Let's round up the latest rumors on a few members of this winter's free agent class:
- Agent Paul Kinzer told Jim Bowden on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (Twitter link) that, while Aramis Ramirez has a limited market, there are at least two teams very interested in the third baseman.
- Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News reports (via Twitter) that Eric Chavez's agent told Yankees GM Brian Cashman his client wants to play in 2012. Presumably, since the call went to Cashman, Chavez has some interest in rejoining the Yanks.
- Plenty of teams are interested in Craig Counsell for a coaching or front office position, but Counsell hopes to play one more year, tweets ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. We heard yesterday that Counsell was listening to both playing and "non-playing" offers.
- Barry Meister, Tim Wakefield's agent, told reporters today that he and Wakefield have talked about the possibility of the knuckleballer signing with a National League team. Meister added that a lot of clubs have called, but he thinks "it would be a shame" if Wakefield didn't pitch for the Red Sox. Rob Bradford of WEEI.com has a transcript of the conversation.
- Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes isn't officially a free agent yet, but that didn't stop agent Adam Katz from talking to reporters, including Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald, about his client. While there have been some questions about whether Cespedes would need to spend time in the minors, Katz said he believes the 26-year-old is ready for the bigs.
I’ll take Chavey back. Solid bat and can still flash the leather. Just hope he stays healthy because A-Rod will probably fall apart again :P.
Injuries have always been Chavey’s problem though too
Great news, Chavez is a gammer!
Id love to see Aramis in a Jays uni.
What about Lawrie ?
Maybe they do move Lawrie back to 2bag, as ridiculous as that is. I had a hard time writing that, but you never know.
Lawrie’s defense looks “clunky” to me. I think he’ll eventually be a corner outfielder.
Lawrie made some rookie mistakes playing third (cant blame him, it was his first time ever playing third), but he also made some amazing plays playing third. He looked to get better and better as time went on and sometimes even looked like Scott Rolen (not saying hell be that good).
Very true. I could forsee a Braun like switch to LF although it would be spectacular to see him stick at 3B… Regarding Aramis, I just think he would bring an element to this team that we havent had in forever. Veteran leadership who can produce – even if its at DH.
Think Vernon Wells – Contract + Intensity + Production.
You are the only one. lol. Where would he play and I doubt if he wants to be a DH. The Jays already have Lawrie at third, eliminating that position and I doubt if he wants a bench role.
No DH in the AL anymore?
Wake’s agent thinks he can win 15 games. Good joke.
i want wakefeild for the braves. it would be enjoyable to watch him
Shame that Chipper can’t see the writing on the wall and it’s over. I don’t blame him for not retiring due to the amount of money he will get next year. I love the guy and he’s my 3rd fav. Brave behind Murph and Maddux. I would have loved Aramis in a Braves uni. In an even better world, Chipper retires, Freddie is moved to 3rd and go after one of the Fielder or Pujols. I hate Liberty Media.
Maybe Aramis shouldnt of been a tool and declined the Player Option. haha
red sox made a mistake when declining the perpetual 4mil option they had on wakefield to save just 2.5 million over the last two years. Now he’ll end up being more expensive insurance on a team with a shaky staff.
wakefield was already a bargain at 4mil.
… Or worse belt to another team? Really? I would love to see him leave. Most of the time he pitches, he throws batting practice to the other team.
name a starting pitcher not under team control and no major injury history that starts that many games making the same or less than wakefield. sox got even more greedy when they thought they had their staff all locked up and didn’t need wakefield anymore.
far less expensive batting practice than john frickin’ lackey though, right? :)
At least Lackey had an excuse for being so bad. He needs TJ surgery and pitched hurt all year. What was Wakefield’s excuse for throwing batting practise? He was healthy! lol. Boston headline, Boston signs Wakefield and Varitek for 2012 season, bringing in Zack Duke and Brian Tallet to back him up. Lucchino explains the move by saying hey, the pitching staff can’t get any worse and they will compete for the #1 slot. lol.
Wake would come running back to Boston if they offered 4m. He still wants to retire there please remember and if the offer 2-3m he still probably will.
Unfortunately, Got a feeling he is getting (thus far) just idle chatter from Cherrington or a ST invite at best and that is why Wake and his agent are floating the possibility of one last season/hurrah in the NL.
I feel bad about it really though, like Dwight Evans when he played with the Sox for almost 20 seasons, then one last year with the orioles as a shell of himself before retiring.
i can’t believe a bunch of baseball guys decided a hotel called the Pfister was just the right place to get down to business
Where is A-ram gonna go?
#Brewers are in on Aramis Ramirez, and have offered Craig Counsell a spot as a clubhouse guy. He has always been said to be a great clubhouse guy, and can work w/IFs on fielding on the side.
I’d like the Yankees to sign Cespedes, but only if he spends most of the first year in Scranton. There is simply no reason to believe he would be more valuable than Swisher in 2012 and I don’t believe Swisher brings back enough in return to justify trading him.
The Yankees have to get in line to sign Cespedes, there are only 29 other teams ahead of them. Swisher, he has great trade value at 10M in 2012, if the Yankees want a rookie league pitcher in return. lol. They could probably trade Burnett too for a bag of baseballs, if they are willing to pick up the remaining salary of his contract in the deal.