Ben Nicholson-Smith | MLB Trade Rumors

Yankees, Astros, Rangers, O’s Interested In Berkman

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 4, 2013 at 7:18pm CDT

7:18pm: The Yankees also have interest in Berkman, reports Ken Davidoff of The New York Post (on Twitter). Berkman spent time with New York in 2011, but Davidoff says it's unclear if he would consider a reunion since the two Texas teams are involved.

4:17pm: Nolan Ryan confirmed to Berman that the Rangers have an offer out to Berkman (Twitter link). "We are looking for a designated hitter," Ryan said. "We feel like he would fill that bill."

3:27pm: Houston GM Jeff Luhnow told Mark Berman of FOX 26 in Houston that he has been in contact with Berkman (Twitter link). The sides spoke yesterday and today and talks are ongoing.

2:23pm: The Rangers are trying to talk Berkman into playing next year, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. Team president Nolan Ryan is said to be leading the Rangers' pursuit of Berkman, Heyman writes. Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com confirms the Orioles’ interest, noting that they have reached out “informally” (Twitter link).

9:01am: Lance Berkman said he’s “still a little bit in limbo” as he considers his options for 2013, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. The switch hitting first baseman/designated hitter received two offers before Christmas and hopes to resume discussions with interested teams.

The Rangers have reached out, and the Rays and Red Sox are also interested. Goold adds a third AL East team to the list of Berkman’s suitors: the Baltimore Orioles. It's clear that Berkman has opportunities, but he suggested he’d have to be well-compensated to return for another season.

“If I’m going to play, I’m going to give my heart and soul to the team,” he told the Post-Dispatch. “But if the carrot’s not big enough, the mule isn’t going to want to go.”

Berkman, a Texas native, added that the Rangers have a geographic advantage. His first MLB team, the Astros, could also have interest. But now that the Astros have added Carlos Pena, Houston’s not an ideal fit.

Berkman missed most of the 2012 season because of knee injuries. When healthy he hit .259/.381/.444 in 97 plate appearances for the Cardinals. Moye Sports Associates represents the 14-year MLB veteran, who turns 37 next month.

Mike Axisa contributed to this post.

Quick Hits: Upton, Liriano, Orioles, Headley

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 4, 2013 at 4:40pm CDT

Rob Manfred, MLB’s executive VP of labor relations, told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that he’s not ready to say baseball’s collective bargaining agreement needs changes. While the CBA appears to have limited the market for certain players who declined qualifying offers, Manfred says it’s still early. “I’m not inclined to get into a discussion about changing an agreement when it hasn’t even operated for a full year.” As Rosenthal points out, draft pick compensation places an artificial burden on free agents. Here are some more links from around MLB…

The Rangers aren’t a perfect fit for Justin Upton, because their lineup already includes many right-handed hitters, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney notes (Twitter links). The Braves could be a better fit, and could deal from a surplus of pitching. Olney reported yesterday that the Diamondbacks are open to dealing the right fielder.
The Pirates haven’t announced their two-year, $12.75MM agreement with Francisco Liriano, but MLB.com’s Tom Singer still expects the deal to go through (Twitter link). The Pirates have been trying to get the left-hander to Pittsburgh for a physical.
The Orioles have not watched free agent right-hander Javier Vazquez work out and they have no current plans to attend any of his scheduled sessions, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports (on Twitter). That said, Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun suggested today that the Orioles could have some interest (Twitter link).
Within an in-depth piece about third baseman Chase Headley, Padres GM Josh Byrnes revealed to MLB.com's Corey Brock that he pushed for the Red Sox to draft Headley back in 2005 when he was in the Boston front office. Headley, 28, is arbitration eligible for the third time this offseason.

Yankees Designate Chris Dickerson For Assignment

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 4, 2013 at 4:07pm CDT

The Yankees have designated outfielder Chris Dickerson for assignment, Chad Jennings of the Journal News reports. The move creates 40-man roster space for Russ Canzler, who was claimed off of waivers from the Indians.

Dickerson appeared in 25 games for the Yankees this past season, playing all three outfield positions. The 30-year-old hit two home runs in his 17 trips to the plate with New York. A left-handed hitter, Dickerson posted a .316/.417/.515 batting line in 321 plate appearances at Triple-A in 2012.

Outrighted To Triple-A: D.J. Mitchell

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 4, 2013 at 2:51pm CDT

The latest outright assignments from around MLB…

The Mariners outrighted right-hander D.J. Mitchell to Triple-A Tacoma after he cleared waivers, Greg Johns of MLB.com reports. The Mariners designated Mitchell for assignment on December 26th to create roster space for Raul Ibanez. The Mariners originally acquired the 25-year-old from the Yankees in the deal that sent Ichiro Suzuki to New York.

Yankees Claim Russ Canzler

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 4, 2013 at 2:10pm CDT

The Yankees have claimed Russ Canzler off of waivers from the Indians, ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports (on Twitter). This marks the third time this winter that the first baseman/designated hitter has been claimed. The Blue Jays claimed him on December 21st before Cleveland claimed him back on January 2nd.

Canzler will provide the Yankees with another right-handed bat, assuming he remains on New York's roster. The 26-year-old appeared in 26 games for the Indians this past season. He posted a .269/.299/.398 batting line in 97 MLB plate appearances while playing first base and left field. He spent most of the season at Triple-A, where he posted a .265/.328/.487 batting line with 22 home runs and 36 doubles in 539 plate appearances.

Cardinals Notes: Lohse, Diaz, Alvarez

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 4, 2013 at 1:40pm CDT

The Cardinals have reached the postseason in three of the five seasons since John Mozeliak became the team's general manager. Mozeliak, who was named St. Louis’ GM following the 2007 season, is now in the midst of a comparatively quiet offseason. Here are some details on the Cardinals from Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch…

The Cardinals have not revisited signing free agent right-hander Kyle Lohse since extending him a qualifying offer. Lohse declined the offer, preferring the free agent market. However, the 34-year-old hasn’t received an official offer to this point in the winter. It appears that teams are hesitant to surrender the draft pick required to complete a deal.
The Cardinals are keeping tabs on the market for Cuban free agents Aledmys Diaz and Dariel Alvarez, Goold reports. Diaz, a shortstop, turns 23 next week, while Alvarez is a 24-year-old outfielder. The Cardinals plan to have a front office member in attendance at an upcoming workout for the players. Jesse Sanchez introduced us to Diaz and Alvarez in a piece at MLB.com back in November.

Blue Jays Claim Chad Beck

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 4, 2013 at 1:20pm CDT

The Blue Jays claimed right-hander Chad Beck off of waivers from Pittsburgh, the Pirates announced. The 27-year-old had been designated for assignment on December 26th.

Beck spent the 2012 season in the Blue Jays' organization, appearing in 14 games at the MLB level. The Pirates had claimed him off of waivers from Toronto on October 25th. Beck posted a 6.32 ERA with 5.2 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 15 2/3 innings with Toronto this past season. He spent the majority of the year at Triple-A Las Vegas, where he posted a 1.31 ERA with 4.5 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 48 innings out of the bullpen.

Orioles Claim Luis Martinez

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 4, 2013 at 1:18pm CDT

The Orioles announced that they claimed catcher Luis Martinez off of waivers from the Rangers. Baltimore's 40-man roster is full after claiming Martinez, who had been designated for assignment on December 26th.

Acquired by the Rangers from San Diego last offseason, Martinez appeared in ten games with Texas this past season. He spent most of the year at Triple-A, where he hit .270/.350/.386 in 247 plate appearances. The 27-year-old also appeared in 22 games with the Padres in 2011, his first campaign in the Major Leagues.

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By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 4, 2013 at 11:16am CDT

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Mets Notes: Outfield, Young, Recker

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 4, 2013 at 10:05am CDT

The Mets have been consistent for the past four seasons, but not in the way they'd like. They've finished fourth in the NL East every season since 2009, never winning fewer than 70 games or more than 79. Here’s the latest on the 2013 edition of the club…

One Mets insider told Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com yesterday that the team’s outfield could already be set. However, a second official told Rubin today that the club continues shopping for outfield help.
The Mets continue seeking a starting pitcher to replace R.A. Dickey, Rubin reports. Free agent right-hander Chris Young remains a “viable option” for the Mets.
The club also continues seeking bullpen depth, and could make a trade to address its needs.
The Mets don’t seem anxious to add a catcher, Rubin reports. This suggests a level of comfort with Anthony Recker as a potential backup, at least for part of the season. John Buck figures to be New York’s starting catcher and 23-year-old prospect Travis d’Arnaud looms as a likely 2013 contributor.
Yahoo's Jeff Passan recently discussed the state of the Mets, praising GM Sandy Alderson for his handling of the Dickey trade talks, but pointing out that the New York roster includes a number of potential weaknesses.

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