Derrick Turnbow Derby
We learned yesterday from Dejan Kovacevic that five teams are in serious talks for free agent reliever Derrick Turnbow. One large-market team (not the Pirates) made a Major League offer.
Jon Paul Morosi talked to Turnbow’s agent Damon Lapa, who said the Tigers called him this week to reaffirm their interest. The Tigers have Turnbow’s medical records (he dealt with a slight labrum tear this year). Lapa expects his client to sign somewhere by the end of the year.
According to Morosi, the Pirates, Marlins, Rays, Rangers, and Phillies have also shown interest in Turnbow. The last three are new, while the Rockies and Giants have been linked to Turnbow in the past as well.
Pirates Looking at Ray King
Ray King is currently playing winter ball in the DR, but he’s one of several relievers the Pirates are pursuing — including Chris Bootcheck and Derrick Turnbow, as we knew — according to MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch. He’s 34, weighs 230 lbs, and a lefty.
King was on the Nationals’ Opening Day roster, but only spent 12 games with the Nats before heading to Triple A (with the affiliates of the White Sox and the Astros). Though his major league ERA has been (well) over 4.00 since 2005, in 32 games with Houston’s AAA Round Rock Express he posted a 2.25 ERA.
Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.
Daniel Cabrera Suitors
According to John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus, the Pirates top the list of suitors for Daniel Cabrera. He says the Brewers, Padres, Rangers, Blue Jays, and Nationals are also interested.
We learned yesterday that the Blue Jays are interested but haven’t made an offer yet. Cabrera’s agent has heard from about half the teams in baseball, and one even offered a multiyear deal.
Turnbow Receives Major League Offer
According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates are one of five teams in serious talks for free agent reliever Derrick Turnbow. A large-market team among those five made a Major League offer to Turnbow. Kovacevic says Turnbow could sign before Christmas.
The Rockies, Giants, and Tigers have also been linked to Turnbow, who stopped pitching in July of this year due to a slight labrum tear. We’ve also heard the Marlins are in the mix.
Pirates Make Offer To Chris Bootcheck
10:56am: Correction – the Pirates have offered a minor league contract to Bootcheck, but no agreement has been reached.
12:15am: According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates signed free agent reliever Chris Bootcheck. It’s a minor league deal paying $700K for time spent in the Majors. Bootcheck pitched 54 innings this year at various levels. He missed time with a strained oblique and forearm.
Bootcheck went to the Angels with the 20th overall pick in the 2000 draft; he was advised by Scott Boras. If Bootcheck is still represented by Boras, this move could be viewed as a sign that the Pedro Alvarez drama did not have a lingering effect. Bootcheck hasn’t done much in the Majors, but he does average about 93mph with his fastball.
No Trade Market For Jack Wilson
According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates might not be able to trade shortstop Jack Wilson this offseason. Even if the Dodgers miss out on Rafael Furcal, their Plan B is Orlando Cabrera. The A’s, Royals, and Blue Jays have not expressed interest in Wilson. Kovacevic says the Blue Jays are definitely not interested. You may recall that J.P. Ricciardi went out of his way to deny interest in Wilson in July of last year.
Pirates Rumors: Wigginton, Hairston, Wilson
Jenifer Langosch tidies up a few rumors we have heard previously concerning the Pirates…
- While the Buccos are in need of an outfielder, and have expressed interest in both Ty Wigginton and Jerry Hairston Jr, Langosch says the Pirates will not spend a lot on a fourth outfielder and may be priced out of the market for those two.
- If Rafael Furcal does go back to the Braves, the Dodgers could once again turn their attention to acquiring Jack Wilson. Langosch says the Pirates may be willing to pay some of Wilson’s $7.25MM salary for 2009.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Pirates Inquired On Hairston
According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates inquired in free agent Jerry Hairston Jr. John Perrotto mentioned this connection Sunday. Other known suitors include the Mariners, Phillies, and Reds. Hairston, 33 in May, hit .326/.384/.487 in 297 plate appearances for the Reds while playing second base, shortstop, third base, and all three outfield positions. He missed time with a broken thumb and strained hamstring.
Rafael Furcal Rumors: Monday
10:42pm: The fourth team is the Braves, according to Ken Rosenthal. Kinzer told Rosenthal the Braves are "in deep" and Furcal is seriously considering their offer. Rosenthal believes it’s a three-year offer with a vesting option. Rosenthal spoke to an exec who felt the same as Joel Sherman, that Furcal does not want to sign with the A’s.
Adding Furcal would give the Braves a middle infield surplus. Good shortstops are hard to find and the Braves would have two.
4:40pm: Yahoo’s Tim Brown talked to Furcal’s agent Paul Kinzer, who said his client will sign by Tuesday. He’s mulling offers from the Dodgers, Royals, A’s, and…a mystery team.
1:32pm: Joel Sherman of the New York Post says the Blue Jays have dropped out of the bidding for Furcal (now confirmed by Furcal’s agent). Sherman adds that Furcal prefers the A’s the least but they are offering the most money.
1:10pm: ESPN’s Buster Olney says the A’s offered four years and $40MM, up about $4MM from their previous offer.
8:10am: According to Ken Rosenthal, the A’s appear to be the frontrunners for free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal. Joel Sherman said the same on Friday. Rosenthal says the A’s have upped their initial four-year offer to Furcal, and it appears to be the only four-year proposal on the table. Yahoo’s Jeff Passan suggested on Wednesday that the Royals believe it will take four years and $44MM to sign him. The A’s were reportedly in the $35-40MM range previously.
The Dodgers, Blue Jays, and Royals were identified as other finalists last week by Furcal’s agent. Those teams all have issues coming up with the money or years Furcal desires. Rosenthal suggests Orlando Cabrera, Angel Berroa, and Jack Wilson as possible alternatives for the Dodgers.
Eleven Teams Interested In Daniel Cabrera
6:36pm: The Pirates contacted Cabrera’s agent this weekend, so they’re one of the many teams considering him. Powers told Rob Biertempfel he has "two firm offers" in hand. Dan Connolly notes that the Blue Jays and Nationals have shown interest in the past.
3:32pm: The Baltimore Sun’s Dan Connolly talked to Daniel Cabrera‘s agent Mike Powers, who says eleven teams have expressed interest in his client. One even offered a multiyear deal. Cabrera, 28 in May, was non-tendered by the Orioles on Friday.