Rosenthal’s Latest: Tex, Furcal, Johnson, Lofton
Here’s a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- If they are to sign Mark Teixeira, the Angels would like to do it quickly. However, it’s Scott Boras’ custom to let the market develop until late December or so. It’s possible the Angels change gears on November 14th. There are other big names to pursue, though none fit as perfectly as Tex.
- Rosenthal’s worst case scenario for the Yankees: C.C. Sabathia goes to a West Coast team while A.J. Burnett re-signs with Toronto. The Jays truly are in the mix for Burnett. ESPN’s Keith Law says Burnett expects to receive multiple five-year offers.
- The Orioles plan to make serious offers to Teixeira and Burnett. Still, both are considered long shots for Baltimore. Another note: the Orioles were one of the teams the Yankees outbid for Sergio Mitre.
- The Dodgers are considered "a good bet" to re-sign Rafael Furcal. The Giants have their eye on him if he hits the open market.
- About ten teams have inquired on Braves second baseman Kelly Johnson. We had a Cardinals rumor yesterday.
- The Rangers figure to trade one or two of their catchers, with Gerald Laird a strong candidate to be traded. The Red Sox and Marlins are looking for catching, though the Rangers are wary of Florida’s Scott Olsen.
- Rosenthal wonders if Brandon Webb could leave the D’Backs after the 2010 season.
- Kenny Lofton wants to play in 2009.
Davidoff’s Latest: Sabathia, El Duque, Heilman
A few notes from Newsday’s Ken Davidoff, who has blog posts here and here.
- C.C. Sabathia‘s agents met with the Yankees yesterday, among other teams. As you know, teams can only talk contract with their own free agents currently. Sabathia is certainly open to playing for the Yankees.
- Orlando Hernandez not only wants to pitch in 2009; he wants to close. He’s thinking big after missing all of 2008.
- Davidoff gives a 10% chance of the Yankees re-signing Jason Giambi, and a 1% chance of re-signing Carl Pavano.
- The Rays like Aaron Heilman, though not as much as they once did.
Braves Offer Tazawa Major League Contract
8:09pm: According to John Hickey of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Mariners scouts met with Tazawa today. The Yankees will not pursue Tazawa.
7:25pm: O’Brien has more. He says the Braves made a multiyear offer to Tazawa, and will know his decision in a few weeks. In an earlier post, O’Brien passed along a rumor that the Braves’ offer topped the $6MM Pedro Alvarez received.
4:10pm: According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves offered Junichi Tazawa a Major League contract. O’Brien says the Red Sox, Mariners, Cubs, and Marlins are also interested in the 22 year-old pitcher. This offer could put the Braves in the lead, but the dollar amount is unknown.
Heyman’s Latest: Holliday, Bradley, Hudson
SI.com’s Jon Heyman reports from the GM meetings…
- Matt Holliday showed up at the GM meetings to talk to Scott Boras, sparking trade speculation by reporters.
- The Rangers failed to reach an agreement with Milton Bradley, and he’ll seek a four-year deal worth more than $10MM per. Good luck with that.
- Heyman says the Nationals are interested in Mark Teixeira and Matt Holliday, which MLB.com’s Bill Ladson first reported yesterday. It does not seem that the Nats have the goods to acquire Holliday. Heyman adds A.J. Burnett as a possibility, though Ken Rosenthal said to scratch them from the running this morning. Adam Dunn is a more realistic name for the Nats.
- The Angels haven’t ruled out signing Teixeira and C.C. Sabathia, though it’d be tough to fit both in the payroll.
- The Yankees are eyeing Orlando Hudson, and could even ask him to play center field. Nick Piecoro figures this would require an absurd offer from the Yanks.
Yanks Decline Options On Giambi, Pavano
According to Ed Price of the Newark Star-Ledger, the Yankees declined their options on Jason Giambi and Carl Pavano as expected.
With Giambi, the Yanks chose his $5MM buyout over his $22MM option. For Pavano, they chose a $1.95MM buyout over a $13MM option. Either player could re-sign for less, though it’s not likely.
A.J. Burnett Opts Out
4:28pm: According to Ken Rosenthal, Burnett has officially opted out of the remaining two years and $24MM on his deal. The Blue Jays remain in the mix. If he leaves, they’ll at least end up with two draft picks.
10:22am: What’s the deal with A.J. Burnett? We were supposed to have an opt-out decision yesterday before the GM meetings began. Ken Davidoff talked to Burnett’s agent, Darek Braunecker. Apparently Braunecker will meet with the Jays today to see if they’ll make a "knock your socks off" offer to keep Burnett off the market. Cathal Kelly of the Toronto Star says the Jays will have to look at other free agent starters if Burnett leaves.
Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald does not see the Red Sox in on Burnett or C.C. Sabathia, based on Theo Epstein’s comments. The Yankees are expected to be major players.
Could Yankees Keep Pavano?
1:27pm: Pavano told Pete Caldera of the Bergen Record, "Let’s hope I get to write a better chapter in pinstripes."
10:12am: Ken Davidoff of Newsday gives a 1% chance of the Yanks re-signing Pavano.
8:11am: Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News has a source saying Yankees GM Brian Cashman remains a big fan of Carl Pavano, and he hasn’t closed the door on the oft-injured starter. Cashman is expected to speak with Pavano’s agent during the GM meetings. Pavano’s agent said his first choice is the Yankees, because of "unfinished business."
Pavano has a $13MM club option with a $1.95MM buyout. It doesn’t seem likely that the Yankees would guarantee him that kind of money, but they could buy out the option and renegotiate.
Heyman’s Latest: Sabathia, Burnett, Matsui
Here’s a look at the latest column from SI.com’s Jon Heyman.
- C.C. Sabathia is the Yankees’ top offseason target, and they’ll make him an offer beyond Johan Santana‘s $137.5MM. Heyman also sees the Yanks pursuing A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe, and Oliver Perez (with Ben Sheets a less likely target). Heyman’s sources believe the Yanks could even attempt to sign three free agent starters.
- The Yankees aren’t counting on Mike Mussina, and may wait on him before considering Andy Pettitte.
- Contradictory note from Heyman: the White Sox have no plans to try to keep Joe Crede or Juan Uribe, but might consider bringing Uribe back as a utility man.
- Heyman dismisses vague rumors about Hideki Matsui trade talks.
Battle For Teixeira
ESPN’s Buster Olney gives his take on the Mark Teixeira situation in his blog this morning. Olney believes the Yankees will "bid heavily" on Tex, perhaps $120MM over six years. Teixeira turned down $140MM from the Rangers last year, though that was for eight years. Ken Davidoff of Newsday believes that since the Yanks are prioritizing pitching, they’ll probably go with cheaper options like Casey Blake or Kevin Millar.
Olney says there’s debate about Boston’s level of interest in Teixeira – do they truly want him, or are they trying to drive up the price for the Yankees? He suggests a scenario where the Sox sign Teixeira and keep Mike Lowell – Kevin Youkilis goes to left field, Jason Bay to right, and J.D. Drew to center (pushing Jacoby Ellsbury to a utility role and leaving Coco Crisp out of a job).
Meanwhile, the Angels told Francisco Rodriguez‘s agent that their initial focus this winter is signing Teixeira. Dylan Hernandez and Mike DiGiovanna see the Halos in the six-year, $120MM range.
Rockies Rumors: Holliday, Atkins, Podsednik
Let’s check in on the Rockies next.
- Matt Holliday may be selling his Denver-area home, not that it means anything. Tracy Ringolsby has the Nationals, Rays, Cardinals, and Mets as teams interested in Holliday. Meanwhile, Troy E. Renck explores a Yankees scenario.
- Renck can’t see the Rox trading both Holliday and Garrett Atkins. Ringolsby says the Angels are more interested in Atkins than Holliday. Renck has the Indians and Twins as suitors for Atkins.
- Scott Podsednik is open to returning to the Rockies, and they could have a place for him if Willy Taveras is dealt.
- Renck expects the Rockies to be in on Carl Pavano if the Yankees don’t re-sign him.