Pettitte Hopes To Return To Yankees
On the day the Yankees introduced their new big-name pitchers, The New York Post reports that Andy Pettitte still wants to play in pinstripes. According to the Post Joe Girardi talked with Pettitte and heard that "he is still excited about coming back."
Girardi heard that Pettitte "is very excited" about recent additions A.J. Burnett and C.C. Sabathia. The Post also reports that Yankees GM Brian Cashman thinks the negotiations are progressing well for the Yankees.
Odds and Ends: Astros, Saito, Yankees
Links for Monday night…
- Astros GM Ed Wade is "kicking the tires" on players to share time with Geoff Blum at third next year. It seems unlikely that they can afford Ty Wigginton.
- The Marlins haven’t yet inquired on Takashi Saito, a recent non-tender.
- It’s "very unlikely" though "not impossible" that Mark Teixeira or Manny Ramirez becomes a Yankee according to Tyler Kepner. He also thinks that the longer Andy Pettitte waits, the lower the chances are of a return to the Yankees.
- Adam Everett thinks the Tigers are a great fit for him. Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski said Everett’s in line to get most of the starts at shortstop.
- Felipe Lopez could be a positive for the D’Backs in spite of his questionable effort and unspectacular defense, writes Keith Law.
- Rob Neyer thinks that the Yankees "pretty obviously overpaid" for A.J. Burnett.
- Here’s a video clip of Bronx Banter authors and Anthony McCarron debating the pros and cons of the Burnett signing.
- Sarah D. Morris weighs in on the Dodgers’ offseason moves.
- Tony Massarotti ranks the five worst current pitching contracts.
Multiple Offers For Kawakami?
Patrick at NPB Tracker writes that Kenshin Kawakami‘s agent says he’s received official offers from "more than one team."
It’s not known which teams offered contracts, but the Braves are interested and Patrick lists the Orioles, Red Sox, Angels, Giants, and Brewers as other possible suitors.
Here’s the link to the Hochi Sports article in Japanese.
Vizquel Wants To Play Again
Omar Vizquel wants to play another year in the majors and maybe more according to MLB.com.
He said his agent “has been talking to a couple of teams,” but didn’t reveal which ones.
Vizquel realizes he’s not going to get long-term offers at his age, but he’s interested in one-year deals, especially from National League teams.
The 41-year-old said he feels “really good” and can play better than he did last season for the Giants.
Mark Teixeira Rumors: Monday
Some Mark Teixeira nuggets have surfaced around the web…
- The Angels “appear to have abandoned their usual quick-deadline strategy” according to Jon Heyman. They’ve been known to offer contracts with deadlines, but this year they’re making an exception.
- Ken Rosenthal writes that the Angels could be “bracing for the loss” of Teixeira to another club.
- Still, the Red Sox still consider the Angels “a more serious competitor” than the Orioles or Nationals according to New York Times writer Jack Curry.
- Red Sox GM Theo Epstein didn’t deny that the his team is a “super power financially,” but he told Curry that Boston spends “99%” of its resources on scouting and development. With good reason, Curry suggests that they might be spending more than 1% of their energy on signing Tex.
Reds Interested In Taveras, Wigginton, Miles
Reds GM Walk Jocketty told MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon that he’s interested in three players who became free agents after being non-tendered by their former clubs: Willy Taveras, Ty Wigginton and Aaron Miles.
Jocketty said Taveras could play in center field, Wigginton’s a backup in case they don’t get their first choice of outfielders and Miles could work if the Reds don’t re-sign Jerry Hairston.
Wigginton played in the outfield 30 times for the Astros this year, but John Fay heard from Jocketty that a Wigginton deal could move Edwin Encarnacion to left field.
Angels Are Fuentes’ ‘First Choice’
According to James Burns of the Merced Sun-Star, Brian Fuentes said the Angels are his “first choice.”
“Anaheim would be a great fit, being a California kid,” Fuentes told Burns.
Fuentes goes on to say that he’s not worried to see fewer suitors out there, now that Francisco Rodriguez and Kerry Wood have signed. Instead, he said it’s a good thing, especially since he sees himself as “the last top-end closer left.”
The Angels, Brewers, Tigers and Cardinals could all pursue Fuentes.
Indians Complete Kerry Wood Signing
11:50am: The AP reports that Wood gets $10MM in 2009 and $10.5MM in 2010. If he finishes 55 games either year, the Indians’ option vests and they pay Wood $11MM in 2011. Check out this Chicago Tribune article for comments from Wood and Mark Shapiro.
9:09am: Kerry Wood signed a two-year $20.5MM contract with the Indians that has a vesting club option for a third year.
The Indians decided to complete the deal after discussing Wood’s physical and running it past club executives.
Odds and Ends: Sheets, Moeller, Yankees
Links for Saturday…
- As more teams lock up lefty relievers, Jon Paul Morosi sees the Tigers as more likely to land Joe Beimel.
- Tom Haudricourt has heard that Ben Sheets is more likely to sign with the Rangers, who have Mike Maddux campaigning for them, than the Yankees.
- Peter Schmuck hears that the Orioles have signed catcher Chad Moeller to a minor league deal.
- Ken Davidoff writes that the Yankees shouldn’t concern themselves with Andy Pettitte just yet.
- Dave Perkins of the Toronto Star doesn’t like the Yankees’ aggressive spending.
- Jack Curry of the New York Times writes that the Yankees are instant favorites for the World Series.
- Another New York Times writer, Ben Shpigel, writes that the Mets especially need Oliver Perez now that the Phillies have signed Raul Ibanez.
- RotoAuthority breaks down the re-vamped San Francisco bullpen for fantasy baseball purposes.
- Matt Clement‘s optimistic about his fresh start with the Jays.
- Two players re-signed with their clubs after being non-tendered: Norris Hopper of the Reds and Scott Mathieson of the Phils.
- Hideki Okajima will run a marathon Sunday, and the Red Sox aren’t thrilled.
Royals Rumors: German, Furcal, Farnsworth
Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star has the latest on the Royals.
- The Royals signed Esteban German to a one-year deal.
- If they’re going to sign Rafael Furcal, club officials say they’d have to trade away Jose Guillen to free-up money, yet there was “scant interest” in Guillen at the Winter Meetings.
- However, the Royals are willing to offer Furcal a four-year deal, something the Dodgers have been reluctant to do.
- The Kyle Farnsworth deal includes a club option for 2011.
- Royals GM Dayton Moore insists that Mark Teahen is staying put.
- Their payroll is down to $70MM after non-tendering John Bale, Joey Gathright, Jason Smith and Jairo Cuevas.