The Barry Zito Market
First, let’s start with the White Sox. Multiple emailers have told me that SNY’s baseball insider Seth Everett reported yesterday that he thinks Chicago might join the Barry Zito chase. I can’t vouch for this report as I didn’t see it myself. Regardless, the rumor is making the rounds. Here’s why I think it would be highly unlikely:
1. While no team loves Scott Boras, the White Sox have a particular distaste for him.
2. Jerry Reinsdorf has a policy: no contracts over three years for pitchers. That came into effect after they signed Jaime Navarro for four years (he was awful).
3. It doesn’t fit in with Kenny Williams’s apparent plan at all.
Meanwhile, Jon Daniels is "not terribly encouraged" of the Rangers’ chances at signing Zito, mentioned on the heels of his Brandon McCarthy acquisition.
The New York Daily News reports that the Mets have not yet made an official offer. It appears that the Mariners and Giants are still involved.
Giants Sign Ryan Klesko
According to the AP, the Giants have signed Ryan Klesko to a one-year deal.
Rich Aurilia will be the primary first baseman in San Francisco, but could certainly be needed at second base for 20+ games. Klesko can squeeze in at first as well as play a little left field, DH during interleague, and pinch-hit.
Back in October, Klesko said he was feeling the best he has since the first half of 2003. He hit .262/.361/.520 with 19 HR before the break that year. He finally has two healthy shoulders and no neck problems. I like the signing. It’s like the poor man’s version of last year’s Frank Thomas signing.
Gagne To Giants?
Evan Brunell has an unconfirmed report that Eric Gagne will sign with San Francisco for $6MM guaranteed. I figured it’s definitely worth a mention.
As I said earlier, that is a lot of guaranteed cash for a guy who’s thrown 15 innings over the past two seasons. On the other hand, the Giants probably didn’t want to bring Keith Foulke back around.
Inge, Byrd, Kline Sign
The Detroit Free Press indicates that a four-year extension for third baseman Brandon Inge is near. It could be worth $24MM.
Inge turns 30 next May. In 2006, he posted a career high .463 SLG in 542 ABs. However, his OBP dipped to .313. By comparison, the average AL 3B hit .269/.338/.442 this year. The main problem was that Inge’s walk percentage dropped from 10% in 2005 to 7% this year. However, Inge’s fine glovework at the hot corner probably elevates him to the status of above average overall.
ESPN reports that southpaw reliever Steve Kline will stay with the Giants on a two-year, $3.5MM deal. Kline, who is 34, has poor control and a weak strikeout rate. He does keep the ball on the ground generally and is a little better against lefties.
The Rangers signed 29 year-old outfielder Marlon Byrd to a one-year contract. Byrd typically struggles to post a .700 OPS, so he’s probably seen as a fourth outfielder. He can play all three outfield positions.
Finally, the Royals signed southpaw John Bale, who turns 33 next May, to a two-year, $4MM deal. Bale spent the last two seasons in Japan. In 2006, Bale posted a 2.93 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 9.6 K/9 in 43 innings. Interesting side note: Bale was traded by the Orioles to the Mets in 2002 for $50MM man Gary Matthews Jr.
Bonds: The Real San Fransisco Treat
Joe Hamrahl reports that Barry Bonds has agreed to a $16MM contract with the San Francisco Giants to patrol left field in 2007, pending a physical. This coming after San Fransisco failed to land Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Lee, Manny Ramirez, Gary Mathews Jr, and Juan Pierre this off-season.
So they get Barry Bonds as a "consolation prize"? At least he gave them a discount from the 2-years/$40MM he reportedly was looking for originally. I’m not too sure anyone is really all that surprised at this point that this is where Barry ended up. I wonder if this is actually more or less than he would have gotten if the Giants had just offered Bonds arbitration.
By Adam Howe
Yanks, Giants Considering Zito
Scott Boras must’ve been pleased – Yankees GM Brian Cashman met with him Wednesday night to discuss Barry Zito, among others. However, speculation is that the Yankees will not go up to the 6/96 range said to be occupied by the Rangers and possibly Mets.
The Yankees remain focused on Andy Pettitte. Other notes from George King’s column:
The Yanks did talk Richie Sexson with the Mariners, but insisted Carl Pavano be involved. Seattle said no. They’ve also got some interest in Eliezer Alfonzo of the Giants as a trade target.
One free agent on the radar is Dustin Hermanson. The White Sox declined Hermanson’s $3.5MM option, but he can probably top that if he shows good health.
Meanwhile, the Contra Costa Times says "The Giants continued to go hardest after left-hander Barry Zito, even though they believe he could command an annual salary of $20 million over five or six years." Yikes.
Mercury News On Lowry, David Wells
The Mercury News has all sorts of good Giants info for us today.
Couple of wild three-way scenarios…you’ll just have to click the link for those. It’s not really the offseason until the four-ways start surfacing though.
Could the Giants sign David Wells? Insert old guy joke here. Other starts on the radar include Ted Lilly, Mark Mulder, Jeff Suppan, and Darren Oliver.
Would the Giants really trade Noah Lowry? It doesn’t make much sense to me, but I guess it depends on the return. Felipe Alou did a number on Lowry.
The Giants inquired with Doug Melvin about outfielder Geoff Jenkins.
Edes On The Manny Meetings
Gordon Edes of the Boston Globe is all over the Manny Ramirez dealings.
The Angels will meet with the Red Sox tonight, but would have to bite the bullet and part with Scot Shields to get the deal done. Why are they so reluctant to do this? Come on. Its Manny. Boston is also interested in Orlando Cabrera, Ervin Santana, and Jered Weaver. You can count Weaver out. That’s silly.
The Giants might get in on it instead. The buzz is that the Nats could wedge their way into a three-way trade involving the following players: Chad Cordero, Noah Lowry, J.J. Putz, and/or Rafael Soriano, and Jimmie J.J. Walker.
Earlier this afternoon Edes talked to a Dodger official who rated the team’s chances of acquiring Manny at 5% at best. So you’re saying there’s a chance.
Giants Sign Molina For Three Years
According to Tim Brown of Yahoo, the Giants have signed catcher Bengie Molina to a three-year deal. Last year, Molina was left out in the cold in the free agent market. Another strong season got him his deal.
No Interest In Bonds?
John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle looks at every MLB team and tries to see which might have interest in free agent outfielder Barry Bonds. Bonds is the top offensive threat remaining among free agents, and he’d probably command a low-risk one-year deal. If teams are truly all saying no, they are basically saying that Bonds’s baggage outweighs the extra wins he provides.
I am still not on board with popular opinion, which seems to be that a fan would rather see his or her baseball team lose than have a known steroid user join up. I suppose that’s the moral high ground, but personally I want my team to load up with the best available players even if they are the scum of the Earth. That’s just me. (I’m a Cubs fan, maybe losing makes me desperate).
According to Shea and various newspapers, the following clubs are out of the running:
Dodgers
Indians
Rangers
Red Sox
Angels
Blue Jays
Tigers
White Sox
Cubs
Yankees
Mets
Shea names the Giants, Padres, and Orioles as the main suitors, with the Red Sox and Angels perhaps considering it later after things settle. In a strictly baseball sense, I think the Twins, White Sox, Rangers, Braves, Marlins, Dodgers, and Cards should be in on him. Perhaps one of those clubs will stomach the cheating and emerge as a dark horse.