Cubs’ Payroll Higher Than Expected
According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs CEO Crane Kenney said today that the team’s 2009 payroll exceeds $140MM. The Chicago Tribune’s Paul Sullivan said Kenney wouldn’t give a payroll figure, but his sources indicated it might be in the $140-145MM range. By Wittenmyer’s calculations, the Cubs have about $133MM likely to be committed to the current group.
Wittenmyer adds that the Cubs would be willing to eat as much as $4MM of Jason Marquis‘ $9.875MM salary to move him. If the Cubs were to add Jake Peavy after that, they’d be around $138MM. They could then squeeze in their coveted left-handed hitting outfielder.
Wittenmyer says the Cubs are still interested in Peavy, and talks with the Padres will resume Sunday in Vegas. Ken Rosenthal wrote a day ago that the Cubs were putting the Peavy pursuit on hold until they added the left-handed hitting bat.
Wittenmyer reports that Kenney said he expects the Cubs’ sale to close by Opening Day. Sullivan has Kenney saying it should be done by spring training.
Pirates Eyeing Joyce, Larish For Wilson
According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates are eyeing Tigers players Jeff Larish and Matt Joyce as part of a potential Jack Wilson deal. They could get one of the two as well as a pitching prospect. The $7.85MM owed to Wilson remains an issue; it’s not known how much the Bucs are willing to pick up.
The Tigers have other options, as they plan to meet with Adam Everett‘s agent next week.
Kovacevic adds that the Pirates removed Jason Davis and Raul Chavez from the 40-man roster today, creating two spots for future moves.
Six Suitors For Randy Johnson
Jack Magruder of the East Valley Tribune has the scoop on Randy Johnson‘s suitors. He says the Giants, Dodgers, Brewers, A’s, Rangers, and Cubs have expressed interest in the 45 year-old lefty.
Johnson wants to play for a contender, and also wants to reach 300 wins and 5,000 strikeouts. He could get the five wins he needs in the first half, but it’ll take a full, excellent season for him to rack up 211 strikeouts. Johnson’s agent Alan Nero expects the market for his client to get moving once some of the other top free agent starters sign.
Orioles Rumors: Uehara, Kawakami, Millar, Tex
The latest on the Orioles…
- Dan Connolly and Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun tell us the Orioles plan to meet with the agents for Japanese hurlers Koji Uehara and Kenshin Kawakami at the Winter Meetings. Lefty reliever Ken Takahashi is also on the radar.
- The Sun reporters also spoke to free agent first baseman Kevin Millar, who desires a starting gig but is realistic about his chances. Millar is willing to come back to the Orioles as a part-time player if they’ll have him. He mentioned the Mariners by name as well.
- Steve Melewski of MASN Online debates the pros and cons of the Orioles signing Mark Teixeira.
A’s Out Of Running For Furcal
According to Ken Rosenthal, Rafael Furcal declined the A’s contract proposal of four years in the $35-40MM range. The A’s then told Furcal’s agent Paul Kinzer they’re moving on. Kinzer says the door is still open, but Rosenthal says the A’s won’t raise their offer. The A’s were thought to be Furcal’s most likely suitor after they wined and dined him in Oakland. Rosenthal ponders whether Furcal would be willing to play second base to expand his market.
The A’s will pencil in Bobby Crosby for another year while moving on to free agent targets such as Randy Johnson, Adam Dunn, Pat Burrell, and Jason Giambi.
Zimmerman Extension Talks Likely After Meetings
MLB.com’s Bill Ladson has the latest on the possibility of a long-term extension for Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. Zimmerman’s agent hasn’t had serious dialogue with the Nats since spring training, but talks are likely to occur after the Winter Meetings.
Zimmerman is arbitration-eligible for the first time, but he said in October that he didn’t expect to go to arbitration. He believes they can reach an agreement on an extension. The Nationals were apparently willing to do something in the range of Troy Tulowitzki‘s six-year, $31MM deal, but Zimmerman wanted more.
Tulo will earn $17.5MM over his three arbitration years, $10MM in his first free agent year, and then has a $15MM club option for the second free agent year. Recently-signed Dustin Pedroia got $17MM over his arb years, gave up two free agent years at $10MM per, and added an $11MM club option. There are plenty of models out there; Zimmerman probably does not deserve to be paid as well as Hanley Ramirez or Chase Utley.
Odds and Ends: Rays, Greene, Wigginton
Links for Friday…
- The Rays signed three to minor league deals: Jason Childers, Jeremy Cummings, and Chris Richard.
- I chatted on the phone with Jesse Spector of the New York Daily News yesterday.
- ESPN’s Keith Law suggests the best fits for the top five free agents.
- Dave Cameron thinks the Cardinals did well on the Khalil Greene trade. Viva El Birdos also likes it.
- Richard Justice feels the Astros will trade Ty Wigginton. Maybe the Twins could be a match. By the way, the Astros signed Matt Kata to a minor league deal.
- Rany Jazayerli is happy with Royals owner David Glass.
Tigers Rumors: Everett, Laird, Garcia
5:31pm: The diagnosis for Garcia is just shoulder tightness. MLB.com’s Jason Beck believes he may not sign until after Christmas, because he needs two weeks rest and then hopes to pitch winter ball in front of scouts.
12:32pm: The latest hot stove news involving the Tigers…
- MLB.com reports that the Tigers will meet with Adam Everett‘s agent at the Winter Meetings. The defensively-talented shortstop has other suitors as well.
- According to Jon Paul Morosi, the Tigers have become more aggressive in discussions for Rangers catcher Gerald Laird.
- Former Tiger Freddy Garcia‘s status remains in question as they wait upon his MRI results.
Carpenter Injury Results Shape Cards’ Approach
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
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.