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Orioles Rumors: Baez, Greene, Hernandez

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Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun has a few Orioles notes today.

  • Danys Baez, who hasn’t pitched since 2006, would like to prepare as a starter for 2008.  Andy MacPhail is open to the idea; the Orioles have more open spots in their rotation than their bullpen.  Baez is set to earn $5.5MM in ’09, the last year of his deal.  Starting is where the money’s at, unless you get a chance to close.
  • The Orioles are interested in Khalil Greene, but prefer a long-term solution at shortstop.
  • Nothing new on the extension front for Nick Markakis and Brian Roberts.  MacPhail is probably eyeing the Jake Peavy negotiations closely, as the Cubs be out of the running for Roberts if they acquire Peavy.
  • Zrebiec speculated recently that the Orioles will sign Cesar Izturis to play short and will eat the $9MM owed to Ramon Hernandez to move him.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Holliday, Manny, Swisher, Johnson

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A look at what is being written around the Blogosphere…

  • Cardinals Diaspora would love to see the Cardinals land Matt Holliday but does not think the front office will have the guts to make the move.
  • Oriole Post is not sure the Orioles are truly interested in Manny Ramirez. If there is indeed interest, Oriole Post thinks the O’s should pass.
  • MetsBlog does not see the Mets going after Manny Ramirez even if the Yankees and Angels drop out of consideration.
  • River Ave. Blues makes a case for the Yankees trading for Nick Swisher over signing Mark Teixeira to play first base.
  • Talking Chop argues for keeping Yunel Escobar and moving Kelly Johnson for a power bat.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Latest On Rafael Furcal

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According to Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times, the Dodgers have a two-year deal in mind for free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal.  SI.com’s Jon Heyman recently said their offer was in the two-year, $25-30MM range.  His agent is looking for four years, and says ten other teams have expressed interest.

Heyman believes the Orioles and Royals may be suitors, though Furcal may be out of the Royals’ price range.  The Tigers are out, but the Cubs, Giants, Blue Jays, and A’s are in.

Dodgers’ Offer To Manny: Two Years, $45 Million

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According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Dodgers’ offer to Manny Ramirez is for about two years, $45MM.  Ned Colletti was able to say this is a higher average annual value than Johan Santana because of deferred money in Johan’s deal. 

Heyman says Manny is thinking seriously about other options now, because the Dodgers’ offer is so far below his range.  Scott Boras is still talking about six years.  Heyman’s source believes "fan response" could push the Dodgers to three years, though they may already be willing to up the salary a bit.  The offer is apparently a backloaded deal with a third-year option.

Heyman likes the Blue Jays, Orioles, and Yankees as other suitors, though the Orioles are already pretty much out and Manny is not a priority for the Yanks.

Tons of Scott Boras quotes on the Manny topic, here and here.

Orioles, Reds, Tigers, Jays Interested In Greene

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THURSDAY: Reds GM Walt Jocketty shot down the rumor that he was interested in Greene.  If he adds a shortstop, it’ll be a 0-3 guy.

TUESDAY, 11:21pm: Tom Krasovic adds the Blue Jays to the mix for Greene.  Padres GM Kevin Towers says Greene would likely be traded in a separate deal rather than packaged with Jake Peavy.

7:42pm: The Red Sox and Padres made a point to officially dismiss the idea of Crisp for Greene.

2:59pm: It seems that LaRue was saying both Crisp and Greene are available, not that one was offered for the other.  So, scratch the Crisp for Greene rumor.

11:13am: The Red Sox are offering Coco Crisp for Greene, according to Larry LaRue of The News Tribune.  That’d be surprising, as the Sox don’t figure to be in the market for a shortstop.

8:46am: According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Orioles, Reds, and Tigers are among the teams interested in Padres shortstop Khalil Greene.  GM Kevin Towers admits to having "nibbles" on Greene.

Prior to his self-inflicted broken hand, Greene hit a woeful .213/.260/.339 in 423 plate appearances.  The Padres filed a grievance to recover salary due to the injury, so they’re probably not on the best of terms right now.  Greene did not impress defensively either – he made four fewer plays than the average shortstop.  Greene is owed $6.5MM in 2009, and Krasovic says he turned down a four-year, $29MM offer a year ago.

Seemingly, the Padres would attempt to acquire a shortstop in a Jake Peavy trade if they move Greene.  Yunel Escobar and Ronny Cedeno have been mentioned in rumors. The Reds’ interest in Greene seems to indicate a lack of faith in Alex Gonzalez, presumably next year’s starting shortstop.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Furcal, Bradley, Greinke

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Another day, another Ken Rosenthal column.

  • The A’s have payroll flexibility, and are expressing "strong interest" in free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal.  Bobby Crosby is set to earn $5.25MM in ’09, but it makes sense to upgrade.
  • Contrary to previous reports, Rosenthal says the Tigers are not in on Furcal.  They’ll also pass on Francisco Rodriguez, which was expected.
  • Rosenthal discusses possible fits for Milton Bradley, including the Rays, Rangers, Blue Jays, Mets, Cardinals, and Phillies.  It will be hard to overlook the health risk and give Bradley a three-year deal, especially for an NL club.
  • Rosenthal confirms interest in Khalil Greene from the Orioles and Reds.  The Blue Jays and Tigers have also been mentioned.
  • There’s no way the Phillies can afford Manny Ramirez; a look at their ’09 commitments makes that clear.
  • The Royals hope to sign Zack Greinke and Alex Gordon to long-term extensions.  Rosenthal feels trade discussions could pick up for Greinke if the Royals can’t sign him.  Keith Law said the same yesterday.
  • The Padres will exercise Brian Giles’ $9MM option in the next day or two.

Cubs Rumors: Dempster, Peavy, Sabathia, Hill

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6:05pm: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs are willing to offer Dempster a four-year contract.  This helps their chances, though Dempster’s agent said today "there’s very little possibility he’s going to sign soon with the Cubs."

9:36am: Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times has fresh Cubs rumors this morning.

  • De Luca’s sources describe the Cubs’ interest in Jake Peavy as "limited."  Instead, the Cubs have "deep interest" in C.C. Sabathia.  De Luca also wonders if the Cubs will entertain A.J. Burnett.  Dave van Dyck suggested Derek Lowe could fit.  The Cubs’ payroll room will depend on free agents Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood, plus their ability to move Jason Marquis.
  • Rich Hill’s lost 2008 season killed his trade value.  He’ll be out of options next spring.
  • De Luca’s sources say the Cubs continue to pursue Brian Roberts and Raul Ibanez.  Ibanez would play right field for the Cubs, even though he allowed 18 more bases than the average left fielder this year.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Tex, Furcal, Johnson, Lofton

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Here’s a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

  • If they are to sign Mark Teixeira, the Angels would like to do it quickly.  However, it’s Scott Boras’ custom to let the market develop until late December or so.  It’s possible the Angels change gears on November 14th.  There are other big names to pursue, though none fit as perfectly as Tex.
  • Rosenthal’s worst case scenario for the Yankees: C.C. Sabathia goes to a West Coast team while A.J. Burnett re-signs with Toronto.  The Jays truly are in the mix for Burnett.  ESPN’s Keith Law says Burnett expects to receive multiple five-year offers.
  • The Orioles plan to make serious offers to Teixeira and Burnett.  Still, both are considered long shots for Baltimore.  Another note: the Orioles were one of the teams the Yankees outbid for Sergio Mitre.
  • The Dodgers are considered "a good bet" to re-sign Rafael Furcal.  The Giants have their eye on him if he hits the open market.
  • About ten teams have inquired on Braves second baseman Kelly Johnson.  We had a Cardinals rumor yesterday.
  • The Rangers figure to trade one or two of their catchers, with Gerald Laird a strong candidate to be traded.  The Red Sox and Marlins are looking for catching, though the Rangers are wary of Florida’s Scott Olsen.
  • Rosenthal wonders if Brandon Webb could leave the D’Backs after the 2010 season.
  • Kenny Lofton wants to play in 2009.

Orioles Considering Cabrera, Furcal, Renteria

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According to Roch Kubatko of MASN Online, the Orioles have internally discussed free agent shortstops Orlando Cabrera, Rafael Furcal, and Edgar Renteria.  They’re also considering trade possibilities.  The Orioles’ #5 overall draft pick next year is protected, but they’d have to surrender their second rounder if they sign Cabrera or Renteria.  The market for Furcal will be robust if he doesn’t re-sign with the Dodgers.

Possible names on the trade market: J.J. Hardy, Julio Lugo, Jack Wilson, Khalil Greene, Ronny Cedeno, and Chin-lung Hu.

White Sox Looking To Trade Vazquez?

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The latest on the White Sox…

  • GM Ken Williams wants a younger, more athletic club, but still expects to compete in 2009.  Players such as Chris Getz, Josh Fields, Jayson Nix, Jerry Owens, Brian Anderson, and Clayton Richard could play prominent roles on next year’s team.  Sox Machine offers their take on Williams’ comments.
  • Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times lists Brian Roberts, Coco Crisp, Chone Figgins, and Orlando Hudson as potential Sox targets.  Williams didn’t talk much about his wish list yesterday, suggesting that last year’s openness hindered his progress.  If the Sox sign Hudson, they’ll give their #24 pick in next year’s draft to the D’Backs.
  • Joe Cowley of the Sun-Times says trading starter Javier Vazquez is Williams’ top offseason priority.  Cowley believes Williams could look for an infielder in return.  Vazquez will earn $23MM over the next two seasons, and has a limited no-trade clause to block trades to NL and AL West teams.
  • Also in Cowley’s article – free agent catcher Toby Hall seems likely to re-sign.
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