Padres Very Close To Acquiring Huston Street
9:59am: The Padres are very close to getting Street from the Rockies, tweets Danny Knobler of CBS Sports. The Rockies will receive a player to be named later, he adds, and the Padres will pay Street's contract.
9:52am: The Rockies and Padres' talks for Huston Street are ongoing, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney, and they've been extensive. Scott Miller of CBS Sports agrees that the teams are talking seriously about Street, and the Padres hope to close the deal today.
ESPN's Jayson Stark suggested this match yesterday, saying the Rockies are willing to eat all of Street's $8MM salary for prospects. However, Miller says the Rockies want to get rid of his salary and wouldn't pick up much. Jon Heyman of MLB Network tweets that the Padres are working hard on landing a closer.
Braves Seek Backup Shortstop
The latest on the Braves…
- The Braves would not be a suitor for Hanley Ramirez if the Marlins decide to trade him, reports David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. They've got Tyler Pastornicky penciled into the starting shortstop role for 2012, though GM Frank Wren seeks "a traditional backup shortstop," not a semi-regular. O'Brien says the Braves don't want to make a multiyear commitment. I'd consider Nick Punto a semi-regular and a candidate for a two-year deal, but O'Brien says he is a Braves target.
- Next week's potential non-tenders are not among the Braves' targets, Wren told reporters including MLB.com's Mark Bowman.
Josh Hamilton Discusses Extension
Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton will be eligible for free agency after the 2012 season, and both Hamilton and the Rangers have a policy of avoiding in-season negotations. Hamilton told reporters including Drew Davison of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram yesterday, "If something is going to happen, it'll happen this winter or in spring training. [During the season] I'm going to be focused on what I got to do and what I need to do to help the team win." Hamilton went on to explain his stance on a possible extension:
"Obviously I love it here. It always comes down to being treated fairly. I've been this way since I signed out of high school. Treat me fair and don't come in with no ridiculously low stuff."
Rangers president Nolan Ryan told Jean-Jacques Taylor of ESPNDallas that discussions with Hamilton are an "ongoing process," and he doesn't have a feel for what it will take to retain him.
Dodgers Seek Bat, Reliever
The latest on the Dodgers…
- Dodgers GM Ned Colletti told MLB.com's Ken Gurnick he's looking for a position player upgrade. The potential acquisition would be payroll neutral and has been a starter at his position. Gurnick guesses Colletti is targeting an outfielder or first baseman and would be willing to trade James Loney.
- Colletti apparently met Tuesday night with agents at Hendricks Sports, which represents free agent reliever Mike MacDougal as well as Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers appear interested in bringing MacDougal back, while Colletti isn't sure of Kershaw's interest level in an extension.
- Dodgers assistant GM Logan White interviewed for the Astros GM position, reported MLB.com's Brian McTaggart yesterday in case you missed it.
- The Dodgers and MLB filed a settlement in bankruptcy court yesterday, reported Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times. Owner Frank McCourt must divest himself of the Dodgers and their stadium by April 30th, and initial bids for the team are due January 13th. MLB will have to approve an initial small group of bidders. McCourt has the option of keeping the parking lots around the stadium. As part of the settlement, MLB agreed to remain neutral in the dispute between the Dodgers and FOX. The Dodgers want to market their television rights as part of the sale, and FOX objects based on its current contract.
Latest On Placido Polanco
8:20pm: The Rockies are no longer interested in Polanco because they don't feel he can play second base, tweets Rosenthal.
TUESDAY, 12:16pm: The Phillies are not shopping Polanco and are only interested in trading him if they can't re-sign Jimmy Rollins, reports ESPN's Jayson Stark. The Phillies refer to keep Rollins and Polanco on the left side of their infield, but they could add someone like Aramis Ramirez if Rollins leaves. Stark says the Phillies are willing to eat about a third of Polanco's contract, which equates to $2.4MM.
MONDAY, 11:50am: The Phillies are actively trying to trade third baseman Placido Polanco, a rival executive tells Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. That'd open up third base for free agent Aramis Ramirez, for whom the Phillies are reportedly strong players. Polanco, 36, is owed $7.25MM through 2012.
The Phillies have cooled on free agent Michael Cuddyer, Rosenthal reported earlier today.
Closer Rumors: Madson, K-Rod, League, Street, Soria
The Blue Jays, Twins, and Marlins added closers in recent days, and it's not clear whether the remaining teams with ninth inning openings are willing to spend big. The latest on several closers…
- There is "no interest" from Madson or Rodriguez in accepting arbitration, tweets Peter Gammons of MLB Network. However, one agent believes that if the Red Sox trade for Andrew Bailey, which is a "real possibility," Madson and K-Rod could be in trouble, tweets ESPN.com's Jayson Stark.
- The Angels are interested in trading for Seattle's Brandon League, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Angels have also expressed interest in free agents Todd Coffey and Jason Isringhausen, tweets Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times, but they probably won't move on a reliever until C.J. Wilson decides what to do.
- There's lots of buzz that Ryan Madson and Francisco Rodriguez could accept arbitration with the Phillies and Brewers, respectively, tweets ESPN's Jayson Stark. I still think Scott Boras will advise both to decline tomorrow night.
- The Rockies are willing to eat all of Huston Street's $8MM salary for prospects, tweets Stark. He says the Padres are a possibility. Troy Renck of the Denver Post (Twitter link) hears the Rockies would take on some "but not all" of Street's salary.
- Stark confirms yesterday's rumor that the Royals will listen on Joakim Soria, but they want a front-line starter in return.
Mets Closing In On Reliever?
The latest on the Mets's search for bullpen help, with the newest updates on top…
- Rauch and the Mets had "good talks" today and are making progress, tweets Rubin.
- The Mets have a list of about 11 attainable relievers, says Adam Rubin of ESPN New York. Rubin adds Octavio Dotel and Jason Isringhausen to the names mentioned below.
- Jose Reyes' agent met with the Mets about other clients such as Endy Chavez, Cesar Izturis, and Ronny Cedeno, which was described as "a little awkward."
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post is getting a strong feeling the Mets are closing in on a late-inning relief type, other than Francisco Cordero. Andy Martino of the New York Daily News hears the same, and says to think Frank Francisco, Jon Rauch, and Brad Lidge types. Martino thinks a deal could happen tonight. Alderson told reporters the Mets are more likely to sign two lesser-priced relievers than one expensive guy.
- The Mets will probably send someone to see Joel Zumaya throw next week, tweets Sherman.
- Alderson will meet with Scott Boras today, though he told reporters Francisco Rodriguez is unlikely.
- The Mets' five or so top prospects will not be traded, Alderson told reporters including Rubin.
- The Mets have interest in bringing 40-year-old righty Miguel Batista back, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
Cardinals Open To Trading Lohse, Westbrook
6:40pm: Mozeliak confirmed that both Lohse and Westbrook are in play in trade talks, but he doesn't anticipate a deal happening, tweets Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
5:10pm: Lohse wrote in a text message to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that "as of right now" he'd take advantage of his full no-trade clause to reject any trade opportunity.
3:49pm: The Cardinals are willing to trade Jake Westbrook as well, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
3:34pm: The Cardinals are trying to trade righty Kyle Lohse, reports Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune. Rogers believes their goal is to make room for Missouri native Mark Buehrle. ESPN's Buster Olney also hears that the Cardinals are making Lohse's availability known.
Lohse, 33, is owed $11.875MM in 2012 and has a full no-trade clause. As of Monday night, nothing had been brought to Lohse's attention, according to MLB.com's Matthew Leach. The righty posted a 3.39 ERA in 188 1/3 innings this year.
Leach notes that Cardinals GM John Mozeliak said he's not prioritizing starting pitching, and if he needed rotation help it'd likely come from within.
Nationals Center Field Rumors
The latest Nationals news…
- The Yankees shot down the Nationals' attempts to trade for Brett Gardner, according to Pete Kerzel of MASNSports.com.
- Nationals GM Mike Rizzo told reporters today he doesn't think anything has changed on the Upton front.
- The Angels have no interest in trading Peter Bourjos and the Mets plan to keep Angel Pagan, writes Mark Zuckerman of CSNWashington.com.
- The Nationals and Rays discussed center fielder B.J. Upton recently, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Yesterday we heard the Rays would have to be overwhelmed to move Upton. The Nationals are "fixated" on leaving the Winter Meetings with a new center fielder, a team source told Pete Kerzel of MASNSports.com.
- Nationals manager Davey Johnson has talked to free agent Mark DeRosa about joining the team, reports MLB.com's Bill Ladson. The Nats also have interest in bringing Willie Harris back.
- The Nationals are letting teams know Roger Bernadina is available in trade, tweets ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. The 27-year-old posted a .243/.301/.362 line in 337 plate appearances this year.
Nakajima High Bidder Announcement Expected Today
4:58pm: Despite some reports that suggested otherwise, the Red Sox were not the winning team in the Nakajima bidding, tweets Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston.
10:31am: The Seibu Lions will accept the highest posting bid for shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima today, reports NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman via the Japanese press. The winning team is expected to be made public as well. That team will then have 30 days to negotiate a contract with Nakajima.