Odds and Ends: Crede, Swisher, Astros
Links for Wednesday…
- RotoAuthority identifies a bunch of sleepers who had between 200-400 at-bats in 2008 in posts here and here.
- Joe Crede remains on the Rangers’ radar, but they have not made an offer.
- All kinds of interesting thoughts from Peter Gammons.
- Fred Claire contrasts Pat Burrell and Milton Bradley.
- Dave Sheinin says the Nationals inquired on Nick Swisher, but their offer did not impress the Yankees. Chico Harlan mentioned the same yesterday. Joel Sherman notes that the Mets and Braves had interest in Swisher before he was traded to the Yankees.
- In that post, Sherman also predicts the contracts for Derek Lowe and Manny Ramirez.
- The Astros are mostly done, unless Drayton McLane pulls a surprise move.
- Murray Chass reflects on Carl Pohlad.
- Eric Stashin talked to Wayne Graczyk of the Japan Times about various Japanese pitchers.
Will Ohman Update
Time for a Will Ohman update from David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
The Braves haven’t backed off Ohman, still right there, one of six to eight teams interested. And he reiterated this is where he wants to be, if offers are equal, etc. He really liked everything about the place, team, fans.
The following teams have been linked to Ohman in reports: the Mets, Indians, Orioles, Rockies, Cardinals, Rays, and Braves. We can probably cross the Cardinals and Rockies off the list. MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan informed us today that the Rangers are "among the teams talking seriously" with Ohman.
Cliff Floyd Hopes To Return To Rays
According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark:
The signing of Pat Burrell seemed to close the door on Cliff Floyd‘s return to Tampa Bay. But Floyd’s agents, Seth and Sam Levinson, continue to speak with the Rays about finding a role for Floyd, who served as Tampa Bay’s primary lefthanded DH last year. Floyd has told friends that returning to the Rays is still his first choice.
On November 3rd, the Rays chose a $250K buyout over Floyd’s $2.75MM option. Floyd, 36, hit .268/.349/.455 in 284 plate appearances in ’08. Floyd decided to rehab his shoulder injury rather than have surgery.
A’s Rumors: Abreu, Cabrera, Barton
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle has the latest on the A’s.
- The Jason Giambi press conference is scheduled for today. Joe Dillon was designated for assignment to make room.
- Slusser believes Billy Beane will take a look at Bobby Abreu and/or Orlando Cabrera if their price tags slip.
- Daric Barton is drawing trade interest, with the Nationals a possibility.
Manny Ramirez Rumors: Wednesday
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle addresses Jayson Stark’s article on the Giants and Manny Ramirez from yesterday.
Schulman says the fact that the Giants haven’t made a formal offer for Manny doesn’t mean much. The two sides have discussed parameters. Schulman doesn’t believe the Giants are firmly limited to a payroll below $100MM.
Schulman says the Giants’ talks with Manny are "very much alive," yet signing him remains a long shot.
John Patterson Retires
According to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, pitcher John Patterson announced his retirement today at age 30. Patterson just has not been able to get healthy. His best season was 2005, when he made 31 starts for the Nationals with a 3.13 ERA.
Patterson was one of Scott Boras’ infamous "loophole" amateur free agents in ’96; Boras got him $6.075MM with the D’Backs.
MLB Trade Rumors Reader Survey
If you have two minutes to spare, please take this brief six-question anonymous survey. Thanks.
Dodgers Made Offer To Dennys Reyes
According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, the Dodgers made an offer to free agent lefty Dennys Reyes. He says they also want a right-handed setup man – Guillermo Mota or Juan Cruz are possibilities (Cruz would cost a draft pick).
Various reports stated earlier today that the Dodgers made a one-year offer to Trevor Hoffman.
Rosenthal On Dunn, Angels, Garland, Roberts
Let’s take a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal.
- The Dodgers won’t go after Adam Dunn until they exhaust their options with Manny Ramirez. Rosenthal likes the Dunn-L.A. match. Should Dunn opt for a one-year deal so he can try his hand at a weaker free agent market?
- Rosenthal wonders if Tony La Russa and/or Albert Pujols will depart if the Cardinals do not contend in coming seasons.
- The Angels are not in on any hitter currently, but could engage in trade talks this summer if necessary.
- Rosenthal drives home just how difficult it would be for the Mets to move Luis Castillo. He says the team wants to bring in a capable backup infielder such as Alex Cora, David Eckstein, or Craig Counsell.
- The D’Backs made offers for Jon Garland and Brad Penny, but Penny signed with Boston and they’re out on Garland. Rosenthal says the D’Backs still aren’t necessarily in the market for a starter.
- A Brian Roberts trade is said to be a "growing possibility."
Mark Teixeira Leftovers
More Mark Teixeira info…
- Tony Massarotti chronicles the Red Sox-Yankees angle to the Teixeira negotiations from start to finish.
- Lisa Olson says the Yankees lured Tex with a montage backed by his beloved band Twisted Sister (and also $180 million).
- Teixeira says the botched negotiations with the Red Sox in ’98 had nothing to do with his decision.
- Jack Curry got some comments from Red Sox owner John Henry on the situation.
- Yankees president Randy Levine accused Brewers owner Mark Attanasio of "sour grapes."
- Ken Davidoff banters with Hal Steinbrenner about the Yankees’ approach.
- Gordon Edes says the Red Sox put together an offer with vesting options that would’ve reached ten years and $212MM; Scott Boras made a similar pitch to the Angels. Boras wanted either nine years or $23MM per from the Sox; he told them the Nationals did commit to a ninth year. That was when John Henry emailed the media. As for the Angels, Arte Moreno believes no player is worth more than $160MM.
- Joel Sherman says the Angels were Teixeira’s first choice.