Oakland Acquires Jake Fox And Aaron Miles
10:36pm: Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com provides us with a look at the newest Cubs, Ronny Morla and Matt Spencer.
Mayo characterizes Morla as a "solid mid-range" prospect and notes that he has been able to maintain a 93-94 MPH fastball as a starter. He also speculates that he could increase his velocity into the mid-90s if he is moved to the bullpen.
Spencer, meanwhile, is a solid athlete, especially when considering he is 6'4, 225 lbs. He has the versatility to play first base but his strong arm makes him more intriguing as an outfielder. In fact, there was once talk of him being drafted as a pitcher during his time at Arizona State.
5:51pm: Oakland will receive $1MM from the Cubs to help offset Aaron Miles' $2.7MM contract, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun Times (via Twitter).
5:35pm: The other two players in the deal are Ronny Morla and Matt Spencer, tweets Brent S. Gambill of Sirius XM. The Cubs will also give the Athletics cash considerations as part of the deal.
5:18pm: The Cubs have traded Jake Fox and Aaron Miles to the A's for Jeff Gray and two minor-leaguers, according to ESPNChicago.com.
Fox is the more attractive of the two for Oakland, as he has performed quite well in the Cubs' minor league system over the last three years. The 27-year-old took it to another level in '09 when he posted a remarkable slash line of .409/.495/.841 in 45 games for Chicago's Triple-A affiliate. This led to a promotion in late May in which he recorded a .779 OPS with 11 HRs in 241 plate appearances.
Miles disappointed the Cubs with his 2009 performance after receiving a two-year deal worth $4.9MM. The second baseman recorded an atrocious .466 OPS in 74 games.
One wonders if the addition of Fox could mean that Jack Cust's time in Oakland is through, as he may not be tendered an offer.
Mariners Are Frontrunners For Figgins
7:50pm: The M's are the "clear frontrunners" to sign Figgins, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Morosi writes that it is likely that the switch-hitting third baseman will receive a four-year deal in excess of $30MM.
6:06pm: The Mariners are the latest team to join the chase for free agent Chone Figgins, reports Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated (via Twitter). Heyman also notes that the Angels are "still trying."
Figgins, in all probability, would fill the club's void at third base where he turned in a UZR/150 of 18.8 in 2009. Do you think the Mariners should pursue Figgins or find a different, and perhaps cheaper, solution at third?
Cubs And Cards Lead Chase For Padilla?
6:52pm: Matthew Leach of MLB.com says not to read too much into word of the Cardinals considering Padilla, although he is likely of "some interest" to them (via Twitter).
5:25pm: The Cubs and Cardinals are in the lead to sign free-agent hurler Vicente Padilla, according to a report from La Prensa passed along by Diamond Notes.
La Prensa's source for the report is Cesar Batista, who is linked to the agency that represents the 32-year-old. Batista says that formal negotiations will not begin until after the winter meetings. The White Sox, Orioles, Nationals, Braves, Mets, Red Sox, and Dodgers have also expressed interest in the righty.
Mariners Seek Righty Slugger
Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik is in search of a right-handed power bat, writes Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times.
In a conference call with reporters, Jack Z acknowledged the team's need for someone who hits righty, despite Safeco Field's friendliness towards lefties. With their lineup already loaded with left-handed hitters, Zduriencik said that he would be interested in a righty, but declined to name names.
Who would make sense for the Mariners on the free agent market or via trade?
Marlins Unlikely To Deal Johnson This Offseason
SATURDAY, 5:26pm: Further squashing rumors of a potential Johnson trade, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports hears from two sources close to the situation that the Marlins have no intention of dealing their ace before Opening Day 2010.
8:41am: ESPN's Buster Olney spoke to some rival executives who indicated that they have not yet been told by the Marlins that Johnson is available.
FRIDAY, 7:18pm: MLB.com's Joe Frisaro warns not to buy into the Johnson trade speculation based on what he has heard (via Twitter).
6:20pm: The Marlins are "very willing" to trade Josh Johnson for the right package, according to John Perrotto (via Twitter). Just a few weeks ago, it seemed as though the Marlins intended on signing the 25-year-old ace to a multi-year deal.
The 6'7, 250 lb righty is arbitration eligible and due for a big raise from the $1.4MM he earned last season. Johnson earned a trip to the All-Star game in his best campaign to date, registering a 3.23 ERA with 8.2 K/9.
With a lackluster pool of available free agent starters, what teams should look to acquire Johnson? What, in your mind, would be right package for the young hurler? Let's hear your thoughts in the comments section.
Rangers Not Searching For Third Baseman
Despite a report earlier today inferring that the Rangers may be considering signing Marco Scutaro to play third base, GM Jon Daniels told Evan Grant of the Dallas News that they are not looking to squeeze out Michael Young:
"We haven't inquired about anyone for 3B and have no plans to," Daniels wrote in an email. "End of story."
While Scutaro is a favorite of manager Ron Washington, the club has no place in the starting lineup for him.
Halladay Would Approve Deal To Yankees
SATURDAY 8:31am: ESPN's Buster Olney hears that Halladay's preferred destinations are the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, or Phillies.
FRIDAY 7:32pm: Roy Halladay would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to pitch for the Yankees, writes Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun, in an article for Slam Sports.
A major league executive told Elliott that he doesn't know where Halladay might end up, but knows that he has told the Blue Jays that he would agree to be dealt to the Yanks. Doc has used his no-trade clause before to prevent being shipped to the Twins and Rangers.
Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos has said that he would not be against trading a player in the American League East if it were the best deal on the table. Should he make an exception in the case of Halladay?
Odds & Ends: Scutaro, Fielder, Bowden
Some links on this Friday evening:
- Daniel Barbarisi of The Providence Journal talks about the Red Sox shortstop search and concludes that Marco Scutaro is their best option. The article mentions a few other possibilities, including Brewers infielder Felipe Lopez. The 30-year-old is coming off of a career year but hasn't played shortstop regularly since 2007, when he posted a UZR/150 of -12.3.
- In a column for CBSSports.com, Larry Dobrow lays out his suggestions for the Brewers this winter. Dowbrow urges the club to lay the groundwork for a Prince Fielder deal and cash in their trade chips, Corey Hart and Mat Gamel.
- Hey American League fans, ever wonder what Jim Bowden would do if he were your team's GM? Well, wonder no more because with the help of his Amazing Technicolor Dreamtie, he lays out the moves he would make for several AL teams for FOX Sports. Amongst other things, Bowden pushes the Yankees to beat Boston to the punch and deal Joba Chamberlain, Brett Gardner, and Ian Kennedy to the Blue Jays for Roy Halladay.
Red Sox Destined To Sign Scutaro?
The BoSox have "virtually no choice" but to sign free agent Marco Scutaro, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Toronto's signing of Alex Gonzalez means that the 34-year-old is now, by default, their most attractive option. There aren't a ton of quality shortstops available via trade either. Unsurprisingly, we've already heard reports this week of strong interest from both parties.
Signing Scutaro would mean surrendering a high draft pick to Toronto as he is a Type A free agent. It could also mean giving the versatile veteran a three-year offer rather than the two-year pact that Boston would prefer.
Is inking MLBTR's eighth ranked free agent worth the price? Are there better – but perhaps less obvious – options out there for the Red Sox?
Odds & Ends: Orioles, Padres, Theriot
Here are some links on an understandably slow Thanksgiving night…
- Baltimore GM Andy MacPhail tells Steve Melewski of MASN Sports that the Orioles are willing to offer a big contract under the right circumstances. MacPhail points out that the club offered $140MM to Mark Teixeira as evidence that they are willing to spend. Given their recent history, do you believe him?
- The Padres are keeping close watch on first round draft pick Donavan Tate, writes Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune. The third overall pick is recovering after undergoing sports hernia surgery in October.
- Despite plans to shift Ryan Theriot from shortstop to second base, Cubs GM Jim Hendry tells Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune that he has faith in the soon-to-be 30-year-old. Theriot has been told to prepare for a shift to the other side of the bag to make room for Starlin Castro. Recently it has been reported that the Cubs are interested in Mets second baseman Luis Castillo.