Mench Completes Deal With Japanese Team
MLBTR reported this was going to happen, and now it has. Kevin Mench will be playing for the Hanshin Tigers in 2009.
The deal is for one year and is worth $1.8MM. Mench, 30, played in the outfield for the Blue Jays last season. He hit .243/.321/.357 in 131 plate appearances for Toronto.
Red Sox Scout Saltalamacchia
Texas Rangers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia is playing winter ball, and the Boston Red Sox have apparently kept tabs.
According to Boston Globe reporter Nick Cafardo, Red Sox special assistant Allard Baird recently scouted Salty. Cafardo added that Saltalamacchia’s defense didn’t look solid on that particular night, though. Cafardo also notes that other scouts who have seen the catcher in winter ball thought his defensive skills were up to par.
Derek Lowe Rumors: Wednesday
Boston.com, the Boston Globe Web site, is reporting with a background source that Derek Lowe is close to a deal with the New York Mets. The post indicates the deal could be three to four years in the neighborhood of $15MM/season.
The N.Y. Daily News and N.Y. Post each have related stories to the Mets’ interest in Derek Lowe.
John Harper’s Daily News story indicates a deal could be reached between Christmas and New Year’s.
Ben Shpigel of the N.Y. Times writes that if the Mets sign Lowe, they might need to thank the Yankees.
Cardinals Practice Patience
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that the St. Louis Cardinals are taking a patient approach to the free agent market. Cardinals management is being cautious after making offers early in the offseason that didn’t receive much response.
That status stands for free agent closer Brian Fuentes, who had an offer from the Cardinals before the franchise pulled it. Goold notes that the Los Angeles Angels have become suitors for Fuentes.