Odds & Ends: Nishioka, Uggla, Soriano, Wigginton
The typical Winter Meetings barrage of links…
- There's trade interest in newly-blocked third baseman Josh Bell, Orioles manager Buck Showalter told Yahoo's Steve Henson, though Bell can play first (Twitter link).
- Tsuyoshi Nishioka's agents are meeting with the Twins today, tweets SI's Jon Heyman. He says the Japanese infielder seeks a three-year deal.
- Dan Uggla and the Braves have talked a bit about an extension, tweets Heyman.
- The Angels have deflected trade talks about other closers because they're focused on Rafael Soriano, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.
- Ty Wigginton is the Rockies' top target for a right-handed bench bat, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, and they're meeting with his agent today.
- MLB.com's Scott Merkin talked to free agent reliever Bobby Jenks, who would like to return to the White Sox if possible. Manager Ozzie Guillen told Merkin that if Jenks does return, he would not be guaranteed the closer job (Twitter link).
- Reds manager Dusty Baker told reporters, "Joey Votto told me he wants to stay. He just wasn't ready to say he wants to stay the rest of life."
Brandon Webb Rumors: Monday
Given the guarantees required to sign Cliff Lee or Carl Pavano, Brandon Webb must appeal to many teams even after missing almost all of the last two seasons. The latest on the sinkerballer:
- The Cubs, Nationals, and Rangers remain in the mix for Webb, tweets ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. The righty's surgeon issued a positive report for 2011, according to Crasnick (Twitter link). The Mets appear to think Webb is too risky, tweets SI's Jon Heyman.
- The Pirates' pursuit of Webb appears to have gone cold, writes Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Kovacevic says the Bucs have not been in touch with him since November 22nd.
Pirates Close To Deal With Scott Olsen
The Pirates reached a tentative agreement with lefty Scott Olsen on a one-year, incentive-laden deal, reports MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch. Olsen's agent Matt Sosnick tells MLBTR "nothing is done yet." Langosch says the deal will become official if Olsen passes a physical later this week. He'll have a base salary in the $1MM range, tweets Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Olsen, 27 in January, posted a 5.56 ERA, 5.9 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, 1.1 HR/9, and 46.5% groundball rate this year in 81 innings for the Nationals. Olsen had labrum surgery in July of '09 and was sidelined for much of this season with soreness.
Nationals, Cubs, Brewers Inquired On James Loney
12:22pm: A Dodgers source tells Yahoo's Steve Henson Loney will not be traded because he'd be too expensive to replace on the open market (Twitter link). Rosenthal now agrees that Loney will not be traded.
11:39am: The Nationals, Cubs, and Brewers have inquired on Dodgers first baseman James Loney, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Loney is available, says Rosenthal. Rosenthal notes that the Brewers would only want him in the unlikely event of a Prince Fielder trade. The Cubs and Nationals appear to be focused on Carlos Pena, says Rosenthal.
Loney was tendered a contract on December 2nd, so he'll earn $4.5-5MM in 2011 after a disappointing '10 season. The Dodgers' asking price doesn't appear to be reasonable, as MLB.com's Bill Ladson tweets that they wanted Ian Desmond and Jordan Zimmermann from Washington.
Adrian Beltre Seeking Five Years, $70MM+
Adrian Beltre's agent Scott Boras is seeking five years and north of $70MM, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports chimes in with five years, $85MM. In mid-November, SI's Jon Heyman had suggested a five-year, $90MM target.
Beltre recently lost a major suitor when the Red Sox acquired a different Adrian. Boras reportedly ignored offers from the Athletics, including a five-year, $64MM proposal. Yahoo's Steve Henson tweets that with those two clubs out of the bidding, Beltre will wait it out in hopes of landing with a winning team.
Padres Checking In On Free Agent First Basemen
Part of the calculus in trading Adrian Gonzalez was the pool of available free agent first basemen, Padres GM Jed Hoyer told ESPN's Jayson Stark (Twitter link). Stark feels Adam LaRoche and former Padre Derrek Lee are viable options.
Royals, Phillies Pick Up Pace On Francoeur
The Royals and Phillies have picked up the pace on free agent outfielder Jeff Francoeur, tweets ESPN's Jayson Stark. The Rockies are also in on Francoeur. All three suitors were already known from past reports.
Nationals Rumors: Closer, Adam LaRoche
The latest on the Nationals, who have plenty of work left after signing Jayson Werth…
- The Nationals would like to add a closer, reports Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. That'd help ease Drew Storen into the role and perhaps trade the veteran signee midseason as they did with Matt Capps.
- First baseman Adam LaRoche told MLB.com's Bill Ladson he has interest in playing for the Nationals and his agent will meet with the team in the next few days.
Six Teams Interested In Koji Uehara
The Orioles, Mariners, Twins, Red Sox, Brewers, and Cardinals are interested in free agent reliever Koji Uehara, Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun learned from an unnamed Japanese reporter. Uehara would like to return to the Orioles, but they're unlikely to give him a multiyear deal. If he finds such an offer, he'll sign elsewhere.
Uehara, 36 in April, was dominant out of the Orioles' pen this year in 44 innings but has had an injury-plagued couple of seasons in the U.S.
Heath Bell Will Not Be Traded
Padres GM Jed Hoyer, talking to reporters including SI's Jon Heyman, said the Adrian Gonzalez trade does not represent a firesale and Heath Bell will be the team's closer in 2011.
Bell, 33, racked up 47 saves and a couple of Cy Young votes this year. He's under the Padres' control for one more season, and due a raise on his $4MM salary of 2010.