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Mariners, Phillies, Rangers Interested In Ibanez

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The Yankees missed out on a couple of their free agent targets today when Jeff Keppinger and Eric Chavez agreed to deals with the White Sox and Diamondbacks respectively. Now, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (via Twitter) that the Yanks could lose out on another free agent, as postseason hero Raul Ibanez is drawing interest from the Mariners, Phillies, and Rangers.

We heard back in November that there was mutual interest in a reunion between the Yankees and Ibanez. However, a report earlier today suggested that the Mariners were pushing hard for the veteran, with New York not moving as aggressively. Ibanez has history in Seattle and Philadelphia, as well as New York.

The Yanks have talked to Ibanez's agent in Nashville, GM Brian Cashman confirmed last night.

Felix Hernandez Extension Very Unlikely This Winter

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A contract extension for Felix Hernandez is extremely unlikely to happen this winter, reports Ken Davidoff of Newsday (via Twitter). Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com had reported yesterday that the M's were pushing to make Hernandez a "Mariner for life," but talks didn't progress very far, according to Davidoff.

Heyman had presented the Mariners' talks with Felix as something the team, rather than the player, was pushing, so perhaps the former Cy Young winner would prefer to wait until closer to his free agency to make a decision about his future in Seattle. Hernandez still has two years remaining on his current deal.

Nick Swisher Rumors: Wednesday

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3:41pm: Morosi tweets that the Orioles aren't likely to make a real push for Swisher with McLouth back in the fold. Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and SiriusXM identifies Swisher's strongest suitors as the Phillies, Indians, and Mariners (Twitter link).

2:44pm: Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports still list the Red Sox and Giants among the potential suitors for Swisher. However, the Sox would have to move Jacoby Ellsbury, while the Giants figure to employ a low-cost platoon in left field instead.

The Orioles, Mariners, and Indians are also still involved, according to the FOX duo.

1:02pm: Indians manager Terry Francona called Swisher to pitch the Tribe to him, tweets Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

11:38am: After missing out on Shane Victorino to the Red Sox, the Indians have shifted their focus to other outfielders. One of their targets, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (via Twitter), is Nick Swisher.

The Red Sox and Giants both had interest in Swisher, but with Victorino in Boston and San Francisco likely not having the money for a big free agent outfielder, those teams both appear to be out of the running.

The Orioles and Mariners are among the other clubs that could be in on Swisher, though MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli writes that Baltimore may just be doing due diligence on the former Yankee. The O's still hope to sign Nate McLouth, and Swisher may be out of their price range, says Ghiroli.

Marlins, Rays Interested In Juan Francisco

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The Braves' current depth chart features Martin Prado in left field and Juan Francisco at third base, but that could change if the Braves acquire an outfielder. If Atlanta were to add an outfielder and move Prado to third base, the club may trade Francisco, according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (via Twitter). The Marlins and Rays are among the teams that would have interest in Francisco, says Knobler.

Francisco, 25, received a career-high 192 plate appearances in 2012 and hit .234/.278/.432. As a pre-arb player, his salary is likely part of the appeal for cost-conscious teams like the Marlins and Rays.

After locking up B.J. Upton, the Braves are reportedly not overly interested in other free agent outfielders. However, various reports have suggested the club is still perusing trade options.

Braves Pick Up 2014 Option On Fredi Gonzalez

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The Braves have exercised their one-year option for manager Fredi Gonzalez, the team announced today (Twitter link). The move ensures Gonzalez is locked up through the 2014 season.

Gonzalez is entering his third year as the manager in Atlanta. The former Marlins skipper has posted a 183-141 record with the Braves, including a 2012 Wild Card berth.

Mets Targeting Miguel Olivo

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If the Mets decide to pursue a free agent catcher, Miguel Olivo will be at the top of their list of targets, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. The club greatly prefers Olivo to other options like Matt Treanor and Chris Snyder, says Rubin.

Olivo has been linked to the Mets multiple times already this offseason, since the Mariners declined his 2013 option. An October report suggested New York was eyeing the 34-year-old veteran, while a report earlier this week indicated he could be a good fit to platoon with Josh Thole.

According to Kevin Burkhardt of SNY.tv (Twitter link), the Mets aren't enamored with any free agent catchers and would prefer to land a backstop via trade, which is still a possibility with R.A. Dickey on the trade block. However, nothing concrete is developing on that front, says Rubin.

Orioles Sign Adam Russell

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The Orioles have signed Adam Russell to a minor league deal with a spring training invite, according to Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com (Twitter links). Russell announced the deal himself this afternoon on his Twitter account.

Russell, 29, has recorded a 3.95 career ERA in 86 2/3 big league innings with the White Sox, Padres, and Rays. He spent time in the Braves' system in 2012 before he was released.

Quick Hits: Rockies, Bonifacio, Oliver, Ibanez

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The Winter Meetings rumors continue to fly in, so let's round up another batch of them….

  • The Rockies have told reps for free agents that they're attempting to acquire a pitcher via trade, tweets Troy Renck of the Denver Post. Colorado would also like to bring back Jeff Francis on a minor league deal, tweets Renck.
  • Although he indicated last night that Emilio Bonifacio could be available, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution tweets today that the Blue Jays don't want to move him, "at least not yet."
  • Darren Oliver remains undecided about whether he'll play in 2013, and hasn't requested a trade, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Blue Jays have exercised their '13 team option on the left-hander.
  • The Astros are planning to take two players in tomorrow's Rule 5 draft, according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).
  • The Mariners remain in play for virtually every available hitter, tweets Knobler. Among their targets is Raul Ibanez, who the M's are "pushing" for, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (via Twitter). Ibanez would prefer to rejoin the Yankees, but New York hasn't been as aggressive as Seattle, tweets Sherman.
  • According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (via Twitter), the Yankees bid higher than the White Sox for Jeff Keppinger, but the utility infielder chose Chicago.
  • In addition to Keppinger, the White Sox plan to bring in another infielder and a catcher, assuming A.J. Pierzynski leaves, tweets MLB.com's Scott Merkin.

Cardinals Out On Sean Burnett

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The Cardinals are no longer in the running to sign Sean Burnett, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis had been one of eight teams in the mix for arguably the top left-handed reliever remaining on the market.

With St. Louis no longer involved, Burnett figures to be drawing interest from a group of suitors that includes the Angels, Brewers, and perhaps the Nationals, among others.

Youkilis Has Multiple Offers; Indians In Pursuit

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2:33pm: The Indians are "stepping up their intensity" in pursuit of Youkilis, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe (via Twitter).

11:14am: Speier clarifies that Youkilis has multiple multiyear offers on the table, though he'd still be open to one-year deals, particularly from teams with championship aspirations.

10:46am: Agent Joe Bick has a number of follow-up meetings lined up with teams interested in Youkilis, who could make a decision today, tweets Scott Miller of CBSSports.com.

10:07am: With a number of teams searching for help at third base, Kevin Youkilis has generated plenty of interest at the Winter Meetings and has multiple contract offers on the table, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com.

Reports from Nashville have suggested that both the Indians and Yankees have met with Youkilis' agent this week. However, according to Speier, the Yanks may not be interested in paying the market rate for Youkilis, even on a one-year deal. The former Red Sox is open to both one-year and multiyear offers, says Speier.

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