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Padres Will Tender Ryan Ludwick A Contract

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The Padres will offer Ryan Ludwick a contract through arbitration, GM Jed Hoyer told MLBTR. The Padres have limited payroll and a surplus of outfielders that includes Cameron Maybin, Kyle Blanks, Will Venable, Scott Hairston, Chris Denorfia, Aaron Cunningham and Tony Gwynn, so MLBTR had identified Ludwick as a non-tender candidate. But Hoyer says he's comfortable having outfield depth, so the Padres will offer Ludwick arbitraiton.

The 32-year-old is heading into his final season before free agency. He earned 5.45MM in 2010 and has hit 76 home runs over the course of the past three seasons, so he'll surpass the $6MM mark in 2011 and could earn close to $7MM. Hoyer says it's a fair price for an outfielder as powerful as Ludwick.

Jeff Fletcher of AOL FanHouse said on Twitter yesterday that Ludwick would be offered arbitration.

Heyman On Weeks, Matsui, Pujols

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SI's Jon Heyman is gathering all kinds of information at the GM Meetings; here's the latest…

  • Brewers GM Doug Melvin will talk to second baseman Rickie Weeks today about a possible extension, tweets Heyman.  The arbitration eligible Weeks is one year away from free agency.
  • Heyman tweets that the White Sox are talking to free agent designated hitter Hideki Matsui, who would fit as one of two lefty bats they hope to acquire.  The Sox have already had preliminary discussions with Adam Dunn's agent.  Heyman says the Cubs have not appeared to be big suitors for Dunn so far.
  • Regarding Albert Pujols, Cardinals owner Bill DeWitt does not want to repeat Alex Rodriguez's ten-year, $275MM contract.  In fact, he believes the Yankees would retract A-Rod's deal if they could.  Heyman floated an eight-year, $240MM deal to DeWitt, who questioned the $30MM salary.
  • Expensive closers Jonathan Papelbon and Francisco Cordero are on the trade market, with the Red Sox and Reds willing to kick in money.  Still, Heyman sees the Red Sox retaining Papelbon, whose trade market is weak.
  • Heyman could see something around three years and $57MM for Derek Jeter.
  • Heyman believes the Orioles are looking at Paul Konerko and/or Adrian Beltre for their corner infield openings.

At Least Four Teams After Brandon Webb

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The Dodgers, Pirates, Twins, and Rangers are interested in free agent righty Brandon Webb, tweets ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.  He adds that we should not rule out the Nationals, Reds, and Cardinals.

MLBTR speculated on the Cards recently, though they just tied up decent money in Jake Westbrook.  The Reds have an advantage in their proximity to Webb's Kentucky home.  On Monday, Webb's agent Jonathan Maurer provided MLBTR with a detailed look at Webb's late season throwing sessions.  Maurer said Webb is "ready to start 30 plus times in 2011" after shoulder surgery knocked him out for 2009 and '10.

What’s Next For The Marlins?

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The Marlins and Tigers have been baseball's most aggressive teams so far this offseason.  The Fish made their biggest free agent signing since 2005 in John Buck, and also traded away Dan Uggla, Cameron Maybin, and Andrew Miller.  Owner Jeffrey Loria held court at the GM Meetings today, and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has details.

Loria says to "stay tuned" for further activity, specifically involving the bullpen.  One source tells Rosenthal the Marlins have only about $3-4MM left to spend.  If the team is to make additional splashes, it'll have to be in the trade market.  I wouldn't be surprised to see Leo Nunez dealt, and the team could use a starting pitcher as well.  Indeed, Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel hears the Marlins are turning their attention to the rotation now.

Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald has quotes from Loria on Uggla.  The Marlins' owner remarked, "Dan is a wonderful kid, but I can't speak for the advice he gets."  Uggla was dead-set on a five-year contract, but the Marlins wouldn't go past four.

Loria also commented on Hanley Ramirez, telling WEEI's Rob Bradford he expects the shortstop to retire a Marlin.

ACES Agency Off To A Great Start

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ACES, Inc., home of the Levinson brothers, is off to a great start this offseason.  The agency has already brokered $57.25MM worth of contracts with the deals for John Buck, Joaquin Benoit, Brandon Inge, and Jhonny Peralta.  The Tigers have been aggressive, signing three of the four.  Last winter ACES authored big contracts for free agents Chone Figgins, Jason Marquis, Placido Polanco, and Fernando Rodney.

The Levinson brothers are far from done; they also represent free agents Grant Balfour, Javier Vazquez, Randy Choate, Aaron Harang, Eric Hinske, and Melky Cabrera.  They'll also need to dedicate time to big arbitration cases for clients like Heath Bell, Nelson Cruz, and Jonathan Papelbon.

Blue Jays On Verge Of Acquiring Rajai Davis

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The Blue Jays are on the verge of acquiring outfielder Rajai Davis from the Athletics, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  Minor league reliever Trystan Magnuson is one of the players heading to Oakland in the deal, MLBTR has learned.

Davis, a 30-year-old speedster, became more expendable for Oakland after they acquired David DeJesus from the Royals.  Davis slipped to .284/.320/.377 this year in 561 plate appearances for the A's, playing all three outfield positions but mainly center.  It's not clear how the Jays would employ Davis, but capable center fielders are a rare commodity.  Davis is arbitration eligible for the second time this winter and potentially under team control through 2013.

Magnuson, a 25-year-old righty, posted a 2.58 ERA, 7.7 K/9, and 1.2 BB/9 with only one home run allowed in 73 1/3 Double-A innings this year.  Heading into the season Baseball America had him 22nd among Jays prospects.

Eric Chavez Attempting Comeback

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We know Eric Chavez has pondered retirement, but his agent Scott Leventhal told Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald the third baseman hopes to play in 2011.  Chavez is having strenuous workouts five days a week at Athletes Performance in Arizona and Leventhal says he's "completely healthy."  Chavez, 33 next month, has endured two back surgeries and three shoulder surgeries in his career.  Recently he dealt with bulging discs in his neck.

The Dodgers are one team that has considered asking Chavez to work out for them, reports Silverman.

Rockies Draw Line At Three Years For De La Rosa

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The Rockies have drawn the line at a three-year deal for free agent lefty Jorge de la Rosa, reports Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post.  Competition for De La Rosa appears heavy; Renck adds the Orioles to a list of suitors that already included the Pirates, Nationals, Rangers, Yankees, and Brewers.  Since three of those clubs are eyeing higher profile lefty Cliff Lee, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports feels that De La Rosa may wait until he signs, though Renck does not agree.

With Jake Westbrook and Hiroki Kuroda off the board, Renck believes that Carl Pavano is now a stronger possibility for Colorado.  Renck also names Javier Vazquez, and I imagine they might take a look at Jon Garland.

Renck also notes that Melvin Mora is looking to sign a contract soon.  The Rockies aren't ready to commit, so he may sign elsewhere.

Yankees Rumors: Upton, Lee, Soriano, Jeter

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Joel Sherman of the New York Post dishes out the latest Yankees buzz in a series of articles…

  • Sherman notes that Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers has knowledge of the Yankees farm system after working for the team last year, which makes a Justin Upton match intriguing.  However, Sherman feels that the Yankees would get involved most likely if Cliff Lee signs elsewhere and they look to trade an outfielder for a starter.  Teams have inquired on Nick Swisher, Curtis Granderson, and Brett Gardner, notes Sherman.
  • Executives Sherman spoke to continue to express the opinion that the Yankees will land Lee.
  • The Yanks are also working hard to find a setup man, calling on about a dozen free agents including Pedro Feliciano.  They've checked in on Rafael Soriano "as a fallback position in the incredibly small likelihood that Mariano Rivera does not re-sign."  Sherman says to forget the idea of Soriano signing as Rivera's setup man and closer-in-waiting.  Neither side is interested in that scenario.
  • Sherman analyzes the Derek Jeter situation, which he feels could become "one of the most interesting games of contract chicken in history."  The main sticking point seems to be the number of years.

Dodgers Rumors: Martin, Loney, Dunn, Nishioka

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The latest on the Dodgers, from Kevin Baxter of the L.A. Times…

  • GM Ned Colletti admitted the team will spend the most time debating what to do about catcher Russell Martin, who we've pegged as a non-tender candidate.  The Dodgers could try to bring him back for less than this year's $5.05MM, writes Baxter.  Martin was sidelined by a hip injury this year, though he expects to be ready for Spring Training.  His agent recently told Baxter's colleague Dylan Hernandez that his client hopes to remain with the Dodgers.
  • Another player I was willing to call a non-tender or at least trade candidate, James Loney, "is all but certain to return at first base" according to Baxter.  He could earn around $5MM despite a disappointing 2010 season.  Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported recently that Loney is the position player the Dodgers are most willing to trade as they look to add power to the lineup. 
  • The Dodgers have uncertainty at left field and second base, but Baxter says they're not expected to bid on Adam Dunn or Tsuyoshi Nishioka.  Instead, they could continue to add pitching.

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