Padres Sign Jody Gerut
The Padres signed arb-eligible center fielder Jody Gerut for ’09 at a salary of $1.1775MM, according to MLB.com’s Corey Brock. The 31 year-old had a surprising comeback season, hitting .296/.351/.494 in 356 plate appearances while playing above-average defense.
Braves Re-Sign Greg Norton
4:58pm: Norton gets $800K, according to the AP.
3:33pm: According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves re-signed Greg Norton to a one-year deal. MLB.com confirms the signing. Norton, 36, hit .246/.361/.427 in 202 plate appearances for the Braves while playing left field and first base.
Reds Focused On Hairston, Baldelli, Taveras
According to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Reds are now focused on three outfielders: Jerry Hairston Jr., Rocco Baldelli, and Willy Taveras. They had some interest in Juan Rivera but didn’t want to do three years.
Fay believes the Reds currently have offers out to Hairston and Taveras.
Odds and Ends: Wilson, Bautista, Hairston
Linkage for Friday…
- The AP explains how C.C. Sabathia will be paid $9.5MM before throwing a pitch for the Yankees.
- The D’Backs signed lefty Travis Blackley.
- Dan Johnson is headed to Japan.
- The Cardinals signed Japanese pitcher Katsuhiko Maekawa to a minor league deal. Patrick Newman has details.
- Interesting discussion involving Raul Ibanez‘s defense.
- I did a Q&A with SportingGurus.com.
- Ken Rosenthal guesses destinations for 11 remaining free agents in this slideshow.
- MLB is undergoing a hiring/salary freeze and taking away 20% of vacation time for ’09.
- Dejan Kovacevic had a lengthy chat with Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson, who wishes the team would get more players to become competitive. In his article Kovacevic also notes that the Pirates have had talks about bringing back pitcher Denny Bautista, who was non-tendered a week ago.
- Are the Mariners trying to open up a spot for Jerry Hairston Jr.? They’re looking to add a plus-plus defensive second baseman; not sure if he qualifies.
- Aubrey Huff tops the list of fantasy baseball’s biggest draft position gainers.
- Royals pitcher Kyle Davies is working a construction job this offseason.
- The Orioles settled with Sidney Ponson regarding their grievance.
Mark Teixeira Rumors: Friday
3:48pm: Jon Heyman believes the Red Sox are at their final number, at least $180MM. Scott Miller explains why you shouldn’t be surprised if the Nationals sign Teixeira.
2:39pm: Buster Olney and Peter Gammons suggest a lower amount was offered by Boston: $165-170MM. That’s seemingly at least $20MM short of what Boras wants. He might be happy with eight years, $184MM ($23MM per).
Olney, Gammons, Adam Kilgore, and Nick Cafardo are all on board with the sentiment that the Red Sox remain in the mix for Teixeira.
9:33am: Jon Heyman says the Red Sox remain interested in Teixeira, but are sticking to their eight-year offer of $180MM or so. Nick Cafardo has a similar take. Tony Massarotti and Thomas Boswell are good reads as well.
9:05am: George King learned from Brian Cashman that it was not the Yankees who outbid the Red Sox for Teixeira (if they were indeed outbid). Chico Harlan says the Nationals are in a holding pattern until the Tex situation is resolved.
8:03am: Mike DiGiovanna says Boston’s eight-year offer in the $175MM range was "significantly" better than the Angels’ eight-year proposal. But DiGiovanna talked to Torii Hunter, who spoke to Teixeira and said the Angels "gave him an offer that blew everyone away." Also, DiGiovanna finds it doubtful that the Angels would match the two-year, $45MM offer the Dodgers made to Manny Ramirez.
7:50am: Alex Speier of WEEI examines both vague statements, as well as past Red Sox-Boras battles. Meanwhile, Joel Sherman offers thoughts on the idea of Teixeira signing with the Nationals, drawing parallel to the Rangers’ A-Rod contract.
12:52am: Yesterday evening we received this surprising statement from Red Sox owner John Henry:
"We met with Mr. Teixeira and were very much impressed with him. After hearing about his other offers, however, it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor."
Michael Silverman was able to get this quote from Scott Boras as a semi-response:
"The Boston ownership was kind enough to request and travel to meet with Mark Teixeira. While it was a very positive meeting Mark was candid and advised he is in the process of making a decision and is now attempting to eliminate teams."
Rosenthal’s Latest: Crosby, Kawakami, Wolf
3:44pm: MLB.com’s Jim Street says Crosby cleared waivers.
9:00am: The word from Ken Rosenthal…
- The A’s placed shortstop Bobby Crosby on outright waivers in the hope that some team will assume his $5.75MM salary for ’09. After his lousy ’08, he may go unclaimed.
- The Braves were focused on Rafael Furcal; they’re not looking to add a different infielder as a backup plan. They still want another starting pitcher. Dave O’Brien names some possible targets.
- Rosenthal says some teams fear Kenshin Kawakami might want to match Hiroki Kuroda‘s three-year, $35.3MM deal.
- The Mariners would like to add a left-handed hitter with power; they’re waiting for a bargain.
- The Rockies are apparently debating whether to sign Tim Redding or trade for Jason Marquis. Reports in the Denver Post suggest Redding is the top target.
- Randy Wolf is looking for $30MM over three years. The Astros were in the $22-24MM range before pulling back.
Angels Agree To Terms With Juan Rivera
2:44pm: The AP reports Rivera’s three-year deal is worth $12.75MM. It might turn out OK if Rivera is able to hit .300 to push his OBP to an acceptable range.
FRIDAY, 1:49pm: ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick says Rivera has agreed to a three-year contract with the Angels. Three years seems excessive, but we don’t know the money yet. Does this take the Halos out of the mix for Manny Ramirez?
THURSDAY, 10:37pm: According to Yahoo’s Tim Brown, the Angels are nearing a three-year agreement with free agent outfielder Juan Rivera.
Brown says the Halos are pursuing other free agents as well and operating as if Mark Teixeira will sign with the Red Sox. GM Tony Reagins has talked to the agents for Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell, and Adam Dunn, but not Milton Bradley. The Angels may also sign a closer, and Brian Fuentes makes sense.
Dodgers Rumors: Wolf, Johnson, Strickland
Diamond Leung of the Riverside Press-Enterprise has some info on the Dodgers.
- Randy Wolf would be open to playing for the Dodgers again, which doesn’t come as much of a surprise. They have not made an offer though. Wolf is said to be looking for three years and $30MM.
- Randy Johnson has a few offers in hand, but not from the Dodgers…yet.
- The Dodgers signed reliever Scott Strickland to a minor league deal.
Twins Interested In Kawakami, Uehara
According to Joe Christensen and La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins have expressed interest in Japanese pitchers Kenshin Kawakami and Koji Uehara. The authors suggest Kawakami could allow the Twins to trade a starter, while Uehara may enter the Majors as a reliever. The Twins’ interest in Kawakami first surfaced back on Tuesday. Teams such as the Orioles, Cardinals, Braves, Red Sox, Mets, and Giants have also been linked to him.
Another note from Christensen: the Twins have expressed interest in Brett Tomko.
Chat With Matthew Cerrone
Click below to hear/view my recent chat with SNY’s Matthew Cerrone.