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A’s Interested In Nick Johnson, Jason Giambi

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3:06pm: Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle has more.  She says the A’s checked in on Johnson a month ago, and they’re looking into multiple first base/DH types that fit the affordable/solid OBP mold.  Slusser believes Jason Giambi remains the A’s top target, assuming he backs off his three-year demand.  She adds that the A’s want to keep Daric Barton and get him back on track.

12:59pm: MLB.com’s Bill Ladson talked to a baseball source who says the A’s received Johnson’s medical records but trade talks have not yet begun.  Ladson’s source added that several other teams have Johnson’s records as well.

9:33am: I missed this nugget in Ken Rosenthal’s column last night, but fortunately DRays Bay found it:

The A’s have requested and received the medical records of Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson, who underwent season-ending wrist surgery last June.

On paper, adding Matt Holliday, Rafael Furcal, and Johnson would transform Oakland’s offense.  Of course, Furcal and Johnson are injury risks.  Johnson is set to earn $5.5MM in ’09 after missing most of the ’08 season.  The asking price for him can’t be terribly high, yet he’s capable of a .400 OBP and would benefit from the chance to DH occasionally.

I initially had a note here about Jim Bowden and Billy Beane matching up in ’03 on the Jose Guillen–Aaron Harang trade, but I just read that Bowden was fired a few days before the deal.

No Agreement Yet For Moyer

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12:01pm: David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News says everyone expects the Phils to re-sign Moyer.  He says not to read into the Lowe/Burnett inquiries; the team has inquired on more than 25 free agents.  MLB.com’s Ken Mandel names six of them: Doug Brocail, Russ Springer, Raul Ibanez, Rocco Baldelli, Jerry Hairston Jr., and Nick Punto.

10:16am: According to Todd Zolecki of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Phillies are still talking to free agent pitcher Jamie Moyer but don’t have an agreement yet.  Moyer apparently wants a multiyear deal.  The Phils recently contacted Derek Lowe and A.J. Burnett to hedge their bets. 

Rockies Rumors: Embree, Shouse, Taveras, Atkins

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Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has the latest on the Rockies.

Manager Clint Hurdle says the Rockies are focused on adding pitching, particularly in the bullpen.  On the radar: Aaron Heilman, Alan Embree, Joe Beimel, and Brian Shouse.  Yesterday Joel Sherman said the Mets balked at the idea of swapping Heilman and Pedro Feliciano for Huston Street.

Renck adds that the Reds and White Sox remain interested in outfielder Willy Taveras.  On November 11th, Tracy Ringolsby said the Reds were not interested in Taveras despite reports.  As for Garrett Atkins, Renck believes the market will take shape after Casey Blake signs.

Rangers Rumors: Byrd, Valverde, Littleton

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We haven’t discussed the Rangers much lately.  Let’s take a look at the latest from MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan (here and here).  Hat tip: The Newberg Report.

  • The interest shown in Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla has been "tentative at best."
  • Rangers GM Jon Daniels wants Clay Buchholz from the Red Sox for one of his catchers, but Sullivan says the Sox made it clear Buchholz is not available under any circumstances.  Sullivan suggests the Sox might be more inclined to trade Justin Masterson or Michael Bowden if they bolster their minor league pitching depth by signing Junichi Tazawa.
  • Sullivan wonders if swapping John Mayberry Jr. for Greg Golson gives the Rangers the outfield depth to trade Marlon Byrd (perhaps because Golson is capable of playing center field).
  • A club official told Sullivan it’s "doubtful" that the Rangers would be interested in Jose Valverde.
  • Wes Littleton has drawn trade interest; he was designated for assignment last week.

Crasnick’s Free Agent Bargains

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ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick lists nine possible free agent bargains in his column today.  A few notes:

  • Randy Johnson is looking for a one-year deal, and his agent says the list of interested clubs is approaching double figures.  The Dodgers may make sense, though Johnson is on the backburner for them.
  • Crasnick speculates that Philadelphia could be a nice fit for Felipe Lopez.
  • Scott Boras seemingly wants a multiyear deal for Joe Crede, as he’s using the Magglio Ordonez contract as a model.  Maybe his new team would have the ability to opt out after the season if Crede hits the DL for back problems again.  Crasnick mentions the Rangers as an interesting fit for Crede.
  • Crasnick talked to execs who see Juan Rivera signing a two-year deal in the $6-8MM range.
  • Also weighing in on free agent bargains: Dave Cameron at FanGraphs and ESPN’s Keith Law.

Shouse Seeks Two Years

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According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, free agent reliever Brian Shouse is looking for a two-year deal.  MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy first reported this on October 30th.  The Brewers want to do one year, and their recent signing of lefty R.J. Swindle may mean Shouse is less likely to re-sign.  The Rockies have discussed Shouse internally, according to Troy Renck.  The Tigers are another possibility.

Haudricourt also notes that Doug Melvin talked to Gabe Kapler but did not make an offer. Melvin may be more focused on lefthanded hitters.  It’s been suggested that the Red Sox could bring Kapler back.

Boras Comments On Garret Anderson

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Agent Scott Boras spoke about his new client Garret Anderson recently to Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times.  Boras says Anderson wants to play every day, and could handle the outfield regularly for an NL club.  He also said Anderson is four years away from 3,000 hits, a reasonable suggestion assuming he’s healthy and effective through his age 37-40 seasons.  Rob Neyer says is this is highly unlikely.  Jerry Crasnick spoke to an NL exec who believes Anderson has two or three years left.

Anderson was "a little surprised and disappointed" the Angels didn’t pick up his $11MM option, but he’s leaving the door open.

Looking Beyond Varitek

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According to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald, a slew of catchers are being shopped to the Red Sox.  Among them: Jeff Mathis, Mike Napoli, Brian Schneider, Miguel Montero, John Buck, Ramon Hernandez, Bengie Molina, Carlos Santana, Kelly Shoppach, Victor Martinez, Jesus Flores, Kenji Johjima, Jeff Clement, Yorvit Torrealba, and the Rangers’ guys.  Silverman says the Braves, Cardinals, and Rays also have catchers available.  It seems that teams are asking for players like Justin Masterson, Clay Buchholz, or Lars Anderson in some cases.

On the Jason Varitek front, Scott Boras told the AP yesterday that he’s had no financial discussions with the Red Sox.  He expects the matter to be discussed after Thanksgiving.  Curt Schilling commented last week about Varitek possibly playing fewer games in 2009, but Boras shot down the idea of a reduced role.

Pettitte Considering Dodgers

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WEDNESDAY: Newsday’s Ken Davidoff talked to a Dodgers official who said it’s unlikely they will sign Pettitte.

TUESDAY: According to Ken Rosenthal, free agent lefty Andy Pettitte spoke to Joe Torre multiple times about the possibility of signing with the Dodgers.  Rosenthal notes that Pettitte has a history of leaving when he doesn’t feel wanted, and the Yankees are taking a laid-back approach toward him this winter.  Still, the Yankees remain Pettitte’s first choice.  Rosenthal does not see Pettitte returning to Houston. 

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