Mark Teixeira Rumors: Thursday
9:56:
2:38pm: Tim Brown and Gordon Edes talked to involved execs (not with the Angels) who believe the Boras camp is "using the media to ratchet up the price beyond what any team had actually offered."
Brown and Edes say the Angels were told the Red Sox and Nationals offered eight years at about $20MM per. The Angels don’t want to do an eighth year, so they’ll look into trades for Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko, and possibly Adrian Beltre. Raul Ibanez is the top free agent backup plan.
Brown and Edes believe Boras could insist on an opt-out clause in a deal with the Nationals.
8:59am: Mike DiGiovanna says the Angels "are believed to be willing to offer at least seven years for something in the $160-million range" for Tex.
8:51am: Jon Heyman says the Yankees have re-entered the Teixeira sweepstakes.
2:40am: Summing up the reported offers made to Mark Teixeira:
- Orioles: seven years, $140-150MM
- Nationals: eight years, $160MM
- Angels: reluctant to exceed seven years; no offer yet? (Boras implied there was)
- Red Sox: making progress; no offer yet? (Boras implied there was?)
By the way, Joe Haggerty transcribed the full Scott Boras talk from yesterday at his site.
Angels Notes: Ibanez, Dunn, Fuentes
I already linked to this Mark DiGiovanna piece in the Peavy Rumors thread, but I wanted to give it its own post as DiGiovanna also talks about other potential Angels targets that wouldn’t be appropriate there. So let’s take a look:
- The Angels’ primary target right now is Raul Ibanez. With an already aging outfield, I can’t say I think that’s a sound investment for the Halos…
- Other possible targets include Adam Dunn, Bobby Abreu, and Pat Burrell. DiGiovanna also mentions Garret Anderson and Juan Rivera.
- If the Angels move Chone Figgins to left field, they could try to trade for Mike Lowell, Adrian Beltre, or Garrett Atkins.
- Tony Reagins says that some of these names hinge on what happens with Mark Teixeira, while others do not.
- He also notes the Angels’ interest in Brian Fuentes.
Raul Ibanez Rumors: Thursday
2:53pm: Stark says the Phillies "stepped up their efforts" for Ibanez. What’s more, Ibanez has been telling friends the Phils are his top choice.
12:18pm: According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark:
Even as the Angels continue to pursue Mark Teixeira, it appears that Raul Ibanez has emerged as their No. 1 alternative if Teixeira signs elsewhere. There were indications that the Angels already have begun negotiating the parameters of a deal with Ibanez on a just-in-case basis.
Ken Davidoff said the same in his blog earlier today. The Phillies, Mets, Nationals, and Cubs are other known suitors.
Mark Teixeira Rumors: Wednesday
11:40pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Red Sox made progress today in their Teixeira talks.
8:45pm: Dave Sheinin says the Nationals offered eight years and $160MM, and Ladson now agrees.
5:38pm: Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun says the Orioles met with Boras last night and apparently made an offer. However, Peter Schmuck says the nine-year, $180MM report was "met with incredulity from O’s officials."
5:33pm: According to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, the Nationals offered Tex an eight-year, $180MM contract. Dave Sheinin talked to a Nationals exec who said in general about the rumors, "Ninety percent of this stuff is pure fabrication."
2:35pm: Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times has the Nats willing to offer ten years at more than $20MM per and the Orioles willing to do nine years also at at least $20MM per year.
1:27pm: Ken Rosenthal and Ed Price heard Teixeira would prefer to be on the East Coast for family reasons. It could be an issue for the Angels.
1:14pm: Yahoo’s Jose Mota (new guy) says the Nationals made an offer to Tex for at least seven years and $150MM.
12:44pm: SI.com’s Jon Heyman talked to two high-ranking baseball officials who predicted Teixeira will get a $200MM deal. Heyman believes two teams already bid $160MM.
11:17am: Dave Sheinin of the Washington Post has heard the Yankees’ signing of C.C. Sabathia takes them out of the running for Tex. The Angels, Red Sox, Nationals, and Orioles will battle for the Boras client.
9:36am: Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times talks about Mark Teixeira:
The Boston Red Sox have emerged as front-runners, and the Washington Nationals, who appear willing to offer eight years and $160 million, could make the most lucrative bid. The Baltimore Orioles are in hot pursuit, the Yankees are lurking, and the Angels are growing more concerned that Teixeira might be slipping away, primarily because they’d like to sign him for six or seven years, not the eight or nine it might take.
Cubs Inquire On Chone Figgins
According to Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times, the Cubs inquired on Chone Figgins. Figgins could theoretically fill Mark DeRosa‘s superutility role, though DeRosa seems likely to stay put. DiGiovanna says the Angels won’t be sure of their needs until they sort out the Mark Teixeira and Brian Fuentes situations.
Manny Ramirez Rumors: Wednesday
10:13pm: According to Ed Price:
The Dodgers have had internal discussions about extending their contract offer to Manny Ramirez to three years.
9:47pm: Dan Graziano’s source suggests "there is a push by some members of the Yankees’ organization to make a play for free-agent outfielder Manny Ramirez."
5:02pm: Despite numerous reports to the contrary, Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times says the Angels are "believed to be considering a two-year offer to Manny Ramirez." Shaikin adds that Juan Rivera remains on the Halos’ radar.
4:12pm: Jayson Stark talked to a source who said the Angels have zero interest in Manny.
9:59am: Jon Heyman talked to people close to Hank Steinbrenner who say he wants Manny. Heyman says the Yanks are mulling a run at the slugger.
9:28am: T.J. Simers talked to Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, who said Scott Boras told him four other teams have expressed interest in Manny Ramirez. Colletti quipped: "That’s good. I wouldn’t like to see a guy out of work."
Mets Sign Francisco Rodriguez
WEDNESDAY, 4:47pm: The Mets officially announced the three-year deal with K-Rod. David Lennon and Ben Shpigel give inside looks at the negotiations.
TUESDAY, 4:43pm: The Angels didn’t get a chance to match the Mets’ offer.
3:42pm: Sherman agrees on the fourth year, $14MM vesting option mentioned by Rosenthal.
2:31pm: Sherman says the Mets agreed to terms with K-Rod on a three-year, $37MM deal. He gets about half as much money as was originally floated. The Angels will receive the Mets’ #25 pick in next year’s draft as well as a supplemental pick.
2:12pm: Sherman says K-Rod may be in New York tomorrow for his physical.
1:43pm: Sherman says Kinzer and the Mets are huddled this morning trying to put the finishing touches on the K-Rod deal. If it gets done, the Mets may move on to Derek Lowe. Rosenthal says the deal includes a $14MM fourth-year vesting option plus performance bonuses.
6:32am: David Lennon of Newsday also speaks of a three-year deal worth $12MM a year being close.
2:46am: Jon Heyman says the Mets appear to be closing in on a deal with K-Rod, likely for three years and about $37MM. The gap was apparently closed when the Mets guaranteed a third year. Just a year ago, a lesser, older free agent closer, Francisco Cordero, received four years and $46MM.
12:54am: According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets are on the brink of landing Francisco Rodriguez. His agent Paul Kinzer is more optimistic than ever. A deal could be done before the end of the Meetings.
Randy Johnson Rumors
WEDNESDAY, 1:11pm: Nolan Ryan confirmed the Rangers’ interest in Johnson.
TUESDAY, 8:37pm: Jack Magruder says the Astros and Angels met with Johnson’s reps at the Meetings. He adds that the Rangers, Brewers, and Cubs touched base before the Meetings.
2:54pm: Four California teams are said to be eyeing Randy Johnson: the Dodgers, Angels, Giants, and A’s. Mike DiGiovanna learned that the Dodgers and Angels are more on the fringes. We’ve also seen Johnson linked to the Cubs as a fallback for Jake Peavy.
C.C. Sabathia Rumors: Tuesday
11:55pm: Joel Sherman has a source saying it’s possible Cashman could begin the process of finalizing a contract for Sabathia while in San Francisco.
Sherman notes that Cashman is looking at many other free agent starters as well, and is pushing to begin closing deals.
10:30pm: As you might imagine, Dan Graziano speaks of a breakthrough in the Yankees’ negotiations for Sabathia.
10:07pm: Jon Heyman talked to Angels owner Arte Moreno, who said, "I wouldn’t say we’re in the Sabathia picture at all."
9:14pm: Ken Davidoff and Kat O’Brien say Cashman bailed on his media session today to meet with Sabathia in San Francisco. Cashman may want to meet Sabathia’s wife, who is obviously a factor in his decision.
9:13pm: Sabathia is a fallback position for the Giants, according to Brian Sabean.
7:56pm: Doug Melvin says the Brewers have not increased their offer to Sabathia, nor have they decided that they won’t. The ball is in Melvin’s court on whether to increase the offer.
6:30pm: Brian Sabean says reports of a weekend scheduled with Sabathia are false.
6:05pm: Danny Knobler says the Halos remain a serious player for Sabathia and could trade a pitcher like Jered Weaver for a bat if they sign him.
5:03pm: An update from Peter Gammons:
Some players have said the Angels have made it clear to Sabathia that they’ll guarantee him six years, but both sides say it is not true. Sabathia has not turned down the Yankees, either. He has offers from the Brewers, Angels and Red Sox, and the Giants have made it clear they will be in the bidding in certain circumstances.
4:45pm: According to Ken Davidoff, the Brewers do not intend to raise their offer to C.C.
4:32pm: Rosenthal says there’s no truth to the rumor that Sabathia declined the Yankees’ offer.
4:09pm: Baggarly talked to an exec close to the Sabathia talks who believes the Brewers are emerging as the frontrunner.
3:39pm: Joel Sherman doesn’t say anything about the Yanks’ offer being declined, but he does say the Yanks have heightened interest in A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe as Brian Cashman continues to wait on C.C.
3:24pm: Unconfirmed rumor from Andrew Baggarly: Sabathia declined the Yankees’ offer. He still printed it though. The Giants are expected to meet with Sabathia this weekend; they’d need to get creative to sign him.
2:21pm: Dan Graziano says Sabathia is convinced the Giants will become a serious bidder.
1:45pm: Tony Jackson’s heard word that Giants officials are "supremely confident" they’re going to sign Sabathia.
1:34pm: Sabathia apparently spent a lot of his time with the Yankees peppering them with lifestyle questions about New York, says Yahoo’s Jeff Passan.
12:11pm: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Giants intend to meet with C.C. Sabathia, perhaps in San Francisco this weekend. They weren’t able to get together while Sabathia was in Vegas.
Manny Ramirez Rumors: Tuesday
11:20pm: Yahoo’s Tim Brown talked to roughly half the teams in baseball, and could not identify a suitor for Manny aside from the Dodgers.
8:26pm: Tony Reagins said the Angels signing Manny is "not a likely scenario."
1:30pm: Manny apparently still seeks the same six-year type deal. Rosenthal says Colletti told Boras he’ll need to talk to Frank McCourt before further conversations can occur.
11:25am: ESPN’s Jayson Stark says "Scott Boras met with the Dodgers late Monday might to discuss the return of Manny Ramirez." While Manny is still open to signing with the Dodgers, they have not put their two-year, $45MM offer back on the table.