Rangers would use some of the money saved to sign a free agent starter.
2:08pm: Rosenthal is hearing the Rangers will pick up $3MM of Millwood's $12MM tab.
1:38pm: The two sides have a tentative agreement, reports Zrebiec. He says the deal could be completed as early as tonight. However, ESPN's Jayson Stark tweets that a Rangers official said his team hasn't signed off on the trade.
1:20pm: The Orioles and Rangers are close to swapping pitchers Kevin Millwood and Chris Ray, reports Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports agrees. The Rangers would of course send cash in the deal. Ray hasn't heard anything yet, according to MASN's Steve Melewski.
The Rangers allowed Millwood's option to vest in late September, triggering a $12MM salary for 2010. The righty, 35 later this month, posted a 3.67 ERA in 198.6 innings with a 5.6 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9. He dealt with a strained gluteus muscle around July. Ray, 27, closed for the Orioles in '06 and part of '07 but needed Tommy John surgery in August of '07. The arb-eligible righty is under team control for two more years.
Giants Aren’t Interested In Beltre
8:10pm: The Giants have Scott Podsednik on their radar, Baggarly reports. He's apparently one of the center fielders the club is considering.
7:11pm: The Giants don't have interest in Adrian Beltre, according to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. Giants GM Brian Sabean told Shea that his club isn't interested in the free agent "at this time." In fact, Sabean says the Giants have "no need" to talk to Boras right now, according to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News.
Instead, the Giants are focused on adding a first baseman on a short-term deal. Sabean didn't name names, but acknowledged that his list doesn't include any surprise candidates. That probably means the Giants would consider Nick Johnson, Adam LaRoche and Mark DeRosa, though DeRosa probably wouldn't man first. Baggarly hears that the Giants might consider offering DeRosa a third year; they'd offer Johnson a two-year deal.
On another note, Sabean said it's possible the Giants could sign a center fielder and move Aaron Rowand to one of the corners.