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Wily Mo Pena Close To Deal With Softbank Hawks

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MONDAY: The two-year deal could be worth more than $5MM with incentives, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter).

SUNDAY: Pena's deal is expected to be for two years with a seven-figure annual salary, an industry source tells Alex Speier of WEEI.com.  The contract will allow Pena to hit the open market after his age 31 season.

SATURDAY: Slugger Wily Mo Pena is nearing a multi-year, multi-million dollar deal with Japan's Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, MLBTR has learned.  Pena played in 17 games for the Diamondbacks and 22 games for the Mariners in 2011.

Pena, 29, drew the attention of several clubs after he was cut by the Diamondbacks in July.  Across eight major league seasons, Pena owns a .250/.303/.445 slash line with 84 homers. 

The Hawks are the defending 2011 Japan Series champions and featured a handful of former big leaguers on their squad including Brian Falkenborg and Jose Ortiz.

Astros Links: Rodriguez, Wade, Mills

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Ed Wade's tenure as Astros GM lasted four years and a few months, as his dismissal was announced last night.  David Gottfried will serve as interim GM.  New Astros president and CEO George Postolos described the team's criteria for their next GM in a statement last night:

"We are searching for a candidate who has the knowledge, skills and experience to build a winner and a strong commitment to player development in order to sustain success. Our goal is to consistently compete for a championship, and we know the first step towards that goal is to develop one of the top farm systems in baseball. We will hire the best candidate available to achieve our goal."

That's a pretty standard-issue statement.  Here are today's Astros links…

  • The Astros don’t expect to hire a new GM before the Winter Meetings begin next Monday, according to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart.
  • There’s a “decent-sized” market for Wandy Rodriguez if the next Astros GM wants to move him, according to ESPN.com’s Buster Olney (on Twitter).
  • Wade was informed by owner Jim Crane and Postolos Wednesday morning that he wouldn't return, he told MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.  The Astros will be paying him through 2013.  Wade expressed disappointment he won't be able to see the rebuilding project through to the end.  He added, "We were able to acquire Randy Wolf, LaTroy Hawkins and Jose Valverde and several other players, who, in different economic circumstances, we could have retained and could have been more successful at the big league level.  The last couple of years in the economic environment we were in, we were in position of being mandated to trade iconic players — Berkman and Oswalt in 2010 and then young All-Stars in Bourn and Pence and [Jeff] Keppinger, who was a solid piece to our club." 
  • Wade indicated he wants to find a new job in baseball quickly, saying, "I haven't had a lot of down time and I'm not looking for down time."
  • Wade "inched the franchise back toward respectability," in the opinion of Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle.
  • One "really smart executive" estimated that the Astros will take four to seven years to become respectable again, writes ESPN's Buster Olney.
  • The Astros will choose their new GM before clarifying the status of manager Brad Mills, hears SI's Jon Heyman (Twitter link).  Mills is not a candidate to return to Boston as their next manager, tweets Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald.

Nationals Have “Serious Interest” In Prince Fielder

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The Nationals are showing “serious interest” in Prince Fielder, though talks with the free agent first baseman hit a roadblock today, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The Nationals view Yoenis Cespedes as an alternative to Fielder and revisited talks with the Cuban outfielder after talks with Fielder slowed. 

Fielder is the Nationals’ top offensive target, according to Rosenthal. Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports wrote earlier today that the Cubs, Rangers and Mariners are believed to be suitors for the 27-year-old Scott Boras client.

Meanwhile, Cespedes hasn’t established himself as a temporary resident of the Dominican Republic, which he must do to become a free agent. However, he may successfully establish residency soon and then petition MLB to hit the open market. Cespedes has drawn interest from at least ten teams and may seek a contract in the $35-60MM range.

NL Central Notes: Saito, Fielder, Pujols

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The Astros announced last night that GM Ed Wade and longtime executive Tal Smith have been dismissed. Here are some notes from the NL Central…

  • The Brewers announced Johnny Narron will replace Dale Sveum as their hitting coach. Narron, who's the older brother of Brewers bench coach Jerry Narron, had previously worked with the Rangers and developed a strong relationship with Josh Hamilton. Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has reaction from GM Doug Melvin, manager Ron Roenicke and Narron. 
  • Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Brewers need relievers (assuming Francisco Rodriguez turns down arbitration). 
  • The Brewers have maintained dialogue with the agent for free agent reliever Takashi Saito, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
  • Baseball executives tell Yahoo’s Jeff Passan that they have trouble identifying a team other than the Cardinals that’s a realistic potential destination for Albert Pujols. The Marlins bid on Pujols, but they aren’t seen as a realistic suitor.
  • Generally speaking, Passan’s sources say they prefer overweight players to aging ones. This could play in Prince Fielder’s favor, since he’s just 27.

International Links: Hanley, Ortiz, Aybar

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Links are in Spanish…

  • As the Marlins' courtship of Jose Reyes enters its second month, it remains unclear what the addition of Reyes would mean for Hanley Ramirez. As of late October, the team reportedly still hadn't spoken with Ramirez about a position change, and according to one source, he is opposed to moving. Ramirez seemed to cede some authority to the team while attending a winter league game last Wednesday, telling Caribe Multimedia, "I am the Marlins' shortstop… As of now, I'm the shortstop. Jose Reyes is a quality player, and he would be welcome on the team if we sign him. But in this case, the front office has the last word." Ramirez's claim to the six-hole is tempered in the immediate future by his recovery from shoulder surgery, which he admitted could cause him to miss some of Spring Training.
  • We've already heard today that David Ortiz has an offer in hand and is seeking a three-year deal. Ortiz reinforced that he has value on the open market in an interview with Julio Valdez at Dominican daily El Nacional, saying,"I'd like to stay in Boston — I'd really like to stay — but I'm not going to play for free."
  • Willy Aybar recently told a panel of appellate court judges in the Dominican Republic that he has a contract with a team in Japan for the upcoming season, but as to whether he'll be able to honor it, the 28-eight-year-old said, "Only God knows." According to Guillermina Santos at the Dominican daily El Día, the judges then ordered Aybar to remain in prison for allegedly assaulting his wife and disturbing the peace earlier this month, a decision which Aybar's lawyer says he will appeal.

Pirates Interested In Aaron Cook

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The Pirates have shown preliminary interest in free agent righty Aaron Cook, writes Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  About a half-dozen teams have checked in so far, hears Brink, and the Pirates' interest is in the early stages.  Cook is represented by Pro Star Management, Inc.

Cook, 32, posted a 6.03 ERA, 4.5 K/9, 3.4 BB/9, 0.84 HR/9, and 55.1% groundball rate in 97 innings for the Rockies this year.  Those peripherals aren't markedly different from Cook's past work, so there's hope the groundballer can post an ERA in the mid-4.00s.  Recent health issues will suppress Cook's price tag, as he's endured a sprained toe, displaced right fibula fracture, a broken ring finger, and shoulder inflammation.  The Rockies moved him to the bullpen in September.

As Brink notes, the Pirates have a need in the rotation with Paul Maholm a free agent and Charlie Morton undergoing hip surgery.  Like recent signing Clint Barmes, Cook has a relationship with Pirates manager Clint Hurdle.

Agent: Angels One Of 4-5 Teams With Serious Interest In Aramis

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The Angels are one of five or five teams with "serious interest" in free agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez, agent Paul Kinzer told Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times.  DiGiovanna notes that earlier this month Angels GM Jerry Dipoto described his interest level in Ramirez as "lower, but I never close the door on anyone."

Ramirez is open to playing on the West Coast, Kinzer told DiGiovanna.  With full no-trade rights this summer, Ramirez was not so flexible.  DiGiovanna believes Ramirez could make a decision on his new team at next week's Winter Meetings.  On November 14th, Kinzer told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports Ramirez seeks a four-year deal or three years with an option.

The Angels are interested in relievers Matt Capps, Heath Bell, Francisco Cordero, Octavio Dotel, and Scott Linebrink, adds DiGiovanna.  They're also very interested in starter C.J. Wilson, who's touring the country meeting with suitors.

Broxton Likely To Sign Soon

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2:05pm: Broxton is down to a small handful of teams and will choose before the Winter Meetings next week, says ESPN's Jerry Crasnick in a series of tweets.  Crasnick says Broxton seeks a one-year deal to re-establish value, and about a dozen teams requested his medical records.  The Rangers were in on him before signing Joe Nathan, and the Rockies discussed him as an option if they trade Huston Street.  Crasnick thinks the Rays, Marlins, Red Sox, Twins, and Reds could be in the mix.

MONDAY, 12:13pm: A friend of Broxton tells Joel Sherman of the New York Post that all things being equal, the reliever wants to be close to his Georgia home.  Sherman finds the Braves unlikely, but thinks the Marlins or Rays make sense.  Abbott told Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times this morning that a tentative deal should be reached in the next few days, but his client won't be returning to the Dodgers.

SUNDAY, 8:40pm: Jonathan Broxton's agent, BB Abbott, doesn't think his client will wind up signing with the Mets but does think that he could sign somewhere soon, tweets Mark Hale of the New York Post.  Broxton underwent arthroscopic elbow surgery in September and pitched just 12 2/3 innings for the Dodgers last season.

Last Sunday it was reported that more than ten teams are interested in the 27-year-old and the Blue Jays are among the teams in the mix.  Ben Nicholson-Smith took a look at Broxton's free agent stock in late September and predicted a one-year deal with plenty of incentives.

Cubs Open For Business On Matt Garza

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Teams have a clear belief that the Cubs are open for business on starter Matt Garza, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.  Some teams expect Garza to be dealt this winter.  Earlier this month, USA Today's Bob Nightengale wrote that the Cubs are willing to listen on everyone.

Garza, 28, moved to the National League this year and posted career-bests with a 3.32 ERA and 197 strikeouts.  He's under team control for 2012 and '13, and MLBTR projects a salary around $8.7MM for '12.

The Yankees, Red Sox, and Blue Jays, three of teams that had no access to acquiring Garza when he pitched for the Rays in the AL East, figure to inquire with Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer this winter.  The Rangers, Rockies, Marlins, Angels, Nationals, Reds, and Dodgers could be other interested parties, and the Twins certainly know Garza well having drafted him in '05.  

What will it take to acquire Garza?  The Cubs' farm system is light on top-shelf young pitching, based on rankings from Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus.  With Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances, and Martin Perez, the Yankees and Rangers' top arms could be of particular interest to the Cubs.

Rockies Considering Ramon Hernandez; Angels Like Iannetta

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The Rockies are exploring signing catcher Ramon Hernandez and the Angels like Chris Iannetta, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  However, a Rosenthal source describes the discussion between the two teams involving Iannetta as "just conversation (that) never got real far."  Iannetta, 28, has more value to the Rockies than any other team, because he can void his 2013 club option if traded.

The Reds' Ryan Hanigan is also on Jerry Dipoto's wish list for the Angels, as Rosenthal told us six days ago.  Meanwhile the Rockies are not considered close to signing Hernandez, who had the good fortune of being reclassified as a Type B free agent.  The Rockies are the first team to be linked to Hernandez this winter.

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