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Dodgers Could Have Interest In A.J. Pierzynski

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The Dodgers could potentially make a play for free agent catcher A.J. Pierzynski, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.  L.A. general manager Ned Colletti almost signed Pierzynski as a free agent two years ago before the catcher re-signed with the White Sox, though the chances of Pierzynski signing with the Dodgers now is seen as "a remote possibility, at best" by some Dodgers people.

Pierzynski had new career highs in homers (27) and OPS (.827) in 2012, putting the veteran in good shape for a multiyear contract even though he turns 36 in December.  While Pierzynski and the White Sox share some mutual interest in a new contract, it seems as if the two sides are ready to move on as Chicago has young catcher Tyler Flowers ready to take over behind the plate.  That said, Pierzynski's departure also seemed imminent after the 2010 season before he re-upped with the White Sox.

If the Dodgers were to sign Pierzynski, it could make a trade candidate of current Los Angeles catcher A.J. Ellis, who had an impressive .270/.373/.414 slash line in 505 plate appearances last season.  Ellis could become Pierzynski's backup, relegating incumbent backup Tim Federowicz back to the minors, but Ellis could also bring back a nice return in a trade given the thin catching market.

Angels Continue To Pursue Pitching

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The Angels could shift their focus away from top free agent starting pitching and pursue relief depth if Zack Greinke’s asking price increases beyond their limit, Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times reports. Adding Japanese right-hander Kyuji Fujikawa to the bullpen might provide the Angels with enough depth to avoid spending on Greinke and other free agents whose asking prices could increase when Greinke signs.

Instead, DiGiovanna writes, the Angels might pursue less costly starters such as Ryan Dempster and Joe Saunders. They appear to have interest in Dempster, who seeks a three-year contract.

The Angels are one of the top suitors for Greinke, along with the Dodgers, Nationals and Rangers, Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and MLB Network Radio reports (all Twitter links). However, the Angels haven’t made a play on Anibal Sanchez or Kyle Lohse, according to Bowden. The Angels, Rangers, Red Sox and White Sox are among the teams in play for free agent reliever Mike Adams, Bowden reports.

SoCal Links: Walden, Angels, Fujikawa, Field, Kuroda

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The Angels finalized their contract with Ryan Madson today, but here's some more out of Southern California…

Dodgers Have Interest In Kyle Lohse

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The Dodgers have interest in free agent right-hander Kyle Lohse, reports Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles (on Twitter). The team has made no secret of their desire to add pitching or willingness to spend this offseason.

Lohse, 34, pitched to a 2.86 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9 in 33 starts and a career-high 211 innings with the Cardinals this season. He's thrown at least 180 innings in each of the last two years and in three of the last five years. St. Louis did make Lohse a qualifying offer after the season, so signing him will require draft pick compensation.

Quick Hits: Keppinger, Soriano, Dodgers, Orioles

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The latest links from around MLB…

  • The Cubs, Diamondbacks and Rays are bidding for free agent infielder Jeff Keppinger even though he broke his leg, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney reports (Twitter links). The 32-year-old recently broke his right fibula, but hopes to be ready for action by mid-January. Clubs don’t consider the injury serious enough to stop pursuing Keppinger.
  • MLB Network analyst Peter Gammons said on MLB Network’s Hot Stove show that Tigers owner Mike Ilitch spoke with agent Scott Boras about free agent closer Rafael Soriano yesterday (hat tip: Ken Rosenthal on Twitter).
  • The Dodgers confirmed the promotions of several front office members, including Logan White and De Jon Watson, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports. White and Watson had been assistant GMs and are now vice presidents. They are both considered GM candidates within the industry.
  • The Orioles aren’t expected to offer Mark Reynolds arbitration, but they’re trying to work out a new deal by Friday’s deadline for teams to tender contracts to arbitration eligible players, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com reports. MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes recently examined Reynolds as a non-tender candidate.
  • Jair Jurrjens is expected to be non-tendered and Peter Moylan’s status as a non-tender candidate remains unclear, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (on Twitter).

Zack Greinke Rumors: Tuesday

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Yesterday, we learned that the Dodgers have started asking about Zack Greinke and the rival Angels already view them as their biggest threat to sign the hurler away.  Here's the today's news on the right-hander with the latest up top..

  • One person involved in the talks believe that Greinke's deal will eclipse C.C. Sabathia's seven-year, $161MM deal, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
  • The Angels are now unlikely to retain Greinke, sources tell Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com.  The Halos still don't have a No. 3 starter in support of Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson but according to one person familiar with their plans, "It won't be Greinke."  The Angels were once the frontrunners to sign Greinke, but they appear unwilling to shell out the kind money that it will require.
  • Meanwhile, the Dodgers are considered the frontrunners for the right-hander according to a source familiar with the negotiations, tweets Jim Bowden of ESPN.com.  However, nothing is completed between the two sides.

Zack Greinke Rumors: Monday

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MLB executives see Zack Greinke obtaining a deal of at least six years for as much as $25MM per season, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. It’s possible the free agent right-hander will obtain a deal worth $150MM and establish a new record for right-handed pitchers. Matt Cain’s deal, worth a total of $127.5MM for six years, now represents the largest contract obtained by a right-hander, and C.C. Sabathia’s seven-year, $161MM contract represents the largest deal ever obtained by a pitcher. Here’s the latest on Greinke…

  • Dodgers people have started asking about Greinke, and their Los Angeles area rivals remain interested, too. Angels executives want to re-sign Greinke and have seen the Dodgers as their biggest threat, Heyman writes. The Angels would consider paying pitchers more per season than Jered Weaver on a “case-by-case” basis. Weaver earns $17MM per season on the deal he signed last summer.
  • While the Rangers and Nationals could also bid on Greinke, the Red Sox appear to be shying away from him. The Royals and Brewers, Greinke’s former teams, would love to have him back, according to Heyman.

Minor Moves: Ozzie Martinez, Josh Fields

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We’ll track the day’s minor moves right here…

  • The Dodgers signed Osvaldo Martinez to a minor league contract, reports Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.  The infielder was first acquired by the Dodgers from the White Sox last July and Martinez posted a combined .489 OPS in 340 plate appearances for both clubs' Triple-A affiliates in 2012.  Martinez appeared in 34 Major League games with the Marlins during the 2010-11 seasons.
  • The Phillies signed third baseman Josh Fields to a minor league contract, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports (hat tip: Matt Gelb). The 29-year-old last played at the MLB level in 2010, but was once regarded as an up and coming player. He hit 23 home runs and posted a .244/.308/.480 batting line for the White Sox in 2007, though he has not come close to replicating those numbers since. Fields, a right-handed hitter who twice ranked among Baseball America's top 100 prospects, spent this past season with the Dodgers' Triple-A team. He hit 13 homers and posted a .322/.392/.488 batting line in 561 plate appearances as a corner infielder and designated hitter.

Excel To Represent Clayton Kershaw

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Excel Sports Management now represents Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. When agent J.D. Smart left Hendricks Sports for Excel earlier this year, Kershaw made the transition too. At the time it wasn’t clear if Smart was bringing Kershaw with him. Agent Casey Close, who oversees Excel’s baseball department, will assist Smart in contract talks for Kershaw.

The Dodgers have expressed interest in reaching a long-term extension with Kershaw. However, Heyman reports that the sides haven’t started discussing a new deal. The left-hander will earn $11MM in 2013 then hit free agency following the 2014 season. He has considerable leverage after winning the 2011 Cy Young award and finishing second in this year’s balloting. 

The Dodgers are focused on their contract negotiations with Korean left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu and on free agent pitchers, Heyman writes. Zack Greinke and Anibal Sanchez are on Los Angeles’ radar and Kyle Lohse could be of interest as well.

MLBTR’s Agency Database has up-to-date information on MLB players and their agents.

Olney On Orioles, Red Sox, Kazmir, Heisey

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Agents and players have considerably more interest in Baltimore as a potential destination now that the Orioles are viewed as a contender, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney reports. "It's winning," one agent told Olney. "Period.” Some free agents now list the Orioles as a team they’d like to join. Here are more notes from Olney, starting in Baltimore…

  • The Orioles are looking for starting pitching and hope to bring Joe Saunders back. Jeremy Guthrie’s three-year, $25MM contract could affect Saunders’ asking price, as Olney points out. 
  • While the Orioles have talked about adding a bat, they’re not expected to be particularly aggressive about free agent outfielder Josh Hamilton.
  • The Marlins, Indians and Pirates are among the teams that could have trouble luring free agents even if they’re offering competitive salaries.
  • One AL GM credits the Red Sox for building a team that plays well in Fenway Park.
  • Earlier in the offseason there had been talk that the SoftBank Hawks, the Japanese team that recently agreed to sign Bryan LaHair, could pursue veteran free agents such as Mike Napoli or Kevin Youkilis.
  • A number of teams, including the Indians, are scouting left-hander Scott Kazmir, Olney writes. The Astros had some interest in Kazmir during the regular season.
  • Olney suggests arbitration eligible players such as Chris Heisey and A.J. Ellis could be candidates for two or three-year extensions this winter.
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