By Tim Dierkes | at
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick talked to A.J. Burnett’s agent Darek Braunecker, who says his client will make his opt-out decision prior to the start of Monday’s GM meetings. We all know Burnett is opting out, of course.
Crasnick believes Burnett and Derek Lowe will seek salaries of at least $16MM per year. He names the Yankees, Mets, Rangers, Red Sox, Orioles and Nationals as potential suitors for Burnett. The Blue Jays will remain in the mix as well.
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles are focused on signing Nick Markakis and Brian Roberts to contract extensions. Markakis is under team control for three more years, while Roberts is under contract for 2009 at $8MM.
Zrebiec talked to Orioles president Andy MacPhail, who says the team has talked generalities with both players’ agents. Roberts does not want to talk about a contract once spring training begins. It makes sense for MacPhail to figure out his situation soon, to allow time for trade talks if Roberts cannot be extended.
My guess at possible Roberts suitors if he hits the market: the White Sox, Indians, Cardinals, Cubs, Diamondbacks, and Brewers.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Steve Melewski of MASN Online recently spoke to Orioles president Andy MacPhail about the possibility of spending money in free agency. MacPhail is open to a possible big dollar contract, but he leans toward youth:
Whatever the player and the investment, they have to fit into the strategy of what it is we are trying to achieve as an organization. The likelihood of us signing someone who is 35 is not great. If they are younger and can be helpful to us and their career will be longer with us that just a short-term fix, that’s a whole different story.
MacPhail said he wouldn’t rule out any player, but it’s fair to dismiss the recent Manny Ramirez rumor. The Orioles may look to sign Mark Teixeira or A.J. Burnett, who both have local ties. Tex will be 29 in April, and Burnett will be 32 in January.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Recently I wrote a Cubs Offseason Outlook, where many reasonable acquisition targets were discussed. If the Cubs re-sign Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood, they’ll be limited by payroll unless the salaries of Jason Marquis ($9.875MM) or Derrek Lee ($13MM) are moved.
Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune names his possible Cubs targets: Brian Roberts, Adam Dunn, Jeremy Hermida, Mike Jacobs, Rafael Furcal, Jake Peavy, and Brian Fuentes. Some fun names in there, many of which could only be added if payroll space is created. Dunn would be an interesting choice for a regular right fielder, while Jacobs would represent a downgrade at first base.
The Cubs aren’t likely to add Peavy, especially if they re-sign Dempster. If you’d like to take the speculation to the next level nonetheless, Barry Rozner has ideas at the Daily Herald. With any trade scenario, it is always important to put yourself in the shoes of the other team and ask if it is truly the best deal for them.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Ken Davidoff of Newsday has a new article up discussing possibilities for the Mets’ closer vacancy. He says the Mets will check in on free agents Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes, but remain wary of the price. I’m wondering if K-Rod will have to back off the five year demand if he wants to get multiple serious bidders. Davidoff says the Mets feel that they have the minor league depth to swing a trade for a closer rather than buy one.
Davidoff goes on to speculate that the Mets could look at J.J. Putz, Huston Street, George Sherrill, Joakim Soria, and Kevin Gregg. Gregg would be the easiest to acquire. Not sure why Soria is mentioned here. The Mets had several young players emerge this year who weren’t necessarily highly touted (Dan Murphy, for example). Davidoff says the Mets feel they have more such hidden gems to use as trade chips.
Davidoff also tosses out two more free agent possibilities: Jeremy Affeldt and Chad Cordero. Affeldt is starting to generate buzz as a more affordable closing candidate, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Indians get involved.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Links for Saturday…
By Tim Dierkes | at
Steve Melewski of MASN Online spoke to Orioles president Andy MacPhail, who said he’s had preliminary contract extension talks with Nick Markakis’ agent. Dollar figures have not yet been exchanged. MacPhail added that there are no hard feelings from Markakis’ renewal last year. Locking up Markakis is an offseason priority for the Orioles. They’ll try to buy out all three arbitration years as well as some free agent years.
In March, players such as Prince Fielder, Cole Hamels, and Markakis were renewed at $700K or less. Fielder and Hamels publicly expressed displeasure. Young players who may be renewed next March include Hunter Pence, James Loney, Yunel Escobar, Jeremy Guthrie, Joba Chamberlain, and Tim Lincecum.
By Tim Dierkes | at
3:01pm: Loewen is a Blue Jay, according to the Globe and Mail. The Jays also claimed Bryan Bullington off waivers from the Indians. Loewen talked to Kubatko today about his tough decision.
1:57pm: It sounds like Gaston’s pitch worked – Orioles president Andy MacPhail expects Loewen to sign with the Blue Jays. It’s not about money, but rather Loewen’s lifelong dream to play ball in Canada.
FRIDAY, 10:02am: Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun says Jays manager Cito Gaston called Loewen to sell him on the organization. Elliott says the Mariners and Orioles also want to sign the converted outfielder. Roch Kubatko is convinced Loewen will re-sign with Baltimore.
THURSDAY: Loewen cleared waivers; he’s now a free agent. He’s receiving more interest than anticipated.
TUESDAY: According to Roch Kubatko at MASN Online, the Orioles released Adam Loewen yesterday. Loewen was chosen fourth overall in the 2002 draft.
Loewen reached the Majors and tallied 164 innings, but elbow problems prompted him to reinvent himself as an outfielder this summer. According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles hope Loewen will clear waivers today so they can sign him to a minor league deal. He is out of options, but the Orioles want to be able to send him to the minors. If claimed, Loewen would need to remain on the 40-man roster and would earn $700K. Orioles GM Andy MacPhail doesn’t expect that to happen, nor does he expect Loewen to ink a minor league deal with another club.
By Tim Dierkes | at
SI.com’s Jon Heyman has a new rumor-packed article up.
By Tim Dierkes | at
SI.com’s Jon Heyman talked to "people familiar with the Dodgers’ thinking" recently. One such person told Heyman the Dodgers may offer Manny Ramirez a short term with a very high annual salary, perhaps something like $55MM for two years. GM Ned Colletti has taken this approach in the past with free agents Jason Schmidt, Rafael Furcal, and Andruw Jones.
Heyman’s sources say the Dodgers are "strongly disinclined" to give Manny five or six years. Colletti himself noted the Dodgers don’t have six-year contracts. However, "there are some who believe" Scott Boras won’t even sit down with a team offering four or fewer years. I can see Boras eventually finding a team willing to give four years.
Heyman lists six other potential suitors for Manny: the Phillies, Yankees, Blue Jays, Mets, Orioles, and Rangers. Some of those suggestions are questionable though.
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