Odds & Ends: Red Sox, Werth, Padilla, D’Backs
A grab bag of overnight links, as we look forward to updates out of Orlando….
- WEEI.com's Alex Speier hears from a source that Adrian Gonzalez has wanted to play for the Red Sox for a "really long time." There is no set deal for an extension in place, but rather an understanding of what it will take, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.
- In a separate piece, Speier notes that the Nationals' signing of Jayson Werth significantly increases Boston's chances of receiving a first round pick from the Tigers as compensation for Victor Martinez.
- Though Speier suggests the Red Sox didn't ultimately make a formal offer to Werth, MLB.com's Peter Gammons says Boston's interest affected the Nationals' negotiations.
- In a preview of the winter meetings from the Dodgers' perspective, Dylan Hernandez and Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times explain how Vicente Padilla could still fit into the team's plans.
- Daniel Bard tells Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald that he'd like to see the Red Sox add some veteran bullpen help.
- Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic identifies some potential free agent targets for the Diamondbacks.
Stark On Crawford, Beltre, Lee, Greinke, Bartlett
In his latest piece for ESPN.com, Jayson Stark discusses the ripple effect that Jayson Werth's $126MM deal will have on the remaining free agents. One AL official opines that it raises Carl Crawford's price in a "big, big way": "He's looking at maybe eight years, $180 million now, maybe 10 years, $190 million." Here are the rest of Stark's hot stove notes:
- Crawford is the clear top target for the Angels, but in the past they've tried to avoid going as high as eight years for any player, let alone ten.
- Despite getting Werth's contract done already, Scott Boras often drags out negotiations for his top clients. Stark polled a dozen people across baseball on when Adrian Beltre would sign, and many predicted it wouldn't happen until Christmas or later.
- Neither the Yankees or Rangers have made a formal offer to Cliff Lee yet, but many of those baseball people polled by Stark expect a deal to get done within the next week.
- There's good news and bad news for the Royals and Zack Greinke's trade value: with many free agent arms coming off the board already, Greinke has become more valuable in a pitching-thin market. However, according to one AL source, "Greinke has been trying to convince the Royals that it's not a great idea if he's there next year," which reduces Kansas City's leverage.
- The Diamondbacks haven't totally ruled out trading Justin Upton, though it appears unlikely. Kevin Towers tells Stark "it's going to take somebody a little on the crazy side" to get anything done.
- There's a sense that Jason Bartlett is the player most likely to be traded this week. However, Stark has trouble finding a team in need of a shortstop that matches up well with the Rays, who would like a late-inning reliever in return.
- With Werth off the market, the Phillies will look to replace him with a complementary player rather than a big name. Stark lists Scott Hairston, Jeff Francoeur, and Matt Diaz as a few possible targets. Philadelphia has also been trying to find a taker for Raul Ibanez, but would likely have to eat a good chunk of salary to do so.
Diamondbacks Unlikely To Trade Justin Upton
Although he has become one of baseball's most intriguing trade candidates early in the offseason, Justin Upton likely won't be going anywhere, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post. According to Sherman, the Diamondbacks are actively trying to fill holes on their roster that otherwise would have been filled in an Upton trade.
Nearly two weeks ago, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported that GM Kevin Towers was growing increasingly pessimistic that the Diamondbacks would find an acceptable offer for Upton. Since then, rumors concerning the young outfielder have been sparse; it appears the D'Backs have, at least for now, moved on to explore other ways of addressing their needs.
NL West Notes: Pierzynski, Reynolds, Rockies
The latest NL West rumors, aside from a certain huge trade…
- The Dodgers were extremely close to signing A.J. Pierzynski before White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf stepped in, tweets Peter Gammons of the MLB Network. The Dodgers have been in the market for a catcher ever since they declined to offer arbitration to Russell Martin.
- Earlier this week we learned that the D'Backs were looking at getting pitcher David Hernandez from the Orioles in a package for Mark Reynolds. This isn't the first time that Arizona has tried to land Hernandez, says Britt Ghiroli of MLB.com (via Twitter). Ghiroli adds that several other teams, including Tampa Bay, are high on the right-hander.
- Troy Renck of The Denver Post (via Twitter) could see the Rockies getting in on outfielder Josh Willingham. We have long heard that Willingham and the Nats would part ways over an impasse in extension talks. Now after the arrival of Jayson Werth, it now seems very likely that Willingham will be moved.
- Meanwhile, the Rockies lost out Lance Berkman because they did not want to give the veteran $8MM and an everyday job wasn't realistic in Coors Field, Renck tweets.
Orioles, D’Backs Agree On Mark Reynolds Trade
10:32am: The O's and D'Backs are closing in on a deal that would send Reynolds to Baltimore for Hernandez and Mickolio, reports MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. The trade is pending physicals, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.
10:08am: The Orioles and Diamondbacks are "making progress" on a Mark Reynolds trade, O's president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail told reporters including MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli (Twitter link). The deal is getting close, tweets SI's Jon Heyman. Ghiroli hears the same (Twitter link).
Chris Tillman is not in the deal as it's presently constructed, tweets Heyman. David Hernandez is expected to be part of the trade, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Righty Kam Mickolio is a strong possibility, tweets Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic.
Diamondbacks Notes: Reynolds, Blanco, Nady
Some D-Backs news from Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic..
- The Diamondbacks were discussing a Mark Reynolds swap with the Blue Jays as recently as prior to Thursday night's arbitration deadline. However, the Orioles have been the most aggressive of any suitor and Piecoro says they seem to be the most likely landing spot for the third baseman.
- Arizona is in the market for a backup catcher and free agent Henry Blanco is at or near the top of their list. The 39-year-old hit just .215/.271/.300 in 144 plate appearances for the Mets last season.
- Piecoro writes that Xavier Nady would fit the mold for the D-Backs as they look for a right-handed hitter off of the bench that can play left field and first base. Nady suffered a down year with the Cubs in 2010 and should come cheap. The veteran earned $3.3MM off of his one-year deal with Chicago.
Mark Reynolds Will Not Be Traded To Padres
Mark Reynolds will not be traded to the Padres according to Jack Magruder of FOX Sports Arizona (Twitter link). His source adds that the Diamondbacks are seeking two relievers for their third baseman.
Reynolds, 27, would have been a fine power replacement for Adrian Gonzalez, who appears to be headed to Boston. He's hit at least 28 home runs in each of the last three seasons, at least 32 in the last two seasons. Reynolds does strike out at a historic rate though; he's the first man in baseball history to be set down on strike three at least 200 times in three straight seasons.
Reynolds is under contract for $5MM in 2011 and then $7.5MM in 2012 before a $11MM club option for 2013 ($500K buyout) comes into play. Earlier today we heard that the Orioles were the front-runner to acquire him.
Olney’s Latest: Gonzalez, Red Sox, Reynolds, Reyes
Rival executives have been expecting Adrian Gonzalez to land with the Red Sox at some point, and right now it's on the verge of happening. ESPN's Buster Olney writes (Insider req'd) that once the Gonzalez deal is complete, Boston will still have enough financial flexibility and the leverage to pursue a high-priced player like Carl Crawford or Jayson Werth.
The Padres, meanwhile, will be left to explain to the fan base that trading the team's best player is a good thing. Here are the rest of Olney's rumors…
- The Orioles are the "clear front-runner" for Mark Reynolds. Last night we heard that Chris Tillman's name has come up in trade talks.
- The Mets will listen to offers for Jose Reyes, and unless the two sides agree to a contract extension, they will move the shortstop before the trade deadline next July.
Diamondbacks Sign Zach Duke
The Diamondbacks avoided arbitration with Zach Duke by signing the left-hander to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2012, reports MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. Duke will earn $3.5MM next season (via Gilbert on Twitter), and Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic tweets that the mutual option is worth $5.5MM with a $750K buyout. Piecoro adds that if Duke pitches a certain number of innings, the mutual option for 2012 could be worth $7MM. Duke is represented by SFX.
Duke and the team finalized the deal just before yesterday's non-tender deadline, and the left-hander would've in fact been non-tendered had the two sides not come to terms. Arizona acquired Duke in a trade from the Pirates on November 24. As D'Backs GM Kevin Towers tells Gilbert, the club sees Duke as their fifth starter.
National League Non-Tenders
This post will list all the National League players non-tendered today, but the best place to track all 200+ arbitration eligible players is our new non-tender tracker.
- Rockies: Manny Delcarmen
- Mets: Sean Green Chris Carter, John Maine
- Nationals: Joel Peralta, Wil Nieves, Chien-Ming Wang
- Dodgers: Russell Martin, George Sherrill, Trent Oeltjen
- Giants: Chris Ray, Eugenio Velez
- Pirates: Lastings Milledge, Argenis Diaz, Donnie Veal, Brian Burres
- Diamondbacks: Blaine Boyer, Ryan Church, Augie Ojeda, D.J. Carrasco
- Marlins: Jose Veras, Ronny Paulino
- Padres: Tony Gwynn, Scott Hairston, Matt Antonelli, Luis Perdomo
- Brewers: Todd Coffey, Joe Inglett
- Astros: Sammy Gervacio
- Braves: Matt Diaz