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Angels and Dodgers Battling For Miguel Cabrera

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UPDATE, 11-15-07:  MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro says the Angels are in the lead now, and trade talk for Cabrera is picking up with A-Rod on the verge of signing.  Frisaro says a deal could be done by Thanksgiving, in contrast to Joe Capozzi’s suggestion that this would happen at the Winter Meetings.  The L.A. Times explained several Dodgers/Angels scenarios on Wednesday; that’s also worth a read.

FROM 11-13-07:

Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post says the Dodgers and Angels are leading the pack in the Miguel Cabrera derby.  Four other clubs are said to be in the mix.  The Marlins will continue to field offers and hope to trade Cabrera at the Winter Meetings in a few weeks.

Both the Dodgers and Angels are also in the mix for Alex Rodriguez.  Scott Boras must love Cabrera messing up his market.  A friend of Tommy Lasorda’s told me today that Lasorda puts the Dodgers’ chances of signing A-Rod around 25%.

From the Angels, the Marlins want Howie Kendrick, Nick Adenhart, another pitcher, and an outfielder.  Now that’s a tall order! Ervin Santana or Joe Saunders could be in the mix.  Maybe the Marlins like Terry Evans, Nathan Haynes, or Reggie Willits as well.

The Dodgers are being asked to pony up four of Chad Billingsley, Clayton Kershaw, Andy LaRoche, James Loney, and Matt Kemp.  Capozzi suggests the Dodgers would probably only include one of the pitchers.  Even so, a Kershaw/LaRoche/Loney/Kemp package is insane for one player.  That has to be well over $100MM of value – a bit less than 20 team-controlled seasons.  Three of the five would still make for a sweet bounty.  The team acquiring Cabrera would probably be compelled to lock him in past 2009.   

An educated guess at the other four teams in the mix for Cabrera: White Sox, Red Sox, Yankees, and Giants.  I’ll guess that the Indians have bowed out. 

Padres Targeting Matt Kemp?

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As always, Tom Krasovic has the scoop on the Padres.

  • Free agents Geoff Blum and Milton Bradley are not expected back.  Blum wanted to return but the Padres are going to pass.  Blum is likely to sign with Houston.
  • The Padres may try a combo of Scott Hairston and Chase Headley in left field next year. Wouldn’t it make more sense to push Kevin Kouzmanoff out there?  It’ll probably be a moot point, as the Padres are hoping to sign Geoff Jenkins.
  • Krasovic tantalizes us by not elaborating on this tidbit: Responding to Colletti’s preference for veterans, the Padres are contemplating three-team trade scenarios that would bring them young Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp.  In my opinion, any kind of deal that nets the Padres Kemp would have to involve Headley.  This tidbit may be more brainstorming than anything.
  • The Padres may offer Andruw Jones a one-year, $17MM deal.  However Scott Boras is still acting like Jones’ 2007 didn’t happen.

Rangers Rumors: Rogers, Gagne, Hunter

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MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan has some new info regarding the Rangers’ plans this offseason.

  • Kenny Rogers has already had three separate stints with the Rangers, the last one ending with the cameraman incident. The Rangers would like to bring him back for a fourth tour, if the price is right.  One emailer speculated that the team also wouldn’t mind an apology to management for the incident, also.  Sullivan says the Mariners, Phillies, Dodgers, and Mets may also have Rogers on the radar.  Seems like Ned Colletti is letting bygones be bygones with Scott Boras.  UPDATE: Boras reiterated tonight that the Tigers are Rogers’ priority.  He seemingly wants one year and $10MM.
  • The Rangers have interest in another Boras client, Eric Gagne.  I think I read this in ESPN Magazine recently – how about re-signing him and flipping him all over again at the ’08 deadline?
  • Owner Tom Hicks and GM Jon Daniels had dinner with Torii Hunter tonight.  I heard they had the roast beef.  The Rangers will make an offer later this week, though they’ll have to top whatever the White Sox come up with.
  • The Rangers also want to bring back Jamey Wright for the ’pen.

Dodgers To Seek Pitching Via Trade

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Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times has some insight into Ned Colletti’s gameplan this offseason.

Colletti still isn’t a fan of the free agent market for starting pitchers.  He feels that the Dodgers’ best chance of upgrading the rotation is via trade.  Though the Dodgers have been previously linked to Hiroki Kuroda, Colletti seemed unimpressed by the Japanese market.  Trade options might include Erik Bedard, A.J. Burnett, Cliff Lee, Jon Garland, Jose Contreras, Johan Santana, Dan Haren, Joe Blanton, Chris Capuano, and Dave Bush.  Did I miss anyone? 

As far as third base, Colletti says the Dodgers haven’t decided whether to go after Alex Rodriguez.  He was able to tolerate Scott Boras enough to talk with him briefly last week.  The other options for the Dodgers would be Mike Lowell and Miguel Cabrera.  Giving Andy LaRoche a try wouldn’t be a terrible idea.

It sounds like the Dodgers really want to sign a center fielder and move Juan Pierre over.  It seems that Colletti will investigate the Big Three among free agent center fielders.  Him being on OK terms with Boras bodes well for the Andruw Jones possibility.

Second base is still unresolved, and Colletti could go for Luis Castillo if Jeff Kent retires.  Kent’s agent shot down the whole Larry King thing.  Tony Abreu makes for a fine internal fallback. 

Rivera, Posada, Lowell To Hit Open Market?

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Brian Cashman was unable to reach an agreement with either of his big-name free agents tonight.  Both Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada will hit the open market despite receiving improved offers from the Yankees.  Rivera hinted that he could follow Joe Torre to the Dodgers.  That seems an unlikely way for the Dodgers to spend $40MM+.

Honestly I thought the Yankees would extend themselves to get both deals done by midnight tonight.  I’m surprised to see this pair hit the open market, where any team is liable to overpay.  Peter Abraham speculates that Posada might require four years, $56MM, because that’s what Mike Lowell wants.

Speaking of Lowell – the Red Sox don’t seem willing to stretch to add that fourth year.  They’re still negotiating, so maybe something creative can be done before Lowell starts fielding offers from other clubs.

Larry King Expects Kent To Return

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TV’s Larry King spoke to Jeff Kent recently, and came away convinced he’ll return to play in 2008.  Odd source of information.  The same sentiment about Kent has recently been expressed by Joe Torre and Ned Colletti.  It sounds like the Dodgers will be set at second base for ’08.

Torre also provided thoughts on Andy Pettitte and Alex Rodriguez recently.  Torre said Pettitte was "leaning towards staying home" and it was "possible" the Dodgers could sign A-Rod.  Such a signing would not cost the Dodgers their valuable 15th overall pick next year.  The Yankees have to be rooting against this. 

I recently watched an ESPN video (top right corner) where Keith Law said he didn’t see Colletti patching things up to cut a deal with Scott Boras.  If the Dodgers are to sign A-Rod it might have to be Dodgers owner Frank McCourt taking care of things.  It’s assumed that Pettitte will either retire or pitch for the Yankees, though Nick Cafardo speculated he could go to L.A. to pitch for Torre.

A couple of vets would like to re-join the Dodgers in David Wells and Luis Gonzalez.  They’ve already made a minor addition in Chan Ho Park.  Others who have been connected to the Dodgers: Miguel Cabrera, Luis Castillo (probably only if Kent retires), Hiroki Kuroda, Andruw Jones, and Torii Hunter. A note on Kuroda – Phil Rogers’ straw poll indicated that roughly 20 teams have some level of interest in him. 

Torre: A-Rod to Dodgers?

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The hot stove buzz this morning is Joe Torre’s coy remarks about Alex Rodriguez ending up in Dodger blue.  Said Torre, "It’s possible.  It’s possible.  It’s possible."  There are a number of articles, but Dom Amore of the Hartford Courant reminds readers that Torre and A-Rod have been exchanging phone messages.

In Amore’s article Torre adds that "you’ve got four or five clubs that figure to be in the sweepstakes."  The Dodgers were on Jon Heyman’s list of possible teams.  If the Yankees offer Rodriguez arbitration, which he would decline, and he signs with the Dodgers, the Yankees would not gain a first round pick; however, I’d say the Dodgers and A-Rod make a good deal of sense.  They’d certainly make room for him at 3B or SS.  And Frank McCourt is the kind of owner not afraid to make a big splash.

Posted by Nat Boyle

Contract Window For Miguel Cabrera?

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MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro says the Miguel Cabrera trade talks are heating up.  As you know, Cabrera is under team control for the 2008 and 2009 seasons.  He might become more enticing if the acquiring team can talk to his agent prior to completion of a trade, with a long-term contract in mind.  As far as I can tell Cabrera is represented by Arn Tellem and Fernando Cuza currently.

Frisaro says the Angels and Dodgers are in the lead for Cabrera.  The Yankees, White Sox, Indians, and Tigers are also in the mix.  However this Paul Hoynes article seems to indicate the Indians are fading on Cabrera.  And I think it’s questionable whether the White Sox have the goods.  Frisaro doesn’t include the Red Sox, which jives with Michael Silverman’s info today.  Peter Gammons says the Red Sox could get Hank Blalock in a Coco Crisp deal but aren’t ready to do that right now.

It’s known that the Marlins want Howie Kendrick from the Angels; Ken Rosenthal first reported that yesterday.  Maicer Izturis would also be thrown in there, but I imagine Nick Adenhart would be required as well.  If such a deal were reached, Dan Uggla would move to third base to accomodate Kendrick.  There’s also speculation that the Marlins could trade Uggla if they get Kendrick.

Frisaro expects Dontrelle Willis to stay put this winter.

Odds and Ends: Lowell, Sabathia, Polanco

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I’m going to start up a catch-all Odds and Ends post for smaller rumors and notes today.  Refresh to see it grow.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Andruw, Rowand, Castillo

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Ken Rosenthal has cranked out another rumor-filled column.  A summary is below.

  • The Marlins are insisting on Howie Kendrick in a Miguel Cabrera deal.  The Angels are understandably reluctant.
  • The Nationals could sign Andruw Jones long-term if they felt it was a bargain – say, $13MM a year.  The Giants, White Sox, and Padres may be in the mix as well.  Hmmm, White Sox and Boras?  And if Scott Boras changes his tune and hunts for a one-year "rebuild value" contract for Jones, the Red Sox could get involved. 
  • The Phillies think Aaron Rowand will end up getting a 4/52 contract, though Rosenthal expects him to get the fifth guaranteed year.  It’s previously been reported that Rowand is looking for a six-year, $84MM deal. Yikes.
  • Aside from the Astros and Mets, the Indians, Padres, and Dodgers could get in on Luis Castillo.  In the Tribe’s case, it would involve a scenario where Jhonny Peralta was dealt.
  • Interesting note on Curt Schilling’s $2MM in weight incentives – the target weights are aggressively low, and the weigh-ins will be done randomly.  So, no cheating the system.  By the way, isn’t it ridiculous that one Cy vote gets him $1MM?  Sportswriters have given out single votes on a whim for much dumber reasons.
  • The Red Sox are apparently asking a lot for Coco Crisp, more than the Twins are ready to give up.
  • The Indians and Brewers have an excess of starters.  Names that could hit the market include Cliff Lee, Dave Bush, and Chris Capuano.  The Nationals have their eye on Lee.  He came up as an Expo through Double A.
  • The Nationals might be able to get something good for outfielder Ryan Church.  In general, Jim Bowden desires a young MLB-ready starter like Kevin Mulvey or Kevin Slowey.

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