C.C. Sabathia Rumors: Saturday
11:17pm: Ken Rosenthal explains why the idea of Sabathia signing with the Red Sox is not far-fetched. He notes that free agent markets in years to come may not offer a pitcher of Sabathia’s character.
7:23pm: SI.com’s Jon Heyman jumps in on the Brewers angle. He says Sabathia is telling friends he expects the Brewers to upgrade their offer soon, perhaps when they get together at the Winter Meetings. Heyman’s heard deferred money in the Brewers’ current offer makes it closer to $90MM over five years.
9:14am: According to Newsday’s Ken Davidoff, the Brewers might offer a six-year contract to C.C. Sabathia. Davidoff has a source who said the possible sixth year would bring the total value of the deal to about $110MM, still $30MM short of what the Yankees have offered, but $10MM more than Milwaukee’s initial proposal. Jayson Stark first reported on Thursday that the Brewers could offer a six-year $110MM deal.
Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News has a source of his own who doubts Sabathia has serious suitors other than the Yankees and Brewers at this point. The source said to McCarron that a deal with the Giants is "not happening," and doubts that the Angels were ever involved. Yesterday, Jon Heyman wrote that the free agent lefty received two offers from teams other than the Yankees and Brewers.
The San Francisco Chronicle’s Bruce Jenkins thinks that the Giants have a chance with Sabathia even if they can’t compete dollar for dollar with the Yankees.
Heyman’s Latest: Sabathia, Manny, Lowe
Be sure to check out Jon Heyman’s Winter Meetings preview.
- A friend of C.C. Sabathia tells Heyman the pitcher received two offers from unknown teams prior to Thanksgiving, in addition to the ones from the Brewers and Yankees. Sabathia is taking his time with this, as he should.
- Manny Ramirez "admires the dollar." Just letting you know.
- A competing owner suggested to Heyman that the Cubs could cut budget. At any rate, they probably won’t do anything major til their ownership situation is settled.
- Derek Lowe is looking for $90MM over five years. He wants at least five years; ten teams are after him. Brian Cashman apparently expressed "heavy interest" to Scott Boras yesterday.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Mets, Tigers, Red Sox, Angels, Pirates
Today is free agent Cliff Floyd’s birthday. He is 36 years young. His knees are not. Also, on this date 18 years ago, the San Diego Padres sent Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter to the Blue Jays for Fred McGriff and Tony Fernandez, in one of the biggest trades ever featuring young, proven talent. Got one that can top that? Let’s hear it in the comments…With little action so far this year, the Hot Stove Season is ugly, Don Mossi ugly. Let’s take a look at what is being written in the blogosphere…
- Mets Geek takes a look at three recent rumored deals that may be sitting on Omar Minaya’s desk and ponders whether or not the Mets should make each trade.
- The Detroit Tigers Weblog breaks down what a Jack Wilson trade would mean for the Tigers.
- Fire Brand of the American League feels that with the recent additions to the bullpen, the Red Sox may be better suited to insert Justin Masterson into the rotation, rather than sign a high-priced free agent.
- Ump Bump suggests that the Angels could get more bang for the buck if they sign Adam Dunn over Mark Teixeira.
- The ‘Burgh Blues picks through the scraps and identifies eight players they would like to see the Pirates invite to Spring Training, including Richie Sexson, Sidney Ponson, Mark Prior and Matt Clement.
- MLB Notebook takes a look at the big guns in the free agent market and feels that the Yankees are no longer in a position to set the pace. Rather, they argue that the Angels now control the market.
- East Windup Chronicle feels that some are underestimating the amount of potential Major League talent playing in Japan, noting the number is "at least 30" and considerably more if they had the opportunity to start in the minors out of high school.
- Bernies Crew likes the Jorge Julio signing by the Brewers, noting the move gives the team much needed flexibility and depth in the bullpen.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here.
Olney’s Latest: Cano, Burnett, Furcal, Giambi
Good stuff from ESPN’s Buster Olney in today’s blog post.
- Olney says the Yankees would ask for Chad Billingsley or Clayton Kershaw from the Dodgers for Robinson Cano. After the Dodgers turn down that request, the Yanks will ask for Matt Kemp. If the Yankees do move Cano, they could then pursue Orlando Hudson.
- Rival executives believe the Braves’ offer to A.J. Burnett is worth $75MM over five years, if the fifth year vests.
- The A’s will leave their offer to Rafael Furcal on the table for perhaps another two or three days before moving on.
- Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik will reach out to Raul Ibanez to discuss his situation. Ibanez has been devalued in the eyes of potential suitors by the draft pick cost that comes with him. Still, most teams must’ve expected the Ms would offer arbitration.
- Jason Giambi‘s agent is suggesting a three-year deal. Good luck with that.
Yankees Rumors: Burnett, Sabathia, Pettitte
10:37pm: Yanks GM Brian Cashman plans to meet with Sabathia this weekend prior to the Meetings. Also, Brewers GM Doug Melvin plans to meet with Sabathia’s agent Greg Genske Monday or Tuesday to get a response to their offer.
3:27pm: Dodgers manager Joe Torre expects Pettitte to return to the Yankees.
8:56am: The latest on the Yankees front…
- Ken Davidoff says the Yankees and Blue Jays were willing to give A.J. Burnett a fifth year vesting option. The Braves seem likely to sign Burnett if they will guarantee that fifth year as has been reported. Braves officials are confident, and Tony Massarotti says they’re "rumored to be on the verge of a five-year deal that could be worth $80 million." Meanwhile the Red Sox have moved on to Derek Lowe.
- Davidoff says Yankees officials are confident they’re the only serious suitor for C.C. Sabathia, as there’s still a $40MM gap between their offer and Milwaukee’s. Davidoff believes the Yanks will move on to Lowe and Andy Pettitte (not Manny Ramirez or Mark Teixeira) if they sign C.C.
- According to Jack Curry of the New York Times, Pettitte does not want a pay cut from last year’s $16MM. Curry says the Yanks have offered Pettitte $10MM, which was first reported by Joel Sherman on Tuesday. Pettitte still sounds like he wants to return to the Yankees, but he’s letting his agents battle for a better salary.
Stark’s Latest: Burnett, Cantu, Lowe, Furcal
Jayson Stark’s got a heaping helping of hot stove updates in his most recent blog post at ESPN.com.
- The Braves’ most recent offer makes them the frontrunners for A.J. Burnett, says Stark.
- We’re still waiting for another team to come close to the Yankees’ offer for C.C. Sabathia. Stark suggests Sabathia may make up his mind by next week. He also says there’s "increasing buzz about the Yankees’ interest in Ben Sheets."
- The White Sox appear to have expressed some interest in Jorge Cantu.
- Stark doesn’t think the Phillies stand a very good chance of signing Derek Lowe.
- Only the Dodgers and A’s, and perhaps the Orioles, remain interested in Rafael Furcal.
- If the Dodgers end up missing on Furcal and Casey Blake, their focus might shift to names like Ty Wigginton and Adrian Beltre.
Lowe Receives Two Offers
5:27pm: George King at the New York Post has details on the Cashman-Boras meeting. An offer for Lowe is not mentioned, but a reluctance to offer Lowe five years is cited. As for the Boras clients beyond Lowe that were discussed, King explicitly mentions Mark Teixeira, Manny Ramirez, and Oliver Perez.
3:30pm: Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. wouldn’t confirm or deny his team’s rumored offer to Lowe, but he admitted interest. I imagine he would’ve denied it if it was false. Amaro noted that he’s talked to the representatives for many free agent pitchers. He’s reluctant to go past three years on one, but might consider it.
9:11am: Tony Massarotti, citing a baseball source, says free agent starter Derek Lowe has received two offers. One is from the Phillies, and the other is not from the Yankees or Red Sox. Massarotti believes Lowe will land a three or four-year deal at $15-16MM per. Jon Heyman recently named the Mets, Giants, Mariners, and Dodgers as other Lowe suitors.
Massarotti’s source adds that Yanks GM Brian Cashman flew to California to visit with Scott Boras today. That could lead to an offer for Lowe, though other Boras clients may be discussed as well. The Red Sox like Lowe, but may choose to avoid a bidding war. Massarotti still likes the Sox as a match for Mark Teixeira.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Johnson, Cano, Peavy
4:54pm: The Big Unit is open to the Giants or A’s, not a big surprise. Johnson’s agent says about ten teams have expressed interest, Giants included.
11:49am: Ken Rosenthal is working overtime; here’s his latest.
- The A’s remain the frontrunners for Rafael Furcal. Also, they’re targeting starter Randy Johnson to add a veteran presence to their rotation. Rosenthal adds that the A’s may prefer Nick Johnson over Jason Giambi.
- The Phillies made an offer to Derek Lowe, who seems to be their backup plan if they can’t sign Jamie Moyer. Rosenthal speculates that the Dodgers could consider Moyer. If the Phils sign Lowe, they may have to go cheap in left field.
- Oliver Perez and Randy Wolf are on the Yankees’ radar.
- The Braves haven’t ruled out five guaranteed years for A.J. Burnett. Rosenthal agrees with Mark Bowman that the Braves actually have little interest in Adam Dunn. He adds that Raul Ibanez might be out of their price range. Instead, the Braves could choose to trade Kelly Johnson for an outfielder.
- Rosenthal believes the Dodgers will renew talks for Robinson Cano at the Winter Meetings, and the Yankees will again ask for Matt Kemp.
- The Cubs are speaking daily to the Padres about Jake Peavy. Rosenthal says the Orioles do not seem to be the third team at this time.
- Rosenthal believes the Royals could make a run at Kyle Farnsworth.
A.J. Burnett Rumors: Thursday
4:22pm: Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi: "It looks like we’re going to lose Burnett."
1:53pm: O’Brien’s source says the Yankees are going to make an offer to Burnett today or tomorrow.
11:23am: According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Braves GM Frank Wren confirmed today that he made an offer to free agent starter A.J. Burnett. Wren added that the proposal does not guarantee a fifth year. O’Brien believes there is a fifth-year option. He adds that the deal averages $15MM per year. It doesn’t really sound like the type of offer Burnett needs to pounce on.
Olney’s Latest: Manny, Peavy, Fuentes
ESPN’s Buster Olney has a bunch of new info in today’s blog.
- Olney continues to wonder if Manny Ramirez and Scott Boras will "wave the white flag" and accept the Dodgers’ offer of arbitration. It could result in a huge one-year salary, and the current market for Manny is not robust. However, Peter Abraham said in July that a condition of Manny’s trade was that he would decline arbitration. Did anyone else write this? Hopefully a journalist will ask Boras about it soon.
- Olney says the Cubs would love to have Adam Dunn in their lineup, but he’s a stretch as a full-time right fielder. The Cubs are willing to sacrifice some defense in right, but how much?
- Could Dunn or Pat Burrell wind up with the Rays on an affordable one-year deal?
- The Cubs and Padres "have a basic framework in place" for a Jake Peavy deal built around third baseman Josh Vitters. Things may pick up after the Cubs’ ownership situation is resolved.
- The Astros don’t have a ton of flexibility to move their high-salaried stars, but Jose Valverde is one they can deal without restriction. He’s due for a nice raise from this year’s $4.7MM.
- Olney suggests the Rockies were wise to trade Matt Holliday when they did, or they might’ve gotten significantly less.
- Olney speaks of "a belief within the Rockies’ organization" that Brian Fuentes could come back on a multiyear deal. The Rockies could trade Huston Street in that case.
- The Braves may push A.J. Burnett for an answer before C.C. Sabathia signs, in case the Yanks miss out on C.C. and come after Burnett.
- Apparently there is "serious tension" between Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski and manager Jim Leyland.
- Olney sees Rafael Furcal signing with the A’s.