Odds & Ends: Nishioka, Uggla, Soriano, Wigginton
The typical Winter Meetings barrage of links…
- There's trade interest in newly-blocked third baseman Josh Bell, Orioles manager Buck Showalter told Yahoo's Steve Henson, though Bell can play first (Twitter link).
- Tsuyoshi Nishioka's agents are meeting with the Twins today, tweets SI's Jon Heyman. He says the Japanese infielder seeks a three-year deal.
- Dan Uggla and the Braves have talked a bit about an extension, tweets Heyman.
- The Angels have deflected trade talks about other closers because they're focused on Rafael Soriano, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.
- Ty Wigginton is the Rockies' top target for a right-handed bench bat, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, and they're meeting with his agent today.
- MLB.com's Scott Merkin talked to free agent reliever Bobby Jenks, who would like to return to the White Sox if possible. Manager Ozzie Guillen told Merkin that if Jenks does return, he would not be guaranteed the closer job (Twitter link).
- Reds manager Dusty Baker told reporters, "Joey Votto told me he wants to stay. He just wasn't ready to say he wants to stay the rest of life."
Six Teams Interested In Koji Uehara
The Orioles, Mariners, Twins, Red Sox, Brewers, and Cardinals are interested in free agent reliever Koji Uehara, Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun learned from an unnamed Japanese reporter. Uehara would like to return to the Orioles, but they're unlikely to give him a multiyear deal. If he finds such an offer, he'll sign elsewhere.
Uehara, 36 in April, was dominant out of the Orioles' pen this year in 44 innings but has had an injury-plagued couple of seasons in the U.S.
Blue Jays Still Showing Interest In Zack Greinke
The Blue Jays are still showing interest in Royals ace Zack Greinke, reports Bob Elliott of The Toronto Sun. They inquired about the right-hander last month, and Elliott hears that the Jays believe the need "one more big piece" to make a run at the AL East title next season.
The Twins, Rangers, Braves, Reds, Mariners, and Nationals have all inquired about Greinke according to Elliott. The Royals have said they won't trade the former Cy Young Award winner within their division, limiting their options somewhat. The market for Greinke could heat up once Cliff Lee signs, since both the Rangers and Yankees could turn their attention towards him since he's the only other ace-caliber starter that we know is available.
Odds & Ends: Hardy, Punto, Dunn, Marlins, Lee
Some items to wrap up the week…
- The Pirates were close to a trade for J.J. Hardy on Thursday night, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com. Pittsburgh is known to have an interest in Hardy and could still work out a deal given that the Twins tendered Hardy a contract.
- There is "mutual interest" between Nick Punto and the Indians, reports Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. (Twitter link) The two sides will continue their talks during the winter meetings.
- Yahoo Sports' Big League Stew blog collects some of the Washington media's reaction to Adam Dunn leaving town, and it isn't very positive.
- It's looking increasingly unlikely that Arizona will trade Justin Upton, but if Upton is moved, it won't be to Florida, writes Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Rodriguez says the Marlins are looking for a left-handed bench bat and possibly a left-handed reliever, though the club is unlikely to re-sign Will Ohman.
- Phillies assistant GM Scott Proefrock tells Fox Sports Radio's Jim Bowden (Twitter link) that his club isn't interested in bringing back Cliff Lee. "That ship has sailed," Proefrock said.
- Erik Bedard tells Larry Larue of the Tacoma News Tribune that he was offered a guaranteed deal from another club but turned it down to sign a non-guaranteed contract with Seattle.
- The Mariners "are becoming a West Coast version of the Orioles, a place top-tier free agents avoid because the stench of losing is overwhelming," writes Yahoo's Steve Henson in his winter meetings preview.
Thome Intends To Play In 2011
The agent for Jim Thome told Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune that his client has no intention of retiring and will play in 2011. Pat Rooney says he's talked to the Twins about Thome, though other teams are "in the mix" for the slugger, who now has 589 career home runs. Thome had a special experience in Minnesota, according to his agent and he's now ready to "see what the market brings."
Thome batted .283/.412/.627 with 25 homers for the Twins last year and, not surprisingly, they'd like to bring him back. The 40-year-old has played precisely 28 innings of defense since returning to the American League after the 2005 season, so he's strictly a DH now.
Twins Avoid Arbitration With Repko, Neshek
The Twins avoided arbitration with outfielder Jason Repko, tweets SI's Jon Heyman, agreeing to a $600K contract for 2011. Repko gets a $100K raise after hitting .228/.324/.346 in 146 plate appearances for the Twins. The former first-round pick played all three outfield positions in 2010.
Minnesota also reached a deal with reliever Pat Neshek for $625K, tweets John Shipley of the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Neshek, 30, had Tommy John surgery two years ago and also dealt with a finger injury early this year. He spent most of the year at Triple-A, posting a 3.89 ERA, 5.7 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, and 0.9 HR/9 in 39 1/3 innings. He had the same $625K salary in 2010.
Royals Won’t Trade Greinke Within Division
The Royals won't trade Zack Greinke within their division, tweets SI's Jon Heyman. The Twins might have been a nice match, and the White Sox often check in on big names, but it appears those two teams as well as the Indians and Tigers will have to look elsewhere if they want to import an ace.
On Tuesday, Yahoo's Jeff Passan talked to a source that feels Greinke will not rule out any winning team. The 27-year-old righty can submit a list of 15 teams to which he cannot be traded without his consent.
Twins Notes: Pavano, Thome, Capps
Let's take a look at some Twins-related items courtesy of MLB.com's Kelly Thesier..
- The Twins would still like to retain Carl Pavano after the hurler turned down arbitration from the club. However, the big question is whether Minnesota is willing to meet Pavano's asking price. It has been said that Pavano is after something similar to the three-year, $33MM deal Ted Lilly signed with the Dodgers. The right-hander could be in line for a big payday as the events of this offseason have left him as the second best starter on the open market.
- There's still no word on whether Jim Thome wants to return to baseball in 2011 for his 21st season in the majors. However, the Twins continue to be interested in bringing the veteran slugger back. In October, Thome said that he was leaning towards playing in 2011.
- One reader asks Thesier if the club might non-tender Matt Capps in order to spend on a different reliever. That won't be the case though as GM Bill Smith will definitely extend Capps an arbitration offer. The 27-year-old gives the club insurance as a closing option in case Joe Nathan is not healthy at the start of the season.
American League Free Agent Arbitration Decisions
23 American League free agents were offered arbitration on November 23rd. Four of those - Joaquin Benoit, John Buck, Victor Martinez, and Javier Vazquez - already have new contract agreements. Current free agent Kevin Gregg has chosen to decline. The remaining 18 AL free agents offered arbitration will have their decisions noted here and in our tracker.
- Cliff Lee (A) declined the Rangers' offer, as expected.
- Miguel Olivo will decline the Blue Jays' offer, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Jason Frasor (A) will accept the team's offer, according to Mike Wilner of the FAN 590. Scott Downs (A) will decline the Blue Jays' offer, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported earlier that Jason Frasor would either sign a multiyear deal or accept arb (Twitter link).
- Adrian Beltre will decline arbitration from the Red Sox, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter). Felipe Lopez (B) will also decline an offer of arbitration, reports WEEI's Rob Bradford.
- Carl Pavano (A) has officially turned down arbitration, according to Newsday's Ken Davidoff (on Twitter). Orlando Hudson (B) will decline the Twins' offer of arbitration, tweets SI's Jon Heyman. Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune tweets of "strong indications" Jesse Crain (B) will also decline.
- A source tells Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times that Paul Konerko (A) will decline arbitration (Twitter link). J.J. Putz (B) declined arbitration from the White Sox, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin (on Twitter).
- Chad Qualls (B) and Carl Crawford (A) have declined arbitration, according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times (on Twitter). Grant Balfour (A) turned down arbitration, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). As anticipated, Randy Choate (B) declined the Rays' offer, according to Newsday's Ken Davidoff. ESPN's Buster Olney predicted the decision earlier today. Rafael Soriano (A) will decline the Rays' arbitration offer, tweets SI's Jon Heyman. Brad Hawpe (B) will decline the Rays' offer as well, tweets SI's Jon Heyman.
- Frank Francisco (A) will accept the Rangers' offer, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan.
Twins Sign Dominican Prospect Pimentel
The Twins signed 17-year-old shortstop Javier Pimentel to a $575K deal, according to the Dominican Prospect League. In his July 2nd prospect rankings, Blake Bentley placed Pimentel in a tenth-place tie, calling him "a wide-shouldered shortstop with a solid bat and plenty of room for improvement."
In other news from the league, the Mets inked 17-year-old shortstop Alfredo Reyes for $200K.