Odds And Ends: Varitek, Pedro, Sheets
Links for Saturday morning…
- Pedro Martinez isn’t worried that he hasn’t signed yet.
- Jason Varitek says he’s still "exchanging offers" with the Red Sox. Scott Boras and Theo Epstein didn’t comment on the talks, which continue slowly.
- Buster Olney takes a look at the market for Ben Sheets. He says whoever signs Sheets will get a bargain. Some GMs would be impressed if he gets $20MM over two years.
- Nate McLouth isn’t optimistic about his chances of signing a multi-year deal with the Pirates.
- Peter Schmuck thinks the O’s should find a way to sign Brian Roberts to a long term contract.
- The Blue Jays fired assistant GM Bart Given.
- Gordon Wittenmyer breaks down the Cubs’ chances of acquiring Jake Peavy now that the team’s about to change hands.
- Richard Justice writes Randy Wolf should have accepted the Astros’ offer.
Roberts Wants Four Year Extension
According to Ken Rosenthal, major leagues sources say Brian Roberts wants a four year extension if he’s going to stay in Baltimore.
Roberts has had ongoing talks with the Orioles about an extension and they made him an offer earlier in the month. The offer was believed to be for $10MM per season, but only for three years.
A major league source confirmed to Rosenthal that the Orioles have their "ears open" to trade offers including Roberts.
Odds and Ends: Fogg, Jays, Red Sox, White Sox
Links for Friday…
- Corey Brock talked to agent Barry Axelrod about the slow-moving free agent market.
- The D’Backs still have Will Ohman and Joe Beimel on the radar, but Nick Piecoro believes they’d like to add a starter first.
- Red Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino doesn’t want the team’s dealings with Scott Boras for Mark Teixeira to affect other negotiations.
- Josh Fogg hopes to sign soon; possibilities may include the Rockies, Orioles, and Nationals.
- The Blue Jays are currently in talks with a Japanese pitcher.
- Nolan Ryan comments on the free agent market.
- Ed Wade explains his approach to waivers.
- Tony Massarotti projects an Opening Day payroll around $135MM for the Red Sox. Michael Silverman examines Boston’s options behind the plate.
- South Side Sox have the White Sox around $100MM for their Opening Day payroll.
- RotoAuthority lists the hitters projected to earn at least $10 in fantasy value in 2009.
Odds And Ends: Varitek, Markakis, Johnson
Links for Thursday night…
- Curt Schilling thinks the Red Sox need Jason Varitek.
- Buster Olney writes that some executives think Type A free agents like Varitek, Orlando Cabrera and Juan Cruz should sign soon instead of waiting until the season starts.
- Ken Rosenthal proposes a ‘Juan Cruz rule’ so that players like Cruz aren’t the ones hurt by the compensation system.
- Andy MacPhail provides some of the reasons he wanted to lock up Nick Markakis. He has plenty of good ones to choose from.
- Chico Harlan of the Washington Post spoke with Nick Johnson, who "expressed no particular desire" to play in his home state of California.
- Kobe Bryant jokingly suggested that he could play left for the Dodgers instead of Manny Ramirez.
MacPhail On Roberts, Bargains
A few notes from Andy MacPhail from the Nick Markakis press conference today, by way of MASN’s Roch Kubatko.
- MacPhail indicates a willingness to "swoop in" and acquire a free agent at a bargain price if the right opportunity presents itself.
- Talks on a Brian Roberts extension continue. MacPhail said, "The market really hasn’t played itself out," which could be a reference to Orlando Hudson.
Odds and Ends: Prospects, Schilling, Elarton
Links for Thursday…
- Jon Paul Morosi estimates the Tigers’ 2009 payroll at $126.6MM. They were at $137.7 on Opening Day 2008.
- ESPN’s Keith Law ranks the top 100 prospects, with Matt Wieters, David Price, and Jason Heyward topping the list.
- Jack Curry emailed Curt Schilling, learning that the pitcher has been working out for three weeks but hasn’t decided whether to play in ’09.
- Free agent hurler Scott Elarton is also undecided (hat tip to BBTF).
- RotoAuthority wonders if Kenshin Kawakami is a fantasy baseball sleeper.
- Patrick Newman profiles new Cub Ken Kadokura.
- As expected, Oscar Salazar was designated to make room for Gregg Zaun.
Odds and Ends: Prospects, Alfonzo, Zimmerman
Links for Wednesday…
- Cardinals GM John Mozeliak subjected himself to all kinds of questions from fans today in an online chat. It sounds like he might do a little spring tinkering.
- It seems that the Angels will go with internal options for the fifth starter job.
- The Rangers, Rays, and A’s are atop Keith Law’s farm system rankings, with the Tigers, Nationals, and Astros bringing up the rear.
- Orioles infielder Oscar Salazar is likely on the chopping block to make room for Gregg Zaun.
- Kyodo News reports that Edgardo Alfonzo will try out for the Yomiuri Giants.
- Dave Sheinin says Kevin Youkilis is a good comp for Ryan Zimmerman. The midpoint between Zimmerman’s and the Nationals’ arbitration submissions would be a $3.325MM.
- I sincerely appreciate all the submissions for the Saturday evening writer gig. I’m happy to welcome D.J. Blatter aboard as our newest blogger.
Orioles Avoid Arb With Luke Scott
According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles avoided arbitration with Luke Scott by signing him at $2.4MM for ’09. George Sherrill‘s case remains unresolved.
Rosenthal On Roberts, Hudson, Counsell
Let’s take a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal.
- The Orioles have their ears open Brian Roberts, whose trade value has diminished as he nears free agency. The White Sox can’t afford him, the Braves are reluctant to give up talent, and the Cubs didn’t discuss him in the Felix Pie talks. The Roberts market may improve once Orlando Hudson signs.
- Rosenthal’s source says the Michael Young–Jermaine Dye discussions did take place. If you read Dave van Dyck’s article, Ken Williams never specifically denied talks with the Rangers.
- Rosenthal believes that if the Cubs make another big move, it’ll be a Jake Peavy trade. They’re not in on Hudson.
- The Dodgers have roughly $50MM in payroll flexibility right now.
- The Giants may be looking at Manny Ramirez, but they’ve also looked in trades for hitters – "presumably" Prince Fielder or Corey Hart included. Those talks with the Brewers didn’t go far. The Giants may be willing to move Jonathan Sanchez, but the Jorge Cantu talks have stalled.
- So far the Dodgers and Russell Martin have only talked about a one-year deal.
- The Mariners are Brewers are eyeing Craig Counsell.
- The Ms "likely are willing" to trade Aaron Heilman.
Markakis Finalizes Extension With Orioles
fielder Nick Markakis and the Baltimore Orioles have made "real progress" in their contract-extension negotiations in recent days, according to club president Andy MacPhail.
One source told Connolly that the two sides are close to agreeing to a six-year deal worth between $64MM and $66MM in guaranteed money.
Markakis, 25, hit .306 with 20 home runs and 87 RBI in 2008.