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Phillies Continue To Seek Outfield Help

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Despite having already acquired Ben Revere this offseason, the Phillies continue to seek outfield help according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said the team is looking for a veteran corner outfielder.

"We've had several talks with free agents, although they're limited now," said Amaro. "We've also talked about some possible trades. We're staying active as far as that is concerned. We're still trying to improve, depth-wise, in our outfield, if we can. We don't have proven everyday Major League players on our corners right now. If we can create some depth there, if we can create some competition, I would like to do that."

At the moment, the Phillies have two left-handed hitters (Domonic Brown and Laynce Nix) and two right-handed hitters (Darin Ruf and John Mayberry Jr.) slated for the outfield corners. They reportedly had interest in both Vernon Wells and Scott Hairston earlier this offseason, and both remain options according to Zolecki. There is no shortage of available outfield bats, as our Free Agent Tracker shows.

Rockies Have Interest In Karstens; Open To Trades

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The Rockies have expressed "mild interest" in Jeff Karstens, reports Troy Renck of The Denver Post. Renck reiterates that the team also has some interest in Brandon Webb, plus they remain open to trades for pitching. They have not had conversations about free agents Derek Lowe or Aaron Cook, however.

The Pirates non-tendered Karstens in November rather than pay the 30-year-old right-hander a projected $3.8MM salary in 2013. He pitched to a 3.97 ERA with a 36.8% ground ball rate in 90 2/3 innings for Pittsburgh last season while missing time with shoulder and hip problems. Karstens posted a 3.38 ERA with 5.3 K/9, 1.8 BB/9, and a 46.2% ground ball rate in 162 2/3 innings in 2011.

The Rockies have been on the hunt for pitching this offseason after their staff produced an MLB-worst 5.22 ERA in 2012. So far this offseason they've re-signed Jeff Francis while trading for Wilton Lopez, though they've been connected to a number of free agents as well. Francis, Drew Pomeranz, Christian Friedrich, Jhoulys Chacin, Tyler Chatwood, and Juan Nicasio represent Colorado's returning starters.

Quick Hits: Vazquez, Webb, Rockies, Lohse, Kubel

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Here's the latest from around the league as Friday turns into Saturday…

  • The Red Sox, Rays, Nationals, and Royals scouted Javier Vazquez during his Puerto Rican League outing tonight, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). The right-hander was said to be pitching at 93 mph with the fastball.
  • The Rockies will scout Brandon Webb's throwing session, which will take place in the coming weeks according to MLB.com's Thomas Harding. The Twins will also be in attendance.
  • "Obviously, it's been a little slow, a little slower than anticipated … It's going to eventually work itself out. It's not like I'm not going to be out of baseball," said Kyle Lohse to MLB.com's Mike Bauman. The right-hander has yet to receive an offer other than the qualifying offer he rejected.
  • "I haven't really thought other than that … If something happens, it happens, but I'm looking forward to getting back to that beautiful facility again and start going," said Jason Kubel to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert when asked about trade rumors. The Diamondbacks are expected to move one of their spare outfielders before Spring Training.
  • The Brewers will probably announce the Mike Gonzalez signing on Monday, reports Tom Haudricourt of The Journal Sentinel (on Twitter). The holidays delayed the finalization of the contract.

Minor Moves: Diaz, Hamilton, Garner

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Here are Friday's minor moves…

  • The Red Sox have signed infielder Jonathan Diaz to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training, reports Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe (on Twitter). The 27-year-old hit .221/.339/.284 in 563 plate appearances in the Blue Jays' system last year.
  • The Red Sox have also signed first baseman/outfielder Mark Hamilton to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training according to Abraham. Hamilton, 28, is a .197/.258/.246 career hitter in 66 plate appearances with the Cardinals over the last two seasons.
  • The Brewers signed outfielder Cole Garner to a minor league deal that does not include an invitation to Spring Training, reports MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. The 28-year-old hit .258/.311/.398 in 255 Triple-A plate appearances with the Yankees last season.

Twins Notes: Myers, Harden, Alvarez, Diaz, Gomez

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Here's the latest on the Twins, courtesy of 1500 ESPN's Darren Wolfson…

  • The Twins had numerous discussions with Brett Myers before the right-hander signed with the Indians, but they never made him an offer.
  • Rich Harden's minor league contract with Minnesota includes a July 31st opt-out date according to Wolfson. The right-hander can elect free agency if he's not added to the big league roster by then.
  • The Twins will have a scout on hand to watch outfielder Dariel Alvarez and infielder Aledmys Diaz tomorrow. The two Cuban defectors are hosting a workout for teams.
  • The club has had "brief talks" with free agent outfielders Ryan Sweeney and Scott Podsednik after trading both Ben Revere and Denard Span this offseason.
  • The Twins have talked about Brent Lillibridge and Yuniesky Betancourt, but they're likely to sign elsewhere. Minnesota also has interest in Brandon Inge.
  • The Indians have reached out to several teams about Jeanmar Gomez, including the Twins. Gomez was designated for assignment earlier this week and Cleveland has ten days to trade, release, or waive him.

Cubs Sign Dontrelle Willis

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The Cubs have signed Dontrelle Willis according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (Twitter links). The left-hander officially gets an invitation to minor league Spring Training, but could get a look in big league camp if he's throwing well. The 2003 NL Rookie of the Year is a Sosnick/Cobbe client.

Willis, 31 later this month, retired from baseball back in July. He allowed eight runs in 6 1/3 innings with the Orioles' Triple-A affiliate early last season before calling it quits. Willis last appeared in the big leagues with the Reds in 2011, when he pitched to a 5.00 ERA with 6.8 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9 in 75 2/3 innings across 13 starts.

Willis started his professional career with the Cubs, who drafted him in the eighth round of the 2000 draft. Chicago traded him to the Marlins as part of the package for Matt Clement and Antonio Alfonseca two years later.

Aubrey Huff Intends To Play In 2013

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Following a season marred by knee problems and panic attacks, Aubrey Huff intends to play in 2013 according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. The Ed Hayes client has received treatment for the panic attacks and there are no lingering issues.

"He wants to play,'' said Hayes. "He's working out. It's not a matter of physical issues. Nor is it a matter of mental issues, which he's addressed … Medication is an amazing thing."

Huff, 36, hit .192/.326/.282 in only 95 plate appearances last season and .239/.309/.359 in 674 plate appearances over the last two seasons combined. Heyman likened Huff's current situation to the 2009-2010 offseason, when he was coming off a .241/.310/.384 showing with the Orioles and Tigers. The Giants signed him to a cheap one-year deal and watched him hit .290/.385/.506 with 26 homers en route to the World Series.

Hayes told Heyman that he has spoken to a few teams about his client, but he might have to wait to see how the Lance Berkman situation plays out. Huff is a Fort Worth native and could appeal to the Rangers if they're unable to sign Berkman. The Orioles, Rays, Indians, Red Sox, and Yankees could all add a first baseman/DH before Spring Training.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Stanton, Ethier, Gallardo

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On this date five years ago, the Royals signed Hideo Nomo to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training. The then-39-year-old right-hander had not pitched in MLB since 2005 and missed all of 2007 with arm surgery. Nomo made the team but was released after allowing 14 baserunners and nine runs in 4 1/3 innings spread across three relief appearances. He retired later that summer. Here's the latest from around the web in 2013's first installment of BBWI.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.

Dodgers Moving Towards Deal With J.P. Howell

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The Dodgers are moving towards a one-year contract with J.P. Howell, reports Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times (on Twitter). The deal has not been finalized, however. The left-hander is a Legacy Sports Group client.

Howell, 29, pitched to a 3.04 ERA with 7.5 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 in 50 1/3 innings for the Rays last season after missing all of 2010 and part of 2011 due to shoulder surgery. He held left-handed batters to a .200/.306/.306 batting line with a 52.4% ground ball rate in 2012. Howell is a soft-tosser, averaging just 87.1 mph with his fastball last year according to PitchFX.

The Dodgers have not been shy about spending over the last eight months or so. They've re-signed Brandon League while adding Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu this offseason, plus they acquired Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, and others during the season. Howell would replace the departed Randy Choate, who took a three-year deal with the Cardinals a few weeks ago.

This post was originally published on January 4th.

Orioles Remain In Contact With Joe Saunders

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Orioles GM Dan Duquette remains in contact with free agent left-hander Joe Saunders, reports Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com. He notes that the team doesn't want to surrender a draft pick and is disinclined to hand out a big pitching contract, so Kyle Lohse isn't a fit.

The Mariners, Padres, Mets, and Twins are among the other clubs with interest in Saunders. The 31-year-old pitched to a 4.07 ERA in 174 2/3 innings for the Diamondbacks and Orioles last season, his fifth consecutive season of 170+ innings pitched. Baltimore has had a relatively quiet winter so far, as a new contract for Nate McLouth and trades for Trayvon Robinson, Yamaico Navarro, and Danny Valencia highlight the team's moves.

MLBTR's Tim Dierkes ranked Saunders as the 25th best free agent available earlier this offseason, predicting he would re-sign with the Orioles.

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