NL East Rumors: Soler, Bay, Chavez, Jones, Braves
The latest from the NL East:
- Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun Sentinel hears that bidding for Jorge Soler could end up over $20MM and doesn't expect the Marlins to be involved at that price (Twitter link).
- The Mets have asked around and not received "even minor interest" for Jason Bay, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
- A reunion of Endy Chavez and the Mets seems less likely following the club's acquisition of Andres Torres, tweets Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. The Mariners, Rangers, or Orioles could be landing spots for Chavez, says MLB.com's Anthony DiComo.
- ESPN's Adam Rubin tweets a similar notion, stating that a reunion between Chavez and the Mets is "not impossible" but that he's also not forecasting it (Twitter link).
- GM Mike Rizzo told Jim Bowden on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM that the Nationals are "definitely" interested in Adam Jones and have done their homework on him (Twitter link). Orioles GM Dan Duquette has said he doesn't plan to deal Jones, however.
- The Nationals did add one outfielder today, according to Amanda Comak of the Washington Times, who says the Nats signed Brett Carroll to a minor league deal (Twitter link).
- While the Winter Meetings have been quiet for the Braves, GM Frank Wren points out that there will still be plenty of time left in the offseason to make deals after this week. David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution has the quotes.
- O'Brien also shares a Q&A with Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez that touches on trade rumors, Jason Heyward, and a few other topics.
Steve Adams contributed to this post.
C.J. Wilson Decision Expected Soon
1:01am: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports echoes Bowden's sentiment (via Twitter), while Scott Miller of CBS Sports tweets that sources tell him the Marlins think they may be fighting a losing battle.
12:28am: Bowden has a source who expects Wilson to sign with the Angels tomorrow morning, though the terms of the supposedly upcoming agreement aren't available (Twitter link).
11:58pm: A decision isn't expected until the morning, a source tells Morosi (Twitter link). Of course, technically, "morning" officially arrives in two minutes in Dallas, but Morosi isn't interpreting it literally. MLBTR's 24-hour coverage will continue through the night, just in case Wilson's decision comes before dawn.
10:24pm: Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports hears from a source close to the Wilson negotiations that he expects the lefty to sign with the Angels for five years. The Marlins are offering an extra year, but Wilson is being swayed by the chance to pitch near his California home (Twitter links).
9:55pm: C.J. Wilson has meetings with the Marlins and Angels tonight, and is expected to make a decision tonight or tomorrow, tweets Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and MLB Network Radio.
Earlier today, we heard that the Marlins' offer to Wilson is for six years, while the Angels probably aren't willing to go higher than five. The Rangers haven't been told they're out of the running, but are thought to have offered just four years and are resigned to the possiblity that Wilson will sign elsewhere.
For the full recap of today's Wilson rumors, click here.
Steve Adams contributed to this post.
Astros Hire Jeff Luhnow As General Manager
The Astros have hired Jeff Luhnow as their new general manager, tweets MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. The Astros have confirmed the hiring in a team release, with a press conference scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
Luhnow was previously employed as the vice president of player procurement for the Cardinals. He will take over the Astros job that was held by Ed Wade until he was dismissed a week and a half ago. Dave Gottfried served as the interim GM while the Astros conducted interviews searching for Wade's replacement.
Pirates Release Ross Ohlendorf
The Pirates have released Ross Ohlendorf, tweets MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch. The 29-year-old had been a Pirate since the Yankees traded him to Pittsburgh in 2008's Xavier Nady/Jose Tabata deal. As Langosch writes, releasing Ohlendorf today will give the Pirates roster space to make a selection in tomorrow's Rule 5 draft.
Ohlendorf was coming off a dismal 2011 campaign in which he posted an 8.15 ERA in nine starts for the Pirates. He was arbitration eligible, and MLBTR's projected a salary of about $2.1MM if the Pirates retained him.
Francisco Rodriguez Accepts Arbitration
11:03pm: Rodriguez has accepted arbitration, tweets McCalvy.
9:45pm: Agent Scott Boras says his client is still mulling his decision, tweets MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. Rodriguez has 75 minutes until the deadline.
9:29pm: Francisco Rodriguez will likely accept the Brewers' arbitration offer, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter). Marcos Grunfield was first to report that the reliever is expected to accept (Twitter link).
Milwaukee's decision to offer arbitration to Rodriguez was somewhat surprising, considering the right-hander earned $13.5MM last year and the team could only offer him a setup role. Given the dwindling number of teams who appear to be interested in spending big bucks on a closer, the market for K-Rod may have been limited.
Quick Hits: Bailey, Reds, Rays, Rhodes, Posada
While we wait for the big free agents to make their decisions, here's a grab bag of links from Day Three at the Winter Meetings:
- The Athletics feel like they're much closer to moving Andrew Bailey than Gio Gonzalez, but even that may not happen until after the Meetings, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
- GM Walt Jocketty finds the lack of action in Dallas for the Reds so far "very frustrating," says MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Jocketty said he was approached with one proposal today that' he's considering, but "nothing is close."
- Candidates for the Royals' utility infielder opening include Edgar Renteria, Mark DeRosa, Orlando Cabrera, and Carlos Guillen, tweets Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star. No deals are imminent.
- The Rays are still attempting to figure out the best way to bolster their offense, writes Bill Chastain at MLB.com.
- The Mariners are displaying interest in Arthur Rhodes, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
- Jorge Posada would still like to play if he can find the right situation, tweets Jon Heyman of MLB Network.
- Former Angels GM Bill Stoneman will return to the team for another year as special advisor to the GM, tweets Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.
Tigers Close To Signing Octavio Dotel
10:31pm: All that's left for Dotel and the Tigers to work out is the length of the contract, tweets Rosenthal. A one-year deal with a vesting option seems like the most likely outcome, Rosenthal adds.
8:37pm: The Tigers are close to a deal with Dotel, tweets Danny Knobler of CBS Sports.
6:22pm: The Cardinals are the other team Dotel is considering. Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch tweets that Detroit seems to have the edge, but Dotel remains "enamored" with the Cardinals.
5:35pm: The Tigers have made an "aggressive" offer for Dotel, tweets Morosi.
4:44pm: The Tigers are considered the favorite for Dotel, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, adding that the other finalist is a National League team.
4:20pm: Free agent reliever Octavio Dotel has narrowed his decision to two teams and expects to make a decision soon, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
Angels Reach Agreement With LaTroy Hawkins
The Angels and LaTroy Hawkins have agreed to terms on a one-year contract, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. Hawkins will earn $3MM in the deal, tweets Scott Miller of CBS Sports.
The Angels had been pursuing bullpen help aggressively for weeks, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (on Twitter), and figure to use Hawkins as a setup man in front of closer Jordan Walden. The Angels turned their attention to Hawkins after unsuccessfully trying to acquire Ramon Ramirez from the Giants, tweets Danny Knobler of CBS Sports.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported that the two sides were nearing an agreement.
Pirates Acquire Yamaico Navarro
The Pirates have acquired Yamaico Navarro from the Royals in exchange for Brooks Pounders and Diego Goris, reports Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com. Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star first broke news that Navarro was heading to Pittsburgh (Twitter link). The teams have confirmed the deal in respective press releases.
Earlier today, Dutton reported that the Royals were shopping Navarro in an attempt to clear a 40-man roster spot for the Rule 5 draft. The 24-year-old was acquired by the Royals from the Red Sox in the Mike Aviles trade and saw limited big league action in 2011 for both clubs.
Royals Exploring Long-Term Extension For Gordon
Following a break-out campaign that earned Alex Gordon MVP votes, the Royals would like to lock up the 27-year-old for the long term. The Royals have discussed a contract extension for Gordon, and GM Dayton Moore says the club will work "very hard" to keep him in Kansas City, according to MLB.com's Dick Kaegel.
"I don't think either side feels any pressure," said Moore. "We have him under control for two more years. There's certainly a willingness to move forward together and get something done."
Gordon, who hit .303/.376/.502 in 2011, will be eligible for arbitration this year and next. MLBTR projects an approximate salary of $4.4MM for the former second overall pick.