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Mets’ Hopes Of Retaining Reyes Fading

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Though the Mets maintain some interest in Jose Reyes and might be prepared to offer a four-year deal in the $60-70MM range, they don’t expect the shortstop to return, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Reyes, a Type A free agent who officially hit the market yesterday, is one of the top available players of the offseason.

One Mets official expects Reyes to “be blown away” by another team. Another official agrees that the team’s chances of retaining the shortstop aren’t good: “my instinct is no shot.”

Sherman explains that Reyes may wait for Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder to sign before agreeing to a deal of his own. The Mets don't expect Reyes to sign before the Winter Meetings, but his agent, Peter Greenberg says there's no timetable set for the shortstop, according to Dan Martin of the Post. As Sherman points out, the Cardinals, Brewers, Nationals, Marlins and Phillies are among the teams that could express interest in the 28-year-old.

MLBTR Free Agent Prediction Contest

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Dust off your crystal ball, it's time for MLBTR's first-ever free agent prediction contest!  Predict destinations for our top 50 free agents, with the chance to win fantastic prizes and bragging rights over your friends and the MLBTR writing team.

How To Play

  • Click here to make picks for our top 50 free agents.  For each player you can choose any of the 30 teams, as well as Retirement or Japan.
  • A Facebook account is required to participate in this contest.  You can log in with the button up top, or by using the Save Your Picks button at the bottom.
  • Feel free to leave your picks incomplete for now, as long as you save them using the button at the bottom.  The contest is open now and runs until midnight central time on Sunday, November 6th.  Make sure to have something chosen and saved for all 50 players by the Sunday deadline, or else you will not be eligible for the contest.
  • The leaderboard will rank contestants by "batting average" on correct picks, once players start signing.  The leaderboard will show everyone's full names and Facebook profile picture.

Rules

  • Final picks must be saved by November 6th at midnight central time – no exceptions.
  • MLBTR writers are not eligible for prizes.
  • One entry per person, please.
  • With regard to prizes, ties in batting average will be decided by totaling the ranking number of each correctly-guessed free agent and taking the lowest total, rewarding contestants for being right on better free agents.  If people are still tied after that method is applied, prizes will be distributed at MLBTR's discretion by choosing among tied contestants randomly.
  • Prize winners must respond to an email message within 48 hours.

Prizes

Quick Hits: Moyer, Beltran, CBA, Lincecum, Mariners

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It was 10 years ago today that the Diamondbacks set a World Series record for hits in a game, racking up 22 hits en route to a 15-2 rout of the Yankees in Game Six of the 2001 Series.  This set the stage for a legendary seventh game that saw Luis Gonzalez's bloop single in the ninth inning off Mariano Rivera give the D'Backs their first world championship.

Some news from around the majors….

  • The Mariners, Orioles, Pirates, Rangers, Rockies and Royals are among the teams that have sent scouts to monitor Jamie Moyer's throwing sessions, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  Moyer now lives in San Diego, so Rosenthal guesses he'd prefer to pitch for a West Coast team — possibly a reunion with the Mariners, where Moyer is the club's all-time wins leader.  The 49-year-old Moyer missed the entire 2011 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, but two scouts tell Rosenthal that Moyer is throwing as well as ever.
  • The Blue Jays are getting closer to hiring Chuck LaMar as a scout, tweets Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun.  LaMar was the original GM of the then-Devil Rays from 1998-2005 and has since worked in the front offices of the Phillies and the Nationals.
  • Carlos Beltran could be re-signed if the Giants offer him a two-year deal with a vesting option on a third year, or three guaranteed years with a condition that Beltran plays left field, writes John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle.
  • A source tells ESPN's Jerry Crasnick not to expect any "meaningful news" about the new collective bargaining agreement until next week at the earliest.  The disagreement about hard slotting for draft picks remains the major point of contention, and Crasnick isn't sure if any other issue is holding up the new deal.
  • Dave Cameron of Fangraphs thinks the Giants could save a lot of money and improve the overall state of their roster if they traded Tim Lincecum.
  • Jack Zduriencik tells Larry Larue of the Tacoma News Tribune that veteran relief pitching and an answer at third base are goals for the Mariners this offseason, plus the broader goals of adding a bat and starting pitching.
  • The Padres have hired Chad MacDonald as their new vice-president and assistant general manager, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.  MacDonald had been the Mets' scouting director, and ESPN's Keith Law (Twitter link) reports that the Mets have hired former Blue Jays scout Tommy Tanous to fill the position.
  • Bob Garber, the agent for C.J. Wilson and Roy Oswalt, tells Andrew Marchand of ESPN New York that both his clients would enjoy pitching in New York and fit in well with the Yankees.  We've heard, however, the Yankees are worried about Oswalt's injury history and aren't willing to go all-out to sign Wilson.
  • Prince Fielder sits atop Keith Law's ranking of the top 50 free agents, edging out Albert Pujols for the #1 spot since Fielder is younger.  Law calls this year's free agent class "one of the thinnest I've ever seen."  MLBTR's Tim Dierkes flip-flopped Pujols and Fielder atop his own list of the top 50 free agents.  You can get in on the action by entering MLBTR's Free Agent Prediction Contest for the chance to win several terrific prizes.

Marlins Will Make Rotation The “Top Priority”

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The Marlins are expected to pursue several players in what could be a very busy offseason, and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter link) says the team's "top priority" is starting pitching.  The Fish want to acquire two starters to join Josh Johnson, Ricky Nolasco and Anibal Sanchez in the rotation.  Miami believes Javier Vazquez will retire, though Rosenthal reported earlier today that there was a "50-50" chance Vazquez could pitch in 2012.

With the Marlins prepared to raise payroll, there's no shortage of pitching options out there if the Fish want to (pardon the pun) make a big splash for their first season in their new ballpark.  Miami could sign a top free agent arm like C.J. Wilson or Edwin Jackson, or the Marlins could try to acquire a starter in a trade.  We've already heard James Shields' name connected to Miami, but since the Rays appear intent on keeping Shields, that particular move could be a non-starter.

Chris Volstad is an internal option, and while he hasn't performed spectacularly in his first four big league seasons, he eats innings and is still just 25 years old.  Volstad will be eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter and projects to earn roughly $2.6MM.  While it's a cheap enough price for the club to tender him a contract, Volstad may be seen as roster depth at best for next year's Marlins if their offseason plans come to fruition. 

AL Central Notes: Chen, La Russa, Buehrle, Tigers

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Justin Verlander was the big winner as the 2011 Players Choice Awards were announced today.  Verlander's peers selected him as both the 2011 AL Outstanding Pitcher and the 2011 Player Of The Year.  Could this be an omen for the AL MVP result in a few weeks?

Here's some other news from the AL Central…

  • Bruce Chen tells Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star that he has already received calls from two teams interested in the veteran southpaw.  Despite this outside interest, Chen says he wishes to remain with the Royals.  "Kansas City has expressed numerous times that they would like to sign me back,” Chen said. “We have a real good relationship, and we’re making progress." 
  • There is "some talk" that Tony La Russa could become a consultant with the White Sox, according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (Twitter link).  La Russa, who managed the Sox from 1979-86, would work with rookie manager Robin Ventura.
  • Mark Buehrle is "wide-open" to the possibility of joining a number of different teams, his agent Jeff Berry tells Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  Buehrle has said in the past that he only wished to pitch for the White Sox or his home-state Cardinals, but also said last month that he would be interested in pitching in the National League for the first time in his career.
  • Unlike last winter, the Tigers will take their time in perusing the free agent market this offseason, writes MLB.com's Jason Beck.
  • A few tweaks at third base, backup catcher and the bullpen could be all it takes to push the Tigers to a championship next year, writes Jamie Samuelsen of the Detroit Free Press.
  • MLB.com's Jordan Bastian discusses the Indians' plans for third base next year, the chances of Kosuke Fukudome re-signing in Cleveland and other topics in a reader mailbag.

Jose Reyes Rumors: Thursday

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We've already heard today that the Reds are likely out of the Jose Reyes sweepstakes, as Cincinnati will instead go with rookie Zack Cozart at shortstop next year.  Here are some more items and speculation about where Reyes will play in 2012…

  • Adam Rubin of ESPN New York asked eight beat writers about Reyes' future, and none of the eight (covering the Angels, Brewers, Giants, Marlins, Nationals, Phillies, Tigers and Yankees) seemed optimistic about Reyes signing with their team.
  • From that poll, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle writes that one of the reasons why the Giants won't go after Reyes is because "they believe he's going to sign with the Mets and don't want to be Reyes' stalking horse for his negotiations with Sandy Alderson."  We heard last week that the Mets were going to let other teams set the market for Reyes for making their own offer.
  • Though Dave Dombrowski seemed to rule out the possibility of acquiring another major free agent earlier in the week, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com thinks Reyes would be perfect for the Tigers.  Knobler also thinks the Giants won't be in the running for not only Reyes, but also Jimmy Rollins, as San Francisco will instead target a center fielder.
  • Former Mets general managers Steve Phillips and Jim Duquette don't think Reyes will give the Mets a hometown discount, reports Andrew Keh of the New York Times.  "The New York teams rarely get hometown discounts because there’s always been an assumption that the New York teams don’t need hometown discounts to keep a player," Phillips said.

How To Contact MLBTR

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Use "Tips, Rumors, Trades, Signings" to send us a link we may have missed.  Also use this option to report an error or omission.  

Business inquiries typically involve advertising on MLBTR, but not necessarily.  You can also use this option if you have a suggestion to improve MLBTR.

AL East Notes: Shields, Burnett, Ortiz, Blue Jays

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As the Orioles continue to look for a new general manager, let's see what's happening elsewhere in the American League East…

  • The Rays "seem dead-set against trading James Shields," according to CBSSports.com's Danny Knobler (Twitter link).  Knobler said Tampa Bay might be more inclined to deal Jeremy Hellickson than Shields, though he notes it's "very unlikely" that either pitcher is traded.  The Rays exercised Shields' $7.5MM option for 2012 on Monday.
  • Brian Cashman said the Yankees aren't looking to deal A.J. Burnett, reports Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.  Cashman said yesterday that "if [Burnett] is with us, he’s in the rotation," but said today that he made "a bad choice of words."
  • David Ortiz tells WEEI.com's Rob Bradford that the Red Sox didn't make him an offer during the team's five-day exclusive negotiating window with the free agent slugger.  While no offer was made, GM Ben Cherington has spoken to Ortiz's representatives since the season ended.
  • In a conference call with reporters (including MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm), Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos said the team wasn't able to counter John McDonald's new two-year contract with the D'Backs due to the Jays' unclear situation at second base and with the utility spot.  McDonald, a long-time fan favorite in Toronto, was expected to rejoin the Jays after being traded to Arizona last summer, but Anthopoulos said there were no hard feelings about McDonald's decision.
  • Anthopoulos noted that the Jays staff gave Tony LaCava a standing ovation when the assistant GM returned to work yesterday.  LaCava turned down the Orioles' offer of their general manager's position in order to stay in Toronto.
  • If the Yankees re-sign Freddy Garcia, Andrew Marchand of ESPN New York thinks Brian Cashman may "call it a winter" in regards to acquiring starting pitching.

Diamondbacks Agree To Terms With Henry Blanco

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The Diamondbacks have signed free agent catcher Henry Blanco to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2013.  The guaranteed year will pay Blanco $1.2MM, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter), and MLBTR has learned that Blanco will earn $1.24MM in 2013 if both sides agree to exercise the mutual option.   

The D'Backs picked up their side of a $1.15MM mutual option with Blanco this week, but the 40-year-old backstop declined his, electing free agency instead. In 112 plate appearances in 2011, Blanco posted a .250/.330/.540 line with eight home runs. Elite Sports Group represents Blanco, as our Agency Database shows.

D'Backs GM Kevin Towers told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (Twitter link) earlier today that the club had "pretty much agreed to terms" with the veteran catcher.

NL Central Notes: Furcal, Astros, Lee, Phillips

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A pair of legendary former Cubs and Cardinals third basemen (Ron Santo and Ken Boyer) are among the 10 "Golden Era" figures to be considered for induction into the Hall Of Fame by the Veterans' Committee.  Some other news from the NL Central…

  • Rafael Furcal has told the Cardinals that he will wait for the team to hire a new manager before deciding where to play in 2012, reports Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.  Paul Kinser, Furcal's agent, says six teams have already contacted him about Furcal's services but "we're not in a hurry."
  • A number of Cardinals writers note in a Post-Dispatch roundtable that the club apparently has no problem in hiring a manager with no Major League experience.
  • Jim Crane's purchase of the Astros will likely be approved at the owners' meetings in two weeks, reports Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle.  Issues such as Crane's compensation for moving the team to the American League are still being negotiated but "for the first time since Crane and Drayton McLane shook hands on a deal almost six months ago, there’s a feeling within MLB that the deal will get done," Justice writes.
  • The Pirates are trying to re-sign Derrek Lee, reports MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch.
  • John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer thinks the Reds are looking for an extension for Brandon Phillips in the neighborhood of four years and $48MM.  Fay also discusses several other Reds-related topics with fans as part of the online chat.
  • There are no hard feelings between Theo Epstein and Ryne Sandberg, Epstein tells Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.  The two exchanged complimentary phone calls in the wake of the Cubs' statement that their new manager "must have managerial or coaching experience at the Major League level," which Sandberg doesn't possess.

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