Rosenthal’s Latest: Andruw, Rowand, Castillo
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.
Padres Rumors: Crisp, Pie, Andruw, Eckstein
Tom Krasovic continues to set the standard for Padres inside information. Today’s column is especially delicious for rumor junkies, with tons of new material to chew on.
- Kevin Towers expects to fill his center field vacancy via trade. He may first want to wait to see if Mike Cameron accepts the team’s upcoming offer of arbitration. Cameron is a Type B free agent. Remember that he will be limited to 137 games in ’07.
- As for trade candidates, Coco Crisp is on the radar but the Padres smartly won’t part with Chase Headley.
- Krasovic notes that Bud Black’s connection with Angels manager Mike Scioscia could play a role now that Trader Bill Stoneman isn’t the GM. Reggie Willits or Nathan Haynes might be in play for the Padres.
- The Padres really seem to like Felix Pie, and could re-open talks that would include Khalil Greene. They’ve asked about Tony Gwynn Jr. of the Brewers in the past. And it does sound like the Royals are willing to talk about David DeJesus.
- Sounds like the Padres will offer Andruw Jones $14-16MM on a one-year contract. Scott Boras hasn’t seemed open to this with Jones, but time will tell.
- The Tigers will have competition from the Padres for Geoff Jenkins. Krasovic envisions a Jenkins/Scott Hairston platoon in left and expects the Friars to make an offer.
- Two starters will be acquired even after Greg Maddux is retained. Rehabbing former Mark Prior and Matt Clement would both like to play in San Diego. There has to be some sort of cosmic rule about having three ex-Cubs in the rotation. That is not recommended. Plus the Padres were on Curt Schilling‘s list. And don’t forget the team’s previous trade interest in Josh Towers, who seems likely to be non-tendered and could be solid in PETCO.
- The Padres could pursue David Eckstein as a second baseman and leadoff man. But that would seemingly block Matt Antonelli for longer than necessary. Plus such a switch wouldn’t be in Eckstein’s best interests financially.
- Towers likes Jason Kendall, perhaps as a backup, but faces opposition in the organization.
- In another article, Towers lends credence to the theory that the Marlins could sign Alex Rodriguez.
Brewers To Call Schilling
According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Brewers GM Doug Melvin will place a call to Curt Schilling‘s agent. Wait – I thought Schilling represented himself?
Schilling and/or his agent made contact with three teams today, and none of them were the Red Sox. He told the three teams that he still wanted to remain in Boston if possible and he still wants only a one-year deal. Any guesses as to which three teams talked to Schilling today? How about the Phillies, Mets, and Cardinals?
The Brewers could fit Schilling into the budget, if they let Cordero and Linebrink walk. Extra incentive to let the pair of relievers depart is that they’re Type As. Then again, so is Schilling.
Odds and Ends: Cook, Benoit, Griffey, Riske
Some random tidbits that didn’t get their own posts today…
- The Rockies picked up Aaron Cook‘s $4.5MM option as expected. The bigger question is whether they can sign him long-term, maybe for three years. They also passed on LaTroy Hawkins for $3.75MM but may still sign him.
- The Rangers agreed to a two-year contract with reliever Joaquin Benoit for two years and $6MM. He would’ve hit free agency after 2008. Smart move would be to let him rack up 10-15 saves next season and then trade him for something good.
- The Braves aren’t expected to get their next center fielder through free agency, and Terence Moore suggests trading for Ken Griffey Jr. to fill the position. More reasonable targets might be David DeJesus or Coco Crisp.
- The Royals may yet retain David Riske, who wants a multiyear deal and would like to stay. They’ll definitely offer him arbitration, since he’s a Type B free agent. Also, longtime Royal Mike Sweeney might finally play elsewhere.
- Free agent Shawn Chacon is looking to start in 2008, and he’ll make over $4MM.
- Charley Walters says the Twins won’t pursue Barry Bonds. If Bonds is to land in the AL, the Orioles, Devil Rays, Royals, Angels, and A’s may be his only options.
- McCovey Chronicles suggests a Noah Lowry for Bill Hall swap.
Rosenthal’s Latest: A-Rod, Glaus, Cordero
Ken Rosenthal’s work is a must for any rumor junkie. Here are some highlights from his latest column.
- Rosenthal gives his take on possible A-Rod destinations, discussing the Mets, Tigers, and Dodgers in depth. He tosses out an idea I hadn’t seen before – moving David Wright to left field and declining Moises Alou‘s option. MetsBlog discusses Scott Boras’ sales pitch to the Mets.
- The Cards want to hire Chris Antonetti, but the Indians don’t want to let him go. Rosenthal says they may have to pay him GM money and/or promise him the post in the future.
- Rosenthal has a new I hadn’t mentioned for the Yankees’ third base vacancy, though I believe several commenters did. That name is Troy Glaus, about whom the Yanks inquired last summer. There are complications aplenty with Glaus: foot problems, $12.75MM owed to him in ’08 and an $11.25MM player option for ’09, a full no-trade clause, and a steroid connection. Sounds like Jason Giambi Part II.
- Francisco Cordero would be priced out of the Brewers’ range if he demands a four or five year deal worth $9-11MM annually. I assume he will, though the Brewers could afford it.
Schilling Names Targets
UPDATE, 10-31-07: Gordon Edes and Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe spoke to a Red Sox source who does not expect Schilling to return to the team. The Red Sox will offer an incentive-based contract. The source added that Tim Wakefield‘s option is likely to be exercised.
FROM 10/30/07:
Interesting. After Boston, Curt Schilling has 12 teams he’d consider pitching for in 2008. Here they are:
Indians
Tigers
Angels
Mets
Phillies
Braves
Dodgers
Padres
Diamondbacks
Cubs
Cardinals
Brewers
Schilling had talked about the idea of going somewhere he could tutor young pitchers, like Tampa Bay. But it sounds like that idea is out and he wants to play for a contender. Not that the Rays can’t contend in ’08. I’m curious as to why the White Sox and Rockies were excluded, but who knows.
That’s a nice extensive list, so it should be fun if Boston passes. At a reasonable one-year commitment, any of the dozen should have interest no matter what their rotation looks like.
Brewers To Decline Jenkins’ Option
Geoff Jenkins for $9MM? The Brewers prefer the $1MM buyout. Tom Haurdricourt says the Brewers never seriously considered exercising it, though Jeff Sackmann has shown it isn’t a no-brainer.
Haurdricourt believes the Brewers will go for a one-year stopgap left fielder rather than move Bill Hall or Ryan Braun there or promote Matt La Porta. Barry Bonds would be an intriguing if unexpected addition. Guys like Cliff Floyd, Luis Gonzalez, Shannon Stewart, or Brad Wilkerson could be considered. Or Doug Melvin could even try to pry Adam Dunn away from the division-rival Reds.
As for Jenkins, the Tigers seem to be the early favorite.
Koskie to Return as Free Agent
Here’s a feel good story from The Star Tribune: Third baseman Corey Koskie has fully recovered from the post-concussion syndrome that sidelined him for half of the 2006 and the entirety of the 2007 seasons. Doom and gloom loomed earlier this month as the Brewers declined his $6.5MM option and retirement seemed a legitimate possibility for the big Canadian.
Koskie has recovered from his persistent headaches and can be considered an official free agent in the weak 2008 third base market at the moment consisting of Pedro Feliz, Mike Lamb, and Mike Lowell.
The 34 year old hasn’t played 100 games in any of the last 3 seasons; however, he still displays 20 HR power when active. That production potential alone makes him a decent 1-year bargain option to be had for conceivably around $4-5MM.
Posted by Nat Boyle
Odds and Ends
More random rumors and reading material!
- Baseball Prospectus’ Nate Silver discusses Ryan Braun‘s undeniably terrible defense at third base, suggesting some interesting trade and signing permutations to get him into right field. Also note that Kevin Kouzmanoff is a butcher at third; maybe the Friars will be in the market for Mike Lowell this winter (a player they’ve expressed interest in in the past).
- Awesome headline for this Garrett Atkins article. Steve King discusses how the Phillies would be a fine fit for a trade, throwing the Dodgers, Twins, Angels, and Astros into the mix as well. Note that Atkins has a career line of .269/.344/.437 on the road and .336/.399/.528 at Coors.
- Sid Hartman is hearing that Walt Jocketty could end up in Baltimore.
- The Daily Herald’s Scot Gregor proposes some kind of Jon Garland for Bill Hall swap, or even a Carl Crawford acquisition by the White Sox. I don’t think the Sox and Rays match up too well for that.
- I thought he’d stay, but Joe Torre has turned down a one-year, $5MM offer from the Yankees. The proposal had another $3MM in incentives and a vesting option for 2009 if the Yanks won the ’08 World Series.
- It’s Hiroshima or MLB for Hiroki Kuroda. Apparently the Ms already have their eye on him. Paul Sullivan also said recently that the Cubs will be in the mix.
Melvin To Speak With Francisco Cordero
Brewers GM Doug Melvin has been talking about keeping Francisco Cordero in Milwaukee since at least mid-September. Jason Isringhausen is off the market, though he didn’t get an extension. Cordero’s agent, Bean Stringfellow, might be wise to wait and see what Mariano Rivera signs for first. Said Stringfellow (via Buster Olney):
It’s a good time to be Francisco Cordero.
Stringfellow snagged Billy Wagner a four-year, $43MM deal in November of 2005. He’ll probably seek something similar for Cordero, who doesn’t quite have the track record of dominance that Wagner had.
Olney mentions that Melvin will meet with Stringfellow this week and believes the Brewers have a legitimate chance to sign him. They definitely have room in the budget for Cordero and then some.