Blue Jays Interested In Clement
Quick note from Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star – the Blue Jays have talked to Matt Clement‘s agent (hat tip Drunk Jays Fans). The Pirates and Indians could be other matches for the rehabbing starter.
Randy Johnson Rumors
WEDNESDAY, 1:11pm: Nolan Ryan confirmed the Rangers’ interest in Johnson.
TUESDAY, 8:37pm: Jack Magruder says the Astros and Angels met with Johnson’s reps at the Meetings. He adds that the Rangers, Brewers, and Cubs touched base before the Meetings.
2:54pm: Four California teams are said to be eyeing Randy Johnson: the Dodgers, Angels, Giants, and A’s. Mike DiGiovanna learned that the Dodgers and Angels are more on the fringes. We’ve also seen Johnson linked to the Cubs as a fallback for Jake Peavy.
BBWAA Adds Four Internet Writers
Yahoo’s Kevin Kaduk reports that the Baseball Writers Association of America added four Internet writers today: Will Carroll, Christina Kahrl, Rob Neyer, and Keith Law. Congratulations to four fine writers.
Mets Bullpen Rumors
The Mets signed Francisco Rodriguez yesterday, but GM Omar Minaya is not done tinkering with his bullpen. SI.com’s Jon Heyman says Matt Capps, Huston Street, and others are on the radar as setup possibilities. However, teams are asking for Jon Niese and the Mets don’t want to give him up. Heyman adds that the Mets have talked to the Mariners and Cubs about relief help as well.
Blue Jays Looking At Infielders
According to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun, the Blue Jays have discussed Astros third baseman Ty Wigginton and have looked at Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett. The Jays like Wigginton as a third baseman despite Scott Rolen‘s presence. And as you know, J.P. Ricciardi met with Rafael Furcal‘s agent.
Astros Could Get In On Izturis
Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle says Cesar Izturis‘ agent Peter Greenberg spoke with Astros GM Ed Wade to gauge his interest in Cesar Izturis, Freddy Garcia, and Bobby Abreu. Wade confirmed that Abreu is not a fit for the Astros. Izturis could be, though, if they manage to trade Miguel Tejada. The Orioles are known to be making progress on a deal with Izturis.
C.C. Sabathia Rumors: Wednesday
1:08am: Gordon Edes notes that Giants GM Brian Sabean told reporters he would not be willing to give Sabathia a sixth year on a contract. They are the fallback option if the big lefty decides he wants to take less to pitch close to home.
12:25am: The big news on the C.C. Sabathia front is that Yankees GM Brian Cashman flew to San Francisco to visit with Sabathia for the third time in three days. ESPN’s Jayson Stark says the visit is not about money and was initiated by Sabathia. Some believe Cashman will attempt to sell Sabathia’s wife Amber on New York.
Stark talked to several baseball people who still don’t believe Sabathia wants to be in New York. One predicted the Yanks would have to include an opt-out clause. Also, Stark speaks of indications that the Dodgers told C.C. they might be interested if they can fill some of their other needs affordably.
Winter Meetings Day 2 In Review
Let’s take a look at the deals of Day 2 of the Winter Meetings.
- The Mets agreed to terms with Francisco Rodriguez on a three-year, $37MM deal with a fourth year vesting option that could bring the total to $51MM.
- The Indians neared an agreement with Kerry Wood.
- The Dodgers reached a three-year, $17.5MM agreement with Casey Blake.
- The Orioles sent Ramon Hernandez and $2-3MM to the Reds for Ryan Freel and two minor leaguers.
- The Dodgers reached an agreement with Mark Loretta for one year and $1.25MM.
- The Rockies closed in on a deal with Alan Embree.
- Mike Lamb re-signed with the Brewers.
- You’ll have to click through to read the latest rumors on Jake Peavy, C.C. Sabathia, Rafael Furcal, Derek Lowe, A.J. Burnett, Mark Teixeira, J.J. Putz, Raul Ibanez, Ben Sheets, Brian Fuentes, Randy Johnson, and Manny Ramirez. The most notable development among these players is Brian Cashman’s trip to San Francisco to meet with Sabathia a third time.
C.C. Sabathia Rumors: Tuesday
11:55pm: Joel Sherman has a source saying it’s possible Cashman could begin the process of finalizing a contract for Sabathia while in San Francisco.
Sherman notes that Cashman is looking at many other free agent starters as well, and is pushing to begin closing deals.
10:30pm: As you might imagine, Dan Graziano speaks of a breakthrough in the Yankees’ negotiations for Sabathia.
10:07pm: Jon Heyman talked to Angels owner Arte Moreno, who said, "I wouldn’t say we’re in the Sabathia picture at all."
9:14pm: Ken Davidoff and Kat O’Brien say Cashman bailed on his media session today to meet with Sabathia in San Francisco. Cashman may want to meet Sabathia’s wife, who is obviously a factor in his decision.
9:13pm: Sabathia is a fallback position for the Giants, according to Brian Sabean.
7:56pm: Doug Melvin says the Brewers have not increased their offer to Sabathia, nor have they decided that they won’t. The ball is in Melvin’s court on whether to increase the offer.
6:30pm: Brian Sabean says reports of a weekend scheduled with Sabathia are false.
6:05pm: Danny Knobler says the Halos remain a serious player for Sabathia and could trade a pitcher like Jered Weaver for a bat if they sign him.
5:03pm: An update from Peter Gammons:
Some players have said the Angels have made it clear to Sabathia that they’ll guarantee him six years, but both sides say it is not true. Sabathia has not turned down the Yankees, either. He has offers from the Brewers, Angels and Red Sox, and the Giants have made it clear they will be in the bidding in certain circumstances.
4:45pm: According to Ken Davidoff, the Brewers do not intend to raise their offer to C.C.
4:32pm: Rosenthal says there’s no truth to the rumor that Sabathia declined the Yankees’ offer.
4:09pm: Baggarly talked to an exec close to the Sabathia talks who believes the Brewers are emerging as the frontrunner.
3:39pm: Joel Sherman doesn’t say anything about the Yanks’ offer being declined, but he does say the Yanks have heightened interest in A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe as Brian Cashman continues to wait on C.C.
3:24pm: Unconfirmed rumor from Andrew Baggarly: Sabathia declined the Yankees’ offer. He still printed it though. The Giants are expected to meet with Sabathia this weekend; they’d need to get creative to sign him.
2:21pm: Dan Graziano says Sabathia is convinced the Giants will become a serious bidder.
1:45pm: Tony Jackson’s heard word that Giants officials are "supremely confident" they’re going to sign Sabathia.
1:34pm: Sabathia apparently spent a lot of his time with the Yankees peppering them with lifestyle questions about New York, says Yahoo’s Jeff Passan.
12:11pm: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Giants intend to meet with C.C. Sabathia, perhaps in San Francisco this weekend. They weren’t able to get together while Sabathia was in Vegas.
Three Teams Interested In Hairston
According to MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon, the Reds and two other teams have shown serious interest in free agent Jerry Hairston Jr. He’s present at the Meetings until tomorrow, and could sign before they end. The Reds talked to Hairston’s agent Monday but not today.
The Phillies have been linked to Hairston in past reports.