Brian Fuentes Rumors: Wednesday
7:52pm: Fuentes appears to be top priority for the Cardinals and manager Tony La Russa.
6:27pm: Ken Rosenthal has a source who expects Brian Fuentes to score a three-year, $33MM deal. That might be too pricey for the Cardinals, Brewers, and Tigers, leaving perhaps the Angels.
Top Stories Section Added
We just added a Top Stories section to the righthand sidebar of the website. This should make it much easier to catch up quickly on the 5-10 most important recent stories. For a more thorough browse of the headlines check out the December archive.
Saito Could Choose Free Agency
WEDNESDAY: The Dodgers are in a staredown with Saito, who will probably be non-tendered Friday if he doesn’t accept their one-year, incentive-laden offer.
MONDAY: 11:14pm: Ned Colletti suggested Saito is a non-tender candidate for Friday.
4:54pm: According to Gerry Fraley, a mixed report on closer Takashi Saito has caused the Dodgers to increase their search for a reliever. They’ve been linked to Trevor Hoffman.
Padres Have Interest In Vizquel; Dodgers Don’t
7:39pm: Ned Colletti told Diamond Leung the Dodgers aren’t looking at Vizquel.
5:55pm: Andrew Baggarly says the Padres also have interest in Vizquel. He adds that the A’s are looking at free agent pitcher Kevin Correia for a minor league deal.
4:52pm: Tony Jackson says the Dodgers might have interest in free agent shortstop Omar Vizquel if they can’t sign Rafael Furcal.
Jeremy Hermida Rumors
7:12pm: MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro says Mariners catcher Rob Johnson and Rangers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia were discussed in these Hermida talks, but no match was found.
6:31pm: Baker says the Marlins wanted catching prospect Adam Moore from the Ms in a Hermida deal. Baseball America ranks Moore as the Mariners’ sixth best prospect. They say he looks like a future big league starting catcher; he’ll start ’09 at Triple A.
5:31pm: Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald says the Ms and Rangers initiated the Hermida talks, and they didn’t get far.
4:44pm: Geoff Baker says the Marlins offered Hermida to the Mariners and Rangers for catching.
12:34pm: Rays Index found a note from MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan on Monday – the Rays like Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz.
12:26pm: Berardino has an update. He says the Marlins proposed trading Hermida to the Rays for two pitchers, likely among Jeff Niemann, Wade Davis, Jeremy Hellickson, and Mitch Talbot. The Rays rejected the offer and it’s unlikely to be revisited.
Berardino now says the Reds have yet to inquire on Hermida.
12:04pm: Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel discusses Jeremy Hermida trade possibilities in a blog post today (hat tip, Rays Index). He says the Reds have definitely shown interest, and also discusses the Rays. Berardino’s sources believe Micah Owings could be had, but not Johnny Cueto. In the case of the Rays it’d apparently take Andy Sonnanstine rather than Edwin Jackson.
By the way, the Marlins have talked about the possibility of moving Hermida to left field if they keep him. Hermida has been a slightly above-average right fielder according to the plus/minus system.
Orioles Rumors: Kawakami, Zaun, Looper
7:05pm: Peter Schmuck names a few more catchers on Baltimore’s radar: Henry Blanco and Matt Treanor.
2:15pm: Steve Melewski of MASN Online talked to Dan Evans, who represents free agent pitcher Kenshin Kawakami. Evans said he had a productive meeting with the Orioles and expects to have more. He’s been contacting many clubs to gauge interest in Kawakami.
The Orioles also engaged talks with Evans for Gregg Zaun, who could return to Baltimore as the veteran mentor for Matt Wieters. A few clubs have kicked the tires on Zaun, but he doesn’t have any serious bids yet.
Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun says the Orioles met with Braden Looper‘s agent at the Winter Meetings, but their interest level is not known.
D’Backs Sign Augie Ojeda
According to MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert, the Diamondbacks signed infielder Augie Ojeda to a one-year deal for $712,500. Gilbert says they’ll probably require additional help at second base.
John Smoltz Rumors
9:30pm: Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski confirmed interest in Smoltz.
6:56pm: MLB.com’s Jason Beck says at least seven teams have shown some level of interest in Smoltz.
4:04pm: Rosenthal says "the Braves are prepared to lose Smoltz if another team offers him a significant guarantee on a one-year deal."
2:53pm: Jerry Crasnick indicates Tom Glavine doesn’t have the same open-mindedness to other teams as Smoltz. For Glavine it’s probably the Braves or retirement. Glavine’s ahead of schedule in his rehab.
2:10pm: Nick Cafardo says Smoltz still prefers Atlanta but is also considering the Red Sox, Mets, and Tigers. The Tigers’ interest appears to be mutual, according to Jon Paul Morosi.
1:54pm: Sean McAdam says the Red Sox have had discussions with Smoltz’s agent. They’ve checked in on tons of free agents though, perhaps as a ruse.
WEDNESDAY, 11:43am: ESPN’s Peter Gammons says the Red Sox are one of the teams that received Smoltz’s medical info.
TUESDAY: Rosenthal says Smoltz’s agents are passing out medical info to teams. Rosenthal spoke to one GM who believed Smoltz might be willing to leave the Braves.
MONDAY: Since the Braves have yet to offer a contract to rehabbing pitcher John Smoltz, Ken Rosenthal wonders if other teams will jump in with bids. But rest easy, Braves fans. Everyone still expects Smoltz to re-sign with Atlanta.
Pirates Discussing Trade For Robert Andino
6:52pm: Frisaro says Pirates shortstop Brian Bixler is a name that has surfaced as a possible return for Andino.
6:20pm: Kovacevic says this trade "looks as if it might not advance past the talking stage."
11:51am: Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald notes that Andino is out of options and Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez has publicly admired Paulino.
11:33am: Related note from MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro:
There has been talks at the Winter Meetings about Florida showing interest in catcher Ronny Paulino. But according to a National League source, there didn’t seem to be any discussions about sending the catcher to the Marlins.
11:08am: According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates are discussing a trade with the Marlins for shortstop Robert Andino. It’s not known who else is being discussed, but Kovacevic notes the Marlins’ earlier interest in catcher Ronny Paulino.
Andino, 24 in April, has a .549 OPS in his brief Major League career. He did show a little potential in his second stint at Triple A though. Baseball America wrote in their 2007 Handbook that Andino plays "exemplary defense."
Phillies Looking To Trade Eaton
According to Gerry Fraley, the Phillies are looking to trade starter Adam Eaton. They’ll pay all but $1MM of his $9MM salary for ’09 and don’t want anything in return.