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Carpenter Injury Results Shape Cards’ Approach

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4:31pm: The results were positive; Carpenter will start a throwing program in January.  The Cards could still pursue another starter though.

9:43am: According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Cardinals pitcher Chris Carpenter had a nerve conduction test yesterday.  The team will learn the results today, and if they’re concerned they could target an additional starter for 2009.  Given this uncertainty, the Cardinals’ decision not to offer arbitration to Braden Looper seems strange. 

Elsewhere on John Mozeliak’s agenda, Joe Strauss says he still seeks a second baseman and a closer.  We haven’t heard many names in recent weeks, perhaps because Mozeliak was focused on the Khalil Greene and Trever Miller acquisitions.

Braves Sign Dave Ross

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FRIDAY: The two-year deal with Ross is official, and it’s believed to be for $3MM.

WEDNESDAY, 8:00pm: MLB.com’s Mark Bowman says Ross’ two-year deal will be worth about $3.5MM.  Ross says it could be finalized tomorrow.

5:01pm: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Braves are close to a two-year deal with free agent catcher Dave Ross.  He’d serve as Brian McCann’s backup.  Ross, 32 in March, posted a strong .381 OBP with the Reds this year.  The Astros were also known to be interested, but I imagine Ross jumped when the Braves offered two years.

Tigers, Mets Interested In Wood?

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According to Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Tigers and Mets have shown the most interest in free agent closer Kerry Wood.  He expects Wood to sign a two-year deal with a third-year vesting option.  De Luca also notes that Wood never conveyed to the Cubs a willingness to take a one-year deal.  Still, the Cubs surely had read the quotes by the time they decided not to offer him arbitration.

White Sox Rumors: Dye, Cabrera, Roberts

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Let’s catch up on today’s White Sox rumors.

  • Sox GM Ken Williams said, "If I had to guess as I sit here right now, I don’t foresee any other movement with veteran players.  I’ll go to the winter meetings and be in a listening mode [instead of] an aggressive-type posture."  Does that mean Jermaine Dye is staying put?  Difficult to say, but the free agent market does feature plenty of corner outfielders.
  • Sox Machine learned from Williams’ conference call that Orlando Cabrera would be used in a utility role if he accepts arbitration.  Almost sounds like a threat.  More likely, he’d be traded.
  • Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times expects Williams to call the Orioles about Brian Roberts.  Also, he considers the above quote from Williams to be a "head-fake."

Heyman’s Latest: Sabathia, Manny, Lowe

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Be sure to check out Jon Heyman’s Winter Meetings preview.

  • A friend of C.C. Sabathia tells Heyman the pitcher received two offers from unknown teams prior to Thanksgiving, in addition to the ones from the Brewers and Yankees.  Sabathia is taking his time with this, as he should.
  • Manny Ramirez "admires the dollar."  Just letting you know.
  • A competing owner suggested to Heyman that the Cubs could cut budget.  At any rate, they probably won’t do anything major til their ownership situation is settled.
  • Derek Lowe is looking for $90MM over five years.  He wants at least five years; ten teams are after him. Brian Cashman apparently expressed "heavy interest" to Scott Boras yesterday. 

A.J. Burnett Rumors: Friday

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Dave O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has the latest on A.J. Burnett.  The Braves will hold off on other moves for starting pitching until they hear from A.J. Burnett’s agent Darek Braunecker about their offer (said to be five years, $75MM if the fifth-year option vests). 

Braunecker says he has numerous offers, though Burnett’s next team will have to be within driving distance of his suburban Baltimore home.  Jon Heyman says Burnett has multiple four-year offers and one five-year one.   Braunecker says the Blue Jays aren’t out of it, despite J.P. Ricciardi’s comment, "It looks like we’re going to lose Burnett."

Giants Interested In Encarnacion

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According to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Giants are interested in Reds third baseman Edwin Encarnacion.  Fay considers EE the most likely Red to be traded, with Homer Bailey second on that list.  Encarnacion, 26 in January, hit .251/.340/.466 in 582 plate appearances while playing poor defense.  He’s arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, so he’s under team control for three more seasons.

Fay also notes that Walt Jocketty and Jim Bowden haven’t matched up on a trade in over ten years, and Joey Votto isn’t going anywhere.  Yesterday ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick said the Nationals explored trading for Votto (among others).

One more note: David Weathers is negotiating with several teams, Reds included.  Nothing is close.

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