Braves Rumors: Ludwick, Dempster, Francoeur
David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has been churning out rumors in the comments section of his blog.
- He believes the Braves are interested in Ryan Ludwick, but is not sure if they’d give up Kelly Johnson. O’Brien also suggests Rick Ankiel could be available, and that either player would interest Atlanta.
- O’Brien says the Cubs offered three years, $36MM to Ryan Dempster. Most folks think he’ll re-sign, but the Braves have spoken to Dempster’s agent.
- He adds that the Braves will make an offer to Mike Hampton, though Hampton will shop around and may prefer the West Coast. He’s looking for a one-year deal.
- The Royals still love Jeff Francoeur.
Kelly Johnson-Ryan Ludwick Rumor
A whisper from David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:
Here’s a rumor you might be hearing soon. I repeat, might be hearing. Kelly Johnson for Ryan Ludwick. Hey, you ask about whispers, I give you whispers. I’ll let you know if I hear it said above a whisper.
Johnson and Ludwick are both under team control for three more seasons. Johnson is 27 in February, while Ludwick is 30. Though Johnson plays a premium position, Ludwick was probably more valuable in 2008. Thoughts?
Odds and Ends: El Duque, Tazawa, Ausmus
Links for Tuesday. Be sure to check back on Odds and Ends posts, as I update them throughout the day with minor links.
- The Jays may no longer have A.J. Burnett under contract, but they continued their claiming frenzy by adding pitcher Les Walrond.
- The A’s re-hired Jason Giambi‘s strength coach. Does it mean anything?
- The Cardinals remain intrigued by the idea of bringing Edgar Renteria back.
- The Dodgers bought out catcher Gary Bennett for $50K; he’s a free agent now.
- Mike Cameron thinks C.C. Sabathia has a good chance of re-signing with the Brewers. He says Sabathia could be a pioneer by taking less money to stay.
- Yahoo’s Tim Brown says Orlando Hernandez is working out and intends to play next year. He did not pitch in the Majors at all this year due to foot injuries.
- Dylan Hernandez chatted with Scott Boras last week.
- The New York Daily News discusses Baseball Prospectus’ Nate Silver, whose political website is immensely popular.
- Patrick Newman points out that Junichi Tazawa will not be the first Japanese amateur to sign with an MLB team.
- Buster Olney says Brad Ausmus wants to play in 2009 if it’s close to his San Diego home. The Dodgers could be one possibility.
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.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Fielder, Beimel, Eckstein
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.
Rockies Shopping Holliday, Atkins, Taveras
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.
Rockies Won’t Re-Sign Fuentes
According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Rockies will not be re-signing free agent closer Brian Fuentes. Fuentes’ likely price tag – three years, $36MM+ – is just too high. Renck believes Fuentes may even be able to snag four years given the poor market for closers after Francisco Rodriguez.
Fuentes’ agent listed the Mets, Cardinals, and Angels as interested teams. A meeting with the Mets should come soon. The best case for the Rockies would be the Cardinals, as the Rockies would receive their #19 pick in next year’s draft.
Cardinals’ Offseason Plans
Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch explains the Cardinals’ offseason plans. The areas of concern: middle infield, lefthanded relief, and perhaps the rotation (maybe a swingman type pitcher). The Cards would also like an impact bat to protect Albert Pujols, but that is of lower priority.
Strauss says the Cardinals will investigate the price for Brian Fuentes and Joe Beimel. They’ll also consider bringing Edgar Renteria back to St. Louis on a one-year deal worth considerably less than $10MM. The Cards should have $20MM+ to spend in total.
As for trade chips, young catcher Bryan Anderson could be one. Second baseman Adam Kennedy wants out, but has negative trade value. The Cards could also move an outfielder. Derrick Goold of the P-D suggests possible matches.
Cardinals Sign Jason LaRue
According to the AP, the Cardinals signed catcher Jason LaRue to a one-year deal for $950K. LaRue, 34, hit .213/.296/.348 in 189 plate appearances as Yadier Molina‘s backup.
Odds and Ends: Rivera, Floyd, Peavy
Links for Tuesday…
- The Red Sox added pitcher Virgil Vasquez while losing infielder Gil Velazquez.
- Dave Cameron has another free agent bargain: Juan Rivera.
- The Astros made their first Taiwanese signing: 22 year-old righty reliever Chia-Jen Lo.
- Japanese reliever Ryota Igarashi hopes to try MLB eventually (but not in 2009).
- Viva El Birdos figures the Cardinals will check in on Kenshin Kawakami.
- Bud Selig has praise for Padres owner John Moores.
- Rays Index passes along a report that Cliff Floyd‘s injury could end his career. This could open up some free agent possibilities.
- River Ave. Blues says the latest Jake Peavy news is the nail in the coffin for the Yankees.
- MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince is not a big fan of the rumors.