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Matt Holliday Rumors: Thursday

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5:10pm: Joe Strauss says the Cards are in on Holliday; Ryan Ludwick could be part of the package.  Strauss says the Cardinals would have interest in signing Holliday to an extension.  Tracy Ringolsby says the Cardinals have taken an aggressive approach, and also mentions Ludwick.  He adds that GM John Mozeliak would need ownership approval to acquire Holliday.

4:53pm: The latest on Matt Holliday: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says the Phillies are the most aggressive suitor.  The Phils do have the goods to get it done, especially with the suggestion this morning that the Rockies might be willing to take a bit less.

Meanwhile, Troy E. Renck continues to suggest the Phillies and A’s are the most likely suitors for Holliday.  He reiterates that the Rockies are open-minded on the return.

Rockies Rumors: Holliday, Taveras, Atkins

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4:54pm: More Rockies chatter from Troy Renck.  The Rockies intend to sort out the Holliday/Atkins trade situations before moving on to other concerns such as the bullpen.  They do like the idea of bringing Jeremy Affeldt back, though.  Renck has the Twins and Indians kicking the tires on Atkins, while Tracy Ringolsby believes Michael Cuddyer could be a fit for Colorado.

11:18am: The latest Rockies buzz…

  • Buster Olney says the Rockies are very motivated to move Matt Holliday.  Olney wonders if the Rox might end up taking a bit less than expected for him.  Troy Renck says various execs see the A’s and Phillies as the most likely matches for Holliday.  The Rays are another possibility.  GM Dan O’Dowd will be open-minded about the return.
  • Renck also says the White Sox have contacted the Rockies about Willy Taveras.
  • Renck talked to the agent for Doug Brocail, Brandon Lyon, and Kyle Farnsworth.  All three are open to pitching in Colorado.
  • Tracy Ringolsby says the Rockies have had "initial talks" with the Twins regarding Garrett Atkins.  He wonders if the Angels could jump in later.
  • Ringolsby suggests Brad Penny would be an interesting candidate for the Rockies.

More Odds And Ends: Padres, Francoeur, Manny, Phillies

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A few more notes from the MLBiverse…

  • Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that the Padres have not set their ’09 payroll but that it could be as low as $40MM. Krasovic also notes that the Braves are not one of the teams that have inquired about Khalil Greene. Also, Kevin Towers continues to sound positive about the possibility of resigning Trevor Hoffman. The Padres have offered Hoffman a one-year deal for $4MM with a ’10 option at the same price.
  • Paul DePodesta comments about all of the rumors that are swirling on his personal blog.
  • We have heard this before, but now a Braves official is saying there have been no recent discussions involving Jeff Francoeur.
  • Jayson Stark discusses why a six-year deal for Manny Ramirez makes little sense.
  • Ken Mandel takes a closer look at the Phillies’ contract commitments and what they mean for the ’09 roster.

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

Rosenthal’s Latest: Furcal, Bradley, Greinke

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Another day, another Ken Rosenthal column.

  • The A’s have payroll flexibility, and are expressing "strong interest" in free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal.  Bobby Crosby is set to earn $5.25MM in ’09, but it makes sense to upgrade.
  • Contrary to previous reports, Rosenthal says the Tigers are not in on Furcal.  They’ll also pass on Francisco Rodriguez, which was expected.
  • Rosenthal discusses possible fits for Milton Bradley, including the Rays, Rangers, Blue Jays, Mets, Cardinals, and Phillies.  It will be hard to overlook the health risk and give Bradley a three-year deal, especially for an NL club.
  • Rosenthal confirms interest in Khalil Greene from the Orioles and Reds.  The Blue Jays and Tigers have also been mentioned.
  • There’s no way the Phillies can afford Manny Ramirez; a look at their ’09 commitments makes that clear.
  • The Royals hope to sign Zack Greinke and Alex Gordon to long-term extensions.  Rosenthal feels trade discussions could pick up for Greinke if the Royals can’t sign him.  Keith Law said the same yesterday.
  • The Padres will exercise Brian Giles’ $9MM option in the next day or two.

Giants Rumors: Burrell, Rollins, Rowand

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THURSDAY: More Giants info, courtesy of John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle.  GM Brian Sabean is looking for offense in the infield, but he considers Cain untouchable.  Jonathan Sanchez or various pitching prospects could be trade bait instead.

Sabean also met with the agents for various free agent hitters and relievers, including Orlando Hudson and Bob Howry.

WEDNESDAY: Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News has some interesting rumors this evening.

  • Baggarly believes the rumor of the Giants’ interest in Rafael Furcal makes sense, as it’d solidify their middle infield situation.
  • He doesn’t see the Giants signing Pat Burrell, given their desire to get younger and more athletic.  Still, he expects Brian Sabean to check in on him.
  • Here’s a new one: Baggarly’s heard the Phillies will listen to offers for shortstop Jimmy Rollins.  Rollins is owed just $23.5MM over the next three seasons.
  • Scott Eyre enjoyed his time with the Phillies, though the Giants could take a shot at bringing him back.
  • Baggarly doesn’t buy any of the Bengie Molina trade rumors.  He gives a 75% chance Matt Cain stays put.
  • Baggarly expects the Giants to quietly explore the market for Aaron Rowand, which could include the Yankees and White Sox.  Rowand is owed $44MM over the next four seasons, and has no-trade protection.

Offseason Outlook: Philadelphia Phillies

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The World Champion Phillies conclude our Offseason Outlook series.  Their likely 2009 commitments:

C – Carlos Ruiz – $425K
C – Chris Coste – $415K
1B – Ryan Howard – $10MM+
2B – Chase Utley – $11MM
SS – Jimmy Rollins – $7.5MM
3B – Pedro Feliz – $5MM
IF – Eric Bruntlett – $600K+
IF/OF – Greg Dobbs – $440K+
LF – Jayson Werth – $1.7MM+
CF – Shane Victorino – $480K+
RF – Geoff Jenkins – $6.75MM
OF – Matt Stairs – $1MM
OF – Greg Golson – $400K

SP – Cole Hamels – $500K+
SP – Brett Myers – $12MM
SP – Joe Blanton – $3.7MM+
SP – J.A. Happ – $400K
SP – Kyle Kendrick – $445K

RP – Brad Lidge – $11.5MM
RP – J.C. Romero – $4MM
RP – Ryan Madson – $1.4MM+
RP – Chad Durbin – $900K+
RP – Clay Condrey – $420K+
RP – R.J. Swindle – $400K
RP – Andrew Carpenter – $400K

Other commitments: Adam Eaton – $8.5MM, Tom Gordon – $1MM

That’s about $89MM committed, plus arbitration raises to Howard, Bruntlett, Dobbs, Werth, Victorino, Blanton, Hamels, Madson, Durbin, and Condrey.  The raises should push the Phillies past $115MM.  The Phillies’ ’09 payroll is not set at this time.  They entered the season at $98.2MM, so a large increase is necessary.

As you can see above, re-signing Jamie Moyer and Scott Eyre will go a long way toward rounding out the pitching staff.  The Phils may be interested in bringing in an additional starter and another reliever.

Since the Phillies have entertained the idea of re-signing Pat Burrell, we can assume they’re willing to spend at least $10MM on left field.  The money could go toward any number of righthanded bats.  The biggest names don’t seem to fit into the payroll, but there are good options in the $12MM or less bracket.  The Phillies ranked 7th of 16 NL clubs in OBP, so finding someone who can match Burrell’s .370 is important.  They could also make up ground with an OBP improvement from Howard (.339) and more production behind the plate.

A full season of Blanton gives the Phils a respectable #1-4, assuming Moyer returns.  The key players from the bullpen will be back.  The Phillies won’t look much different in 2009.  They didn’t win the World Series on a bunch of career years, so keeping this group intact is a reasonable strategy.

Phillies Rumors: Burrell, Moyer, Howard

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Let’s round up the Phillies links.  By the way, I am hoping to get to their Offseason Outlook on Friday.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Fielder, Beimel, Eckstein

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Ken Rosenthal is on the scene at the GM meetings, and as usual has all kinds of new info.

  • The Brewers are unlikely to trade Prince Fielder, and reluctant to trade J.J. Hardy or Alcides Escobar.  It’d be smart to retain those three players.
  • Rosenthal still likes the Braves as the favorite for Jake Peavy, but wonders if the Cubs or another team could incorporate a third team to get it done.
  • The Cubs will need to spend much of their available money on pitching, which may leave little payroll room for an outfielder like Bobby Abreu.  They could backload contracts and move some of Jason Marquis’ salary though.
  • The Mets are interested in lefty reliever Joe Beimel, as well as usual suspects Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, and Kerry Wood.  They also like Raul Ibanez.
  • The Cardinals could move forward with a Ryan Ludwick/Colby Rasmus/Rick Ankiel outfield, or trade one of them.  Ankiel, entering his contract year, seems most likely to go if Rasmus is ready.
  • David Eckstein is marketing himself as a second baseman for 2009.
  • Don’t look for the Phillies to move Shane Victorino in a Matt Holliday deal.
  • The Cardinals and Nationals are not contenders for A.J. Burnett.  Still no word on Burnett’s opt-out.
  • The Marlins may wait until some of the top free agent starters sign before shopping Scott Olsen.

NPB Rumors: Tazawa, Iwase, Iguchi

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Some Japanese baseball-related rumors, courtesy of Patrick Newman at NPB Tracker:

Rockies Shopping Holliday, Atkins, Taveras

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9:11pm: According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves are not interested in Taveras after all.

10:47am: According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post and Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News, the Rockies are shopping Matt Holliday, Garrett Atkins, and Willy Taveras.

Holliday, a Scott Boras client, is set to earn $13.5MM in 2009 before reaching free agency.  Ringolsby says the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Angels, Mets, and Phillies have shown interest. Renck has the Cardinals as a lurker.  The Nats may also be interested.  The Rockies will target young pitching in return.

Atkins is under team control for 2009 and 2010.  Ringolsby has the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Angels, Mets, Phillies, White Sox, and Twins as interested parties.  Renck sees the Indians as another possibility.

Taveras is also under team control through 2010.  Ringolsby says the Royals, Yankees, White Sox, and Braves are in on him, while Renck adds the Nationals.

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