Mets Rumors: Wolf, Fuentes, K-Rod, Street, Pedro
11:37am: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says the Mets are eyeing Randy Wolf, in addition to Derek Lowe and Oliver Perez.
Heyman adds that some Mets people are concerned about their catching, but others aren’t thrilled with the free agent options.
9:20am: All kinds of Mets rumors this morning.
- Let’s begin with the closer situation. The Mets are interested in Brian Fuentes, but Omar Minaya will not rule out Francisco Rodriguez. He makes a great point: contract numbers are tossed around early, but the player often fails to reach that amount.
- Joel Sherman says the Mets also want to speak to the A’s about Huston Street. However, his sources say the A’s feel they match up better with the Indians, Rockies, and Brewers (all interested parties). Rosenthal has Kerry Wood and Joe Beimel in the Mets’ sights as well. Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog believes J.J. Putz could be a trade target, with interest on the Mariners’ side.
- Ken Davidoff explains how the Mets could end up signing K-Rod – the Fuentes market blows up, while Rodriguez settles for less. I’m on board with that.
- The Javier Vazquez rumors were addressed in this post. Elsewhere on the starting pitching front – Minaya will talk to Pedro Martinez‘s agent, but he’s unlikely to return. Aaron Heilman won’t be moving to the rotation.
- We’ve heard about the Mets’ interest in Raul Ibanez, but Minaya does not seem to consider the offense a problem. He even spoke optimistically about a Luis Castillo rebound (though he did not give Castillo a ringing endorsement).
Rosenthal’s Latest: Fielder, Beimel, Eckstein
Ken Rosenthal is on the scene at the GM meetings, and as usual has all kinds of new info.
- The Brewers are unlikely to trade Prince Fielder, and reluctant to trade J.J. Hardy or Alcides Escobar. It’d be smart to retain those three players.
- Rosenthal still likes the Braves as the favorite for Jake Peavy, but wonders if the Cubs or another team could incorporate a third team to get it done.
- The Cubs will need to spend much of their available money on pitching, which may leave little payroll room for an outfielder like Bobby Abreu. They could backload contracts and move some of Jason Marquis‘ salary though.
- The Mets are interested in lefty reliever Joe Beimel, as well as usual suspects Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, and Kerry Wood. They also like Raul Ibanez.
- The Cardinals could move forward with a Ryan Ludwick/Colby Rasmus/Rick Ankiel outfield, or trade one of them. Ankiel, entering his contract year, seems most likely to go if Rasmus is ready.
- David Eckstein is marketing himself as a second baseman for 2009.
- Don’t look for the Phillies to move Shane Victorino in a Matt Holliday deal.
- The Cardinals and Nationals are not contenders for A.J. Burnett. Still no word on Burnett’s opt-out.
- The Marlins may wait until some of the top free agent starters sign before shopping Scott Olsen.
Brewers Exercise Option On Cameron
According to MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy, the Brewers exercised their $10MM option on center fielder Mike Cameron. This is a good call – Cameron is above average offensively and defensively, and the market for center fielders is weak.
Nationals Looking For Cleanup Hitter
According to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, the Nationals are looking for a cleanup hitter. Their targets: Adam Dunn, Prince Fielder, Matt Holliday, and Mark Teixeira.
The Nats probably do not have the depth to pull off a trade for Fielder or Holliday. Teixeira will command a contract in the $150MM range. Of the four, Dunn makes the most sense. He can be had for less than $100MM, and GM Jim Bowden has a history with him.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Peavy, Burnett, Sabathia
Let’s take a look at the latest column from Ken Rosenthal at FOX Sports.
- Don’t look for a Jake Peavy trade this week at the GM meetings, as the Padres haven’t found a match with Peavy’s five preferred teams.
- A.J. Burnett‘s agent should announce his client’s decision to opt out today. Rosenthal notes Burnett’s preference to sign near his Maryland home, with the Yankees and Red Sox as the most realistic possibilities.
- Rosenthal believes the Brewers offered C.C. Sabathia $100MM over five years (rather than four). The Brewers can say they tried, but no one expects Sabathia to settle so far below his market value. Also, the Brewers will decide today on Mike Cameron‘s $10MM option.
- The Phillies’ areas of uncertainty: GM, left field, fifth starter.
Rangers Want Pitcher For Catcher
The Rangers are seeking to deal one of their three catchers – Gerald Laird, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, or Max Ramirez – for pitching, says Evan Grant of the Dallas News. Grant notes that they would still have Taylor Teagarden, who they’re also open to dealing if "the return is great enough."
Grant discusses potential matches in the Giants, Red Sox, Brewers, Reds, and Tigers:
"San Francisco has pitching depth, and the Rangers love the Giants’ arms, but San Francisco has a more pressing need for a corner infielder than a catcher because Bengie Molina is signed for 2009. Getting a pitcher such as Matt Cain might require the Rangers to discuss trading Chris Davis. Boston, Milwaukee and Cincinnati, however, may be the best fits for a catcher-for-pitcher deal. Detroit also needs a catcher, but the Tigers’ system is quite thin at pitcher."
MLBTR discussed this on Friday, including Hank Blalock in the discussion as well as the Rangers’ interest in Scott Olsen.
Options Declined: Taguchi, Gordon, Counsell, Embree
Alright, time to lump today’s remaining options together in one post.
- The Pirates declined Jason Michaels‘ $2.6MM option. He could re-sign for less.
- The Phillies declined their options on So Taguchi ($1.25MM with a $150K buyout) and Tom Gordon ($4.5MM with a $1MM buyout). The moves may have been Pat Gillick’s last as GM.
- The Brewers declined Craig Counsell‘s $3.4MM option, paying a $400K buyout.
- The Athletics declined Alan Embree‘s $3MM option. As a Type B free agent, the A’s could offer him arbitration. Susan Slusser spoke to Embree, who didn’t mind having the option declined.
Brewers Prepare Offers For Sabathia, Sheets
According to MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy, the Brewers will submit a formal contract offer to C.C. Sabathia today. Ken Rosenthal heard Wednesday that the offer might be in the four-year, $100MM range. Brewers GM Doug Melvin doesn’t expect to hear back from Sabathia’s agent (Greg Genske) soon, but notes that Sabathia should only have a handful of serious suitors.
Melvin will also submit an offer soon for Ben Sheets. He’ll further discuss the possibility with Casey Close at next week’s GM meetings. Sheets and Sabathia are Type A free agents, so the Brewers could net four draft picks if they leave. In that case I’d expect them to pursue another starter.
Lefty reliever Brian Shouse prefers Milwaukee, but the 40 year-old hopes for a two-year deal.
Macha To Be Named Brewers Manager
2:40pm: Macha’s two-year contract is official.
11:46am: The press conference is scheduled for 2pm CST.
11:02am: ESPN is reporting that Ken Macha will be hired as the next manager of the Brewers. Macha previously managed the A’s for four years.
Odds and Ends: Myers, Crede, Giants
Links for Wednesday…
- The Brewers snagged infielder Casey McGehee off waivers from the Cubs. The Crew also designated Joe Dillon for assignment.
- The Reds signed 16 year-old lefty Ismael Guillon out of Venezuela.
- MLB.com’s Marty Noble discusses the Mets and impending free agents Oliver Perez and Pedro Martinez. The Mets will entertain re-signing Perez at their price, but they’ll let Pedro leave. Any guesses on where he pitches next year?
- Joe Pawlikowski at River Ave. Blues would like the Yankees to sign free agent outfielder Juan Rivera. Brian Cashman traded Rivera, Randy Choate, and Nick Johnson to the Expos for Javier Vazquez back in 2003.
- Brett Myers never wants to pitch in Boston again.
- Two more free agent bargains from Dave Cameron: Joe Crede and Dave Ross. Crede would be a solid one-year signing for the Dodgers or Twins.
- South Side Sox doesn’t see the White Sox adding much else for second base. There goes my Ray Durham idea.
- El Lefty Malo examines the latest Giants rumors.
- J.C. Bradbury provides values for Vladimir Guerrero, John Lackey, and Garret Anderson.