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Odds and Ends: Giles, Chacon, Durbin

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Here are today’s random rumor tidbits.

  • The Rox are interested in Marcus Giles for their second base opening.  Giles was awful last year, they should just try something internal.  Other Rockies notes: contracts with Kip Wells and Luis Vizcaino aren’t quite finalized, and they may ink Victor Zambrano to a minor league deal.  UPDATE: Wells, plus Mark Redman, are done deals.
  • The Pirates still have their eye on Shawn Chacon and Chad Durbin.  That”ll put butts in the seats.  Also, Jake of Bucco Blog weighs in on a new Pirates hire.
  • Speaking of Durbin, did he comment on this blog and suggest he’s headed to the NL?  I’m not sure.
  • Drays Bay talked to Gerry Hunsicker.  Seth Speaks talked to Pat Neshek.
  • New prize added to our Hot Stove Hysteria contest – three months free of Scout.com access.
  • Things are mostly quiet with the Brewers, but this Tom Haudricourt blog post notes tepid discussions for Scott Rolen, Hank Blalock, and Andre Ethier.

Reds Still Searching For A Starter

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John Fay writes of the Reds’ continued search for a starting pitcher.  That’s Wayne Krivsky’s focus; his main limitation is that Jay Bruce is untouchable.

The Reds couldn’t get Dan Haren because they wouldn’t give up young starter Johnny Cueto.  The focus remains on Erik Bedard; the Reds seem willing to offer Homer Bailey as a starting point.  Fay indicates that the Dodgers lead for Bedard, which is odd given their current six-deep rotation.

I have a feeling the hot stove is going to turn to Joe Blanton now.  The Reds may be in the thick of it, especially if they’d give up Bailey for him.  What do you think, would that be a wise move?

Dodgers Sign Kuroda

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UPDATE, 12-15-07 at 6:26pm: Crasnick has an update: it’s for $35-36MM over three years.  So he’s no bargain.  $35.3MM, to be exact.

UPDATE, 12-15-07 at 3:52pm: Ken Rosenthal checks in, noting that the Dodgers and other clubs were willing to go to four years on Kuroda but he preferred three.

UPDATE, 12-15-07 at 2:25pm: Tony Jackson of the L.A. Daily News reports that the Dodgers have signed Kuroda to a three-year deal worth between $36-40MM, pending a physical.  The Dodgers will go with Brad Penny, Chad Billingsley, Derek Lowe, Kuroda, and Jason Schmidt if he’s healthy.  Esteban Loaiza might have to move to the bullpen for now.

UPDATE, 12-15-07 at 11:32am: Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times says Ned Colletti had multiple conversations with Kuroda’s agent yesterday, and the two sides made "significant progress."  The Dodgers still appear to be offering three years and $30MM.  Hernandez adds that Arizona continued talking to Kuroda’s agent as well – the addition of Dan Haren apparently doesn’t diminish their interest.

FROM 12-14-07 at 9:50pm:

After all the ruckus about Hiroki Kuroda earlier this week, his agent said today that he still has not reached a decision.  The decision is "very close," and may come by the end of the weekend.  The Mariners, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, and Royals have offers out.

No word yet on whether the D’Backs will pull their offer after snagging Dan Haren.  I know they’re going with the three-year payroll plan, so they can probably still fit Kuroda in.

Dodgers In Lead For Hiroki Kuroda?

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UPDATE, 12-12-07 at 10:05pm: Still no clarity on the Kuroda situation.  MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick notes Japanese reports indicating Kuroda has signed with the Dodgers, but Ned Colletti is still awaiting word from his agent.  Here’s Tony Jackson’s update; he says pretty much the same.

UPDATE, 12-12-07 at 1:40pm: Jerry Crasnick checks in, noting that Kuroda is visiting his California-based agent.  They’ll go over the four offers they have in hand.

UPDATE, 12-12-07 at 8:56am: If the Diamondbacks are out of the running for Kuroda, they haven’t been informed of it.  Tony Jackson of the L.A. Daily News wrote early today that Kuroda was on a flight to L.A. – either indicating he is doing his recruiting tour or he signed with the Dodgers.  Jackson believes the latter is the case.

UPDATE, 12-12-07 at 8:21am: The Kyodo News, found via RotoWorld, reports that Kuroda has chosen the Dodgers and he informed his former team on Tuesday night.  The signing could be announced today.

UPDATE, 12-11-07 at 11:18pm: Geoff Baker tells us all to calm down.  Kuroda hasn’t made his decision yet, though the Dodgers and Mariners remain the frontrunners.  Baker believes it might take several days to reach a conclusion.

UPDATE, 12-11-07 at 9:17pm:  Tony Jackson of the L.A. Daily News has some info.  He says that Kuroda is strongly leaning towards the Dodgers and the decision is due soon.  Jackson verifies that Kuroda has cancelled his U.S. trip and will choose between the Dodgers and Mariners.  The presence of Takashi Saito may be a big point in the Dodgers’ favor.  But this deal is not done yet. 

FROM 12-11-07 at 8:10pm:

Just got a good tip that Hiroki Kuroda has chosen the Dodgers.  At least, that’s the word out of Japan – Ned Colletti and Co. aren’t fessing up to anything yet.  It definitely seems that the D’Backs are out of the mix.  Kuroda apparently cancelled his U.S. tour and will make his decision from home.  He may choose the Dodgers over the Ms despite L.A. offering a bit less. 

Odds And Ends: Nats, Dodgers, Cardinals

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Couple of small signings and rumors on non-tender night:

  • The Nats have agreed with John Patterson, Ryan Wagner, and Luis Ayala to one-year deals. Wagner is coming off labrum surgery, and is expected to compete for a spot in the bullpen in Spring Training. Ayala tossed 42 decent innings after coming back from Tommy John surgery in June. After showing flashes of his potential in 2005, Patterson has hardly worked out over the past two years, but will get another shot this spring.
  • The Dodgers have signed 11 players to minor league deals with invitations to Spring Training: RHP Tanyon Sturtze, RHP Mike Koplove, RHP Brian Falkenborg, RHP Rick
    Asadoorian    , RHP Fernando Desgue, RHP Greg Jones, LHP Brian Shackelford,
    OF John-Ford Griffin, 1B John Lindsey, IF Angel Chavez and C Danny
    Ardoin    . The addition of Sturtze, coupled with the presence of Scott Proctor, gives Joe Torre two of his favorite abuse cases over the past few years.
  • The Cardinals have signed former Athletic Ron Flores to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training. He throws left-handed, hence will probably get a shot for the next three or four years, even if his performance is spotty. C Mark Johnson, RHP Hugo Castellanos and 3B Rico Washington have also been signed and extended an invite.

–Joe

Colletti Wants To Hang Onto Kemp

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We’ve heard his name linked to potential trades for Miguel Cabrera, Erik Bedard, and Johan Santana, but if we’re to believe Ned Colletti’s current stated position, Matt Kemp won’t be going anywhere.

"I don’t have any interest in trading Matt Kemp," general manager Ned Colletti said after new center fielder Andruw Jones was introduced to the media on Wednesday.

Kemp has the potential to be a middle of the order force, and seeing as he’s only 23 years old, he could fulfill that role for many years to come. Dishing him as the centerpiece of a Cabrera, Bedard, or Santana deal would have made a degree of sense, but he was oftentimes mentioned alongside names like Clayton Kershaw and Jonathan Broxton.

This means the Dodgers plan to go into the season with Andruw Jones, Andre Ethier, and Juan Pierre as outfielders in addition to Kemp. Clearly, taking Pierre out of the starting lineup is the smart and logical move — Kemp and Ethier project better at the corners, with Jones in center. But the $36.5 million left in his contract probably keeps him in the starting eight.

–Joe

Odds and Ends: Mench, Kent, Durbin, Wang

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Rounding up this morning’s Odds and Ends, to be updated periodically…

Mariners Leading For Kuroda?

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John Hickey has an update on Hiroki Kuroda this morning.  It seems the Mariners, Dodgers, and Diamondbacks are competing for his services.  Kuroda only wants a three-year deal, giving himself a chance to go back to Japan for the 2011 season if he chooses.  According to Hickey, "Kuroda’s final decision will be between the Dodgers and the Mariners."

  • Mariners: Hickey thinks they’re in the lead with a three-year offer in the $33-36MM range.  The rumors of a four-year offer were false.
  • Dodgers: They’re at 3/30 and are considered the Mariners’ biggest competition.
  • Diamondbacks: Hickey says they’re also close to 3/30 but on the fringes, which might imply his source was not aware of their recently improved offer.

It seems Kuroda will make a decision within a week or so.  Maybe by then the starting pitching market will start moving.

Dontrelle For Josh Hamilton Was Discussed

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UPDATE, 12-8-07 at 2:47am: More excitement…throw Abraham Nunez into the mix of Marlins third base targets.  This team is going places.

FROM 12-7-07 at 11:27am:

MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro posted a new column last night full of good Marlins hot stove chatter.

  • The most interesting note is that the Marlins talked to the Reds about swapping Dontrelle Willis for Josh Hamilton, prior to the blockbuster with Detroit. 
  • With Miguel Cabrera, the White Sox and Rangers were involved during the Meetings before the Tigers jumped in.  The Rangers backed out when they couldn’t get an extension window for Cabrera.  The Tigers wanted the same but obviously it wasn’t the dealbreaker.  The Angels, Dodgers, and Giants were involved before the Meetings, with the Giants offering Noah Lowry.
  • Frisaro says there are "strong indications the Marlins will sign Jorge Cantu.  He’ll be in the mix at third base.
  • The Fish are offering the Phils Scott Nestor for Wes Helms, who’d also compete at the hot corner.
  • The Mets have some interest in Alfredo Amezaga, though the Marlins are inclined to keep him.
  • Miguel Olivo will be released soon, so throw him into the catcher market with Michael Barrett. 

Rangers Like Patterson, Ethier, Hamilton, Fukudome

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According to MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan, the Rangers are targeting various young outfielders.

  • Corey Patterson, 28, is a free agent and Scott Boras client.  He’s looking for multiple years while the Rangers only want to give one.  His talent might tantalize somebody, though he hit just .269/.304/.386 this year.  He’s shown in the past that he can hit like a league average CF and play plus defense, so he could be a bargain.  Patterson reversed his platoon split this year, hitting lefties pretty well.  He’s an Atlanta native; maybe the Braves would be a match.
  • Andre Ethier, 26 in April, is expendable now that the Dodgers have four outfielders.  His career line of .295/.357/.464 is solid, though that is average for an AL right fielder.  The Dodgers may opt to move Juan Pierre instead, if they can find a taker.  The Dodgers previously had interest in Rangers reliever Joaquin Benoit, according to Sullivan.  The Rangers would have competition from the Rays on Ethier.
  • Josh Hamilton, 27 in May, could be moved by the Reds for a starting pitcher.  Hamilton was incredible in 300 ABs for the Reds this year in his MLB debut, despite several years off and only 89 ABs above A ball.  That’s #1 pick talent.  He dealt with wrist, hamstring, and stomach problems this year however.  Sullivan says the Reds would want Edinson Volquez for him; there was talk of sending him to Florida for Dontrelle Willis previously.
  • Kosuke Fukudome, 31 in April, hasn’t decided yet whether to play in MLB.  Even limited by an elbow issue he hit .294/.443/.520 in Japan.
  • Milton Bradley, 30 in April, needs more time to decide on the Padres’ $4MM offer.  Coming off knee surgery, he might be interested in the Rangers’ open DH job.  Bradley is injury-prone, but he hit .306/.402/.545 in 209 ABs this year.
  • Others who have been mentioned: Coco Crisp, Rocco Baldelli, Jim Edmonds, and Juan Pierre.

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