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Odds and Ends: Tazawa, Young, Kouzmanoff

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Links for Friday.  As always, I’ll update this post with more stuff so refresh later if you’re interested.

Miller’s Latest: Olsen, Willis, Blake

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Here’s a look at the latest from Scott Miller of CBSSports.com.

  • The Braves and Rangers have talked to the Marlins about lefty Scott Olsen.
  • The Red Sox have done background work on Dontrelle Willis, stirring up the Willis for Julio Lugo rumors.
  • The Twins, Dodgers, and Indians have expressed interest in Casey Blake.  Blake’s agent said he anticipates offers ranging from one to three years.

Mets Revamping The Bullpen

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The Mets’ primary focus this winter is to completely revamp their bullpen.  Ken Davidoff and Joel Sherman outline Plan A: free agents.  Names in the mix: Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, Kerry Wood, Joe Beimel, Juan Cruz, and Chad Cordero.  Sherman figures the Mets are in a good position because most of the other big-market teams aren’t looking for a closer.

Plan B: trades.  The Mets have already discussed Bobby Jenks with the White Sox.  J.J. Putz, Huston Street, and Kevin Gregg are the other names.  It all depends on how much young talent Omar Minaya wants to sacrifice.

As a corollary to Plan B, the Mets want to ship out Pedro Feliciano, Aaron Heilman, and Scott Schoeneweis.  They hope to clear payroll and/or bring in other relievers in these trades.  Davidoff says Heilman has plenty of admirers.

Another note from Sherman – the Mets "could be interested" in Jason Varitek if the price comes down but Varitek doesn’t re-sign with Boston.  In another article, Davidoff lays out Plans A, B, and C for both the Mets and Yankees.

Red Sox Rumors: Crisp, Lugo, Burnett, Baldelli

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Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe has the latest on the Red Sox.

  • GM Theo Epstein says there’s one deal he might be able to do before the winter meetings, possibly involving Coco Crisp or Julio Lugo.  The free agent market for center fielders and shortstops is weak this year.
  • Cafardo doesn’t believe the Sox are in on C.C. Sabathia or A.J. Burnett, and he says they’re unsure about Derek Lowe.  However, Buster Olney says "there is an expectation within other quarters of the AL East that the Red Sox will get in on the Burnett bidding."  Cafardo does see Boston adding a starter of some kind, possibly a Japanese free agent.
  • Catchers on Epstein’s radar to varying degrees: Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Taylor Teagarden, Jeff Clement, Bengie Molina, and Ivan Rodriguez.
  • Cafardo says the Red Sox are "more than intrigued" by Rocco Baldelli, who could fill their fourth outfielder role if and when Mark Kotsay leaves.
  • Tony Massarotti discusses Mark Teixeira in-depth at his blog.

Tigers Rumors: Pudge, Varitek, Lugo, Thames

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Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press doles out the latest Tigers rumors.

  • How will the Tigers resolve their catching situation?  GM Dave Dombrowski calls an Ivan Rodriguez reunion a longshot, and Scott Boras is asking the moon for Jason Varitek.  The Tigers may not have the goods to swing a trade for Gerald Laird.  Morosi likes the idea of Henry Blanco, but says the Tigers have yet to contact his agent.  Check out the other free agent options here.
  • Morosi considers a bad contract swap for Julio Lugo a viable option for the Tigers.  He notes that Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson have similar commitments. Lugo for Robertson does seem reasonable for both sides.
  • Morosi believes the Tigers match up well with the Reds, who are looking for a power-hitting outfielder.  Magglio Ordonez is the marquee name, but Morosi likes the fit with Marcus Thames.

Latest Red Sox Rumors

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A few notes on the Red Sox…

From Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe

  • Scott Boras met with Theo Epstein about Jason Varitek. Boras is still seeking a deal similar to the one signed by Jorge Posada (four years/$52.4MM).
  • Epstein continues to look at other catchers including Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Taylor Teagarden. Cafardo also notes that the Red Sox could go after a veteran through the trade market like Bengie Molina.
  • Other teams have expressed interest in both Coco Crisp and Julio Lugo, but noted that Lugo would not be part of a deal to the White Sox. Cafardo says the Tigers could be a good match for Lugo if the Red Sox take Nate Robertson or Dontrelle Willis noting they could even eat some of Lugo’s remaining contract.
  • The Red Sox are likely out of the market for CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett.

Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald adds to the Lugo and Crisp rumors.

One executive at the general managers meetings talked to the Sox recently estimated that “five or six” teams have shown a willingness to discuss a deal for Crisp…The line being formed to bid for shortstop Julio Lugo, on the other hand, is not nearly as long – though it isn’t nonexistent.

McAdam lists several teams that could be interested in Crisp, including the White Sox, A’s, Braves and Padres. However, McAdam notes that the Cubs are not interested. He also lists some clubs that could have a need for a player like Lugo, including the Cardinals, Twins, Indians, Tigers, O’s and Giants. McAdam sees the White Sox as the best fit, but notes that they will seek more than Lugo in return for Javier Vazquez or Nick Swisher.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Rangers Rumors: Blalock, Blake, Catchers

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Next up we’ll dig into the latest Rangers rumors, courtesy of Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.

  • The Rangers are expected to pick up their $6.2MM option on Hank Blalock today.  It doesn’t seem that Blalock will spend much time at third base if he’s with the Rangers in 2009.  Instead, he’d play first and DH.  Of course, a trade is possible.
  • The Rangers may look at outside options for third base, and they’ve been in touch with Casey Blake’s agent.  The Rangers have an eye on defense, which might rule out Garrett Atkins.  Grant finds Joe Crede questionable, though he might be a decent fit given his glovework.
  • The focus of the GM meetings for Texas has been shopping catching for pitching.  The main suitors are the Red Sox and Marlins, with the Tigers a fallback.  Names in the mix could include Scott Olsen, Clay Buchholz, Michael Bowden, and Justin Masterson.  Over at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Jeff Wilson profiles the Rangers’ four catchers.

Red Sox Rumors: Bay, Tazawa, Kawakami, Lugo

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Collecting today’s Red Sox rumors and links…

  • Nick Cafardo says the Red Sox did not meet with C.C. Sabathia’s agent and he doesn’t appear to be in their plans.
  • The Sox are eyeing southpaw reliever Billy Traber, according to WEEI’s Alex Speier.
  • Scott Boras believes Derek Lowe would be a good fit in Boston or New York.  Nick Cafardo says Lowe would like to return to Boston, maybe even at a slight discount.
  • Jason Bay’s agents say he’s loving Boston and is open to a contract extension.
  • When asked about the possibility of Manny Ramirez signing with the Yankees, Red Sox GM Theo Epstein basically said it’s not his concern.
  • Otherwise, the theme of Epstein’s comments was flexibility.  Justin Masterson could be a starter or reliever, and Epstein won’t get hung up on acquiring any one player.
  • Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says the Red Sox are heavily involved on Junichi Tazawa, though the Braves and Mariners are after him as well.  The Sox also like Kenshin Kawakami and may have interest in Paul Byrd and Javier Vazquez.
  • Cafardo believes the Mets and White Sox have interest in Julio Lugo.  It would have to be a bad contract swap.  Cafardo adds that the Red Sox view Jacoby Ellsbury as their starting center fielder, and there has been trade interest in Coco Crisp.
  • Boston’s luxury tax threshold for 2009 is $160.5MM.
  • By tomorrow the Red Sox should receive the Jason Varitek book compiled by the Boras corporation.  Boras gave a ridiculous Varitek pitch to the media; click the link for quotes.  Epstein will meet with Boras today to discuss his clients.
  • The Red Sox plan to talk to the Rangers, with Taylor Teagarden, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Gerald Laird as possibilities.  For Teagarden, the Red Sox would probably have to give up Clay Buchholz or Michael Bowden.

A.J. Burnett Rumors: Wednesday

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Let’s talk about free agent starter A.J. Burnett, who expects to receive multiple five-year offers (according to Keith Law).

Russell Martin Available?

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WEDNESDAY: ESPN’s Keith Law says Dodgers GM Ned Colletti was asked whether Martin is available and replied, "No."

TUESDAY: According to ESPN’s Peter Gammons:

Some Dodger officials have spread the word that Russell Martin will either be traded or moved to third base, with a Jason Varitek signing a possibility. Whether or not it actually happens will be interesting to see, but teams looking for catching, like the Red Sox, will do a headfirst dive to get in on Martin, who turns 26 in February.

Martin would have immense value on the trade market as one of the game’s best catchers.  I imagine the Dodgers would ask for Clay Buchholz or Jed Lowrie from the Red Sox.

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