Braves Sign Kenshin Kawakami
2:47pm: Says Yahoo! Sports’ Tim Brown, the contract is a three-year deal.
1:43pm: David O’Brien says, "Deal is done, pending physical." Kenshin Kawakami is an Atlanta Brave.
SATURDAY, 11:34am: In the comments section of his own post, David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes:
I really think the Braves have reached an agreement with Kawakami. And not because a Japanese paper reported it.
In the body of the article, he writes that an announcement by Kawakami’s people "could come at any time."
7:45pm: MLB.com’s Mark Bowman that the Braves may have already lured Kawakami. The report says "multiple Major League sources" are confirming tonight that a deal is near completion and that this rate, Kawakami could take a physical on Monday. The report also details that the Braves are readying their first offer for Derek Lowe, which they plan to make next week. More from Bowman here.
FRIDAY, 5:00pm: This link is gaining in popularity. It says the Braves are close to a deal with Kenshin Kawakami, but there’s still a chance he could sign elsewhere. I do think the Braves may end up signing him but I still feel this report may be jumping the gun.
Levine On Young, Dye, Poreda, Peavy, Heilman
ESPN Radio’s Bruce Levine has some good info tonight.
The White Sox are seeking a top-of-the-order hitter, and they’ve discussed Michael Young with the Rangers. The Rangers asked for Jermaine Dye and Aaron Poreda, and the Sox are unwilling to trade Poreda. The Rangers like Dye, so maybe the two teams will find a match on players. Young is owed roughly $60MM over the next five years.
If the Cubs are to restart their talks for Jake Peavy, the new ownership groups for both the Cubs and Padres will have to be willing. Levine also notes that the Cubs have an eye on Mariners pitcher Aaron Heilman, a player they’ve shown interest in before. Levine speculates that Ronny Cedeno could be a fit for Seattle.
Derek Lowe Rumors: Friday
7:45pm: Mark Bowman reports that the Braves are actually readying their first offer for Lowe, which they plan to make on Monday or Tuesday. More from Bowman here.
3:40pm: O’Brien has details on the Braves’ five-hour meeting with Lowe and Boras. He says the Braves’ offer is expected today and they want Lowe badly. It may require a four-year commitment.
As far as Kenshin Kawakami – the Braves are among the four finalists. On the offensive side O’Brien suggests Adam Dunn or Xavier Nady could be targets.
9:26am: According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves met with Derek Lowe and Scott Boras for several hours yesterday. O’Brien says the Braves’ offer was unknown, implying that they did make an offer.
O’Brien also reiterated that Boras said the Mets’ widely reported three-year, $36MM offer was never made and would’ve been far too low anyway. O’Brien mentions the Phillies, Brewers, and Angels as other Lowe suitors, but Ken Rosenthal said those three clubs denied interest. Brewers GM Doug Melvin said Tuesday in regard to Lowe: "We’re not in on him."
Royals Avoid Arb With Kyle Davies
According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Royals avoided arbitration with pitcher Kyle Davies by signing him for $1.3MM.
Rays Claim Dewon Day, Padres Take Virgil Vasquez
According to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times, the Rays claimed pitcher Dewon Day off waivers from the Red Sox. And the Padres snagged Virgil Vasquez from Boston, as their Brad Penny signing was made official.
Gammons: Red Sox Focused On Montero
Peter Gammons did a chat today with Boston Globe readers, and he discussed Boston’s pursuit for a catcher.
The Red Sox "seem focused" on Arizona catcher Miguel Montero, with Jarrod Saltalamacchia remaining a possibility. The Red Sox so far will not give up Michael Bowden for Montero. Gammons notes the Sox made failed runs at Russell Martin and Mike Napoli.
Carl Pavano’s Comments
Carl Pavano‘s comments today won’t exactly patch up his relationship with New Yorkers:
"When you’re down, you expect your organization to pick you up, not kick you when you’re down. I’ve had to pick myself up quite a few times the last four years."
Mets Sign Tim Redding
2:12pm: Troy Renck says Redding agreed in principle to a one-year, $2.25MM deal with the Mets.
1:12pm: According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Mets are close to signing Tim Redding to a one-year deal for $2.25MM plus incentives. Ken Davidoff of Newsday also has it, suggesting the deal is for about $2.5MM.
The Mets figure to add Derek Lowe or Oliver Perez as well. Not sure if this takes them out on Pedro Martinez. After signing Lowe or Perez the Mets may have the luxury of using Mike Pelfrey in the #5 role to limit his innings slightly.
Royals Sign Willie Bloomquist
According to MLB.com’s Dick Kaegel, the Royals signed utility man Willie Bloomquist to a two-year deal for about $3MM. Assuming Bloomquist passes his physical today, he’ll compete for the second base job. The 31 year-old hit .279/.377/.285 in 192 plate appearances for the Mariners in ’08.
According to Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star, the deal is for $3.1MM.
Heyman On Manny, Lowe, Crede, Redding, Hinske
The latest from SI.com’s Jon Heyman…
- The Giants "look like a major threat" to the Dodgers for Manny Ramirez and are "making a serious run at him." Former teammate J.T. Snow apparently raved about him. Nonetheless Heyman says the Dodgers are "probably still considered the favorite." Heyman lists the Rangers as "intrigued." He believes Ramirez will get three guaranteed years somewhere.
- Heyman says Derek Lowe is "quite possibly" in play for the Phillies, though we heard from Ken Rosenthal today that the team denied interest. Heyman also sticks with the Brewers and Angels as outside possibilities despite reports to the contrary. He believes Mets GM Omar Minaya prefers Oliver Perez to Lowe.
- The Giants, Twins, and Rangers are in on Joe Crede.
- Players said to be in on Freddy Garcia: the Mets, White Sox, and Rangers. We can probably cross off the Mets with their Tim Redding signing.
- Heyman believes the Dodgers want to replace Brad Penny with Randy Wolf.
- Heyman says the Pirates offered more guaranteed money than the Red Sox to Rocco Baldelli. Dejan Kovacevic had this first in an article published early this morning.
- The Red Sox were looking at Eric Hinske but with Baldelli and Mark Kotsay in tow it’s unlikely. A Japanese team has "allegedly shown interest" in Hinske.
- Before signing with the Rays for two years and $16MM, Pat Burrell was getting offers in the one-year, $5MM range.