Prince Fielder Rumors: Monday
We heard earlier today that the Brewers are likely to hold onto Prince Fielder, but that won't stop other teams from expressing interest in the former home run champ. Here are the details on Prince, with more updates to come throughout the evening:
- The Brewers are having internal meetings to discuss Fielder, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter).
- The Brewers approached the Dodgers about their potential interest in Fielder, according to Yahoo's Tim Brown (on Twitter).
- Dodgers GM Ned Colletti shot down the Fielder-Loney-Broxton rumor, according to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times (Twitter link). Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports hears that the Brewers and Dodgers have not spoken at the meetings (Twitter link).
- The Dodgers have zero interest in Fielder, according to Yahoo's Steve Henson (on Twitter).
- The Dodgers are discussing a possible three-player deal that would send Fielder to Los Angeles for James Loney and Jonathan Broxton, according to Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles.com. The Dodgers appear willing to listen to offers for Broxton and the Brewers are one of three teams that have inquired on Loney.
Blue Jays, Yankees, Mariners Interested In Diaz
4:17pm: The Blue Jays also have some interest in Diaz, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick (on Twitter).
3:15pm: The Yankees and Mariners are interested in Matt Diaz as a possible platoon player. New York would mix Diaz in with Brett Gardner and Curtis Granderson, according to Ed Price of AOL FanHouse. The Mariners are interested in platooning Diaz with Michael Saunders in left field, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
Like Marcus Thames, who excelled for the Yankees in a part-time role last year, Diaz handles lefties well. He has a .335/.373/.533 line against them in his career, though he bats just .269/.327/.382 against right-handers. The Braves non-tendered the 32-year-old last week, making him a free agent.
Diaz has experience in right field, but he has spent most of his big league career in left. The Dodgers and Phillies are other potential suitors for Diaz.
Nightengale On Gonzalez, Beckham, Mariners
The Red Sox have a preliminary agreement to sign Adrian Gonzalez to a seven-year extension worth $154MM, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale. The possible deal, which Ken Rosenthal anticipated earlier today, probably won't be announced until April because of MLB's luxury tax.
The White Sox, a runner-up in the Gonzalez sweepstakes, offered Gordon Beckham and prospects to the Padres, according to Nightengale (Twitter links). Nightengale reports that the Mariners were the other finalist for the slugging first baseman.
D’backs May Be Nearing Deal With J.J. Putz
The Diamondbacks have serious interest in J.J. Putz and may be close to signing the reliever to a multiyear deal. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter) that the team's interest is serious and MLB.com's Steve Gilbert reports that the sides are nearing a two-year deal with an option for 2013.
Earlier today, reports indicated that the Diamondbacks have serious interest in the reliever. The Diamondbacks, who have prioritized the reconstruction of their bullpen, already added relievers David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio today.
Red Sox, Padres Agree On Adrian Gonzalez Trade
11:33am: Hayes tweets that the two sides have had the deal in place since Thursday night, which is what prompted the flight to Boston.
11:23am: Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com reports (via Twitter) that Gonzalez has already taken his physical and his surgically repaired shoulder "should be fine." Some minor tests still need to be completed.
11:13am: MLB.com's Peter Gammons tweets that the player to be named later is not a "prime guy." The two teams determine who exactly it will be later.
10:52am: Morosi tweets that Gonzalez is seeking a Ryan Howard-like contract. Howard signed a five-year contract extension worth $125MM earlier this year.
10:13am: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets that the Padres will also receive a player to be named, so it's a 4-for-1 swap. The 40-man roster freeze is in effect until next week's Rule 5 Draft, so it's possible the player is a minor leaguer not on the 40-man that's eligible for the Rule 5.
10:04am: Heyman tweets that there is still work to be done as far as a contract extension for Gonzalez, and that it could take a day or two. Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports confirms with a source that the trade is "not completely done." (Twitter link)
9:14am: Hayes tweets that the package includes Kelly, Rizzo, and Reymond Fuentes. ESPN Boston's Gordon Edes says (via Twitter) that Theo Epstein flew from San Diego to Boston with Gonzalez, and MLB.com's Corey Brock says that Jed Hoyer implored his scouts to scour the lower level of the minors in 2010 (Twitter link). The second and third player in the deal are key.
9:01am: SI.com's Jon Heyman tweets that negotiations about a contract extension will begin shortly, and that Kelly is in fact in the deal. WEEI.com's Alex Speier adds that multiple Red Sox prospects rumored to be in the deal have yet to hear anything from the team about a trade (Twitter link).
7:39am: Olney tweets that the Red Sox flew Gonzalez into Boston to help move the process along, and he is there now.
6:30am: Adrian Gonzalez is expected in Boston today for a physical, reports Nick Cafardo of the Globe. Gonzalez had shoulder surgery to clean up his right labrum in October and has a four or five month recovery timeline. Cafardo says talks have centered around Casey Kelly and Anthony Rizzo, and the deal "would likely involve three or four players from the Sox, including one who is major league-ready." ESPN's Buster Olney says that all players have been agreed to and the Red Sox are now trying to work out an extension with Gonzalez. MLB has approved a negotiating window.
SATURDAY, 12:01am: The Red Sox are very close to acquiring Adrian Gonzalez from the Padres, tweets Dan Hayes of the North County Times. Hayes says the trade would just involve Gonzalez and not Heath Bell, whose name has come up in other rumors. Hayes adds that the deal will only involve minor leaguers – not players such as Jacoby Ellsbury, Daniel Bard, or Jed Lowrie. Top Red Sox prospect Casey Kelly would definitely be involved.
Padres Agree To Terms With Aaron Harang
SATURDAY, 9:18pm: MLB.com's Corey Brock tweets that Harang's deal is for one year and about $3MM.
FRIDAY, 6:34pm: Harang and the Padres have agreed to terms and the contract will be official if Harang passes a physical, reports the Friarhood, a Padres fan/news site.
3:45pm: The Padres are interested in San Diego native Aaron Harang and may be close to a deal with him, according to Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune. MLB.com's Corey Brock reported yesterday that the Padres are one of several teams that have expressed interest in Harang. The right-hander told Brock that he'd like to play in his hometown, especially since Petco Park is pitcher friendly.
The 32-year-old made 20 starts in 2010, pitching to a 5.32 ERA in 111 2/3 innings. His 2.2 K/BB ratio is solid, but not as impressive as it was from 2005-09 when Harang struck out 3.5 times as many hitters as he walked. A fly ball pitcher, Harang would likely fit well in San Diego's spacious outfield.
The Padres are looking for starters after losing Jon Garland, Kevin Correia and Chris Young to free agency.
This post was originally published on November 3rd.
Dodgers Re-Sign Rod Barajas
The Dodgers have re-signed catcher Rod Barajas to a one-year contract, according to a team press release. Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter) reports that the deal is worth $3.25MM. That's some nice work from agent Dan Lozano given that the catcher had to settle for a $500K minor league contract from the Mets last February.
Barajas, 35, excelled in 72 plate appearances after the Dodgers acquired him for the stretch run. He had three hits, including a homer, in his first game as a Dodger and batted .297/.361/.578 overall. He doesn't reach base often, as his career .284 on base percentage shows, but he has some power.
Barajas, who drew interest from the Red Sox earlier in the offseason, is one of many catchers Los Angeles considered, particularly given yesterday's non-tender of Russell Martin, The Dodgers would not have obtained compensation for losing Barajas (a Type B free agent) to another team, since they did not offer arbitration.
Hernandez was the first to report that the Dodgers were close to a deal with Barajas, and also had the information about the contract's length (Twitter links).
MLBTR's Mark Polishuk contributed to this post
Minor Deals: Red Sox, Bale, Perdomo
Today's minor league signings feature the pitcher who has the second most strikeouts in Washington Nationals history. Here are the details:
- The Red Sox announced they have signed Nate Spears, Santo Luis and Jason Bergmann and confirmed they have signed Brandon Duckworth and Drew Sutton.
- Bergmann, 29, has a 5.04 ERA with 6.9 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 in parts of six seasons with the Nationals. He posted a 2.84 ERA with 9.9 K/9 in 43 relief appearances for Washington's Triple-A affiliate in 2010.
- The Tigers signed lefty John Bale to a minor league deal according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Daniel Schlereth and Brad Thomas are the only two lefties on Detroit's roster, so the Tigers are looking to add depth. Bale, 36, has a 4.66 ERA in parts of seven big league seasons, but didn't play pro ball in 2010.
- The Padres agreed to terms with right-hander Luis Perdomo on a minor league deal, the team announced. They non-tendered Perdomo yesterday, but he wasn't a free agent for long.
Reds To Extend Bronson Arroyo
The Reds agreed to a three-year, $35MM extension with Bronson Arroyo, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter links). The deal will cover the 2011-13 seasons, though Arroyo was already under contract for $13MM in 2011, since the Reds picked up their club option. Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports that the contract doesn't include a no-trade clause, but Arroyo will gain 10-and-5 rights in April 2012 and the pitcher was "given enough assurance" by owner Bob Castellini to ensure that he will stay in Cincinnati.
A great deal of Arroyo's salary will be deferred, Rosenthal reports. The hurler will receive $6.5MM in 2011 and $7MM in 2012, but will see $15MM of the $18MM that he is owed in 2013 deferred. It is interesting to note that the deferral is voided if Arroyo is traded. This essentially grants Arroyo a no-trade clause as it is extremely unlikely that any club will want to pay him $18MM in '13.
Arroyo, 34 in Febraury, logged 215 2/3 innings in 2010, reaching 200 innings for the sixth consecutive season. The 11-year-veteran posted a 3.88 ERA with 5.0 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9.
Ted Lilly, who turns 35 in January, signed a three-year, $33MM contract that may have been a point of reference in the negotiations. Another lefty, Jorge de la Rosa, recently agreed to a three-year, $32MM deal with the Rockies.
White Sox Rumors: Fielder, Dunn, Konerko
Here's the latest on Kenny Williams' search for power bats, as the White Sox announce their deal with Adam Dunn:
- The White Sox discussed Prince Fielder with the Brewers before completing the Dunn deal, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Rosenthal explains how the shortage of available pitching could make it difficult for the Brewers to acquire high caliber young arms in a potential Fielder trade.
- Dunn says he'll DH or play any position, according to Scott Reifert of the White Sox (on Twitter).
- Williams says A.J. Pierzynski and Dunn will accept deferred payment on their new deals to help the White Sox make Paul Konerko a strong offer, Reifert notes on Twitter. Konerko is meeting with the White Sox on Monday, tweets USA Today's Bob Nightengale.