Mets Not Interested In Juan Pierre
5:36pm: Mets GM Omar Minaya shot down the Pierre report, and added that he is not interested in Andruw Jones either.
11:59am: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Mets have shown interest in Dodgers outfielder Juan Pierre. Pierre’s has another $28.5MM on his deal, which runs through 2011. The Dodgers would need to take on "a large chunk" of that.
Dodgers Sign Mark Loretta
WEDNESDAY: The Dodgers officially announced Loretta’s one-year deal, which is for $1.25MM.
MONDAY: According to MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick, the Dodgers agreed to terms with Mark Loretta on a one-year deal worth around $1.4MM tonight. He’ll take his physical on Tuesday. Loretta was a Type B free agent, but the Astros did not offer him arbitration so there will be no draft pick compensation.
Randy Johnson Rumors
WEDNESDAY, 1:11pm: Nolan Ryan confirmed the Rangers’ interest in Johnson.
TUESDAY, 8:37pm: Jack Magruder says the Astros and Angels met with Johnson’s reps at the Meetings. He adds that the Rangers, Brewers, and Cubs touched base before the Meetings.
2:54pm: Four California teams are said to be eyeing Randy Johnson: the Dodgers, Angels, Giants, and A’s. Mike DiGiovanna learned that the Dodgers and Angels are more on the fringes. We’ve also seen Johnson linked to the Cubs as a fallback for Jake Peavy.
C.C. Sabathia Rumors: Wednesday
1:08am: Gordon Edes notes that Giants GM Brian Sabean told reporters he would not be willing to give Sabathia a sixth year on a contract. They are the fallback option if the big lefty decides he wants to take less to pitch close to home.
12:25am: The big news on the C.C. Sabathia front is that Yankees GM Brian Cashman flew to San Francisco to visit with Sabathia for the third time in three days. ESPN’s Jayson Stark says the visit is not about money and was initiated by Sabathia. Some believe Cashman will attempt to sell Sabathia’s wife Amber on New York.
Stark talked to several baseball people who still don’t believe Sabathia wants to be in New York. One predicted the Yanks would have to include an opt-out clause. Also, Stark speaks of indications that the Dodgers told C.C. they might be interested if they can fill some of their other needs affordably.
Manny Ramirez Rumors: Tuesday
11:20pm: Yahoo’s Tim Brown talked to roughly half the teams in baseball, and could not identify a suitor for Manny aside from the Dodgers.
8:26pm: Tony Reagins said the Angels signing Manny is "not a likely scenario."
1:30pm: Manny apparently still seeks the same six-year type deal. Rosenthal says Colletti told Boras he’ll need to talk to Frank McCourt before further conversations can occur.
11:25am: ESPN’s Jayson Stark says "Scott Boras met with the Dodgers late Monday might to discuss the return of Manny Ramirez." While Manny is still open to signing with the Dodgers, they have not put their two-year, $45MM offer back on the table.
Andruw Jones Draws Inquiries
Diamond Leung talked to Ned Colletti, who said a few teams asked about Andruw Jones. However, those teams would ask the Dodgers to pick up the "vast majority" of the $22.1MM owed to Jones. Hmmm…would 150% of it be sufficient?
Dodgers Sign Casey Blake
8:55pm: There’s also a club option for a fourth year.
7:51pm: Tony Jackson says it’s $17.5MM over three years for Blake.
TUESDAY, 12:28pm: ESPN’s Jayson Stark says the Dodgers have reached an agreement with Blake for three years and slightly more than $17.1MM. The Twins apparently offered two years, $14MM. He adds that Mark Loretta‘s deal is for one year and $1.25MM.
MONDAY, 11:09pm: Jackson has Colletti saying there’s no agreement in place, and they’ll meet again with Blake’s agent Tuesday. Ken Rosenthal says a three-year, $17MM deal is close.
9:47pm: Jayson Stark says the Dodgers are inching toward a Blake deal, but only have two guaranteed years on the table.
8:05pm: Jackson now says a three-year, $17MM deal with Blake could be announced tonight.
7:09pm: Tony Jackson says the Dodgers are not close to signing Blake, though Colletti sounds more hopeful. Dylan Hernandez says the Dodgers offered Blake three years at nearly $6MM per, and could get an answer tonight.
4:40pm: Colletti hinted to MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick that his offer for Blake is for three years. Also, second baseman Orlando Hudson is apparently not on the Dodgers’ radar.
3:10pm: Yahoo’s Tim Brown says the Dodgers raised their offer to three years and are nearing an agreement with Blake.
12:55pm: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers are waiting to hear back from Casey Blake about a recent offer. They should hear his decision today. Blake is reportedly seeking three guaranteed years.
Rafael Furcal Rumors: Tuesday
5:59pm: Kinzer told Rosenthal the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Royals, and A’s are in the running for Furcal, who still wants a four-year deal.
5:34pm: The Red Sox have not contacted Paul Kinzer about Furcal, says WEEI’s Alex Speier.
3:28pm: J.P. Ricciardi confirmed his informational meeting with Furcal’s agent. The Jays would have to move some things around to fit in any significant acquisition.
12:12pm: The Dodgers have made re-signing Furcal their top priority, says Tom Verducci.
12:32am: Though Furcal reportedly rejected an Oakland offer of four years for $35-40MM, GM Billy Beane would not say his pursuit is over.
12:11am: According to Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times, the Dodgers re-opened talks with Rafael Furcal Monday night. They are unwilling to give him a four-year deal.
Pirates Rumors: Eckstein, Wilson, Turnbow
5:29pm: A handful of teams have expressed interest in Doug Mientkiewicz, reports Jenifer Langosch. He expects to sign within a few weeks, and his agent will meet with the Pirates this week.
4:56pm: Kovacevic confirmed that the Pirates are in negotiations with Eckstein. The Orioles and Padres are also said to be in on him. As for Wilson: the Dodgers are said to be exasperated by the Pirates’ asking price.
12:10am: Let’s check in with Dejan Kovacevic and Rob Biertempfel for the latest on the Pirates.
- Kovacevic on Jack Wilson: the Tigers are out, the Dodgers are quiet lately, and the Twins are in. Biertempfel says the Orioles continue to watch from afar. Wilson’s contract is a sticking point for all suitors.
- Kovacevic believes the Pirates have at least not ruled out the idea of pursuing Pedro Martinez.
- Derrick Turnbow will throw for scouts in mid-January, so he probably won’t sign until then. The Pirates and Giants are among eight teams that have expressed interest.
- The Pirates seem likely to make a Rule 5 pick this year.
- With Pirates target Mark Loretta signing with the Dodgers, Biertempfel wonders if the Bucs may pursue David Eckstein or Craig Counsell.
Dodgers Sign Hector Luna
According to Diamond Leung, the Dodgers signed Hector Luna to a minor league deal (hat tip to Drunk Jays Fans).