Twins Rumors: Kouzmanoff, Wigginton, Cantu
6:38pm: Phil Miller says the Twins’ young pitching is quite popular at the Meetings.
12:04pm: The latest from La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:
- The Twins have discussed Kevin Kouzmanoff, Ty Wigginton, and Jorge Cantu internally. It’s not known whether they’ve actually inquired.
- Jack Wilson is still on the Twins’ radar.
- Several teams have asked about Boof Bonser.
Rafael Furcal Rumors: Tuesday
5:59pm: Kinzer told Rosenthal the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Royals, and A’s are in the running for Furcal, who still wants a four-year deal.
5:34pm: The Red Sox have not contacted Paul Kinzer about Furcal, says WEEI’s Alex Speier.
3:28pm: J.P. Ricciardi confirmed his informational meeting with Furcal’s agent. The Jays would have to move some things around to fit in any significant acquisition.
12:12pm: The Dodgers have made re-signing Furcal their top priority, says Tom Verducci.
12:32am: Though Furcal reportedly rejected an Oakland offer of four years for $35-40MM, GM Billy Beane would not say his pursuit is over.
12:11am: According to Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times, the Dodgers re-opened talks with Rafael Furcal Monday night. They are unwilling to give him a four-year deal.
Red Sox Rumors: Payton, Taguchi, Bard, Paulino
Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald has a few new Red Sox rumors:
- The Sox are not interested in Jay Payton or any Craig Landis client (he also reps Jon Garland). They’re also not in on So Taguchi.
- Josh Bard could be a Plan B or C at catcher. Ronny Paulino has also been discussed.
Pirates Rumors: Eckstein, Wilson, Turnbow
5:29pm: A handful of teams have expressed interest in Doug Mientkiewicz, reports Jenifer Langosch. He expects to sign within a few weeks, and his agent will meet with the Pirates this week.
4:56pm: Kovacevic confirmed that the Pirates are in negotiations with Eckstein. The Orioles and Padres are also said to be in on him. As for Wilson: the Dodgers are said to be exasperated by the Pirates’ asking price.
12:10am: Let’s check in with Dejan Kovacevic and Rob Biertempfel for the latest on the Pirates.
- Kovacevic on Jack Wilson: the Tigers are out, the Dodgers are quiet lately, and the Twins are in. Biertempfel says the Orioles continue to watch from afar. Wilson’s contract is a sticking point for all suitors.
- Kovacevic believes the Pirates have at least not ruled out the idea of pursuing Pedro Martinez.
- Derrick Turnbow will throw for scouts in mid-January, so he probably won’t sign until then. The Pirates and Giants are among eight teams that have expressed interest.
- The Pirates seem likely to make a Rule 5 pick this year.
- With Pirates target Mark Loretta signing with the Dodgers, Biertempfel wonders if the Bucs may pursue David Eckstein or Craig Counsell.
Red Sox Interested In Pettitte, Pavano, Penny
5:26pm: WEEI’s Alex Speier says that while the Red Sox touched base with Pettitte’s agent, there’s almost no chance they sign him. They also have not had meaningful dialogue for Ben Sheets.
8:30am: Add Carl Pavano and Brad Penny to the starting pitchers under consideration for Boston, according to Nick Cafardo. He says the Marlins are the favorite for Pavano, and the Yankees are still in it. We learned yesterday that the Blue Jays have interest.
12:36am: According to Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox expressed interest in free agent lefty Andy Pettitte. Could Pettitte cross enemy lines in 2009? For now Massarotti says the Red Sox have simply kicked the tires, as they seem to do with most interesting free agents.
Derek Lowe Rumors: Tuesday
5:22pm: Heyman says the Yankees are negotiating with Boras about a four-year deal for more than $65MM.
1:19pm: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says the Phillies and Yankees lead the charge for Lowe, who wants $80MM over five years. A team official for one club told Heyman he was "shocked" with the escalating bidding.
8:34am: According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, a Phillies official denied the presence of a three-year offer for Derek Lowe. Does this mean they have two or four years on the table? Cafardo talked to another source who said Lowe likes the idea of pitching for Philly.
Marlins Catcher Rumors
Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel has the latest on the Marlins’ trade talks for a catcher.
The Rangers could part with Max Ramirez or Jarrod Saltalamacchia, but want a frontline starter type such as Chris Volstad, Josh Johnson, or Ricky Nolasco. The Marlins aren’t willing to do that, but instead could flip Jonathan Sanchez to Texas if they get him. Or, they could send Anibal Sanchez if they add a starter.
The Marlins also have an eye on Pittsburgh’s Ronny Paulino. Meanwhile current Marlin Matt Treanor could be non-tendered or traded for a minor piece.
Braves Interested In Maholm, McLouth, Snell
4:54pm: Dejan Kovacevic learned that the Braves asked the Pirates about Maholm and Nate McLouth. Neither player would come cheap.
3:35pm: According to John Perrotto of the Beaver County Times, the Braves are interested in Paul Maholm and Ian Snell but wouldn’t be willing to trade Tommy Hanson. It’s hard to see the pitching-deprived Pirates trading either starter without getting MLB-ready pitching in return. Perrotto adds that the Nationals also have interest in Snell.
Giambi Not Signing Yet
4:48pm: Kat O’Brien talked to Giambi, who said, "Nothing’s getting done yet."
2:16pm: According to Baseball Prospectus’ John Perrotto:
Jason Giambi appears headed back to the Athletics as a free agent, and an announcement could come at the meetings as the first baseman/designated hitter lives in Las Vegas.
The report comes as a surprise, as other recent reports have said Giambi is low on the Oakland’s list of priorities.
Burrell Unlikely To Return To Philly
4:29pm: ESPN’s Jayson Stark says the Phillies will not tread water to see if they get DeRosa from the Cubs. A friend of Ibanez told Stark the Phils are his first choice, so there seems to be mutual interest. The problem: the Cubs want Ibanez too and may not be willing to move DeRosa until they get their outfielder.
3:46pm: Pat Burrell‘s agent Ed Hayes would be surprised if his client re-signs with the Phillies, as would most observers. Todd Zolecki believes the Phils’ top three candidates to replace him in left field are Raul Ibanez, Mark DeRosa, and Juan Rivera.