Nationals To Let Milledge, Dukes Compete For CF
Elijah Dukes and Lastings Milledge are the Washington Nationals’ two candidates for the center field opening, MLB.com reports.
The Nationals, after missing out on the newest Cub, Milton Bradley, have decided to look internally for center field help.
Milledge (.268/.330/.402) played center field for the Nationals in 2008. He’ll turn 24 in April. Dukes (.264/.386/.478) will be 25 in June.
Orioles Continue Talks Kawakami, Uehara
Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com writes that the Baltimore Orioles are still negotiating with Japanese pitcher Kenshin Kawakami despite some reports stating the Orioles already have made their best offer.
Kubatko also lists Koji Uehara, 33, of the Yomiuri Giants as someone who interests the Orioles. Baltimore has been in discussion with Uehara’s agent, Mark Pieper.
Reds Still Looking At Baldelli, Hairston Jr.
The Cincinnati Reds remain interested in free agents Rocco Baldelli and Jerry Hairston Jr., MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon reports.
Reds general manager Walt Jocketty told Sheldon that he has talked with their agent, Casey Close, during the weekend.
Jocketty said that he expects something to happen this week with regard to Hairston Jr.
The Reds have had no talks with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Andruw Jones and appear not to be interested, Sheldon notes.
The Cincinnati Enquirer’s John Fay also spoke with Jocketty. In addition to the Reds’ stance on Baldelli, Hairston Jr. and Jones, Fay notes that the Reds won’t be trading first baseman Joey Votto.
Jocketty also told Fay that Votto (Canada), Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto (Dominican Republic) might play in the World Baseball Classic.
Colon To Stay With Royals Organization
Right-hander Roman Colon has agreed to remain with the Kansas City Royals organization, Dick Kaegel of MLB.com reports.
The Royals signed Colon to a minor-league deal with a Major League camp invitation.
Colon, 28, was a free agent after compiling a 5-5 record and a 4.64 ERA in 23 games and 10 starts last summer for Triple-A Omaha, Kaegel added.
Redding Remains On Rockies’ Radar
Thomas Harding of MLB.com writes that despite the pending acquisition of Cubs starter Jason Marquis, the Colorado Rockies are still in the hunt for right-hander Tim Redding’s services.
Harding notes that the Rockies tried to trade for Redding with the Washington Nationals during the Winter Meetings.
Phillies’ Romero Suspended 50 Games
TUESDAY, 11:17am: Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. says he’s not dead set on replacing Romero with another lefty reliever. The team has interest in several free agent relievers.
MONDAY, 9:26pm: The Philadelphia Phillies might need to pick up some help for their bullpen after reliever J.C. Romero found out he has been suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball. Fortunately they signed Scott Eyre at the beginning of the offseason.
Romero failed a drug test, though he denies doing anything illegal. The MLB Players Association had told players that the supplement Romero took was acceptable, ESPN.com’s Peter Gammons reports.
"I still cannot see where I did something wrong," Romero told Gammons. "There is nothing that should take away from the rings of my teammates. I didn’t cheat. I tried to follow the rules."
Gammons notes that Romero will lose $1.25MM. You can read the rest of the drama at ESPN.
The left-handed Romero, 33 in June, was an impact player in the Phillies’ bullpen in 2008. He went 4-4 with a 2.75 ERA in 81 appearances (59.0 innings). The Phillies could possibly explore the market for his replacement.
Varitek, Red Sox Working On Deal?
Daniel Barbarisi of The Providence Journal believes the Boston Red Sox and the team’s veteran catcher, Jason Varitek, who is currently a free agent, are working on a short-term deal, possibly two years.
Barbarisi writes how the Red Sox usually do not sign aging veterans, so re-signing Varitek would be a catch-22, the title of the article.
Varitek, 36, is looking for a four-year deal worth $40MM, though it’s rather unlikely he’ll receive one, Barbarisi notes.
From Barbarisi:
“By the numbers, veteran players producing at (Varitek’s) level were generally paid between $2MM to $5MM by their teams in 2008, with the exception of the Yankees’ (Ivan) Rodriguez. If Varitek’s price were to drop that low, the Red Sox would probably be happy to bring him back for at least two more years. But if Varitek and Boras stick to their initial demands, the Red Sox will probably go another way and end up with the same production for half the cost.”
Braves Still In Kawakami Mix?
According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Atlanta Braves remain a possible suitor for Japanese pitcher Kenshin Kawakami.
The Japan Times has reported that Kawakami had narrowed his choices to the Baltimore Orioles, Minnesota Twins and St. Louis Cardinals. O’Brien’s report disputes this by saying he spoke Saturday with Kawakami’s agent, who said the Braves were still one of the teams Kawakami had on his list.
D-backs GM, CEO Unlikely To Leave
Despite former CEO Jeff Moorad leaving the Arizona Diamondbacks for San Diego Padres ownership, two of his trusted colleagues will likely not follow him.
Current Diamondbacks CEO Derrick Hall and general manager Josh Byrnes have small ownership stakes in the Arizona franchise. That will likely keep the duo in place, The Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro reports.
Hall and Byrnes each received contracts that run through 2015. Moorad negotiated both deals, Piecoro added.
Yankees Almost Set To Welcome Teixeira
Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News reports that the New York Yankees are about to introduce first baseman Mark Teixeira as the newest Yankee. McCarron’s source believes the press conference could be as early as Tuesday.
Teixeira agreed to an eight-year, $180MM contract before Christmas. The deal has not been officially announced because Teixeira must first pass a physical that could be scheduled for Monday, McCarron writes.