Rosenthal On Melky, Matthews, Pedro, Ohman
As usual, good stuff from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports…
- Rosenthal says the Yankees are open to moving Melky Cabrera, and opines that the White Sox would be a perfect fit. Trading Cabrera would open up the Yankees' outfield picture for sure, but leave them shakier in center with Brett Gardner and Nick Swisher. Rosenthal also says the White Sox have expressed some interest in a deal to acquire Gary Matthews Jr., assuming the Angels pay "the vast majority of the $33MM remaining on the final three years of his contract."
- Pedro Martinez reached out to the Royals before they signed Sidney Ponson, but KC couldn't afford him. Would Pedro have been a better signing than Horacio Ramirez and Willie Bloomquist? Martinez's friends are telling him his $5MM asking price is unrealistic. Rosenthal says that if Pedro drops it down to $1-2MM, he can probably get the Dodgers and other teams involved.
- The Marlins are looking for relief help. They like Will Ohman but not his $2MM asking price.
- The A's thought they were close to a $1.7MM deal for Joe Beimel before he went to the Nats for $300K more.
- Catcher Ronny Paulino, acquired by the Phillies from the Pirates in December, is available. Rosenthal considers the Marlins a possible fit.
Gary Matthews Jr. Wants Playing Time
Angels outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. spoke to reporters yesterday, resulting in articles in the L.A. Times, MLB.com, and the O.C. Register. Matthews wants to play every day, and admitted to having "candid conversations" with Angels brass. It's not known whether Matthews would waive his no-trade clause, which is full for 2009 and limited to four teams for 2010-11. He's owed $33.5MM for 2009-11, plus another $500K assignment bonus if traded.
Matthews is hitting .412/.500/.941 this spring in 20 plate appearances, which doesn't do much to change the fact that his contract is burden.
Gammons On Matthews, Teahen, Harang, Peavy
12:07pm: John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer asked Reds GM Walt Jocketty about Gammons' Harang note. Jocketty said, "I'm not going to comment on something when he doesn't know what he's talking about."
9:19am: ESPN's Peter Gammons had a new blog post yesterday discussing available players.
- Gammons names Geoff Jenkins ($8MM remaining, limited no-trade), Brian Giles ($9MM remaining, full no-trade), Gary Matthews Jr. ($33.5MM remaining, full no-trade), Marcus Thames ($2.275MM salary), Nick Johnson ($5.5MM salary), Jason Repko, and Jeff Baker as players being dangled. Gammons links Matthews to the Yankees but admits his contract will be an issue.
- Mark Teahen has drawn interest from the Astros, Red Sox, and Yankees.
- Gammons says the Reds "have let teams know that they will wait and see whether they need to move Aaron Harang during the season." It'd be a shame to see the Reds break up that rotation. Harang has about $36MM coming to him over the next three seasons if his 2011 option is exercised.
- Brewers third baseman Bill Hall expects his team to pursue Padres ace Jake Peavy if available this summer. Unlike C.C. Sabathia, Peavy is more than a rental.
Angels Looking to Deal Gary Matthews Jr.?
John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle writes that the Angels "probably would love to move" outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. Entering the third year of of a 5-year $50MM contract, Matthews is currently no more than an "expensive fifth outfielder," according to Shea.
It's a safe bet that Matthews would relish an opportunity to play elsewhere. Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reported on March 16 that Matthews wants more playing time this year. "I don't intend to sit around and play a couple of days a week like last year," Matthews said.
Matthews was expected to miss all of spring training while he recovered from postseason knee surgery. He returned ahead of schedule and is performing well so far, according to Lyle Spencer of MLB.com.
Lackey Not Impressed With Angels’ Extension Efforts
MLB.com's Lyle Spencer talked to Angels starter John Lackey about the pitcher's ongoing extension talks. Lackey said, "They're not trying very hard." Lackey's agent submitted a proposal earlier this week, presumably above A.J. Burnett's $82.5MM over five years.
If Lackey and the Halos don't hammer something out, he'll presumably be the top free agent starter on the free agent market after the season.
Lackey, Angels Continue Extension Talks
John Lackey's agent, Steve Hilliard, met with Angels GM Tony Reagins last week, presumably to discuss a contract extension. Lackey will be eligible for free agency after this season. (Information courtesy of Bill Shaikin with the L.A. Times).
"It's early," Lackey said Tuesday. "I'm supposed to hear something back this week. We'll see. I'm not worrying too much about it. I'm just trying to handle my business."
The 30-year-old Lackey is believed to be seeking a deal in the five year, $80MM territory. He went 12-5 with a 3.75 ERA last season and will be the most highly coveted free agent starter if he hits the open market.
Odds And Ends: Pedro, Crosby, Nationals
A few links for Saturday…
- Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post reports that Omar Minaya says the Mets won’t sign Pedro Martinez. Buster Olney was on this one earlier in the week, but that was before the Mets had to shut Tim Redding down because of weakness in his pitching shoulder.
- According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle Bobby Crosby played third and first yesterday in a Spring Training game. He had never played first before and had to borrow a glove. Playing well at many positions couldn’t hurt his trade value.
- We missed this one earlier in the week: Bill Shaikin of the LA Times asked Angels GM Tony Reagins if he has interest in Barry Bonds and heard he has "none."
- Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post reports that acting GM Mike Rizzo signed Julian Tavarez to the Nats because he wants depth and doesn’t want his players feeling too comfortable about their jobs.
Odds & Ends: Darvish, Rockies, Angels, Nats
More links for Friday…
- RotoAuthority has a list of undervalued pitchers for 2009.
- ESPN’s Keith Law raves about Yu Darvish, saying he’d be a #1 starter in the U.S. Should be wild if he’s ever posted.
- Salon.com’s King Kaufman spoke to Tracy Ringolsby about his move from the Rocky Mountain News to Inside The Rockies.
- Sam Miller of the OC Register comes up wih some options for the backend of the Angels’ rotation.
- MLB.com’s Bill Ladson has his own blog: All Nats All The Time.
- Ladson says the Nationals’ GM position will remain open for the forseeable future, with the team maintaining its current Stan Kasten/Mike Rizzo arrangement. Pete McElroy of MASN has a Q&A with Rizzo.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Pedro, Wood, Pudge, Gonzalez
Ken Rosenthal weighs in on a few of the recent hot topics…
- Like we heard earlier, Rosenthal says the Dodgers would only be willing to add Pedro Martinez to the mix if he is willing to “pitch for pay” and accept an incentive-laden contract. Rosenthal adds that Martinez’ agents reached out to the Dodgers and that the Dodgers contacted Pedro’s personal trainer but deny that any serious conservations have occurred.
- Rosenthal feels that the Dodgers have a better shot of landing a starter if they trade Delwyn Young who is out of minor league options.
- Rosenthal says Brandon Wood has given up hope that the Angels will trade Chone Figgins to clear a spot for Wood on the roster. Wood does have a minor league option remaining. Rosenthal says the Angels would need to find another leadoff hitter if they let Figgins walk at the end of the season as a free agent.
- Rosenthal adds that the Marlins are “warming to the idea” of signing Ivan Rodriguez, but that playing time remains an issue as Pudge wants to play five days a week.
- According to Rosenthal, Luis Gonzalez is willing to resign with the D-Backs, but it may only happen if Eric Byrnes continues to have problems with his hamstring.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Rosenthal On Pedro, Wood, Pudge, Gonzalez
Ken Rosenthal weighs in on a few of the recent hot topics…
- Like we heard earlier, Rosenthal says the Dodgers would only be willing to add Pedro Martinez to the mix if he is willing to "pitch for pay" and accept an incentive-laden contract. Rosenthal adds that Martinez’ agents reached out to the Dodgers and that the Dodgers contacted Pedro’s personal trainer but deny that any serious conservations have occurred.
- Rosenthal feels that the Dodgers have a better shot of landing a starter if they trade Delwyn Young who is out of minor league options.
- Rosenthal says Brandon Wood has given up hope that the Angels will trade Chone Figgins to clear a spot for Wood on the roster. Wood does have a minor league option remaining. Rosenthal says the Angels would need to find another leadoff hitter if they let Figgins walk at the end of the season as a free agent.
- Rosenthal adds that the Marlins are "warming to the idea" of signing Ivan Rodriguez, but that playing time remains an issue as Pudge wants to play five days a week.
- According to Rosenthal, Luis Gonzalez is willing to resign with the D-Backs, but it may only happen if Eric Byrnes continues to have problems with his hamstring.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.