Cubs Rumors: Teahen, Edmonds, Marquis
Earlier today I spoke with a source familiar with the Cubs’ thinking, and dug up enough info for a fresh post.
- While Mark Teahen is a player of interest for the Cubs, they certainly won’t be trading Mike Fontenot and Sean Marshall for him. The Cubs don’t consider Teahen the middle of the order bat they require.
- Royals outfielder David DeJesus also interests the Cubs, but the source has the impression Dayton Moore would have to be overwhelmed to trade him. There seems a good chance DeJesus stays put this winter.
- The Cubs aren’t keen on bringing Jim Edmonds back for 2009.
- There are no perfect fits for the right field vacancy, and the Cubs are willing to sacrifice some defense to add that middle of the order lefthanded hitter.
- The Cubs are hoping a market forms for Jason Marquis, and are willing to eat salary "within reason." They would be content with Marquis as their fifth starter if nothing surfaces. I couldn’t get any specifics, but the Cubs do feel that they have reasonable options to clear payroll other than trading Marquis.
- Teams around baseball are wary of certain Type A/B free agents accepting offers of arbitration. Expect the Cubs to figure out where Kerry Wood stands before deciding whether to offer.
Cubs Rumors: Ibanez, Abreu, Teahen
Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times has a couple of new Cubs articles up, here and here.
- Manager Lou Piniella would prefer the Cubs acquire a middle of the order hitter over a leadoff man, if only one can be acquired.
- Piniella had kind words for possible free agent target Raul Ibanez.
- Piniella continued to dismiss the idea of the Cubs pursuing Jake Peavy (despite recent comments from Padres GM Kevin Towers).
- He’d like to give Mike Fontenot more playing time in 2009, which would help balance the lineup. In the spring the Cubs will see if Fontenot can chip in at shortstop.
- The idea that the Cubs can only move Alfonso Soriano down in the order if they acquire a known leadoff man lives on.
- Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News reported on Friday that the Cubs had expressed interest in Bobby Abreu. Wittenmyer says that’s not true.
- Wittenmyer also reports a lack of movement on the Mark Teahen front, suggesting Phil Rogers’ recent report of Kansas City’s focus on Sean Marshall and Fontenot "continues to ring of hollow speculation."
Jake Peavy Rumors: Monday
SI.com’s Jon Heyman has the latest on the Jake Peavy trade talks, after talking to Padres GM Kevin Towers.
Towers seems to think the Cubs are a more likely suitor for Peavy than the Braves. The Cubs have obstacles – their ownership/financial situation is in flux, and they’ll need a third team to get the Padres the players they want. But Towers hasn’t spoken to the Braves in weeks, and they may object to Peavy’s desire for a full no-trade clause.
Rogers’ Latest: Royals/Cubs, Peavy, Phillies
Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune has an interesting piece covering many topics throughout MLB:
- The Royals are specifically eyeing Sean Marshall and Mike Fontenot as targets while discussing a trade for Mark Teahen with the Chicago Cubs. We’ve heard some conflicting reports recently about whether or not this trade was actually being talked about. Teahen could fill the Cubs’ right field vacancy, but his offensive struggles since moving to the outfield have been well-documented.
- Houston could still be a dark-horse candidate for Jake Peavy. Roy Oswalt has been telling Peavy the two of them could make Houston contenders together. I can’t see a sensible package coming from Houston without opening new holes, however.
- The Phillies don’t plan on making any drastic moves, despite Chase Utley and Pedro Feliz undergoing surgery.
- The Dodgers and Tigers are both interested in Orlando Cabrera.
Mets Rumors: Castillo, K-Rod, Abreu
A few Mets rumors have surfaced today…
- According to David Lennon of Newsday, Mets GM Omar Minaya is ready to go ahead with Luis Castillo at second base next year.
- Paul Kinzer, the agent for Francisco Rodriguez, expects to meet with the Mets next week to negotiate for K-Rod, according to Peter Botte of the New York Daily News. After the Mets review K-Rod’s medical records, Kinzer acknowledged that the next step would be a face-to-face meeting.
- And Anthony McCarron has a source who says the Mets and Cubs have both expressed interest in Bobby Abreu. However, the Mets continue to say their priority is pitching.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Furcal, Burnett, Halladay
Ken Rosenthal has a new column up this evening.
- The A’s and Giants remain the top suitors for Rafael Furcal, and the team that’s willing to give him four guaranteed years may win the bidding. The Dodgers, Braves, and Cubs are also in the mix.
- Rosenthal talked to a source with knowledge of the Blue Jays’ thinking, and that person can’t imagine them giving A.J. Burnett five years. Rosenthal says to forget the idea of a Roy Halladay trade, unless they attempt and fail to sign him to an extension. And if Burnett is signed, a Halladay extension would be next on the docket.
- Luis Gonzalez wants to play next year.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Pedro, Sabathia, Peavy
A look at what is being written about the hot stove in the Blogosphere…
- Fire Brand of the American League looks at the ramifications of the Coco Crisp trade and what could happen if the Red Sox acquire Mark Teixeira and are unable to move Mike Lowell.
- Baseball Opinion says the Crisp deal leaves the Royals with a crowded outfield and a depleted bullpen and wonders if Mark Teahen or David DeJesus will be the next to go.
- Nationals Pride sees the Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham trade as a good start towards building a team with a core of young veterans that will be in place when the prospects are ready to contribute.
- The ‘Burgh Blues would like to see the Pirates go after Pedro Martinez, noting his close relationship with Joe Kerrigan and Denny Bautista.
- Sox and Pinstripes is worried about a potential signing of A.J. Burnett by the Red Sox and would prefer Derek Lowe.
- BaseBlog has a "tale of the tape" comparing C.C. Sabathia’s 2008 season to Johan Santana’s 2007 season.
- Goat Riders of the Apocalypse wonders if the Cubs are better off with Jake Peavy and Kosuke Fukudome versus Jason Marquis and a high-priced free agent right fielder.
- DC Sports Plus takes a closer look at 79 minor league free agents, focusing on former major leaguers, former top prospects and left-handed relief pitchers.
- Padres Revolution offers up a list of the 10 best trades brokered by Kevin Towers.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here.
Rafael Furcal Rumors: Thursday
8:35pm: According to Jeff Passan, Furcal has been offered many three-year deals, but he wants a four-year contract. Furcal’s agent, Paul Kinzer confirmed that the Orioles, Braves, Giants, Cubs, Dodgers and A’s are interested, along with one unnamed "mystery" team.
1:30pm: MLB.com’s Mychael Urban talked to Kinzer, who said the A’s have examined Furcal’s medical records. Urban also says the A’s expressed interest in Jason Giambi.
9:40am: Rounding up the recent Rafael Furcal links…
- According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the A’s are still pursuing free agent shortstop Furcal. They like that he’s not a Type A free agent and won’t cost them a draft pick.
- Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times wrote on Friday that the Dodgers "would like to bring back Furcal, although they appear more likely to sign Orlando Cabrera to a short-term deal." MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick said Furcal is the "lynchpin of the club’s infield plans" after talking to Joe Torre.
- Henry Schulman talked to Furcal’s agent Paul Kinzer yesterday, who said his client will not accept an incentive-based deal.
- The Cubs have talked to Kinzer about Furcal, but it’s "nothing serious" at this point.
- J.P. Ricciardi told MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian he’s not interested in Furcal.
Jake Peavy Rumors: Thursday
2:00pm: David O’Brien says the Padres and Braves need each other and still believes Peavy winds up in Atlanta. I agree. O’Brien also says the Braves’ talks for Ryan Ludwick aren’t dead.
10:29am: SI.com’s Jon Heyman talked to Peavy’s agent, Barry Axelrod. Peavy hasn’t revised his original list of five teams, but Axelrod says the NL West would interest Peavy (aside from the Rockies). So, maybe Giants fans have something new to speculate about. Axelrod says the list was only guidance for Towers.
8:52am: Let’s round up today’s Jake Peavy linkage.
- MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat said yesterday the Cubs’ talks for Peavy had ended due to budget restraints. Those limitations still exist, so the Cubs would have to get creative.
- Padres GM Kevin Towers told MLB.com’s Corey Brock Wednesday night that he talked to Jim Hendry and the Cubs are still interested in Peavy. Yahoo’s Tim Brown heard the same from a source. It’d require a third or fourth team and the aforementioned financial creativity.
- Towers told Tom Krasovic that talks with the Braves have not resumed and he hasn’t heard from the Angels. Krasovic also said, "Among some of his ballplayer friends, Peavy has created the impression that if he is traded, he would like to pitch for the Cubs."
Odds and Ends: Wade, Crisp, Holliday
Links for Thursday…
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- Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald wonders if Kerry Wood might accept an offer of arbitration from the Cubs.
- Hal Steinbrenner officially took over control of the Yankees from George.
- Former Dodgers GM Fred Claire takes a look at Jeremy Affeldt‘s motivations in signing early with the Giants.
- Check out recent fan chats with Astros GM Ed Wade and agent Scott Boras. Wade still hopes to sign Randy Wolf and Doug Brocail and doesn’t seem keen on trading Jose Valverde. Some fans didn’t seem to realize that just holding payroll steady will pose problems for the Astros.
- Joe Posnanski discusses the Royals’ acquisition of Coco Crisp.
- Nick Cafardo wonders if the Crisp trade sets up other moves for the Red Sox. They’ll explore signing Rocco Baldelli, according to Amalie Benjamin.
- Sox Machine reflects on Nick Swisher‘s time with the White Sox.
- A’s owner Lew Wolff would prefer to keep Matt Holliday all year.
- Tom Haudricourt wonders if the Brewers will pursue David DeJesus if they trade Mike Cameron.
- MetsBlog’s Matthew Cerrone lists which teams have been connected to the top free agent starting pitchers.
- Chad Finn wonders if the Red Sox are considering trading David Ortiz.
- Alan Schwarz has a nice article on Junichi Tazawa.