D’Backs Keeping Snyder, Montero
9:01pm: WEEI’s Alex Speier says the D’Backs offered Montero to the Red Sox for Michael Bowden and were turned down.
6:48pm: According to Ed Price, the D’Backs are telling people they plan to keep catchers Chris Snyder and Miguel Montero. They did not like the way the market was shaping up.
Red Sox Rumors: Ortiz, Lyon, Delcarmen
More Red Sox rumors from Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe…
- David Ortiz has 10-and-5 rights, in case you’re thinking up trade scenarios.
- The Sox have interest in Brandon Lyon for a late-inning role.
- Manny Delcarmen narrowly missed arbitration, perhaps a calculated move by the team.
Rafael Furcal Rumors: Tuesday
5:59pm: Kinzer told Rosenthal the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Royals, and A’s are in the running for Furcal, who still wants a four-year deal.
5:34pm: The Red Sox have not contacted Paul Kinzer about Furcal, says WEEI’s Alex Speier.
3:28pm: J.P. Ricciardi confirmed his informational meeting with Furcal’s agent. The Jays would have to move some things around to fit in any significant acquisition.
12:12pm: The Dodgers have made re-signing Furcal their top priority, says Tom Verducci.
12:32am: Though Furcal reportedly rejected an Oakland offer of four years for $35-40MM, GM Billy Beane would not say his pursuit is over.
12:11am: According to Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times, the Dodgers re-opened talks with Rafael Furcal Monday night. They are unwilling to give him a four-year deal.
Red Sox Rumors: Payton, Taguchi, Bard, Paulino
Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald has a few new Red Sox rumors:
- The Sox are not interested in Jay Payton or any Craig Landis client (he also reps Jon Garland). They’re also not in on So Taguchi.
- Josh Bard could be a Plan B or C at catcher. Ronny Paulino has also been discussed.
Red Sox Interested In Pettitte, Pavano, Penny
5:26pm: WEEI’s Alex Speier says that while the Red Sox touched base with Pettitte’s agent, there’s almost no chance they sign him. They also have not had meaningful dialogue for Ben Sheets.
8:30am: Add Carl Pavano and Brad Penny to the starting pitchers under consideration for Boston, according to Nick Cafardo. He says the Marlins are the favorite for Pavano, and the Yankees are still in it. We learned yesterday that the Blue Jays have interest.
12:36am: According to Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox expressed interest in free agent lefty Andy Pettitte. Could Pettitte cross enemy lines in 2009? For now Massarotti says the Red Sox have simply kicked the tires, as they seem to do with most interesting free agents.
Baldelli A Fit For Red Sox?
We’ve all heard the Rocco Baldelli-Red Sox rumors. Today Ed Price says the Sox are wary of Baldelli in that they’ll need their fourth outfielder to be able to play the outfield for significant stretches.
Price adds that the Red Sox still hope to trade Julio Lugo and replace him with a utility infielder.
Jason Varitek Rumors: Tuesday
Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald talked to Scott Boras, who said the Tigers’ acquisition of Gerald Laird actually improves Jason Varitek‘s prospects. Perhaps Boras is implying that the Rangers are now less likely to deal an additional catcher. But it’s still hard to figure out which team would be willing to give Varitek a decent-sized multiyear deal and surrender a draft pick.
Silverman runs through a slew of catchers the Red Sox like. Jack Magruder says they could be a serious player for Arizona’s Miguel Montero.
C.C. Sabathia Rumors: Monday
11:12pm: Clarification of the earlier Colletti stuff from Tony Jackson: "What Colletti actually said was that Sabathia had made the Dodgers aware, not directly but through conversations with third parties, that he had a desire to pitch for them."
10:38pm: Heyman says the Red Sox talked parameters with Sabathia and "perhaps even" made an offer. They’re not expected to beat the Yankees’ offer though.
Jeff Passan offers his take on the Brewers’ angle.
9:26pm: Rosenthal’s source says the Red Sox were just doing their due diligence in meeting with Sabathia. The Sox are focused on Mark Teixeira.
9:19pm: The Giants say it’s "debatable" as to whether they’ll meet with Sabathia. Andrew Baggarly indicates Brian Sabean implied they don’t plan to make a competitive offer to Sabathia.
9:14pm: Brewers assistant GM Gord Ash says Sabathia is not concerned about the makeup of the Brewers’ roster. Doug Melvin does not believe they’d need to be too creative with a contract.
7:26pm: Dan Graziano says Sabathia requested both Yankees meetings, the second of which took place at the pitcher’s room at the Wynn. Sabathia’s left Vegas, and didn’t give the Yanks a timetable.
7:17pm: Bill Shaikin talked to a Giants official who says they’re "definitively" not interested in Manny Ramirez. They are, however, interested in Sabathia.
Abraham notes that Sabathia requested that second meet with the Yanks.
6:19pm: Peter Abraham learned from Brian Cashman that the Yanks met with Sabathia again today.
5:41pm: Sabathia’s meeting with Yankees officials lasted 2.5 hours yesterday, as he gathered information on the team and the city. He told the Yankees he’s not delaying his decision due to a desire to pitch elsewhere; he just wants to gather the facts.
4:32pm: Sabathia apparently told Colletti he wants to be a Dodger? Speaking to reporters, Colletti left it as a "possibility" the Dodgers could get involved.
4:12pm: Doug Melvin deems the opt-out and sixth year chatter "speculation" (despite the reports below and another from Phil Rogers). But after meeting with Sabathia’s agents today, Melvin says the Brewers are still in it. They’ll meet again later in the week.
Also, there’s an article making the rounds where Bill Madden quotes an industry source as saying Greg Genske is "dead as an agent" if Sabathia ends up signing for $120MM.
12:03pm: Joel Sherman says Brian Cashman brought Joe Girardi and Reggie Jackson along for their recent meeting with Sabathia. Privately, the Yanks feel that Sabathia would be entirely invested in New York if he signs with them (despite his West Coast leanings).
11:49am: Jon Heyman has a Brewers update. He says they’re open to adding a sixth year, bringing the total to $120MM (closer to $110MM with deferred money). He also heard an opt-out clause could be added after two years. Heyman says Sabathia hated having Spring Training in Florida, a slight mark against the Yankees.
10:30am: Dan Graziano was told yesterday that the Brewers added a sixth year to their Sabathia offer, but he admits there are conflicting reports on that.
9:33am: Buster Olney says to take it for what it’s worth, but his source says the meeting between Sabathia and the Yankees went "great."
8:44am: According to George King of the New York Post, the Brewers could offer C.C. Sabathia an opt-out clause after three seasons to entice him to sign (similar to the Blue Jays’ deal for A.J. Burnett). At this time, only the Brewers and Yankees have offers on the table for Sabathia. King talked to a source who said in regard to the Giants, "It would have to be a total default position in terms of years and dollars." Perhaps that indicates the Giants can’t really go beyond the Brewers’ five-year, $100MM offer.
Red Sox In Talks For Brian Schneider?
10:59pm: Heyman says "most long-time Red Sox observers believe they will eventually work out a deal to retain Varitek." We’ve already seen multiple teams back away after the Red Sox offered Tek arbitration.
7:47pm: Joel Sherman says the Schneider talks took place several weeks ago. The Mets were planning to replace him with Jason Varitek, until the Red Sox offered Tek arbitration.
6:32pm: According to Dave Sheinin of the Washington Post, two sources confirmed the Red Sox are in trade discussions for Mets catcher Brian Schneider. Schneider is owed $4.9MM in ’09, the last year of his deal.
A.J. Burnett Rumors: Monday
9:57pm: Jerry Crasnick says the Red Sox met with Braunecker today and are "right there in the mix with Atlanta and the Yankees for Burnett."
6:37pm: Dave O’Brien is getting indications Burnett could make a decision this week and not wait for Sabathia. But O’Brien believes it’d take a five-year offer (no vesting option) for him to do that.
6:15pm: Heyman agrees, suggesting a forthcoming Yankee offer for Burnett in the four-year, $64MM range.
5:38pm: Jerry Crasnick and Jayson Stark believe the Yankees want to meet with Burnett’s agent, and may be willing to offer more guaranteed money than Atlanta did. The Braves apparently guaranteed $60MM over four years and added a vesting option. Burnett and Derek Lowe hope to wait until C.C. Sabathia signs.
3:56pm: ESPN’s Peter Gammons says Burnett’s agents feel talks are progressing with the Braves.
11:54am: According to Ken Rosenthal, free agent starter A.J. Burnett talked to former teammate Carl Pavano about the Yankees. Pavano did not steer Burnett away, despite his poor experience.