Manny Ramirez Rumors: Thursday
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
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
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
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
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.
Furcal To Hit The Open Market?
Bill Shaikin and Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times have the scoop on free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal.
Furcal’s agent Paul Kinzer met with Dodgers GM Ned Colletti recently, and they didn’t see eye to eye. Kinzer doesn’t want to compromise much on the term despite Furcal missing most of ’08 due to back surgery. Furcal wants to return to the Dodgers, but may be "forced" to hit the open market to find the four-year deal he craves. At least seven teams have expressed interest, the Cubs, Giants, and Blue Jays among them. The Royals, Orioles, Cardinals, Indians, Tigers, and Twins also make sense.
Brown’s Latest: Teixeira, Crede, Friedman
Yahoo’s Tim Brown filed a column late last night; let’s take a look.
- Scott Boras doesn’t know of any kind of contingency where the Dodgers would have to unload Andruw Jones‘ contract before signing Manny Ramirez.
- The Angels have not yet made an offer to Mark Teixeira, but they’ll deal with that situation before moving on to other needs. Boras is suggesting Teixeira pays for himself.
- Boras compared Joe Crede to Magglio Ordonez. I think he is implying that he may seek big money for Crede but allow a team to opt out after a year if he hits the DL for back problems.
- Ken Williams spoke up manufacturing runs, while Billy Beane still prefers walks and homers.
- Rays GM Andrew Friedman doesn’t have a contract, but he isn’t concerned.
Russell Martin Available?
WEDNESDAY: ESPN’s Keith Law says Dodgers GM Ned Colletti was asked whether Martin is available and replied, "No."
TUESDAY: According to ESPN’s Peter Gammons:
Some Dodger officials have spread the word that Russell Martin will either be traded or moved to third base, with a Jason Varitek signing a possibility. Whether or not it actually happens will be interesting to see, but teams looking for catching, like the Red Sox, will do a headfirst dive to get in on Martin, who turns 26 in February.
Martin would have immense value on the trade market as one of the game’s best catchers. I imagine the Dodgers would ask for Clay Buchholz or Jed Lowrie from the Red Sox.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Tex, Furcal, Johnson, Lofton
Here’s a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- If they are to sign Mark Teixeira, the Angels would like to do it quickly. However, it’s Scott Boras’ custom to let the market develop until late December or so. It’s possible the Angels change gears on November 14th. There are other big names to pursue, though none fit as perfectly as Tex.
- Rosenthal’s worst case scenario for the Yankees: C.C. Sabathia goes to a West Coast team while A.J. Burnett re-signs with Toronto. The Jays truly are in the mix for Burnett. ESPN’s Keith Law says Burnett expects to receive multiple five-year offers.
- The Orioles plan to make serious offers to Teixeira and Burnett. Still, both are considered long shots for Baltimore. Another note: the Orioles were one of the teams the Yankees outbid for Sergio Mitre.
- The Dodgers are considered "a good bet" to re-sign Rafael Furcal. The Giants have their eye on him if he hits the open market.
- About ten teams have inquired on Braves second baseman Kelly Johnson. We had a Cardinals rumor yesterday.
- The Rangers figure to trade one or two of their catchers, with Gerald Laird a strong candidate to be traded. The Red Sox and Marlins are looking for catching, though the Rangers are wary of Florida’s Scott Olsen.
- Rosenthal wonders if Brandon Webb could leave the D’Backs after the 2010 season.
- Kenny Lofton wants to play in 2009.
Odds and Ends: El Duque, Tazawa, Ausmus
Links for Tuesday. Be sure to check back on Odds and Ends posts, as I update them throughout the day with minor links.
- The Jays may no longer have A.J. Burnett under contract, but they continued their claiming frenzy by adding pitcher Les Walrond.
- The A’s re-hired Jason Giambi‘s strength coach. Does it mean anything?
- The Cardinals remain intrigued by the idea of bringing Edgar Renteria back.
- The Dodgers bought out catcher Gary Bennett for $50K; he’s a free agent now.
- Mike Cameron thinks C.C. Sabathia has a good chance of re-signing with the Brewers. He says Sabathia could be a pioneer by taking less money to stay.
- Yahoo’s Tim Brown says Orlando Hernandez is working out and intends to play next year. He did not pitch in the Majors at all this year due to foot injuries.
- Dylan Hernandez chatted with Scott Boras last week.
- The New York Daily News discusses Baseball Prospectus’ Nate Silver, whose political website is immensely popular.
- Patrick Newman points out that Junichi Tazawa will not be the first Japanese amateur to sign with an MLB team.
- Buster Olney says Brad Ausmus wants to play in 2009 if it’s close to his San Diego home. The Dodgers could be one possibility.