Rosenthal’s Latest: Tex, Furcal, Johnson, Lofton
Here’s a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- If they are to sign Mark Teixeira, the Angels would like to do it quickly. However, it’s Scott Boras’ custom to let the market develop until late December or so. It’s possible the Angels change gears on November 14th. There are other big names to pursue, though none fit as perfectly as Tex.
- Rosenthal’s worst case scenario for the Yankees: C.C. Sabathia goes to a West Coast team while A.J. Burnett re-signs with Toronto. The Jays truly are in the mix for Burnett. ESPN’s Keith Law says Burnett expects to receive multiple five-year offers.
- The Orioles plan to make serious offers to Teixeira and Burnett. Still, both are considered long shots for Baltimore. Another note: the Orioles were one of the teams the Yankees outbid for Sergio Mitre.
- The Dodgers are considered "a good bet" to re-sign Rafael Furcal. The Giants have their eye on him if he hits the open market.
- About ten teams have inquired on Braves second baseman Kelly Johnson. We had a Cardinals rumor yesterday.
- The Rangers figure to trade one or two of their catchers, with Gerald Laird a strong candidate to be traded. The Red Sox and Marlins are looking for catching, though the Rangers are wary of Florida’s Scott Olsen.
- Rosenthal wonders if Brandon Webb could leave the D’Backs after the 2010 season.
- Kenny Lofton wants to play in 2009.
Royals Rumors: Francoeur, Butler, Ibanez, Greinke
Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star has several Royals rumors this morning…
- Dutton says the Braves appear willing to trade Jeff Francoeur. While no trade talks have taken place, it’s known that Royals GM Dayton Moore is a fan. Dutton speculates that the Royals would not give up Zack Greinke for Francoeur, but may consider offering Luke Hochevar, Danny Cortes, or Mark Teahen.
- The Royals and Mariners discussed a Billy Butler for Yuniesky Betancourt trade before the ’07 season, and Dutton wonders if Seattle’s new GM could reignite those talks.
- Dutton says the Mark Teahen to Cleveland rumor "just won’t die," despite Moore labeling it an "absolute lie" on October 27th. It may be that Teahen is on the Indians’ list but no talks have occurred.
- Will the Royals offer arbitration to second baseman Mark Grudzielanek? He’s a Type B free agent, so it’s under consideration. The risk is that he accepts.
- Another Royals rumor from Ken Davidoff of Newsday: they’ve expressed an interest in bringing Raul Ibanez back to Kansas City. The Mets and Cubs are other known suitors.
- ESPN’s Keith Law says the Royals would like to sign Zack Greinke to a long-term deal, but if that fails they would make him available. Greinke, 25, is under team control for two more seasons.
Jake Peavy Rumors: Tuesday
9:58pm: Peavy apparently rejected one trade, to an American League team with a small ballpark.
12:12pm: David O’Brien says Braves and Padres officials met Sunday and Monday to talk Peavy, discussing proposals not including Tommy Hanson. The Braves remain the favorite.
12:08pm: Brewers GM Doug Melvin says he is not engaged in talks for Peavy.
10:32am: Joel Sherman says the Yankees have shown no early movement toward Peavy. Free agents just make more sense. Still, Jay Paris snagged some good quotes from Axelrod and Towers about the Yankees possibility.
8:52am: Peavy’s agent, Barry Axelrod, says they have not given approval for the Yankees or Angels. Axelrod reiterated that the Yankees would have to pay a premium (likely an extension). Towers said he doesn’t believe the Angels would have to pay the same premium.
8:35am: Towers also doubts Peavy would approve a trade to Milwaukee.
8:03am: Let’s kick off a fresh post for today’s Jake Peavy rumors. A reminder of the latest news: Peavy has preapproved the Yankees and Angels, bringing his total to seven teams. Padres GM Kevin Towers indicated that Peavy would not approve a trade to Boston.
Towers referenced the Dan Haren and Mark Teixeira deals while indicating he wants quality over quantity back. CBS’s Scott Miller has info on some players discussed. He says Felix Pie, Ronny Cedeno, and Rich Hill are available from the Cubs. With the Dodgers, Chad Billingsley and James McDonald have been discussed. We know Towers wants more from the Dodgers, but Billingsley seems unlikely.
Braves Offer Tazawa Major League Contract
8:09pm: According to John Hickey of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Mariners scouts met with Tazawa today. The Yankees will not pursue Tazawa.
7:25pm: O’Brien has more. He says the Braves made a multiyear offer to Tazawa, and will know his decision in a few weeks. In an earlier post, O’Brien passed along a rumor that the Braves’ offer topped the $6MM Pedro Alvarez received.
4:10pm: According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves offered Junichi Tazawa a Major League contract. O’Brien says the Red Sox, Mariners, Cubs, and Marlins are also interested in the 22 year-old pitcher. This offer could put the Braves in the lead, but the dollar amount is unknown.
Braves Rumors: Ludwick, Dempster, Francoeur
David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has been churning out rumors in the comments section of his blog.
- He believes the Braves are interested in Ryan Ludwick, but is not sure if they’d give up Kelly Johnson. O’Brien also suggests Rick Ankiel could be available, and that either player would interest Atlanta.
- O’Brien says the Cubs offered three years, $36MM to Ryan Dempster. Most folks think he’ll re-sign, but the Braves have spoken to Dempster’s agent.
- He adds that the Braves will make an offer to Mike Hampton, though Hampton will shop around and may prefer the West Coast. He’s looking for a one-year deal.
- The Royals still love Jeff Francoeur.
Kelly Johnson-Ryan Ludwick Rumor
A whisper from David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Here’s a rumor you might be hearing soon. I repeat, might be hearing. Kelly Johnson for Ryan Ludwick. Hey, you ask about whispers, I give you whispers. I’ll let you know if I hear it said above a whisper.
Johnson and Ludwick are both under team control for three more seasons. Johnson is 27 in February, while Ludwick is 30. Though Johnson plays a premium position, Ludwick was probably more valuable in 2008. Thoughts?
Rosenthal’s Latest: Fielder, Beimel, Eckstein
Ken Rosenthal is on the scene at the GM meetings, and as usual has all kinds of new info.
- The Brewers are unlikely to trade Prince Fielder, and reluctant to trade J.J. Hardy or Alcides Escobar. It’d be smart to retain those three players.
- Rosenthal still likes the Braves as the favorite for Jake Peavy, but wonders if the Cubs or another team could incorporate a third team to get it done.
- The Cubs will need to spend much of their available money on pitching, which may leave little payroll room for an outfielder like Bobby Abreu. They could backload contracts and move some of Jason Marquis‘ salary though.
- The Mets are interested in lefty reliever Joe Beimel, as well as usual suspects Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, and Kerry Wood. They also like Raul Ibanez.
- The Cardinals could move forward with a Ryan Ludwick/Colby Rasmus/Rick Ankiel outfield, or trade one of them. Ankiel, entering his contract year, seems most likely to go if Rasmus is ready.
- David Eckstein is marketing himself as a second baseman for 2009.
- Don’t look for the Phillies to move Shane Victorino in a Matt Holliday deal.
- The Cardinals and Nationals are not contenders for A.J. Burnett. Still no word on Burnett’s opt-out.
- The Marlins may wait until some of the top free agent starters sign before shopping Scott Olsen.
NPB Rumors: Tazawa, Iwase, Iguchi
Some Japanese baseball-related rumors, courtesy of Patrick Newman at NPB Tracker:
- Seven teams have surfaced in Japanese media reports as suitors for free agent amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa: the Red Sox, Braves, Mariners, Pirates, Tigers, Cubs, and Phillies. David O’Brien of the AJC says the Braves are "legit players" for Tazawa. The Red Sox are seen as the frontrunner, according to Paul Hoynes. Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald agrees that Boston is in the lead, and adds the Marlins to the mix.
- Reliever Hitoki Iwase will remain in Japan. Shortstop Tomohiro Nioka is a free agent, but may not necessarily come to MLB.
- So Taguchi and Tadahito Iguchi may return to Japan for the ’09 season.
- Saburo Ohmura is a 32 centerfielder with an eye on MLB. Newman tells me he profiles as more of a fourth outfielder.
Rockies Shopping Holliday, Atkins, Taveras
9:11pm: According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves are not interested in Taveras after all.
10:47am: According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post and Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News, the Rockies are shopping Matt Holliday, Garrett Atkins, and Willy Taveras.
Holliday, a Scott Boras client, is set to earn $13.5MM in 2009 before reaching free agency. Ringolsby says the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Angels, Mets, and Phillies have shown interest. Renck has the Cardinals as a lurker. The Nats may also be interested. The Rockies will target young pitching in return.
Atkins is under team control for 2009 and 2010. Ringolsby has the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Angels, Mets, Phillies, White Sox, and Twins as interested parties. Renck sees the Indians as another possibility.
Taveras is also under team control through 2010. Ringolsby says the Royals, Yankees, White Sox, and Braves are in on him, while Renck adds the Nationals.
Jake Peavy Rumors: Monday
12:08pm: Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says Towers still considers the Braves the best match for a Peavy trade. Cafardo says the Braves appear willing to trade shortstop Yunel Escobar. He adds that the Red Sox haven’t been ruled out but they’re far down the list.
9:35am: Padres GM Kevin Towers arrived early at the GM meetings, with trading Jake Peavy high on his to-do list. The latest from Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune:
- Towers is "focused on three" teams. Krasovic believes these to be the Cubs, Dodgers, and Braves. He’s matched up with Jim Hendry and Ned Colletti before, and has known Frank Wren for many years. It is believed that Towers would charge the Dodgers a premium for being in their division. The Braves do not want to include top prospects such as Tommy Hanson and Jason Heyward.
- Towers isn’t opposed to a three-team deal, but he’s never done one. He’d prefer to make a normal direct trade.
- Towers wants quality over quantity, saying the right two or three players could get it done.