Carl Crawford Rumors: Monday
When Jayson Werth signed a seven-year deal worth $126MM, it appeared to be a positive sign for Carl Crawford. Here’s the latest on Crawford and whether the Werth deal really does impact his bargaining power:
- ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark suggests Werth's contract may give Crawford fewer options, since few teams will be able to meet his demands. Stark suggests the Yankees are the lone team that can afford to offer the left fielder $180MM.
- Crawford is the Angels' top priority and the Tigers have definite interest, according to Stark.
- Angels GM Tony Reagins told Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times that he doesn't have a reaction to the Werth deal since what other clubs do "doesn't affect" the way the Angels operate. I'm guessing the Angels did not like what the Nationals did one bit.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports explained earlier today that the Red Sox could be priced out of the market for Crawford.
Indians, Tigers, Mets, Others Interested In Lewis
The Indians, Tigers and Mets are among the seven or eight teams showing interest in Fred Lewis, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick (on Twitter). The Blue Jays non-tendered Lewis after acquiring Rajai Davis, making him a free agent.
Lewis, 30 this week, hit .262/.332/.414 in 480 plate appearances for the Blue Jays, who acquired him from the Giants early in the season. Though he mostly played left field, Lewis did play some center and right in 2010. He contributed 31 doubles and 17 steals, mostly as Toronto's leadoff hitter.
Zack Greinke Rumors: Monday
Zack Greinke appears willing to waive his no-trade clause in any deal, but his list of potential suitors appeared to shrink when the Brewers acquired Shaun Marcum. Milwaukee tried to pry Greinke away from the Royals, but found that GM Dayton Moore was asking a lot for the 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner. We'll keep track of all the day's Greinke rumors right here:
- The Royals appear to be tiring of the Rangers' offers, according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star. Discussions with Toronto appear to hinge on the Blue Jays' willingness to include Kyle Drabek and Travis Snider in a potential deal. Royals officials say a deal could come together in a hurry if the Blue Jays decide they're willing to part with those two players.
- The Reds have not talked to the Royals about a potential Greinke deal, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
- The Braves are not pursuing Greinke and have not been pursuing him, according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (on Twitter).
Phillies Interested In Juan Rivera
The Phillies are interested in Juan Rivera as a potential platoon partner for Domonic Brown, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times.
The Phillies are also pursuing Jeff Francoeur and may have interest in Matt Diaz. Rivera, who will earn $5.25MM next year before hitting free agency, could become expendable, especially if the Angels add Carl Crawford. Rivera, Francoeur, and Diaz topped my list of possible platoon partners for Brown back in October.
Rays Rumors: Howell, Johnson, Bartlett
The latest on the Rays, who are looking to re-build their bullpen and acquire a hitter or two:
- The Rays have progressed toward a deal with J.P. Howell, according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times (on Twitter). The team non-tendered the lefty last week.
- The Rays avoided arbitration with Dan Johnson and agreed on a 2011 salary of about $1MM, according to Topkin (Twitter links).
- The Rays and O's were discussing a trade that would have sent Jason Bartlett to Baltimore for a package similar to the one the Orioles sent to Arizona for Mark Reynolds, according to Yahoo's Tim Brown (Twitter link).
- Cardinals GM Joh Mozeliak told Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he's not looking to acquire middle infielders, so a Barlett trade seems highly unlikely.
- Rays President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman told Topkin that he wouldn't be surprised if he ends up making a trade or two this week (Twitter link).
Yankees Notes: Feliciano, Wood, Pettitte
The Yankees met with Cliff Lee's agent today. Here are the rest of the updates on the team's quest for pitching:
- The Yankees will meet with Pedro Feliciano's representatives this week, according to Newsday's Ken Davidoff. The Rockies have also expressed interest in the lefty, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (Twitter link).
- The Yankees are interested in re-signing Kerry Wood, according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch (Twitter link). GM Brian Cashman says he isn't interested in paying Wood "closer money."
- When Cashman checked in with Andy Pettitte recently, he heard that the lefty was still leaning toward retirement, according to Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger (on Twitter).
Mets Notes: Carrasco, Beltran, Francis, Young
A few Mets notes…
- The Mets are one of six to eight teams with some interest in D.J. Carrasco, according to Ed Price of AOL FanHouse (on Twitter).
- The Mets are more serious about Young than Francis, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post (on Twitter).
- The Mets will listen on David Wright, Jose Reyes and Beltran, an official of a rival team tells ESPN.com's Jayson Stark (on Twitter). However, a team official tells Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork that it's highly unlikely that the Mets move one of those three players (Twitter link).
- "There is definitely big interest out there" for Carlos Beltran, tweets Newsday's David Lennon. Lennon feels that a healthy Beltran could fetch a nice haul in July.
- The Mets met with Jeff Francis' agents at Frontline, tweets ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. As you know, the Mets are also looking at Chris Young. But SI's Jon Heyman tweets that they appear to find Brandon Webb too risky.
- Keep Jerry Hairston Jr. in mind as a possibility for the Mets, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
International Links: Renteria, Pedro, Williamson
Links in Spanish from where winter is just a cool breeze…
- Edgar Renteria has "three options" for a 2011 contract, according to an AP story out of Colombia. "All of them are in the National League, and one is the Giants," Renteria said. "I'd like to return [to the Giants], but if it doesn't work out, there are the other teams." The Cardinals and Marlins could be the fallbacks, as Renteria has said he'd like to end his career playing for one of the two.
- No matter the season or league, Pedro Martinez wants to play for a winner. Martinez downplayed reports that he is training with the Licey Tigers in the Dominican Winter League, telling Pedro G. Briceño at Listin Diario, "I'm taking a break right now." In another interview, though, Martinez sounded more open, telling El Dia's Justo de la Cruz that he might change his mind if the Tigers improve in the standings or qualify for the Dominican playoffs. In regard to his plans stateside, Martinez told de la Cruz he hasn't hung up his spikes, but on the other hand said: "I don't rule out having an impulse to leave definitively."
- Scott Williamson is planning to pitch in Mexico this winter, and several Major League teams will be watching, Williamson's agent told the blog Baseball Mexico (link in English). The former National League Rookie of the Year hasn't pitched in the majors since 2007, but he put up impressive numers in part-time closing duty for the independent Somerset Patriots last summer.
Red Sox Interested In Fuentes, Mahay
6:09pm: Fuentes is looking for $6-8MM per season, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter).
12:12pm: The Red Sox are interested in lefty relievers Brian Fuentes and Ron Mahay, reports Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald. The Sox clearly have a need for southpaw relief, and unlike Scott Downs, Fuentes and Mahay will not cost a draft pick.
I wonder if Fuentes will first try to find a closing job. The Orioles are known to have contacted Fuentes' agent and can pitch a ninth inning opening. Though they seek a closer, the Diamondbacks are not in on Fuentes according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.
Check out my free agent stock watch piece on Fuentes here. My one-year, $4MM idea from October now seems light.
Diamondbacks Notes: Hampton, Lee, Crain
6:04pm: GM Kevin Towers says he has made Mike Hampton an offer, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (on Twitter).
2:59pm: The D'Backs are "pushing hard" to sign Putz to a two-year deal with a club option for 2013, reports MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.
2:36pm: GM Kevin Towers thinks he'll acquire a closer this week, tweets Yahoo's Steve Henson. ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that "good progress" is being made with Putz on that front.
11:28am: The Diamondbacks have a vacancy at first base, and they're still looking to add a closer despite acquiring David Hernandez. The latest:
- The Diamondbacks are "looking hard" at Derrek Lee for their first base opening, tweets SI's Jon Heyman.
- The D'Backs are eyeing free agents J.J. Putz and Jesse Crain as possible closers, tweets Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com. They're not in on Brian Fuentes, reports MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.