A.J. Burnett Rumors: Thursday
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.
Odds and Ends: Teixeira, Izturis, Gaudin
Links for Thursday…
- Check out this week’s minor league transactions. Some familiar names were signed.
- The Red Sox officially announced the signing of Junichi Tazawa.
- J.C. Bradbury likes the Dustin Pedroia contract.
- Sox Machine has parting words for Javier Vazquez, whose trade to the Braves was officially announced today. ESPN’s Keith Law tells you all you need to know about the players involved in the deal. Tyler Flowers is the key, Santos Rodriguez the wild card.
- The Rockies’ talks for lefty reliever Joe Beimel continue. In another article, Patrick Saunders looks at the team’s wish list.
- Rob Neyer believes teams are starting to figure out defensive evaluation, creating a weak market for lumbering LF/1B/DH types.
- Jesse Spector spoke to Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski.
- T.R. Sullivan says the Tigers’ talks for Rangers catcher Gerald Laird continue.
- Larry Dobrow offers suggestions to fix the Reds.
- Aaron Gleeman says the Twins have already missed several good opportunities to affordably improve their bullpen.
- Viva El Birdos explains why the Cardinals should’ve offered arbitration to Russ Springer and Braden Looper.
- Lee Jenkins provides insight into Mark Teixeira – the perfect baseball player and ideal Boras client.
- Roch Kubatko says Cesar Izturis remains a strong possibility for the Orioles.
- Fred Claire notes that Jack Zduriencik will always remember Russell Branyan as his first free agent signing. Geoff Baker examines the Branyan signing and the Ken Griffey Jr. idea.
- Paul Sullivan suggests Chad Gaudin is a non-tender candidate for the Cubs. He’s set to get an arbitration raise on this year’s $1.775MM salary.
Royals Rumors: Greinke, Francoeur
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.
Edgar Renteria Signs With Giants
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.
Chat With Matthew Cerrone
Yesterday I chatted about the hot stove with SNY’s Matthew Cerrone. Click below to hear it.
Olney’s Latest: Manny, Peavy, Fuentes
ESPN’s Buster Olney has a bunch of new info in today’s blog.
- Olney continues to wonder if Manny Ramirez and Scott Boras will "wave the white flag" and accept the Dodgers’ offer of arbitration. It could result in a huge one-year salary, and the current market for Manny is not robust. However, Peter Abraham said in July that a condition of Manny’s trade was that he would decline arbitration. Did anyone else write this? Hopefully a journalist will ask Boras about it soon.
- Olney says the Cubs would love to have Adam Dunn in their lineup, but he’s a stretch as a full-time right fielder. The Cubs are willing to sacrifice some defense in right, but how much?
- Could Dunn or Pat Burrell wind up with the Rays on an affordable one-year deal?
- The Cubs and Padres "have a basic framework in place" for a Jake Peavy deal built around third baseman Josh Vitters. Things may pick up after the Cubs’ ownership situation is resolved.
- The Astros don’t have a ton of flexibility to move their high-salaried stars, but Jose Valverde is one they can deal without restriction. He’s due for a nice raise from this year’s $4.7MM.
- Olney suggests the Rockies were wise to trade Matt Holliday when they did, or they might’ve gotten significantly less.
- Olney speaks of "a belief within the Rockies’ organization" that Brian Fuentes could come back on a multiyear deal. The Rockies could trade Huston Street in that case.
- The Braves may push A.J. Burnett for an answer before C.C. Sabathia signs, in case the Yanks miss out on C.C. and come after Burnett.
- Apparently there is "serious tension" between Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski and manager Jim Leyland.
- Olney sees Rafael Furcal signing with the A’s.
Giants Considering Offer For Sabathia?
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.
Mariners Make Putz Available
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.
Perrotto’s Latest: Dye, Jenks, Werth, Madson
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
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.