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Cubs Rumors: Hermida, Bradley, Roberts

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7:24pm: The Cubs met with Bradley last night, according to ESPN Deportes.

5:06pm: Cubs manager Lou Piniella asked Seattle reporters today whether Ibanez can play right field.

2:16pm: The Tribune Company filed for bankruptcy today, but the Cubs were not part of the filing.

1:59pm: Jayson Stark says Ibanez and Abreu rank much higher than Adam Dunn and Bradley on the Cubs’ list.  They’ve checked in on all four free agents.  As for Hermida, the Marlins want more than just prospects and the Cubs may not be able to do that.  Stark adds that the Cubs’ payroll is not frozen – they can temporarily go over budget assuming they can subtract payroll later.

On a related note, Stark talked to a source who described interest in Jason Marquis as not even in nibble form yet.

11:57am: Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald adds more Cubs nuggets.  The Cubs are not looking to trade Mike Fontenot.  However Ronny Cedeno is available and could even be a non-tender candidate if the Cubs can’t find a match.

1:33am: Before trying to complete a Jake Peavy deal, the Cubs want to find a left-handed hitter.  Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times outlines a few targets.

Wittenmyer says Jeremy Hermida is high on the Cubs’ list (they’re not alone).  They’re also eyeing free agent Milton Bradley, who declined the Rangers’ offer of arbitration last night.  Manager Lou Piniella likes Raul Ibanez, and Wittenmyer likes Bobby Abreu.  The Cubs are still fond of Brian Roberts.  They also might consider acquiring a shortstop, which would create a surplus at second base.

The Cubs discussed Khalil Greene with the Padres before he was sent to St. Louis, even though Greene bats from the right side.

Three Teams Interested In Garland

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Mike DiGiovanna spoke to Jon Garland’s agent Craig Landis, who said three teams have expressed serious interest in his client.  The Orioles are in; the Angels are out.  Garland seeks a two or three-year deal, and the Angels had no interest in that.  They were obviously OK with one year since they offered arbitration.

Landis indicated that Garland could still wind up back with the Angels if he can’t find a satisfactory offer elsewhere and decides to settle for one year.

Odds and Ends: Teahen, Mastny, Clement

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Sunday evening links…I will add to this post as needed.

Winter Meetings Previews

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We’ve added a few new Winter Meetings preview to the collection…

  • Yahoo’s Tim Brown runs through plans for all of the American and National League teams.
  • Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post says the Rockies are all about left-handed relief help.  They’ve got several trade chips to work with.
  • Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer has the Phillies covered.  You know the plan: starting pitcher, outfielder.
  • Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reminds us of the Cardinals’ wish list: starter, closer, lefthanded reliever.  Arthur Rhodes would fit, but he’s leaning toward the Reds.  Strauss wonders if John Mozeliak can match up with the Blue Jays to find relief help.
  • The Twins still want to add a shortstop or third baseman according to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, though several options have already been eliminated.  Neal summarizes the players on the radar.  The Twins are also looking for bullpen help.
  • Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune discusses the Padres.  Kevin Towers will keep the Jake Peavy talks going with the Cubs while also searching for a shortstop and veteran catcher.
  • Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reminds us that Peavy and a left-handed hitting outfielder are on the Cubs’ wish list.  The bat comes first, says Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times.
  • Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star says Dayton Moore has already accomplished his main goals, and now looks to replenish his right-handed relief.  The Royals would also like to add a proven middle infielder and seem to have a glut of corner/DH types.
  • Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic and Jack Magruder of the East Valley Tribune analyze the Diamondbacks.  Josh Byrnes seeks a second baseman, left-handed reliever, and pitching in general.  Miguel Montero is the top trade chip.  They have about $10MM to spend, less if Brandon Lyon accepts arbitration.
  • Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News says the Rangers could trade Gerald Laird, Hank Blalock, Kevin Millwood, or Vicente Padilla.
  • Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel talked to Doug Melvin about C.C. Sabathia, who still hasn’t reacted to their offer.  If Sabathia and Ben Sheets leave, Melvin could add two starters.  Melvin also said it’d be too risky to trade J.J. Hardy and start Alcides Escobar at short.  Rickie Weeks has drawn interest, but Melvin would require "a pretty good hitter" in return.  Mike Cameron is a more likely trade chip.  As for the team’s closer search, Melvin doesn’t expect to be in on the big names.
  • Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post says the Marlins probably won’t steal headlines at these Winter Meetings as they did in ’07.  Still, Jorge Cantu, Matt Treanor, and Jeremy Hermida may be dealt.  The Fish have been "actively shopping" Treanor and Hermida.  The Marlins have mild interest in free agents Ivan Rodriguez and Carl Pavano.
  • Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune says Ken Williams has asked the Reds about Homer Bailey.  Could the Reds match up for Jermaine Dye?  The White Sox hope to add more MLB-ready starting pitching and maybe a backup catcher.
  • The Orioles need starting pitching, with a slew of names under consideration according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun: A.J. Burnett, Paul Byrd, Jon Garland, Mark Hendrickson, Braden Looper, Randy Wolf, Kenshin Kawakami, Koji Uehara, Bartolo Colon, and Matt Clement.  The O’s also hope to extend Brian Roberts, trade Ramon Hernandez, and find a shortstop.  They have interest in Adam Everett.
  • Roch Kubatko of MASN Online explains what it’s like for a reporter at the Meetings.

Olney’s Latest: Nationals, Dye, Cabrera

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Buster Olney has an update on his blog. Let’s take a look…

  • The Nationals are looking for a slugger, and have shown a lot of interest in Mark Teixeira. However, if they can’t sign the first baseman, they may turn their attention to Adam Dunn. Dunn would face a tough decision: Does he take what’s likely to be a larger offer from the Nationals, knowing that he’ll be put into a situation similar to the one he had in Cincinnati, playing for a losing team? Or, should he take less money to play for a team that’s more likely to contend, such as Tampa Bay? You can insert your own "he doesn’t like baseball" jokes on this one.
  • The rumors of the White Sox looking to trade Jermaine Dye may be overblown. The Sox would want a good return for Dye, but he’s set to make $11.5MM in 2009, and any team really looking for a corner outfielder can simply call up Dunn or Bobby Abreu.
  • Olney doesn’t expect Orlando Cabrera to accept arbitration. He thinks he’d be better suited getting out of an environment that never proved to be a fit for him, and go elsewhere. Olney names Baltimore as a potential landing place.

Odds and Ends: Red Sox, Rays, Orioles

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A few more links to add to what Coley posted earlier (if I find more links later this afternoon, I’ll just update this post):

  • An assertion that Boston is unlikely to get into a bidding war for any free agent pitcher–that refers mostly to Derek Lowe, A.J. Burnett, and C.C. Sabathia–is buried in this Boston Globe slideshow. It reflects the sentiments heard elsewhere.
  • From Bill Chastain of MLB.com, the Rays are starting MLB’s first baseball academy in Brazil.  East Windup Chronicle has a good analysis of the move. Though it won’t pay off for years, getting in first will give the Rays a head start in scooping up top talent.
  • Bill Ordine and Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun debate how aggressive the Orioles need to be at the winter meetings in Vegas.
  • MLB sources confirm to Ken Rosenthal that several much-discussed free agents are unlikely to accept arbitration, including Jason Varitek, for whom arbitration had been mentioned as a possible solution earlier today. (Key roadblock there: Varitek’s agent Scott Boras.) This also contradicts an earlier report from Rosenthal, which suggested Varitek might accept arbitration.

Sarah Green writes for UmpBump and the Boston Metro.

Orioles Rumors: Uehara, Kawakami, Millar, Tex

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The latest on the Orioles…

  • Dan Connolly and Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun tell us the Orioles plan to meet with the agents for Japanese hurlers Koji Uehara and Kenshin Kawakami at the Winter Meetings.  Lefty reliever Ken Takahashi is also on the radar.
  • The Sun reporters also spoke to free agent first baseman Kevin Millar, who desires a starting gig but is realistic about his chances.  Millar is willing to come back to the Orioles as a part-time player if they’ll have him.  He mentioned the Mariners by name as well.
  • Steve Melewski of MASN Online debates the pros and cons of the Orioles signing Mark Teixeira.

White Sox Rumors: Dye, Cabrera, Roberts

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Let’s catch up on today’s White Sox rumors.

  • Sox GM Ken Williams said, "If I had to guess as I sit here right now, I don’t foresee any other movement with veteran players.  I’ll go to the winter meetings and be in a listening mode [instead of] an aggressive-type posture."  Does that mean Jermaine Dye is staying put?  Difficult to say, but the free agent market does feature plenty of corner outfielders.
  • Sox Machine learned from Williams’ conference call that Orlando Cabrera would be used in a utility role if he accepts arbitration.  Almost sounds like a threat.  More likely, he’d be traded.
  • Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times expects Williams to call the Orioles about Brian Roberts.  Also, he considers the above quote from Williams to be a "head-fake."
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