Rosenthal’s Latest: Furcal, Bradley, Greinke
Another day, another Ken Rosenthal column.
- The A’s have payroll flexibility, and are expressing "strong interest" in free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal. Bobby Crosby is set to earn $5.25MM in ’09, but it makes sense to upgrade.
- Contrary to previous reports, Rosenthal says the Tigers are not in on Furcal. They’ll also pass on Francisco Rodriguez, which was expected.
- Rosenthal discusses possible fits for Milton Bradley, including the Rays, Rangers, Blue Jays, Mets, Cardinals, and Phillies. It will be hard to overlook the health risk and give Bradley a three-year deal, especially for an NL club.
- Rosenthal confirms interest in Khalil Greene from the Orioles and Reds. The Blue Jays and Tigers have also been mentioned.
- There’s no way the Phillies can afford Manny Ramirez; a look at their ’09 commitments makes that clear.
- The Royals hope to sign Zack Greinke and Alex Gordon to long-term extensions. Rosenthal feels trade discussions could pick up for Greinke if the Royals can’t sign him. Keith Law said the same yesterday.
- The Padres will exercise Brian Giles‘ $9MM option in the next day or two.
Law’s Latest: Tazawa, Francoeur, Tigers
Here’s a look at the latest blog post from ESPN’s Keith Law.
- Junichi Tazawa is not free to sign with an MLB team until he finishes a tournament later this month. Law and David O’Brien report that the Braves have made an offer to Tazawa.
- Law is also on board with O’Brien’s statement that Jeff Francoeur‘s name has not come up in trade talks.
- The Indians’ wish list: late inning reliever, an infielder, and a starter. Paul Hoynes discussed the closer situation this morning.
- Law says the Tigers do have money to spend this winter. Yesterday we figured they might have around $14MM to work with.
Tigers Rumors: Gregg, Putz, Ordonez
Tigers beat writer Jon Paul Morosi has been doing a fine job, with new articles here, here, and here. Let’s discuss.
- Morosi reasons that the Tigers’ 2009 closer will come from outside of the organization, probably via trade. His top three candidates: Kevin Gregg, Huston Street, and J.J. Putz. As a free agent after ’09, Gregg would fit nicely with the Tigers’ long-term plans. The Tigers and Marlins have matched up often on trades. However, Morosi notes that Gregg had critical words for Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera, who would become his teammates again.
- Putz would make for a great story, as he grew up in Michigan.
- As you know, Scott Boras doesn’t see a Magglio Ordonez trade as likely. Still, Morosi notes that the Angels would be a fine fit if Mark Teixeira leaves – they could fill all of the Tigers’ needs. Surely Boras would ask for concessions to waive Ordonez’s no-trade clause.
Brown’s Latest: Teixeira, Crede, Friedman
Yahoo’s Tim Brown filed a column late last night; let’s take a look.
- Scott Boras doesn’t know of any kind of contingency where the Dodgers would have to unload Andruw Jones‘ contract before signing Manny Ramirez.
- The Angels have not yet made an offer to Mark Teixeira, but they’ll deal with that situation before moving on to other needs. Boras is suggesting Teixeira pays for himself.
- Boras compared Joe Crede to Magglio Ordonez. I think he is implying that he may seek big money for Crede but allow a team to opt out after a year if he hits the DL for back problems.
- Ken Williams spoke up manufacturing runs, while Billy Beane still prefers walks and homers.
- Rays GM Andrew Friedman doesn’t have a contract, but he isn’t concerned.
Boras Expects Ordonez To Stay
8:04pm: Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press quotes Scott Boras as saying it’s highly unlikely Ordonez will be traded. Ordonez can block trades to all but ten teams.
1:10pm: Jon Paul Morosi talked to Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski, who says there will not be a significant difference in payroll this year. I calculated they’d be over $120MM with the current group, leaving roughly $14MM to spend this winter barring other moves. The needs: catcher, shortstop, bullpen.
Dombrowski will need to be creative, and trading for an affordable closer makes sense. The Tigers are rumored to be in on Khalil Greene as a possible shortstop solution. The catcher market is bleak, so don’t expect much there.
As far as trading Magglio Ordonez, Morosi says the Tigers may consider it if they can fill multiple holes with a trade.
Tigers Eyeing Furcal
According to MLB.com’s Jason Beck, the Tigers will enter the mix for free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal. A one-year deal would be ideal for the Tigers, if Furcal is willing to entertain it. However, Furcal will be the best available shortstop if he reaches the open market.
Cafardo Rumors: Wigginton, Ibanez, Rodney
A few rumors we missed from Nick Cafardo’s Sunday column…
- The Indians would want a young closer type in return for catcher Kelly Shoppach.
- The Tribe has Houston’s Ty Wigginton on the radar as a third base possibility. But then who would play third for the Astros?
- The Yankees have been calling around aggressively, even inquiring on Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman. They’re not available.
- The Mets are said to be eyeing Raul Ibanez for left field.
- The Tigers are dangling setup man Fernando Rodney, hoping to acquire a better closer. Jon Paul Morosi believes the Tigers might aim for a reliever they control for a year or two, as their in-house options should be ready by 2010.
- A conflict might arise with the Angels hoping to sign Mark Teixeira quickly while Scott Boras plans to let the market develop.
NPB Rumors: Tazawa, Iwase, Iguchi
Some Japanese baseball-related rumors, courtesy of Patrick Newman at NPB Tracker:
- Seven teams have surfaced in Japanese media reports as suitors for free agent amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa: the Red Sox, Braves, Mariners, Pirates, Tigers, Cubs, and Phillies. David O’Brien of the AJC says the Braves are "legit players" for Tazawa. The Red Sox are seen as the frontrunner, according to Paul Hoynes. Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald agrees that Boston is in the lead, and adds the Marlins to the mix.
- Reliever Hitoki Iwase will remain in Japan. Shortstop Tomohiro Nioka is a free agent, but may not necessarily come to MLB.
- So Taguchi and Tadahito Iguchi may return to Japan for the ’09 season.
- Saburo Ohmura is a 32 centerfielder with an eye on MLB. Newman tells me he profiles as more of a fourth outfielder.
Odds and Ends: Pudge, Ohman, Manny
Rounding up linkage for Monday…
- The Jays claimed two players off waivers: shortstop Angel Sanchez and pitcher Kelvin Jimenez.
- The Cubs and Nationals swapped minor leaguers. The Cubs sent pitcher Matt Avery to the Nats for another pitcher named Ryan Buchter.
- Good stuff from ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick – he surveyed 15 front-office people on the top stories of the offseason.
- One of a million conversations taking place at the GM meetings: Brian Cashman chatting with Walt Jocketty.
- Tony Massarotti’s top five lies told during free agency.
- Ken Davidoff names his top ten GMs.
- Joe Posnanski on the Mike Jacobs–Leo Nunez trade.
- River Ave. Blues explains why the Yankees should offer arbitration to Ivan Rodriguez.
- The official list of the 191 players eligible for free agency.
- The Braves hope to re-sign free agents Will Ohman, Greg Norton, and John Smoltz. The Smoltz situation may not be resolved until January.
- Tracy Ringolsby lists needs for every team.
- The Tigers signed an independent league lefty named Kris Regas to a minor league deal.
- John Shea says the Giants and A’s will consider the big-name free agent sluggers this winter.
- Padres GM Kevin Towers doesn’t see Manny Ramirez signing until Christmas time. He sees the New York and L.A. teams as suitors.
- Joe Sheehan proposes five radical offseason moves.
- The Cubs signed a couple of Korean players: catcher/outfielder Jae-hoon Ha and pitcher Soo-min Jung.
Phillies’ Offseason Agenda
12:47pm: Scott Lauber has the latest from the Amaro press conference.
- Manny Ramirez seems unlikely as a left field solution. Execs surveyed by Jerry Crasnick felt the same.
- Burrell switched to a Philly-based agent, and talks will begin soon with the Phillies.
- Pat Gillick will remain with the Phillies as a paid consultant.
11:13am: The Phillies locked up Ruben Amaro Jr. as their GM through 2011. Items on his to-do list:
- Left fielder Pat Burrell could be back if he accepts a two-year deal. Otherwise, the Phils will kick the tires on Manny Ramirez, Matt Holliday, and Magglio Ordonez. Jim Salisbury also notes that the Phillies have long liked Rocco Baldelli. They’ve also been linked to Garrett Atkins.
- Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard are in for large raises through arbitration; Amaro may attempt to sign them long-term.
- Salisbury sees free agent lefties Jamie Moyer and Scott Eyre re-signing. Scott Lauber suggests the Phils don’t want to go beyond one year for Moyer, though.
- The team had a $104MM payroll in ’08, and that is expected to increase.
- The Phillies (along with the Tigers and Nationals) have interest in free agent utility man Pete Orr.