Chat With Matthew Cerrone
Click below to listen to my recent chat with SNY’s Matthew Cerrone.
Odds and Ends: Smoltz, Cordero, Colon, Byrd
Links for Thursday…
- John Smoltz told Dan Patrick that the Yankees and Dodgers also courted him.
- KNBR had interviews with Scott Boras and Ned Colletti yesterday.
- The Dodgers are "only monitoring" Kris Benson and Chad Cordero.
- The Phillies have "kept tabs" on Cordero and Eric Milton.
- Baseball America ranked the Rangers’ farm system as the best in baseball.
- Andy MacPhail says the Orioles don’t necessarily have to add a first baseman.
- South Side Sox and Sox Machine on the Bartolo Colon signing.
- Jon Paul Morosi says Jason Isringhausen is a "natural fit" for the Tigers.
- The Red Sox will only get a supplemental pick for Paul Byrd if he signs before the June draft.
- Barry Bloom gathers responses from baseball execs on the salary cap issue.
- Eddie Bajek made a breakthrough in his attempt to crack the Elias code.
- Richard Justice has an interesting story involving new Astro Russ Ortiz.
- Rickey Henderson says he’s still available to play. Asked about the WBC, he responded, ""What is [the WBC], wrestling?"
- Transcript of an interview with Red Sox owner John Henry.
Brewers Avoid Arb With Dave Bush
According to Tom Haudricourt, the Brewers avoided arbitration with starter Dave Bush, signing him for 2009. Troy Renck says it’s for $4MM, with a clause that Bush’s contract will be guaranteed if any other Brewers’ arb-eligible player gets a guaranteed deal.
Astros Toby Hall, Four Others
I don’t believe we have covered all of the Astros’ recent minor league signings. Brian McTaggart reported yesterday that they’ve added Toby Hall, Danny Graves, Jose Capellan, Chad Paronto, and Brian Esposito. Hall is the "big name" here; he hit .260/.304/.331 in 136 plate appearances for the White Sox while earning $1.75MM.
Cubs Interested In Rich Aurilia
According to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune:
The Cubs have spoken to Rich Aurilia‘s agent and may offer Aurilia a one-year deal to take Ronny Cedeno‘s spot and back up Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee.
Ken Rosenthal mentioned the Cubs-Aurilia possibility back on December 8th. There is also mutual interest with Aurilia and the Giants. Aurilia, 37, had a .903 OPS against lefties in 2008.
Cubs Rumors: Wolf, Bako, Hill, Pie
A few Cubs notes from Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald…
- Randy Wolf "remains a possibility" for the Cubs. Wolf should generate decent interest if he’s willing to sign for one year. He probably expected more after making 33 starts for the second time in his career. A Jake Peavy deal appears unlikely by Opening Day, says Gordon Wittenmyer.
- The Cubs are unlikely to re-sign Henry Blanco, but Paul Bako remains on the radar. So far it’s Koyie Hill for the Cubs’ backup catcher job.
- Out of options: Rich Hill, Felix Pie, and Ronny Cedeno. Hill and Pie are good candidates to be dealt before Opening Day. Angel Guzman is also out of options, but he has a shot at cracking the team’s bullpen.
Minor League Transactions
Baseball America has coverage of all the minor league transactions from December 24th through January 12th.
Josh Towers to the Nationals (get on this DJF), Danny Graves to the Astros, and Jack Cassel to the Indians are a few I don’t recall seeing before.
Yankees Invite 20 To Spring Training
Here’s a look at the Yankees’ 20 non-roster Spring Training invitees. It seems that Shelley Duncan will remain with the club, and outfielder/2008 Spring Training star Todd Linden has been added. Most of the other names we’ve heard about already.
Williams Annoyed With Dye Rumors
Scot Gregor snagged a funny quote from from irritated White Sox GM Ken Williams on this winter’s Jermaine Dye trade rumors:
"Can’t even imagine what the rumor is. I’m tired of responding to every blogger’s idea."
This offseason, Dye has been mentioned in rumors by venerable journalists Hal McCoy, Jayson Stark, Danny Knobler, Ken Rosenthal, Jon Heyman, Bruce Levine, and Joe Cowley.
Giants-Joe Crede Update
The latest on the Giants and free agent third baseman Joe Crede, courtesy of Henry Schulman:
Source tells me the Giants are on the "fringes" of talks for Crede, who can be had for a one-year deal.
There hasn’t been much buzz this winter on Crede, who is represented by Scott Boras. The Twins, Angels, Rangers, Astros, and Brewers are other clubs that could be considered unsettled at the hot corner.