Yankees Rumors

Yankees Are Abreu’s First Choice

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 1, 2008 at 1:20pm CDT

According to Jesse Spector of the New York Daily News, Bobby Abreu would like to remain a Yankee. Chris Leible, one of Abreu’s agents, said that Abreu’s been "very happy with the Yankees" and that returning to play for them is his "first choice."

Spector points out that the Yankees have lots of outfielders already under control next year. Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Xavier Nady, Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner are all options for the Yankees in the outfield. Since Jorge Posada might have to DH, the Yankees can’t afford to carry too many outfield-DH type players.

Abreu was productive for the Yankees this year, hitting .296/.371/.471 in 156 games. The Yankees plan on offering him arbitration.

Yankees Rumors: Teixeira, Manny, Mussina

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 1, 2008 at 11:18am CDT

According to Newsday’s Ken Davidoff, a Yankees insider thinks that Manny Ramirez is more likely than Mark Teixeira to sign with the club. Hank Steinbrenner and the Yankees haven’t ruled Manny out of their plans, but that doesn’t mean they’re likely to sign either Manny or Teixeira. The Yankees’ priority is starting pitching this offseason.

Davidoff wrote Thursday that “it would be a shocker” to see the Yankees offer Teixeira a contract of 10 years and $200MM. Last year, Tex turned down an eight-year offer from the Rangers worth around $140MM.

According to Peter Abraham, Mike Mussina’s agent, Arn Tellem, arrived in Pennsylvania to talk with Mussina about his future. Abraham speculates that Mussina will announce his retirement "sometime soon." In September, Mussina said if he comes back he would play three more years to try and reach 300 wins.

Hank: Yanks Will Consider Manny

By Tim Dierkes | October 31, 2008 at 5:43pm CDT

The AP talked to Hank Steinbrenner today, who said the Yankees are looking at everything and will consider Manny Ramirez. It’s not much of a story, as Ramirez is a questionable fit for the Yankees and their priority is starting pitching. Plus, Hank said it.

Yankees Plan To Offer Abreu Arbitration

By Tim Dierkes | October 31, 2008 at 5:17pm CDT

George King and Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post reported today that the Yankees plan to offer arbitration to right fielder Bobby Abreu. It’s an obvious decision, since the Yankees either get him on a one-year deal or get two draft picks when he signs elsewhere. Abreu has said he’s looking for a three-year deal, but prefers the Yankees. The authors suggest the Mets could be a fit.

Odds and Ends: Jacobs, Howard, Renteria

By Tim Dierkes | October 31, 2008 at 2:25pm CDT

Links for Friday…

The A’s claimed infielder Joe Dillon off waivers from the Brewers.
Dave Cameron criticizes the Royals’ acquisition of Mike Jacobs. ESPN’s Keith Law also panned the move, suggesting Jacobs was a non-tender candidate for the Marlins.
Peter Abraham breaks down the different types of hot stove stories and sources.
Derrick Goold looks at Ryan Howard’s arbitration case.
MLB.com’s Chris Haft talked to various scouts about Matt Cain’s trade value.
Edgar Renteria hopes to remain in Detroit, saying "Next year, we are going to win everything."
ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian names his top ten offseason storylines.
Ken Davidoff says the Mets were interested in Brad Lidge last year, but the Astros’ asking price was too high.
Joel Sherman debates the merits of a Luis Castillo–Andruw Jones swap while stressing that no such deal is actually being discussed.
The 2008 Fielding Bible awards are out.

Will Rockies Trade Taveras?

By Tim Dierkes | October 31, 2008 at 12:11pm CDT

Rockies center fielder Willy Taveras hit .251/.308/.296 in 538 plate appearances this year, a major drain on the team’s offense. Defensively, Taveras had a big year in 2006 but has been below average since. Quad and knee injuries may be the culprit, though Taveras has been able to steal bases.

Taveras wants to play every day, but it probably won’t be for the Rockies. Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post fully expects him to be traded this winter. Taveras was claimed off waivers in August, possibly by the Nationals, Phillies, or Mets (obviously no trade agreement was reached). Taveras is arbitration-eligible, and there’s been no indication the Rockies are considering non-tendering him.

Today Renck suggested Taveras for Ian Kennedy is "not a longshot." River Ave. Blues hates the idea, noting that the Yankees already have two superior center fielders on the roster.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Ordonez, Yankees, Red Sox

By Cork Gaines | October 31, 2008 at 11:31am CDT

A look at what is being written around the Blogosphere…

MetsBlog says Magglio Ordonez may not be the best option but could be a good backup plan should other scenarios not play out (ie. Manny Ramirez).
Talking Chop thinks Ordonez is a good fit for the Braves noting that the team has significant money to spend this offseason.
River Ave. Blues is not excited about the possibility of Ordonez in the Yankees’ outfield, noting that it makes more sense to re-sign Bobby Abreu for less money.
Was Watching wonders if the Yankees would have to sign C.C. Sabathia in order to trade for Matt Holliday. They feel it would be strange for the Yankees to go after Holliday one year after bowing out of the Johan Santana sweepstakes.
Over The Monster takes a look at whether the Red Sox should re-sign Jason Varitek and what other options are available.

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

Padres To Explore Peavy Deals With Cubs, Dodgers

By Tim Dierkes | October 31, 2008 at 8:52am CDT

According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Padres intend to explore a possible Jake Peavy trade with the Cubs and Dodgers at next week’s GM meetings. Apparently Padres GM Kevin Towers would like to exhaust his possibilities with Peavy’s five preferred NL clubs before engaging others.

Rosenthal notes that the Cubs do not have the quality young pitching the Padres crave. They still have interest in Peavy, especially if they fail to re-sign Ryan Dempster.

The Dodgers aren’t keen on giving up Clayton Kershaw or James McDonald. Rosenthal believes the Dodgers have enough in-house pitching depth to buy out Brad Penny’s 2009 option.

If Towers moves on to negotiate with the Yankees, Peavy will complicate matters by demanding his contract be supplemented.

Burnett Decision Due Monday Before GM Meetings

By Tim Dierkes | October 30, 2008 at 3:47pm CDT

ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick talked to A.J. Burnett’s agent Darek Braunecker, who says his client will make his opt-out decision prior to the start of Monday’s GM meetings. We all know Burnett is opting out, of course.

Crasnick believes Burnett and Derek Lowe will seek salaries of at least $16MM per year. He names the Yankees, Mets, Rangers, Red Sox, Orioles and Nationals as potential suitors for Burnett. The Blue Jays will remain in the mix as well.

Odds and Ends: Yankees, Lowe, D’Backs

By Tim Dierkes | October 30, 2008 at 12:13pm CDT

Links for Thursday…

Peter Abraham takes a look at the Yankees’ first base options. The Royals could match up on a trade, if the Yanks are willing to try an unproven player.
A pair of free agent bargains from Dave Cameron: Randy Johnson and Derek Lowe. What kind of salary will Lowe command?
Free agent reliever Will Ohman hopes to remain in Atlanta.
Braves GM Frank Wren has already talked to every team about his needs in left field and the rotation.
Nick Piecoro looks at the D’Backs’ offseason needs. Will there be room in the budget to make the necessary improvements?
The A’s have five days to decide on Alan Embree’s $3MM option, according to Susan Slusser. Embree profiles as a Type B free agent.
The Padres have ten days to decide between Brian Giles’ $9MM option and his $3MM buyout. It’s an easy call to exercise the option.

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