Tim Dierkes | MLB Trade Rumors

D’Backs Notes: Starting Pitching, Backup Catcher

By Tim Dierkes | December 3, 2012 at 10:16pm CDT

Whatever is going on with Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton today at the Winter Meetings, it's being kept fairly under-wraps. You can check out our Upton post here, but let's get to other D'Backs chatter from the day.

The Diamondbacks remain interested in free agent starter Brandon McCarthy, reports Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. GM Kevin Towers said the team seeks "at least a solid number two" starter. He elaborated, "To me, it seems like some of the second-tier guys are kind of starting to be viewed as first-tier-type guys and being paid like first-tier guys, and I don't think we're willing to go there. That's why we're not talking to a lot of free agents in the way of pitching." (MLB.com's Steve Gilbert reporting).
Towers seeks a right-handed-hitting backup catcher known more for defense, though the line of communication is open with Henry Blanco, writes Piecoro.
Upton wasn't the player most inquired about during Towers' eight or nine meetings with other teams today, writes Gilbert.

Giants Notes: Payroll, Hairston, Scutaro, Brian Wilson

By Tim Dierkes | December 3, 2012 at 10:15pm CDT

The World Champion Giants dropped $40MM on a four-year deal to bring back center fielder Angel Pagan today. I expect Pagan to prove a worthwhile investment, providing enough value at the front end of the deal to make it a win overall. The latest on the Giants' other dealings…

The Giants' payroll is going to the $140MM range up from the low $130s, tweets John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle.
The Giants seek a right-handed complement to projected starting left fielder Gregor Blanco, writes Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com, and they've checked in with Scott Hairston's agent. Reed Johnson, Andruw Jones, and Ben Francisco could be a few other names to consider depending on how much the team wants to spend, in my opinion.
Giants VP Bobby Evans wouldn't rule out second baseman Marco Scutaro getting a three-year offer on the open market, in talking with Baggarly.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy considers Sergio Romo his closer, tweets Baggarly, but plans on calling recently non-tendered reliever Brian Wilson soon to recruit him to return.

NL East Notes: Sean Burnett, Reed Johnson, Nolasco

By Tim Dierkes | December 3, 2012 at 9:28pm CDT

The Mets are talking R.A. Dickey trades, the Marlins' highest-paid player wants out and the team is shopping its second-highest, and the Phillies have moved on to other outfielders with Angel Pagan off the board. More from around the NL East…

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo does not "see a fit financially or term-wise" with free agent lefty Sean Burnett, he told reporters including Mark Zuckerman today, but he won't rule anything out as the team seeks a second lefty in the bullpen to pair with the newly re-signed Zach Duke.
Braves GM Frank Wren spent part of the day talking to the agents of free agent bench candidates, tweets David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. O'Brien says the team is believed to have an offer out to bring back outfielder Reed Johnson.
Wren told reporters including MLB.com's Mark Bowman that while no player is untouchable, shortstop Andrelton Simmons is "unreachable." Pitching prospects Julio Teheran and Randall Delgado aren't off-limits, but "if we’re going to trade one of those guys it’s going to be a significant deal," explained Wren.
Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post has more from Nolasco's agent Matt Sosnick, who explained that his client would "be a completely happier player playing somewhere else."

Phillies Rumors: Hamilton, Fowler, Ichiro, Michael Young

By Tim Dierkes | December 3, 2012 at 9:04pm CDT

The latest buzz on the Phillies, courtesy of Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com…

GM Ruben Amaro told reporters he's more likely to land his center fielder through free agency than trade. Salisbury says Michael Bourn doesn't appear to fit the team's profile, while they're lukewarm on a Shane Victorino reunion. A corner player like Cody Ross could work.
Amaro made a thinly-veiled reference to the one difference-maker on the market, understood to be Josh Hamilton. The GM skirted the question as to whether he is pursuing Hamilton. Salisbury considers it a long shot.

Earlier updates:

Though the team has some interest in the major free agent center fielders, they're also eyeing Dexter Fowler and Peter Bourjos as potential trade targets. Bourjos is projected to start for the Halos, however. The Phillies and Rockies have discussed Fowler, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. He notes that the Rockies would want pitching in return.
There has been some communication between the Phillies and Ichiro Suzuki's camp, though it's unclear who reached out.
The Phillies have interest in the Rangers' Michael Young for third base, but they'd need Young to approve the trade and the Rangers to pick up part of the tab. Young, 36, is owed $16MM in 2013, though part of his salary is deferred.

Teams Calling On Bud Norris

By Tim Dierkes | December 3, 2012 at 8:31pm CDT

Teams are calling the Astros on Bud Norris, tweets Yahoo's Jeff Passan, and Houston is listening. The Royals reached out to the Astros on Norris, and they've also got interest in free agent Shaun Marcum, writes Passan.

As a first time arbitration eligible player, the inconsistent Norris is under team control for three more years and projects to earn $2.9MM in 2013. Norris, 28 in March, posted a 4.65 ERA, 8.8 K/9, 3.5 BB/9, 1.23 HR/9, and 39.2% groundball rate in 168 1/3 innings this year, struggling mightily away from Minute Maid Park. The Astros have another asset in shortstop Jed Lowrie. GM Jeff Luhnow told reporters today he's getting offers on Lowrie, but a trade is unlikely.

The Royals added some decent-sized commitments for Ervin Santana and Jeremy Guthrie this year, and they also tendered a contract to Luke Hochevar. Still, as GM Dayton Moore told Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star today about their search for a front-rotation starter, "We’re trying to upgrade with guys who will make a major difference to our team. How many opportunities do you get to do that? Not many."

Dodgers Notes: Greinke, Trades, Ryu

By Tim Dierkes | December 3, 2012 at 7:17pm CDT

"We're in on so many players that we might need two or three teams," joked Dodgers GM Ned Colletti today at the Winter Meetings in Nashville. Colletti says his team has gone from being an afterthought to being the go-to team whether they're involved or not. The latest on the NL West superpower:

Colletti said he's yet to make offers to any free agents, writes Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times. Colletti prefers to "push things to the point that it’s in their court to engage us in a serious negotiation." The Dodgers' GM did see Zack Greinke's agent Casey Close today.
The Dodgers are talking to 10-12 teams about potential trades, Colletti said (Hernandez reporting).
The Dodgers have a deadline of 5pm eastern to reach an agreement with South Korean lefty Ryu Hyun-jin, and keep in mind that he would have to take a physical as well. The Dodgers won the right to negotiate with the Scott Boras client for $25.7MM, which would be returned if an agreement cannot be reached. Colletti told Yahoo's Tim Brown and other reporters the two parties are not necessarily on a pace to get a deal done, while Boras said he's yet to receive an offer.

Free Agent Notes: Hernandez, Feliciano, Youkilis

By Tim Dierkes | December 3, 2012 at 7:04pm CDT

A fresh batch of free agent notes for Day 1 of the Winter Meetings in Nashville…

Roberto Hernandez (the former Fausto Carmona) seeks a one-year deal and has drawn interest from at least five teams including the Indians, reports MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez. The righty missed most of the 2012 season due to charges of using a false name and difficulty obtaining a visa.
Free agent lefty reliever Pedro Feliciano is healthy and intends to pitch in the Puerto Rican Winter League, his agent tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The 36-year-old finished up a two-year deal from the Yankees, during which he did not pitch in the Majors at all due to shoulder surgery.
Kevin Youkilis doesn't care whether he plays first or third base, agent Joe Bick told Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune. On a side note, the Reds and Red Sox do not appear to be in on Youk.

Athletics Notes: Drew, Nakajima, McCarthy

By Tim Dierkes | December 3, 2012 at 6:53pm CDT

Athletics GM Billy Beane met with reporters today at the Winter Meetings in Nashville; here's the latest.

The A's are considering two free agent shortstops: Stephen Drew and Hiroyuki Nakajima (Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reporting). Slusser heard from Drew's agent Scott Boras last night that he will meet with Beane this week. As for Nakajima, the A's may have some competition from the Giants, as Slusser's colleague John Shea hears they've spoken with his reps as a Plan B if they're unable to re-sign Marco Scutaro.
Beane noted the A's have more options at shortstop via trade. Slusser and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports have made the connection with the Marlins, who are shopping Yunel Escobar.
Beane says nothing is imminent with free agent pitcher Brandon McCarthy, and the GM realizes the righty will have a significant market (Jane Lee of MLB.com reporting).

Tigers Did Not Offer Two-Year Deal To Scott Hairston

By Tim Dierkes | December 3, 2012 at 6:25pm CDT

6:25pm: Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski seemingly refuted the initial Hairston report, as he told the Detroit Free Press he hasn't offered a multiyear deal to any free agent outfielders.

4:20pm: Hairston "will not be a Tiger," tweets Rubin.

4:18pm: The Tigers have offered a two-year contract to outfielder Scott Hairston, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Earlier today, Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com named the Tigers, Giants, Cardinals, Indians, and Yankees as the teams with real interest in the 32-year-old, who socked 20 home runs in 2012.

Brewers Notes: Grilli, Sean Burnett, Josh Hamilton

By Tim Dierkes | December 3, 2012 at 5:27pm CDT

The Brewers are looking to make some additions to their pitching staff; here's the latest.

GM Doug Melvin said he has talked to Gary Sheffield, who represents reliever Jason Grilli. He's also been in touch with Sean Burnett's agent (Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reporting).
Regarding the recent chatter that the Brewers are unwilling to do more than two years for a pitcher, Melvin quipped, "I'll do a 10-year deal if the money is right. $1 million a year."
Despite mounting evidence that it won't happen, the Josh Hamilton rumor won't die. The Brewers "do appear to be involved at least to some degree," tweets Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Asked whether the Brewers could get involved on Hamilton or Zack Greinke, Melvin said today, "No. It sounds like they're getting market value."

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