Braves Rumors: Heyward, Wagner, LaRoche
We've been hearing for a while that the Braves may trade from starting pitching depth to free up money, but what other moves might we see? MLB.com's Mark Bowman has some answers:
- Braves GM Frank Wren says there are "a lot of trade conversations going on" around the league.
- The Braves don't seem concerned about finding another outfielder, because they will consider letting top prospect Jason Heyward start the season in the majors. It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Braves sign an affordable outfielder, in case they decide to keep Heyward in the minors for a couple months.
- The Braves are interested in Billy Wagner.
- Free agent Adam LaRoche would be a good fit, but the Braves, who have prospect Freddie Freeman in the system, may hesitate to offer LaRoche a multi-year deal.
- Frankie Piliere of AOL FanHouse hears that the Braves will deal Derek Lowe or Javier Vazquez.
- Piliere adds that the market for Rafael Soriano should be strong.
Odds & Ends: DeRosa, Smoltz, Indians
Some news and notes from around the majors….
- It was previously reported that eight teams were interested in veteran utilityman Mark DeRosa. According to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times, you can add the Mets, Braves and Twins to the list, as well as DeRosa's most recent team, the Cardinals. With so many interested parties, DeRosa's agent Keith Grunewald believes his client should have no problem getting his desired multi-year contract.
- In that same article, Hernandez notes that the Dodgers talked to Grunewald about both DeRosa and another of the agent's clients, pitcher John Smoltz. The Dodgers were previously cited as one of seven clubs looking at Smoltz, with Los Angeles being one of the teams looking at the veteran right-hander as a starter.
- Speaking of Smoltz, MLB.com's Brian McTaggart (via Twitter) says the Astros aren't interested in the future Hall-of-Famer.
- Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com breaks down what Cleveland might do with the back-end of their 40-man roster and with some of their top minor-league prospects.
- Tracy Ringolsby, in a response to a reader's e-mail, doesn't believe the Rockies will pursue a free-agent infielder given the team's satisfaction with Ian Stewart and Clint Barmes. Ringolsby also thinks that the return of Jeff Francis from injury will preclude Colorado from chasing a free-agent starter.
- Cardinals GM John Mozeliak all but confirmed that Troy Glaus won't be back in St. Louis next season, says MLB.com's Matthew Leach. Leach also notes that Mozeliak was non-committal about Jason LaRue returning as the Cards' backup catcher in 2010.
Mike Gonzalez Now Represented By Scott Boras
Two sources have confirmed that free agent reliever Mike Gonzalez is now represented by Scott Boras, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Gonzalez had previously been represented by Dan Lozano of The Beverly Hills Sports Council. Bowman says that the switch shouldn't have much of an effect on whether the Braves try to retain the southpaw.
The 31-year-old Gonzalez is now over two years removed from Tommy John surgery, and posted a 2.42 ERA in 80 relief appearances this season.
Odds & Ends: Phillies, Hendrickson, Sheets, Brewers, Hinske
A few links to start the day…
- Andy Martino of The Philadelphia Inquirer tweets that the Phillies will prioritze defensive versatility over power when filling Matt Stairs' roster spot, though Stairs, Miguel Cairo, and Paul Bako are welcome to come to Spring Training on minor league deals.
- Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com has an update on the Orioles' negotations with Mark Hendrickson. Last month we learned that Hendrickson hoped to re-sign quickly.
- ESPN's Keith Law wrote about players coming off injury, and notes that Ben Sheets is worth gambling on, considering his upside.
- Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com say that despite the Brewers' logjam on the infield, a trade will probably not happen "unless some club offers the pitching equivalent of (Mat) Gamel."
- David Murphy of The Philadelphia Daily News takes a look at the Phillies' pitching staff to see which free agents may or may not fit.
- R.J. Anderson at FanGraphs wrote about free agent (and good luck charm) Eric Hinske, while his blogmate Dave Cameron took a look at some interesting minor league free agents.
- Orioles scouting director Joe Jordan took the time to speak with Steve Melewski of MASNsports.com about several of the team's 2009 draft picks.
- Buddy Carlyle has joined the Nippon Ham Fighters, according to Kyodo News.
- Not only do players truly hit the open market on Friday, but teams must also set their 40-man rosters for next month's Rule 5 Draft that day as well. Dave O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal Constitution writes about a player the Braves may choose to protect, while Erik Hahmann of DRays Bay looks back at Tampa Bay's history in the Rule 5.
- Speaking of Morosi and O'Brien, make sure you follow both guys on Twitter!,
Eight Teams Express Interest In Billy Wagner
Eight clubs have expressed interest in free agent closer Billy Wagner, according to his agent Bean Stringfellow (Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reporting). Stringfellow generously named five of the suitors: the Red Sox, Braves, Nationals, Astros, and Orioles. The agent says Wagner's Type A status hasn't scared teams off, and that of these five only the Red Sox spoke about a non-closing role. Stringfellow expects multiyear offers, though Wagner turns 39 in July.
The FOX authors speculate on possibilities for the remaining three teams by mentioning the Tigers, Cubs, Mariners, Rangers, White Sox, Rays and Marlins.
Washington's interest in Wagner and Mike Gonzalez makes you wonder if they'll tender a contract to their current closer, Mike MacDougal. MacDougal is due a raise on this year's $2.65MM salary. Perhaps they just like him more for a setup role.
Certainly nothing will happen with Wagner until after December 1st, when we learn definitively whether the Red Sox will offer arbitration.
Nationals Drawing Interest In Willingham
Washington is drawing strong trade interest in left fielder Josh Willingham, but may not be willing to part with him, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Willingham turned in a slash line of .260/.367/.496 with 24 HRs in 502 plate appearances in 2009.
The post identifies the Braves as a team that likes the 30-year-old, but says that they have concerns about his back and are less than enamored with his defensive play. Willingham, they suggest, might be a better fit in the American League where he can be a DH. Earlier this month, Tim took a look at Willingham and other left fielders that could be dealt.
Odds & Ends: Bonds, Bay, Astros, Mulder
Another stash of links for the afternoon…
- FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal says Red Sox GM Theo Epstein will have to be creative to keep the team competitive in both the short and long-term.
- Contrary to a report last month, Yahoo's Tim Brown says former Mets executive Tony Bernazard is not working for Scott Boras.
- Brown talked to Barry Bonds' agent Jeff Borris, who said he has not filed retirement papers because Bonds is "not retired – he was run out of the game."
- WEEI's Alex Speier talked to Jason Bay's agent Joe Urbon, who said "interest has been well distributed between the two leagues."
- Astros GM Ed Wade spoke to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart about his unsettled bullpen situation.
- Dialogue has continued between the Brewers and Mark Mulder's agent Gregg Clifton, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.
- NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman passes along a report indicating the Braves are interested in 36 year-old Japanese righty Hidetaka Kawagoe.
Brewers, Tigers Discuss Edwin Jackson
Between trades and free agents there are easily more than 50 starting pitchers available. The Brewers, looking to add two starters, figure to be linked to many.
One new name to pop up today is Detroit's Edwin Jackson; Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel says that Brewers GM Doug Melvin has spoken to the Tigers about him. Atlanta could also match up with the Brewers, as MLB.com's Mark Bowman sees a possible match with Javier Vazquez and, to a lesser extent, Derek Lowe.
By my calculations, the Brewers should have more than $15MM to spend if they non-tender Dave Bush, Jody Gerut, and Seth McClung. Who would you like to see them pursue?
Dodgers Javier Vazquez Rumor Shot Down
1:24pm: MLB.com's Mark Bowman talked to a team source who said the Dodgers and Braves are not currently having trade discussions. Bowman believes the Brewers do have interest in Vazquez.
As for Derek Lowe, Bowman doesn't see the Yankees in the mix but does consider the Angels and Brewers possibilities.
9:16am: Former Reds and Nationals GM Jim Bowden is on Twitter, and last night he floated a couple of Dodgers rumors. Bowden wrote that the Dodgers are talking with the Braves about pitcher Javier Vazquez and with the Mets about second baseman Luis Castillo.
Vazquez would be an excellent addition to the front of the Dodgers' rotation, and he won't break the bank at $11.5MM in 2010. However, his no-trade clause specifically allows him to block trades to AL and NL West clubs. Plus, do the Dodgers have the trade chips the Braves crave?
At $12MM over the next two years, Castillo is still viewed as a salary dump candidate by most. Juan Pierre has the Dodgers' obvious bad contract, at $18.5MM over the next two years. ESPN's Buster Olney says Castillo no longer appears untradeable, and the Mets will probably go after Orlando Hudson if they move him.
Braves Announce Tim Hudson Extension
1:41pm: O'Brien says Hudson received a three-year, $28MM deal – $9MM annually plus a $1MM buyout on the option.
8:41am: The Braves announced Tim Hudson's extension today, according to Dave O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He says it's a three-year deal worth around $9MM per year, with an option for 2013. Hudson's new deal overwrites the $12MM mutual option he had for 2010.
Yesterday, MLB.com's Mark Bowman wrote, "We've long known that the Braves are going to end up trading either Derek Lowe or Javier Vazquez." O'Brien feels that Kenshin Kawakami is another possibility. Bowman suggests that the Yankees or Angels could be suitors for Lowe, should they decide not to sign John Lackey. Vazquez could be extended if Lowe is moved.