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Olney’s Latest: Johnson, 2014 Free Agents, Morales

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In today's Insider-only blog post, ESPN's Buster Olney says Josh Johnson has a chance to be next offseason's Zack Greinke. If the right-hander stays healthy in 2012, he'll be arguably the best starting pitcher on the free agent market at a time when the sport is flush with cash and big market teams like the Cubs and Rangers figure to be in a position to spend. Here are the rest of Olney's rumors…

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Hamilton, Shields, Choo

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On this date in 2007, the Diamondbacks finalized two trades that brought Dan Haren, Connor Robertson, Chad Qualls, Chris Burke, and Juan Gutierrez to Arizona. Brett Anderson, Dana Eveland, Greg Smith, Chris Carter, Aaron Cunningham, and Carlos Gonzalez went to the Athletics for Haren and Robertson while Jose Valverde went to the Astros for Qualls, Burke, and Gutierrez. We've seen a number of big multiplayer trades in recent weeks, so here's a massive round up the latest from the baseball corner of the web…

The Josh Hamilton Signing (MLBTR link)

  • True Grich says things have changed for the Angels since the days of being spurned by free agents.
  • Baseball Time in Arlington called Hamilton's defection a long-term gain and short-term loss for the Rangers.
  • Beyond the Box Score looked at how much Hamilton will actually help the Angels.
  • Call to the Pen says Rangers GM Jon Daniels has no one to blame for the team's offseason but himself.

Read more

Phillies Close To Signing Mike Adams

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The Phillies are close to signing Mike Adams to a two-year contract with a vesting option for 2015, reports Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports. The team expects the deal to be finalized as soon as today.

Adams, 34, pitched to a 3.27 ERA with 7.7 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 52 1/3 relief innings for the Rangers last season as Joe Nathan's primary setup man. He had offseason surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and is expected to be ready in time for Opening Day. Adams is represented by Josh Yates at ACES.

This post was originally published on October 15th.

Minor Moves: Brandon Snyder, Padres, Twins

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Here are Wednesday's minor moves…

  • The Rangers have signed Brandon Snyder to a minor league contract, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). The 26-year-old former first round pick of the Orioles hit .277/.309/.446 in 69 plate appearances with Texas last year while playing first base, third base, and both corner outfield spots.
  • The Padres have re-signed Juan Oramas to a minor league deal according to MLB.com's Corey Brock (on Twitter). The 22-year-old left-hander was non-tendered last month and is recovering from Tommy John surgery.
  • The Padres have also signed right-hander Sean O'Sullivan, infielder Gregorio Petit, and catcher Rene Rivera to minor league contracts, the team announced. All three players received invitations to Spring Training.
  • The Twins have signed outfielder Brandon Boggs, infielder Ray Olmedo, right-hander Bryan Augenstein, first baseman Reynaldo Rodriguez, right-hander Scott Elarton, right-hander Virgil Vasquez, left-hander Mike O'Connor, and left-hander Jason Lane to minor league deals according to MLB.com's Adam Berry. Boggs, Olmedo, and Augenstein received invitations to Spring Training.

Indians In “Aggressive Pursuit” Of Nick Swisher

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The Indians are in "aggressive pursuit" of Nick Swisher in the wake of the Shin-Soo Choo trade, reports ESPN's Jim Bowden (Twitter links). Mark Feinsand of The New York Daily News says the Red Sox, Phillies, Mariners, Rangers, and Orioles have interest in the free agent switch-hitter as well.

Swisher, 32, hit .272/.364/.473 with 24 homers for the Yankees this season. It was his seventh consecutive season of 145+ games played and 22+ homers, one of only three big leaguers who can make that claim. MLBTR's Tim Dierkes ranked Swisher as the sixth best free agent available this offseason, predicting he would sign with Baltimore.

Cubs Agree To Sign Chang-Yong Lim

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The Cubs have agreed to sign South Korean right-handed reliever Chang-Yong Lim, reports Yonhap News. The split contract is worth up to $5MM at the big league level, and it includes an interpreter and a personal trainer.

"I am happy that my dream has finally come true," said Lim to reporters. "I am not getting any younger, and it's great to have the chance to experience something I never have before. I am going to tackle this challenge head on."

Lim, 36, is currently rehabbing from his second Tommy John surgery, and the Cubs don't expect him back until 2014. Roughly a half-dozen clubs made contract offers, including the Red Sox and Rangers. Lim had been with the Yakult Swallows in Japan since 2008 after spending several years with the Samsung Lions in South Korea. He pitched to a 2.09 ERA with 8.9 K/9 and 128 saves during his time with Yakult.

Lim was posted for MLB teams by the Lions back in 2002, but the winning bid of only $650K was rejected.

Mets Remain In The Mix For Scott Hairston

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Scott Hairston is one of the few right-handed power outfield bats left on the free agent market, and he told Adam Rubin of ESPN New York that the Mets remain in the mix to re-sign him. It will take a multiyear contract, however.

"Things are starting to pick up now that the market is settling in," said Hairston. "Still unsure where I'll sign, though. There are a lot of trades happening around the league, so it's possible that interest may rise in the next few days. My agent has been in contact with [Mets GM Sandy Alderson], so he is aware I want a multiyear deal."

Rubin says the Yankees, Phillies, Giants, and Cardinals also have interest in Hairston. The 32-year-old hit .263/.299/.504 with 20 homers in 398 plate appearances for the Mets this season, including a .286/.317/.550 line in 199 plate appearances against left-handers. Jonny Gomes signed a two-year, $10MM contract with the Red Sox last month, setting the market for righty outfield mashers.

Dodgers Designate Scott Van Slyke For Assignment

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The Dodgers have designated Scott Van Slyke for assignment, the team announced (on Twitter). The move creates room on the 40-man roster for the recently-acquired Skip Schumaker.

Van Slyke, 26, hit .167/.196/.315 in 57 plate appearances for Los Angeles this season, his big league debut. He also hit .327/.404/.578 with 18 homers in 411 Triple-A plate appearances this summer. The right-handed batter has plenty of experience at first base and the two outfield corners. Scott is the son of long-time big leaguer Andy Van Slyke.

Astros Links: Berkman, DH, Norris

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Here's the latest from the American League's newest team, the Houston Astros…

  • Lance Berkman remains atop the team's DH wishlist according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick (on Twitter). There are still issues to be resolved before a reunion takes place.
  • Crasnick notes that if the Astros can't bring Berkman back, they're likely to seek a late-20s player who's been blocked and needs an opportunity to serve as DH (Twitter links). They don't have interest in players like Luke Scott, Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Jason Giambi, and Travis Hafner.
  • A few teams are considering right-hander Bud Norris as a back-end rotation option, reports Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe (on Twitter). The 27-year-old pitched to a 4.65 ERA in 168 1/3 innings last season and projects to earn $2.9MM through arbitration next winter.

Braves Still Involved In Multiple Trade Talks

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The Braves have already made one notable trade this offseason (Tommy Hanson for Jordan Walden), and Dave O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says they are still involved in multiple trade talks (Twitter links). Emilio Bonifacio and Dexter Fowler are believed to be among their targets.

O'Brien notes the Braves did make a strong push for Shin-Soo Choo before he was traded to the Reds, but the team wasn't going to overpay for a player one year away from free agency. Atlanta has been seeking outfield help this offseason, though Martin Prado's versatility also allows them to seek a third baseman if they choose.

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