By Tim Dierkes | at
According to MLB.com’s Jim Street, Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik made an offer to a position player free agent and expects to know more within 24-48 hours. That free agent is not Ken Griffey Jr., though Zduriencik has talked to his agent. Any guesses? One reader emailed wondering if the Ms could be the mystery team for Rafael Furcal.
Alan Embree is also on the radar; he acknowledged that the Mariners were one of ten clubs to express interest with his agent.
By Tim Dierkes | at
8:42pm: Towers gave Tom Krasovic a Peavy update. Towers believes that the Braves’ unwillingness to grant Peavy a no-trade clause remains on obstacle in that potential match. Plus, a Krasovic source wonders whether Peavy would even OK a trade to Atlanta.
Krasovic adds that the Cubs and Padres discussed a 5-for-1 deal, where the Orioles would be involved to route more pitching to San Diego. However, Towers noted the Cubs’ current payroll concerns.
10:35am: Murray Chass snagged a good quote from Padres GM Kevin Towers regarding the Jake Peavy trade talks:
"I would say the Cubs are still in it. Lou said they’re not in it, but their general manager says they’re in it. The Dodgers have bigger fish to fry. That’s not to say they might not circle back later in the winter. Our primary goal is to trade Peavy."
One Cubs source spoke of a "two-year window to win," according to Dave van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune. Chass quotes Towers as seeking established players back for Peavy, which is why the Cubs would need to get a third team involved. Van Dyck says the Cubs hope to hang on to Mike Fontenot and Sean Marshall.
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to MLB.com’s Marty Noble, the Mets offered arbitration to Type A free agent Oliver Perez. None of their other free agents received an offer, including Type Bs Luis Ayala and Moises Alou. No big surprises here.
By Tim Dierkes | at
8:17pm: Grudzielanek says he’s almost certain to decline the Royals’ offer. Instead of the maximum salary, he wants to play for a contender. He feels he can play for at least two more seasons. Five or six clubs have already expressed interest.
6:36pm: According to a press release, the Royals offered arbitration to second baseman Mark Grudzielanek. This was a somewhat unexpected move, but perhaps the Royals prefer to stick with the middle infield tandem of Grudz and Mike Aviles for ’09. Grudzielanek seems likely to accept the offer, as he could earn north of $4MM.
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to WEEI’s Alex Speier, the Red Sox offered arbitration to Jason Varitek (Type A) and Paul Byrd (Type B). They were both borderline cases, and it seems that either player could go either way on deciding whether to accept. Amalie Benjamin, though, finds both unlikely to accept. What do you think – can Varitek and Byrd find multiyear deals elsewhere?
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, the Braves declined to offer arbitration to John Smoltz today. Smoltz is a Type B, but the Braves don’t want to risk having Smoltz at anything near the $12MM guaranteed he earned this year. The decision was no surprise, and the Braves still hope to re-sign Smoltz if he can pitch.
By Tim Dierkes | at
8:04pm: One of Abreu’s agents, Chris Leible, spoke to Peter Abraham. Though Cashman said he was still engaged with Abreu, Leible says he hasn’t heard from the Yankees once since the end of the season.
4:48pm: According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Yankees declined to offer arbitration to Type A free agents Andy Pettitte, Bobby Abreu, and Mike Mussina (and all other free agents). Peter Abraham and Ed Price may have had this on the web earlier; it was close.
The Abreu decision comes as a surprise; until this morning most believed the Yankees were willing to risk a one-year deal with him to have a chance at the two draft picks. Abreu is certainly more attractive to potential suitors now. Abraham has Brian Cashman saying the Yanks remain engaged with Abreu and Pettitte.
Another note from Heyman: the Yankees have not ruled out signing Manny Ramirez.
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to Corey Brock of MLB.com, the Padres declined to offer arbitration to reliever Trevor Hoffman. Kevin Towers pretty much announced the plan earlier. Hoffman is a Type A free agent, but his new team will not have to surrender a draft pick upon signing him.
By Tim Dierkes | at
The Dodgers’ numerous arb decisions are in, courtesy of MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick. Manny Ramirez, Derek Lowe, and Casey Blake get offers. Joe Beimel, Brad Penny, Jeff Kent, and Greg Maddux (all Type Bs) don’t. The only real surprise here is Beimel, who earned less than $2MM this year and seemed worth the risk.
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Rockies offered arbitration to Type A free agent Brian Fuentes as expected. Fuentes seems a good bet to sign with a team with an unprotected first-round pick, so the Rockies will grab that and a sandwich pick.
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