By Tim Dierkes | at
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick talked to Mark Sweeney’s agent Barry Axelrod, who says his client will probably only play next year if a Major League deal is offered. Sweeney, 39, hit .130/.250/.163 in 108 plate appearances for the Dodgers while earning $600K plus incentives.
Crasnick says Sweeney could wind up working for XM Radio, MLB Network, or a San Diego station.
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, Angels pitched Jon Garland "is leaning toward declining the Angels’ salary arbitration offer by Sunday’s deadline." Garland believes he can get more on the open market, according to Crasnick’s source. If Garland leaves, the Angels will receive a supplemental draft pick.
There are two sides to the Garland debate. His detractors will point to his ugly ERA, FIP, and strikeout rate. His fans will talk about durability, double digit wins, and eating innings in the American League.
By Tim Dierkes | at
4:22pm: Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi: "It looks like we’re going to lose Burnett."
1:53pm: O’Brien’s source says the Yankees are going to make an offer to Burnett today or tomorrow.
11:23am: According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Braves GM Frank Wren confirmed today that he made an offer to free agent starter A.J. Burnett. Wren added that the proposal does not guarantee a fifth year. O’Brien believes there is a fifth-year option. He adds that the deal averages $15MM per year. It doesn’t really sound like the type of offer Burnett needs to pounce on.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Links for Thursday…
By Tim Dierkes | at
2:55pm: There was one other Greinke rumor; we missed it in ESPN’s Rumor Central. Jayson Stark said the Braves inquired but didn’t get far. He added at the time that the Royals may at least listen on him during the Winter Meetings.
1:12pm: Yesterday, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick said the Nationals explored trading for Royals starter Zack Greinke. Of course, that could’ve just been a phone call inquiry from Jim Bowden to Dayton Moore that went nowhere. That’s pretty much the only Greinke rumor we’ve heard in recent weeks.
Today Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com wrote that Moore has grown more fond of Greinke, and is more likely to sign him to an extension than trade him. We know that’s Moore’s preference, but Greinke is comfortable going year to year. He’s under team control for two more seasons.
Knobler adds that Moore’s interest in Jeff Francoeur has waned, as the Royals already have a crowded outfield.
By Tim Dierkes | at
1:33pm: Henry Schulman says Renteria’s deal has a $9.5MM option for 2011 with a $500K buyout. Also, Renteria can void the option and take the buyout if he’s traded during the contract.
10:49am: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Giants signed shortstop Edgar Renteria worth $18.5MM. Obviously the Giants feel Renteria will bounce back from last year’s .270/.317/.382 line. His defense was below average too, though, and at 33 that may not change. That Renteria was able to get this deal speaks to the scarcity of available shortstops.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Yesterday I chatted about the hot stove with SNY’s Matthew Cerrone. Click below to hear it.
By Tim Dierkes | at
ESPN’s Buster Olney has a bunch of new info in today’s blog.
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, the Giants are considering making an offer to C.C. Sabathia. It’d be more than $100MM but far less than $140MM. I imagine the Giants are trying to determine how much money Sabathia would leave on the table to come to San Francisco.
There was a lot of talk yesterday about the Giants being a darkhorse for Sabathia; the pitcher’s wife is said to prefer San Francisco.
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mariners have made closer J.J. Putz available. The Mets will talk with the Ms about him at next week’s Meetings, but the Indians and other clubs will likely get involved. It sounds like the Mets would be happy to acquire Putz rather than give four years to Francisco Rodriguez/Brian Fuentes or three to Kerry Wood. Matthew Cerrone has more on the Mets’ bullpen plans here.
Putz, 32 in February, posted a 3.88 ERA in 46.1 innings this year. He struggled with his control, and hits dropped it at an inordinate rate. His average fastball velocity remained around 95 mph despite ribcage and elbow injuries. He’s set to earn just $5MM in ’09 with an $8.6MM club option for ’10. Putz could be a great pickup, as he was flat-out dominant from 2006-07.
Sherman adds that the Rays offered Chad Bradford to the Mets, hoping to move his $3.5MM salary. His salary doesn’t suit the Mets either, though.
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