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Rivera, Posada, Lowell To Hit Open Market?

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Brian Cashman was unable to reach an agreement with either of his big-name free agents tonight.  Both Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada will hit the open market despite receiving improved offers from the Yankees.  Rivera hinted that he could follow Joe Torre to the Dodgers.  That seems an unlikely way for the Dodgers to spend $40MM+.

Honestly I thought the Yankees would extend themselves to get both deals done by midnight tonight.  I’m surprised to see this pair hit the open market, where any team is liable to overpay.  Peter Abraham speculates that Posada might require four years, $56MM, because that’s what Mike Lowell wants.

Speaking of Lowell – the Red Sox don’t seem willing to stretch to add that fourth year.  They’re still negotiating, so maybe something creative can be done before Lowell starts fielding offers from other clubs.

More On Mike Lowell

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Michael Silverman has a little detail on Boston’s three-year offer to Mike Lowell: it’s between $12-15MM per season.  It’s all guaranteed, and it doesn’t seem to be a "take it or leave it" offer, but they won’t add a fourth year.  So it’s for $45MM on the high end.  If you agree with Jon Heyman’s 4/52 prediction, Lowell would be leaving a minimum of $7MM on the table.

Silverman adds that the Red Sox won’t go nuts trying to replace Lowell with a big name if things don’t work out.  They figure that if Kevin Youkilis can win a Gold Glove at first, he might be adequate at third base.  They peeked their head in on Miguel Cabrera and balked at the price of Jacoby Ellsbury and Clay Buchholz.  Joe Crede might be someone for the Sox to consider. 

The Yankees, Angels, and Phillies will be in on Lowell if he can’t come to an agreement with Boston.  However, Phils GM Pat Gillick has stated his focus is pitching rather than third base.

Rockies Rumors: Helton, Holliday, Matsui

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Troy E. Renck is at it again, with another column updating us on the Rockies’ hot stove situation.

  • Todd Helton isn’t going anywhere, for multiple reasons.  His current $16.6MM salary is less frightening due to playoff revenue, and he’d be unlikely to approve a trade since his current team is already a winner.
  • As Renck reported earlier this week, the Rox will offer Matt Holliday a four-year, $60MM deal to buy out two years of free agency.  Holliday, a Scott Boras client, seems unlikely to accept anything like that.
  • Why would the Cubs be willing to overpay for Kaz Matsui with a three-year deal?  Surely the Cubs know Matsui has hit .256/.305/.370 away from Coors since joining the Rockies?  I don’t buy the speed angle – promote Eric Patterson, then.  I don’t buy the "make Fukudome comfortable angle" – sign a Japanese reliever, then.  The Rockies are fine moving on from Matsui and Yorvit Torrealba if their offers are beat.
  • Renck says Michael Barrett has drawn interest from six clubs so far, the Rockies one of them perhaps.  The Marlins could be another.
  • The Phillies won’t be going after Brian Fuentes now that they have Brad Lidge, but they weren’t pursuing him before Lidge anyway.  After the dust settles on Francisco Cordero and Mariano Rivera, the Tigers, Red Sox, Mets, and Yankees are expected to look at Fuentes.  The Rockies’ demand is aggressive for one year of the closer – a #3 starter and a decent reliever.
  • Matt Herges will look for a two-year deal; otherwise he’ll accept the Rockies one-year offer.
  • Javy Lopez is attempting a comeback!

Orioles Notes: Crisp, Burnett

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The always-informed Jeff Zrebiec has a few Orioles tidbits for us.

  • The Orioles didn’t engage in conversations with agents for any free agents during the GM meetings – just trade talks with other teams (about 15 total).
  • President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said that he’s open to trading with other teams in the AL East.  He just wants the best deal. 
  • With that in mind, two Yankees who interest the Orioles are Melky Cabrera and Kyle Farnsworth.  The Yankees could employ Miguel Tejada at third base, if he’s willing.
  • The O’s could have some interest in Coco Crisp, though he’s not atop their list.  But they do need some kind of center fielder.
  • The team’s ears perked up at the availability of A.J. Burnett, even though he makes no sense for them.

Odds and Ends: Lowell, Sabathia, Polanco

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I’m going to start up a catch-all Odds and Ends post for smaller rumors and notes today.  Refresh to see it grow.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Andruw, Rowand, Castillo

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Ken Rosenthal has cranked out another rumor-filled column.  A summary is below.

  • The Marlins are insisting on Howie Kendrick in a Miguel Cabrera deal.  The Angels are understandably reluctant.
  • The Nationals could sign Andruw Jones long-term if they felt it was a bargain – say, $13MM a year.  The Giants, White Sox, and Padres may be in the mix as well.  Hmmm, White Sox and Boras?  And if Scott Boras changes his tune and hunts for a one-year "rebuild value" contract for Jones, the Red Sox could get involved. 
  • The Phillies think Aaron Rowand will end up getting a 4/52 contract, though Rosenthal expects him to get the fifth guaranteed year.  It’s previously been reported that Rowand is looking for a six-year, $84MM deal. Yikes.
  • Aside from the Astros and Mets, the Indians, Padres, and Dodgers could get in on Luis Castillo.  In the Tribe’s case, it would involve a scenario where Jhonny Peralta was dealt.
  • Interesting note on Curt Schilling’s $2MM in weight incentives – the target weights are aggressively low, and the weigh-ins will be done randomly.  So, no cheating the system.  By the way, isn’t it ridiculous that one Cy vote gets him $1MM?  Sportswriters have given out single votes on a whim for much dumber reasons.
  • The Red Sox are apparently asking a lot for Coco Crisp, more than the Twins are ready to give up.
  • The Indians and Brewers have an excess of starters.  Names that could hit the market include Cliff Lee, Dave Bush, and Chris Capuano.  The Nationals have their eye on Lee.  He came up as an Expo through Double A.
  • The Nationals might be able to get something good for outfielder Ryan Church.  In general, Jim Bowden desires a young MLB-ready starter like Kevin Mulvey or Kevin Slowey.

Miguel Cabrera Trade Rumors

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For up for auction: two years of Miguel Cabrera.  Who’s going to place a bid?  The latest buzz from Joe Capozzi is that the Dodgers, Angels, Giants, Yankees, Red Sox, and White Sox are all after him.  A deal could happen at the Winter Meetings from December 3-6.  The needs for the Marlins are starting pitching, third base, catcher, and center field.  They want three players.

  • Dodgers: Capozzi’s source says they’re "making a big push" for Cabrera, after calling about him last summer.  This could even involve a package deal with Dontrelle Willis.  The names being thrown around: Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Andy LaRoche, Chad Billingsley, Clayton Kershaw, Scott Elbert, and Jonathan Meloan.  I can’t see the Dodgers trading Billingsley; he’s integral to the 2008 team.  Dodgers side note: Bill Shaikin names Kosuke Fukudome as someone the Dodgers are monitoring.
  • Angels: Capozzi says Cabrera could be the Angels’ alternative if they fail to sign Alex Rodriguez.  Bill Shaikin speculates on Brandon Wood, Nick Adenhart, and Mike Napoli/Jeff Mathis/Hank Conger.  I’d make that deal.  However, Ken Rosenthal says Howie Kendrick would be a requirement. 
  • Giants: Cabrera could be their new Face of the Franchise, but it’s tough to see this happening without Tim Lincecum or Matt Cain.
  • Yankees: Joe Girardi managed him with the Marlins and speaks highly of him.  The Yanks have already touched base about Cabrera with the Fish.  It sounds like the Yankees will trade Melky Cabrera, but are very reluctant to trade Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, or Ian Kennedy.  I could see them relenting on Kennedy.  Capozzi mentions their second tier of prospects – Alan Horne, Humberto Sanchez, Ross Ohlendorf, and Jose Tabata.  Nah.
  • Red Sox: Any big name, the Yankees and Red Sox have to at least check in.  If the Sox somehow don’t retain Mike Lowell, they could move on to Cabrera.  The price is said to be Jacoby Ellsbury plus Jon Lester or Clay Buchholz.  I don’t see the Red Sox doing it.
  • White Sox: Ozzie Guillen is friends with Cabrera and sure, the White Sox love him.  Any package would have to start with Josh Fields, but I’m still not sure they have the goods even if they add Lance Broadway and Gio Gonzalez to the package.
  • Indians: Capozzi doesn’t mention them, but Paul Hoynes says they’ll inquire.  The Tribe has some expendable guys but a deal might have to start with Adam Miller.

Rangers Rumors: Kinsler, Laird, Padilla

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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

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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

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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.

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