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Indians Rumors: Extensions, Asdrubal, Trades, Perez

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A pair of Indians links for you Tribe followers who are still up, courtesy of the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Paul Hoynes and MLB.com's Jordan Bastian:

  • Hoynes examines how the Indians have backed off their philosophy of extending young players in recent years and wonders if the pitfalls of the Travis Hafner and Jake Westbrook contracts have made them wary.
  • Hoynes quotes one agent who thinks that at this point, the Indians think it'd be too expensive to offer Asdrubal Cabrera a multiyear extension.
  • GM Chris Antonetti says there are no black and white rules in the organization for signing pre-arbitration players to extensions; each case is handled on an individual basis.
  • In his piece, Bastian writes that Antonetti told reporters on Tuesday at the Winter Meetings that he was discussing a trade "that would be very surprising if it came to fruition."
  • The Indians are looking to improve their offense, and teams have come calling about Chris Perez. The Tribe isn't actively shopping their closer, but Bastian says they're willing to listen because of the depth they have in their bullpen, though the number of available arms doesn't give them much leverage in any potential deal. Plus, with an eye on contending in 2012, depleting their bullpen depth may not be the best strategy.

Other Teams Feel Jurrjens Or Prado Will Be Traded

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Even with GM Frank Wren saying a significant trade isn't necessary this winter, MLB.com's Mark Bowman writes that scouts and executives from other Major League teams are still getting the sense that the Braves will move Jair Jurrjens or Martin Prado this offseason.

A trade wouldn't necessarily have to come at the Winter Meeting. As Bowman points out, Jurrjens may fetch a larger bounty once names like C.J. Wilson and Mark Buehrle are off the market. Interested clubs figure to take a longer look if they miss out on their top free agent targets, and the Braves will then have more leverage.

Wren continues to say that he doesn't need to make a trade for payroll purposes, but Bowman notes that moving either player would save the club in the neighborhood of $5MM. Matt Swartz's projections with MLBTR have Jurrjens at $5.1MM and Prado at $4.4MM.

Last night, Danny Knobler of CBS Sports reported that half of the teams in baseball were interested in Prado, and 8-10 teams had come calling on Jurrjens.

Phillies Interested In Gio Gonzalez

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If you thought the Angels were being greedy by pursuing C.J. Wilson, brace yourself. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes that the Phillies are among the teams interested in dealing for A's lefty Gio Gonzalez.

Despite having a historically dominant rotation that features Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels, Philadelphia is among about a dozen teams in the mix for Gonzalez. The thinking, according to Rosenthal, is that acquiring Gonzalez would either give the Phillies a built-in replacement for Hamels when he departs via free agency after the 2012 season, or even allow the Phils to shop Hamels to other clubs this winter.

Hamels would figure to have the same suitors as Gonzalez, and this wouldn't be the first time the Phillies dealt an elite starter to acquire another arm they could control for longer. Two years ago around this time, GM Ruben Amaro Jr. sent Lee to the Mariners and acquired Halladay from the Blue Jays when Lee only had one year left on his contract. Halladay was extended for three seasons, though as it turns out, Lee wound up re-signing in Philly as a free agent on a five-year deal anyway.

Speculation on my part, but the Phillies may not want to have Ryan Howard and three of their starting pitchers making $20MM+ per season, and Hamels' free agent years could approach that neighborhood. Dealing for Gonzalez would allot them another three years of team control on an affordable, upper-tier left-handed starter.

Rosenthal specifically names the Tigers, Diamondbacks, Marlins, and Reds as other suitors for Gonzalez's services and says that he, not Wilson or Mark Buehrle, is the lefty who is in the highest demand at the Winter Meetings.

Albert Pujols Deciding Between Cardinals, Marlins

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The competition for the biggest prize on the free agent market doesn't appear to be the two-horse race we expected. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (via Twitter) that the Angels are also pursuing Albert Pujols. Joel Sherman of the New York Post adds that an AL official insisted to him today that the Angels were in on Pujols, though an official with the Halos denied it (Twitter links).

In today's mammoth recap of Pujols rumors, we heard that three teams have extended offers of ten years and at least $200MM to Pujols — the Marlins, the Cardinals, and a mystery team. While the Cubs were also reported to still be interested, the Angels may represent that mystery club. Here are the latest updates on Pujols, with the newest on top:

  • Yahoo's Tim Brown tweets that the Angels are "definitely not in on Pujols," but that the Cubs have made contact.
  • The Marlins offer to Pujols includes provisions that would link Pujols to the Marlins beyond his playing career as a way to show their long-term commitment without including no-trade protection, writes Stark.
  • Pujols' future "won't be decided tonight," tweets ESPN's Jayson Stark.
  • Juan C. Rodriguez of the Miami Sun-Sentinel tweets that a Marlins source told him they're not expecting an answer tonight.
  • The Marlins haven't given Pujols a deadline or ultimatum, says Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post (on Twitter). A decision may come before sunrise, and Capozzi hears the Marlins are "very confident" (Twitter link).
  • Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio and ESPN.com hears from a source that Pujols is down to the Marlins and Cardinals, "period" (Twitter link).
  • Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi have a complete story up at FOX Sports on the status of the Pujols negotiations, including the Angels' interest. Within the piece, the FOX scribes say the dollar figure the Marlins are offering is acceptable to Pujols, but the two sides are "trying to work through no-trade issues."
  • Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times spoke to an AL GM who said "no way" to the Angels' rumored interest, while Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says the Cubs are "definitely not" in on Pujols (Twitter links). Whether or not those two clubs are involved, the Cardinals and Marlins still appear to be the favorites.
  • Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com (Twitter link) spoke to two Angels people who were "shocked" to hear they were considered the mystery team for Pujols. However, Danny Knobler of CBS Sports and Jon Heyman of MLB Network are both hearing that it is, in fact, the Angels (Twitter links).
  • Joe Frisaro of MLB.com tweets that the Marlins were hoping for resolution on Pujols soon, but it's looking less likely it will happen tonight.

Alonso’s Name Has Come Up In Rays’ Talks

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Earlier today, Rays manager Joe Maddon told Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio on Sirius XM that Yonder Alonso's name has come up in meetings (Twitter link). The Rays recognize they may have to trade a starter, Maddon told Bowden.

Alonso is one of the more prized products of the Reds' farm system. The 24-year-old first baseman owns a .296/.364/.478 slash line at Triple-A, and wowed the Reds and those who covet his bat with a late season callup that saw him hit .330/.398/.545 with five homers in 98 plate appearances.

We heard late last night that the Rays are open to trading both Wade Davis and Jeff Niemann, but neither seems like the type of impact pitcher Cincinnati would be looking to add if they moved Alonso. It's been said that the Rays will at least listen on James Shields, but coming off a monster effort in 2011 and controlled for three more years at a total of $28MM, he would require an enormous haul.

Padres Rumors: K-Rod, Payroll, Rule 5, Zumaya

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It's late on the East coast but it's not even 11:30pm in San Diego, so here's some Padres rumors for the Friars fans who are still awake:

  • The Padres have spoken with Francisco Rodriguez about replacing Heath Bell, according to Newsday's Ken Davidoff (on Twitter). Then again, Davidoff notes that they've spoken to "pretty much all the available closers."
  • Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes that the Padres have about $20MM to spend.
  • From that same piece, Center writes that GM Josh Byrnes will be active on Wednesday and also that he hopes to have all seven arbitration-eligible Padres signed by the Dec. 12 non-tender deadline.
  • The Padres are unlikely to release anyone from their full 40-man roster to create an opening for Thursday's Rule 5 Draft, writes Center.
  • Center also adds that the Padres will be one of several teams to watch Joel Zumaya throw next week.

Cashman: “I Think It’s Going To Be Hard To Add”

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Yankees GM Brian Cashman told Jack Curry of the YES Network that he's not optimistic about making a trade or signing a free agent (Twitter link). Said Cashman, "I think its going to be hard to add." Here's some more Yankees notes:

C.J. Wilson Rumors: Tuesday

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On Day 1 of the Winter Meetings, the Angels emerged as the favorites for C.J. Wilson. The southpaw also has an offer from the Marlins, and Wilson's former team, the Rangers, plan to make their first official bid on Wilson today.  He reportedly has a six-year offer from an unknown team (not the Rangers or Nationals). We'll compile all of your Wilson rumors here…

  • The Angels won't go six years on Wilson, tweets MLB Network's Jon Heyman.
  • Garber said his meeting with the Rangers tonight was "great" and that he was pleasantly surprised, as Richard Durrett of ESPN Dallas writes.
  • The Angels are already drawing trade interest on Ervin Santana in anticipation of a possible Wilson signing, tweets Ken Rosenthal.
  • The Rangers appear to have shifted their focus from Mark Buehrle to Wilson, Sullivan reports. However, Wilson's agent told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that he hasn't received a formal offer from Texas yet (Twitter link).
  • Heyman hears that the Rangers' offer to Wilson is for about $60MM over four years (Twitter link).
  • Contrary to Rosenthal's tweet, MLB Network's Jon Heyman (Twitter link) and MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan say that if the Marlins sign Pujols, they'll be out of the running for Wilson. Heyman adds that in that scenario, the Marlins would be out on Buehrle as well.
  • Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria is pushing the team's interest in Wilson and won't rule out signing him and Albert Pujols, tweets Ken Rosenthal.
  • The Angels are doubtful to go six years on Wilson, tweets Jon Heyman of MLB Network, though Anthony Andro says manager Mike Scioscia doesn't seem concerned about contract length.
  • The Marlins are fading on Wilson, tweets Ken Rosenthal.
  • Some of what's been reported this week are "complete lies," Wilson said on the Ben & Skin show today.  Wilson said that his agent Bob Garber is scheduled to have dinner with Rangers GM Jon Daniels tonight.

Tigers Rumors: Wandy, Zumaya, Pitching Targets

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The Tigers are attempting to make a strong push for Gio Gonzalez, but that's not the news surrounding the club. Here are a few more Tigers notes from Dallas, courtesy of MLB.com's Jason Beck:

  • The Tigers were approached earlier in the offseason about trading for Wandy Rodriguez, but their limited interest quickly faded.
  • Detroit won't be one of the teams watching Joel Zumaya throw next week, but they have a standing minor league contract offer (with a Spring Training invitation) for the right-hander if he wants to come back.
  • While the Tigers have ruled out pursuing Yu Darvish, they're keeping an eye on other Asian pitchers. GM Dave Dombrowski on the subject: "I don't think we're on the verge of [signing] anybody from the Asian market, but we're aware of some players that are there."
  • The Tigers announced that they've signed six players to minor league deals: Quentin Berry, Matt Young, Jerad Head, Audy Ciriaco, Argenis Diaz, and Ramon Garcia.

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