Latest On Placido Polanco
8:20pm: The Rockies are no longer interested in Polanco because they don't feel he can play second base, tweets Rosenthal.
TUESDAY, 12:16pm: The Phillies are not shopping Polanco and are only interested in trading him if they can't re-sign Jimmy Rollins, reports ESPN's Jayson Stark. The Phillies refer to keep Rollins and Polanco on the left side of their infield, but they could add someone like Aramis Ramirez if Rollins leaves. Stark says the Phillies are willing to eat about a third of Polanco's contract, which equates to $2.4MM.
MONDAY, 11:50am: The Phillies are actively trying to trade third baseman Placido Polanco, a rival executive tells Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. That'd open up third base for free agent Aramis Ramirez, for whom the Phillies are reportedly strong players. Polanco, 36, is owed $7.25MM through 2012.
The Phillies have cooled on free agent Michael Cuddyer, Rosenthal reported earlier today.
Mets Reach Agreement With Jon Rauch
The Mets have agreed to a one-year deal with Jon Rauch, pending a physical, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post (via Twitter). Jim Duquette of MLB Network Radio first reported (on Twitter) that a deal has been reached, and also tweets that he hears that it's worth $3.5MM plus performance bonuses.
Earlier today, we had heard that the Mets' search for bullpen help was intensifying, with multiple reports suggesting they could be getting close to an agreement. GM Sandy Alderson also indicated that the club was more likely to sign two moderately-priced relievers rather than one more expensive player. According to Jon Heyman of MLB Network (on Twitter), the Mets continue to work on adding another free agent reliever and completing a multi-player trade.
The Blue Jays, who offered arbitration to the Type B free agent, will receive a compensation draft pick in exchange for losing Rauch.
Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger (via Twitter) and Adam Rubin of ESPN New York (via Twitter) also contributed to breaking the story, while Bryan Grosnick examines the fantasy implications at CloserNews.com.
Quick Hits: Nats, White, Montero, Cespedes, Mets
Let's catch up on some links that have taken a backseat while we wait with bated breath to find out where Albert Pujols will sign…
- The Nationals prefer to trade minor leaguers over big leaguers, as Mark Zuckerman writes at Nats Insider.
- Dodgers assistant GM Logan White interviewed today for the Astros' GM opening, as MLB.com Brian McTaggart writes.
- The Diamondbacks are at the "very early stages" of negotiations on a Miguel Montero contract extension, said GM Kevin Towers. He doesn't expect anything to be resolved this week, tweets Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic.
- Yoenis Cespedes is still awaiting residency in the Dominican Republic, but when he gets it, bidding should be fast and strong, tweets Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com.
- J.D. Martin has agreed to a minor league contract with the Marlins, tweets ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.
- Brandon Warne of Fangraphs breaks down the trade that sent Kevin Slowey to the Rockies.
- The Mets will fill their backup catcher opening with an in-house option rather than a free agent, reports Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.
Closer Rumors: Madson, K-Rod, League, Street, Soria
The Blue Jays, Twins, and Marlins added closers in recent days, and it's not clear whether the remaining teams with ninth inning openings are willing to spend big. The latest on several closers…
- There is "no interest" from Madson or Rodriguez in accepting arbitration, tweets Peter Gammons of MLB Network. However, one agent believes that if the Red Sox trade for Andrew Bailey, which is a "real possibility," Madson and K-Rod could be in trouble, tweets ESPN.com's Jayson Stark.
- The Angels are interested in trading for Seattle's Brandon League, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Angels have also expressed interest in free agents Todd Coffey and Jason Isringhausen, tweets Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times, but they probably won't move on a reliever until C.J. Wilson decides what to do.
- There's lots of buzz that Ryan Madson and Francisco Rodriguez could accept arbitration with the Phillies and Brewers, respectively, tweets ESPN's Jayson Stark. I still think Scott Boras will advise both to decline tomorrow night.
- The Rockies are willing to eat all of Huston Street's $8MM salary for prospects, tweets Stark. He says the Padres are a possibility. Troy Renck of the Denver Post (Twitter link) hears the Rockies would take on some "but not all" of Street's salary.
- Stark confirms yesterday's rumor that the Royals will listen on Joakim Soria, but they want a front-line starter in return.
Buehrle Narrows Field To Five Teams
Yesterday we learned that four teams — the Marlins, Nationals, Rangers, and Twins – have made offers to long-time White Sox southpaw Mark Buehrle. We'll run down all of the rumors surrounding the man with 11 straight seasons of 201+ innings here…
- Buehrle doesn't seem to be a real option for the Cardinals, tweets B.J. Rains of FOX Sports Midwest.
- Buehrle is seeking a four-year deal, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan and Bill Ladson.
- The Rangers and Nationals are the most serious and realistic destinations for Buehrle, hears Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio and ESPN. Nationals GM Mike Rizzo feels there was a connection when he met with Buehrle.
- MLB.com's Anthony DiComo suggests the Mets are a surprising finalist for Buehrle, but GM Sandy Alderson seemed to shoot down the notion of spending big bucks on a free agent starter. Alderson flat-out said it's not happening, according to Adam Rubin.
- Buehrle has narrowed the field to five teams, tweets MLB Network's Jon Heyman. The Rangers and Marlins are believed among them, writes MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. The Nationals are another, writes Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.
Mets Closing In On Reliever?
The latest on the Mets's search for bullpen help, with the newest updates on top…
- Rauch and the Mets had "good talks" today and are making progress, tweets Rubin.
- The Mets have a list of about 11 attainable relievers, says Adam Rubin of ESPN New York. Rubin adds Octavio Dotel and Jason Isringhausen to the names mentioned below.
- Jose Reyes' agent met with the Mets about other clients such as Endy Chavez, Cesar Izturis, and Ronny Cedeno, which was described as "a little awkward."
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post is getting a strong feeling the Mets are closing in on a late-inning relief type, other than Francisco Cordero. Andy Martino of the New York Daily News hears the same, and says to think Frank Francisco, Jon Rauch, and Brad Lidge types. Martino thinks a deal could happen tonight. Alderson told reporters the Mets are more likely to sign two lesser-priced relievers than one expensive guy.
- The Mets will probably send someone to see Joel Zumaya throw next week, tweets Sherman.
- Alderson will meet with Scott Boras today, though he told reporters Francisco Rodriguez is unlikely.
- The Mets' five or so top prospects will not be traded, Alderson told reporters including Rubin.
- The Mets have interest in bringing 40-year-old righty Miguel Batista back, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
Orioles Rumors: Quentin, Floyd, Koji, Street, Erbe
The latest on the Orioles:
- Baltimore has interest in Carlos Quentin and Gavin Floyd, but it's unclear if they match up with the White Sox, tweets Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. The Sox would like young pitching and the O's don't want to give that up, Connolly adds. Brad Bergesen was one name floated by Baltimore in trade talks, tweets MLB.com's Scott Merkin.
- The Orioles are talking to the Rangers about re-acquiring Koji Uehara, according to Britt Ghiroli of MLB.com.
- A club official told Connolly that there's "no chance" the team wants Alfonso Soriano (Twitter link).
- The Orioles are telling other clubs that Adam Jones is off limits, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
- Troy Renck of the Denver Post hears that talks between the Orioles and Rockies about Huston Street have "no traction" (Twitter link).
- GM Dan Duquette says he has several offers out to free agent position players and pitchers, and adds that the club was in on Kevin Slowey before the Twins sent him to the Rockies, tweets Ghiroli.
- The O's have re-signed Brandon Erbe to a minor league contract, tweets Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com.
Cardinals Open To Trading Lohse, Westbrook
6:40pm: Mozeliak confirmed that both Lohse and Westbrook are in play in trade talks, but he doesn't anticipate a deal happening, tweets Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
5:10pm: Lohse wrote in a text message to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that "as of right now" he'd take advantage of his full no-trade clause to reject any trade opportunity.
3:49pm: The Cardinals are willing to trade Jake Westbrook as well, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
3:34pm: The Cardinals are trying to trade righty Kyle Lohse, reports Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune. Rogers believes their goal is to make room for Missouri native Mark Buehrle. ESPN's Buster Olney also hears that the Cardinals are making Lohse's availability known.
Lohse, 33, is owed $11.875MM in 2012 and has a full no-trade clause. As of Monday night, nothing had been brought to Lohse's attention, according to MLB.com's Matthew Leach. The righty posted a 3.39 ERA in 188 1/3 innings this year.
Leach notes that Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said he's not prioritizing starting pitching, and if he needed rotation help it'd likely come from within.
Marlins Have Interest In Wandy Rodriguez
The Marlins aren't just pursuing big-name free agents — they're also looking into some of the more interesting pitchers on the trade market. Having already inquired on Gio Gonzalez, the Fish also have some interest in Wandy Rodriguez, according to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports (via Twitter).
Jon Heyman of MLB Network (Twitter link) hears that if the Marlins can sign Albert Pujols, they'll turn their attention to trades rather than pursuing a high-end free agent pitcher. Meanwhile, the Astros are reportedly telling teams that they don't want to take on any salary if they trade Rodriguez.
David Ortiz Plans To Accept Arbitration
David Ortiz plans to accept Boston's arbitration offer and remain with the Red Sox, reports Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes. In that case, Ortiz would be in line for a one-year deal with a slight raise on last year's $12.5MM salary.
Considering there didn't seem to be many suitors for Ortiz on the open market and the reported two-year deal on the table from the Red Sox would have paid just $9MM annually, the decision makes sense. However, there is still time for the two sides to work out a multiyear deal, and ESPN.com's Buster Olney (Twitter link) expects them to continue talking. WEEI's Rob Bradford hears that Ortiz's reps and the Red Sox plan to meet tonight before any decision is made on arbitration.
The 36-year-old is coming off a strong 2011 campaign in which he hit .309/.398/.554 in 605 plate appearances.