Odds and Ends: Sherrill, Kubel, Teahen
Links for Wednesday…
- T.R. Sullivan examines the Rangers’ interest level in 25 free agents.
- An article about Nate Silver of Baseball Prospectus.
- Rany Jazayerli suggests the Jeremy Bonderman contract might have been a model for Zack Greinke‘s deal.
- George Sherrill‘s arbitration hearing is set for February 19th. The Orioles are at $2.2MM while Sherrill requested $3.4MM, putting the midpoint at $2.8MM.
- Jack Marshall discusses the ethics of Scott Boras.
- Barry Bloom looks at the remaining free agent starting pitchers and possible suitors.
- Dave Cameron questions the Twins’ recent Jason Kubel contract.
- Sam Mellinger talks about the Mark Teahen second base experiment.
- Will Clark is set to join the Giants’ front office.
Bobby Abreu Lowers Expectations
WEDNESDAY: Buster Olney says Abreu is now willing to take a one-year deal. He speculates that teams such as the Mets, Braves, Angels, Giants, and Red Sox might be able to afford that (again, that is Olney’s speculation).
TUESDAY: According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, free agent outfielder Bobby Abreu has lowered his expectations to the three-year, $10-11MM range of Raul Ibanez and Milton Bradley.
The Dodgers, Reds, or Braves could get in on Abreu, but I imagine they’d still balk at the price.
Rockies Rumors: Beimel, Fogg, Benson
The latest on the Rockies from Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post…
- It seemed the Rockies had satisfied their need for lefthanded relievers by signing Alan Embree and Glendon Rusch. However, Renck says they may renew interest in Joe Beimel if the price is right. I’m not sure what Beimel is asking for, but two years and $5MM seems appropriate (in hindsight, the Yankees may have overpaid for Damaso Marte at three years, $12MM).
- Josh Fogg still has an "open invitation" to sign a minor league deal to return to Colorado. Fogg signed with the Reds on February 21st last year; you have to imagine he’d like to resolve his situation more quickly and have a normal Spring Training.
- The Rockies aren’t interested in Kris Benson, though they did attend his Saturday workout.
D’Backs Closing In On Deal With Garland?
11:20pm: MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert has a source saying the D’Backs and Garland are closing in on a deal.
4:56pm: According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks have resumed contract discussions with free agent starter Jon Garland. Piecoro says Garland initially turned down an Arizona offer in the two-year, $13-14MM range. It’s unclear which side restarted talks, but maybe that offer is starting to look better to Garland.
Jason Varitek Rumors: Tuesday
7:24pm: Massarotti notes that the exact date of the deadline is still a bit fuzzy. Either way, he writes that "it is possible that a resolution will be unknown until early Saturday."
5:13pm: CBSSports.com is reporting that Varitek has only until Friday to accept or decline either deal.
12:12pm: A source told Massarotti Varitek can choose between a one-year, $5MM deal or the deal with a dual option for 2010.
8:19am: A summary of what we learned recently: the Red Sox made an offer to Jason Varitek for $5MM in ’09 plus a $5MM club/$3MM player option for ’10. The offer has a Saturday deadline attached, with Varitek and the team putting other options on hold until the situation plays out.
A new tidbit from Tony Massarotti: the offer was made near the end of last week. Massarotti still contends that Varitek may prefer a straight one-year deal.
Oliver Perez Rumors: Tuesday
4:57pm: Just to hammer the point home, Brewers GM Doug Melvin responded "absolutely not" when asked if he’s in on Perez.
4:02pm: Anthony Rieber’s source says the Mets are "a little bit closer" to signing Perez, but they’re maintaining dialogue with Ben Sheets, Randy Wolf, and Jon Garland. Rieber says the Mets have shown a willingness to go to four years for Perez.
1:34pm: Heyman says the Mets remain the favorite for Perez, even though talks slowed in the last day or two. The Mets’ offer exceeds three years and $30MM.
9:02am: Tom Haudricourt finds the Brewers-Perez connection to be Scott Boras propaganda – the Brewers don’t like his price and don’t want to give up a draft pick.
8:14am: Matthew Cerrone passes along a Jon Heyman MLB Network report of rumblings that the Rangers and Brewers may be in on Oliver Perez. The Mets remain the favorite.
At 27, Perez is the youngest free agent starter this year. However, I imagine a four-year deal would still be a tough sell for the Rangers or Brewers.
Wren To Meet With Glavine This Week
According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, free agent starter Tom Glavine is expected to meet with Braves GM Frank Wren this week. Wren wants a progress report on Glavine’s health; apparently Glavine received a positive report from Dr. James Andrews recently. Glavine would have to battle for the fifth starter job in Atlanta.
Check Out MLB Front Office Manager
MLB Trade Rumors has always been free; the price you pay is enduring the ads we put on the site. Sometimes, unfortunately, the ads shown are not entirely relevant to you.
That’s not the case with MLB Front Office Manager, the new game from 2K Sports. We’re working with 2K directly to advertise this game. I can’t think of a better possible match for our readers – most of you play video games, and all of you love the hot stove side of baseball.
The game allows you to sign or trade for your favorite players in crafting a roster. The detail is incredible – you also set scouting budgets, sign international free agents, make bids for posted Japanese players, and participate in the Rule 5 draft. Choose the background of your GM too – is he a lawyer or an ex-player?
MLB Front Office Manager is available now on Xbox 360, Playstation 3, and Windows for the PC. I’d greatly appreciate it if you click this link and consider purchasing this intriguing game.
Chase Wright Designated For Assignment
According to the AP, the Yankees designated pitcher Chase Wright for assignment to make room for Andy Pettitte. Wright, 26 in February, posted a 2.96 ERA at Double A and a 2.41 mark at Triple A this year despite low strikeout rates.
Pirates Interested In Luis Gonzalez
According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:
The Pirates are pursuing free-agent outfielder Luis Gonzalez, with their most recent discussion having occurred late last week.
He adds that two other clubs are also pursuing Gonzalez for a fourth outfielder type role. Kovacevic says the Bucs are eyeing other free agent outfielders as well. One player not on their radar is Kris Benson.