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Burrell Unlikely To Return To Philly

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4:29pm: ESPN’s Jayson Stark says the Phillies will not tread water to see if they get DeRosa from the Cubs.  A friend of Ibanez told Stark the Phils are his first choice, so there seems to be mutual interest.  The problem: the Cubs want Ibanez too and may not be willing to move DeRosa until they get their outfielder.

3:46pm: Pat Burrell’s agent Ed Hayes would be surprised if his client re-signs with the Phillies, as would most observers.  Todd Zolecki believes the Phils’ top three candidates to replace him in left field are Raul Ibanez, Mark DeRosa, and Juan Rivera.

Perrotto’s Latest: Zambrano, Wolf, Anderson

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Gathering some rumors from John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus…

  • We know you like "crazy rumors," so here’s one Perrotto heard.  The Cubs would possibly entertain trading Carlos Zambrano if they acquire Jake Peavy.
  • The Cards have Randy Wolf on the radar.
  • The Rays have "at least some interest" in Garrett Anderson.

Blagojevich Corruption Charges

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Illinois govenor Rod Blagojevich was arrested on corruption charges today.  Cubs-related passage:

Blagojevich and [chief of staff John] Harris conspired to demand the firing of Chicago Tribune editorial board members responsible for editorials critical of Blagojevich in exchange for state help with the sale of Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs baseball stadium owned by Tribune Co.

Jake Peavy Rumors: Monday

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11:02pm: Jim Salisbury backs up the idea that the Phils could receive DeRosa and the Padres could get Happ.  It’s worth noting that the Cubs could trim $5.5MM off the payroll by sending out DeRosa and using Fontenot at second base.

10:31pm: MLB.com’s Lyle Spencer says the Angels have not taken themselves out of the Peavy sweepstakes. 

Also, Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune supplies more info.  A third team would definitely be involved in a Cubs trade.  DeRosa could wind up a Phillie, and Michael Wuertz is a new name of interest for the Padres.  Peavy’s agent Barry Axelrod said again that Peavy will require a full no-trade clause upon a deal.  One more thing – Towers said trading Peavy could free up money for Trevor Hoffman.

9:00pm: MLB.com’s Corey Brock says the legwork on this trade "has essentially been completed."  No deal has been reached, but Towers says he’s facilitated a three or possibly four-team deal.  The third and possibly fourth teams (Orioles, Phillies) have agreed to players.  There could be some haggling remaining on players sent from the Cubs to Padres.

Brock says all Towers needs now is the go-ahead from Hendry.  Peavy, by the way, was spotted at the Meetings.

8:35pm: Jayson Stark gives his take on the Peavy-Cubs situation.  He says Hendry is dealing with restrictions due to the team’s ownership situation, despite his comments.

8:01pm: Scott Miller of CBSSports.com says Jason Marquis and Angel Guzman (among others) could end up with the Padres in the three-team deal.  The Padres could get J.A. Happ and/or Chris Coste from the Phils.  Miller adds that the Phils are known to have interest in Mark DeRosa.

6:53pm: Rosenthal says the Phillies are now in the mix as a possible third team in a Peavy trade.  Those talks are preliminary.  Rosenthal says the Cubs can’t complete a deal for Peavy until their new owner is decided.

5:33pm: Roch Kubatko says the O’s are still interested in Pie, but may only get him for Olson straight up if Olson is to be flipped to San Diego in a Peavy trade.

2:37pm: Joel Sherman learned from Towers that if he doesn’t reach an agreement on a Peavy deal with the Cubs at the Meetings, he will keep the pitcher to start the season.  The Dodgers are apparently the only other team to which Peavy has approved a trade.

Sherman adds that the Cubs "are willing to let [Peavy] keep his no-trade clause."  Not sure if Sherman is trying to say the Cubs would replace Peavy’s partial no-trade rights for 2011 and part of 2012 with full no-trade powers.

2:33pm: Kevin Towers told Ken Rosenthal he’s talking to only the Cubs about Peavy.  He expects to have a good idea on whether to drop it or move forward by the end of the Meetings.  Towers approached Ned Colletti but talks didn’t get far.

12:22pm: Jerry Crasnick says Kevin Towers and Peavy’s agent Barry Axelrod drove together for the 4.5 hour ride from San Diego to Las Vegas, but Axelrod says they only talked about Peavy for about three minutes.  Also, Axelrod brought a sweet mix CD.

11:44am: Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald says the Cubs and Padres did not talk about Peavy on Sunday but will today.  He’s heard the Padres might be concerned with Vitters’ hand/wrist.

1:14am: Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times says the Cubs first want to trade Jason Marquis and acquire their left-handed hitting outfielder before Peavy.  Wittenmyer’s sources do believe the Cubs will eventually acquire San Diego’s ace.  However, his sources say the Tom Krasovic report about a five-for-one framework being in place is exaggerated.

Wittenmyer hears that the Orioles would be willing to swap Garrett Olson for Felix Pie; the Cubs would then send Olson to the Padres in the Peavy deal.

12:54am: According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, Padres GM Kevin Towers "envisions a way to do a [Jake Peavy] deal now only with the Cubs."  We’ve heard rumors of the Padres and Cubs trying to rope in the Orioles or Rays as a third team. 

Heyman adds that Peavy would approve a trade to Chicago "without any significant reworking of his contract or other major concessions."  Does that imply that the Cubs would not have to guarantee Peavy’s 2013 option ($22MM) or grant him a full no-trade clause?

Keep in mind that despite all the virtual ink that will be spilled on Peavy over the next four days, Jayson Stark sees "just about a zero chance" he’s dealt at the Meetings.  Still, the Cubs and Padres seem to already have a framework in place involving Sean Marshall, Kevin Hart, Josh Vitters, and maybe Ronny Cedeno.

Rockies Rumors: Taveras, Villone, Marquis

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9:48pm: The Rockies are moving forward on a deal for Rusch, according to Tracy Ringolsby.  Ringolsby adds that the Rox may explore a long-term deal with Ubaldo Jimenez after the holidays, but aren’t quite ready to do so with Chris Iannetta.  Also, the Rockies like Josh Bard but they don’t have room for him.

1:00pm: Joel Sherman adds Eddie Guardado as a lefty of interest for Colorado.

2:07am: Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post sums up the latest hot stove buzz around the Rockies.

  • As you know, the Nationals are interested in Rockies outfielder Willy Taveras.  Taveras might be just a step above a non-tender, so the price shouldn’t be too high.  The real question is whether the Nats are planning on starting four players in the outfield.
  • Joe Beimel is dropping out of the picture, but the Rockies still like Alan Embree, Ron Villone, and Glendon Rusch.
  • The Mets’ asking price for Aaron Heilman was too high.  Jason Marquis could be a trade target, he can at least eat innings at a cost of $6MM to the Rockies.  Then again, a lot of guys can do that.
  • No chance of multiyear contract talks between the Rockies and Brian Fuentes.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Burnett, Garland, Aurilia

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8:22pm: John Mozeliak said tonight the Cardinals never engaged with Burnett’s agent.  A commitment of more than two years to a free agent starter is extremely unlikely.

3:40pm: Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says it’s "not true" that the Cardinals are players for Burnett.

8:30am: The latest from Ken Rosenthal:

  • The Cardinals are a serious bidder for A.J. Burnett.  They also pursued him back in 2005.  The Blue Jays would get the Cardinals’ #19 pick next June if they sign him.  However, Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch recently wrote that the Cards "are not expected to pursue the free agent pool’s bigger fish: C.C. Sabathia, Ben Sheets, A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe."
  • The Mets have Jon Garland on the radar.  Jerry Crasnick likes Garland as a fit for the Cards.
  • The Brewers haven’t decided to increase their offer to C.C. Sabathia at this time, and won’t consider it until they meet with the big lefty.  A meeting is scheduled; Sabathia may grill the Brewers about their other offseason plans.  Rosenthal thinks Kerry Wood might make the most sense among free agent closers.
  • The Mets, Indians, and Cardinals are interested in J.J. Putz.
  • The Cubs are eyeing Rich Aurilia, but only if they happen to move Ronny Cedeno or Mike Fontenot.
  • The Nationals "aren’t terribly enamored" of Willy Taveras, contrary to previous reports.  The Nats instead have Carlos Gonzalez in their sights.

Marlins Rumors: Hermida, Pudge, Treanor

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Mike Berardino has the latest on the Marlins, in posts here and here.

  • The Cubs and Marlins haven’t discussed Jeremy Hermida in quite a while.  In general, the Fish may be reluctant to sell low on Hermida.  Berardino agrees that the idea of the Marlins acquiring Jason Bartlett doesn’t make sense.
  • The Marlins might be planning a "low-wattage run" at Ivan Rodriguez.
  • Catcher Matt Treanor is a non-tender candidate, so the Marlins may move him before Friday.

Cubs Rumors: Hermida, Bradley, Roberts

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7:24pm: The Cubs met with Bradley last night, according to ESPN Deportes.

5:06pm: Cubs manager Lou Piniella asked Seattle reporters today whether Ibanez can play right field.

2:16pm: The Tribune Company filed for bankruptcy today, but the Cubs were not part of the filing.

1:59pm: Jayson Stark says Ibanez and Abreu rank much higher than Adam Dunn and Bradley on the Cubs’ list.  They’ve checked in on all four free agents.  As for Hermida, the Marlins want more than just prospects and the Cubs may not be able to do that.  Stark adds that the Cubs’ payroll is not frozen – they can temporarily go over budget assuming they can subtract payroll later.

On a related note, Stark talked to a source who described interest in Jason Marquis as not even in nibble form yet.

11:57am: Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald adds more Cubs nuggets.  The Cubs are not looking to trade Mike Fontenot.  However Ronny Cedeno is available and could even be a non-tender candidate if the Cubs can’t find a match.

1:33am: Before trying to complete a Jake Peavy deal, the Cubs want to find a left-handed hitter.  Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times outlines a few targets.

Wittenmyer says Jeremy Hermida is high on the Cubs’ list (they’re not alone).  They’re also eyeing free agent Milton Bradley, who declined the Rangers’ offer of arbitration last night.  Manager Lou Piniella likes Raul Ibanez, and Wittenmyer likes Bobby Abreu.  The Cubs are still fond of Brian Roberts.  They also might consider acquiring a shortstop, which would create a surplus at second base.

The Cubs discussed Khalil Greene with the Padres before he was sent to St. Louis, even though Greene bats from the right side.

Marquis Unlikely For Rockies

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6:47pm: Troy Renck says the Rockies told the Cubs they didn’t have room in the budget for Marquis.  The Rox may attempt to acquire a starter via trade, using Huston Street and Luis Vizcaino as chips.

Other notes from Renck: the Padres and Rangers have interest in free agent outfielder Cory Sullivan.  And interest in Willy Taveras is minimal given Friday’s non-tender deadline.

5:13pm: According to MLB.com’s Thomas Harding, the Rockies have internally discussed the possibility of acquiring Cubs’ starter Jason Marquis.  However, Marquis isn’t exactly the front-rotation type they seek.  Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald heard from Cubs people that "nothing of substance is getting done" on the Marquis-Rockies front.

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