Details On The Bard Signing
Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe confirms that catcher Josh Bard signed with the Red Sox for $1.7MM. He says there’s another $800K or so in incentives, though most of the contract is non-guaranteed. Massarotti adds that the signing "in no way eliminates the chance of Jason Varitek returning to the club in 2009." We still haven’t heard a clear suitor for Varitek, who’ll cost a draft pick to sign.
D’Backs Sign Snyder To Extension
According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, the Diamondbacks reached a preliminary agreement with catcher Chris Snyder on a three-year, $14.25MM contract extension. The deal will also have a fourth-year club option. Arizona buys out two arb years, one free agent year, and then has the option on the second free agent year. Nick Piecoro broke the story a week ago, with similar details.
No Andruw Jones Trade In The Works
TUESDAY, 9:02am: ESPN’s Buster Olney says the Dodgers and Mets "have kept the porch light on" in case some version of a Jones-Castillo swap can be made. He talked to a source who believes the Mets’ chances of trading Castillo before the season are 50-50.
MONDAY, 8:12pm: MLB.com’s Marty Noble heard from a person familiar with the discussions between the Mets and Dodgers that "nothing is ongoing and nothing is going to happen." The clubs had preliminary discussions about trading Jones for Castillo during the Winter Meetings, but nothing is in the works now.
3:50pm: According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Dodgers and Mets have discussed an Andruw Jones trade. Jones is still owed $22.1MM, and the Dodgers are "highly motivated" to move him. Olney says it’s unlikely the Dodgers would have interest in Luis Castillo, however. If the Mets wouldn’t be sending a bad contract back, I’d imagine they’d want the Dodgers to pay approximately $20MM. Olney says the Mets would use Jones in right field – Ryan Church‘s position this year.
Manny Is Dodgers’ First Choice
Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times talked to Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, who said Manny Ramirez is the team’s first choice. Colletti hasn’t heard from Manny’s agent Scott Boras since Mark Teixeira signed a week ago. As reported yesterday, the Dodgers have interest in Adam Dunn and Bobby Abreu as backup plans. Pat Burrell and Garret Anderson are not on the team’s radar.
Shaikin reiterates Marty Noble’s story from yesterday – talks to unload Andruw Jones on the Mets fizzled a while ago.
Three Finalists For Turnbow
TUESDAY, 8:31am: The Marlins are one of the three finalists, according to Juan C. Rodriguez. Turnbow may sign this week.
MONDAY, 2:02pm: According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the field of suitors for free agent reliever Derrick Turnbow has narrowed from five to three teams. The Pirates are one of the three; the Rockies are not.
Other teams linked to Turnbow: the Tigers, Marlins, Rays, Rangers, Phillies, and Giants.
Where To Go For Contract Info
I don’t link to Cot’s Baseball Contracts often enough – it is the one website I go to for player contract information, every single day. Bookmark it if you haven’t already. Jeff’s information is always accurate and up-to-date.
Red Sox Attempted To Acquire Hanley Ramirez
According to Jon Heyman and Tom Verducci of SI.com, "the Red Sox made a play to re-acquire Marlins superstar Hanley Ramirez after losing out to the rival Yankees for star free agent Mark Teixeira." The Marlins listened, but no agreement was reached and talks have ended. The Marlins coveted players such as Jacoby Ellsbury and Clay Buchholz, but they’d need to be bowled over to trade their young shortstop.
Ramirez, 25, is signed at a discount through the 2014 season. Juan C. Rodriguez says trading him would make no sense for the Marlins.
Dodgers Interested In Dunn, Abreu
4:28pm: A very Dodgers-centric day here at MLBTR. MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick reports that in addition to Dunn, the Dodgers will soon open up talks with Bobby Abreu. They’d like to move Andruw Jones or Juan Pierre if they sign an outfielder.
Gurnick adds that pitching is Ned Colletti’s priority – the Dodgers are eyeing Jon Garland, Randy Wolf, and relief help.
1:46pm: According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, the Dodgers contacted Adam Dunn‘s agent over the holidays to express interest. If the Dodgers sign Dunn, Manny Ramirez could be in a really bad place. Other teams showing interest in Dunn: the Cubs, Nationals, Mariners, and Orioles. All five teams have surfaced in prior reports, with the Brewers also getting a mention while they were mulling a Mike Cameron trade.
There was a report nine days ago stating that the Cubs are Dunn’s first choice. Today Stark puts it this way: "The Cubs had believed to be his top choice before the Dodgers entered the mix."
Rockies Rumors: Redding, Marquis, Fogg
Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has the latest on the Rockies’ pursuit for back-end starting pitching.
The Rox "remain firmly in the mix" for free agent Tim Redding, who also has the Mets and Orioles in pursuit. Renck suggests the Orioles’ signing of Mark Hendrickson could cause them to back off, though Jeff Zrebiec wrote today that the Orioles want to add at least two starters.
Jason Marquis is also on Colorado’s radar, but they "can’t absorb hardly any" of his $9.875MM salary. The Cubs are seemingly looking to save at least $3-4MM here. Renck adds that Josh Fogg is another possibility for the Rockies, on a minor league deal.
Marti, Gomez Defect From Cuba
According to ESPN’s Enrique Rojas, pitcher Yadel Marti and outfielder Yasser Gomez defected from Cuba to seek MLB careers. They’ll need to get to the Dominican Republic first. Rojas talked to a talent scout who considers both players MLB ready.