Bradley To Rays Or Royals?
11:20pm: Dayton Moore shot down the Bradley rumor this evening. The KC Star’s Bob Dutton says the Royals still like Rafael Furcal and Orlando Hudson, but they’d need to free up money first. They’d be willing to trade Jose Guillen if there was a taker, but don’t want to move Gil Meche.
9:05pm: Ken Rosenthal spoke to a Rangers official who expects Milton Bradley to move on (at least they’ll snag a supplemental pick). This official believes the Rays and, surprisingly, the Royals are the leading suitors for Bradley. The Rays came away impressed after their lunch date with Bradley, who was in town for Eddie Guardado‘s poker tournament.
Sheets Meets With Yankees, Rangers
9:24pm: The Rangers met with Sheets and his agent, according to T.R. Sullivan. Jon Daniels said not to read too much into it.
7:13pm: Per Sherman, the Yanks met with Sheets today.
6:30pm: Free agent hurler Ben Sheets arrived in Vegas this afternoon, according to Ken Rosenthal. Sheets wouldn’t comment much on the Yankees, but said he wouldn’t burn the bridge leading to a possible Milwaukee return.
MLB.com reports that the Rangers would like to chat with Sheets this week (he currently lives in Dallas). They’d have to free up some cash to sign him. Jon Daniels was already planning on meeting with Sheets’ agent Casey Close in regards to Jason Jennings.
Giants Rumors: Burrell, Turnbow, Sanchez
9:22pm: Baggarly says Brian Sabean touched base with 25 teams today. Baggarly does not buy recent rumors connecting the Giants to Cantu, Encarnacion, and Hank Blalock.
6:08pm: Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News provides the Giants rumors…
- Pat Burrell would love to play for the Giants, but he’s far down on the team’s list due to defensive concerns.
- The Giants offered Derrick Turnbow a non-guaranteed contract. The Pirates are another team eyeing Turnbow.
- Jonathan Sanchez is a popular name in trade talks. Baggarly doesn’t foresee a Sanchez for Edwin Encarnacion or Jorge Cantu straight up type deal.
Chad Cordero To Talk To Five Teams
Rehabbing closer Chad Cordero will arrive at the Bellagio tonight, according to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson. He and his agent plan to meet with the Mets, Cardinals, Rangers, Tigers, and D’Backs, but not the Nationals.
Marquis Unlikely For Rockies
6:47pm: Troy Renck says the Rockies told the Cubs they didn’t have room in the budget for Marquis. The Rox may attempt to acquire a starter via trade, using Huston Street and Luis Vizcaino as chips.
Other notes from Renck: the Padres and Rangers have interest in free agent outfielder Cory Sullivan. And interest in Willy Taveras is minimal given Friday’s non-tender deadline.
5:13pm: According to MLB.com’s Thomas Harding, the Rockies have internally discussed the possibility of acquiring Cubs’ starter Jason Marquis. However, Marquis isn’t exactly the front-rotation type they seek. Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald heard from Cubs people that "nothing of substance is getting done" on the Marquis-Rockies front.
Tigers Targeting Wood, Putz
6:13pm: Yahoo’s Gordon Edes says the Tigers made overtures to Wood, while the Red Sox like the idea of signing him as a setup man.
4:36pm: Geoff Baker says Tigers prospect Jeff Larish has attracted interest from the Mariners in the past.
On the Kerry Wood topic, a thought – now that the Tigers spent only a million bucks on their shortstop, maybe they have more cash to work with for their closer.
1:29pm: According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers are targeting Kerry Wood and J.J. Putz for their closer vacancy. The Mets are also competing for both relievers.
Also, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick notes that the Tigers considered trading for Angels catcher Mike Napoli before they acquired Laird. The price for Napoli was too high. WEEI reports that the Tigers also inquired on Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Taylor Teagarden. The Tigers decided against Jason Varitek after he was offered arbitration, plus they liked Laird more anyway. According to WEEI’s Lou Merloni, Varitek continues to seek a multiyear deal and a starting gig.
Rangers Could Still Trade Another Catcher
3:58pm: Both Peter Gammons and Ken Rosenthal are saying the Rangers could still trade another catcher (for a young starter). Gammons cites Salty specifically.
10:48am: WEEI’s Alex Speier takes a look at the market for catching.
- Dodgers GM Ned Colletti is on record saying he’s "probably not" interested in Jason Varitek.
- The Red Sox, Reds, Marlins, and Astros continue to hunt for catching.
- Speier talked to an official who believes the Rangers would have to be overwhelmed to trade a second catcher. Keeping in mind that Max Ramirez may have to move out from behind the plate, it may make sense to just let Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Taylor Teagarden compete for the job.
- The Red Sox have talked to the Indians about Kelly Shoppach; the Reds like him as well. The Indians would want a big league second baseman, third baseman, or closer back for Shoppach. The Indians have not entertained offers for Victor Martinez.
- The D’Backs would like a second baseman or pitching for Miguel Montero or Chris Snyder.
Tigers Acquire Gerald Laird
1:21am: Morosi says the second pitching prospect is indeed Melo.
12:12am: Morosi says an agreement has been reached, and the second prospect is a pitcher. There’s speculation that prospect could be Carlos Melo, as he fits Rosenthal’s description.
11:27pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Tigers acquired Laird for Moscoso and a second prospect. The second prospect "is a 17-year-old who spent last season in the Dominican Summer League." Could it be shortstops Samuel Ortiz or Domingo Gonzales? Pitchers Rayni Guichardo or Carlos Melo? The deal will be announced Monday. Laird, a Scott Boras client, is under team control through 2010.
Rosenthal adds that the Tigers are considering Adam Everett and Nick Punto as shortstop options.
9:26pm: According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, "The Tigers and Texas Rangers have made significant progress toward a trade that would send catcher Gerald Laird to Detroit and pitching prospect Guillermo Moscoso to the Rangers." It’s not known whether the Tigers would include anyone else.
Baseball America ranks Moscoso tenth among Tigers prospects, noting shoulder woes but suggesting a high ceiling. They say he could end up a #3 or #4 starter. He’s drawn some comparisons to Jair Jurrjens.
Milton Bradley Declines Arb Offer
According to Richard Durrett of the Dallas Morning News, Type B free agent Milton Bradley declined the Rangers’ offer of arbitration. They’ll get a supplemental draft pick if he signs elsewhere. SI.com’s Jon Heyman wrote a month ago that Bradley "is expected to seek a four-year deal now more than $10 million a year."
Winter Meetings Previews
We’ve added a few new Winter Meetings preview to the collection…
- Yahoo’s Tim Brown runs through plans for all of the American and National League teams.
- Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post says the Rockies are all about left-handed relief help. They’ve got several trade chips to work with.
- Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer has the Phillies covered. You know the plan: starting pitcher, outfielder.
- Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reminds us of the Cardinals’ wish list: starter, closer, lefthanded reliever. Arthur Rhodes would fit, but he’s leaning toward the Reds. Strauss wonders if John Mozeliak can match up with the Blue Jays to find relief help.
- The Twins still want to add a shortstop or third baseman according to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, though several options have already been eliminated. Neal summarizes the players on the radar. The Twins are also looking for bullpen help.
- Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune discusses the Padres. Kevin Towers will keep the Jake Peavy talks going with the Cubs while also searching for a shortstop and veteran catcher.
- Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reminds us that Peavy and a left-handed hitting outfielder are on the Cubs’ wish list. The bat comes first, says Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times.
- Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star says Dayton Moore has already accomplished his main goals, and now looks to replenish his right-handed relief. The Royals would also like to add a proven middle infielder and seem to have a glut of corner/DH types.
- Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic and Jack Magruder of the East Valley Tribune analyze the Diamondbacks. Josh Byrnes seeks a second baseman, left-handed reliever, and pitching in general. Miguel Montero is the top trade chip. They have about $10MM to spend, less if Brandon Lyon accepts arbitration.
- Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News says the Rangers could trade Gerald Laird, Hank Blalock, Kevin Millwood, or Vicente Padilla.
- Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel talked to Doug Melvin about C.C. Sabathia, who still hasn’t reacted to their offer. If Sabathia and Ben Sheets leave, Melvin could add two starters. Melvin also said it’d be too risky to trade J.J. Hardy and start Alcides Escobar at short. Rickie Weeks has drawn interest, but Melvin would require "a pretty good hitter" in return. Mike Cameron is a more likely trade chip. As for the team’s closer search, Melvin doesn’t expect to be in on the big names.
- Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post says the Marlins probably won’t steal headlines at these Winter Meetings as they did in ’07. Still, Jorge Cantu, Matt Treanor, and Jeremy Hermida may be dealt. The Fish have been "actively shopping" Treanor and Hermida. The Marlins have mild interest in free agents Ivan Rodriguez and Carl Pavano.
- Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune says Ken Williams has asked the Reds about Homer Bailey. Could the Reds match up for Jermaine Dye? The White Sox hope to add more MLB-ready starting pitching and maybe a backup catcher.
- The Orioles need starting pitching, with a slew of names under consideration according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun: A.J. Burnett, Paul Byrd, Jon Garland, Mark Hendrickson, Braden Looper, Randy Wolf, Kenshin Kawakami, Koji Uehara, Bartolo Colon, and Matt Clement. The O’s also hope to extend Brian Roberts, trade Ramon Hernandez, and find a shortstop. They have interest in Adam Everett.
- Roch Kubatko of MASN Online explains what it’s like for a reporter at the Meetings.