Mariners Discussing Extension For Felix
5:20pm: Nero told Larry Stone of the Times that he's been "philosophically dancing" with Zduriencik so far regarding a long-term deal for Hernandez. Nero hopes fans and media will just chill out, because Felix is happy and the relationship remains strong.
MONDAY, 11:39am: Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times says Zdruriencik had an informal chat with Hernandez's agent Alan Nero today, and they'll hold more serious talks later this week. SI's Jon Heyman tweets that Felix "will likely seek" about $100MM over six years.
SUNDAY, 4:24pm: Ken Rosenthal reports that the Mariners have begun discussing a long-term deal with Cy Young runner-up Felix Hernandez. Both sides are still far apart, according to one of Rosenthal's sources.
Hernandez, still just 23, is under team control for another two seasons, and could be in line for an epic contract through free agency if he remains healthy and is not extended. Rosenthal states that the Mariners have offered somewhere in the range of a four-year, $45MM deal to their ace.
After earning $3.8MM in 2009, Rosenthal speculates that King Felix could earn $7MM or more in 2010, and over $10MM in 2011. Using C.C. Sabathia's $23MM annual salary as an estimate point for Hernandez's free agent salary, Rosenthal theorizes that Felix could earn near $60MM over those four years going year-to-year.
Hernandez could fetch a deal worth more than $100MM over six years if he reaches free agency, but as Rosenthal says, he enjoys pitching in Seattle and you have to imagine the Mariners want to make every last effort to keep him.
Players face this dilemma all the time; is it wiser to hold out and go year-to-year for more money, when one injury could cost you everything, or do you take an extension that may net you less money than the alternative if you stay healthy?
The very fact that the two sides are talking is good news for Mariners fans. After reaching an agreement with Chone Figgins just a few days ago, the possibility of a long-term deal for their ace gives more reason to be happy if you're a Seattle fan. If you were Jack Zduriencik, how many years and how many dollars would you offer to keep one of the best young arms in the game with your club?
Nationals Talking To Jon Garland
MONDAY, 5:11pm: Nationals GM Mike Rizzo confirmed interest in Garland, saying, "He's one of the 10 names we've been talking about throughout the whole winter." (Chico Harlan of the Washington Post reporting).
SUNDAY, 10:23pm: In search of a couple of starting pitchers this winter, the Nationals are talking to free agent Jon Garland, according to ESPN's Peter Gammons. We've also heard that the Nats were interested in John Smoltz and John Lackey, and I think it would be pretty cool if they ended up with four Jon/John's in their rotation (don't forget John Lannan!).
Only one non-Lannan Nats' starter eclipsed 100 IP last year (Craig Stammen at 105.2 IP), and Garland would certainly help that situation. He's made at least 32 starts and thrown at least 191.2 innings every year since 2002, during which time he has a respectable 4.38 ERA.
MLBTR readers discussed Garland about a month ago.
Marlins To Deal Lindstrom At Meetings?
4:58pm: MLB.com's Joe Frisaro tweets that about ten teams are in on Lindstrom, and nothing is imminent.
12:21pm: Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald downplays the Rangers' and Rays' interest in Lindstrom. He notes that the Marlins contingent won't arrive in Indianapolis until tonight.
MONDAY, 6:58am: Buster Olney tweets that the Rangers may be the most serious team interested in Lindstrom. Two teams have fallen out of the running, but two other teams are now interested.
SUNDAY, 8:48pm: SI.com's Jon Heyman says two teams besides the Rays and Rangers are in on Lindstrom as well. Any ideas?
8:06pm: Rosenthal says the Rangers are among the interested teams.
7:39pm: ESPN's Buster Olney says a deal is imminent, though we're not sure where Lindstrom is headed.
6:58pm: MLB.com's Joe Frisaro tweets that the Rays are "exploring interest" in Lindstrom.
9:33am: Matt Lindstrom is "virtually certain" to be traded at the winter meetings, if not before, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Of the six teams that have expressed interest in the soon-to-be 30-year-old, three have stepped to the forefront in recent days.
Lindstrom, who is arbitration-eligible for the first time in his career, makes sense as a Marlins trade candidate. Earlier this week we heard that the righty was part of a trio of Florida relievers who could be dealt.
The Idaho native had a down year in 2009, as he was slowed down by an elbow injury. In his third big league season, he posted an ERA of 5.89 and threw just 47.1 innings.
What clubs should be burning up Florida's phone lines in regards to this fireballer?
Justin Duchscherer Declines Arbitration
Pitcher Justin Duchscherer declined the A's arbitration offer, tweets ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. Since he's a Type B free agent, the A's will get a supplemental pick if he signs elsewhere. Duchscherer, who missed all of 2009, has drawn interest from the Rockies, Red Sox, and Pirates already. There is still mutual interest for Duchscherer to return to the A's, reports John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Nationals Acquire Brian Bruney; Release Saul Rivera
4:11pm: The Yanks will receive the Nationals' Rule 5 pick for Bruney, reports Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.
12:51pm: The Nationals confirmed the deal via a press release. They released Saul Rivera to make room for Bruney. Rivera, 32 today, posted a 6.10 ERA in 38.3 innings for the Nats this year. Releasing a man on his birthday…for shame! Saul did receive one gift: he's now on our 2010 free agents list.
11:56am: The Nationals acquired reliever Brian Bruney from the Yankees for a player to be named later, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Bruney, who is arbitration-eligible, is due a small raise on this year's $1.25MM salary. He's under team control through 2011.
The hard-throwing righty, who turns 28 in February, posted a 3.92 ERA in 39 innings this year, striking out 36 but walking 23. Plagued by elbow troubles, Bruney was bumped from the Yankees' set-up role for Phil Hughes in July. He figures to be high in the pecking order of Washington's pen, perhaps even a closer candidate if Mike MacDougal is non-tendered.
Twitter Rumors: Doumit, Mahay, Wolf, Jenkins
Collecting some tweets I couldn't quite turn into posts…
- Four unknown teams are in on Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit, says Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
- The Nationals have interest in free agent catcher Brad Ausmus, says MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
- The Red Sox have interest in free agent lefty Ron Mahay, says Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald. The 38-year-old posted a 4.29 ERA, 7.5 K/9, and 3.9 BB/9 in 50.3 innings for the Royals and Twins this year. Two years ago he was quite a hot commodity on the free agent market.
- ESPN's Jerry Crasnick says Brett Myers is seeking a two-year deal. The Rangers and other teams are interested at one year. Crasnick wrote a few days ago that the Astros are also interested, while Andrew Baggarly named the Giants as a suitor today.
- Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times shoots down Danny Knobler's rumor that the Pirates have interest in Juan Pierre. Nonetheless, MLB.com's Joe Frisaro tweets of interest from the Pirates, White Sox, and a third team.
- ESPN's Jayson Stark says the Yankees want to resolve the Andy Pettitte/Johnny Damon situations before moving on to Hideki Matsui and other starting pitcher options.
- White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen told Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune that the Sox are not in the market for a pure DH.
- The Brewers are making a "strong run" at Randy Wolf, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- Ruben Amaro Jr.'s comment that "those are guys we will probably count on" implies relievers Chad Durbin and Clay Condrey will be tendered contracts by the Phillies (Andy Martino reporting).
- Crasnick says Geoff Jenkins wants to make a comeback in 2010 and has been working out at first base and outfield in hopes of landing a bench role.
- Crasnick says to expect the Cubs to tender a contract to Mike Fontenot on Saturday.
- Bill Shanks quoting Braves manager Bobby Cox: "clubs are knocking on the door for Kelly Johnson." I imagine Johnson will be dealt by Saturday.
- ESPN's Gordon Edes says that while Red Sox owner John Henry is a big fan of Miguel Cabrera from their Marlins days, the Red Sox "don't have the Major League-ready position players Detroit wants in return."
- Crasnick expects Elmer Dessens to re-sign with the Mets, though the pitcher has talked to the Dodgers and Padres.
- Yahoo's Steve Henson says the Braves want to move Derek Lowe or Javier Vazquez, but not Kenshin Kawakami.
- Andy Martino of the Philadelphia Inquirer says the Phillies will meet with Chan Ho Park's agent today "and attempt to resolve their differences over Park's value." The Phils did not offer arbitration to Park, a Type B free agent. Park craves another shot at starting, which won't happen in Philly.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Phillies like Brandon Lyon, but aren't "willing to pay the price for him." Lyon is said to be seeking a multiyear deal. He is expected to turn down the Tigers' offer of arbitration today. The Yankees have been named as another suitor.
- Crasnick says the Astros "have very little money to spend, unless Drayton McLane suddenly has a change of heart."
Cust Could Be Odd Man Out In Oakland
MONDAY, 3:10pm: Don't look for Cust to land in Seattle, says Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times.
SUNDAY, 12:20pm: The A's acquisition of Jake Fox from the Cubs could spell the end of Jack Cust's time in Oakland, writes Carl Steward of the Mercury News. Cust, who is set to command between $4-5MM in arbitration, is a likely non-tender candidate.
However, Oakland GM Billy Beane may just find a taker for the soon-to-be 31-year-old slugger at the winter meetings. Both the Mets and Mariners could be interested. Beane also says that the club is more likely to sign a free agent during the meetings than make a trade.
How much could the A's get for Cust, considering that everyone knows the club is unlikely to tender him an offer?
John Lackey Rumors: Monday
We'll kick off today's John Lackey post with a Buster Olney tweet: the ESPN scribe says the Mets will meet with Lackey's agent Steve Hilliard tonight (or later this week, corrects Newsday's David Lennon). Joel Sherman of the New York Post wrote earlier today that the Mets are hesitant to exceed four years with Lackey. Lackey, however, might be looking to top A.J. Burnett's five-year, $82.5MM deal.
Mets Step Up Pursuit For Willingham, Rivera
The Mets have intensified their pursuit for left fielders Josh Willingham and Juan Rivera, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Given all their needs, the Mets like the idea of acquiring the more cost-effective Willingham or Rivera rather than signing Matt Holliday or Jason Bay. ESPN's Buster Olney notes that while the Mets have made inquiries on corner outfield trade targets, they are not close to a deal.
Willingham might be tough to pry loose, based on comments from Nationals manager Jim Riggleman. It's rumored that Rivera could be available as a way to clear a spot for the Angels to sign Jason Bay.
Marlon Byrd Planning To Decline Arbitration
Free agent outfielder Marlon Byrd told MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan he's planning to decline the Rangers' arbitration offer. That'll set up the Rangers for a supplemental pick if Byrd signs elsewhere, though the outfielder does hope to re-sign. The Braves, Cubs, and Mariners have been linked to Byrd so far. Coming off a solid year, he figures to seek a multiyear deal.