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Odds and Ends: Pudge, Ohman, Manny

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Rounding up linkage for Monday…

Odds and Ends: Jacobs, Howard, Renteria

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Links for Friday…

Royals Acquire Jacobs For Nunez

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THURSDAY: It’s official: the Royals have acquired Jacobs for Nunez, according to Dutton.  It now seems that the Royals have a surplus of 1B/DH types.

WEDNESDAY, 10:38pm: Joe Frisaro of MLB.com says the deal would be Jacobs for Nunez, and it could be announced this week.  Nunez, 25, posted a 2.98 ERA in 48.1 innings.  His strikeout rate was weak, but he managed to keep the ball in the yard despite flyball tendencies.  He threw quite hard, averaging 94.4 mph on his heater.  He missed some time with a strained lat.

Rany Jazayerli considers the Royals acquiring Jacobs a terrible idea, and worries that it could lead to a Billy Butler trade.

8:31pm: Dutton says this evening that the Royals are moving closer to a deal for Jacobs.  The Marlins apparently rejected a trade for Rosa, and current discussions involve a ready-now reliever.  Dutton believes it could be Leo Nunez or Ramon Ramirez.

9:02am: According to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, first baseman Mike Jacobs remains a possible acquisition for the Royals.  Jacobs, 28, hit .247/.299/.514 in 519 plate appearances this year.  He struggled mightily against lefties this year and in ’06, but handled them in ’07.  Trade talks with the Marlins stalled over the health of pitching prospect Carlos Rosa.  The Mariners, Blue Jays, and Giants are also in on Jacobs.

It’s surprising to see the Royals apparently willing to give up a prospect for a first baseman – they have a couple of palatable (and cheaper) options in Kila Ka’aihue and Ryan Shealy.  Ka’aihue’s minor league equivalent says he could hit .243/.390/.442 in the bigs. 

Dutton was the original author of Sunday’s Mark Teahen/Indians rumor, and he wrote today that sources from both clubs gave it to him.  Royals GM Dayton Moore says "somebody lied" along the way.

Marlins Raise Payroll Limit To $40 Million

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Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel talked an industry source who says Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has authorized a payroll of up to $40MM for 2009.  This means they won’t be forced to trade any of their 16 arbitration-eligible players.  Greg Cote first suggested this on September 30th, and Buster Olney reiterated it on October 15th.

However, Berardino confirms Olney’s note from Friday: Kevin Gregg, Mike Jacobs, and Scott Olsen are available.  The Marlins discussed sending Jacobs to the Royals for righty Carlos Rosa, but the Fish are worried about Rosa’s August forearm soreness.  A thought: why would the Royals consider trading pitching for Jacobs?  Berardino names the Mariners and Blue Jays as other interested parties, and considers the Indians a fit.  The Giants have also been named as a suitor.

Berardino wonders if the Rangers will pursue Olsen, perhaps offering a catcher.  I don’t believe Olsen would succeed in Texas.

Expected to remain in Florida: Dan Uggla, Cody Ross, and Alfredo Amezaga.  Berardino says the front office is divided on Jeremy Hermida’s potential.  Four teams have asked about Hermida.  Josh Willingham may be available, but his back is worrisome.

Mets To Explore Trade For Closer

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Ken Davidoff of Newsday has a new article up discussing possibilities for the Mets’ closer vacancy.  He says the Mets will check in on free agents Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes, but remain wary of the price.  I’m wondering if K-Rod will have to back off the five year demand if he wants to get multiple serious bidders.  Davidoff says the Mets feel that they have the minor league depth to swing a trade for a closer rather than buy one.

Davidoff goes on to speculate that the Mets could look at J.J. Putz, Huston Street, George Sherrill, Joakim Soria, and Kevin Gregg.  Gregg would be the easiest to acquire.  Not sure why Soria is mentioned here.  The Mets had several young players emerge this year who weren’t necessarily highly touted (Dan Murphy, for example).  Davidoff says the Mets feel they have more such hidden gems to use as trade chips.

Davidoff also tosses out two more free agent possibilities: Jeremy Affeldt and Chad Cordero.  Affeldt is starting to generate buzz as a more affordable closing candidate, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Indians get involved.

Royals And Indians Not Talking Teahen

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MONDAY: Royals GM Dayton Moore emphatically denied the rumor, calling it a "flat-out lie."  OK then.

SUNDAY: Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star writes some surprising news, as it seems the Indians and Royals are discussing a swap of Mark Teahen for an outfielder. It’s not often you see two teams in the same division make a trade, but both sides seem to have interest.

Dutton lists the three potential targets as Franklin Gutierrez, Ben Francisco, and minor leaguer Trevor Crowe. All three are capable of playing center field, which would allow the Royals to move David DeJesus to left field on a full-time basis.

Teahen would likely return to his natural position, third base, after spending the past two seasons in the outfield where he has struggled offensively. Teahen’s best season at the Major League level came as a third baseman in 2006, when he hit .290/.357/.517 in 439 plate appearances. The Indians are looking for a replacement at third base, with Andy Marte having failed to live up to expectations and Casey Blake’s departure.

Crowe could potentially be the best fit. He’s a swtich-hitter who posted a .381 OBP between Class-AA and Class-AAA this season, and will turn 24 in November. The Royals could certainly use a strong OBP player in their lineup. Teahen would be a very affordable solution for Cleveland, as he’s arbitration-eligible this season but will likely be in the $3MM range for 2009.

Odds and Ends: Hughes, Tigers, Affeldt

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Links for Monday…

  • I’m working on this year’s Top 50 Free Agents list, with predicted destinations.  It’s always a tough puzzle to assemble.  Anyone have educated guesses on where Ben Sheets, Oliver Perez, Braden Looper, and Jon Garland might sign?
  • MLB.com’s Mychael Urban believes Mark Mulder would like to return to the A’s, but the team may not be interested.  Plus, Mulder isn’t even considering destinations until he is healthy.
  • Japanese free agent pitcher Kenshin Kawakami hired American agent Tony Attanasio.  The Red Sox may be interested.
  • Joel Sherman of the New York Post takes the Yankees to task for their unwillingness to include Phil Hughes in a Johan Santana package.
  • Tigers officials are meeting in Detroit for four days to discuss trade possibilities.
  • MLB.com’s Dick Kaegel explains why a Luis Castillo for Jose Guillen swap is unlikely.
  • Dave Cameron considers Jeremy Affeldt a possible free agent bargain.  He could be underrated, but not a bargain if he renews last year’s desire for a four or five-year deal.

Jacobs To Royals Fell Through

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Change is brewing in the Marlins front office this offseason. Not only have they decided to increase payroll to $30-35MM but also they are actively shopping Mike Jacobs, Scott Olsen, and Kevin Gregg this offseason; so actively, that a deal with Kansas City fell apart last week according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The deal collapsed, according to Jackson, due to "a medical issue involving a minor-league pitcher" from Kansas City.

If, or when, Jacobs is dealt, the Marlins feel Gaby Sanchez can take over at first, and Olsen’s spot in the rotation is expected to be occupied by Andrew Miller.

According to Jackson, a number of clubs have inquired about Dan Uggla but Florida seems to be looking for a far greater return for their All Star second baseman. Other names that could wind up on the block are Jeremy Hermida and Josh Willingham who are both arbitration eligible; however, it doesn’t seem likely that the Marlins will move either guy.

Should be a fun ballclub to watch this offseason.

Holliday Derby Begins

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According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Rockies have made it known to rival executives that left fielder Matt Holliday is available.  Renck names the Red Sox, Phillies, Angels, Mets, Royals, and Nationals as potential suitors.  I still find the oft-mentioned Red Sox idea to be far-fetched.

The Rockies would prefer to move corner infielder Garrett Atkins, however.  The Angels, Twins, and Red Sox are cited as potential fits.  However, other teams are surely aware of Atkins’ defensive struggles at third base and questionable hitting away from Coors Field.  Renck says the Angels’ interest will depend on their ability to re-sign Mark Teixeira.

Starting pitching seems to be the Rockies’ target return for either player.  They’d be giving up one year of Holliday and two of Atkins, plus the likely draft pick compensation.

Odds and Ends: Yankees, Pena, Epstein

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Let’s round ’em up for Friday…

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