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Stark’s Latest: Putz, Manny, Lackey, Ibanez

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Let’s take a look at the latest column from ESPN’s Jayson Stark.

  • Stark does the math and finds 15 potentially available closers versus six clubs in the market for one.  Should result in a few bargains or teams holding on to their surpluses.
  • The Mets don’t seem willing to extend to four years for Francisco Rodriguez.  Stark says J.J. Putz would become the Mets’ top closer target if he’s made available.  MetsBlog’s Matthew Cerrone wrote a few days ago that the Mets are likely to trade for a reliever with closing experience before attempting to sign one.
  • J.P. Ricciardi quote: "We won’t be involved with Manny."  Ricciardi last month: "He’s on our radar, but maybe not on our radar like some people will report."
  • Despite reports to the contrary, Stark talked to a rival executive who says Jake Peavy made it "onto [the Angels’] radar pretty hard."  Stark speculates that Peavy could fit if the Halos sign Mark Teixeira.
  • It seems likely that the Angels will put out an offer to Teixeira with a deadline, and then either sign him or move on.
  • John Lackey’s been telling friends he expects to have an extension with the Angels by Opening Day.  Lackey indicated last month he’d wait to see the Halos’ offensive plans before re-signing.
  • Stark suspects the Players Union might be OK with C.C. Sabathia turning down a larger offer from the Yankees if he still signed for more than Johan Santana’s $23MM per year.  I don’t really see why Sabathia would worry about the union in any regard.
  • The Dodgers inquired on the asking price of Jason Varitek, with the idea of moving Russell Martin to third base in mind.  They balked at Scott Boras’ demand for Tek, however.
  • Curt Schilling is "more likely than ever" to attempt a late June or early July comeback.
  • Tons of teams have expressed some degree of interest in Raul Ibanez: the Mets, Phillies, Cubs, Cardinals, Nationals, Braves, Royals, Rays, Blue Jays, Rangers, Angels, and Mariners.  Some interesting new ones in there.
  • The Phillies never made a two-year, $21MM offer to Pat Burrell.  Will the Phils at least offer him arbitration?  The rumored offer was questionable from Day 1, as Paul Hagen said Burrell "reportedly turned down a two-year, $22MM offer" but didn’t reference a specific report.
  • Stark believes that the Brewers were not thrilled with the Yankees’ "overbid" for C.C. Sabathia, and therefore would prefer not to trade Mike Cameron to them.  Dan Graziano wrote yesterday about the Yanks’ conversations for Cameron.
  • Roy Oswalt wants the Astros to sign Ben Sheets, but the price tag may be too high.  Stark has the following names on their radar: Randy Wolf, Mike Hampton, Freddy Garcia, Paul Byrd, and maybe Pedro Martinez.  Is Drayton McLane willing to bring Andy Pettitte back?  GM Ed Wade seemed interested in his chat yesterday, saying, "We’ll have to see what develops down the road."

Crisp-Ramirez Trade Reactions

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The Red Sox traded center fielder Coco Crisp to the Royals for reliever Ramon Ramirez today; tip of the cap to Brian McRae for the scoop.  Let’s round up the reactions and consequences.

Mets, Phillies, Dodgers Interested In Ibanez

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According to Ken Davidoff of Newsday, the Mets, Phillies, and Dodgers have expressed interest in free agent outfielder Raul Ibanez.  Ibanez would replace Pat Burrell in Philly, and is a backup plan for the Dodgers if they fail to sign Manny Ramirez.  The Cubs and Royals may also get involved, but both clubs face payroll limitations currently.

Interest from four NL clubs means Ibanez could remain an outfielder for his age 37-39 seasons, a dicey proposition.  He allowed 18 more bases than the average left fielder in 2008, according to the plus/minus system.  Ibanez hit .293/.358/.479 in 707 plate appearances, earning just $5.5MM in the last year of his contract.  He should be able to double his salary in ’09.

Coco Crisp Traded To Royals

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11:09am: The deal is official, according to a Royals press release.

10:23am: SI.com’s Jon Heyman confirms the deal.

10:02am: Red Sox exec Ben Cherington was on XM’s MLB Home Plate radio station recently.  He says "the report is premature."

9:43am: MLB.com’s Jim Molony received a "no comment" from the Red Sox on McRae’s report.  Royals exec Mike Arbuckle said Crisp is still under Red Sox control, while Kansas City Star writer Joe Posnanski says there’s something to the rumor.

8:48am: According to Brian McRae reporting for Sports Radio 810 in Kansas City, the Royals acquired Coco Crisp from the Red Sox for reliever Ramon Ramirez.  I emailed McRae to confirm, and he said, "It’s a done deal."  The Royals get speed and a capable center fielder, while the Red Sox receive a quality late-game reliever.

Crisp, 29, hit .283/.344/.407 in 409 plate appearances this year.  His center field defense saved 26 bases over the average last year, but was two below this year (he did battle groin, hamstring, knee, and foot issues).  Crisp will earn $5.75MM in ’09 and has an $8MM club option with a $500K buyout for ’10.

The Red Sox trim payroll here, as Ramirez is not yet arbitration-eligible.  He will not reach free agency until after the 2012 season, so the Red Sox impressively acquired four years of his services.  The 27 year-old posted a 2.64 ERA in 71.2 innings this year while whiffing 70.  The Royals might have to add a reliever to compensate for his absence, though they’re now at their payroll limit.  They’re also a bit heavy on outfielders at this point.

Cubs Targeting Teahen

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9:51pm: MLB.com’s Dick Kaegel has a source saying Dayton Moore and Jim Hendry have not discussed a deal for Teahen or David DeJesus.  Moore wouldn’t comment publicly on the rumor, while Teahen and his agent are unaware of any trade talks.  Still, check out Rany Jazayerli’s thoughts on the rumor.

5:02pm: More fallout from the Ryan Dempster signing. The Kansas City Star’s Bob Dutton is reporting the Cubs are once again targeting Mark Teahen to fill their right field vacancy. Dutton says discussions to acquire Teahen "stalled earlier this month, in part, because the Cubs’ wanted to hold onto several young players while discussing a possible trade with San Diego for pitcher Jake Peavy if Dempster signed elsewhere."

Now that Dempster is on board, acquiring a left handed hitting outfield bat is the Cubs’ highest priority. But who would the Cubs trade for Teahen?

The Cubs want to move Japanese import Kosuke Fukudome, but that’s a tough sell — to any team, not just the Royals — because he slumped badly last season over the closing months and is owed $38 million over the next three years.

A more-likely possibility is Felix Pie, a 23-year-old once viewed as a can’t-miss prospect. Pie batted just .223 in 260 at-bats with the Cubs over the last two years after posting strong minor-league numbers.

[snip]

The Cubs can also offer shortstop Ronny Cedeno or second baseman Mike Fontenot if the Royals prefer to acquire a middle-infield partner for Mike Aviles.

Pie is also out of options and the Cubs seem to have run out of patience, so he is a likely trade candidate. Teahen, meanwhile, has yet to live up to the hype that surrounded his promotion to the big leagues, but he could blossom hitting against weaker NL pitching. Teahen, you might remember, was one of the featured players in the book "Moneyball" and was described as a future Jason Giambi.

Coley Ward writes for Umpbump.com and can be reached here.

Odds and Ends: Mussina, Proefrock, Cuban

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Links for Monday…

Odds and Ends: Perez, Torres, Beimel

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Links for Friday, with an unplanned emphasis on relievers…

Ibanez May Be Too Pricey For Royals

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According to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, Royals officials view Raul Ibanez as the best free agent fit for them.  However, they’re not likely to give him a three-year deal in the $10-12MM range.  They’re also reluctant to surrender their second-round pick to the Mariners.

Dutton says the Royals are "taking a hard look" at Rafael Furcal, who is the best available shortstop and doesn’t cost a draft pick.  However, Dutton doesn’t see the Royals as the high bidder for Furcal either.  The Giants, A’s, and Braves are eyeing Furcal, among others.  Dutton sees the Royals adding a cheaper free agent, someone of the Nick Punto/David Eckstein variety.

Also on the Royals front, Jesse Spector talks to GM Dayton Moore.  Moore denied reports that he’s down on Billy Butler.

Odds and Ends: Holliday, Takahashi, Lincecum

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Links for Wednesday…

Royals Payroll Could Reach $70 Million

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Sports Radio 810 in Kansas City talked to Royals GM Dayton Moore recently.

  • Moore hopes to sign Zack Greinke long-term.  Greinke, however, is comfortable going year to year to maximize his earnings.
  • Moore named three free agent bats he ranked above Mike Jacobs: Mark Teixeira, Manny Ramirez, and Bobby Abreu.  He implied those three are out of the Royals’ price range.  Moore feels that Jacobs will continue to improve.
  • Moore says he has flexibility to extend payroll toward $70MM or even higher.  He notes that last year the Royals tried to sign Jose Guillen and Torii Hunter, which would’ve pushed payroll to that range. 
  • Moore lists his needs as speed, OBP, a starting pitcher, and bullpen help.
  • Mike Aviles could be shifted to second base if the Royals can acquire a "proven everyday shortstop."  Royals Authority says: don’t move him!
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