Rosenthal’s Latest: Nationals, Manny, Peavy, Vazquez
We’ve already touched on Ken Rosenthal’s Matt Holliday update, but there are other good tidbits in the article as well:
- "Club officials believe" that the Nationals are "reasonably close to a breakthrough." They blame 2008’s sorry performance on the raft of injuries Washington suffered, which is why they’re willing to spend now for a big bat — the key names floating around have been the aforementioned Holliday, Adam Dunn, and Mark Teixeira, though Rosenthal seems skeptical they could snag any of them. But what about Manny Ramirez? "Jim Bowden, the Nats’ unconventional GM, probably would love the idea, but D.C. might not be big enough for Manny and Barack Obama." Looking at the impact that Manny has had on the LA’s attendance, and looking at the empty seats at Nationals Park, it could make sense.
- Obligatory Jake Peavy update: Padres discuss keeping the ace, Braves grow impatient. Cubs are still in the mix, while the Dodgers and Yankees are "on the backburner." (Buster Olney had a subtly different take posted a few hours later — that Peavy would be dealt before the turkey hits the sideboard.) Rosenthal also quotes Pads GM Kevin Towers as wanting to move the fences in at Petco (which is hard enough just to write without typing in "cavernous" as an automatic prefix).
- The Mets, among other ballclubs, are interested in Rays’ righties Andy Sonnanstine and Edwin Jackson, but the Rays are in no hurry to make a deal.
- "The White Sox are in an ideal position with" Javier Vazquez if they wait until Peavy, CC Sabathia, et al are placed and then shop him, Rosenthal argues. The 32-year old righty will make $23 MM through 2010, which he calls "a bargain for a pitcher who has produced four straight 200-inning seasons, albeit with a 49-51 record and 4.41 ERA." On the other hand, Vazquez has also hit the 200-strikeout mark in each of the last two seasons.
Sarah Green can be reached here.
Mets Rumors: Fuentes, Cordero, Delgado
5:18pm: More on the Mets: Ken Davidoff says they’re shopping Aaron Heilman, Scott Schoeneweis, and Pedro Feliciano. The A’s, Rays, and Rangers are fans of Heilman. The Rockies, Cardinals, Cubs, and D’Backs were also tossed into the mix by Adam Rubin, though the D’Backs haven’t had recent talks. The Mets would be willing to pick up some of the $3.6MM owed to Schoeneweis next year.
4:58pm: Brian Fuentes‘ agent Rick Thurman calls the below rumor of an offer to the Mets a "total fabrication."
10:56am: Checking in on the Mets…
- Tracy Ringolsby says Brian Fuentes‘ agents proposed a four-year, $44MM deal to the Mets. Ringolsby heard the Indians and Cardinals don’t want to go beyond two years. The Mets also met with Francisco Rodriguez‘s agent.
- The Mets are considering free agent Chad Cordero, who is coming off July shoulder surgery.
- GM Omar Minaya seems willing to spend big money on a closer and one starter, and then fill the other starting spot cheaply. The Mets could, say, sign Derek Lowe and trade for the affordable Edwin Jackson. The Mets haven’t exchanged names yet for Jackson.
- Ryan Dempster and Jon Garland may be on the radar, as Minaya met with their agent yesterday. Dempster’s agent said he can handle New York.
- Carlos Delgado approached the Mets late in the season about an extension for 2010, but they decided to pass. Delgado wasn’t bothered by this.
- Ken Davidoff adds that the Mets have let scout/former Bulls GM Jerry Krause go.
Rockies Rumors: Holliday, Taveras, Atkins
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.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Furcal, Bradley, Greinke
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.
Mets Prioritize Pitching
9:15pm: Michael Schmidt has a look at the amusing binder the Boras Corporation compiled to sell Oliver Perez.
6:31pm: Mets GM Omar Minaya commented on Manny Ramirez, indicating that he plans to invest in pitching instead.
2:34pm: The Mets expressed preliminary interest in Jon Garland and Ryan Dempster, according to Ken Davidoff. Dempster’s agent made it clear that he won’t be re-signing with the Cubs soon.
1:23pm: ESPN’s Buster Olney wrote in his blog this morning that the Mets are probably not willing to go past three years for Francisco Rodriguez or any reliever.
10:03am: More Mets chatter from Joel Sherman of the New York Post. He says the Mets and Rays have had preliminary discussions about Edwin Jackson and Andy Sonnanstine. The Rays have some interest in Aaron Heilman, though the Mets would need to give more.
Sherman believes the Mets’ interest in Ibanez is minor, and Carlos Delgado or Ryan Church would have to be dealt first.
9:45am: The Mets are prioritizing pitching this winter, based on articles by Mike Puma of the New York Post, Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, and Ken Davidoff of Newsday. Let’s dig in!
- Puma says the Mets have Scott Boras clients Oliver Perez and Derek Lowe on the radar. Perez offers the benefit of familiarity, though he’s not likely to sign quickly. Ken Rosenthal says the Mets would probably do $12MM a year for Perez, but Boras will want more. Rubin notes that Lowe is doubly attractive to the Mets for his closing experience.
- Rubin lists the Rockies, Cardinals, Cubs, and D’Backs as potential trade destinations for Aaron Heilman. The Rays have also been connected to Heilman.
- Davidoff mentions Omar Minaya’s Javier Vazquez connection. ESPN’s Keith Law says the Vazquez to the Mets rumor "appears to have originated in the Chicago camp, and the White Sox are keen to move him."
- ESPN’s Buster Olney says the Mets inquired on Rays pitcher Edwin Jackson.
- Davidoff also points out the Mets’ interest in Raul Ibanez despite their emphasis on pitching. The Royals and Cubs are also in on Ibanez so far.
Matt Holliday Rumors: Wednesday
8:40pm: Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd says he is "completely open-minded to anything" in a Holliday deal – a premium starter is not a requirement.
2:38pm: Renck says the Rockies have talked to the Rays about Holliday, as the Rays have an abundance of pitching. He also believes the Rays might be willing to give up Carl Crawford for Holliday.
9:54am: According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, there is too much momentum toward a Matt Holliday trade for the Rockies to turn back now. Sherman figures a deal could go down in December. He notes the Rockies’ appreciation of Yankees pitcher Ian Kennedy, though he wouldn’t be the centerpiece of a trade.
Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post did an exclusive interview with Holliday, who questioned the Rockies’ ability to contend every year. Holliday disputed the notion that his contract talks with the Rockies were a distraction to the team.
Teams Express Interest In B.J. Upton
According to MLB.com’s Jim Molony, several teams contacted the Rays regarding center fielder B.J. Upton. Molony says a trade is unlikely. Star center fielders are rare, and the Rays don’t have any strong needs. Upton is under team control through the 2012 season, I believe.
Rays Have Little To Spend
ESPN’s Keith Law has some Rays info in today’s blog. He says the Rays want to address holes at right field and DH, but are willing to use a platoon in one of those spots. They don’t have much money to spend.
Cork Gaines at Rays Index projected the ’09 payroll, arriving at $54.5MM. A few million could be saved if the arb-eligible Edwin Jackson is traded for a cheaper player. What kind of payroll increase are the Rays comfortable with? They were at $43.7MM on opening day. My Pat Burrell prediction may be unreasonable.
Brown’s Latest: Teixeira, Crede, Friedman
Yahoo’s Tim Brown filed a column late last night; let’s take a look.
- Scott Boras doesn’t know of any kind of contingency where the Dodgers would have to unload Andruw Jones‘ contract before signing Manny Ramirez.
- The Angels have not yet made an offer to Mark Teixeira, but they’ll deal with that situation before moving on to other needs. Boras is suggesting Teixeira pays for himself.
- Boras compared Joe Crede to Magglio Ordonez. I think he is implying that he may seek big money for Crede but allow a team to opt out after a year if he hits the DL for back problems.
- Ken Williams spoke up manufacturing runs, while Billy Beane still prefers walks and homers.
- Rays GM Andrew Friedman doesn’t have a contract, but he isn’t concerned.
Davidoff’s Latest: Sabathia, El Duque, Heilman
A few notes from Newsday’s Ken Davidoff, who has blog posts here and here.
- C.C. Sabathia‘s agents met with the Yankees yesterday, among other teams. As you know, teams can only talk contract with their own free agents currently. Sabathia is certainly open to playing for the Yankees.
- Orlando Hernandez not only wants to pitch in 2009; he wants to close. He’s thinking big after missing all of 2008.
- Davidoff gives a 10% chance of the Yankees re-signing Jason Giambi, and a 1% chance of re-signing Carl Pavano.
- The Rays like Aaron Heilman, though not as much as they once did.