Reds Rumors: Rhodes, Votto, Webb
The Reds signed Miguel Cairo to a two-year deal today. Here are the rest of the rumors from the Winter Meetings:
- The Reds aren't particularly close to re-signing Arthur Rhodes, since the reliever values himself differently than the team does, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Rhodes is seeking a multiyear deal. He's 41, but GM Walt Jocketty was willing to give the 36-year-old Cairo two years.
- The Reds talked to Joey Votto's agent and will offer the NL MVP a multiyear deal, but the team doesn't expect to reach an agreement soon. Votto's representatives "weren't really ready to talk about [an extension]" Jocketty said.
- The Reds were often mentioned as a speculative destination for Brandon Webb, since his Ashland, Kentucky home is relatively close to Cincinnati. However, they haven't talked to the right-hander, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer (on Twitter).
Nationals Notes: Winn, Webb, Wang, LaRoche
Washington may or may not be in on Cliff Lee. Here's what we do know about the Nationals:
- The Nationals may show interest in Randy Winn, a source told MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
- GM Mike Rizzo told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post that he met with Brandon Webb's agent this week (Twitter link). The Nationals believe the right-hander is healthy. The Cubs and Rangers have interest in Webb, but the Brewers aren't currently interested.
- Washington also likes Chien-Ming Wang, another pitcher coming back from injury, according to Ben Goessling of MASNSports.com (Twitter link). Rizzo told Goessling that he's hopeful of signing Wang, who could re-join the Nats even if they sign Webb.
- As the Nats' official Twitter feed reminds us, Rizzo still intends to add a first baseman who isn't currently in the organization. No deal with Adam LaRoche is imminent, but the Nationals are interested, at the very least. The Nationals had interest in Carlos Pena before he signed with the Cubs.
Seven Teams Interested In Octavio Dotel
Seven clubs are interested in Octavio Dotel, according to Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes (on Twitter, in Spanish). The Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, Orioles, Twins, Pirates and Yankees have inquired on the right-hander, Rojas writes.
The 37-year-old bounced from the Pirates to the Dodgers to the Rockies in 2010 and posted a 4.08 ERA along the way. He picked up 21 saves as the Pirates' closer and struck out over a batter per inning (10.5 K/9) overall. Dotel walked lots of hitters as usual (4.5 BB/9), but limited hits.
Marlins Discussed Three-Team Deal
6:50pm: The Marlins and Rangers are discussing deals involving relievers, according to Rosenthal.
5:44pm: The Marlins tried to acquire Greinke and were talking to the Rangers, but Texas denies that they discussed a three-team deal, according to Rosenthal (on Twitter).
5:31pm: The Marlins are not trading Nolasco, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro (Twitter link).
5:14pm: The Rangers and Royals were involved in the potential three-team deal involving Greinke, according to Rosenthal (Twitter links). And the Rockies? They inquired about Nunez, but not Nolasco, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (Twitter link).
5:01pm: The deal would have sent Nolasco to the Rockies, according to Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun Sentinel (Twitter link). One of the Marlins' attempted three-team trades would have sent Zack Greinke to Florida, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Talks are lukewarm, but still alive, Rosenthal reports.
4:44pm: Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest told Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald that the team was involved in discussions with two other clubs about a multiplayer deal before talks stalled (Twitter link). The Rangers and Rockies were the other teams involved in the potential swap, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post (Twitter link). Leo Nunez and Ricky Nolasco, two players the Marlins will consider trading, were involved in the discussions.
The Rangers and Rockies were discussing a potential Michael Young deal last night, but it's not clear if these trade talks were related.
Reds Sign Miguel Cairo To Two-Year Deal
The Reds signed Miguel Cairo to a two-year deal worth $2MM. Cairo, 36, hit .290/.353/.410 in 226 plate appearances for the Reds, playing mostly at the infield corners. Cairo is represented by ACES.
MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reported the agreement (on Twitter), Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported that the sides were close to a deal (Twitter link) and ESPN.com's Buster Olney reported the terms (Twitter link).
Padres Pushing For Jason Bartlett
The Rays will definitely trade Jason Bartlett, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, who suggests a deal could go down tonight (Twitter links). The Orioles aren't involved, so it's down to the Padres and Pirates. We'll keep track of all the rumors right here:
- Bartlett is likely going to San Diego, according to Dan Hayes of the North County Times (on Twitter).
- The Padres and Rays are discussing a deal that would send pitchers Adam Russell and Cesar Ramos to Tampa Bay for Bartlett, according to Bill Center of the San Diego Union Tribune.
- The Rays are asking the Pirates for Joel Hanrahan, according to Rob Biertempfel (on Twitter).
- It appears that Bartlett wants to sign an extension if traded, according to Sherman.
Mets Sign Boof Bonser
The Mets signed Boof Bonser to a minor league contract, according to Newsday's Ken Davidoff (on Twitter). The 29-year-old right-hander logged 25 innings with the A's and Red Sox this year, posting a 6.12 ERA with acceptable strikeout (6.1 K/9) and walk (2.9 BB/9) rates.
Bonser has not re-established himself since missing the 2009 season with shoulder surgery. To his credit, the former first rounder posted standout strikeout (7.3 K/9) and walk (2.9 BB/9) ratios in his three-year stint with the Twins.
The Mets will be able to retain Bonser through arbitration after 2011. Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork says Bonser will earn $15K per month in the minors or $700K in the majors.
Dodgers Close To Signing Dioner Navarro
The Dodgers are close to signing Dioner Navarro, according to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times (on Twitter). The Rays non-tendered the former Dodger last week after his tenure in Tampa Bay ended on a sour note.
Ryan Ludwick Drawing Trade Interest
WEDNESDAY, 3:15pm: The Padres would only trade Ludwick for a package that includes two or three pieces, which means he'll likely be in their opening day lineup, according to Scott Miller of CBS Sports (on Twitter).
TUESDAY, 10:46pm: Ryan Ludwick is generating trade interest, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Red Sox, Tigers, Orioles and Dodgers are among the teams that have checked in, according to the reporters. At this point – just 48 hours after trading Adrian Gonzalez – the Padres seem reluctant to part with Ludwick.
The Orioles, Tigers and Red Sox have also been linked to another outfielder who bats from the right side and is a year away from free agency: Josh Willingham.
Ludwick, 32, earned 5.45MM in 2010 and has hit 76 home runs over the course of the past three seasons, so he'll surpass the $6MM mark through arbitration in 2011 and could earn close to $7MM. He batted .251/.325/.418 with 17 homers and 27 doubles in 551 plate appearances last year.
Odds & Ends: Iwakuma, Heisey, White Sox, Feliciano
One year ago today, the Yankees, Tigers and Diamondbacks finalized the trade that sent Curtis Granderson to New York, Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy to Arizona and Max Scherzer and Austin Jackson to Detroit. As we await this year's answer to that 2009 blockbuster, here are some links to enjoy…
- Phil Coke, who was also in that trade, is set to move to the Tigers' rotation, but Detroit isn't desperate for left-handed relief help. Daniel Schlereth, yet another product of the trade, could be a cog in the Tigers' 'pen, so they're showing limited interest in free agents like J.C. Romero and Ron Mahay, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck.
- The agent for Hisashi Iwakuma, Don Nomura, told the Associated Press (via ESPN) that the A's showed no respect for his client in their recent negotiations. The agent is clearly frustrated by what he perceives to be a lack of sincerity from Oakland.
- The D'Backs have some interest in outfielder Chris Heisey, but have yet to approach the Reds about him, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (Twitter link).
- The Phillies are still interested in a potential deal with Chad Durbin, according to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
- White Sox GM Kenny Williams tells Jayson Stark of ESPN.com that his team is "about tapped out" in terms of payroll flexibility (Twitter link).
- The Indians officially announced their minor league deal with Paul Phillips today.
- The Yankees met with Pedro Feliciano's representatives today, according to Newsday's Ken Davidoff (on Twitter).