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Perrotto’s Latest: Dye, Jenks, Werth, Madson

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THURSDAY: David Lennon of Newsday talked to a source who said there’s "nothing there" in regard to the rumor of a Dye and Jenks to the Mets blockbuster. Joel Sherman talked to a few Mets officials who called the rumor nonsense.  Sherman says Martinez is "all but untouchable."

WEDNESDAY: Let’s dig into the latest column from John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus.

  • Perrotto speaks of whispers of a possible White Sox-Mets blockbuster.  The Mets would receive Jermaine Dye and Bobby Jenks and the White Sox would receive Fernando Martinez among others.
  • Regarding the Orioles’ possible involvement in a trade that would send Jake Peavy to the Cubs, Perrotto says Baltimore seeks Ronny Cedeno and Felix Pie from Chicago.
  • Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has spoken to outfielder Jayson Werth and setup man Ryan Madson about contract extensions.  Madson might be a tough one as he’s represented by Scott Boras (who recently compared him to Mariano Rivera).  Both players are under team control for one more season.
  • The Red Sox are considering free agents Willie Bloomquist, Jay Payton, and Mark Loretta as possible bench additions.  A return to Boston seems to be Payton’s preference.
  • Perrotto believes the only player seriously considering accepting arbitration is Darren Oliver.  Oliver’s already seen the Reds drop out of the mix due to the draft pick price.
  • Perrotto says the Tigers and Orioles are showing interest in Jack Wilson, while the Dodgers have backed off.

Mariners Sign Russell Branyan

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THURSDAY: We didn’t mention this yesterday – Branyan gets $1.4MM on his one-year deal.

WEDNESDAY: According to Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune, the Mariners signed infielder Russell Branyan to a one-year deal.  Branyan, 33 later this month, hit .250/.342/.583 in 152 plate appearances for the Brewers this year.  It’s hardly an impact signing, but Branyan’s still a solid pickup as long as he doesn’t face lefties.  The Mariners seemingly plan to give Branyan near-regular playing time.

Pirates Get Last Crack At Mientkiewicz

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Dejan Kovacevic talked to free agent first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz recently.  Mientkiewicz seeks a starting job, even while admitting, "I’m everybody’s B and C plan.  If the two guys they want to sign get hit by a truck, then they think about me." 

The 34 year-old hit .277/.374/.379 in 334 plate appearances while playing an above average first base.  He earned $1.075MM.  The Pirates want him back, but in a utility/clubhouse leader type role.  Pirates president Frank Coonelly said today, "We are working hard to convince Doug that returning to the Pirates is an outstanding opportunity for him."  Out of gratitude to GM Neal Huntington for giving him a shot this year, Mientkiewicz will give the Pirates a call before he signs anywhere else. 

Kovacevic also has an update on the Jack Wilson trade talks.  He says the Bucs are focused on the Dodgers, seeking Chin-Lung Hu and Delwyn Young.  Ken Rosenthal wrote earlier today that the Dodgers’ talks for Wilson "remain stalled," while John Perrotto said L.A. "backed off."

Giants Sign Renteria?

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11:24pm: Henry Schulman says Renteria took a physical for the Giants today and "a deal appears to be done."

9:26pm: Renteria’s (other?) agent Jeff Lane told MLB.com’s Chris Haft, "We’re very close to a deal."

7:51pm: Jon Paul Morosi also talked to Meister, who said the Giants are making "substantial progress" toward signing Renteria.  Henry Schulman gets the vibe the Giants might announce a deal with him tomorrow.

4:49pm: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says the Giants asked the Brewers about J.J. Hardy, but Milwaukee doesn’t want to move him. So Brian Sabean moved on to Cantu.

4:12pm: Brian Sabean told reporters he hopes to sign a free agent infielder later this week.

3:42pm: Jon Heyman chimes in; he also thinks a two-year deal could be completed soon.  Heyman says the Giants have yet to decide whether to target C.C. Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, or Manny Ramirez.  Are we seeing a shift back to the win-now plan in San Francisco?

1:53pm: ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick talked to Renteria’s agent Barry Meister, who said they’re "much, much closer" to a deal with the Giants but "nothing is done."  Crasnick’s source says it could be in the two-year, $18MM range.

12:58pm: According to Yahoo’s Tim Brown, the Giants "believe they are closing in on signing shortstop Edgar Renteria."  Brown also says the Giants have discussed trading Jonathan Sanchez to the Marlins for Jorge Cantu.  That’d be a steal for the Marlins, who plucked Cantu off the scrap heap in January for a half-million bucks.

Brown adds that the Cubs remain in the mix for Jake Peavy, and they have two possible matches for a third team in the deal (the Orioles being one).

Dodgers Starting With Infield

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More from Ken Rosenthal.  The FOX hot stove guru says the Dodgers plan to sort out their infield before worrying about starting pitching.  They can use Blake DeWitt at second or third, but that still leaves them two infielders short.

Casey Blake is the obvious free agent fit at the hot corner; maybe the Dodgers will stretch and give him that third year.  If they miss out on Blake they could always go for Joe Crede.  It doesn’t sound like Ned Colletti plans to sign any of the top three free agent shortstops, while talks have stalled for Jack Wilson.  Just wondering, how about a trade for Miguel Tejada or Jason Bartlett?

Rosenthal sees plenty of starting pitching options for the Dodgers, tossing out names like Randy Wolf and Randy Johnson.  Meanwhile Tom Krasovic says the Dodgers are gathering information on Johnson, Andy Pettitte, and Trevor Hoffman.  Ken Gurnick adds Russ Springer to the mix.  The Dodgers are searching for a veteran who can help the team’s young pitchers.

Rosenthal considers re-signing Manny Ramirez a longshot, meaning the Dodgers may have to turn to another free agent like Adam Dunn to replace his OBP and power.

Twins, Dodgers Lead Charge For Blake

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6:31pm: Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune says the Twins offered Blake a two-year deal worth about $6MM per year with an option for 2011.  Christensen says not to expect a signing tonight.  Jayson Stark wrote earlier today that if the Twins or Dodgers guarantee a third year they’ll get Blake.

9:07am: Casey Blake’s agent Jim McDowell talked to all kinds of outlets yesterday.  In speaking with Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, McDowell said they’re not far apart with the Dodgers or Twins.  The Twins are apparently "within shouting distance" on the years and money.  The Indians seem less interested than the other two clubs; Anthony Castrovince doesn’t see it happening.  Castrovince notes that the Tribe could’ve signed Blake through ’09 a year ago but figured Andy Marte would be ready.

Yesterday Yahoo’s Tim Brown said McDowell’s initial request was $20MM over three years for Blake, more than the Twins want to spend.

Talks Pick Up For Joe Beimel

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Looks like the relief market is starting to move.  MLB.com’s Jason Beck says talks for Joe Beimel have picked up in recent days, with the Tigers one of the remaining clubs.  Darren Oliver’s arbitration offer helped the market for Beimel.

Beck also notes that the Reds "supposedly had not engaged in talks as of Wednesday" for Beimel despite the team’s reported interest.  The Rockies may be in the mix though.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Dunn, Burrell, Manny

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6:16pm: MLB.com’s Mark Bowman says the Braves are not interested in Dunn because they seek a right-handed bat.  Does that rule out Raul Ibanez as well?

1:51pm: The latest from Ken Rosenthal:

  • The Yankees, Rays, Red Sox, and Phillies are pursuing free agent outfielder Rocco Baldelli.
  • Now that Adam Dunn wasn’t offered arbitration, the market is starting to take shape.  The Braves, Mariners, and Nationals are interested, and the Dodgers and Angels consider him a fallback option.  How about Dunn and Russell Branyan in the same lineup?  Rosenthal considers the Yankees another possibility.
  • Teams considering Pat Burrell, who was also not offered arb: the Mariners, Angels, and Giants.
  • Rosenthal considers the Giants a darkhorse for C.C. Sabathia.  Tim Brown says the Giants may be closing in on Edgar Renteria; Rosenthal has the Dodgers and Cardinals as other suitors.
  • The Brewers will need to increase their offer to Sabathia to six years to have a shot. 
  • Rosenthal believes Jason Varitek will accept his offer of arbitration.  He also wonders if Orlando Cabrera could accept.  He expects Ben Sheets to decline (I made an error on this eariler).
  • Rosenthal ponders the chances of Manny Ramirez accepting the Dodgers’ offer of arbitration.  Buster Olney says three GMs wondered the same.  I was under the impression Manny declining arbitration was a condition of his trade.
  • The Cardinals want to add a young starter with upside.  They also may go after a closer like Brian Fuentes or Kerry Wood if prices drop.
  • Rosenthal believes the Reds could discuss a two-year deal with David Weathers.

Red Sox Sign Pedroia To Extension

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5:57pm: MLB.com’s Ian Browne wonders if the Pedroia signing is the first of several.  Will the Sox be able to hammer out extensions with Jon Lester, Kevin Youkilis, and Jonathan Papelbon this winter?

11:33am: Tony Massarotti has the contract breakdown.

11:18am: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Red Sox signed second baseman Dustin Pedroia to a six-year deal worth about $40.5MM.  ESPN’s Peter Gammons was right on this scoop as well.  The deal buys out two years of free agency and also has a club option for 2015.

Rosenthal cites the deals signed by Hanley Ramirez, David Wright, and Ryan Braun as comparables.  Pedroia’s deal covers one pre-arbitration season, all three arb seasons, and two years of free agency.  Ramirez received $54.4MM for the same slice of his career, Wright got $55MM, and Braun received $43.8MM.  Also, Brian McCann gets $37.8MM, Grady Sizemore gets $30.95MM, Evan Longoria is at $31.95MM, Robinson Cano gets  $42.49MM, and Chase Utley gets $55.5MM.  That assumes options are exercised, where applicable.

Stark’s Latest: Sabathia, Furcal, Peavy

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A few notes from Jayson Stark’s latest blog post…

  • Stark believes the possibility of C.C. Sabathia signing with the Giants is alive, and the Giants have talked to the pitcher’s agent.  Such a signing might compel Brian Sabean to remove Matt Cain’s "untouchable" tag, in Stark’s opinion.  Earlier today Ken Rosenthal suggested the Giants were a dark horse for C.C.  Also, Sabathia’s wife Amber prefers the Giants according to George King.
  • The Giants offered three years to Rafael Furcal.  He wants four, so they switched their attention to Edgar Renteria.  The Giants want a shorter-term deal so their own prospects can take over within a few years.
  • Stark notes that the recent Jake Peavy-Cubs rumors do not seem to be coming out of Chicago.  He suggests those talks may not be active, partially because the Cubs are in payroll limbo til their sale goes through.
  • The Twins and Dodgers have two year offers out to Casey Blake.  Whichever team blinks and adds a third year can get him.

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