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Olney On Upton, Pettitte, Wright

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The center field market will be shaped in part by B.J. Upton’s deal with Atlanta, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney wrote today. Here are more notes from Olney’s column, starting with Upton…

  • The Braves signed Upton to a franchise record five-year, $75.25MM contract despite some warning signs that other organizations had identified, Olney writes. Upton has a declining on-base percentage and a bat that can be inconsistent. However, one of Olney's sources praised the deal. "He is the most talented player in the free agent market and somebody I think will age well," the person said.
  • The conversations about a 2013 contract between the Yankees and Andy Pettitte started at the GM Meetings earlier this month, agent Jim Murray told Olney. “We worked on it between then and now, talking fairly frequently," Murray said. Pettitte signed a one-year, $12MM contract yesterday.
  • Agents and executives agree that David Wright will take the Mets’ extension offer, Olney reports. It would be difficult to decline such a proposal, since there’s no guarantee he’d have similar long-term offers a year from now. MLBTR rounded up the latest on Wright earlier today. It appears the Mets have offered him $124MM for seven seasons starting in 2014.

NL East Links: Pavano, Span, Hamilton, Wright

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Here's the latest from the NL East…

  • Carl Pavano told Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post that he'd love to return to the Marlins in 2013. His agent, Dave Pepe, has spoken to the team recently, but it's unclear if that will lead to a contract.
  • The Braves agreed to sign B.J. Upton earlier today, but Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports hears the team discussed the idea of both signing Upton and trading for Denard Span (Twitter link). Talks with the Twins failed to progress, however.
  • "Watch out for the Phillies to surprise everyone and sign [Josh] Hamilton,'' said an agent to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick (Twitter links). Crasnick notes that GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is fond of big splashes.
  • The Mets should trade David Wright, argues MLB.com's Matthew Leach. He says the third baseman's value will never be higher, and the team needs an infusion of young talent.

Braves To Sign B.J. Upton

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5:10pm: Topkin reports (on Twitter) there is no option, so it's a straight five-year contract.

4:49pm: It's a five-year, $75.25MM contract, Rosenthal reports (on Twitter).

4:40pm: It's a five-year deal worth $75MM, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times and ESPN.com's Buster Olney report (Twitter links).

4:22pm: It's a five-year deal, worth $70-75MM, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (on Twitter). 

4:11pm: The Braves have agreed to sign free agent center fielder B.J. Upton, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. Reynolds Sports Management represents Upton, whose deal is pending a physical.

The 28-year-old ranked fifth on MLBTR’s list of the offseason’s top 50 free agents. In 633 plate appearances for the Rays this past season, Upton hit 28 home runs and posted a .246/.298/.454 batting line. The right-handed hitter would add balance to the Braves' lefty-heavy lineup. The Phillies were the runners up in the bidding for Upton, Nightengale reports (on Twitter).

Upton declined a qualifying offer from the Rays, which means the Rays are now eligible to obtain a top pick in the 2013 draft. The Braves will surrender their first round draft pick to sign Upton, though that selection won't go directly to Tampa Bay.

ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick first reported the sides were in serious talks and Mark Bowman of MLB.com first reported they were nearing a deal. Mike Axisa contributed to this post.

Braves, B.J. Upton Nearing Deal

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4:05pm: The Braves have spent most of the day in negotiations with Upton's representatives at Reynolds Sports Management, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (on Twitter). The sides had no serious obstacles remaining by mid-afternoon.

3:55pm: The Braves are nearing a deal with Upton, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports (on Twitter).

3:42pm: The Braves and B.J. Upton are in serious talks about a multiyear deal, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports. The Braves and Phillies are known to be targeting Upton.

The 28-year-old ranked fifth on MLBTR’s list of the offseason’s top 50 free agents. In 633 plate appearances for the Rays this past season, Upton hit 28 home runs and posted a .246/.298/.454 batting line. The right-handed hitter would add balance to the Braves' lefty-heavy lineup.

This post was first published at 3:42pm CDT on November 28th.

Quick Hits: Keppinger, Soriano, Dodgers, Orioles

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The latest links from around MLB…

  • The Cubs, Diamondbacks and Rays are bidding for free agent infielder Jeff Keppinger even though he broke his leg, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney reports (Twitter links). The 32-year-old recently broke his right fibula, but hopes to be ready for action by mid-January. Clubs don’t consider the injury serious enough to stop pursuing Keppinger.
  • MLB Network analyst Peter Gammons said on MLB Network’s Hot Stove show that Tigers owner Mike Ilitch spoke with agent Scott Boras about free agent closer Rafael Soriano yesterday (hat tip: Ken Rosenthal on Twitter).
  • The Dodgers confirmed the promotions of several front office members, including Logan White and De Jon Watson, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports. White and Watson had been assistant GMs and are now vice presidents. They are both considered GM candidates within the industry.
  • The Orioles aren’t expected to offer Mark Reynolds arbitration, but they’re trying to work out a new deal by Friday’s deadline for teams to tender contracts to arbitration eligible players, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com reports. MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes recently examined Reynolds as a non-tender candidate.
  • Jair Jurrjens is expected to be non-tendered and Peter Moylan’s status as a non-tender candidate remains unclear, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (on Twitter).

Braves Talking To Chad Durbin

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The Braves are among the teams talking to free agent reliever Chad Durbin, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (on Twitter). All Bases Covered Sports represents the 34-year-old right-hander.

Durbin appeared in 76 games for the Braves in 2012, pitching 61 innings. He posted a 3.10 ERA with 7.2 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 and a 47.7% ground ball rate out of the Atlanta bullpen. In 13 seasons at the MLB level, Durbin has a 4.95 ERA with 6.2 K/9, 3.9 BB/9 and a 41.9% ground ball rate.

Rockies Interested In Correia, Francis

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As they attempt to bolster a rotation that ranked among the worst in MLB this past season, the Rockies have expressed interest in numerous free agent starting pitchers, including right-hander Kevin Correia and left-hander Jeff Francis, Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports. The Rockies aim to acquire a reliable arm capable of providing steady innings within a relatively young and inexperienced rotation.

Correia, 32, spent last season with the Pirates, mostly as a member of the Pittsburgh rotation. He posted a 4.21 ERA with 4.7 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 171 innings. Correia, an All-Star in 2011, recently completed a two-year, $8MM contract with the Pirates. When I discussed the Rockies’ search for pitching last week, I suggested Correia would be worth considering.

Francis started 24 games for the Rockies in 2012, leading the team with 113 innings pitched. The 31-year-old posted a 5.58 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9, but he has had success at Coors Field in the past. He has indicated a desire to return to Colorado, Renck reports.

The Rockies have also been getting calls on Dexter Fowler and Michael Cuddyer, though they aren’t looking to trade either outfielder. The Braves have called about Fowler, an Atlanta native, according to Renck.

East Links: Pettitte, Yankees, Upton

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Rosters and Rumblings, a new podcast featuring MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith and Jason Martinez of MLB Depth Charts, debuted today. Check out the inaugural episode for discussion of Evan Longoria’s new deal, Jonathan Broxton’s contract talks with the Reds and B.J. Upton’s impact on the NL East. Speaking of the baseball's eastern divisions, here are some links…

  • Andy Pettitte still hasn't divulged whether or not he'll pitch in 2013, but he told Jack Curry of the YES Network via text message that a decision was coming soon (Twitter link). Curry adds that he thinks Pettitte will return to pitch for the Yankees.
  • The Yankees have hired former Major League manager and Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin as a scout, tweets Andy Martino of the New York Daily News.
  • B.J. Upton's interest in the Braves "seemed to soar" following his meeting with GM Frank Wren, manager Fredi Gonzalez and future Hall of Famer Bobby Cox two weeks ago, writes MLB.com's Mark Bowman.

Heyman On Martin, Ichiro, Swisher

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The latest from Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com…

  • The Yankees and Russell Martin are discussing a new contract, though Martin appears to be talking to at least one other team. Talks involving the free agent catcher are “heating up,” according to Heyman. The Yankees made progress with Martin over the weekend, though the sides were apart on dollars several days ago. The Rangers have Martin on their list and other teams, such as the Pirates, Mariners and White Sox, are considering catchers.
  • The Yankees are confident they can re-sign Ichiro Suzuki, Heyman reports. The Yankees expect to reach a deal with the free agent outfielder, who has said he hopes to return to New York.
  • The Red Sox, Braves and Giants appear to be looking at Nick Swisher, Heyman reports. The market for Swisher seems strong enough for him to obtain a deal of at least four years and executives see the outfielder signing for $12-14MM per season. The Red Sox like Swisher’s versatility since they have openings at first base and in the outfield. Meanwhile, the Braves and Giants are also looking for corner outfield help.

Quick Hits: Zack Greinke, Rick Porcello, Kyle Gibson

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Here's the latest from around the league as Thanksgiving Weekend comes to a close…

  • Zack Greinke's camp predicts the talented veteran will not only become the richest right-hander in history, but may also surpass Cole Hamels' $153MM contract, tweets Jim Bowden of ESPN.com. 
  • While Rick Porcello's future with the Tigers remains uncertain, there's no denying that the 24-year-old may be a top player to watch for a breakout season in 2013, says FanGraphs' Dave Cameron (ESPN Insider required). 
  • The Twins will utilize the remainder of the offseason to figure out how the team will use right-hander Kyle Gibson as he returns from Tommy John surgery, writes Phil Mackey of 1500ESPN.com. Minnesota plans to look at how the Braves cautiously handled Kris Medlen's return from Tommy John surgery last season.
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