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Six Teams Interested In Nick Swisher

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FRIDAY: In addition to the Rangers and Mariners, the Orioles, Phillies, Giants, Braves, and Nationals all have some level of interest in Swisher, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Several clubs are willing to offer three years, and Heyman estimates an annual salary in the $11-13MM range.

THURSDAY: The Rangers, Mariners and three other teams have "serious interest" in free agent Nick Swisher, reports Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News (via Twitter). Unsurprisingly, Swisher plans to reject the Yankees' qualifying offer and look for a long-term contract on the open market.

Swisher would have earned $13.3MM for 2013 had he accepted the Yankees' one-year qualifying offer, and in rejecting the deal, New York can now earn a compensatory draft pick if Swisher signs elsewhere. The Yankees extended qualifying offers to three of their free agents: Swisher, Rafael Soriano (who will decline) and Hiroki Kuroda.

Swisher has averaged 27 homers and an .836 OPS over the last seven seasons, thus making him in high demand amongst teams looking for power and help at first base or right field. Swisher was reportedly looking for a Jayson Werth-esque seven-year/$126MM contract, a number that might be hard to find unless it were to come from a team that may need to overpay to attract a top free agent hitter. The Mariners could be such a team, though they hope moving in the fences at Safeco Field will help.

The Rangers would likely use Swisher primarily at first base, though they could also have a hole in left field should Josh Hamilton leave in free agency. (ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that the Red Sox also value Swisher for his versatility.) Swisher's three unknown suitors probably don't include the Yankees, as there is reportedly little chance of Swisher returning to New York.

Mike Axisa contributed to this post.

Minor Moves: Red Sox, Orioles

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We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here..

  • The Red Sox agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Terry Doyle on a minor league deal, according to Chris Hatfield of SoxProspects.com.  The 26-year-old last pitched for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks of the Japanese Pacific League after four seasons and change in the White Sox system.
  • The Orioles have re-signed outfielder Lew Ford to a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com (via Twitter).  The Orioles outrighted Ford to Triple-A Norfolk last Friday.  The 36-year-old .331/.390/.550 with 11 homers in 62 games for Norfolk last season.

Rosenthal On Hamilton, Hart, Pagan, Indians

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Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports spoke with agents and rival executives about where Josh Hamilton might land and the Nationals, Phillies, Mariners, and Orioles often came up in conversation.  The Phillies would appear to be a stretch for both financial and baseball reasons, but two industry sources say the club is quietly checking in on him.  It was reported earlier this week that the O's are targeting Hamilton but Rosenthal would be surprised if owner Peter Angelos, who emphasizes that his GMs find him players with a history of good conduct, can be talked into it.  Here's more from Rosenthal..

  • The Brewers are discussing a new deal with first baseman/right fielder Corey Hart.  The 30-year-old is seeking a three-year extension but the Brewers might prefer to give him two more years while increasing his 2013 salary.  Hart is under contract for one more season at $10MM.
  • Giants GM Brian Sabean expressed confidence that the team would re-sign free agents Angel Pagan, Marco Scutaro, and Jeremy Affeldt.  Meanwhile, sources say that other teams are more aggressive than the Giants on Pagan right now.
  • It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Indians trade Shin-Soo Choo, Asdrubal Cabrera, Chris Perez, and Justin Masterson, all of whom have two or fewer years of control remaining.  However, catcher/first baseman Carlos Santana, signed for four more years, is more likely to stay.

Duquette On Free Agency, Second Base

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The Orioles will pursue offense this offseason, with a particular focus at designated hitter and left field, according to executive VP Dan Duquette. In a conversation with MLBTR at the GM Meetings Duquette said he has the flexibility to pursue free agents who require long-term commitments.

“Sure. We can consider some multiyear deals,” he said. “I believe that our team, though, has a solid foundation. We could add one or two pieces either through trade or free agency or international free agency in the offseason to help our ballclub.”

Duquette focused on the international market in his first offseason with Baltimore, signing Wei-Yin Chen and Tsuyoshi Wada to multiyear deals. The Orioles aren’t as impressed with the starting pitching available internationally this year, Duquette said. At the very least, they’ll check in on the top players.

Duquette said he likes the team’s internal options at second base, especially after adding Alexi Casilla. Robert Andino, Brian Roberts and Ryan Flaherty are alternatives in Baltimore, according to Duquette.

AL Central Links: Willingham, Butler, Tigers, Cabrera

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Here's the latest from the home of the American League champion Tigers….

  • The Twins might not receive much more than a No. 4 starter in exchange for Josh Willingham, an AL executive tells Phil Mackey of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities Radio.  "There's no doubt Josh has a very good contract, but I really doubt a team would trade a viable starting pitcher for a guy with a strong bat but who is limited defensively," the executive said.  "It's a lot easier to find a left-field or DH-type than to trade a good starting pitcher for one and then have to backfill the rotation spot."  The 33-year-old Willingham is owed $14MM through 2014 and posted an .890 OPS last season, but another AL executive says Denard Span is a better trade chip for Minnesota.
  • The Orioles have asked the Twins and Royals about Willingham and designated hitter Billy Butler, reports MLB.com's Paul Hagen.  Both the Twins and Royals are desperate for pitching and while the O's have some good young arms, I don't think Baltimore has the pitching depth to spare in either the majors or minors.
  • The Tigers want to keep backup catcher Gerald Laird but he will probably leave for a team that will give him more playing time, tweets Danny Knobler of CBS Sports.
  • The Tigers are generally active early in the offseason, though FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi (Twitter link) thinks this won't be the case this winter as the club's plans were pushed back by their World Series appearance.
  • Jeff Gordon of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch sees Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera as a good trade target for the Cardinals, and he suggests a few young Cards prospects who could go to Cleveland in exchange for the All-Star.

AL East Links: Orioles, Red Sox, Sizemore, Yankees

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The Blue Jays have pulled off a trade, a signing, and a DFA today, all before lunch time where the GM Meetings are being held in California. Here's the latest from the AL East…

Managerial Notes: Rockies, O’s, Showalter, Blue Jays

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The latest managerial news..

  • Last night it was reported that Walt Weiss and Matt Williams are the two remaining candidates for the Rockies' managerial job with bench coach Tom Runnells and slugger Jason Giambi out of the running.  However, Rockies General Manager Bill Geivett says that Giambi is still in play, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post (via Twitter).
  • Geivett also said that there won't be a decision tonight but he expects one to come soon, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
  • The Orioles intend to negotiate a contract extension with Buck Showalter, sources tell Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.  Owner Peter Angelos has told people connected to the team that he will look to extend Showalter's deal beyond 2013. 
  • The Blue Jays are after a manager with experience and they have reached out Mike Hargrove, but talks do not appear to have progressed, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. 
  • Toronto is confident that they'll find a strong candidate with previous experience, meaning that Sandy Alomar Jr. and Tim Wallach won't be in the picture unless they have a serious reversal, Rosenthal tweets (Twitter links).

Orioles Targeting Josh Hamilton & Cody Ross

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The Orioles were a surprise contender this year and now it appears they might be a surprise big spender in the offseason. Baltimore is targeting Josh Hamilton and Cody Ross for their left field job, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.

Hamilton, 31, would add major left-handed thump to a lineup that already features Nick Markakis and Chris Davis. He also wouldn't have to play center field thanks to Adam Jones. Ross, 31, would complement Jones as a right-handed power hitter and would come considerably cheaper. He's reportedly seeking three years and $25MM while Hamilton figures to demand nine figures.

AL East Notes: Ross, Yankees, Orioles

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The Blue Jays aren’t going to rush their managerial search, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reported yesterday. Here’s the latest on the rest of the AL East, on the day before the GM Meetings begin in California…

Steve Tolleson Elects Free Agency

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We'll keep track of players who reject their outright assignments in lieu of free agency tonight right here…

  • Steve Tolleson has elected free agency after rejecting the Orioles' outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com (on Twitter). The 28-year-old Tolleson appeared in 29 games for the O's this season and hit .183/.227/.310 in 76 plate appearances. A fifth-round pick by the Twins in 2005, Tolleson has a career .287/.365/.408 triple slash line in 345 Triple-A games. He has extensive experience at second base, shortstop and third base.
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