Manny Ramirez Rumors: Thursday
Yesterday we heard from Ed Price that the Dodgers were internally considering guaranteeing a third year for Manny Ramirez. Ned Colletti’s comments today are along the same lines:
"Scott outlined what they will need and we’re not interested in doing five years or four years, a long-term deal. We want the player back and we’re willing to pay a very high salary to bring him back — but short-term."
Cashman Flies To See Pettitte
Why did Yankees GM Brian Cashman jet off yet again this morning? Joel Sherman and George King of the New York Post have the answer.
Cashman headed to Texas to talk to Andy Pettitte. Cashman will offer Pettitte his last rotation spot for $10MM, and move on if he’s not interested.
Cubs, Mets Talking Marquis Trade
According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Cubs and Mets are talking about a Jason Marquis trade. The Cubs will have to eat salary, unless they follow Heyman’s suggestion to take Scott Schoeneweis.
On Saturday, Dan Graziano said the Mets rejected an offer of Marquis for Aaron Heilman. Of course, Heilman is a Mariner now.
Raul Ibanez Rumors: Thursday
2:53pm: Stark says the Phillies "stepped up their efforts" for Ibanez. What’s more, Ibanez has been telling friends the Phils are his top choice.
12:18pm: According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark:
Even as the Angels continue to pursue Mark Teixeira, it appears that Raul Ibanez has emerged as their No. 1 alternative if Teixeira signs elsewhere. There were indications that the Angels already have begun negotiating the parameters of a deal with Ibanez on a just-in-case basis.
Ken Davidoff said the same in his blog earlier today. The Phillies, Mets, Nationals, and Cubs are other known suitors.
Rule 5 Draft
2:32pm: Patton, a righty reliever, was traded from the Reds to the Cubs in a prearranged deal. And the Royals immediately send Lugo to the Mariners. Head on over to Baseball America for analysis of the draft.
12:28pm: Baseball America has all the picks.
10:54am: The latest on the Rule 5 draft, to be updated…
- Here is the draft order. Baseball America’s John Manuel suggests 10-12 players will be picked. You can refresh this MLB.com page to get the results as they come in.
- The Nationals took Reds righty Terrell Young with the first pick but may be trading or selling him off.
- The Mariners took Yankees middle infielder Reegie Corona from the Yankees. The Padres took Everth Cabrera of the Rockies.
- The Pirates took Donald Veal from the Cubs. The Orioles took Lou Palmisano from the Brewers and may trade him to the Astros. The Giants took Luis Perdomo.
- Reds take David Patton, Tigers take Kyle Bloom, Royals take Jose Lugo, A’s take Ben Copeland.
- D’Backs take James Skelton, Marlins take Zach Kroenke, Astros take Gilbert de la Vera.
- Mets took Darren O’Day. Twins took Jason Jones. Brewers take Eduardo Morlan. Phillies take Robert Mosebach. Red Sox take Miguel Gonzales. Rays take Derek Rodriguez. That’s it for the Major League phase.
- Gerry Fraley notes that everyone passed on White Sox reliever Mike MacDougal.
Beltre Adds Twins To No-Trade Clause
Yesterday, La Velle E. Neal of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune heard about no-trade problems for the Twins with Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre. Today, Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times has further detail:
When [the Twins] attempted to investigate a possible deal, they discovered that — since the last time they’d looked into Beltre during the season — he’d added the Twins to a list of teams on his limited no-trade clause. Twins officials were somewhat surprised, though it’s not unusual. When a player sees a team showing public interest in trading for him, they will sometimes amend their no-trade to include that club and then use it as a bargaining chip down the road. Usually, some kind of cash settlement is needed.
If players can freely swap out or add teams to their partial no-trade clause, why do such clauses exist? Did Scott Boras negotiate some type of flexible no-trade clause, or are all partials like this? I don’t have the answers, but Baker says this is a "workable" scenario in regard to the Twins and Beltre. He seems to be the best available third baseman. Any team acquiring him gets him for one year plus probable Type A draft pick compensation if he’s offered arb and leaves.
Did Red Sox Make Offer To Varitek?
Yesterday Scott Boras was asked how serious the Red Sox are about keeping Jason Varitek. His reply: "Well, when a Major League team approaches you about a player and offers a contract then I guess that’s serious."
However, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe talked to a source who said the only offer Varitek has received from the Red Sox was the arbitration offer he declined. But then Theo Epstein said today that he made offers to three free agents, Tek among them.
Twins Re-Sign Punto
According to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins re-signed infielder Nick Punto to a two-year, $8.5MM deal with an option for 2011. Punto drew interest from the D’Backs, Yankees, Phillies, Mets, and Tigers at the Meetings.
Minor Moves
A few minor signings are rolling in. I’ll update this post if more of this ilk come about.
- The Royals signed pitcher Doug Waechter.
- The Rangers signed pitchers Brian Gordon and Joe Torres to minor league deals.
- The Rangers also completed the Wes Littleton trade, receiving pitcher Beau Vaughan from the Red Sox. Vaughan’s picture at that link is awesome, by the way.
Derek Lowe Rumors: Thursday
12:08pm: Despite yesterday’s reported contention from a Boras guy, ESPN’s Jayson Stark heard the Braves have "zero interest" in Lowe. Randy Wolf is on their radar as a backup plan for A.J. Burnett though.
Also, the Mets are probably out on Lowe and Burnett, according to Omar Minaya.
10:23am: According to WEEI’s Lou Merloni, the Yankees’ signing of C.C. Sabathia made the team more appealing to Lowe.
9:50am: Some Derek Lowe chatter this morning – Jayson Stark says the Yankees would remain interested in Lowe if they sign A.J. Burnett.