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East Links: Damon, Reyes, Nats, Orioles, Manny

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Some links pertaining to baseball's Eastern division teams as the Winter Meetings draw near…

  • Don't rule out Johnny Damon for the Orioles, tweets Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.
  • Marlins people are saying it's still possible Hanley Ramirez could move to center field but a source close to Ramirez says he's already agreed to play third base, tweets Jayson Stark of ESPN.com.
  • Ramirez's agent will not comment on the Marlins' signing of Jose Reyes, writes Tim Brown of Yahoo.  The Fish are expected to ask Ramirez to shift from shortstop to third base to accommodate Reyes.
  • The Orioles are looking for a left-handed hitting outfielder who can back up in center field and possibly platoon in left field, tweets Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com.
  • The Nationals center field targets include Peter Bourjos, B.J. Upton, and maybe Angel Pagan if he is non-tendered, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
  • Yankees GM Brian Cashman doesn't think he'll have any interest in Manny Ramirez if he makes a comeback, tweets Daniel Barbarisi of the Wall Street Journal.
  • The Nationals are one team that is maintaining interest in Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes despite his increasing price tag, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Their pursuit of the center fielder may hinge on their negotiations with Mark Buehrle, C.J. Wilson, and Prince Fielder though.
  • Former Red Sox first base coach Ron Johnson will manage the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate in Norfolk, according to the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo (on Twitter).
  • Joel Sherman of the New York Post points out (via Twitter) that it was new Orioles GM Dan Duquette who signed Manny Ramirez to his eight-year, $160MM contract with the Red Sox and wonders if he might sign Ramirez once more.
  • SI.com's Jon Heyman tweets that Duquette called Ramirez's attempted comeback an "interesting development." The Orioles are in the market for a designated hitter.

C.J. Wilson Holds Offers From Four Clubs

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11:25pm: Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter) is getting the sense that the Angels' offer to Wilson won't top the five-year, $85MM deal that Jered Weaver got.  Mark Buehrle and Hiroki Kuroda could be attractive alternatives for the Halos.

9:26pm: Wilson has offers from the Angels, Marlins, and two other clubs, sources tell Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com (via Twitter).

8:30pm: Marlins still have an offer out to Wilson, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com.

7:42pm: Pitcher C.J. Wilson is not a top target for the Nationals, tweets MLB.com's Bill Ladson.  One person told Ladson that the left-hander isn't really on the club's radar screen.

5:41pm: Wilson's suitors include the Nationals, Marlins, Rangers, Angels, and Red Sox as the meetings commence, sources tell Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter).

10:53am: Others teams are viewing the Nationals as the early favorite to land C.J. Wilson, according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated (via Twitter).  The Nationals, along with the Marlins and Blue Jays, are seen as probable big spenders at the meetings.

Furthermore, Heyman tweets that he sees Wilson leaving Texas unless the left-hander is willing to cut his $120MM asking price in half as the club seems comfortable with filling out its rotation from within.  Yesterday, Heyman reported that the Rangers haven't been making any progress with Wilson.

Mets Notes: Wright, Reyes, Finances

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Tonight, the Marlins reached agreement with Jose Reyes on a six-year, $106MM deal.  Shortly before that news broke, Mets GM Sandy Alderson spoke to the press and confirmed what was widely assumed: the Mets would not be able to compete with such a deal. Here's more on the Mets..

  • The Mets didn't get a final courtesy call before Reyes agreed to the deal with Miami, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
  • Alderson said that the Mets will not trade David Wright, tweets Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.  Roughly three weeks ago, Alderson said that he would have to be blown away by an offer in order to move the third baseman.
  • Alderson remarked that the team lost $70MM, not counting any money they may have lost in the Bernie Madoff ponzi scheme, Rubin writes.  The GM declined to say if that figure was just for the 2011 season or for a longer period of time.
  • Alderson also stressed that he doesn't have a hard-and-fast rule for deals that are for five years or more. 

Latest On Albert Pujols

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Here's the latest on Albert Pujols, with the most recent news up top..

  • Though they just committed $106MM to Jose Reyes, the Marlins plan to meet with Pujols' agent, Dan Lozano, Monday or Tuesday at the winter meetings, sources tell Jayson Stark of ESPN.com.  One source said the club plans to make a major push to sign Pujols over the next two days.  Lozano is also tentatively scheduled to meet with the Cardinals about Pujols on Monday, according to sources.
  • Other teams believe that the Cubs will try for Albert Pujols by offering him a deal shorter in length than the Cardinals' offer but with a higher average payout per year, tweets Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com.  It was recently reported that Chicago planned to pursue both Pujols and Prince Fielder this offseason.

Latest On Mark Buehrle

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Earlier today, we heard that three teams have offers to Mark Buehrle. All three teams are offering the years and dollars that Buehrle is seeking, but he's yet to receive an offer that contains a no-trade clause. More on Buehrle as the rumors pile up:

  • The Nationals have made it clear that Buehrle is their top target, writes ESPN.com's Jayson Stark.
  • The Nationals made an offer to Buehrle, MLB.com's Bill Ladson has confirmed (via Twitter).  Roy Oswalt is still in the mix as well.
  • The Marlins' offer to Buehrle is considered "a very strong one," and likely makes the club the current frontrunner, a source with knowledge of the situation tells Chuck Garfien of CSNChicago.com.  The White Sox remain in a quiet holding pattern but it should be noted that they would be willing to give the veteran a no-trade clause, as that's something they've done in the past.
  • Juan C. Rodriguez of the Miami Sun-Sentinel examines the Marlins' team policy of not including no-trade clauses in their contracts and wonders if an exception should be made for Buehrle (or other top free agents).
  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets that the Rangers, Nationals, and Marlins are being the most aggressive on Buehrle. Washington prefers a shorter deal with Buehrle to a longer contract with C.J. Wilson.
  • SI.com's Jon Heyman tweets that Buehrle is seeking $14MM annually. There are indeed 14 teams interested in Buehrle according to Heyman, and he calls the Twins and Diamondbacks "surprise entrants" while noting that the asking price is prohibitive for them.

Central Notes: Royals, Tigers, White Sox, Garza

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Here's a look at some items concerning the AL and NL Central..

  • Several Royals officials have told Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter) that any major roster upgrades will come through trades rather than the free agent market.
  • There's nothing serious between the Tigers and Aramis Ramirez at the moment, a source told Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com (via Twitter).
  • In a deal for John Danks, the White Sox told the Yankees that they want Manny Banuelos and Jesus Montero from the Yankees, tweets Jon Heyman of SI.  Heyman writes that the Sox are obviously not serious about dealing Danks just yet.
  • The Tigers looking harder at the market for No. 5 starters than had been anticipated when the offseason began, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.  The club is after a reliever as well.
  • The Cubs told at least one team that it would take an overwhelming offer to even consider trading Matt Garza, tweets Jon Heyman of SI.
  • The Brewers are interested in hearing what it'll take to sign Jimmy Rollins, tweets Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
  • There's lots of skepticism over Albert Pujols' claim that he is 31 years old, tweets Jon Heyman of SI.  Heyman writes that the slugger may not be able to top the Cardinals' nine-year, $200MM offer if he cannot produce a birth certificate.  
  • Jim Riggleman will accept the Reds' offer to manage their Double-A affiliate, writes Adam Kilgore of The Washington Post.  Earlier today, Heyman reported that Riggleman was offered the position and was likely to accept.

Cubs, Diamondbacks Interested In Stewart

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SUNDAY: The Orioles, Mariners, Pirates, and Angels have also inquired on Ian Stewart, a source tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter).

6:13pm: In addition to the Cubs, the Diamondbacks are also interested in Stewart, tweets Jon Heyman of SI.  The 26-year-old is very likely to go somewhere, according to Heyman.

FRIDAY: The Rockies think highly enough of Stewart that they would not consider trading him for DeWitt, according to Renck.

11:39am: The Rockies have already moved Ty Wigginton and Chris Iannetta this offseason, and they're reportedly open to dealing Ian Stewart and Huston Street as well. Troy Renck of The Denver Post reports that Colorado has asked the Cubs for Blake DeWitt in exchange for Stewart, but talks between the two clubs have since cooled.

DeWitt, 26, is a left-handed bat with experience at second, third, and in left field. He's hit .258/.309/.396 with nine homers in 447 plate appearances for the Cubbies after coming over in the deal that sent Ted Lilly to the Dodgers at the 2010 trade deadline. Renck says the Rockies would prefer to get a pitcher in any deal involving Stewart as well.

O’s Add Lee Thomas, Fred Ferreira To Front Office

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The Orioles have added executives Lee Thomas and Fred Ferreira to their front office, according to a team press release.

Thomas, who will serve as Special Assistant to the Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations, last worked as a scout for the Brewers from 2002-2006. Prior to that he spent six seasons as a Special Assistant and Assistant GM to Dan Duquette, the current Orioles GM, when Duquette was GM of the Red Sox. Thomas was named the 1993 Executive of the Year as GM of the Phillies when they went to the World Series.

Ferreira, who will serve as Executive Director of International Recruiting, has worked as VP and Director of International Operations and Scouting for the Marlins and Expos in the past. He's signed 57 international free agents in his tenure, highlighted by names such as Vladimir Guerrero, Bernie Williams, and Javier Vazquez.

Mets Have Contacted Francisco Rodriguez

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After being apart for just half a season, the Mets have reached out to Francisco Rodriguez about a reunion, according to SI.com's Jon Heyman (Twitter link).

K-Rod signed a three-year, $37.5MM deal with the Mets almost three years ago to the day (Dec. 9, 2008). He rewarded them with 168 innings of 3.05 ERA ball to go along with 83 saves and a 10.0 K/9 before he was dealt to the Brewers this past summer. He was even better in Milwaukee, striking out 33 in 29 innings and posting a sparkling 1.86 ERA while setting up for John Axford.

Rodriguez has said that he's seeking a three-year deal and a closing job this offseason, and is arguably the top reliever on the market now that Jonathan Papelbon and Heath Bell have signed.

Reds Notes: Riggleman, Phillips, Cordero, Bell

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Here's a look at some Reds news..

  • The Reds have made an offer to Jim Riggleman to manage their Double-A affiliate in Pensacola and he's likely to accept, tweets SI.com's Jon Heyman.
  • It sounds like the Brandon Phillips extension will get done, writes John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.  General Manager Walt Jocketty says that it’s a “complicated contract,” which will take time to be ironed out.  That leads Fay to believe that the deal likely involves deferred money.
  • More from Fay, as he has the impression that the Reds hold little hope of re-signing Francisco Cordero.  Fay writes that the Reds might be able to get Cordero back at one-year deal in the $7MM range but would rather see the club turn to an in-house solution instead.
  • Fay also writes that David Bell’s promotion to Triple-A manager could be a prelude of things to come.  The former major league third baseman is probably the top candidate to replace Dusty Baker if the club decides to go in a different direction.
  • Heyman (via Twitter) also hears that the Phillips extension talks are going well with the Reds, but doesn't know if the two sides are close to a deal.  Phillips, who is set to make $12MM in 2012, tweeted on Tuesday that talks are moving in the right direction.
  • The Reds have talked to Jim Riggleman about a possible job in their organization, Heyman tweets.

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