Blue Jays Checked In On Johnny Damon
6:40pm: The Jays have talked to Boras about Damon, according to Jordan MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. In a follow up tweet, Bastian quotes GM Alex Anthopoulos telling fans at a season-ticket holder Q&A session, "I don't want to get your hopes up." However, Bastian writes that the club has had internal discussions about the veteran slugger, as they have a need at the leadoff spot.
The Jays have also considered bringing Carlos Delgado back, Anthopoulos and manager Cito Gaston revealed in the session.
8:33am: Yesterday we learned from ESPN's Jerry Crasnick that agent Scott Boras is "trying to engage" the Reds and Tigers on Johnny Damon. Today, two Reds beat writers label the Reds an unlikely match. MLB.com's Mark Sheldon talked to Reds GM Walt Jocketty, who admitted to discussing Damon but says the outfielder doesn't fit financially. The Cincinnati Enquirer's John Fay calls their interest "lukewarm."
Fay says the Reds called Boras about Xavier Nady and asked about Damon too. Via Twitter, Fay notes that Reds owner Bob Castellini might adjust the budget for the right free agent addition. Fay says the Reds are still talking to Jonny Gomes and Orlando Cabrera, and feels something is brewing in Cincinnati.
Yesterday, we learned from Joel Sherman of the New York Post that the Rays have interest in Damon as a DH candidate. The Yankees are out, having agreed to a deal with Randy Winn yesterday. In another article, Sherman chronicles a last-ditch attempt by Damon to engage the Yanks in the middle of last week. Public sniping between Boras and GM Brian Cashman followed. Sherman has more on the Cashman-Boras drama here.
Could John Smoltz Land With Mets?
THURSDAY, 6:12pm: There has been "increased momentum" towards an agreement between the Mets and John Smoltz, writes Ken Davidoff of Newsday. It's believed that the 42-year-old is seeking $4MM guaranteed, plus performance bonuses.
Though the Mets have yet to make Smoltz a formal offer, they have expressed enthusiasm about bringing him aboard. Likewise, the righty is encouraged by their level of interest.
8:44am: Smoltz could take the Pedro Martinez path and sign mid-season, believes a source of Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News. Pedro signed with the Phillies in July and made his debut a month later.
WEDNESDAY, 9:58am: John Smoltz will fit with almost any club, assuming he comes cheaply. It's unknown whether he can provide significant innings in 2010 as a 43-year-old, but there's something left in the tank given his 73 strikeouts and 18 walks in 78 innings last year. He's a potential weapon in the back end of a rotation or a bullpen.
Mike Puma of the New York Post says that with Ben Sheets and Jon Garland off the board, Smoltz could be the "last man standing" for the Mets. While they've been in contact, Puma believes the Mets aren't willing to spend much. Meanwhile, David Waldstein of the New York Times believes Jarrod Washburn is a possibility for the Mets.
Bob Klapisch of The Bergen Record wrote today that Smoltz is "believed to be leaning toward the Cardinals," but Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Cards "appear unlikely to engage" Smoltz given their Rich Hill signing yesterday.
The Phillies and Nationals have been linked to Smoltz this winter, though the Phils may be set after reaching an agreement with Jose Contreras.
Odds & Ends: Calero, Nats, Byrnes, Fogg, Timlin
Links for Thursday…
- The Marlins aren't that confident in Kiko Calero's ability to hold up as well as he did last year, tweets MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.
- The Nationals designated right-hander Marco Estrada for assignment to make room for Tyler Walker according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, via Twitter.
- The A's have no interest in Eric Byrnes, tweets Mychael Urban of CSNBayArea.com.
- The Dodgers are a finalist for Derrick Turnbow, tweets MLB.com's Ken Gurnick.
- The Mets are interested in Josh Fogg, according to Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog.
- Mike Timlin said on WEEI.com that he will stay in retirement this year. Last year, Timlin pitched in the Rockies' minor league system.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports notes that Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos is "open to anything." The Jays could stand to add a corner outfielder and there are a number of options available should the Jays decide to pursue them.
- I wrote an article for my fantasy website, RotoAuthority.com, suggesting that overhyped "sleepers" can still provide a profit.
- USA Today's Bob Nightengale tweets that Gary Sheffield might be a good fit for the Reds, and that Sheff was "on his way" to the Diamondbacks before they signed Adam LaRoche.
- Brandon Webb still contends that re-signing with the D'Backs is his first choice, in an article written by MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post says the Reds, Padres, White Sox, and Royals inquired on the Yankees' Brett Gardner this winter, with hopes of using him as a starting center fielder.
- Bill Shanks of Scout.com makes a case for the Braves to sign Johnny Damon.
- Yahoo's Tim Brown tweets that the Dodgers are one club eyeing Garret Anderson for a fourth outfielder role.
Amezaga Worked Out For Four Teams
Super-utility man Alfredo Amezaga worked out for four teams last week, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. He had microfracture knee surgery in July, but has been on a conservative rehab program. The Marlins non-tendered him after the season.
Amezaga's agent has suggested his client has at least ten suitors. A return to the Marlins hasn't been ruled out, with the Dodgers, Cubs, and Reds also linked at various points.
Nationals To Sign Tyler Walker, Chuck James
The Nationals officially signed Tyler Walker to a one-year deal that will pay the reliever $650K if he's in the majors and $120K if he's in the minors. They also added lefty Chuck James on a minor league deal.
Walker, 34 in May, posted a 3.06 ERA, 6.9 K/9, and 2.3 BB/9 in 35.3 innings for the Phillies last year. He tossed an additional strong 19.3 innings in the minors. Despite Walker's efforts, the Phillies outrighted him in November and he elected free agency.
James, 28, had rotator cuff and labrum surgery in November of '08 and was subsequently non-tendered by the Braves. He missed all of 2009, but Rosenthal says Nats assistant GM Roy Clark saw James throwing 88-90 on Saturday. James was once serviceable, logging a 4.05 ERA over 280.3 innings for the Braves in 2006-07.
Walker and James join a long list of Nationals pitching acquisitions this winter: Jason Marquis, Matt Capps, Brian Bruney, Eddie Guardado, Doug Slaten, Ryan Speier, and Joel Peralta.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported the two deals and MLB.com's Bill Ladson and CBS Sports added the value of Walker's contract.
Rays Sign Matt Bush
The Rays signed pitcher Matt Bush to a minor league deal, tweets Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times.
Bush, now 24, was the first overall pick by the Padres in the 2004 draft. A shortstop at the time, Bush's signability pushed him past Stephen Drew, Jered Weaver, and Jeff Niemann on Kevin Towers' list. He was arrested on felony assault charges weeks after the draft, resulting in a suspension. Injuries hampered his progress, and the Padres converted him to pitching in May of '07. He had Tommy John surgery later that year.
Bush was charged with assault again in February of '09, and the Padres designated Bush for assignment and traded him to the Blue Jays. The Jays released him in April, and more incidents surfaced in June.
Dodgers Sign John Koronka, Timo Perez
The Dodgers signed pitcher John Koronka and outfielder Timo Perez to minor league deals, reports MLB.com's Ken Gurnick.
Koronka, 29, made two starts for the Marlins last year and tossed another 128.6 mediocre innings for their Triple A club. Perez spent the year in the Mexican League, hitting .323/.406/.476.
Prospect Lists
A couple of well-regarded prospect lists came out today: Keith Law's Top 100 for ESPN and Jonathan Mayo's Top 50 for MLB.com. Atlanta's Jason Heyward and Washington's Stephen Strasburg rank #1-2 on both lists. Full access to Law's list requires an ESPN Insider subscription, which is well worth the annual fee.
Yankees To Hire Kevin Towers
The Yankees will announce the hiring of former Padres GM Kevin Towers before spring, tweets Bob Nightengale of USA Today. ESPN's Buster Olney had been predicting this since October.
Towers planned to meet with the Yankees, Mets, Mariners, and Red Sox during the Winter Meetings, reported MLB.com's Corey Brock. Towers later told Tim Sullivan of the San Diego Union-Tribune that he wanted to see how an American League team was put together. Click here to download Towers' Padres trade history, compiled by Brendan Bianowicz.
Hisanori Takahashi Seeking Major League Deal
Japanese lefty Hisanori Takahashi seeks a big league deal as he attempts to transition to MLB, reports ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. Crasnick names five interested teams: the Orioles, Dodgers, Mets, Red Sox, and Giants. Takahashi, 35 in April, is willing to pitch as a starter or reliever.
Last year for the Yomiuri Giants Takahashi posted a 2.94 ERA, 7.9 K/9, 2.2 BB/9, and 1.0 HR/9 in 144 innings. Takahashi's '08 numbers: 4.13 ERA, 6.9 K/9, 2.2 BB/9, and 1.18 HR/9 in 122 innings. By numbers alone Takahashi could be considered a command guy who might have trouble keeping the ball in the yard and exceeding 150 innings.
Back in November, Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker profiled Takahashi. He earned about $1.3MM in '09 and is represented by Peter Greenberg. Takahashi doesn't throw very hard or shut down lefties, but is known for his screwball.