Rangers Rumors: Kinsler, Laird, Padilla
Here’s the latest hot stove buzz surrounding the Rangers.
- The team will try again to lock up second baseman Ian Kinsler long-term. It would be a five-year deal, buying out one year of free agency. Kinsler had an inconsistent 2007. He hit .298/.375/.667 with 9 HR in April and .256/.351/.393 thereafter. Nice to see him draw 62 walks though.
- Jon Daniels has had several teams ask him about Gerald Laird and Hank Blalock. He’s not likely to sell low on Blalock. But Laird is getting more costly and the Rangers want to use Jarrod Saltalamacchia full-time behind the plate. He’s only 28 – young in catcher years – and has a cannon for an arm. And while he didn’t hit much in ’07, he’s shown flashes of potential. The Red Sox have checked in on him.
- Daniels admitted publicly admitted that he’s open to trading Vicente Padilla. Might as well not hide it. This could be a fine buy-low opportunity for some team, if they can keep his attitude in check. The Cubs had interest last summer but don’t figure to re-open the discussion.
- The Rangers will look at Japanese options in Kosuke Fukudome and Hiroki Kuroda. They also like Mike Lamb and Ben Broussard. Those all seem like reasonable signings.
Clement Drawing Interest From Padres, Royals
Matt Clement is an interesting rehab project. The 33-year old had rotator cuff and labrum surgery, and was last seen topping out at 87 in September. With the right strengthening work, plus the National League, he could be a nice surprise in 2008.
I’m sure he wants to start, so there wouldn’t be a fit with the Red Sox. Nick Cafardo says the Padres and Royals are in on him so far. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Nationals get involved. I think Clement will land in San Diego with $2-3MM guaranteed and maybe another $3MM in incentives. He came up through the Padres’ system, taking his lumps before being traded for Mark Kotsay. He’s going to have to reinvent himself as a finesse guy with good control. Wade Miller was a somewhat similar case; he wasn’t able to do it.
Heyman’s Latest: Cabrera, Blalock, Bonds
Rumor-man Jon Heyman has some good info from the GM meetings.
- Miguel Cabrera is officially available, as the Marlins have made calls to selected teams describing what they’d want in return. The main contenders for Cabrera are the Red Sox, Yankees, Dodgers, Giants, and Angels. Also, Paul Hoynes suggested this morning that the Indians could be in the mix. You know the drill – it takes 2-3 top flight prospects, at least one of them a blue chip pitcher. Heyman even says Cabrera could be combined with Dontrelle Willis to create the mother of all blockbusters. This package will exceed the one Texas got for Mark Teixeira. Cabrera has two full years left before free agency.
- Heyman names 12 other trade candidates, most of which we’ve discussed before. He mentions under Hank Blalock that the Dodgers and Red Sox have called. Suddenly there are tons of third basemen available.
- Mariano Rivera received a three-year, $39MM offer from the Yankees, about what we expected. He hasn’t responded; he has all the leverage as the best free agent closer.
- The Rangers aren’t interested in Barry Bonds, according to Jon Daniels.
Profiling More Japanese Pitchers
You may have enjoyed a recent MLBTR post called Ranking Japanese Pitchers, written by Aaron and Jackson of East Windup Chronicle. Now they’re back with summaries on four more Japanese pitchers who may come over to MLB for the 2008 season. Kazuo Fukumori, Tsuyoshi Shimoyanagi, Yasuhiko Yabuta, and Yukinaga Maeda were pegged by Nikkan Sports as MLB possibilities. Summaries from Aaron and Jackson follow.
Kazuo Fukumori – Might have emerged as a top-flight closer on a better team, but best years may have been wasted playing for expansion Rakuten Golden Eagles. Still, saved 21 games and was an All-Star in ’06. ERA jumped nearly two runs in 2007, but still saved 17 and maintained a strikeout per inning ratio. Has a formidable slider that tails toward right handed batters. Could emerge as a nice sleeper considering the number of solid closers possibly headed to the U.S. Tampa Bay has been mentioned as being in hot pursuit. [Note: the Red Sox may be in on him as well.]
Tsuyoshi Shimoyanagi – Lefty signed with agent Scott Boras in 2003, but nothing came of it. Had an off year in ’04, but in ’05, his 14th as a pro, had a career year going 15-3 with a 2.99 ERA. Has seen a decline in past two years in ERA, Ks, and wins, while BB/9 has jumped. But despite age has only averaged 95.5 innings per season and could be serviceable as a long reliever/spot starter in a new league. Throws a javelin in the offseason to maintain body/arm balance.
Yasuhiko Yabuta – Yabuta, the right-handed set up man for the Chiba Lotte Marines, is probably best known for striking out A-Rod, Derrek Lee, and Johnny Damon in the 2006 World Baseball Classic. The Chicago White Sox need a set-up man and are rumored to have a strong interest in Yabuta, who has racked up 86 holds and a sub 3.00 ERA over the last 3 years for the Marines despite not panning out as a starter. [Note: the Red Sox are said to have a working agreement with the Marines, also.]
Yukinaga Maeda – The 37 year old left-hander Maeda was given his release by the Yomiuri Giants recently and is planning on making his trip over to the majors. Despite posting dreadful stats over the last several years (ERA’s of 4.65, 7.23, and 5.06 in 2005-2007) and a career W-L record of 78-110, His ’07 season was marked by a series of call-ups and send-downs, and going on 38 years old, it’s hard to see this guy making a huge contribution.
Given the dearth of quality left-handed pitching, a team in need of a left-handed relief specialist might take a gamble on Maeda based on his performance from 1998-2004, split between the Giants and Chunichi Dragons. Then again lefties hit .318 against him in NPB, so I shudder to think what Ryan Howard will do to him given the chance. On that note, Hideki Okajima may soon become the hero for all mediocre Japanese pitchers who get signed to contracts based on the possibility of being the next Hideki Okajima.
Odds and Ends: Glavine, Kent, Kuroda
Picking up some rumors and tidbits that haven’t been otherwise posted during this busy day…
- An Atlanta TV station states that Tom Glavine would take a lot less money to play for the Braves. Also, the Astros have reportedly been in touch with him.
- Joe Torre senses that Jeff Kent will return in 2008. The Dodgers certainly hope so; he led the team with 20 home runs in ’07.
- Trey Hillman took a parting shot at Japanese reporters (hat tip to JapanBall).
- Reliever Masafumi Hirai might come over to MLB. I’ll have to learn more about him.
- Hiroki Kuroda prefers to play on the West Coast because he doesn’t like cold weather. Hmmm, Chicago might not work for him. Kuroda has declared free agency, and the Mariners are interested. There is word here that the Rangers have scouted him as well.
- The Braves are interested in Masahide Kobayashi to close, while the Mariners like him as a middle reliever (link in Japanese).
- There will be no Mike Lowell + A-Rod combo in Boston.
- Luis Gonzalez would like to return to the Tigers, while the team is interested in Cliff Floyd and Shannon Stewart for left field. Ben Broussard may also be on the radar.
- The Rangers also like Broussard, and they’ve contacted Mike Lamb as well regarding their first base vacancy. Lamb could play third if they trade Hank Blalock. Jon Daniels also has Kerry Wood in his sights.
- The Rockies like Shawn Chacon, but only as a reliever.
- Derrick Goold breaks down the options for the Cardinals at shortstop.
- Don’t forget to make an entry in our Hot Stove Hysteria contest. The deadline is November 12th. If you feel the need to edit your entry, just post a new one. They’re time-stamped; your latest entry will be used. A new prize has been added: a fantasy draft kit from Big Dawg Baseball.
Latest Cubs Rumors: Crawford, Crisp, Ibanez
Cubs rumors abound today. Some sensible, some not. Let’s catch up.
- According to Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs want to re-sign Kerry Wood and possibly give him the closer job. Ryan Dempster could be pushed down the reliever totem pole or traded (he makes $5.5MM in the last year of his deal). Dempster has expressed a desire to start in the past, but the Cubs don’t seem keen on it. UPDATE: The Cubs are keen on Dempster as a starter, as Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000 reported today that he will be switched to that role in ’08. Carlos Marmol, Bob Howry, or Kerry Wood will close.
- Rogers also notes that the Cubs will bring Mark Prior back on the condition that he’ll accept an option for the 2009 season. That way they won’t get burned if he does have a useful 2008.
- Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald says the Cubs have interest in trading for Carl Crawford. Problem is, that would require a king’s ransom in young players. Miles adds that the Cubs are serious about Kosuke Fukudome, and signing him would leave the team with plenty of outfielders. Phil Rogers echoes the Fukudome interest, also mentioning that the Rangers and Giants like him.
- Michael Silverman says the Cubs are among several teams interested in Coco Crisp. Within this piece Silverman says the Rangers are in on Crisp and the Red Sox like expendable catcher Gerald Laird.
- Another name on the Cubs’ radar: Raul Ibanez. He makes $5.5MM in the last year of his deal, though he’s a liability in left field. And the Cubs have Alfonso Soriano there already. Larry LaRue also says the Tigers and Indians like Ibanez; the Tribe could offer Aaron Laffey.
- Not sure why, but the Cubs are also interested in free agent second baseman Kaz Matsui. Would the plan be to use him at shortstop? The Padres also have an eye on Matsui.
Red Sox Sign Curt Schilling
UPDATE, AFTERNOON OF 11-6-07: Nick Cafardo agrees that it’s one-year, $8MM guaranteed pending a physical. But the incentives are $3MM based on innings pitched and another $2MM if he meets weight requirements. Embarassing, but a good idea. Also, Schilling himself gets deeper into the details here. The $2MM is based on six separate weigh-ins, and there’s also another $1MM for any kind of Cy Young vote.
UPDATE, MORNING OF 11-6-07: Buster Olney has the details: Schilling signed for $8MM with another $2MM in incentives. Nice job by the Red Sox getting him below market value.
FROM 11-5-07:
According to Rob Bradford of the Boston Herald, Curt Schilling and the Red Sox are close to an incentive-laden one-year contract. When reached for comment, Schilling said "something could potentially get done."
Bradford adds that the Astros, Diamondbacks, and Phillies have all contacted Schilling so far. That’s surprising, because Schilling said today that the Phils hadn’t contacted him. Or at least, Pat Gillick and Ruben Amaro Jr. hadn’t.
The Red Sox would be looking at a 2008 rotation of Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Curt Schilling, Clay Buchholz, and Jon Lester. Given the two kids and the 41 year-old, Tim Wakefield will get plenty of work. This is a very deep rotation.
Rosenthal’s Latest: A-Rod, Posada, Cameron
Ken Rosenthal is back with a column loaded with rumory goodness. Rosenthal’s column is like a drug.
- Rosenthal doesn’t think the Red Sox will just ignore the availability of Alex Rodriguez, especially if someone lures Mike Lowell away with a five-year offer. Rosenthal suggests a shorter term of five-years, $150MM with option years and opt-outs so that A-Rod could have one more payday as he theoretically approaches Hank Aaron’s record.
- Jorge Posada will receive a "monster offer" from the Mets. While the Mets can’t move him to DH down the road, they can put him at first base. I’ve been saying 4/56, but 5/70 isn’t out of the question apparently. Posada wants a four-year deal, and won’t sign with the Yanks without fielding other offers first. Apparently the Marlins and Blue Jays are also in on him.
- The Nationals may be kicking the tires on big names Torii Hunter and Aaron Rowand, but Jim Bowden is also a big Mike Cameron fan. The Nats do seem a reasonable fit.
- The Cubs are also in on Cameron, in addition to Kosuke Fukudome. Rosenthal suggests the Cubs could put Felix Pie in left if they get Cameron.
- Scott Boras client Kyle Lohse is looking for 4-5 years, $10-11MM annually. No surprise there.
- The Royals are looking to add a starter and a reliever, and maybe a closer if they decide to put Joakim Soria in the rotation.
Heyman’s Latest: A-Rod, Atkins, Gagne
SI.com’s Jon Heyman has a new column up. Let’s discuss.
- Alex Rodriguez‘s five possible destinations: Angels, Red Sox, Mets, Giants, Dodgers. That sounds about right. Heyman notes that the Dodgers do not have an advantage because of Joe Torre; he says star players don’t consider managers as a criteria when deciding where to sign.
- Though not mentioned as one of A-Rod’s five potential landing spots, Heyman says the buzz is growing that Mike Ilitch and the Tigers could go after him.
- Heyman says the Rockies will hang on to Garrett Atkins and follow through with the plan to try Ian Stewart at second base. That could mean the end of Kaz Matsui in Colorado.
- How about Eric Gagne to the Tigers? If they are interested, that bodes well for me getting at least 1 of 50 right.
- Johnny Damon for Joe Crede first mentioned in the Chicago Tribune??!! That trade speculation, sir, is MLBTR’s baby. Anyway, Heyman’s source thinks the Yankees could do better for Damon.
Odds and Ends: Fukudome, Burrell, Furcal, Rolen
Two of my favorite local blogs have good hot stove posts for us today as part of Odds and Ends.
- Bleed Cubbie Blue has a Cubs source indicating the Cubs are serious about both Hiroki Kuroda and Kosuke Fukudome. They could be signed quickly and fill team needs. This info jives with the recent info from Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald. While Kuroda recently filed for free agency, he’s open to offers from MLB and Hiroshima.
- South Side Sox has their suggested offseason plan up for the White Sox. I like the idea of acquiring Pat Burrell and/or Rafael Furcal with Type A draft pick compensation in mind.
- Curt Schilling was in Philly to watch the Eagles last night.
- It seems possible that the Nationals could sign Corey Patterson for center field if they can’t get one of the big names.
- La Velle E. Neal III says the Twins and Red Sox have touched base about Coco Crisp. He adds that the Twins and Rays have been having conversations, perhaps in reference to Rocco Baldelli.
- Mike Lieberthal may be on the radar for the Blue Jays.
- Scott Rolen is said to be open to waiving his no-trade clause, but the three years and $36MM on his contract will be a problem.