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Rosenthal’s Latest: Nationals, Manny, Peavy, Vazquez

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We’ve already touched on Ken Rosenthal’s Matt Holliday update, but there are other good tidbits in the article as well:

  • "Club officials believe" that the Nationals are "reasonably close to a breakthrough." They blame 2008’s sorry performance on the raft of injuries Washington suffered, which is why they’re willing to spend now for a big bat — the key names floating around have been the aforementioned Holliday, Adam Dunn, and Mark Teixeira, though Rosenthal seems skeptical they could snag any of them. But what about Manny Ramirez? "Jim Bowden, the Nats’ unconventional GM, probably would love the idea, but D.C. might not be big enough for Manny and Barack Obama." Looking at the impact that Manny has had on the LA’s attendance, and looking at the empty seats at Nationals Park, it could make sense.
  • Obligatory Jake Peavy update: Padres discuss keeping the ace, Braves grow impatient. Cubs are still in the mix, while the Dodgers and Yankees are "on the backburner." (Buster Olney had a subtly different take posted a few hours later — that Peavy would be dealt before the turkey hits the sideboard.) Rosenthal also quotes Pads GM Kevin Towers as wanting to move the fences in at Petco (which is hard enough just to write without typing in "cavernous" as an automatic prefix).
  • The Mets, among other ballclubs, are interested in Rays’ righties Andy Sonnanstine and Edwin Jackson, but the Rays are in no hurry to make a deal.
  • "The White Sox are in an ideal position with" Javier Vazquez if they wait until Peavy, CC Sabathia, et al are placed and then shop him, Rosenthal argues. The 32-year old righty will make $23 MM through 2010, which he calls "a bargain for a pitcher who has produced four straight 200-inning seasons, albeit with a 49-51 record and 4.41 ERA." On the other hand, Vazquez has also hit the 200-strikeout mark in each of the last two seasons.

Sarah Green can be reached here.

Miller’s Latest: Olsen, Willis, Blake

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Here’s a look at the latest from Scott Miller of CBSSports.com.

  • The Braves and Rangers have talked to the Marlins about lefty Scott Olsen.
  • The Red Sox have done background work on Dontrelle Willis, stirring up the Willis for Julio Lugo rumors.
  • The Twins, Dodgers, and Indians have expressed interest in Casey Blake.  Blake’s agent said he anticipates offers ranging from one to three years.

Jake Peavy Rumors: Friday

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1:47pm: This Scott Miller column is from yesterday, but it has some good info.  Miller’s source believes the Braves are the frontrunners for Peavy and are willing to include Gorkys Hernandez.  Additionally, the source said the Cubs are very aggressive and the Dodgers are making a strong pitch.

12:53pm: Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald says Samardzija is not on the table and has a full, not partial, no-trade.  Additionally, the Cubs have not thrown Fontenot into the mix.  Miles gives a 50-50 chance of the Cubs getting Peavy.

9:39am: GM Kevin Towers expects to trade Jake Peavy before the winter meetings, saying, "The train’s kind of left the station."  Continuing the metaphor, Barry Axelrod said, "The only thing we’ve got is a brake."

According to Yahoo’s Jeff Passan, the Cubs have moved in front of the Braves in the battle for Peavy.  Passan says the Padres want Jeff Samardzija (who has a limited no-trade clause), and the Cubs could also include players such as Felix Pie, Sean Marshall, Ronny Cedeno, Kevin Hart, and Donald Veal.  Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times suggests Rich Harden or Mike Fontenot could be involved.  De Luca notes that a Peavy trade would probably prevent the Cubs from acquiring Brian Roberts.  ESPN’s Buster Olney believes Josh Vitters would have to be involved, while the Daily Herald’s Bruce Miles adds Jose Ceda, Welington Castillo, and Mitch Atkins as possibilities.  Miles does not see the Cubs as a player for C.C. Sabathia, by the way.

The Padres would prefer a deal with Atlanta, but can’t pry Tommy Hanson loose.  The Braves are willing to trade Yunel Escobar, Charlie Morton, and Jordan Schafer.

Meanwhile, Tom Krasovic at the San Diego Union-Tribune says Peavy and Barry Axelrod are concerned about the Braves’ shortstop situation if they are to include the defensively-talented Escobar.  Perhaps the Braves could sway them by outlining some contingency plans at the position.

Latest On Rafael Furcal

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According to Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times, the Dodgers have a two-year deal in mind for free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal.  SI.com’s Jon Heyman recently said their offer was in the two-year, $25-30MM range.  His agent is looking for four years, and says ten other teams have expressed interest.

Heyman believes the Orioles and Royals may be suitors, though Furcal may be out of the Royals’ price range.  The Tigers are out, but the Cubs, Giants, Blue Jays, and A’s are in.

Heyman’s Latest: Furcal, Jenks, Nats, Yankees, White Sox

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Here are a few of the latest notes from Jon Heyman…

  • The Dodgers offered Rafael Furcal a two-year deal worth $25-30MM. A source close to Furcal told Heyman that the Dodgers know that it will take more and at least eight teams have expressed interest in Furcal.
  • In the same piece Heyman says the White Sox are open to trading Bobby Jenks, but Heyman’s source says it will "take quite a bit."
  • Heyman says the Nationals are not likely to land any of the big names they covet noting they do not have the pieces for a trade and few free agents would be willing to play for a 100-loss team. Heyman does say Adam Dunn could be one player that is willing to sign with the Nats based on his relationship with Jim Bowden.
  • Heyman says the Yankees may be serious about trading for Mike Cameron noting that they have even asked for Alex Rodriguez’ opinion of his former teammate.
  • Heyman reports that the White Sox could trade several of their bigger players. Most of the names have been heard here over the last couple of days, but one we haven’t heard in a while is Paul Konerko. Heyman says Konerko could be an attractive backup plan to any team that fails to sign Mark Teixeira. Heyman also says the White Sox could go after Orlando Hudson if they can unload some of their bigger contracts.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Manny Ramirez Rumors: Thursday

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Here’s what we know about the Dodgers’ offer to Manny Ramirez: it’s two or three years in length, with an option year.  The average annual value is in the $23-27MM range.

ESPN’s Buster Olney noted that GM Ned Colletti made a "very public show" of his offer, and Joel Sherman sees it as a PR move.  Sherman guesses the Dodgers will ultimately sign Manny at four years, $100MM.  Ramirez does not seem to be the priority for any other team.

Jake Peavy Rumors: Wednesday

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11:00pm: Meanwhile, Yahoo’s Tim Brown says the Braves, Cubs, and Cardinals are all working out contigency plans to replace the players they’d use in a Peavy deal.

10:53pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Cubs are the frontrunner for Peavy, "perhaps even ahead of the Braves." He says the Cubs also want to re-sign Ryan Dempster.  The Cubs’ dream rotation would be Peavy, Carlos Zambrano, Dempster, Ted Lilly, and Rich Harden.

The Braves had a window of exclusivity to hammer out a Peavy trade, but that has apparently passed.  The Padres like the Cubs’ young pitching, even if it doesn’t match Atlanta’s.

If the Cubs pull this off, they’d have to cut costs by perhaps letting Kerry Wood go and going cheaper in right field.

WEDNESDAY, 9:14am: Ken Davidoff swapped emails with Peavy’s agent, Barry Axelrod.  Axelrod stresses that Peavy’s list of preferred teams is just guidance for the Padres, and is not definitive or all-inclusive.  The Padres have not yet requested approval for any team or trade.

TUESDAY: Time to begin a new thread for Jake Peavy rumors.  According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Padres consider the Braves, Cubs, and Dodgers as potential matches for a Peavy trade.  GM Kevin Towers is "down the road" with two of those clubs (probably the Braves and Cubs), but nothing is imminent.  Things could slow down as free agency opens up, giving potential trade partners more options for their rotations.

Dodgers Keep Door Open For Maddux

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MLB.com’s Barry Bloom talked to Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, who said the team would welcome Greg Maddux back in 2009 if he decides not to retire.  Scott Boras seems pretty sure Maddux will hang ’em up, but the decision is not official.

In mid-October, it was revealed that the Padres talked to Maddux about serving as a player/coach next year.

Dodgers Make Offer To Manny, Will Pass On Varitek

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8:29pm: Some info on Manny’s offer is coming in.  Ken Davidoff believes it’s for two years with an option.  Peter Abraham suggests two years, $50MM.

6:50pm: Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said this evening he will "probably not" pursue free agent catcher Jason Varitek.  It never made sense to move Russell Martin off catcher, and Scott Boras’ early demands for Varitek are steep anyway.

Colletti also said the Dodgers made an offer to Manny Ramirez that would be the highest average annual salary in club history and second highest in MLB history.  Ken Rosenthal says this means it’s between $22.9MM and $27.5MM per year.  My guess: two years, $52MM. 

Dodgers Decline Penny’s Option

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WEDNESDAY: The Dodgers chose Penny’s $2MM buyout over the $9.25MM option, according to MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick.

TUESDAY: According to Tony Jackson of the L.A. Daily News, the Dodgers are "almost certain" to choose Brad Penny’s $2MM buyout over his $9.25MM option for 2009.  Jackson believes the decision will be made soon.

Penny left the Dodgers without saying goodbye; he was displeased the team did not exercise his ’09 option in the spring.  He dealt with shoulder problems throughout the season.

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