Luke Adams 2 | MLB Trade Rumors

Blue Jays Sign John Buck

By Luke Adams 2 | December 13, 2009 at 12:45pm CDT

The Toronto Blue Jays have agreed to a one-year, $2MM deal with John Buck, pending a physical, according to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark.

Buck was non-tendered yesterday by the Kansas City Royals. As Tim pointed out in our summary of the most interesting new free agents, Buck is still just 29 years old and has exhibited some power in the past. His career numbers are .235/.298/.407 with 70 homers in 584 games.

With Toronto's signings of Buck and Raul Chavez earlier today, the Jays' backstop situation for 2010 is starting to take shape.

Non-Tender Reactions: Buck, Wang, Capps, Cust

By Luke Adams 2 | December 13, 2009 at 12:42pm CDT

Yesterday, MLBTR recapped some of the more interesting names not to receive contracts at baseball's non-tender deadline. Those players, along with the rest of the non-tender list, have inspired plenty of discussion and speculation. Let's check out some links….

ESPNDallas's Richard Durrett and MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan are in agreement: John Buck should be of interest to the Rangers.
MLB.com's Bryan Hoch wonders if the Dodgers have some interest in Chien-Ming Wang. The Cardinals could also be interested, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
The Pirates' decision to non-tender Matt Capps shocked Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, who has some reaction quotes from the right-hander. Capps makes sense for the Rays, writes Tommy Rancel at DRays Bay. Meanwhile, the Cubs are interested, says Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.
ESPN.com's Buster Olney was less surprised about the Capps decision, and gives his opinion on a few of the other big moves.
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle says that, despite not tendering him a contract, the Athletics could still potentially retain Jack Cust. ESPN.com's Rob Neyer, however, says that the A's handled Cust well, avoiding paying a higher price for declining numbers.
Chad Jennings of LoHud.com lists some new free agents that might intrigue the Yankees, while Scott Lauber of the News Journal mentions some possible options for the Phillies.

Blue Jays Sign Joey Gathright, Raul Chavez

By Luke Adams 2 | December 13, 2009 at 12:23pm CDT

The Toronto Blue Jays have signed Joey Gathright and Raul Chavez to minor league deals, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian.

The Blue Jays just non-tendered Chavez yesterday, so it didn't take long for them to get him back off the market. As for Gathright, his agent denied earlier in the week that the speedy outfielder had signed with the Jays. According to Bastian though, the deal is now in place. Both players will receive spring training invites.

Bastian also tweets that the Jays agreed to terms with arbitration-eligible players Jose Bautista ($2.4MM) and Dustin McGowan ($500K).

Cafardo On Gonzalez, Rodney, Valverde

By Luke Adams 2 | December 13, 2009 at 10:38am CDT

In his latest column for the Boston Globe, Nick Cafardo applauds the Yankees' offseason moves so far, but writes that they still have some major decisions ahead of them. Here are some other highlights from Cafardo:

According to a source, talks between the Red Sox and Padres about Adrian Gonzalez aren't progressing. Padres GM Jed Hoyer is asking for at least Clay Buchholz and either Casey Kelly or Ryan Westmoreland, and the Sox would prefer not to give up that much.
Cafardo likes Mike Cameron, but not Milton Bradley, as a fit in Boston.
An NL scout views Boof Bonser as a reliever with closing potential, rather than as a starter.
Before signing Brandon Lyon, the Astros were talking to Fernando Rodney as well. Apparently his asking price was near $30MM over three years. If that's true, he'll probably end up disappointed this winter.
Jose Valverde may be "pricing himself out of the market" as well. Teams like the Tigers and Orioles seem unwilling to commit $10MM+ annually to Valverde in a long-term deal.

Jason Bay Rumors: Sunday

By Luke Adams 2 | December 13, 2009 at 10:09am CDT

In yesterday's round of Jason Bay rumors, we heard that Bay had rejected the Red Sox' offer and was exploring other options. Bay's agent, Joe Urbon, took this news one step further, saying that his client is prepared to "move on," according to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe. Regarding negotiations with the Sox, Urbon added:

"We’ve got to a point where, based on the offers we’ve received from other clubs, we needed to make it clear where we stand, and they’ve made it clear where they stand. If they want, they can reengage at some point in this process, but we’re not going to wait. We can’t wait. We have to go at the pace of the other clubs."

Articles by John Tomase and Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald and Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post both point out that this stance could just be a negotiating tactic by Urbon. Even so, Hubbuch notes that it should only improve the Mets' chances of landing Bay, though Bill Madden of the New York Daily News is skeptical about Bay coming to New York. SI.com's Jon Heyman tweets that the Mets seem more concerned about Seattle's involvement than Boston's.

Jason Bay Rumors: Wednesday

By Luke Adams 2 | December 9, 2009 at 11:08pm CDT

11:08pm: The Red Sox are one of four teams involved with Bay, according to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald. The Mariners and Angels are talking with him and Silverman hears indications that the Mets might be, too. Still, that's speculation at this point. The Red Sox are still interested in Matt Holliday and willing to get creative if Bay signs elsewhere.

5:04pm: Theo Epstein doesn't expect any kind of blockbuster move before the meetings end, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com. Talks haven't progressed with Jason Bay's reps.

2:16pm: Angels m anager Mike Scioscia said his team has "more pressing needs" than Bay right now, reports WEEI's Alex Speier.

2:41am: Although the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are among the main players for Jason Bay, they have still only engaged in "preliminary talks" with the slugger, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.

"He's a guy we have interest in," [GM Tony] Reagins said. "We have to find out what it's going to take to make a deal, and we don't have an indication right now."

We didn't hear a whole lot about Bay on Tuesday, so we'll see if Wednesday brings any more action.

Roy Halladay Rumors: Wednesday

By Luke Adams 2 | December 9, 2009 at 10:32pm CDT

10:32pm: ESPN.com's Jayson Stark hears that Halladay would approve a deal to the Phillies, Yankees, Red Sox and Angels. The Rays and Dodgers are possibilities, and one person "who knows [Halladay] well" doesn't think he'd go to the Mets. Check out Stark's entire article for a detailed breakdown of the "Doc on the block" part two.

10:26pm: One GM tells Jon Heyman of SI.com that the Jays should take the offer of Joe Saunders, Erick Aybar and Peter Bourjos if it's really on the table. Ed Price of AOL FanHouse says the Jays prefer minor leaguers to major leaguers.

9:00pm: Phils GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told MLB.com's Todd Zolecki that he's not likely to trade for a big-time starting pitcher. Such a deal would not be impossible, however.

7:30pm: A major league source tells Bastian that Halladay might waive his not-trade clause to join the Angels.

7:19pm: The Angels have made an offer, according to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun. They'd give up Joe Saunders, Erick Aybar and Peter Bourjos for Halladay. Saunders and Aybar are set to become free agents after 2012. Halladay, of course, would have to approve any deal, but one unnamed executive implies the Angels believe Halladay would accept.

6:56pm: Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that the Phillies are "joining the fray" for Halladay. MLB.com's Todd Zolecki said yesterday that the Phils have the pieces to complete a deal.

5:52pm: MLB.com's Lyle Spencer reports that the Angels could bring on two elite pitchers this offseason. It's "possible, but not likey," according to GM Tony Reagins.

5:30pm: Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos says the Jays aren't currently likely to make a deal at the Winter Meetings, according to Bastian. If they do make a trade, they'll look for above average players, not average ones. And what does the manager think? Cito Gaston expects Halladay to leave, he's just not sure when it'll happen.

2:12pm: SI's Jon Heyman says the Blue Jays requested Jesus Montero and one of Phil Hughes/Joba Chamberlain plus more from the Yankees for Halladay.

1:13pm: MLB.com's Jordan Bastian tweets that we should not count out the Phillies for Halladay – they're "still quietly in the mix." MLB.com's Todd Zolecki did an informal poll and determined that they do have the pieces to get it done. Still, GM Ruben Amaro Jr. finds a major trade for a pitcher unlikely.

7:05am: ESPN.com's Buster Olney (via Twitter) hears from officials involved in the Halladay discussions that the Jays are still in "info-gathering mode" and aren't close to a deal with any team yet.

6:50am: The New York Yankees remain very much in the hunt for Roy Halladay, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Sherman considers Doc to be the Yankees' Mark Teixeira, in that he's not their priority but Brian Cashman will monitor the situation.

In yesterday's round of Halladay rumors, we heard, among other things, that the Yankees' acquisition of Curtis Granderson would make it harder for them to trade for Halladay, since they parted ways with outfield prospect Austin Jackson. However, Sherman suggests that the Yanks have continued discussions with the Blue Jays, with their efforts to acquire Halladay even "intensifying."

The Blue Jays likely don't want to deal Halladay within the division, but according to Sherman's sources, Toronto "loves" New York catching prospect Jesus Montero. If the Yankees were willing to part with Montero and either Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain, the Jays would definitely be listening.

John Lackey Rumors: Wednesday

By Luke Adams 2 | December 9, 2009 at 6:02pm CDT

6:02pm: Newsday's Ken Davidoff reports that the Yankees met with Lackey today and appear unlikely to become bona fide suitors for him.

3:14am: Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times writes that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are still in negotiations with John Lackey, but that it's "highly doubtful" they'll go as high as six years or $100MM for the right-hander.

GM Tony Reagins didn't specify a limit for the number of years the team could offer Lackey but said "there is a point where it doesn't make sense" to tie up too much long-term money.

News has been slow on the Lackey front this week, but this isn't the first time we've heard that a team is reluctant to offer the 31-year-old a long-term contract: The New York Post's Joel Sherman reported Monday that the Mets would prefer not to exceed four years. As Mike Salk of ESPN Radio in Seattle points out, Lackey's eventual signing could act as a catalyst for the rest of the starting pitching market.

Overnight Links: Wolf, Crisp, Yankees, Halladay

By Luke Adams 2 | December 9, 2009 at 7:17am CDT

MLBTR's 24-hour coverage of the winter meetings continues as we gear up for whatever Day Three may bring. In the meantime, let's check out some overnight links from around the majors….

In a pair of tweets, Buster Olney of ESPN.com passes on these notes: The Brewers expect a decision from Randy Wolf today, and the Red Sox have interest in Coco Crisp.
Of the expensive arms linked to the Orioles, Kevin Millwood makes the most sense, according to the Baltimore Sun's Peter Schmuck.
The New York Post's Joel Sherman speculates about what Curtis Granderson's arrival could mean for the futures of Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui in New York.
Bill Madden of the New York Daily News opines that the Yankees still need to make Damon a priority, even with Granderson on the roster.
John Harper of the New York Daily News wonders if the Granderson trade will prompt the Red Sox to pursue Roy Halladay more actively.
The Angels are the front-runners to acquire Halladay, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. Renck ranks the Yankees, Red Sox, and Dodgers respectively as the other contenders.
Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times says that although the Dodgers would like to sign or trade for a pair of starters this winter, they might be content to just add one.
Crisp could end up back in Kansas City next season, writes MLB.com's Dick Kaegel. Both parties are currently exploring their options.
John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle details what would have to happen for Hideki Matsui to end up in Oakland.
In a separate piece, Shea explains why the Giants are re-thinking their approach to filling their opening behind the plate.
The Yankees' acquisition of Granderson has the Boston media even busier than usual. Rob Bradford of WEEI hears that the Tigers asked Boston for either Clay Buchholz or Jacoby Ellsbury in exchange for Granderson. The Boston Herald's Michael Silverman doesn't think the Red Sox will feel forced to strike back immediately, while Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports that the Sox have no plans to replace their departed bullpen arms with pricey free agents. Speaking of pricey free agents though, John Tomase of the Boston Herald fully expects Boston to sign either Jason Bay or Matt Holliday.

Mets Focused On Five Starting Pitchers

By Luke Adams 2 | December 9, 2009 at 7:02am CDT

The New York Mets have targeted five free agent starting pitchers, according to the New York Post's Joel Sherman: John Lackey, Joel Pineiro, Jason Marquis, Jon Garland, and Doug Davis.

The Mets have yet to make any offers to free agent starters, but have met with Lackey's representation and are having an internal debate on whether to "go all-in" for the right-hander. With the club feeling that they're unlikely to invest heavily in a catcher or left fielder, some of the team's brass think they should spend their money on the best pitcher available, rather than saving it for other positions.

Of the five pitchers Sherman mentions, the Mets are only willing to offer more than three years to Lackey, and no more than two years to Marquis, Garland, and Davis.

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