Orioles Acquire Dana Eveland
The Orioles acquired lefty Dana Eveland from the Dodgers, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Orioles will give up a 22-year-old lefty Jarret Martin and outfielder Tyler Henson, announced the team.
Eveland, 28, will be arbitration eligible for the first time in 2012. He posted a 3.03 ERA in 29 2/3 innings for the Dodgers this year, tossing another 154 frames in Triple-A. Executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said in a statement, "We think Dana is a qualified Major League pitcher who won 15 games last year between Albuquerque and Los AngelesHe provides depth and can compete for a starting spot on our roster in 2012."
NL West Notes: Rockies, Stewart, Dodgers
Earlier today we saw a rare trade between division rivals when the Rockies sent Huston Street to the Padres for a player to be named later and cash. Let's take a look at some other news and rumors from the NL West…
- The Rockies "immediately contacted" Hiroki Kuroda's agent following the Street trade, writes Troy Renck of the Denver Post. With $7MM freed up, Colorado has a number of options. Renck once again mentions Colorado's interest in Michael Cuddyer as well.
- The Rockies like Jonathon Niese a lot, but have had no conversations to date with the Mets, according to Renck. New York is open to moving the 25-year-old lefty.
- The Pirates are keeping in touch with the Rox on Ian Stewart, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
- Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times tweets that the Dodgers are keeping in touch with the agent for Mike MacDougal. GM Ned Colletti is also talking with other relievers, but talks with MacDougal are the furthest along.
- The Dodgers have "no interest" in bringing back Manny Ramirez, writes Hernandez's colleague Steve Dilbeck.
Boras On Fielder, Rays, Dodgers, Damon
Agent Scott Boras held court in Dallas tonight, providing updates on his many free agent clients and entertaining reporters with quips along the way. Here are the details:
- Boras made it clear that Prince Fielder has drawn lots of interest this offseason. The agent explained that Fielder compares favorably to all-time greats such as Jimmie Foxx and suggested teams will look to lock Fielder up for as long as possible if they recognize his potential as someone who can produce at the plate for the better part of a decade while boosting TV ratings and attendance (Boras' arguments, not mine). He played down concerns about Fielder's body, suggested he's just entering his prime and argued that comparable free agent power hitters won't be available any time soon.
- Fielder doesn't have any geographical preference as to where he signs, tweets Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star. Boras quipped that the distance from home plate to the outfield fence is the only geography concerning Fielder. For more on Fielder, click here.
- Generally speaking, Boras explained that Seattle and Milwaukee are desirable places to play because they have the potential to draw substantial crowds. He also said "the city [of Los Angeles] is waiting for the return of the Dodgers" and praised the Dodgers as a storied franchise in American sports.
- Johnny Damon played "very well" in 2011, according to Boras. He joked that 38-year-old is in line for a five-year deal, though a one-year contract is probable in reality. Boras half-jokingly suggested the Rays "have lots of money" despite their perennially low payrolls.
- Carlos Pena will likely have multiyear offers, Boras said.
- Asked if Kyle Lohse could waive his no-trade clause, Boras replied that he thinks Lohse is happy in St. Louis, tweets B.J. Rains of Fox Sports Midwest.
- The market for Ivan Rodriguez is narrowing, tweets Amanda Comak of the Washington Times. The Nationals aren't in on Pudge, tweets Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.
- The Nats have some interest in bringing back Rick Ankiel, tweets Comak.
- Boras expects Daisuke Matsuzaka to be healthy and return "sometime this summer," tweets Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal.
- J.D. Drew is undecided on whether he'll play in 2012. It would have to be the right situation.
- Andruw Jones would've liked more playing time in 2011, but understands he won't be a full-time player, tweets MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. A deal with the Yankees is likely in the coming weeks, tweets Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.
- The Braves haven't progressed toward an extension for Michael Bourn, tweets Stephen Goff of Examiner.com.
MLBTR's Luke Adams co-wrote this post.
Dodgers Seek Bat, Reliever
The latest on the Dodgers…
- Dodgers GM Ned Colletti told MLB.com's Ken Gurnick he's looking for a position player upgrade. The potential acquisition would be payroll neutral and has been a starter at his position. Gurnick guesses Colletti is targeting an outfielder or first baseman and would be willing to trade James Loney.
- Colletti apparently met Tuesday night with agents at Hendricks Sports, which represents free agent reliever Mike MacDougal as well as Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers appear interested in bringing MacDougal back, while Colletti isn't sure of Kershaw's interest level in an extension.
- Dodgers assistant GM Logan White interviewed for the Astros GM position, reported MLB.com's Brian McTaggart yesterday in case you missed it.
- The Dodgers and MLB filed a settlement in bankruptcy court yesterday, reported Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times. Owner Frank McCourt must divest himself of the Dodgers and their stadium by April 30th, and initial bids for the team are due January 13th. MLB will have to approve an initial small group of bidders. McCourt has the option of keeping the parking lots around the stadium. As part of the settlement, MLB agreed to remain neutral in the dispute between the Dodgers and FOX. The Dodgers want to market their television rights as part of the sale, and FOX objects based on its current contract.
Dodgers To Sign Josh Bard?
11:39pm: The Dodgers are still talking to other catchers and the Bard deal is "not a slam dunk," says Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter).
10:43pm: The Dodgers have agreed to sign Josh Bard to a one-year deal worth about $750K, tweets Jon Heyman of MLB Network. Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times hears that it's a minor league contract (Twitter link).
Bard, 33, has a career OPS of .705 in parts of ten big league seasons, but his production has slipped in recent years. Since 2008, he has hit .217/.282/.332 in 711 plate appearances. He spent the last two seasons as the backup catcher in Seattle on one-year deals.
The Dodgers have been very active on the free agent market this offseason, as MLBTR's free agent tracker shows. The team has already signed six big league free agents, including another catcher, Matt Treanor, who inked a one-year deal with a 2013 option.
Quick Hits: Nats, White, Montero, Cespedes, Mets
Let's catch up on some links that have taken a backseat while we wait with bated breath to find out where Albert Pujols will sign…
- The Nationals prefer to trade minor leaguers over big leaguers, as Mark Zuckerman writes at Nats Insider.
- Dodgers assistant GM Logan White interviewed today for the Astros' GM opening, as MLB.com Brian McTaggart writes.
- The Diamondbacks are at the "very early stages" of negotiations on a Miguel Montero contract extension, said GM Kevin Towers. He doesn't expect anything to be resolved this week, tweets Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic.
- Yoenis Cespedes is still awaiting residency in the Dominican Republic, but when he gets it, bidding should be fast and strong, tweets Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com.
- J.D. Martin has agreed to a minor league contract with the Marlins, tweets ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.
- Brandon Warne of Fangraphs breaks down the trade that sent Kevin Slowey to the Rockies.
- The Mets will fill their backup catcher opening with an in-house option rather than a free agent, reports Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.
Prince Fielder Rumors: Monday
The latest on free agent slugger Prince Fielder…
- Fielder is too pricey to fit into the Dodgers' plans, writes Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times. That point is illustrated by GM Ned Colletti's rhetorical response when asked about the free agent slugger on Monday: "Can we sign Prince for $3 million this year and $30 million the next year?"
- Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik seemed to suggest today that the Mariners have discussed Fielder with Scott Boras, writes MLB.com's Greg Johns. Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times views the GM's comments as a sign that the M's are in a holding pattern, waiting to see if Fielder's price tag will come down.
- The Nationals are focused on pitching, and won't be a player for Fielder or Albert Pujols, a Nats source tells Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio (Twitter link).
- The Brewers are indicating that they're out of the running for Fielder and are moving on, tweets ESPN.com's Buster Olney.
- The market for Fielder appears to be shrinking, hears Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel from team executives.
- A person who knows Fielder tells ESPN's Jerry Crasnick comfort is important to the slugger and he's not necessarily going to chase the most money.
- The Orioles are interested in Fielder, confirmed GM Dan Duquette. However, Duquette also told Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com that he doesn't want fans to get their hopes up. The Orioles' interest in Fielder is the secret mandate of owner Peter Angelos, tweets SI's Jon Heyman. I think a team's owner will be involved no matter where Fielder signs.
Dodgers, Aaron Harang Making Progress On Deal
5:27pm: Talks between the two sides are still progressing, with terms in the ballpark of two years and $12MM, tweets Rosenthal.
2:23pm: The Dodgers are making progress on a deal with starter Aaron Harang, tweet Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The deal is expected to be for two years, tweets Morosi. Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio adds that the two sides are close to an agreement. Bowden says the two sides have agreed to terms but are just waiting on dotting i's and crossing t's.
Harang, 33, aimed to remain on the West Coast after spending 2011 in his native San Diego. The Dodgers signed Chris Capuano earlier this month. The two veterans would complement a rotation that includes Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, and Ted Lilly.
Harang posted a 3.64 ERA, 6.5 K/9, 3.1 BB/9, 1.05 HR/9, and 40.6% groundball rate in 170 2/3 innings for the Padres this year, earning $4MM.
Dodgers Sign Jerry Hairston Jr.
The Dodgers have signed Jerry Hairston Jr. to a two-year deal worth $6MM plus incentives, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). The 35-year-old has passed his physical. Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports that the contract will pay Hairston $2.25MM in 2012 and $3.75MM in 2013.
Hairston hit .270/.344/.383 in 376 plate appearances for the Brewers and Nationals in 2011. His production was remarkably consistent before and after the Nats moved him at the trade deadline — he had a .727 OPS for both teams. The Brewers and Giants were among the other clubs interested in signing Hairston.
MLB Network's Jon Heyman first reported that Hairston and the Dodgers were getting close to a two-year deal.
NL West Rumors: Ludwick, Gillick, Padres, Rockies
The latest on various NL West clubs…
- Heath Bell told MLB.com's Corey Brock he never heard from new Padres GM Josh Byrnes. Bell noted that he passed on offers of a little more money to take a three-year, $27MM deal from the Marlins.
- The Padres' goal is to fix the eighth and ninth innings this offseason, manager Bud Black told Jim Bowden on MLB Network Radio.
- The Dodgers are closing in on a minor league deal with reliever Alberto Castillo, tweets MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez. The 36-year-old spent most of the year at Triple-A, posting a 1.91 ERA and 8.1 K/9 in 42 1/3 innings there.
- The Giants are believed to have scheduled a meeting today with Ryan Ludwick's agent Dan Horwits, reports MLB.com's Chris Haft. Ludwick, 33, hit .237/.310/.363 with 13 home runs in 553 plate appearances for the Padres and Pirates this year.
- Phillies senior advisor and former GM Pat Gillick would consider a position as the Dodgers' new president of baseball operations, he told Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times.
- The Padres are getting hits on Chase Headley, Jason Bartlett, and Orlando Hudson, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, who expects one of them to be dealt by spring training. Hudson, who is owed $7.5MM through 2012, would be a pure salary dump, tweets Tracy Ringolsby of FOX Sports.
- The Rockies are lukewarm at best on Hudson, tweets ESPN's Jerry Crasnick, who wonders if the Giants' Jeff Keppinger could be a fit. Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News says the Giants are looking to get creative on the trade front for outfield and infield help.
- Non-tender candidate Joe Saunders told MLB.com's Steve Gilbert he'd like to return to the Diamondbacks, but the decision is up to the team. About a week ago, ESPN's Buster Olney tweeted that Saunders has a very good chance of returning to the D'Backs on a two-year deal.