Cardinals Have Less To Spend
Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch talked to Cardinals GM John Mozeliak, who indicated that the team has less money to spend than "many have surmised" (Hummel’s words). Mozeliak makes the important point that "money off the books" doesn’t mean much since so many players are set to earn raises.
Back in September after the Kyle Lohse signing, Derrick Goold and Joe Strauss wrote:
The Cardinals had a significant hunk of contracts expire Sunday and have said they plan to be aggressive this winter with about $30 million in flexibility.
If $30MM was the number at the outset, the Cardinals have spent about $15.5MM of that on ’09 salaries for Lohse, Khalil Greene, and others (not including Lohse’s signing bonus and Mark Mulder‘s buyout).
Mozeliak told Hummel that he’s focused more on starting pitching than bullpen help currently. Trading an outfielder remains a viable option. Mozeliak also explained his infamous "low-hanging fruit" comment.
Orioles Sign Koji Uehara
7:02pm: The two year deal is for $10MM with incentives. Says Connolly:
"His contract could be worth as much as $16 million over two years if the eight-time Japanese all-star meets certain performance bonuses and escalating clauses such as starts made and innings pitched. There is also a games-finished clause included for Uehara, who was an all-star closer in 2007 for the Yomiuri Giants, but the Orioles view him almost exclusively as a starter."
6:24pm: The contract is a two year deal. It is hinging on "specific contractual language" and a physical later this week, reports MLB.com.
2:00pm: According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles signed pitcher Koji Uehara to a multiyear deal (pending some contract language and a physical). Uehara, 34, is the team’s first Japanese player. The O’s will use Uehara as a starter and continue to pursue Braden Looper, Tim Redding, and Kenshin Kawakami.
ESPN’s Keith Law ranked Uehara 22nd on his free agent list. His bottom line:
In an ideal environment — National League, non-hitters’ park — he could be a midrotation innings-eater because he’ll allow so few baserunners. In the American League, he’d be more of a fourth starter, but would have to have some luck keeping the ball in the park to keep his ERA under 4.00.
Odds and Ends: Aurilia, Sweeney, Nady
Still more Tuesday links…
- The Giants and Rich Aurilia maintain mutual interest, though the Giants want to address the offense first.
- Mike Sweeney hopes to play this year, says MLB.com. Said Sweeney, "I want baseball to shut the door on me while I’m kicking and screaming." The Royals have not expressed interest.
- Much is being made of Mark Teixeira and his wife choosing the Yankees on December 12th.
- According to ESPN Radio’s Andrew Marchand, the Mets have a face-to-face meeting scheduled with Scott Boras to discuss Oliver Perez and Derek Lowe (hat tip to MetsBlog).
- John Fay guesses the Reds "have at least explored trading for Xavier Nady."
- Paul DePodesta on the Padres’ recent non-roster signings.
- Aging corner-type veterans aren’t doing well, according to Keith Law, Dave Cameron, and Tom Verducci.
Jason Giambi Reaches Agreement With A’s
6:50pm: Mike Puma of the New York Post says the deal is for one-year at $4.5MM with a $5MM club option ($1MM buyout) for 2010. The physical is scheduled for tomorrow.
5:50pm: Ken Rosenthal wrote earlier today that the the A’s have reached a preliminary agreement on a one-year contract with Giambi and the deal is at the finish line, pending a physical.
TUESDAY, 9:54am: Olney says Giambi is on the verge of agreeing to a deal with the A’s worth $6.5MM guaranteed – $5.25MM in ’09 plus a $4MM 2010 option with a $1.25MM buyout. Quite affordable!
In an article posted several hours ago, Susan Slusser wrote:
A team source said Monday that the A’s are moving toward completing a deal…A major-league source said there’s widespread belief that a package already is in place and that an announcement could be imminent.
Slusser says the A’s could still add another free agent if the price is right, but Mark Mulder is just a "vague possibility."
MONDAY, 3:38pm: According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the A’s have made significant progress in their talks with Jason Giambi. He says a deal appears imminent. Mychael Urban heard today that the A’s could sign Giambi this week, possibly for one year with an option.
Phillies Sign Marcus Giles
According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Phillies signed second baseman Marcus Giles to a minor league deal worth $600K. He can help while Chase Utley is out.
Additionally, the Tigers signed Alexis Gomez for $415K and the Yankees signed John Rodriguez for $450K.
Pettitte Rejects Yankees’ Offer
4:39pm: Joel Sherman says the Yankees are "strongly inclined to lower the $10MM offer" made to Pettitte now that he’s rejected it. A deal seems unlikely, though moving some salary might compel the Yanks to put the $10MM offer back on the table.
3:34pm: Sam Borden, attending the Mark Teixeira press conference, said Hal Steinbrenner "did not seem particularly optimistic" about re-signing Pettitte.
TUESDAY, 10:17am: John Harper and Ken Rosenthal are both saying the Yankees haven’t closed the door on signing Pettitte. Brian Cashman has talked to Pettitte’s agents recently, according to Harper. He adds that the Yanks "seem determined to draw the line at $10 million."
MONDAY, 10:18pm: According to Tyler Kepner of the New York Times, Andy Pettitte rejected the Yankees’ one-year, $10MM offer. The Yanks could certainly find a useful free agent arm for a similar price, or else just go with internal options. But one more veteran in the rotation could go a long way.
Manny Ramirez Rumors: Tuesday
4:35pm: Brian Sabean was on MLB Home Plate’s The Show with Rob Dibble and Jody MacDonald on XM 175 today. His comment on Manny:
"In our case I’m not sure yet. We’re monitoring the situation. We’ve had talks. We have not made an offer. We’ve talked in parameters of what would be yearwise. It would have to be a perfect fit dollarwise and more so what we’re doing to try and build this thing going forward on a younger basis. It’s actually not what we’re looking for, except that he’s such a profound middle of the order hitter. Which we need."
4:16pm: According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark:
According to one source familiar with the Giants’ thinking, just about every recent rumor connecting the Giants with Manny is "unfounded" or "baloney." "If a million things came together over the next few weeks, would it be possible? Maybe," the source told ESPN.com. "But for where [Boras] is right now and where the team is right now, it doesn’t make sense economically and it doesn’t make sense for how the team fits together."
Boras continues to set the floor at four years and $100MM, a stance which has caused the Dodgers to focus on other needs. Stark’s sources also believe the Giants’ interest in Joe Crede is exaggerated. The team cannot extend payroll to the $100MM range; they’re already around $85MM.
Nationals Rumors: Wolf, Dunn, Hudson
Rounding up Nationals rumors…
- According to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, the Nationals are interested in free agent lefty starter Randy Wolf. The Mets and Dodgers are also known to be in on him, while we haven’t heard much about the Brewers, Cardinals, or Orioles lately.
- The Washington Post’s Chico Harlan says the Nats want to acquire players who will still be in their primes in 2010 or 2011. Adam Dunn and Orlando Hudson make sense, at the right price.
- The Nationals aren’t interested in Xavier Nady and don’t believe they "have a legitimate shot at trading for Nick Swisher."
- Odalis Perez remains under consideration, but isn’t a priority.
Scioscia Signs Extension
TUESDAY, 4:06pm: This is getting crazy…MLB.com’s Lyle Spencer says Scioscia’s extension runs through 2018.
MONDAY, 10:35pm: Now DiGiovanna says it runs through at least 2015.
6:55pm: Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times says Scioscia’s extension runs through at least the 2014 season.
3:05pm: According to Yahoo’s Tim Brown, Angels manager Mike Scioscia signed a multiyear extension that will run through at least 2012.
Crasnick On Abreu, Eckstein, Bloomquist, Lowry
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick has a bunch of new info.
- The Braves’ interest in Bobby Abreu is described as "lukewarm at best." And he’d have to be a huge bargain for the Mets to get involved. Abreu’s agent has his work cut out for him.
- Two middle infield possibilities for the Royals: David Eckstein and Willie Bloomquist. The Royals also considered Jerry Hairston Jr., but are concerned with his health record. Also, Dayton Moore continues to deal with payroll limitations.
- The Rangers are "keeping an eye on" Giants starters Noah Lowry and Jonathan Sanchez. Lowry had arthroscopic elbow surgery in September.