Angels Rumors

Eight Teams Interested In Sean Burnett

By Steve Adams | December 3, 2012 at 9:05am CDT

9:05am: The Angels are one of the eight teams interested in Burnett, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times (Twitter link), who classifies the team's interest as "serious."

4:07am: Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has a rundown of the Cardinals' gameplan for the Winter Meetings, and within it he writes that St. Louis is one of at least eight teams to have reached out to lefty Sean Burnett.

Burnett figures to be the premier left-handed reliever available in this year's free agent crop now that Jeremy Affeldt has re-upped with the Giants on a three-year deal. Burnett's agent, Jim Munsey, recently refuted a report that his client was seeking a four-year deal.

The Brewers are said to be prioritizing left-handed relief this week, and the Nationals have made it known that they'd like Burnett to return for a fifth season. Burnett declined his half of a mutual option with the Nats last month in order to seek a multi-year free agent deal.

West Notes: Dodgers, Giants, Angels, Padres

By Zachary Links | December 2, 2012 at 4:35pm CDT

Here's a look at some news out of the AL and NL West..

The Dodgers are letting teams know that shortstop Dee Gordon is available, tweets Bob Nightengale of the USA Today. Gordon could represent a fallback option for teams who lose out on Stephen Drew. Earlier today, we learned five teams are in on Drew.
The Giants are looking for a center fielder and are talking to Michael Bourn, Angel Pagan, and Shane Victorino, tweets CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman.
The Angels are aren't acting like they're confident of landing Zack Greinke, writes Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times. The Angels seem to be trolling for much cheaper starting pitching options like Ryan Dempster and Shaun Marcum, as opposed to Anibal Sanchez and Kyle Lohse.
The Dodgers' shopping list includes Greinke, a fourth outfielder that can play center, and a backup corner infielder, according to MLB.com's Ken Gurnick. Gurnick also says negotiations continue with lefty reliever Randy Choate.
Padres GM Josh Byrnes doesn't expect to be very busy during the Winter Meetings, reports Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune. "I expect to do one thing, maybe two," said Byrnes. "I’m not expecting to do a lot. We’re filling the holes, not roster reshaping." The Padres are looking for starting pitching and have depth at the corner outfield slots, in the bullpen, and at middle infield. The names most often mentioned as possible trade chips, according to Center, are Luke Gregerson, Joe Thatcher, and Jesus Guzman.
The Rangers are interested in talking with the Mets about R.A. Dickey at the Winter Meetings this week, a source tells T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. The Rangers aren't alone in having interest in the knuckleballer as the Mets have taken calls from six or seven teams looking to swing a trade. The Mets are expected to look for outfield help and catching in a deal.
The Rockies are considering a run at left-hander Daniel Schlereth as they look to improve their bullpen, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com. The 26-year-old became a free agent this week when he was non-tendered by the Tigers.
The Rockies are looking to restore their rotation, but not rebuild it entirely, writes Patrick Saunders of The Denver Post. The club will look to bolster their starting five with a veteran presence and they are known to have interest in free agent right-hander Kevin Correia.

Edward Creech contributed to this post.

Stark On Hamilton, Greinke, Swisher, Shields

By Zachary Links | December 2, 2012 at 12:32pm CDT

Jayson Stark of ESPN.com surveyed 17 prominent executives, agents and scouts about the biggest storylines that figure to dominate in Nashville, Tennessee. On average, those surveyed see Zack Greinke and Nick Swisher signing mid-month, Josh Hamilton and Michael Bourn signing in the last week of December, and Rafael Soriano taking until mid-January to find a landing spot. Here's more from Stark..

Most of the people surveyed see Hamilton winding back up with the Rangers when all is said and done. Outside of Texas, there were predictions for the Orioles, Red Sox, Brewers, and Phillies.
Fifteen of the 17 surveyed weighed in on where they think Greinke will land and 14 predict that he will sign with the Dodgers. The one dissenter, an agent, sees the Angels avoiding a bidding war with the Dodgers only to top their offer in the end.
Almost everyone sees Swisher signing in the next couple of weeks but there is no consensus when it comes to destination. The Red Sox, Orioles, and Mariners all got multiple votes.
While there have been rumors about a James Shields trade for two years, one AL exec says that this will finally be the time for the Rays to pull the trigger. "Just look at the contract. He's got this year and next year left. So he's got more value now than he'll have a year from now. They're very analytical about everything they do. It just makes sense that now's the time," said the exec.
No surprise here but the Dodgers were picked as the most likely team to outspend everyone and dominate the headlines.

East Notes: Ichiro, Dickey, Mets, Red Sox

By Zachary Links | December 1, 2012 at 9:53pm CDT

News and notes out of the AL and NL East..

Ichiro Suzuki’s agent says he’s ready to open the floor to other suitors as talks with the Yankees have stalled, but GM Brian Cashman says that Suzuki already knew that he would be put on the backburner for a bit, writes Anthony McCarron of the New York Daily News. “Now that our pitching has been settled, which was our priority on the front end, we’ll move from the defense to the offense and engage all the players we have interest in and have interest in us,” said Cashman.
The Mets have fielded calls from six or seven teams are looking to meet and discuss a deal for R.A. Dickey, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. The Mets and Dickey have been trying to work out a contract extension for two months, but it appears general manager Sandy Alderson has the green light to now to more seriously consider trade alternatives instead. The Mets are expected to seek a catcher and outfield help in any trade.
The Mets will are willing to get creative with backloaded contracts in order to entice free agents with more money and multiyear deals, a person with knowledge of the team’s thinking tells Marc Carig of Newsday. That thinking could come into play at this week’s winter meetings in Nashville. The Mets still won’t splurge on a big ticket free agent but could try and get creative in order to improve their outfield situation.
Brian Wilson has interest in the Red Sox as well as the Giants, Dodgers, and Angels a source tells Jim Bowden of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Wilson is reportedly unlikely to re-sign with the Giants after being non-tendered.

Cubs Notes: Fujikawa, Angels, Marmol

By Zachary Links | December 1, 2012 at 7:14pm CDT

Earlier today, the Cubs agreed to sign Japanese closer Kyuji Fujikawa to a two-year deal. While Theo Epstein & Co. have been known to be in the mix, the signing was something of a surprise the Angels were widely considered the frontrunners for his services. Here's more on the Cubs..

The Cubs' signing of Fujikawa could lead to the Cubs and Angels revisiting a possible Carlos Marmol trade, tweets Jim Bowden of ESPN.com. The two sides appeared to have struck a deal with Dan Haren heading to Chicago, but the Cubs ultimately backed out of the trade. Haren, of course, is now a free agent after the Angels declined his option for 2013.
Fujikawa can also make $2MM per year in performance bonuses on top of the $9.5MM he'll earn in the two year deal, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets. The contract also includes a vesting option for year three that turns to a team option if requirements are not met.
The Cubs did not sign Fujikawa in order to flip him for something else, tweets David Kaplan of CSNChicago.com. The club likes his skill set and will also work to upgrade the pitching staff with more moves on the horizon.
The Cubs will also head to Nashville in search of a rightfielder and a third baseman, though the latter will be tough to fill, Kaplan tweets.

Fujikawa Nearing Decision, Angels Front-Runners

By Mike Axisa | November 30, 2012 at 8:08pm CDT

Japanese free agent Kyuji Fujikawa is nearing a decision according to Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports (on Twitter). Brown hears the Angels are the front-runners.

Fujikawa, 32, has only posted an ERA higher than 1.63 once since 2007. Over the past six seasons with the Hanshin Tigers, he has 202 saves to go along with an eye-popping 1.36 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 12.4 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in 369 2/3 innings. In that time, the right-hander has allowed just 18 home runs. At least ten teams have made Fujikawa an offer.

Quick Hits: Haren, Swisher, Ortiz, Astros

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 30, 2012 at 4:39pm CDT

Teams must decide by tonight whether to tender contracts to their arbitration eligible players. MLBTR will have you covered throughout the evening, so be sure to follow along and use MLBTR's Non-Tender Tracker. In the meantime, here are today’s links…

The Angels recently checked in on Dan Haren, who’s getting interest from lots of East Coast teams, Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com reports (on Twitter).
Nick Swisher told Bob Nightengale of USA Today that he’s trying to enjoy the process of being a free agent. "It's supposed to be an exciting time, not a stressful time,” Swisher said. “I'm over the stressful part now. I'm going to just have fun with this. I just want to scroll to the bottom line, sign my names in a few places, and get ready to play." The Red Sox, Orioles, Mariners and Rangers have talked to Swisher’s representatives at MVP Sports Group, Nightengale reports. Swisher has also been linked to a number of National League teams, including the Nationals, Phillies, Braves and Giants. The 32-year-old said he will play first base or right field in any city.
David Ortiz said on WEEI said the Red Sox "need some thunder in that lineup,” Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports. The veteran designated hitter explained that he'd like to see the Red Sox re-sign free agent Cody Ross.
The Astros almost completed one trade this week, but GM Jeff Luhnow doesn't expect to complete any deals before the Winter Meetings, Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Angels Claim Scott Cousins

By Tim Dierkes | November 30, 2012 at 12:58pm CDT

The Angels claimed outfielder Scott Cousins off waivers from the Mariners, MLBTR has learned. The Ms had designated Cousins for assignment ten days ago. The 27-year-old had already bounced around this offseason from the Marlins to the Blue Jays to the Mariners.

Cousins has seen limited Major League action. At Triple-A this year, he hit .296/.364/.459 in 262 plate appearances, playing all three outfield positions.

Zack Greinke Rumors: Friday

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 30, 2012 at 12:40pm CDT

Dodgers executives met with Zack Greinke in Los Angeles yesterday, Yahoo's Tim Brown reported last night. Here’s the latest on Greinke, who is also drawing interest from the Angels, Nationals and Rangers, according to the most recent rumors…

The Nationals could pose a major threat to the Dodgers in the sweepstakes for Greinke, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com writes. One GM wonders if both the Dodgers and the Nationals could bid “at all costs.” One friend of Greinke’s said the right-hander will consider winning, comfort and money.
The Angels remain in on Greinke after acquiringTommy Hanson, Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com reports (on Twitter).
The Rangers can only sign one of Greinke and Josh Hamilton, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter).
Greinke will also meet with the Angels, Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com reports (on Twitter).
The Dodgers view Greinke as critical to their pitching staff, Brown reports. Greinke is believed to have enjoyed pitching for the Angels during the second half of the 2012 season, which could increase his interest in staying in the Los Angeles area. It’s not known if Greinke has met with the Angels, Nationals or Rangers, Brown writes.

Angels Acquire Tommy Hanson For Jordan Walden

By Mike Axisa | November 30, 2012 at 11:48am CDT

The Angels have acquired Tommy Hanson from the Braves, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). Atlanta will receive Jordan Walden in the one-for-one trade, MLBTR has learned. The teams have confirmed the trade.

Hanson, 26, pitched to a 4.48 ERA with 8.3 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 in 174 2/3 innings this year. The right-hander missed time with shoulder tendinitis last season, and his fastball velocity has been trending in the wrong direction as well. Hanson is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, and Matt Swartz projects a $4MM salary. He will remain under team control through 2015.

Walden, 25, pitched to 3.46 ERA with 11.1 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9 in 39 innings this year while missing time with a biceps strain. He was an All-Star as a rookie just last season, when he posted a 2.98 ERA with 34 saves in 60 1/3 innings. Walden is under team control through 2016. Earlier this week we heard he was "very available" after the Angels signed Ryan Madson.

The Angels are in the market for starting pitching this offseason after trading Ervin Santana and declining Dan Haren's option. Zack Greinke is a free agent as well, though he is in very high demand. Hanson gives the club a young arm to fill out the rotation behind Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson. Walden, meanwhile, gives the Braves bullpen depth and a power right-handed setup man in front of closer Craig Kimbrel.

Photo courtesy of US Presswire.

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