Angels Rumors

Mark Teixeira: In His Own Words

By | March 28, 2009 at 5:05pm CDT

Mark Teixeira appeared on New York-based radio station WFAN this morning and spoke, among other things, about why he decided to sign with the Yankees over other interested teams. Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times has transcribed a few of the more interesting quotes:

"I always had the Yankees in my sights, and one thing my agent and I had asked every single team is, we're not going to negotiate through the media, and we ask you not to," Teixeira said. "The Yankees were really the only team that did that. The other teams went out and told everybody their offers, told everybody that they talked to me, that they made this call, made that trip. The Yankees kept quiet. We talked all winter. When they were ready to make their final offer, it was a great offer, and my wife and I were excited about going to New York."

Asked specifically about the Red Sox, who made their December 18 visit to his home in Texas public knowledge, Teixeira admitted to being bothered: "I think in the end, it probably worked against them a little bit, because everyone thought the Red Sox were my No. 1 choice. … The Yankees had a leg up all along."

White Sox Likely To Stay In-House For Center Field

By Tim Dierkes | March 27, 2009 at 8:35am CDT

On Wednesday Ken Rosenthal said available Yankees center fielder Melky Cabrera "would be a perfect fit for the White Sox." Rosenthal originally had the Sox interested in Gary Matthews Jr., but updated his column saying that a source refuted the item.

Manager Ozzie Guillen wants to stay in-house for center field, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune:

"No, we're not going (outside the organization). I don't want that to happen. I don't like that to happen. If we have to go outside the organization right now, gosh, I'm not going to say we're in trouble. But as a ballclub, we have enough guys here to resolve that problem."

Currently the contenders are Jerry Owens, Brian Anderson, and DeWayne Wise.

Lackey Talks On Life Support

By Tim Dierkes | March 26, 2009 at 4:35pm CDT

According to Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times, talks between John Lackey and the Angels for a contract extension "appear to be on life support." Lackey wants five years and $80-90MM, and doesn't want to negotiate during the season. Complicating matters, Lackey was just shut down with elbow tightness.

Lackey figures to be the best available free agent starter, assuming he doesn't sign and recovers quickly from the injury. Kelvim Escobar's contract will also be up, while Joe Saunders and Jered Weaver will be arbitration-eligible for the first time. The Halos may need to sign a free agent starter or two; here's a look at the possible market.

Odds & Ends: Wieters, Padres, Peavy, Price

By Tim Dierkes | March 26, 2009 at 3:00pm CDT

LInks for Thursday…

Chico Harlan of the Washington Post says the Nationals will honor a handshake agreement Dmitri Young made with Jim Bowden, and put the first baseman back on the 40-man roster.
Catcher Matt Wieters has been told by the Orioles that he'll be optioned to Triple A on Monday, according to Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun. Will the Orioles wait until late May to try to avoid Super Two status?
Reds assistant GM Bob Miller talked to fans in an MLB.com Q&A.
Check out an entertaining chat transcript with Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times over at Halos Heaven.
Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star interviewed Zack Greinke.
Rangers owner Tom Hicks told Richard Durrett of the Dallas Morning News that the team has not reduced its budget for 2010. The Rangers have yet to set next year's budget, but it's known that some big salaries will be coming off the books. Meanwhile, MLB.com's Barry Bloom notes that Hicks intends to sell a minority share of the team.
Rays exec Andrew Friedman said the team's demotion of David Price was entirely for baseball reasons, talking to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. R.J. Anderson of DRays Bay supports the decision. Bart Given agrees.
Tom Haudricourt and Adam McCalvy write about Brewers GM Doug Melvin's irritation with the bogus Jake Peavy rumor.
Purely speculative, but Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel wonders if Dontrelle Willis could get his career back on track with the Marlins.
Rockies infielder Jeff Baker, unaffected by the trade rumors, homered twice yesterday.
John Moores says the Padres sale to Jeff Moorad is "awfully close," talking to MLB.com's Barry Bloom. As you know, Sandy Alderson will step down as CEO when the deal closes (possibly today).
Padres pitcher Shawn Hill had offers from six teams, according to MLB.com's Corey Brock.
The Red Sox signed reliever Rocky Cherry to a minor league deal.
MLB.com's Alyson Footer says reliever Danny Graves asked for and received his release from the Astros.

Rosenthal On Melky, Matthews, Pedro, Ohman

By Tim Dierkes | March 25, 2009 at 3:10pm CDT

As usual, good stuff from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports…

Rosenthal says the Yankees are open to moving Melky Cabrera, and opines that the White Sox would be a perfect fit. Trading Cabrera would open up the Yankees' outfield picture for sure, but leave them shakier in center with Brett Gardner and Nick Swisher. Rosenthal also says the White Sox have expressed some interest in a deal to acquire Gary Matthews Jr., assuming the Angels pay "the vast majority of the $33MM remaining on the final three years of his contract."
Pedro Martinez reached out to the Royals before they signed Sidney Ponson, but KC couldn't afford him. Would Pedro have been a better signing than Horacio Ramirez and Willie Bloomquist? Martinez's friends are telling him his $5MM asking price is unrealistic. Rosenthal says that if Pedro drops it down to $1-2MM, he can probably get the Dodgers and other teams involved.
The Marlins are looking for relief help. They like Will Ohman but not his $2MM asking price.
The A's thought they were close to a $1.7MM deal for Joe Beimel before he went to the Nats for $300K more.
Catcher Ronny Paulino, acquired by the Phillies from the Pirates in December, is available. Rosenthal considers the Marlins a possible fit.

Gary Matthews Jr. Wants Playing Time

By Tim Dierkes | March 25, 2009 at 8:38am CDT

Angels outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. spoke to reporters yesterday, resulting in articles in the L.A. Times, MLB.com, and the O.C. Register. Matthews wants to play every day, and admitted to having "candid conversations" with Angels brass. It's not known whether Matthews would waive his no-trade clause, which is full for 2009 and limited to four teams for 2010-11. He's owed $33.5MM for 2009-11, plus another $500K assignment bonus if traded.

Matthews is hitting .412/.500/.941 this spring in 20 plate appearances, which doesn't do much to change the fact that his contract is burden.

Gammons On Matthews, Teahen, Harang, Peavy

By Tim Dierkes | March 23, 2009 at 12:07pm CDT

12:07pm: John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer asked Reds GM Walt Jocketty about Gammons' Harang note. Jocketty said, "I'm not going to comment on something when he doesn't know what he's talking about."

9:19am: ESPN's Peter Gammons had a new blog post yesterday discussing available players.

Gammons names Geoff Jenkins ($8MM remaining, limited no-trade), Brian Giles ($9MM remaining, full no-trade), Gary Matthews Jr. ($33.5MM remaining, full no-trade), Marcus Thames ($2.275MM salary), Nick Johnson ($5.5MM salary), Jason Repko, and Jeff Baker as players being dangled. Gammons links Matthews to the Yankees but admits his contract will be an issue.
Mark Teahen has drawn interest from the Astros, Red Sox, and Yankees.
Gammons says the Reds "have let teams know that they will wait and see whether they need to move Aaron Harang during the season." It'd be a shame to see the Reds break up that rotation. Harang has about $36MM coming to him over the next three seasons if his 2011 option is exercised.
Brewers third baseman Bill Hall expects his team to pursue Padres ace Jake Peavy if available this summer. Unlike C.C. Sabathia, Peavy is more than a rental.

Angels Looking to Deal Gary Matthews Jr.?

By Brian Shephard | March 21, 2009 at 9:11pm CDT

John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle writes that the Angels "probably would love to move" outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. Entering the third year of of a 5-year $50MM contract, Matthews is currently no more than an "expensive fifth outfielder," according to Shea.

It's a safe bet that Matthews would relish an opportunity to play elsewhere. Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reported on March 16 that Matthews wants more playing time this year. "I don't intend to sit around and play a couple of days a week like last year," Matthews said.

Matthews was expected to miss all of spring training while he recovered from postseason knee surgery. He returned ahead of schedule and is performing well so far, according to Lyle Spencer of MLB.com.

Lackey Not Impressed With Angels’ Extension Efforts

By Tim Dierkes | March 20, 2009 at 5:03pm CDT

MLB.com's Lyle Spencer talked to Angels starter John Lackey about the pitcher's ongoing extension talks. Lackey said, "They're not trying very hard." Lackey's agent submitted a proposal earlier this week, presumably above A.J. Burnett's $82.5MM over five years.

If Lackey and the Halos don't hammer something out, he'll presumably be the top free agent starter on the free agent market after the season.

Lackey, Angels Continue Extension Talks

By | March 18, 2009 at 9:24am CDT

John Lackey's agent, Steve Hilliard, met with Angels GM Tony Reagins last week, presumably to discuss a contract extension. Lackey will be eligible for free agency after this season. (Information courtesy of Bill Shaikin with the L.A. Times).

"It's early," Lackey said Tuesday. "I'm supposed to hear something back this week. We'll see. I'm not worrying too much about it. I'm just trying to handle my business."

The 30-year-old Lackey is believed to be seeking a deal in the five year, $80MM territory. He went 12-5 with a 3.75 ERA last season and will be the most highly coveted free agent starter if he hits the open market.

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