The Orioles agreed to sign Kevin Gregg today, but that's far from the only news to emerge from what's arguably baseball's toughest division. Here's the latest:
- Brian Cashman told MLB.com's Bryan Hoch that he's "monitoring what the necessary requests are, financially or player wise. If some drop, then maybe we'll get a little more serious [about making a move]." Earlier tonight we heard that the Yankees were interested in Jeremy Bonderman.
- The Orioles would still like to add a left-handed reliever, according to MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli (all Twitter links). Will Ohman is an option, but not the leading option or the only one, according to Ghiroli.
- The Orioles would like to add a veteran starter and the feeling in the front office is that a trade is more likely than a free agent signing. Kenshin Kawakami and Joe Blanton come to mind as possible trade targets, but that's just my speculation.
- Dirk Hayhurst will not be back in the Blue Jays organization next year, the pitcher (and best-selling author) announced on his blog.
- The Yankees will consider Andruw Jones, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (Twitter link). He bats right-handed and can play all three outfield positions, so he could provide the Yankees with some pop as a fourth outfielder and spell Curtis Granderson and Brett Gardner.
- Heyman suggests the Yankees will go for a lockdown bullpen with Rafael Soriano and Mariano Rivera if Andy Pettitte retires (Twitter link). Click here for more Yankees rumors.
- Carl Crawford's trainer explained the left fielder's offseason workout program to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.
No! Andruw needs to return to Atlanta in that role…..
Eventually, somebody’s gonna be willing to pay something for Kawakami. May as well be the Orioles…
Perfect situation: Orioles acquire Kawakami in exchange for $3-$5 million in salary relief. Braves use that money to sign Andruw Jones as a fourth outfielder and Edgar Renteria as a utility infielder.
I’d be pretty thrilled with that.
Blanton makes a ton of sense for Baltimore. Sure, he’s probably just a younger version of Kevin Millwood, but they need a sure thing in that rotation, even if it’s a 4.75+ ERA sure thing. I’d rather see them take a shot with Blanton than watch Chris Tillman struggle again or throw Zach Britton in to the fire too early.
And if the O’s are dealing with Philly, they should see what it would take to get Jonathan Singleton in the deal as well.
Jonathan Singleton for Adam Jones…yeah, that’s what it would take.
It’d take something extraordinary to get Singleton. They’re already grooming him to be Ibanez’ replacement, and probably Howard’s when that time comes.
Probably the only 1B prospect the Phils would be willing to part with is Rizzotti…but he’s still pretty brutal defensively from what I have read. Dude crushes the ball though
Ibanez is a FA next year and Singleton is 18 yo and in low A. Don’t you think he’s at least 2 or 3 years away?
I worded that poorly. I don’t expect him to be up for at least 2yrs, but the Phils moved what has been an excellent defensive 1B to LF for a reason.
yess andruw please come back to atlanta!!!!
Is it indicative that when the title popped up on facebook i immediately assumed the Jones headline had to do with the Yanks?
Soriano proved last season that he’s one of the top closers in the game. Why would he sign to be a setup man again?
But then again, things change when you’re offered a lot of money and it seems as though the Yankees are the only ones who’ll be willing to give him that money.
And are the Braves going to trade Kawakami or what? I thought they were “close” to trading him a couple of months ago.
Apparently the Braves were close to sending him to Baltimore, but reports surfaced saying the Braves actually wanted a warm body in return and not just salary relief. I don’t buy that whatsoever, but I’m confident he’ll be moved by ST. If an MLB team won’t take him on, he’s probably headed back to Japan.
I could see Kawakami heading over the the island of misfit Braves, AKA the Kansas City Royals. They are always looking for pitching depth.
Anaheim and Oakland could still be fits.
The Angels could go either way. Maybe they still want to salvage their disastrous off season. Maybe they want to hang onto the money since they didn’t get Crawford or Beltre.
Oakland has the money, for sure, but they generally don’t give big deals to relievers.
Andruw Jones back to Chicago please! One of my fav. players, and I have his White Sox jersey!
Hopefully Heyman isnt talking out of his butt and Soriano to NY is a legit possiblity…
I dont know about Andruw though. Who knows, mabey he wants a ring badly and will play his heart out when given the opportunity.
Arguably the best division?? Lol
No, it says arguably “toughest” division.
Point still stands. There is no argument to the contrary.
I agree have Soriano would be great however knowing the Yankees if Andy decides to return they will still Sign Soriano and AJones(OF/DH)!!! i think the Yankees are going to sign BFuentes as well their bullpen will be the best in the majors by far.Then add a veteran like FGarcia then this team will be ready to roll.
Hopefully what Heyman says about NY and Soriano is legit…
And Andruw seems like a pretty good fit, especially if he can accept that role as a platoon OF.
Hey! Andruw Jones bats right handed and can play LF?!?!?!?!
A perfect option for the Dodgers!!!!
Again, sarcasm
Probably best and toughest divison
Probably best and toughest divison
NL Central is going to be pretty close too
Ya, Al east would be tougher, but the rays lost a lot of guys, Jays traded Shawn Marcum, and Yankees missed out on Lee
Close as in 2nd best, sure!
It’ll be close between the top three, but Pittsburgh, Houston and Chicago aren’t going to do anything.
Yankees don’t need Jones! How about Francis or even Blanton in a Trade.
Maybe to Francis. And a big hell no to Blanton.
Come on why not Blanton in the AL East? What could possibly go wrong?
The orioles need to go after Edwin Jackson or wandy Rodriguez.
The orioles need to go after Edwin Jackson or wandy Rodriguez.
The Yankees need to add a wandy Rodriguez or Edwin Jackson or possibly Chris carpenter.
Wandy Rodriguez would be interesting in the Bronx. When he’s on, he’s on.
Wandy has awful numbers against AL teams, but you never know.
But yeah, I ‘d take him over Mitre in half a heart beat,
Wandy would be a good choice. Chris Carpenter maybe available if the Cardinals have to make room for Pulojs’ salary.
Edison Volquez, Jeff Saunders or Dallas Braden maybe also be available after the arbitration rulings.
I’d take any of these over Mitre
Saunders is terrible if you look at his peripherals and I have my doubts about Wandy. Carpenter or Braden would both stand up just fine and I see Carpenter on the way out of St. Louis personally.
I don’t think the A’s are giving up Braden seeing as how they got rid of Mazzaro and their upper system is thin in terms of near mlb ready pitchers. I also think he’s a bit of a d*ck and he might clash a little with Arod.
it would be hilarious to see A-Rod and Braden on the same team !
Wandy would be a good choice. Chris Carpenter maybe available if the Cardinals have to make room for Pulojs’ salary.
Edison Volquez, Jeff Saunders or Dallas Braden maybe also be available after the arbitration rulings.
I’d take any of these over Mitre
How about the Orioles acquire Joe Blanton and Bastardo. The Orioles could use a starter and the need a lefty for their bullpen. Sound like a perfect fit. The orioles would not have to give up alot either because this would be a huge salary dump for the phillies.
The O’s have said they are not interested in Blanton, but that could be a negotiating tactic to try to talk the Phillies into taking on more of his salary. Blanton is not my flavor of choice, but he is definitely a back of the rotation inning eater, which is what the Orioles are supposedly looking for…
Why would the Phillies give up Bastardo? We need a lefty out of the pen, even with Romero signed, and he is very cheap and was a top prospect in the system…
Blanton yes, Bastardo no. The Phils only have two viable lefties (Bastardo and Romero). Highly doubtful Amaro hamstrings the bullpen just to dump Blanton’s salary, especially when several GM’s have said the Phils will have no problem finding a home for Blanton with his full contract.
It would be hilarious if in 2 years…Lee turns down the Yankees for more money…Pettitte retires…and CC opts out of his contract and signs a 4 year 90 mil deal with Anaheim.
Huh? What? Lee is already signed. CC can opt out at the end of this year…..and it looks like Pettitte is going to retire this year and certainly next year if he does come back.
yes,
2010 – lee signs with Philly…Pet retires
2011 – CC opts out of his contract, signs with West Coast team for 4 years 90 mil
Nevermind I just reread Volquez’s stats and I will pass on that.
You’ll pass on Edinson Volquez? He’s a lot better than his stats indicate. If he could be had w/o giving up an elite prospect (no Montero, 3 B’s, Stoneburner, Noesi or Warren) then I would do it. Warren and Noesi are not elite but just my sleeper picks.
It would probably take one of those guy.
I’d have to agree… Volquez has killer stuff, just needs to bounce back from TJ and work on his control… But no way cincy gives him up cheap…
I’m guessing you looked at his win-loss totals and career ERA. Look at his peripherals. The guy has nasty stuff and is a strikeout machine. He would easily be the #2 in the Yanks’ rotation, barring injury.
GARFOOSELINGS UNITE
I hope Hayhurst gets picked up by someone, I really like his blog.
Soriano is not going to sign to be a set-up man.
I still don’t see Jones being a better option than Milledge. Defensively he’s better but as far as his hitting ability vs lefties, I don’t see it.
AJ-.247/.340/.477 career
2009- .199/.322/.360 w/ 7 hrs in 172 AB
2010- .243/.361/.533 w/ 9 hrs in 103 AB
LM- .293/.361/.458
2009- .254/.313/.322 w/ 1 hr in 59 AB
2010- .324/.404/..493 w/4 hrs in 142 AB
Also, LM has better #’s vs righties as well and is a lot younger and still has some upside.
for a second I thought you were talkinga bout Adam Jones. I looked up his career splits and for some reason…
vs. LHP: .256/.307/.369
vs. RHP: .281/.324/.451
now the weird part is… Adam Jones is right-handed!
We’ve had enough of the Blanton and Kawakami’s, okay Andy Mac?
haven’t you also had enough of Matt Albers and Mark Hendrickson throwing a combined 150 innings, because our 4/5 of our starters can’t go 6 innings?
I really hope someone gives Hayhurst a shot. He’s an exceptional person – and his book is one of the best baseball books written in the last 20 years.
If I were the Yanks, I would trade Joba to the Mets for K-Rod.
K-Rod can join a winning ball-club again…rebuild his value…
Yanks get a lockdown reliever for 1 year…since his option wont vest
Mets get a potential starter or closer in Joba..plus some salary relief ( 12 mil )
Joba can improve in a pitchers park, a good pitching coach, a weaker hitting league.
I don’t think the Yanks want to pay $15m (11.5 +3.5 buyout) for one yr of a setup guy.
I get what you’re saying, but I don’t think even the Yanks would spend that kind of cash.
so the mets throw some cash in ( 3.5 mil )
either way, they save money and improve the rotation.
I like Rodriquez and Jackson as starters for the Yanks, Rauch or Fuentes in relief.
“Brian Cashman told MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch that he’s ‘monitoring what the necessary requests are, financially or player wise. If some drop, then maybe we’ll get a little more serious [about making a move].'”
Since when are the Yankees about finding the best bargain buy out there? They have the financial flexibility no other team has. Just go and get the best guy available, not the best bargain available.
Ben,
There was an earlier report in late December that indicated that internal Orioles sources are not high on Blanton whatsoever, citing flyball tendencies to the wrong fields and bad AL EAST splits.
I would hope Andy is keeping in shape… If he comes back he is going to be way too behind on hs preseason workout program…