Nationals Notes: LaRoche, Bourn, Harper
Here's a look at the latest on the Nationals..
- The Nats and first baseman Adam LaRoche are still far apart on hammering out a new deal, tweets Bill Ladson of MLB.com. The 33-year-old would like to return to the Nationals but is also looking to land a three-year deal. Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter) also hears that there hasn't been much movement on a new contract for LaRoche, which would indicate that they are more outfield-focused at the moment.
- With the LaRoche negotiations stalling, the Nats are seriously considering changing course and going after Michael Bourn, tweets Jim Bowden of ESPN.com. The speedster is No. 3 on Tim Dierkes' list of the Top 50 free agents.
- In an interview on 106.7 The Fan, General Manager Mike Rizzo seemed keen on finding a leadoff hitter/centerfielder to allow Bryce Harper to move to one of the corner positions, tweets Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. When asked about what he wants to upgrade, Rizzo said that he will be targeting a "dynamic" player in centerfield (Twitter link).
- The Nationals, along with the Tigers, have benefited from learning how to do business with super-agent Scott Boras, writes Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Boras advised Nats owner Mark Lerner back in 2007 to "lose for a couple more years" and focus on building through the draft rather than spending big on free agents.
Reds To Sign Jonathan Broxton
The Reds and Jonathan Broxton have reached agreement on a three-year deal, the team confirmed. The contract is worth $21MM, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (Twitter links). The deal will pay Broxton $4MM in 2013, $7MM in 2014 and $9MM in 2015. It also includes a $9MM club option for 2016 with a $1MM buyout. If the Reds trade Broxton, the guarantee increases to $22MM, with the 2016 option becoming a mutual option with a $2MM buyout. The Jet Sports Management client is ranked 45th on MLBTR's list of top 50 free agents.
Broxton is expected to serve as the Reds' closer, enabling them to shift Aroldis Chapman to the starting rotation. The 28-year-old posted a 2.48 ERA with 7.0 K/9, 2.6 BB/9 and a 53.8% ground ball rate in 58 relief innings last season. Broxton was limited to just 14 games in 2011 but underwent successful arthroscopic elbow surgery in September of that year and had an average fastball velocity of 94.7 mph this past season.
The Reds were also said to be looking at a pair of free agent relievers coming back from injury in Joakim Soria and Ryan Madson. However, Madson was scooped up earlier today by the Angels when the two sides agreed to a one-year deal.
Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com first reported the agreement.
Quick Hits: Liriano, Napoli, Wright, Royals
The Twins have had conversations with Francisco Liriano's representatives, a source with knowledge of the talks tells LaVelle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune. The two sides are expected to meet next week during the winter meetings but General Manager Terry Ryan is keeping mum on potential targets for the club. Here's more Tuesday night linkage..
- The Rangers did not meet with Mike Napoli today, despite previous reports to the contrary, according to Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram. However, the club is set to meet with the catcher tomorrow. Earlier today it was reported that Napoli appears to be the Red Sox's top free agent target.
- Ken Davidoff of the New York Post (Twitter links) reached out to David Wright after his comments earlier tonight to MLBTradeRumors. The third baseman indicated that he was displeased with the public nature of his contract negotiations. "I wish I could elaborate but it was important to me from the very beginning that these negotiations remain confidential and private. I plan on sticking to that. Sorry I can't comment any further," said Wright.
- The Royals have discussed Wil Myers in trades for Rays right-hander James Shields and Red Sox left-hander Jon Lester, but Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports points out that the two hurlers aren't exactly equal. The two are owed similar money through 2014 ($24.625MM for Lester and $21MM for Shields) but Shields has been much stronger in recent years.
AL East Notes: Yankees, Red Sox, Mauer, Reynolds
A look at the latest out of the American League East..
- We learned earlier today that the Yankees have not had serious talks with Ichiro Suzuki yet about a possible return and Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News adds that the club has yet to make an offer to any position player.
- The Red Sox inquired on Joe Mauer in September, October, and November and were repeatedly told by the Twins that he would not be traded, tweets Peter Gammons of MLB.com. If the Twins did have a change of heart, they would still have to work around the catcher’s full no-trade clause.
- The Orioles have had absolutely zero talks with Mark Reynolds on a new deal for next year, tweets Britt Ghiroli of MLB.com. Meanwhile, Executive Vice President Dan Duquette says that they’ll be exploring a new deal with him between now and Friday, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com (via Twitter).
NL East Notes: Ruiz, Phillies, Wright, Dickey
Earlier today, Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz was suspended for 25 games in a violation of the league's performance-enhancing drug policy. In a phone interview, General Manager Ruben Amaro said that he doesn't think that the suspension will prevent future negotiations on a contract extension, according to Matt Gelb and Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Amaro also said that the club may look at other catching options, but it won't be a frontline piece. We learned earlier tonight that the Phillies signed Humberto Quintero to a minor league pact, but the deal was apparently reached before the news on Ruiz was known. Here's more out of the NL East..
- A lucrative contract extension between the Mets and David Wright could come with significant deferrals, similar to previous deals for Johan Santana and Carlos Beltran, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Earlier tonight, Wright and agent Seth Levinson told MLBTR that they are dissatisfied with today's slew of reports on his negotiations.
- A Mets source told Mike Puma of the New York Post (Twitter links) that a contract extension for R.A. Dickey would "almost definitely" eliminate the possibility that he is traded this offseason. Dickey said in an interview this morning that talks are progressing between him and the club.
- Left-hander John Lannan is expected to be non-tendered by the Nationals and William Ladson of MLB.com (via Twitter) opines that he would be a solid fit for the Mets.
Minor Moves: Quintero, Orr, Phillies, Bramhall
We'll keep track of tonight's minor moves here..
- The Phillies signed catcher Humberto Quintero to a minor league deal, according to Jim Salisbury of of CSNPhilly.com (via Twitter). The veteran will be in the mix for backup catching depth in spring training. Quintero was cut loose by the Royals in July and finished out the year with the Brewers' Triple-A affiliate.
- The Phillies also re-signed second baseman/third baseman Pete Orr on a minor league deal, according to Salisbury (via Twitter). Orr played in 35 major league games last season and hit .258/.314/.354 in 81 Triple-A games.
- The Nationals signed left-hander Bobby Bramhall to a minor league pact, according to Bill Ladson of MLB.com (via Twitter). The 27-year-old posted a 3.17 ERA with 8.7 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 30 minor league outings for the Marlins organization last year.
David Wright: Reports Are Inaccurate
Mets third baseman David Wright offered commentary on the slew of reports from earlier today regarding his rumored contract negotiations, telling MLBTR, "I have said from Day 1 that I want to play my entire career with the New York Mets. I remain hopeful that goal can be achieved. However, I am disappointed by the reports that I have read today which are inaccurate," said Wright.
Nothing is imminent, agent Seth Levinson explained to MLBTR: “Discussions with the Mets are ongoing. We don’t anticipate a deal any time soon. However, things can always change. I will not characterize the negotiations or comment on the accuracy or inaccuracy of what is being reported," Levinson said.
Wright finished out the 2012 season with a .306/.391/.492 batting line and 21 home runs in 670 plate appearances.
Zack Greinke Rumors: Tuesday
Yesterday, we learned that the Dodgers have started asking about Zack Greinke and the rival Angels already view them as their biggest threat to sign the hurler away. Here's the today's news on the right-hander with the latest up top..
- One person involved in the talks believe that Greinke's deal will eclipse C.C. Sabathia's seven-year, $161MM deal, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
- The Angels are now unlikely to retain Greinke, sources tell Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com. The Halos still don't have a No. 3 starter in support of Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson but according to one person familiar with their plans, "It won't be Greinke." The Angels were once the frontrunners to sign Greinke, but they appear unwilling to shell out the kind money that it will require.
- Meanwhile, the Dodgers are considered the frontrunners for the right-hander according to a source familiar with the negotiations, tweets Jim Bowden of ESPN.com. However, nothing is completed between the two sides.
Pirates, Mariners Interested In Russell Martin
Free agent catcher Russell Martin is receiving significant interest from the Pirates and Mariners, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The Yankees remain the favorites to sign Martin, but it appears that they'll have to duke it out with the Bucs and M's in addition to the Rangers.
Interest from the Pirates and Mariners makes sense as Pittsburgh has a glaring need at the position while the Mariners are looking for offense at a variety of spots, including catcher. The Mariners have Jesus Montero and John Jaso, but Montero is likely to see more time at DH next season.
Rosenthal writes that the Rangers in particular pose a significant threat to the cost-conscious Yankees who are looking to get under the $189MM luxury tax threshold by 2014. However, the Bombers might be willing to stretch for Martin if it requires about $2MM more than they would like to spend.
East Notes: Yankees, Wright, Mets, Orioles, Hamilton
While the Yankees get a lot of flack for stockpiling veterans, Joel Sherman of the New York Post doesn't believe that having an older team is inherently problematic. Older players can often clog things up for promising young players but in the Yankees' case, veterans are actually helping the club stall for time as they wait for Michael Pineda or Manuel Banuelos to bounce back from arm surgeries. Here's more out of the AL and NL East..
- Ken Davidoff of the New York Post writes that the Mets can't overspend on David Wright or R.A. Dickey just to satisfy fans. The Mets are understandably more open to a contract extension for Wright than they are for Dickey and the third baseman's value is much easier to peg. Wright and the Mets can start from the Nationals' deal with Ryan Zimmerman (six-years, $100MM) while there's no easy comparison for a 38-year-old knuckleballer at Dickey's level.
- Orioles Executive Vice President Dan Duquette told Jim Bowden of SiriusXM (via Twitter) that the club should not be expected to go after "high ticket" acquisitions this winter and doesn't see them doing anything as major as the Blue Jays' mega-deal. The O's have been mentioned as a player for Josh Hamilton but ESPN.com's Buster Olney recently cautioned that they're not expected to be overly aggressive in their pursuit of him.
- However, the Baltimore exec wouldn't completely rule out a play for Hamilton or Zack Greinke, Bowden tweets. However, it doesn't seem like they plan on being serious contenders for either free agent given their financial constraints and Duquette's other comments in the interview.
- Also from the SiriusXM interview (transcript provided by Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com), Duquette discussed Friday's deadline to offer arbitration to Mark Reynolds. "If we bring back Mark Reynolds, that will help our ballclub," Duquette said. "If we don't bring back Mark Reynolds, I know we have some people in-house that are very capable of doing that job." On Thanksgiving, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes named Reynolds a non-tender candidate.
Edward Creech contributed to this post.