MLBTR contributor Brendan Bianowicz has a fresh entry in the GM Trade History series. Today he profiles the work of Rangers GM Jon Daniels, which you can download as an Excel spreadsheet here.
Jack Wilson Rumors: Thursday
11:35pm: One more dose of Wilson rumors before we close up shop for the evening.
Dejan Kovacevic does not agree with Jackson’s report. Kovacevic says the Dodgers and Pirates began a fresh round of talks for Wilson on Saturday. What’s more, Wilson is open to renegotiating his contract to facilitate a trade to the Dodgers. The Dodgers might be willing to give Wilson $12MM over 2009-10.
Talks have been going on with the Tigers for over a month, and Detroit made a fresh offer Wednesday night that caught the Pirates’ attention. The Bucs may have an eye on Tigers first base prospect Jeff Larish.
7:42pm: Tony Jackson at the Daily News says the Dodgers haven’t talked to the Pirates in months, and "are NOT in pursuit of Jack Wilson." This directly contradicts today’s report from the Associated Press.
5:02pm: MLB.com’s Jason Beck is getting mixed signals on the chances of a Wilson-to-Detroit deal.
3:52pm: The AP has more on the Wilson trade talks. They say the Dodgers have been in extensive talks for Wilson this week, but want the Pirates to pick up "a substantial share of his salary." Meanwhile the Tigers would need the Bucs to absorb most of the contract. The report suggests the Tigers have moved on to free agent Adam Everett.
2:30pm: Jenifer Langosch talked to Wilson, who said he’s open to revising his no-trade list. He doesn’t seem likely to veto a trade. Meanwhile, Graziano still trusts his source.
12:41pm: Jon Paul Morosi’s source says the Tigers’ talks for Wilson have become "more active and meaningful" recently.
12:14pm: Dejan Kovacevic talked to Pirates president Frank Coonelly, who said Wilson has not been traded. The Tigers apparently made an interesting offer last night for Wilson, but the Dodgers remain in the mix. Wilson would have to approve a trade to the Tigers, and he and his agent haven’t been informed of anything.
11:15am: According to Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger, the Tigers acquired shortstop Jack Wilson from the Pirates today. We’ll update the post as more info comes in.
Wilson, 31 later this month, hit .272/.312/.348 in 330 plate appearances this year while playing his typical excellent defense. He’s set to earn $7.25MM in ’09 and has an $8.4MM club option for ’10 with a $600K buyout.
Reds Sign Mike Lincoln, Still Like Weathers
10:43pm: Reds GM Walt Jocketty says that even with the Lincoln signing he still hopes to sign David Weathers. Four or five other teams are said to be in the mix for Stormy. We’ll know by midnight Sunday whether Weathers will accept the Reds’ offer of arbitration.
3:49pm: La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune says the Twins were "hot after" Lincoln and were "barely outbid" by the Reds. The Twins weren’t in on Bob Howry though.
12:43pm: According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Reds re-signed reliever Mike Lincoln to a two-year deal worth $4MM plus incentives. Lincoln, 34 in April, posted a 4.48 ERA in 70.1 innings this year. His command was respectable, though he was prone to the longball. It was an impressive comeback from two Tommy John surgeries.
Yankees Rumors: Burnett, Sabathia, Pettitte
10:37pm: Yanks GM Brian Cashman plans to meet with Sabathia this weekend prior to the Meetings. Also, Brewers GM Doug Melvin plans to meet with Sabathia’s agent Greg Genske Monday or Tuesday to get a response to their offer.
3:27pm: Dodgers manager Joe Torre expects Pettitte to return to the Yankees.
8:56am: The latest on the Yankees front…
- Ken Davidoff says the Yankees and Blue Jays were willing to give A.J. Burnett a fifth year vesting option. The Braves seem likely to sign Burnett if they will guarantee that fifth year as has been reported. Braves officials are confident, and Tony Massarotti says they’re "rumored to be on the verge of a five-year deal that could be worth $80 million." Meanwhile the Red Sox have moved on to Derek Lowe.
- Davidoff says Yankees officials are confident they’re the only serious suitor for C.C. Sabathia, as there’s still a $40MM gap between their offer and Milwaukee’s. Davidoff believes the Yanks will move on to Lowe and Andy Pettitte (not Manny Ramirez or Mark Teixeira) if they sign C.C.
- According to Jack Curry of the New York Times, Pettitte does not want a pay cut from last year’s $16MM. Curry says the Yanks have offered Pettitte $10MM, which was first reported by Joel Sherman on Tuesday. Pettitte still sounds like he wants to return to the Yankees, but he’s letting his agents battle for a better salary.
Khalil Greene Traded To St. Louis
9:25pm: Just wanted to mention that this deal has been finalized. For the player to be named later, the Padres will choose from a list of three players (two of them pitchers). Padres exec Paul DePodesta weighed in on the deal at his blog. Next on the agenda: acquire a replacement shortstop. Kevin Towers prefers the trade route.
3:21pm: Tom Krasovic believes the Padres are kicking in at least $1MM, since the trade requires the approval of the commissioner’s office. Meanwhile, Jonathan Mayo takes a closer look at Worrell.
1:17pm: MLB.com’s Corey Brock says it’ll be Worrell and a player to be named later.
12:48pm: Scout.com writer Dustin Mattison sent along this interview with Cardinals reliever Mark Worrell. Worrell is quite confident in his abilities and seems upset that the Cardinals didn’t give him more of a chance this year. Pure speculation, but Mattison wonders if he could be one of the relievers headed to San Diego for Greene.
8:15am: One of the relievers in the trade is right-handed, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
THURSDAY, 1:08am: Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune says the Padres have reached an agreement to send Greene to the Cardinals. Krasovic believes clearing Greene’s salary may improve the chances of the Padres retaining Jake Peavy.
WEDNESDAY, 10:41pm: Sherman has an update: the Padres are closing in on a deal that will send Greene to the Cardinals for two relief prospects.
8:29pm: According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Padres are expected to trade shortstop Khalil Greene prior to Monday’s Winter Meetings. Sherman was unable to ascertain Greene’s destination, but he guesses it could be the Orioles or Cardinals. The Padres are intent on clearing Greene’s $6.5MM salary.
The Padres requested Garrett Olson from Baltimore for Greene a few weeks ago, but maybe the price has come down. One team not expected to acquire Greene is the Tigers.
Rockies To Keep Atkins?
THURSDAY, 8:10pm: Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports on comments from Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd. O’Dowd says Atkins’ future with the Rockies is closely tied to the future of Todd Helton. If Helton can’t produce, Atkins becomes a seemingly irreplaceable part of the Rockies offense.
WEDNESDAY, 11:27pm: MLB.com’s Thomas Harding talked to Atkins’ agent, who said his client is still willing to listen if the Rockies make a fresh extension offer.
11:13am: Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post gets the impression that Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins will not be traded this winter. Renck says GM Dan O’Dowd fielded inquiries from the Reds and Twins but hasn’t found a match. The Rockies would want pitching in return. Atkins is under team control for two more years, so O’Dowd isn’t pressing to move him.
The Indians were also linked to Atkins at one point, but MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince says they’ve cooled on the idea.
Lowe Receives Two Offers
5:27pm: George King at the New York Post has details on the Cashman-Boras meeting. An offer for Lowe is not mentioned, but a reluctance to offer Lowe five years is cited. As for the Boras clients beyond Lowe that were discussed, King explicitly mentions Mark Teixeira, Manny Ramirez, and Oliver Perez.
3:30pm: Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. wouldn’t confirm or deny his team’s rumored offer to Lowe, but he admitted interest. I imagine he would’ve denied it if it was false. Amaro noted that he’s talked to the representatives for many free agent pitchers. He’s reluctant to go past three years on one, but might consider it.
9:11am: Tony Massarotti, citing a baseball source, says free agent starter Derek Lowe has received two offers. One is from the Phillies, and the other is not from the Yankees or Red Sox. Massarotti believes Lowe will land a three or four-year deal at $15-16MM per. Jon Heyman recently named the Mets, Giants, Mariners, and Dodgers as other Lowe suitors.
Massarotti’s source adds that Yanks GM Brian Cashman flew to California to visit with Scott Boras today. That could lead to an offer for Lowe, though other Boras clients may be discussed as well. The Red Sox like Lowe, but may choose to avoid a bidding war. Massarotti still likes the Sox as a match for Mark Teixeira.
Brewers Sign Jorge Julio
5:16pm: Haudricourt reports Julio’s base salary is $950K. He’s able to earn another $950K in incentives.
3:44pm: According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the Brewers signed reliever Jorge Julio to a one-year deal. Julio, 30 in March, still throws hard and allows too many walks and home runs.
Non-Tender Candidates
On Friday, December 12th (at midnight I believe), the non-tender deadline will occur. Basically, that’s when teams decide whether to offer a contract to the unsigned players on their 40-man roster. Players not tendered a contract become free agents. Past non-tenders include David Ortiz, Rick Ankiel, Ryan Franklin, David Eckstein, and Chad Durbin. Usually at least a few useful guys are unearthed.
Below I’ve listed non-tender candidates for each team; it’s mostly speculative. Feel free to debate or add names in the comments; I may add to the list based on that. I tried to keep it to names that are at least mildly interesting. Bedard is unlikely but I tossed him in anyway.
Brandon Backe
Denny Bautista
Erik Bedard
Matt Belisle
Angel Berroa
John Buck
Chris Burke
Daniel Cabrera
Chris Capuano
Jason Davis
Randy Flores
Jason Frasor
Chad Gaudin
Jimmy Gobble
Jonny Gomes
Aaron Miles
Duaner Sanchez
Brian Tallet
Willy Taveras
Rosenthal’s Latest: Johnson, Cano, Peavy
4:54pm: The Big Unit is open to the Giants or A’s, not a big surprise. Johnson’s agent says about ten teams have expressed interest, Giants included.
11:49am: Ken Rosenthal is working overtime; here’s his latest.
- The A’s remain the frontrunners for Rafael Furcal. Also, they’re targeting starter Randy Johnson to add a veteran presence to their rotation. Rosenthal adds that the A’s may prefer Nick Johnson over Jason Giambi.
- The Phillies made an offer to Derek Lowe, who seems to be their backup plan if they can’t sign Jamie Moyer. Rosenthal speculates that the Dodgers could consider Moyer. If the Phils sign Lowe, they may have to go cheap in left field.
- Oliver Perez and Randy Wolf are on the Yankees’ radar.
- The Braves haven’t ruled out five guaranteed years for A.J. Burnett. Rosenthal agrees with Mark Bowman that the Braves actually have little interest in Adam Dunn. He adds that Raul Ibanez might be out of their price range. Instead, the Braves could choose to trade Kelly Johnson for an outfielder.
- Rosenthal believes the Dodgers will renew talks for Robinson Cano at the Winter Meetings, and the Yankees will again ask for Matt Kemp.
- The Cubs are speaking daily to the Padres about Jake Peavy. Rosenthal says the Orioles do not seem to be the third team at this time.
- Rosenthal believes the Royals could make a run at Kyle Farnsworth.
