Phillies Likely To Pass On Free Agents
Todd Zolecki of MLB.com writes that the Phillies are likely to pass on signing an additional right-handed bat or a lefty reliever.
The Phillies have been linked to Nomar Garciaparra, Will Ohman, and Joe Beimel, but now appear likely to pass on all of them. General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. says he does not want to get into a bidding war with the Athletics over Garciaparra, who are rumored to have interest as well. Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle wrote earlier today that Nomar "has offers from the A’s and Phillies he’s weighing."
Amaro states that the Phillies will not be making anything more than "extremely modest" offers to Ohman or Beimel. While it’s unclear as to what "modest" is in Amaro’s opinion, Zolecki speculates that it would have to be less than $1MM.
Bargain Lefty For Phillies?
According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick:
There are indications that the Phillies might toss out an all-purpose offer to Will Ohman, Joe Beimel and Dennys Reyes and sign whichever reliever takes it first. A baseball source said it’s unlikely the Phils will offer anything more than a one-year deal in the $750Kto $1MM range.
It’s easy to see why Brian Shouse jumped at $1.55MM from the Rays a week ago. The agents for Darren Oliver and Damaso Marte deserve credit for securing their clients salaries in the $3-4MM range.
Will Ohman Has Three Offers
TUESDAY: MLB.com’s Corey Brock talked to a Padres source who considers an Ohman signing a long shot. We learned earlier today that the same goes for the Phillies.
MONDAY: According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick:
Will Ohman, one of the top relievers left on baseball’s free agent market, has major league offers in hand from the Pirates, Marlins and Padres, but plans to continue discussions with three contending teams before making a decision on his destination for 2009, his agent said Monday. The Phillies, Mets and Dodgers have all stayed in touch with Ohman, but their interest has yet to progress beyond the talking stage.
Crasnick doesn’t believe the Pirates, Marlins, or Padres would be willing to go past $1MM on a one-year deal. Joe Beimel and Dennys Reyes also remain unsigned.
Phillies Quiet On Free Agents
Todd Zolecki of MLB.com says things are quiet on the free agent front for the Phillies. GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said the team’s not in on lefty relievers Will Ohman or Joe Beimel, and indicated that signing one of them is a long shot.
Zolecki also finds a Nomar Garciaparra signing unlikely. Nomar still hasn’t decided whether to play in ’09.
Phillies Sign Cairo
Scott Lauber reports that the Phillies have signed Miguel Cairo to a minor-league deal with an invite to Spring Training.
Cairo, 34, hit .249/.316/.330 last year for the Mariners. He can serve as a back-up at nearly any position the Phillies could need if he makes the team. Cairo saw time at all four infield positions, left field, and right field in 2008.
Phillies Must Deal With Adam Eaton
Scott Lauber of The News Journal spoke to Phillies pitcher Adam Eaton, who is "without question, the elephant in the clubhouse." Eaton is owed $9MM, and the Phillies don’t see him as a contender for a rotation spot given his 6.10 ERA with the team.
Eaton says he’s not going to accept another assignment to the minors. The Phillies may have to release him and eat his salary.
Heyman On Manny, Pudge, Cabrera, Howard
The latest from SI.com’s Jon Heyman…
- Heyman says "most in the know seem to still believe [Dodgers owner Frank] McCourt will bend on Manny Ramirez and go to three years."
- The Nationals’ offer to Adam Dunn was on the table for weeks until he realized no team was going to beat or approach it. There were rumors months ago that Dunn sought a $100MM deal heading into free agency.
- The Astros and Marlins are looking at Ivan Rodriguez. There’s even an El Nuevo Dia report suggesting the Astros offered $2.5MM+ to Pudge, but that seems out of their price range to me. In today’s mailbag, MLB.com’s Alyson Footer opines that the Astros wouldn’t go to $3MM for a catcher.
- The A’s "want to spend no more than $5MM, and probably closer to $3MM" for Orlando Cabrera. He should take that if it’s offered.
- The Angels had been eyeing Joe Crede but may be done after signing Bobby Abreu. The Giants and Twins remain the likeliest suitors for Crede.
- The Phillies hoped to lock up Ryan Howard beyond his arbitration years, and Ruben Amaro Jr. disputed the notion that he is after Teixeira money.
Will Ohman May Sign Soon
Yesterday, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports wrote that Will Ohman "has received three offers in the past 48 hours and four overall, according to a major-league source, and is expected to reach a decision Wednesday or Thursday."
Cameron Smith of the Washington Post has additional information today. He says Ohman received four offers from NL clubs in the past two days, the Phillies and Mets not among them. Cameron speculates that NL Central clubs may be involved.
Odds And Ends: Brewers, Roberts, Tejada
A few links for Wednesday night…
- According to The Sports Network, the Brewers signed minor leaguers Eduardo Morlan and Cody Scarpetta to one year deals.
- Brian Roberts hasn’t given up on working out an extension with the O’s, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports. Kubatko writes "it’s pretty clear that he wants a fourth year."
- Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News profiles Jesus Montero, the 19-year-old who could succeed Jorge Posada if he fares well as a catcher.
- MLB.com’s Corey Brock reports that Tigers’ pitching prospect Rick Porcello isn’t changing his approach as he approaches the majors.
- AZSnakePit.com interviewed D’Backs GM Josh Byrnes about pitching, defensive metrics and the June draft.
- Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Chase Utley looks healthy in Clearwater.
- The Astros hope Miguel Tejada starts the season as their shortstop, according to Brian McTaggart of the Houston Chronicle. Astros GM Ed Wade is apparently "committed to Tejada."
Beimel Discouraged By Weak Market
Free agent left-hander Joe Beimel told MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick Tuesday that he has spoken with 16 teams this offseason, but none have made "an offer worth accepting."
"It’s a good sign when a club calls, but in this market, you can’t get optimistic just because a club calls," Beimel said. "A lot of teams say they’re interested, but turning words into action hasn’t happened. It’s been strange... I put up good numbers three straight years, I’m durable. Usually that means you get a good contract, but it just hasn’t happened this year. It’s just really weird. I haven’t even had a reasonable offer to negotiate with. I don’t want to sign just to sign. It’s definitely discouraging, but you’ve got to deal with it. I’ll just wait it out."
The Dodgers contacted Beimel’s agent Tuesday afternoon, and the Phillies are also thought to have some level of interest.