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AL Central Rumors: Sox, Royals, Indians, Tigers

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The White Sox added a third baseman today, signing Jeff Keppinger to a three-year deal worth about $12MM. Having taken care of the hot corner, the Sox have now moved on and are eyeing the trade market in hopes of making a splash, tweets Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com. Here are a few other updates from out of the AL Central:

  • Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star hears from multiple Royals sources that things are quiet on the trade front for the team, though that could change (Twitter link).
  • The Indians are looking at Kevin Youkilis and Mark Reynolds as potential first base options, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (Twitter link).
  • The Tigers are in a holding pattern at the moment as they wait to see if Anibal Sanchez's asking price drops, tweets Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com. Detroit isn't optimistic that will happen.

NL Rumors: Padres, Nats, Marlins, D-Backs, Mets

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A few of the latest updates from Nashville relating to National League clubs:

  • The Padres figure to be seeking just one more starting pitcher, says MLB.com's Corey Brock (via Twitter).
  • Although the Nationals' starting rotation is set, the team may still look to add pitching depth, writes Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.
  • Before Eric Chavez agreed to terms with the Diamondbacks, he had spoken to the White Sox, while Jeff Keppinger, who signed with the Sox, was coveted by the Marlins, says Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (Twitter links).
  • The signing of Chavez gives the D-Backs one too many infield bench options, and a team source says someone is likely to be traded, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (via Twitter). Piecoro names John McDonald as the possible odd man out.
  • The Mets may leave Nashville having only finalized the David Wright extension, says Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. One Mets official tells Rubin that teams are asking for Zack Wheeler in virtually every trade proposal, even for platoon-type catchers, which isn't happening (Twitter links).

Afternoon Rumors: Hairston, Royals, Yanks, M’s

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Jeff Keppinger, Eric Chavez, Jason Bay, Nate McLouth, and Wil Nieves have all reached contract agreements this afternon in Nashville. Which moves might be coming next? Let's round up a few of the latest rumors from the Winter Meetings….

  • The Mets are reluctant to commit to a two-year deal for Scott Hairston, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Rosenthal adds that the Mets could net a catcher in a trade involving R.A. Dickey or other players. Given the context, I assume he means an outfielder, though the Mets are seeking a backstop as well.
  • Like the Brewers, the Royals may not be able to afford an arm like Anibal Sanchez or Kyle Lohse unless the team clears some salary, tweets Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com. Kansas City has remained in touch with both pitchers though.
  • The Yankees have been exchanging trade proposals with other teams for a variety of players, including Curtis Granderson, tweets ESPN.com's Buster Olney, who cautions that that's "standard procedure."
  • Seattle's payroll is expected to rise above $90MM, so the Mariners could afford to add one big-money player, tweets Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Josh Hamilton would be a tight fit though, Heyman adds.
  • Although the Angels are interested in Brandon McCarthy, they've yet to speak to his people in Nashville, says ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick (via Twitter).

Diamondbacks To Sign Eric Chavez

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The Diamondbacks strengthened their corner infield positions today, adding Eric Chavez on a one-year, $3MM deal.  He's represented by Lapa/Leventhal.

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Chavez, ranked 49th on MLBTR's Top 50 Free Agents list, excelled in his bench role last season, spelling both Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira while seeing some time as the Yankees' designated hitter. Chavez, who turns 35 this week, posted a slash line of .281/.348/.496 with 16 home runs in 313 plate appearances.  He resides in Paradise Valley, Arizona, which was surely a factor in his decision.

The Red Sox and Yankees were among the other teams that had interest in Chavez.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports broke the story, and Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com had the dollar amount.  Photo courtesy of U.S. Presswire.

Orioles To Sign Nate McLouth

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The Orioles have found their left fielder, retaining Nate McLouth on a one-year, $2MM deal with $500K in incentives.  McLouth is represented by The Sparta Group.

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McLouth, 31, joined the Orioles in June after being released by the Pirates.  He had a nice run for the O's, hitting .268/.342/.435 in 236 plate appearances.  McLouth made the All-Star team in 2008 and signed a $15.75MM extension with the Pirates the following February.  The Bucs traded him to the Braves a few months later, where he had a disappointing three-year stint.  With the new Orioles contract, it was said McLouth sought only a straight one-year deal, as he looks to further re-establish his value.

So far this offseason, the Orioles also picked up the option for reliever Luis Ayala and acquired Alexi Casilla, Trayvon Robinson, Danny Valencia, and Yamaico Navarro.     

Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com first reported the agreement, Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun first reported it was close, and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports added the amount.  Photo courtesy of U.S. Presswire.

AL East Rumors: Rays, Jays, Keppinger, Ellsbury, O’s

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As the third day of the 2012 Winter Meetings gets underway, let's round up a few items out of the AL East…

  • Keppinger was the Yankees' first choice as the right-handed part of a third base platoon, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post.  With Keppinger signing with Chicago, the Yankees are forced to move on to Plan B.

Earlier updates:

Diamondbacks Sign Wil Nieves

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The Diamondbacks have signed Wil Nieves to be their backup catcher, reports Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com (via Twitter). Nieves' deal will be for one year and $800K, according to Magruder.

Nieves had been non-tendered by Arizona last week, perhaps because the D-Backs thought they were adding Eli Whiteside. The D-Backs put in a waiver claim for Whiteside after he was designated for assignment by the Yankes, but the Blue Jays won the claim.

MLBTR had projected an $800K salary for Nieves through arbitration.

Mets Notes: Wright, Payroll, Dickey

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The Mets formally announced David Wright's new extension in Nashville today, with Wright and Jeff Wilpon fielding questions from reporters in the process. Here are a few highlights from Wright, Wilpon, and GM Sandy Alderson:

  • Alderson suggests that the Mets probably won't take anyone in the Rule 5 draft, and may leave Nashville having only finalized the Wright deal, tweets Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.
  • As part of Wright's extension, his 2013 salary will be reduced to $8MM, and he'll defer $15MM until after 2020, according to Brian Costa of the Wall Street Journal (via Twitter).

Earlier updates:

  • Wright's deal includes a full no-trade clause, tweets Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. Wright would have 10-and-5 rights soon anyway, but is now protected for the entire contract.
  • The number of years in his new contract was a priority for Wright, while the money part came fairly easy, according to Marc Carig of Newsday (Twitter link).
  • Wright asked as many "tough questions" as he could about the Mets' finances during the negotiating process, tweets Jack Curry of YES Network.
  • Wilpon insists payroll will increase next year, and indicated there would be added flexibility when contracts come off the books in 2014, tweets ESPN.com's Jayson Stark.
  • Wright was non-committal when discussing R.A. Dickey, saying that he hopes things work out for the best for the right-hander whatever happens (Twitter link via David Lennon of Newsday). Here's the latest on Dickey.

Free Agent Rumors: Rolen, Bourn, McCarthy, Drew

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A number of free agents have found deals in Nashville this week, but there are still a ton available, including 29 of our top 50. Here's the latest on a few of the remaining options:

  • Scott Rolen remains undecided on whether he'll retire or continue his playing career, his agent tells John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. If Rolen decides he wants to play, Fay believes the Reds could be interested in bringing him back in some role.
  • Former Rockie Ryan Spilborghs is drawing serious interest in Japan, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (Twitter link).

Earlier updates:

  • The Mariners like Michael Bourn "very much," though the Phillies and Rangers remain in on the speedy outfielder, tweets Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
  • A couple reasons the Angels' interest in Brandon McCarthy has picked up in Nashville are his age (29) and the fact that he likely won't command more than a two-year deal, tweets Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.
  • Stephen Drew figures to land at least a two-year deal, which would probably take the Tigers out of the running, says MLB.com's Jason Beck. The Red Sox continue to be in on Drew, however, according to WEEI.com's Rob Bradford.
  • In their hunt for left-handed relief help, the Cardinals have inquired on Manny Parra and explored what it would take to sign Sean Burnett, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Cards are expected to find their man fairly soon, says Goold.
  • Dan Johnson, who was non-tendered by the White Sox last week, is interested in returning to the Rays, but may end up in Japan, tweets Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.

Teams Contacting Rangers About Holland

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With the Rangers believed to be very much involved in the Zack Greinke sweepstakes, Texas is a candidate to add a big-name starter this week, in which case the team may look to trade one of its in-house options. As such, rival teams are calling to inquire about the availability of left-hander Derek Holland, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter).

The Brewers, Twins, and Royals are among the clubs that have been in touch with the Rangers about Holland, says Morosi.

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