Rangers Looking At Left-Handed Starting Options
The Rangers are looking at available left-handed starting pitchers to replace the possibly-departing C.J. Wilson, reports Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. It isn't a foregone conclusion that Wilson will sign elsewhere this winter, but the Rangers are preparing themselves just in case.
White Sox left-hander John Danks is "high on their list," confirming a report yesterday from Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman. Danks was originally drafted ninth overall by Texas in the 2003 draft before being traded to Chicago in 2006 as part of the Brandon McCarthy deal.
If the Rangers chose to replace Wilson with another free agent, the club has been connected to Mark Buehrle (the next best available free agent southpaw), as well as right-handers Edwin Jackson and Roy Oswalt. Texas could also look internally, as Rosenthal/Morosi report that the Rangers "are leaning toward" moving closer Neftali Feliz into the starting rotation.
As for Wilson, his agent Bob Garber told Rosenthal/Morosi that potentially switching from the AL to the NL wouldn't be the major factor in determining where Wilson signs, though Garber said his client would "love to play in the National League" since Wilson enjoys hitting.
Epstein, Zambrano Touch Base
Carlos Zambrano is in no hurry to part ways with the Cubs, and by the pitcher's account the feeling is mutual. Zambrano told Carlos Alberto Zambrano at the Venezuelan newspaper Lider en Deportes (link in Spanish) that he received a "friendly" call from new team president Theo Epstein on Tuesday, the first contact between the two. According to Zambrano, the conversation started with introductions and ended with Epstein promising to call him at a later date to set up a personal meeting stateside.
"We talked for a while. Now I'm waiting for him to tell me when we'll meet," Zambrano said. "It might be after the winter meetings that the GMs have, which is in Milwaukee this year."
Zambrano had a rough start to his winter league sojourn last week, lasting only 2 2/3 innings for the reigning league champion Anzoátegui Caribes. And while the 30-year-old sounded eager to build a positive relationship with the new Cubs brass, he is not planning to step away from his duties in Venezuela to do so.
"When I go to talk to the GM it will be a short trip. For example, supposing that I pitch on a Saturday, I'd leave that same night. We'd talk Sunday or Monday, and by Tuesday, I'd be on my way back to Venezuela. I'm not going for a week or even five days. It'll be quick-to meet each other. Talk in person. That's very important. I'd like to build a relationship from scratch with the new GM. Erase everything and start over."
The Marlins and Royals have been connected to Zambrano so far this offseason, but Royals GM Dayton Moore insisted on Monday that the team's interest was mostly theoretical.
Pirates Interested In Ramon Santiago
The Pirates are interested in free agent Ramon Santiago as a possible everyday shortstop, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The 32-year-old hits free agency after a decade in the Major Leagues with the Tigers and Mariners.
Santiago hit .260/.311/.384 in Detroit this past season, appearing at shortstop, second and third. He became the Tigers’ regular second baseman toward the end of the season and continued starting in the postseason. Though the Tigers like Santiago, they don't view him as an everyday solution. He is not a ranked free agent.
The Pirates started their offseason off by signing Rod Barajas and they still need a shortstop and a first baseman. Here’s Tim Dierkes’ offseason outlook for the team.
Red Sox In On Madson, Bell, Cuddyer, Sizemore
After seven seasons and a World Series title with the Red Sox, Jonathan Papelbon is leaving Boston for the Phillies and $50MM. Here's the latest on the Red Sox, starting with an update on the bullpen…
- The Red Sox will be in on Ryan Madson and Heath Bell, according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). Boston isn't yet committed to Daniel Bard as the closer.
- The Red Sox had preliminary talks with Michael Cuddyer's representatives, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.
- They’ve also been in touch with Grady Sizemore’s agents, Bradford reports (on Twitter).
Outrighted To Triple-A: Nick Evans
The latest outrights from around MLB…
- The Mets outrighted Nick Evans to Triple-A, according to Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger (on Twitter). Evans, 25, posted a .256/.314/.403 line in 194 plate appearances, while playing all four corner positions. Evans cleared waivers along with Jason Pridie and both players can declare free agency, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com (on Twitter).
Blue Jays, Others Interested In Broxton
The Blue Jays and 4-6 other teams have shown interest in Jonathan Broxton and asked for his medical records, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick (Twitter links). The Mets have not yet inquired on the 27-year-old free agent. Broxton had arthroscopic elbow surgery in September and plans to start throwing in two weeks.
It appears likely that Broxton will sign a one-year deal with performance incentives, as I explained in September when I examined his free agent stock. Broxton’s 2011 season ended in May after just 12 2/3 innings with a 5.68 ERA and nearly as many walks (9) as strikeouts (10).
Marlins Notes: Pujols, Cespedes, Reyes
The Marlins will unveil their new uniforms and logos tonight, when they officially become the Miami Marlins. Here's the latest on the team, which has begun the offseason in style, courting several big-name free agents…
- The Marlins are serious about signing Albert Pujols and intend to make a competitive offer, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria covets Pujols and envisions him at first base in 2012, according to Spencer.
- The Marlins are meeting with Pujols and agent Dan Lozano today. You can read the details here.
- The Marlins like what they saw from Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes yesterday, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro. "We think we're a great fit because we're Miami, and we're a natural destination for any Cuban player, any Latin player," Marlins president David Samson said. "We are the Gateway to the Americas. We're the Miami Marlins. I think that he agrees, but we have to make a deal that makes sense for both parties."
- The Marlins are more likely to sign Jose Reyes and Cespedes than Pujols, according to MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Marlins, Phillies, Fielder
On this date in 1997, Mike Kelly became the first Major Leaguer ever traded to the Devil Rays franchise. The Reds sent the 27-year-old outfielder to Tampa Bay for a player to be named later, and that player eventually turned out to be Dmitri Young. Kelly hit .240/.295/.401 in 303 plate appearances for the '97 Devil Rays, then was released at the end of Spring Training the following season.
Here is this week's collection of links from the baseball blogosphere…
- Rum Bunter posted a podcast interview with Pirates GM Neal Huntington.
- Jays Prospects interviewed Jacob Anderson, Toronto's highest signed pick from this year's draft.
- Camden Crazies wrote about Dan Duquette's hiring and what it means for the Orioles.
- Nick's Twins Blog is intrigued by the recent change in the Twins' front office.
- The Outside Corner wonders if the Marlins are serious about spending this offseason.
- Only Baseball Matters believes the Melky Cabrera–Jonathan Sanchez deal only makes sense for the Royals.
- Call to the Pen also likes the deal from Kansas City's perspective.
- Royals Authority, on the other hand, believes it was a fair trade for both sides.
- Bay City Ball broke down the pluses and minuses of the swap trade for the Giants.
- McCovey Chronicles tries to figure out what the rest of the Giants' offseason will look like.
- Jays Journal wonders if the Blue Jays and Giants could get together for a Matt Cain trade.
- Rooftop View isn't sure that Carlos Zambrano is an expendable piece for the Cubs.
- Baseball Time In Arlington wrote about Prince Fielder and the Rangers.
- Prospect Insider also wrote about Fielder, except about how he would fit with the Mariners.
- Ol' Ball Game wonders if C.J. Wilson is worth all the money he is likely to get.
- Crashburn Alley took a look at Phillies' free agent target Michael Cuddyer.
- We Should Be GMs believes the Phillies should go cheap for their next backup catcher.
- Brotherly Glove examines some Phillies' pitching options.
- Orioles Nation did the same, just from the Orioles' perspective.
- Halos Heaven tries to find a potential replacement for Joel Pineiro.
- Giants Nirvana called Andrew Brackman a potential free agent option for the Giants.
- Redleg Nation says the Reds need to make a push for James Shields.
- Yankees Fans Unite looked at John Danks as a trade target for the Yankees.
- Rant Sports Yankees adds Josh Johnson as a potential trade target for New York.
- BoSox Injection says the Red Sox don't have much to offer in trades.
- Pirates Prospects believes the Pirates should trade Joel Hanrahan.
- DRays Bay tries to figure out what an extension for Matt Joyce would look like.
- Rays Insider looks at some potential DH candidates for the Rays next year.
- Wahoo's On First says the Indians made the right move by picking up Fausto Carmona's option.
- FanSpeak lists three move the Nationals should make this winter.
- Chicken Friars revisited last offseason's Cameron Maybin trade.
- Motor City Bengals wonders if Guillermo Moscoso is the next Jair Jurrjens, from the Tigers' point of view.
- Swingin' A's tries to figure out who should play first base for the Athletics.
- Royals Review mused about trading top prospect Wil Myers.
- M.C. Antil wrote about what the Braves have left following the Mark Teixeira trades.
- Gaslamp Ball wonders if all the Padres' prospects get caught in identity fraud cases is a problem.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.
Phillies Have Serious Interest In Papelbon
The Phillies are showing "serious" interest in Jonathan Papelbon, according to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. The Phillies appeared to have a deal with Ryan Madson earlier this week, but talks aren't going anywhere at the moment. Yesterday GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told Stark that rumors of an agreement on a four-year, $44MM deal were "unequivocally false."
It has become "increasingly clear" that Papelbon's price might not be much higher than what Scott Boras is seeking for Madson, Stark writes. The team has been debating the merits of keeping Madson versus signing Papelbon for quite some time. Stark adds that the Blue Jays and Marlins have also shown strong interest in signing the long-time Red Sox closer. The Phillies have had "extensive negotiations" with Papelbon's agents and though the talks have slowed down at times, Philadelphia's interest hasn't waned.
Papelbon, 30, posted a 2.94 ERA with 12.2 K/9 and 1.4 BB/9 in 64 1/3 innings for the Red Sox in 2011, saving 31 games. Like Madson, he's a Type A free agent who would cost a top pick in 2012. If the Phillies sign Papelbon and lose Madson to another team after offering him arbitration, they'd lose one pick and gain two.
Marlins To Meet With Pujols
11:29am: The Marlins are meeting with Pujols and agent Dan Lozano this afternoon, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (on Twitter).
FRIDAY, 10:32am: Pujols is in Miami today and will likely meet with the Marlins and tour their new ballpark tomorrow, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post (on Twitter). ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick hears that the Marlins are trying to set the meeting up today, but may give Pujols the tour tomorrow (Twitter link).
THURSDAY: The Marlins are scheduled to meet with free agent first baseman Albert Pujols in Miami within the next few days, possibly as soon as Saturday, a source tells Matthew Leach of MLB.com.
It's tough to gauge how serious the Marlins might be about signing Pujols, who figures to command a contract comfortably north of $200MM, but they have already been linked, to varying degrees, to a handful of free agents, such as Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran, C.J. Wilson, Mark Buehrle and Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes, throughout the early goings of the offseason. It has been widely reported that the Marlins will increase their payroll substantially in 2012 as they head into a new ballpark at the site of now-demolished Orange Bowl.
It's not yet known whether the Cardinals and Pujols have had any discussions regarding a new contract, according to Leach.