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Red Sox In Talks For Brian Schneider?

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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

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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.

Tigers Targeting Wood, Putz

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6:13pm: Yahoo’s Gordon Edes says the Tigers made overtures to Wood, while the Red Sox like the idea of signing him as a setup man.

4:36pm: Geoff Baker says Tigers prospect Jeff Larish has attracted interest from the Mariners in the past.

On the Kerry Wood topic, a thought – now that the Tigers spent only a million bucks on their shortstop, maybe they have more cash to work with for their closer.

1:29pm: According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers are targeting Kerry Wood and J.J. Putz for their closer vacancy.  The Mets are also competing for both relievers.

Also, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick notes that the Tigers considered trading for Angels catcher Mike Napoli before they acquired Laird.  The price for Napoli was too high.  WEEI reports that the Tigers also inquired on Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Taylor Teagarden.  The Tigers decided against Jason Varitek after he was offered arbitration, plus they liked Laird more anyway.  According to WEEI’s Lou Merloni, Varitek continues to seek a multiyear deal and a starting gig. 

Rangers Could Still Trade Another Catcher

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3:58pm: Both Peter Gammons and Ken Rosenthal are saying the Rangers could still trade another catcher (for a young starter).  Gammons cites Salty specifically.

10:48am: WEEI’s Alex Speier takes a look at the market for catching.

  • Dodgers GM Ned Colletti is on record saying he’s "probably not" interested in Jason Varitek.
  • The Red Sox, Reds, Marlins, and Astros continue to hunt for catching.
  • Speier talked to an official who believes the Rangers would have to be overwhelmed to trade a second catcher.  Keeping in mind that Max Ramirez may have to move out from behind the plate, it may make sense to just let Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Taylor Teagarden compete for the job.
  • The Red Sox have talked to the Indians about Kelly Shoppach; the Reds like him as well.  The Indians would want a big league second baseman, third baseman, or closer back for Shoppach.  The Indians have not entertained offers for Victor Martinez.
  • The D’Backs would like a second baseman or pitching for Miguel Montero or Chris Snyder.

Odds and Ends: Shelton, Laird, Baldelli

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Links for Monday – Winter Meetings, Day 1.

  • Check out the minor league signings for the week at Baseball America.  Hey, Jerome Williams to the A’s!  Also, Chris Shelton signed with the Mariners.
  • Funny quote from Scott Boras: "There can be a lot of late-night meetings where you’re in a room and people are falling asleep.  And you’ll have some late-night GMs who want you to drink. I’ll allow them to do it, but I won’t do it. I do have some interesting things written on napkins over the years."
  • Dave Cameron likes the Tigers’ acquisition of Gerald Laird.
  • Buster Olney talked to some agents who believe "the stated concern about the economy is providing a nice cover for Major League Baseball to roll back salaries."  Another note from Olney, he’d be "shocked" if Rocco Baldelli doesn’t sign with Boston.
  • Tony Massarotti makes five recommendations for the Red Sox.
  • David Murphy asks ten questions about the Phillies.

Red Sox Rumors: Bloomquist, Lugo, Varitek

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Red Sox linkage…

  • Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald says the name of Willie Bloomquist continues to be associated with the Red Sox.
  • Silverman says the Sox have been floating around Julio Lugo’s name; no interest yet.
  • Silverman sees the Tigers, Marlins, and maybe Yankees as potential suitors for Jason Varitek.  Scott Boras would have a hard time getting two years, $20MM from any of those teams.  The Marlins or Yanks would have to give up their first-round pick, too.

Varitek, Byrd Decline Arb Offers

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11:51pm: WEEI’s Alex Speier says Type B free agent Paul Byrd also declined Boston’s offer of arbitration.

2:44pm: According to Jon Heyman, Jason Varitek is likely to decline Boston’s offer of arbitration before tonight’s deadline. Heyman writes…

Beyond a few relief pitchers, very few of the 24 players offered arbitration are expected to accept,  but Varitek was seen as a possibility since he made $10.4 million last year and would likely beat that in arbitration, even after a poor season offensively.

The Red Sox greatly value Varitek’s leadership and defense. Heyman points out that a deal could still be reached. It would be strange to see Varitek in another uniform, but it’s looking more and more possible.

Arbitration Decision Rumors

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As you know, 24 free agents were offered arbitration – 15 Type As and 9 Type Bs.  Their decisions will roll in throughout the day, but SI.com’s Jon Heyman spoils the ending – aside from perhaps a couple of middle relievers (Darren Oliver comes to mind), almost everyone will decline.  Nonetheless, let’s gather up some rumors on the topic.

  • Heyman analyzes six players: Jon Garland, Oliver Perez, Paul Byrd, Orlando Cabrera, Jason Varitek, and Ben Sheets.  He doesn’t really see these guys accepting, but their names have at least been raised in baseball circles.
  • Ken Rosenthal has sources saying Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, Sheets, and Garland will decline.  Tracy Ringolsby agrees on Fuentes.
  • Brandon Lyon’s agent Barry Meister admitted that he’ll consider accepting.
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