Hoffman, Padres Reach Impasse
5:02pm: Padres exec Sandy Alderson told MLB.com’s Corey Brock he’s perfectly willing to talk to Hoffman.
10:53am: The door is closed on both sides, according to Olney. Hoffman is upset with the Padres’ handling of the situation.
TUESDAY, 8:00am: Hoffman’s agent considers his client "the cream of the closers." The Indians are expected to be one interested party, according to Barry Bloom and Corey Brock of MLB.com. The Tigers at least inquired about some unknown players represented by the Beverly Hills Sports Council, possibly Hoffman. Jon Paul Morosi says he fits their profile.
MONDAY, 10:34pm: Olney is now more emphatic in saying Hoffman "will not return to the Padres for 2009."
10:01pm: Tom Krasovic says the Padres withdrew their $4MM offer.
9:32pm: According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Padres and legendary closer Trevor Hoffman have reached an impasse in contract negotiations. The team offered Hoffman $4MM plus incentives (perhaps with a club option for ’10). Olney believes Hoffman’s Padres career is over, "barring a dramatic turn in negotiations."
The Cardinals don’t have Hoffman on the radar, but the Indians will give him a look.
Tigers Interested In Lyon
According to MLB.com’s Jason Beck, the Tigers have indicated early interest in free agent reliever Brandon Lyon.
Lyon, 29, posted a 4.70 ERA in 59.1 innings this year. His strong command and high rate of hits dropping in indicates that he deserved a lower ERA for his efforts. Lyon earned $3.125MM in ’08. Will he sign for the one-year term the Tigers crave?
Tigers Rumors: Tazawa, Putz
According to Jon Paul Morosi, the Detroit Tigers are interested in Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa. Morosi lists the Red Sox, Mariners, Braves and Phillies as other potential suitors for the 22-year-old.
Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski told Morosi that it’s “too early to tell” whether the club will pursue Tazawa aggresively.
Though Morosi doesn’t think the Tigers have a great chance of signing Tazawa, their chances of signing Japanese players have gone up since they hired Kevin Hooker to co-ordinate their Pacific Rim scouting.
Morosi also wonders whether the Tigers would part with Matt Joyce or Jeff Larish in a deal for J.J. Putz. Earlier this week, Morosi wrote that the Tigers would have to find bullpen help outside the organization.
Miller’s Latest: Olsen, Willis, Blake
Here’s a look at the latest from Scott Miller of CBSSports.com.
- The Braves and Rangers have talked to the Marlins about lefty Scott Olsen.
- The Red Sox have done background work on Dontrelle Willis, stirring up the Willis for Julio Lugo rumors.
- The Twins, Dodgers, and Indians have expressed interest in Casey Blake. Blake’s agent said he anticipates offers ranging from one to three years.
Tigers Rumors: Pudge, Varitek, Lugo, Thames
Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press doles out the latest Tigers rumors.
- How will the Tigers resolve their catching situation? GM Dave Dombrowski calls an Ivan Rodriguez reunion a longshot, and Scott Boras is asking the moon for Jason Varitek. The Tigers may not have the goods to swing a trade for Gerald Laird. Morosi likes the idea of Henry Blanco, but says the Tigers have yet to contact his agent. Check out the other free agent options here.
- Morosi considers a bad contract swap for Julio Lugo a viable option for the Tigers. He notes that Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson have similar commitments. Lugo for Robertson does seem reasonable for both sides.
- Morosi believes the Tigers match up well with the Reds, who are looking for a power-hitting outfielder. Magglio Ordonez is the marquee name, but Morosi likes the fit with Marcus Thames.
Four Teams Eyeing Chad Cordero
According to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, the Angels, Mets, Rangers, and Tigers have asked to look at Chad Cordero‘s medical records. The Nationals are not in the mix. Cordero, 26, had shoulder surgery in July.
Ladson says Cordero’s first choice is the Angels, as he’s from Anaheim. After that would come the Mets due to the Omar Minaya connection from Montreal.
Latest On Rafael Furcal
According to Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times, the Dodgers have a two-year deal in mind for free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal. SI.com’s Jon Heyman recently said their offer was in the two-year, $25-30MM range. His agent is looking for four years, and says ten other teams have expressed interest.
Heyman believes the Orioles and Royals may be suitors, though Furcal may be out of the Royals’ price range. The Tigers are out, but the Cubs, Giants, Blue Jays, and A’s are in.
Orioles, Reds, Tigers, Jays Interested In Greene
THURSDAY: Reds GM Walt Jocketty shot down the rumor that he was interested in Greene. If he adds a shortstop, it’ll be a 0-3 guy.
TUESDAY, 11:21pm: Tom Krasovic adds the Blue Jays to the mix for Greene. Padres GM Kevin Towers says Greene would likely be traded in a separate deal rather than packaged with Jake Peavy.
7:42pm: The Red Sox and Padres made a point to officially dismiss the idea of Crisp for Greene.
2:59pm: It seems that LaRue was saying both Crisp and Greene are available, not that one was offered for the other. So, scratch the Crisp for Greene rumor.
11:13am: The Red Sox are offering Coco Crisp for Greene, according to Larry LaRue of The News Tribune. That’d be surprising, as the Sox don’t figure to be in the market for a shortstop.
8:46am: According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Orioles, Reds, and Tigers are among the teams interested in Padres shortstop Khalil Greene. GM Kevin Towers admits to having "nibbles" on Greene.
Prior to his self-inflicted broken hand, Greene hit a woeful .213/.260/.339 in 423 plate appearances. The Padres filed a grievance to recover salary due to the injury, so they’re probably not on the best of terms right now. Greene did not impress defensively either – he made four fewer plays than the average shortstop. Greene is owed $6.5MM in 2009, and Krasovic says he turned down a four-year, $29MM offer a year ago.
Seemingly, the Padres would attempt to acquire a shortstop in a Jake Peavy trade if they move Greene. Yunel Escobar and Ronny Cedeno have been mentioned in rumors. The Reds’ interest in Greene seems to indicate a lack of faith in Alex Gonzalez, presumably next year’s starting shortstop.
Rangers Rumors: Blalock, Blake, Catchers
Next up we’ll dig into the latest Rangers rumors, courtesy of Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.
- The Rangers are expected to pick up their $6.2MM option on Hank Blalock today. It doesn’t seem that Blalock will spend much time at third base if he’s with the Rangers in 2009. Instead, he’d play first and DH. Of course, a trade is possible.
- The Rangers may look at outside options for third base, and they’ve been in touch with Casey Blake‘s agent. The Rangers have an eye on defense, which might rule out Garrett Atkins. Grant finds Joe Crede questionable, though he might be a decent fit given his glovework.
- The focus of the GM meetings for Texas has been shopping catching for pitching. The main suitors are the Red Sox and Marlins, with the Tigers a fallback. Names in the mix could include Scott Olsen, Clay Buchholz, Michael Bowden, and Justin Masterson. Over at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Jeff Wilson profiles the Rangers’ four catchers.
Tigers Want Short-Term Shortstop
According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers seek a short-term solution at shortstop. The Tigers like the idea of using prospect Cale Iorg in 2010. That means they won’t be signing free agents Orlando Cabrera and Rafael Furcal. The Tigers view the relief market in the way – they like their long-term options (Ryan Perry, for example).
The Tigers have "mild interest" in Khalil Greene, who is signed through 2009. They don’t like his $6.5MM price tag, which might mean Jack Wilson is also too pricey. John McDonald is a more affordable name on the radar (the pitchers certainly wouldn’t mind).
The Tigers have an eye on the Rangers’ catchers, Gerald Laird in particular. It might be tough to make a deal, as the Tigers don’t have pitching to spare.