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Phillies, Mets Interested In Punto

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According to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Phillies and Mets have expressed interest in free agent infielder Nick Punto.  The Twins are also in contact.

Punto, 31, hit .284/.344/.382 in 377 plate appearances this year.  He seems to play an above average shortstop, according to the plus/minus system.  Punto is also capable of playing the other infield positions.  He earned $2.4MM in ’08.

Mets Prefer K-Rod?

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According to MLB.com’s Marty Noble, the Mets prefer Francisco Rodriguez to Brian Fuentes and J.J. Putz.  Noble adds that they don’t expect to return from the winter meetings with a closer.  No reason to rush with supply exceeding demand.  Putz’s availability, though, remains in question.

ESPN’s Buster Olney says the Mets have discussed internally the idea of making multiple offers to free agent closers and signing whichever one jumps first.

Olney’s Latest: Cano, Burnett, Furcal, Giambi

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Good stuff from ESPN’s Buster Olney in today’s blog post.

  • Olney says the Yankees would ask for Chad Billingsley or Clayton Kershaw from the Dodgers for Robinson Cano.  After the Dodgers turn down that request, the Yanks will ask for Matt Kemp.  If the Yankees do move Cano, they could then pursue Orlando Hudson.
  • Rival executives believe the Braves’ offer to A.J. Burnett is worth $75MM over five years, if the fifth year vests.
  • The A’s will leave their offer to Rafael Furcal on the table for perhaps another two or three days before moving on.
  • Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik will reach out to Raul Ibanez to discuss his situation.  Ibanez has been devalued in the eyes of potential suitors by the draft pick cost that comes with him.  Still, most teams must’ve expected the Ms would offer arbitration.
  • Jason Giambi’s agent is suggesting a three-year deal.  Good luck with that.

Cashman Met With Teixeira

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According to Tyler Kepner of the New York Times, Yankees GM Brian Cashman was in Washington yesterday to meet with free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira.  The meeting came at Scott Boras’ request, and Boras was present.  Previous talk of Cashman and Boras meeting in California was incorrect, according to George King of the New York Post.

King says Cashman and Boras also discussed Manny Ramirez, Derek Lowe, and Oliver Perez.  Mark Feinsand says Lowe was the focus of this meeting.  Cashman intends to meet with C.C. Sabathia soon, Joel Sherman attempts to understand why.

White Sox Sign Van Benschoten

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According to MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch, the White Sox signed former Pirates first-round pick John Van Benschoten to a minor league deal.  JvB posted a 3.92 ERA in 80.1 Triple A innings this year, with less-than-exciting peripheral stats.  His Major League trials have not gone well.

Van Benschoten had surgery to repair a labrum tear and remove a cyst in his pitching shoulder in January of ’05, and the shoulder continued to bother him the following year.

Red Sox Rumors: Sabathia, Youkilis, Tazawa

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Red Sox rumors and links abound this morning.

  • ESPN’s Buster Olney says the Red Sox will meet with C.C. Sabathia within the next few days.  It’s unknown whether they have serious interest.
  • Olney adds that the Sox hope to sign Kevin Youkilis and Jon Lester long-term, in the wake of the Dustin Pedroia deal.  Peter Gammons suggested a deal for Youkilis could get done quickly.
  • Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe says GM Theo Epstein has prioritized catching.  Epstein suggested more catchers may be available in trade than people think.
  • Benjamin says the Red Sox also want to add a right-handed hitting outfielder who can play center (such as Rocco Baldelli) and a corner infielder.  Trade talks with the Tigers for Julio Lugo have broken down.
  • Epstein indicated to Benjamin that certain free agent pitchers will "dominate for years to come," and that’s the type he’s interested in.  He also said an eight-to-ten year deal for a free agent is unlikely, but Benjamin says not to rule out Mark Teixeira.
  • Epstein said at a press conference yesterday that the team’s Junichi Tazawa signing was made possible in part by the Daisuke Matsuzaka signing a few years back.  Dice-K and Hideki Okajima could be reasons Tazawa turned down more money from the Rangers.  Tazawa may begin his career in Double A.
  • The Boston Herald’s Sean McAdam looks at the controversy caused by the Tazawa deal.

Rockies Doing Homework On Delmon Young

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Yesterday in the Rocky Mountain News, Tracy Ringolsby wondered if Twins outfielder Delmon Young would be a good fit for the Rockies.  Today Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune goes one step further, saying Rox GM Dan O’Dowd has been doing his homework on Young.  Young, by the way, is not bothered by Ron Gardenhire’s recent comments.

Christensen says that in general, the Rockies’ demands of the Twins have been excessive.  For example, La Velle E. Neal III suggested they wanted Kevin Slowey, Denard Span, and another prospect for Garrett Atkins.  That asking price almost sounds too outlandish to be true.

Phillies Rumors: Moyer, Lowe, Burrell

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The latest buzz around the Phillies…

Rosenthal’s Latest: Byrd, Putz, Wilson

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Rumor machine Ken Rosenthal has a new column…

  • Free agent starters C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett are in no hurry to sign. Makes sense; they’re obviously special compared to the other starters on the market.
  • Nationals owner Ted Lerner "has spent extensive time" with Scott Boras, presumably in regard to Mark Teixeira.
  • The Cubs want to acquire their left-handed hitting outfielder before worrying about Jake Peavy.  Rosenthal says the trade market is bleak, suggesting free agents such as Raul Ibanez and Milton Bradley might make sense.  As we’ve said, there is no perfect fit for the Cubs’ right field vacancy (unless Brian Giles will waive his no-trade clause).
  • Paul Byrd is "virtually certain" to decline Boston’s offer of arbitration.  He aims to pitch near his Atlanta home – the Braves, Marlins, or Rays could work for him.
  • A Rosenthal source pegged Jon Garland’s chance of accepting arbitration at less than 50-50.  ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick recently indicated it was 75-25 he’d decline.  Buster Olney says "some executives are stunned" that Garland will seemingly not accept.
  • Rosenthal spoke to officials from two teams interested in Mariners closer J.J. Putz.  The Ms haven’t decided yet whether to make him available, contrary to a previous report.  Jack Zduriencik apparently doesn’t consider his club in rebuild mode.
  • The Giants’ signing of Edgar Renteria: "widely panned in industry circles."  Joel Sherman found the same consensus.  This differs from the web, where Keith Law and Dave Cameron liked it.
  • Rosenthal says the Dodgers are not pursuing Jack Wilson; those talks broke down earlier in the offseason.  Who to believe?  He says the Tigers are making a "more serious push."
  • Phillies shortstop prospect Jason Donald is a popular trade target, but the Phils might need him to fill in for Chase Utley at the start of the season.

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