Brewers Rumors

Kerry Wood Comments

By Tim Dierkes | November 14, 2008 at 3:52pm CDT

The Chicago Tribune’s Paul Sullivan spoke to free agent reliever Kerry Wood, with whom the Cubs recently cut ties.

Wood says he would have done anything to stay with the Cubs, including signing a one-year deal. In light of that information, the Cubs’ decision seems more questionable.

While Wood has a preference for the National League, he’s open to pitching anywhere. It doesn’t sound like the Tigers are interested, while Adam McCalvy makes a case against the Brewers. ESPN’s Keith Law ranked Wood as the top free agent reliever despite the health risk.

Odds and Ends: Perez, Torres, Beimel

By Tim Dierkes | November 14, 2008 at 11:21am CDT

Links for Friday, with an unplanned emphasis on relievers…

The Tigers and Trevor Hoffman may be a match. Hoffman’s agent closed the door on the Padres.
The Royals brought Mike Arbuckle aboard, formerly of the Phillies.
The Nationals have interest in re-signing Aaron Boone and Odalis Perez. MLB.com’s Bill Ladson gives it a 50-50 chance. The Nats re-signed infielder Pete Orr, who could earn $600K.
The Brewers picked up Salomon Torres’ 2009 option, more of a procedural move than anything.
The Marlins have an eye on minor league free agent Zach McClellan.
Ken Davidoff makes contract and destination predictions for top free agents. K-Rod, Juan Cruz, and Russ Springer to the Cardinals for a combined $73MM?
The Rockies have Joe Beimel and Jeremy Affeldt on the radar, among others.
The New York Daily News has a cool free agent tracker.

Nationals Not Pursuing Manny

By Tim Dierkes | November 12, 2008 at 5:18pm CDT

Yesterday, Yahoo’s Tim Brown suggested the Nationals and Jim Bowden were "promising everyone they’re going to be players in the Manny bidding." However, Bowden sent an email to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson today: "We are not pursuing Manny Ramirez."

Ladson says the Nationals are still in the market for a lefthanded slugger – Mark Teixeira, Adam Dunn, and Prince Fielder remain on the radar. And despite their abundance of outfielders, they’ve expressed interest in new Rockie Carlos Gonzalez.

Montero Drawing Interest

By Tim Dierkes | November 12, 2008 at 4:49pm CDT

According to Jack Magruder of the East Valley Tribune, D’Backs catcher Miguel Montero is a popular name in trade discussions. He may be traded to address the team’s second base vacancy. Mark Loretta and Adam Kennedy, who are in the $4MM or less range, were deemed too expensive.

Montero, 25, hit .255/.330/.435 in 207 plate appearances this year. He’s under team control through 2012. Magruder suggests the Red Sox, Tigers, Reds, Astros, and Brewers as possible matches. Some of those clubs do have decent second base prospects.

Magruder adds that the D’Backs have received inquiries on Eric Byrnes, but don’t see a contract swap that’d make sense.

Where Will Ben Sheets Land?

By Tim Dierkes | November 12, 2008 at 11:36am CDT

ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick has a fine article up today looking at free agent pitcher Ben Sheets. Sheets, 30, posted a 3.09 ERA in 31 starts this year before an elbow injury shut him down.

Sheets’ agent, Casey Close, says Sheets has no structural damage in the elbow and expects it to fully heal before spring training. Close labeled talks with the Brewers "productive," so they’re still in the mix. The Brewers will let Sheets reach the open market, though.

Crasnick believes the Rangers will consider Sheets, who lives in Dallas during the offseason. He also says the Astros are on Sheets’ wish list. Crasnick suggests the Cubs, Mets, Yankees, and Orioles as other possible suitors.

Some believe Sheets will have to settle for a two-year deal, though I can see him getting three once other big names are off the board.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Hardy, Flowers, Wolf

By Tim Dierkes | November 12, 2008 at 9:33am CDT

Another day, another column from Ken Rosenthal.

With multiple vacancies in the rotation and bullpen, the Brewers may need to see what kind of pitching Mike Cameron and/or J.J. Hardy can bring in return. GM Doug Melvin is not ready to shop Hardy. He’s received interest, but most teams have not given names (one team suggested swapping him for a pitcher Melvin termed, "a fifth starter.")
The Padres have asked the Braves to substitute catcher Tyler Flowers for center fielder Gorkys Hernandez in their Jake Peavy offer. Dave O’Brien sees this as unlikely.
If they can’t sign Mark Teixeira, the Angels are ready to shift gears to C.C. Sabathia, Francisco Rodriguez, or other players. The idea of a Manny Ramirez pursuit was "tabled rather quickly."
The Cardinals plan to add one or two lefthanded relievers, probably free agents.
In his quest for righthanded power, Reds GM Walt Jocketty inquired on Matt Holliday and Josh Willingham before they were traded. Purely speculative – Jermaine Dye could be a nice fit.
At least half a dozen teams have expressed interest in free agent starter Randy Wolf.

Salomon Torres Retires

By Tim Dierkes | November 11, 2008 at 1:54pm CDT

According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Brewers reliever Salomon Torres has decided to retire to spend more time with his family. He leaves a probable $3.75MM salary on the table.

Torres may not have been the Brewers’ choice for next year’s closer, but it’s still a big loss. Eric Gagne, Guillermo Mota, and Brian Shouse are also free agents, so Doug Melvin has his work cut out for him. Fortunately, the closer market is looking deep right now.

Brewers Expect A Counteroffer From Sabathia

By Tim Dierkes | November 7, 2008 at 4:05pm CDT

According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the Brewers GM Doug Melvin expects a counteroffer from C.C. Sabathia’s agents. The Brewers have already reportedly offered five years and $100MM, so their ceiling must be a bit higher. Melvin doesn’t expect the counteroffer until Sabathia receives bids from other teams.

We know the Brewers are a long shot to sign Sabathia, but it’d be interesting to see the ramifications. Would the Brewers have money for other improvements? What would the Yankees do?

Cameron Not Likely For Yankees

By Tim Dierkes | November 7, 2008 at 8:56am CDT

Peter Abraham suggests that the Brewers may be willing to trade center fielder Mike Cameron if his friend C.C. Sabathia does not sign. He says Ian Kennedy and Melky Cabrera are on Milwaukee’s radar. Brewers GM Doug Melvin admitted to talking trade with the Yanks, but says nothing is imminent.

Ken Davidoff and Kat O’Brien of Newsday report that the Yanks are not optimistic about acquiring Cameron. Center field is not a top priority for the Yanks, and they’re not inclined to include Kennedy.

Yankees Rumors: Cameron, Melky, Pettitte, Lowe

By Tim Dierkes | November 6, 2008 at 5:06pm CDT

5:06pm: More on the Cameron situation: Ken Davidoff says Cabrera and Ian Kennedy have been discussed. However, the Brewers will probably wait to see if they can sign Sabathia, since he’s good friends with Cameron.

10:26am: The latest Yankees hot stove buzz…

According to Joel Sherman and George King of the New York Post, the Yankees inquired with the Brewers on Mike Cameron. The Yanks would be willing to send Melky Cabrera and pitching to Milwaukee. The Yankees are also talking to other teams about Wilson Betemit.
The Yankees are only willing to do a one-year deal for Andy Pettitte, who has said he wants to return. The Yanks plan to see what Mike Mussina wants to do first. It seems they’ll bring back one of Mussina/Pettitte and sign two free agent starters out of C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Derek Lowe.
For Lowe, the Yankees might have to butt heads with the Mets. Scott Boras has already discussed Lowe with both clubs. Peter Abraham thinks the Yankees and Mets could also compete for Oliver Perez or Burnett if Sabathia signs elsewhere.
Ken Davidoff is not buying the Hideki Matsui three-team trade scenario.

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