Odds and Ends: Crede, Swisher, Astros
Links for Wednesday…
- RotoAuthority identifies a bunch of sleepers who had between 200-400 at-bats in 2008 in posts here and here.
- Joe Crede remains on the Rangers’ radar, but they have not made an offer.
- All kinds of interesting thoughts from Peter Gammons.
- Fred Claire contrasts Pat Burrell and Milton Bradley.
- Dave Sheinin says the Nationals inquired on Nick Swisher, but their offer did not impress the Yankees. Chico Harlan mentioned the same yesterday. Joel Sherman notes that the Mets and Braves had interest in Swisher before he was traded to the Yankees.
- In that post, Sherman also predicts the contracts for Derek Lowe and Manny Ramirez.
- The Astros are mostly done, unless Drayton McLane pulls a surprise move.
- Murray Chass reflects on Carl Pohlad.
- Eric Stashin talked to Wayne Graczyk of the Japan Times about various Japanese pitchers.
Will Ohman Update
Time for a Will Ohman update from David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
The Braves haven’t backed off Ohman, still right there, one of six to eight teams interested. And he reiterated this is where he wants to be, if offers are equal, etc. He really liked everything about the place, team, fans.
The following teams have been linked to Ohman in reports: the Mets, Indians, Orioles, Rockies, Cardinals, Rays, and Braves. We can probably cross the Cardinals and Rockies off the list. MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan informed us today that the Rangers are "among the teams talking seriously" with Ohman.
Crasnick On Abreu, Eckstein, Bloomquist, Lowry
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick has a bunch of new info.
- The Braves’ interest in Bobby Abreu is described as "lukewarm at best." And he’d have to be a huge bargain for the Mets to get involved. Abreu’s agent has his work cut out for him.
- Two middle infield possibilities for the Royals: David Eckstein and Willie Bloomquist. The Royals also considered Jerry Hairston Jr., but are concerned with his health record. Also, Dayton Moore continues to deal with payroll limitations.
- The Rangers are "keeping an eye on" Giants starters Noah Lowry and Jonathan Sanchez. Lowry had arthroscopic elbow surgery in September.
Cafardo’s Latest: Quota, Saito, Mulder
The column is from Sunday, but we missed a lot of good stuff from Nick Cafardo’s latest.
- Finally an answer! Cafardo learned that teams can sign as many as nine Type A or B free agents this year. So to all those who emailed: yes, the Yankees can technically sign Manny Ramirez. I tried to decipher the quota section of the Basic Agreement in October, but didn’t come up with nine.
- At some point this winter, the Red Sox made an offer to Takashi Saito.
- Cafardo says Boston does not have interest in Michael Young.
- The Brewers and A’s "are big on" Mark Mulder. The Red Sox will also watch him throw this month.
- Luis Gonzalez is likely to sign somewhere as a fourth outfielder.
Rangers Rumors: Manny, Sheets, Gagne, Young
SI.com’s Jon Heyman checks in with a post on the Rangers; most of the info came up during his recent MLB Network appearance.
- Heyman says the Rangers "are considering a pursuit" of Manny Ramirez, noting that Jon Daniels isn’t currently pursuing him but didn’t rule it out. Heyman still considers the Dodgers and Giants the top suitors. El Lefty Malo doesn’t seem him landing with San Francisco.
- The Rangers maintain interest in Ben Sheets and are also considering bringing Eric Gagne back. T.R. Sullivan also mentions Tim Redding, Chad Cordero, Jason Isringhausen, and Eddie Guardado.
- The Rangers have received inquiries on Vicente Padilla (Braves) and Michael Young. Young has been loosely linked to the Twins, Mets, Angels, Dodgers, and Royals. Sullivan names Hank Blalock and Kevin Millwood as other trade candidates.
Rangers Not Pursuing Manny Ramirez
MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan spoke to Rangers GM Jon Daniels, who said:
"We’ve looked at some right handed options for the lineup but we’re not pursuing Manny [Ramirez] at this time."
Chatter was sparked earlier today by a recent Jon Heyman appearance on the MLB Network where he said the Rangers have interest in Manny. But there’s nothing on Heyman’s blog on the topic currently. Tim Brown, sizing up the market for Ramirez, talked to a Rangers source who said they’re "unlikely" to sign him.
Odds and Ends: Bard, Cubs, Guardado
Links for Friday (feels like a Monday)…
- Boston’s deal for catcher Josh Bard is official. Bard had offers from the Cubs and Nationals as well.
- SI.com’s Jon Heyman ranks the top 20 remaining free agents.
- RotoAuthority asks readers to name their #1 sleeper for 2009.
- The Marlins reportedly have interest in reliever Jesus Colome.
- MLB.com’s Barry Bloom explains that the arbitration filing period begins Monday. He gives a nice primer on the arbitration system for those that need to brush up. Ryan Howard is due for another big raise.
- Buster Olney does not like the Cubs’ recent moves, particularly the Mark DeRosa trade.
- Jeff Wilson says the Rangers remain in contact with free agent reliever Eddie Guardado.
Turnbow Agrees To One-Year Deal With Rangers
According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, the Rangers have reached a tentative agreement with Derrick Turnbow on a one-year deal.
MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan adds that the Rangers signed righthanded pitcher Casey Daigle to a minor league contract. Daigle, 27, had an ERA of 3.78 in 44 AAA games this year. He last pitched in the majors in 2006.
The Rangers also retained Elizardo Ramirez, who pitched for them once last year, with a minor league deal.
Turnbow was also targeted by the Marlins and Pirates, but chose Texas in the end because of his relationship with pitching coach Mike Maddux. Turnbow will make $925,000 if he makes the major league club out of spring training. The contract also carries $325,000 in performance incentives. The 31-year-old right-hander last pitched effectively in 2007, when he posted a 4.63 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 68 innings.
Rangers Seeking Turnbow and Others
T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com fills us in on the Rangers’ ongoing search for bullpen help:
- Derrick Turnbow is at the top of the list with pitching coach Mike Maddux leading the charge. The two worked together a few years ago in Milwaukee. The Marlins and Pirates are also thought to have interest.
- The Rangers are also investigating closers Chad Cordero and Jason Isringhausen, both free agents. As Sullivan points out, the Rangers like to target low-cost, high-reward relievers. Some would call them reclamation projects.
- Right-hander Guillermo Mota is also on the team’s list. The 35-year-old had a 4.11 ERA for the Brewers last year.
Cafardo’s Latest: Pettitte, Kotsay, Red Sox
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe has a number of items to cover in today’s Sunday paper:
- While the Mets are front-runners in the Derek Lowe sweepstakes, the Red Sox have a lot of money to play with having lost out on Mark Teixeira and could make a strong play to outbid competition.
- The Dodgers and Rangers are interested in Andy Pettitte if he doesn’t accept the Yankees reduced $10MM offer.
- Don’t rule out a return to the Red Sox for Mark Kotsay as a fourth outfielder and added infield depth.
- Cafardo reports a source close to the talks says Teixeira was "very concerned" with Mike Lowell‘s fate should he sign with Boston, but that financial matters and the negotiations process removed that "awkward situation."
- Jose Fernandez can play first and third base. He’s 34 and just completed seven years in Japan, hitting 20+ HR every year. He could be an interesting right handed-hitting option for teams looking to add depth to their infield and DH.
- The Red Sox, Orioles, Braves, Reds, and Cardinals remain interested in Kenshin Kawakami.
- Now that Teixeira is gone, Jim Bowden is not interested in Manny Ramirez. Perhaps Adam Dunn?
- The Sox are still unwilling to deal Clay Buchholz for Jarrod Saltalamacchia.