Orioles Rumors

Odds & Ends: Pirates, Cubs, Red Sox, Hawkins

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 19, 2009 at 3:13pm CDT

Some more links to read through as we count down the hours until teams can start serious negotiations with all free agents…

GM Neal Huntington tells MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch that the Pirates won't be spending big on relievers this year: "Our focus is going to be more on the borderline-type guys that may not get $3-4 million or may not even get a Major League contract," Huntington said.
The Cubs probably can't afford Rich Harden or Reed Johnson, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat.
Harden and Erik Bedard appear on Jeff Zrebiec's list of ten free agents the O's might target.
Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun says the O's need at least one middle-of-the-order bat.
The Cubs don't intend to pursue Pedro Martinez this offseason, according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.
David Ortiz tells WEEI.com that the Red Sox can always use more power.
The Astros have already offered LaTroy Hawkins a contract, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.
Peter Gammons of ESPN.com shows that the low-budget Marlins have had a lot of recent success because they're well-run.
Giants GM Brian Sabean hinted that he could approach ownership with creative offers for big-name free agents, according to MLB.com's Chris Haft.

Odds & Ends: Figgins, Holliday, Padres

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 19, 2009 at 10:46am CDT

Some links to read through on Ryan Howard's 30th birthday…

The White Sox would like to add a true leadoff man and are open to bringing back Jim Thome, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin.
MLB.com's Todd Zolecki says the Phillies aren't considered serious contenders for free agent Chone Figgins.
MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez reports that the Marlins may spend on a corner outfielder, a second baseman or a third baseman if they free up some payroll by trading Dan Uggla. Jamey Carroll is one of the many free agents the Marlins would consider.
The Brewers are open to bringing Craig Counsell back, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says tension is rising between players and owners.
MLB.com's Corey Brock wonders if the Padres could bring Mike Cameron back.
Padres fixture Brian Giles won't return in 2010, though he hopes to keep playing.
MLB.com's Matthew Leach reports that the Cardinals will likely add a veteran bat if they don't re-sign Matt Holliday. However, the Cards say they're still hoping to sign Holliday, according to FOX Sports.
Leach expects the Cards to sign a pitcher to a one or two year deal to be the club's fourth starter.
As MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo points out, some of the best free agent signings are the ones that get the least attention.
Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun says there's a good chance the O's sign Pedro Feliz.

Orioles Rumors: Corner Infielders, Hendrickson

By Mike Axisa | November 18, 2009 at 3:14pm CDT

MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez has a bunch of Orioles rumors for us, but unfortunately they're spread out among a half-dozen tweets or so. Here's the goods…

Andy MacPhail said that they've "made no secret about the fact that we're looking for corner infielders."
ESPN's Keith Law notes the team has some prospects coming up at first and third base, but MacPhail acknowledged that they probably aren't ready to contribute yet. Gonzalez mentions the team's two most notable prospects, Josh Bell and Brandon Snyder, will likely get some more seasoning in the minors.
MacPhail also said the team plans to accumulate whatever pitching they can.
Regarding free agent lefty Mark Hendrickson, "We've talked with his [rep], & I think we both have a pretty good understanding of where we are …"
When it comes to trading prospects, MacPhail said "I think we'll be judicious about giving up any of those guys we think are a part of our core future… I would think it unlikely … we gave up a young key part of our future and just got something back that would be a short-term answer."

Angels Notes: Guerrero, Lackey, Oliver

By Mark Polishuk | November 17, 2009 at 8:15pm CDT

MLB.com's Lyle Spencer answered a pile of fans' questions about the Angels' free agents, possible new signings and trade options. Here are some of the highlights…

Spencer "has his doubts" that Los Angeles will re-sign any of its big three free agents (Chone Figgins, Vladimir Guerrero and John Lackey). He thinks the other three AL West teams would be smart to sign Guerrero given that the outfielder is "a prideful man who would have something to prove to his former employer."
If the Angels do dip into the free-agent market, it would be for a starting pitcher. Spencer lists Randy Wolf and former Angel Jon Garland as possible targets, and also says the Halos could wait until midseason to pick up another arm a la their trade for Scott Kazmir last season.
The Angels would "love to keep" free agent reliever Darren Oliver. Spencer thinks Oliver's Type A status will give L.A. the edge in re-signing him since other teams won't want to give up a first-round draft pick for a 38-year-old setup man.
Spencer would re-sign Kelvim Escobar to "an incentives-laden contract" because he thinks the right-hander could have a big season if healthy.
Utilityman Robb Quinlan will likely not be back in Anaheim, and seems to be a better fit in the National League.
Spencer shoots down two suggested trades that would send Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford, respectively, to Los Angeles. He doesn't think San Diego will move Gonzalez for attendance reasons, and thinks Tampa Bay might ask for too much in return for Crawford.
However, a fan-suggested trade of Brandon Wood for Jeremy Guthrie might be mutually beneficial for both the Halos and Orioles. Spencer also calls a proposed Milton Bradley-for-Gary Matthews Jr. swap "an intriguing suggestion," but notes that Matthews still provides more benefit to Los Angeles than Bradley would.

Several Teams Interested In Smoltz

By Mike Axisa | November 17, 2009 at 4:04pm CDT

Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com report that several teams have expressed interest in free agent righty John Smoltz, who is open to starting or relieving. The Cardinals, Dodgers, Mets, Mariners, Astros, Rangers, and Orioles are the among the teams interested in the future Hall of Famer, and some teams inquired about him as a closer.

The 42-year-old Smoltz put up a 4.26 ERA in seven starts with St. Louis after his eight start cameo with Boston. His fastball generally sat in the low-90's, though he did strike out 73 batters in 78 total innings.

Odds & Ends: Phillies, Hendrickson, Sheets, Brewers, Hinske

By Mike Axisa | November 17, 2009 at 11:55am CDT

A few links to start the day…

Andy Martino of The Philadelphia Inquirer tweets that the Phillies will prioritze defensive versatility over power when filling Matt Stairs' roster spot, though Stairs, Miguel Cairo, and Paul Bako are welcome to come to Spring Training on minor league deals.
Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com has an update on the Orioles' negotations with Mark Hendrickson. Last month we learned that Hendrickson hoped to re-sign quickly.
ESPN's Keith Law wrote about players coming off injury, and notes that Ben Sheets is worth gambling on, considering his upside.
Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com say that despite the Brewers' logjam on the infield, a trade will probably not happen "unless some club offers the pitching equivalent of (Mat) Gamel."
David Murphy of The Philadelphia Daily News takes a look at the Phillies' pitching staff to see which free agents may or may not fit.
R.J. Anderson at FanGraphs wrote about free agent (and good luck charm) Eric Hinske, while his blogmate Dave Cameron took a look at some interesting minor league free agents.
Orioles scouting director Joe Jordan took the time to speak with Steve Melewski of MASNsports.com about several of the team's 2009 draft picks.
Buddy Carlyle has joined the Nippon Ham Fighters, according to Kyodo News.
Not only do players truly hit the open market on Friday, but teams must also set their 40-man rosters for next month's Rule 5 Draft that day as well. Dave O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal Constitution writes about a player the Braves may choose to protect, while Erik Hahmann of DRays Bay looks back at Tampa Bay's history in the Rule 5.
Speaking of Morosi and O'Brien, make sure you follow both guys on Twitter!,

Eight Teams Express Interest In Billy Wagner

By Tim Dierkes | November 16, 2009 at 4:21pm CDT

Eight clubs have expressed interest in free agent closer Billy Wagner, according to his agent Bean Stringfellow (Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reporting). Stringfellow generously named five of the suitors: the Red Sox, Braves, Nationals, Astros, and Orioles. The agent says Wagner's Type A status hasn't scared teams off, and that of these five only the Red Sox spoke about a non-closing role. Stringfellow expects multiyear offers, though Wagner turns 39 in July.

The FOX authors speculate on possibilities for the remaining three teams by mentioning the Tigers, Cubs, Mariners, Rangers, White Sox, Rays and Marlins.

Washington's interest in Wagner and Mike Gonzalez makes you wonder if they'll tender a contract to their current closer, Mike MacDougal. MacDougal is due a raise on this year's $2.65MM salary. Perhaps they just like him more for a setup role.

Certainly nothing will happen with Wagner until after December 1st, when we learn definitively whether the Red Sox will offer arbitration.

Odds & Ends: Morillo, Bay, Cabrera, Gonzalez

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 15, 2009 at 9:07pm CDT

Some links to read before the weekend draws to a close…

Juan Morillo, who pitched briefly for the Twins this year, has signed with a Japanese team, according to Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker.
Tyler Hissey of Around the Majors argues that Jason Bay fits best in the American League because of his suspect defense. Bay is a productive hitter, but questions about his ability to play the field may limit his appeal to NL clubs. His agent insists that Bay plays solid defense, but advanced metrics suggest that's not the case.
Here, Hissey argues that the Yankees should consider signing Mike Cameron for a year until Austin Jackson is ready.
Steve Kornacki of MLive.com reminds us that the Miguel Cabrera trade talk is just speculation at this point. It's fun to wonder about, though.
ESPN.com's Buster Olney doesn't think the Padres will face pressure to deal Adrian Gonzalez until next summer, so he doesn't expect them to be in a rush to deal their superstar. Instead, they'll wait to be overwhelmed.
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic predicts where some big-name free agents will sign. He has the Yankees signing Matt Holliday.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Figgins, Halladay, Uggla

By Cork Gaines | November 13, 2009 at 12:50pm CDT

On this date 31 years ago, Red Sox free agent pitcher Luis Tiant signed a two-year, $875K contract with the Yankees. After eight seasons and 122 wins with Boston, Tiant would go 21-17 with the Yankees before finishing his career with the Pirates and Angels. With this year's free agents looking for new homes, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

UmpBump attempts to determine how much Chone Figgins is worth.
The Phrontiersman warns that giving up Cole Hamels is too much for Roy Halladay.
We Should Be GMs analyzes the Phillies roster and suggests some names to fill the holes.
Camden Crazies looks at what Dan Uggla would mean for the O's and what he might cost.
Twins Overlook looks back at the Johan Santana trade and compares the pieces that are left and what the Twins could have gotten from the Red Sox or Yankees.
Nick's Twins Blog thinks Adrian Beltre is the missing piece to the Twins infield.
Dock of the Rays likes the idea of swapping Pat Burrell for Milton Bradley and wonders if throwing in Andy Sonnanstine can entice the Cubs to add more money.
Feeling Dodgers Blue says L.A. needs two pitchers and breaks down the pros and cons of the available talent.
Dodgers Rumors feels Brandon Phillips would fit nicely at second base for the Dodgers.
Blogging Mets breaks down the Mets' needs and is not very optimistic.
The Pinstriper projects the Yankees 25-man roster for next season.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.

Giants, Orioles Pursuing Dan Uggla

By Tim Dierkes | November 12, 2009 at 9:10pm CDT

THURSDAY, 9:10pm: Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports say that while the Orioles and Marlins are discussing Uggla, it might not be a match. The Orioles aren't sure how Uggla would produce in the American League, and may be reluctant to give up young talent for two years of his services. Indeed, check out Andy MacPhail's general comments to Jeff Zrebiec:

"I just don't see us giving up a young and talented player for a short-term fix. If we give up a young and talented player and fill a different position that we thought was a greater need going forward, that would be something we'd consider. But I don't see us giving up somebody we see as a core guy for a one- or two-year guy."

Of course, the Marlins didn't get a ton for Josh Willingham and Scott Olsen a year ago, so maybe the price for Uggla will be acceptable.

WEDNESDAY, 3:04pm: MLB.com's Joe Frisaro believes the Nationals will also show interest in Uggla.

1:19pm: The Giants and Orioles are showing the most interest in Dan Uggla, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Those clubs would move Uggla to third base, a position he hasn't played since 2005 in the minors. The writers add that the Red Sox have inquired, with an eye on using Uggla in left field. Uggla played 20 games in the outfield in Double A in '04. Rosenthal and Morosi add that an Uggla trade would compel the Marlins to retain Jorge Cantu.

Uggla, 30 in March, hit .243/.354/.459 in 668 plate appearances this season as the Marlins' second baseman. He's under team control for two more years, but is due a raise on his $5.35MM salary of '09.

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