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Prince Fielder Rumors: Thursday

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While there's no guarantee that Prince Fielder will sign soon, he will be off of the market by Spring Training. Agent Scott Boras told Barry Bloom of MLB.com that he intends to complete a deal for the powerful 27-year-old before March.

"Certainly we're going to have him signed well in advance of Spring Training," Boras said. "I can't give you the exact date. These things take some time. That's why we have January and early February. Spring Training doesn't start until late February."

Boras is in Phoenix, where owners have gathered for their quarterly meetings, to discuss Fielder and other clients, such as Edwin Jackson. Here are the latest rumors on Fielder:

  • There are more teams involved than the ones that have been reported and most of the unnamed teams are from the National League, a source close to the situation told Shannon Drayer of 710 ESPN Seattle.  At present, it appears that the Mariners are lying in the weeds and aren't at the front of the pack.
  • The Blue Jays are not a serious suitor for Fielder, multiple people in the industry told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter).   Fielder's price and years would need to come way down for Toronto to get involved.
  • The Brewers invited Fielder back on a one-year contract that would have set him up for a mega-deal with the Dodgers next winter, once the team has a new owner in place, Bill Shaikin of the LA Times tweets. However, Boras showed no interest in the Brewers' proposal. Dodgers owner Frank McCourt says he's "not going to talk about" Fielder, Shaikin tweets.
  • The Dodgers aren’t currently involved in the Fielder sweepstakes, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweets.
  • There are strong indications that the Marlins aren’t pursuing Fielder aggressively, MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro reports. Boras touched base with owners including Jeffrey Loria of the Marlins yesterday, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reported.
  • The Nationals are “patiently and aggressively” pursuing Fielder, Kilgore reported.
  • Exchanging information with Fielder’s suitors takes time because “he's going to be there a long time, wherever he's going,” Boras told Bloom.

NL West Notes: Padres, Rockies, Wilson, Blake

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Here are the latest rumors and notes on the division that featured the National League's two lowest-scoring offenses in 2011…

  • Jeff Moorad's purchase of the Padres hit an "unforeseen snag" and was not approved at today's MLB owners meetings, as Bob Nightengale of USA Today anticipated (Twitter link). Owners want more information on Moorad and some aren't convinced they want to admit him into their fraternity, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets.
  • Moorad told the Associated Press that the delay won't affect the team's TV deal and a separate Padres source confirmed that to Dan Hayes of the North County Times (via Twitter).
  • Bud Selig told reporters that the Padres may not have to wait until May to get their new ownership approved as it could be done via conference call, Hayes tweets.
  • Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd confirmed to Troy Renck of the Denver Post that prospect Russell Wilson will pursue football full-time instead of reporting to Spring Training with the Rockies. Wilson, a star football player for Wisconsin, will have to surrender his baseball signing bonus, Renck reports. The 2010 fourth rounder posted a .229/.354/.356 line in 379 minor league plate appearances in Colorado's system.
  • Newly acquired third baseman Casey Blake attracted Colorado's interest by proving that he's now healthy heading into 2012, writes MLB.com's Thomas Harding.

Steinbrenner, Boras Discussed Edwin Jackson

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THURSDAY: The Yankees are still in contact with Hiroki Kuroda, Roy Oswalt, and potential trade partners after discussing Jackson, tweets Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.

12:16pm: Steinbrenner hasn't yet approved a significant payroll boost, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports (all links go to Twitter). It would be a one-year deal or nothing if Jackson signs in New York, even though the Yankees' baseball operations staff likes the right-hander. It appears likely that the Yankees will sign a starter like Jackson, Hiroki Kuroda or Bartolo Colon in Sherman's view.

WEDNESDAY: It was one year ago this month that Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner and agent Scott Boras worked out the deal that brought Rafael Soriano to the Bronx against GM Brian Cashman's better judgment. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that Steinbrenner and Boras met again to discuss another free agent pitcher: Edwin Jackson. Steinbrenner told the agent he'll think about offering Jackson a deal.

Steinbrenner said at the November GM Meetings that he was "still a little concerned about [the] rotation." Though Cashman has since re-signed Freddy Garcia, he continues exploring the trade and free agent markets for rotation options. Yankees scouts like Jackson very much, but are more comfortable offering short-term deals, Heyman tweets.

Quick Hits: Cespedes, Young, Selig, Darvish

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Spring Training begins next month, but more than 100 players remain unsigned. Here's an update on the top ten available free agents and here are this afternoon's links…

  • Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes will play in the Dominican Winter League, Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportesLosAngeles.com reports. Cespedes will initially DH for the Aguilas Cibaenas, which will enable teams to get in-game looks at him before he becomes a free agent.
  • Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com checks in with Dmitri Young, the 38-year-old two-time All-Star who is attempting a comeback after losing 70 pounds.
  • Commissioner Bud Selig says he will “of course" commit to developing a succession plan before his new contract expires, Bill Shaikin of the LA Times tweets. Selig's extension runs through the 2014 season.
  • Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com outlines some reasons that Selig has been good for baseball. John Moores of the Padres was the lone owner not to vote in favor of the commissioner's extension, Heyman tweets.
  • The Rangers are increasingly optimistic about their chances of reaching a deal with Yu Darvish by next week's deadline, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports.
  • Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com breaks down the Mets' projected 2012 payroll and arrives at a $90MM total — $50MM less than the club’s Opening Day payroll in 2011.

Indians Interested In Carlos Pena

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The Indians like Carlos Pena and asked ownership if they could make a deal for the 33-year-old Scott Boras client work, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer tweets. Pena would provide the Indians with a power bat at first base and make the team's lineup even more left-handed than it already is.

Matt LaPorta and Carlos Santana figure to get most of the playing time at first base unless the Indians add a first baseman such as Pena or Casey Kotchman. Pena, a well-regarded defender, posted a .225/.357/.462 line with 28 home runs in 606 plate appearances for the Cubs in 2011.

Approximately 8% of 15,600 MLBTR poll respondents said they expect Pena to sign with the Indians. Many fans and analysts expected the Indians to pursue right-handed bats because their roster already includes left-handed hitters such as Jason Kipnis, Michael Brantley, Shin-Soo Choo, Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner, Jack Hannahan and Lonnie Chisenhall.

Indians Sign Chris Ray

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The Indians announced that they have signed right-hander Chris Ray to a minor league deal that includes an invitation to Major League Spring Training. MLB.com's Jordan Bastian first reported the news on Twitter. 

Ray, who turns 30 today, posted a 4.68 ERA with 6.1 K/9, 3.3 BB/9 and a 46% ground ball rate in 32 2/3 innings for the Mariners in 2011. He has a 4.19 ERA with 7.4 K/9, 3.9 BB/9 and a 39.3% ground ball rate in a career that includes an extended stint as the Orioles' closer from 2006-07. SFX represents the six-year MLB veteran.

AL East Notes: Damon, Maddon, Scott, Kuroda

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On this date in 2009, the Red Sox signed John Smoltz to a one-year contract. He struggled through 40 innings in Boston before moving on to St. Louis, where he pitched to considerably better results in seven starts. Here's the latest on the AL East…

  • Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com and Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com wonder if Johnny Damon could be a fit for the Orioles in 2012.
  • The Rays and Joe Maddon have made progress in extension talks for the skipper, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Maddon’s contract expires after the 2012 season, but both sides have expressed interest in working an extended agreement out before then.
  • Luke Scott told reporters that he won’t be ready to play the outfield until May or June, because his shoulder injury is still healing, Topkin tweets. Scott, whose deal with the Rays became official today, will DH right away and may play some first base.
  • Scott says the Orioles never made him a firm offer after non-tendering him, Kubatko tweets.
  • The Red Sox are still in talks with the agent for Hiroki Kuroda, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweets.
  • Former Red Sox GM Theo Epstein addressed his departure from Boston and other related topics on WEEI this morning and we have the details here.

Rays Continue Eyeing Bats

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The Rays announced their one-year deal with Luke Scott today, but they haven't finished tweaking the offense, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. Executive VP of baseball operations Andrew Friedman says the Rays have "a long list" of hitters they're considering.

Casey Kotchman and Carlos Pena are among the free agent first base options the team could pursue, but Friedman said the Rays won't necessarily add a first baseman. Scott has experience at first base, a position that's easier on his shoulder than the outfield. Friedman told Jim Bowden on MLB Network Radio that it's unlikely Johnny Damon will re-sign in Tampa Bay and explained that he'd prefer to acquire a first baseman (Twitter links).

The Rays, who finished eighth in the American League with 707 runs scored last year, have signed Scott and Jose Molina this offseason, as MLBTR's Transaction Tracker shows.

International Deals: Silva, Martinez

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The latest international signings…

  • The Twins signed right-hander Mauricio Silva for $370K, Baseball America's Ben Badler reports. The 16-year-old Venezuela native had been considered one of the more promising Latin American pitching prospects to become eligible to sign last summer, Badler writes.
  • The White Sox signed Venezuelan right-hander Luis Martinez for $250K, Badler reported yesterday. Martinez, who turns 17 this month, can reach 92 mph on the radar gun and also throws a curveball and change-up, Badler reports. This marks the first major international signing for the White Sox since they hired Marco Paddy from the Blue Jays to oversee their Latin American scouting efforts.

Top Ten Remaining Free Agents

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Prince Fielder headlines a handful of high-profile Scott Boras clients who remain available in free agency, but most of the offseason’s top free agents have signed contracts by now. Here’s a look at possible suitors for the top ten remaining free agents (ranking on MLBTR’s list of top 2012 free agents in parentheses):

  • Prince Fielder (2) – Fielder will sign before Spring Training and the Nationals are among the teams with interest. Boras, who seeks a long-term deal for Fielder, is currently in Phoenix working to sell MLB owners on the first baseman.
  • Edwin Jackson (6) – The Yankees and Orioles have been linked to the right-handed Boras client, but the Yankees are said to be reluctant to commit to a long-term contract.
  • Hiroki Kuroda (15) – The Yankees and Red Sox have some interest in Kuroda, who will pitch in MLB in 2012. The Rockies had some interest, but they aren’t likely to meet Kuroda's asking price.
  • Carlos Pena (16) – The Indians, Rays and Pirates seem like potential destinations for Pena, another Boras client.
  • Roy Oswalt (18) – The Red Sox have some interest in Oswalt, who seeks a one-year deal.
  • Javier Vazquez (19) – It still seems likely that the durable right-hander will retire.
  • Bartolo Colon (27) – The market for Colon has been surprisingly quiet, as Mike Axisa explained at River Ave. Blues this morning.
  • Jeff Francis (32) – The Mariners and Pirates were among the teams linked to Francis earlier in the offseason.
  • Casey Kotchman (36) – Like Pena, Kotchman could be a fit for the Indians, Rays or Pirates.
  • Johnny Damon (39) – Could the Athletics or Orioles offer Damon an everyday job as he continues to approach the 3,000 hit plateau?
  • Honorable mentions – Joe Saunders (non-tendered by the Diamondbacks in December) and Yoenis Cespedes (not yet officially a free agent).

Juan Pierre, Joel Pineiro and Kerry Wood are the only other unsigned players who made MLBTR’s list of top free agents. At this point last year, 11 of MLBTR's top 50 free agents remained unsigned.

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