Phillies Not Getting Bedard
UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 11:44am: Scott Lauber says the Phils and O’s haven’t discussed Bedard at the Meeings. However, he seems to indicate that at some point prior the O’s told the Phils they don’t have the players to get it done. Joel Sherman of the New York Post wrote on Tuesday that the Phillies were initially told they didn’t match up but were still trying to get involved.
UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 11:04am: Todd Zolecki of the Philadelphia Inquirer shoots this one down, writing that the Phils and Orioles have not discussed Bedard.
FROM 12-6-07 at 9:33am:
According to Joe Haggerty of the Metro out of Philadelphia, the Phillies offered Kyle Kendrick, Shane Victorino, and two unknown prospects to the Orioles for Erik Bedard and were turned down. It’s generally believed that the Phillies don’t have the young available talent Andy MacPhail seeks, but it never hurts to ask.
Marlins Considering Helms, Cantu
MLB.com’s Jim Molony reports that the Marlins are considering Wes Helms and Jorge Cantu as candidates for their now-vacant third base job.
Helms had a career year in 2006 for the Marlins, hitting .329/.390/.575 while seeing a disproportionate amount of southpaws. The Phils then wishcasted him as a starter and gave him two years and $5.45MM. Helms has $2.15MM left on his contract plus a $750K buyout.
Cantu was recently cut by the Reds; his claim to fame is driving in 117 runs for the 2005 Devil Rays. He turns 26 in January; perhaps his career can be revived in Florida.
Phillies Rumors: Iguchi, Inge, Silva, Ensberg
Sounds like there’s a whole lot of ‘nothin’ going on with the Phillies.
- As you know, the Phils are out on Hiroki Kuroda.
- Yesterday the Phillies made an offer and a second improved offer to Tadahito Iguchi. Iguchi is looking for a three-year deal for around the $16.5MM Kaz Matsui received.
- Todd Zolecki says the Phils have "kicked around" Brandon Inge‘s name; he’s definitely available. The general sentiment is that the Tigers would have to eat some of the $19.1MM owed to Inge over the next three seasons. Plus, the Phillies already tried the defense-first idea at third base.
- Talks with Mike Cameron went nowhere, as the Phillies didn’t want to consider a multiyear deal. Aaron Rowand is also a long shot. Not a very exciting Meetings for Phillies fans.
- Scott Lauber checks in this morning and says Carlos Silva would like to return to the Phillies. The interest isn’t mutual, however, if Silva continues to ask for four or five years.
- Lauber suggests Morgan Ensberg is a strong non-tender candidate and someone the Phils should look at.
Erik Bedard Rumors: Wednesday
UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 1:10am: Geoff Baker believes the Mariners are still in on Bedard, and that no team has beaten their offer yet. However, that offer still may not be enough for Andy MacPhail and Co.
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 1:38pm: Jon Heyman says Bedard turned down a three-year extension offer from the Orioles. He has some interesting thoughts; check it out.
Meanwhile there’s chatter of a 610 WIP report coming out of Philly about the team’s attempts to acquire Bedard. Something like Kyle Kendrick, Shane Victorino, Carlos Carrasco, and others. I don’t put much stock in this one as the Orioles could do much better.
FROM 12-5-07 at 1:59am:
Tuesday ended with 11 teams expressing interest in Erik Bedard. Let’s start a new thread for today’s rumors.
Geoff Baker cautiously names the Mariners the frontrunners for Bedard, now that the Dodgers have vowed not to give up Jonathan Broxton. He says the front office is salivating over Bedard and could offer up some combination of Adam Jones, Wladimir Balentien, Brandon Morrow, and George Sherrill.
Odds and Ends: Guzman, Shelton, Garcia, Jones
Rounding up some smaller rumors…
- The Phillies talked to the Pirates today about Nate McLouth, Damaso Marte, and John Grabow. Grabow remains a possibility.
- There’s some ill will between the Marlins and Angels.
- Aaron Rowand, Andruw Jones, and Hiroki Kuroda are all asking for more years than GMs are willing to give.
- The Tigers picked up Freddy Guzman from the Rangers for first baseman Chris Shelton. Maybe Shelton can work his way into the team’s first base mix.
- Interesting note from MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan – the Rangers considered trying to acquire Adam Jones, but Bill Bavasi said, "You don’t want to see Jones kicking your tail for the next 10 years."
- The Mets and roughly five other teams looked at Freddy Garcia’s medical records, according to Joel Sherman. The Rangers are one other interested party.
Brewers Rumors: Street, Iguchi, Riske
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 7:52pm: Not so fast – Doug Melvin isn’t at the offer stage with Iguchi.
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 2:54pm: Iguchi’s agent expects a two-year offer from the Brewers sometime today. Iguchi is willing to play third base and is looking for a two-year deal with an option.
FROM 12-4-07 at 10:59pm:
MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy runs down the Brewers’ day.
- As you know, the Brewers are out of the running for Scott Rolen. This is due to a number of factors. McCalvy quotes an ESPN rumor of Chris Capuano and Bill Hall for Rolen, which I somehow missed. I thought it was just Capuano.
- Earlier today we wrote about many other third base options the Brewers are considering. Add Tadahito Iguchi to that list, since he’s declared he’s willing to play third base. The Giants, Rockies, Padres, and Phillies also like Iguchi.
- David Riske took a physical in Milwaukee today, though his agent says other teams are still in play.
- The Brewers apparently called the A’s to discuss Huston Street‘s availability.
Four Teams After Prior
MLB.com’s Jim Molony names four teams interested in Mark Prior: Reds, Padres, Phillies, and Rangers. The Phils are the new one on that list; I remember they had interest a few years back in a Prior for Bobby Abreu swap.
One other team that may have some interest is the Mariners.
Phillies Rumors: Iguchi, Carrasco
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 10:52am: It’s "more unlikely than likely" that the Phils re-sign Iguchi.
FROM 12-5-07 at 8:53am:
Scott Lauber has a few Phillies notes for us this morning.
- Since the Phillies released him at the end of the season, a waiver will have to be obtained for Tadahito Iguchi to be allowed to re-sign with the Phillies and start the season normally. It can be done.
- Lauber says Pat Gillick indicated for the first time that he’d be willing to trade prospects for pitching. Lauber names Carlos Carrasco, Joe Savery, Josh Outman, and Adrian Cardenas as possibilities to go.
Rangers Rumors: Blalock, Lamb, Padilla
Evan Grant has the latest Rangers hot stove buzz.
- 27 year-old third baseman Hank Blalock is getting a lot of play. Grant names the Cardinals, Phillies, Twins, and Dodgers as teams that have inquired. Jon Daniels says no team has made an impressive offer and he’s not inclined to trade Blalock. It would be a bit of a sell-low move.
- The Rangers met with Mike Lamb‘s agent yesterday afternoon; they’re the frontrunners for him. They have a full-time first base job for Lamb, who came up in the organization.
- Teams are interested in Vicente Padilla, but everyone wants the Johan thing to be finished before moving on pitching.
Rockies Interested In Iguchi
According to Troy Renck and Patrick Saunders, the Rockies met with Tadahito Iguchi‘s agent yesterday to discuss their second base opening. Iguchi prefers the idea of second base, and is looking for a two-year deal. Other teams interested in Iguchi are the Dodgers, Giants, Phillies, and Brewers.
Other second basemen on Colorado’s radar include Chris Burke and Mark Loretta.