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White Sox, Angels Interested In Hideki Matsui

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2:44pm: Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald talked to White Sox GM Kenny Williams, who hasn't had any recent discussions for Matsui and suggested the team's interest has been overstated.  Williams did not ask for a medical report on Matsui; he says he already understands what he's dealing with.

WEDNESDAY, 1:00pm: Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times tweets that the Sox could go to California next week to meet with Matsui and check out his knee.

TUESDAY, 3:18pm: The White Sox "have emerged as a serious contender for Hideki Matsui," writes Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.  He notes that the Angels also confirmed their interest.

I'm not convinced in either regard.  Angels GM Tony Reagins said, "He's a person we've talked about," while White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen suggested Matsui would have to be able to play the outfield.

Multiple Teams Eyeing Joel Pineiro

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Yahoo's Tim Brown tweets of six early suitors for free agent righty Joel Pineiro, who is perhaps now the best free agent starter available aside from John Lackey.  Brown names the Yankees, Mets, Nationals, Cubs, Orioles, and Angels as interested teams.  ESPN's Jayson Stark says Pineiro wants more than $10MM a year.

Pineiro had a fine 2009 season, using a sinker to get tons of groundballs and walking very few.  But while he's a couple years younger than Randy Wolf, I can't see Pineiro getting a four-year deal.  I think he'll be hard-pressed to get three.  And regarding the Cubs' interest, I'd be surprised if they found the cash.  The Yankees also seem unlikely.

Market For Mike Cameron, Marlon Byrd

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WEDNESDAY, 11:15am: Jon Paul Morosi says the markets for Cameron and Marlon Byrd are running parallel, with the Braves, Angels, Cubs, Yankees, Mariners, Mets and Giants checking in on both.

TUESDAY, 4:29pm: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has thoughts on the market for free agent center fielder Mike Cameron.  He names the Mariners, Cubs, Red Sox, and Yankees as potential suitors Cameron, who turns 37 in January.  Rosenthal notes that Cameron would move from center to left field for the right team.

Regarding the Cubs, Rosenthal explains that they can pursue him if they free up "a good amount" in their Milton Bradley trade.  Marlon Byrd and Scott Podsednik could be other options if they save less.

Overnight Links: Wolf, Crisp, Yankees, Halladay

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MLBTR's 24-hour coverage of the winter meetings continues as we gear up for whatever Day Three may bring. In the meantime, let's check out some overnight links from around the majors….

Angels Exploring Infielder Trade?

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11:45pm: Price reports that the Angels are telling people there's a significant chance they deal an infielder, likely Izturis. The 29-year-old made just $1.6MM this season, so he won't be in line for a big contract next year, even though it's his last season before hitting free agency.

11:29pm: Ed Price of AOL FanHouse hears that the Angels are exploring a trade for an infielder. Price's source says the infielder is likely Maicer Izturis, but could also be Howie Kendrick.

Price says Erick Aybar and Brandon Wood sound "untouchable." However, we know the Angels would consider dealing Aybar. GM Tony Reagins told Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times that he's "open minded" to the possibility, though it doesn't appear likely. It's hard to imagine that Wood is untouchable, either. He's valuable, but other than Derek Jeter and Evan Longoria, how many untouchable players are really out there?

Vlad Looking For A Two-Year Deal

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Vladimir Guerrero is looking for a two-year deal this offseason, but would consider returning to Anaheim on a one-year contract if the market doesn't develop as well as he hopes (MLB.com's Lyle Spencer reporting). Signing a one-year deal could give Vlad the chance to re-establish his value, much like Bobby Abreu did this past season.

The Rangers and Orioles are among the teams that have been connected to Guerrero this offseason. The White Sox and Mariners could be fits, too, but a two-year deal seems ambitious. Vlad's defense has deteriorated and there are enough options – Gary Sheffield, Carlos Delgado, Jim Thome, Hideki Matsui – that he won't have much leverage.

Jason Bay Rumors: Tuesday

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7:20pm: Angels manager Mike Scioscia said Jason Bay appears to be a "longshot," speaking on 830 KLAA in Los Angeles tonight.

6:53pm: Some feel the Angels are pushing hard for Bay, according to Ed Price of AOL FanHouse.

10:25am: ESPN's Buster Olney told us yesterday that the Mariners are "unlikely to get involved" on free agent outfielder Jason Bay.  Today, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has a similar note, saying the team's interest has been overstated.  Things have mostly been quiet on Bay, though the Angels may have opened talks and the Red Sox will meet this morning with his representatives (tweets Yahoo's Tim Brown).

Odds & Ends: Mora, Figgins, Tejada, Rangers

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Links for Day 2 of the Winter Meetings, which are taking place in Indianapolis…

  • Add Robb Quinlan to the list of utility men on the Rockies' radar, according to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post.  Tracy Ringolsby of FOX Sports names Melvin Mora as another target.  MLB.com's Lyle Spencer tweets of interest from the Twins in Quinlan.
  • The Mariners' deal for Chone Figgins is official, tweets the Brock & Salk show. The team press release notes it's a four-year deal with an option for 2014.
  • Cardinals manager Tony La Russa acknowledged interest in Miguel Tejada, talking to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.  By the way, Astros GM Ed Wade is certain he won't re-sign Tejada, tweets Alyson Footer.  Tejada apparently wants multiple years.
  • MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan says the Rangers are considering free agent catchers such as Rod Barajas, Jason Kendall, Yorvit Torrealba, and Jose Molina.
  • WEEI's Alex Speier passes along Scott Boras' comments from an XM Radio appearance.  Boras discussed Matt Holliday, Johnny Damon, Ivan Rodriguez, and Adrian Beltre. 
  • The Brewers are discussing relievers Kevin Gregg and Mike Gonzalez at least internally, writes MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.  The Crew recently lost reliever Mark DiFelice for the 2010 season.  Gonzalez would cost good money and the Brewers' second-round pick (currently #50).
  • Yahoo's Kevin Kaduk asks whether Twitter is helping or hurting the Winter Meetings.  My opinion: hurting.  The information crush was tolerable when reporters all got blogs a few years back, but now it's excessive.  Of course, we're not helping.
  • Jamey Carroll would love to play for the Reds but hasn't received an offer yet, writes MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.
  • The D'Backs offered Chris Snyder to the Rangers for C.J. Wilson and were turned down, reports MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan.  Wilson tweets that he's "borderline offended" by Arizona's offer.
  • The Pirates have had further talks with free agent hurler Justin Duchscherer, says Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, but don't expect him to sign soon.  We learned yesterday that the Rockies have cooled on Duchscherer.  Kovacevic also reports that despite scouting Aroldis Chapman, the Pirates are not a player for him.  ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr. indicates that Chapman will be showcased in Houston later this month.
  • The Rays and White Sox discussed a Carlos Quentin–Carl Crawford trade, says Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.  Manager Ozzie Guillen implies that nothing is cooking on that front though.  The two clubs also discussed closer Bobby Jenks, but the Rays did not like the asking price.
  • Angels GM Tony Reagins admitted to interest in Hideki Matsui, reports Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times.  Keep in mind, though that the Japanese press is apparently grilling every GM on Matsui.  Reagins also said he hasn't ruled out re-signing Vladimir Guerrero.
  • Carl Pavano explained his decision to accept arbitration from the Twins, in an email to Kelsie Smith of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.  La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune suggests retaining Pavano makes Glen Perkins expendable.
  • The Rangers are not interested in trading for Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit, reports MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch.

Giants Notes: Leadoff, Payroll, Catcher, Rivera

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Some Giants updates to ponder as we march on through the night, courtesy of MLB.com's Christ Haft:

  • Brian Sabean said Monday that the Giants plan to use Eugenio Velez or Andres Torres in the leadoff spot for 2010. Yikes, neither is exactly a prime option for that role.
  • Sabean says the payroll will be in the same range as 2009 — the low $90MMs. Haft says the Giants will need every penny due to the massive raise Tim Lincecum is about to receive as part of the aftermath of winning his second consecutive Cy Young Award.
  • The Giants will not use Pablo Sandoval or Ryan Garko at catcher even on a part-time basis in 2010. Sandoval caught 11 games for the Giants in 2008, but Sabean and Co. would prefer not to expose their best hitter to the rigors of catching. Garko won the 2003 Johnny Bench Award at Stanford, but hasn't caught a game in his Major League career.
  • Should the Angels land Jason Bay, the Giants might suddenly perk up and pursue an acquisition of Juan Rivera. Haft points out, though, that given Rivera's big-time production in 2009 and modest contract for 2010 and 2011, the asking price might be tough to swallow for the Giants. 

Lackey Declines Arbitration

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In an unsurprising move, John Lackey declined the Angels' offer of arbitration, according to Lyle Spencer of MLB.com. The offer was more of a formality anyway, as the former Halo ace and top starting pitcher on the market is expected to seek a deal in excess of the five-year, $82.5MM deal signed by A.J. Burnett last season.

The Angels will net a couple of high draft picks if they fail to retain Lackey and he signs with another club. 

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