Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Twins Rumors

Heyman On Manny, Lowe, Crede, Redding, Hinske

By | at

The latest from SI.com’s Jon Heyman…

  • The Giants "look like a major threat" to the Dodgers for Manny Ramirez and are "making a serious run at him."  Former teammate J.T. Snow apparently raved about him.  Nonetheless Heyman says the Dodgers are "probably still considered the favorite."  Heyman lists the Rangers as "intrigued."  He believes Ramirez will get three guaranteed years somewhere.
  • Heyman says Derek Lowe is "quite possibly" in play for the Phillies, though we heard from Ken Rosenthal today that the team denied interest.  Heyman also sticks with the Brewers and Angels as outside possibilities despite reports to the contrary.  He believes Mets GM Omar Minaya prefers Oliver Perez to Lowe.
  • The Giants, Twins, and Rangers are in on Joe Crede.
  • Players said to be in on Freddy Garcia: the Mets, White Sox, and Rangers.  We can probably cross off the Mets with their Tim Redding signing.
  • Heyman believes the Dodgers want to replace Brad Penny with Randy Wolf.
  • Heyman says the Pirates offered more guaranteed money than the Red Sox to Rocco Baldelli.  Dejan Kovacevic had this first in an article published early this morning.
  • The Red Sox were looking at Eric Hinske but with Baldelli and Mark Kotsay in tow it’s unlikely.  A Japanese team has "allegedly shown interest" in Hinske.
  • Before signing with the Rays for two years and $16MM, Pat Burrell was getting offers in the one-year, $5MM range.

Braves, Orioles Eyeing Kenshin Kawakami

By | at

11:14pm: Yahoo’s Tim Brown says the Braves were aggressive on Kawakami even before John Smoltz left, so the Japanese pitcher is in a good position.  Brown’s list of Kawakami suitors includes some new clubs.  He names the Braves, Cardinals, Red Sox, Twins, Pirates, Orioles, and possibly Yankees.

A Nikkan Sports article about Kawakami (in Japanese) has been making the rounds lately.  I asked Patrick Newman about it; apparently it says Kawakami has advanced to final negotiations with the Braves.  My guess is that this report jumped the gun.

8:34pm: Steve Melewski of MASN reports that the Orioles are still in the hunt for Japanese pitcher Kenshin Kawakami.

"The O’s remain in the mix, no question," a source told MASN. "They’ve showed a strong pursuit of Kawakami."  Baltimore has already signed another Japanese import, Koji Uehara, but are looking for more starting pitching depth.  Kawakami, 34, has a career record of 106-62 and a 3.17 ERA in Japan.  The O’s extended an offer to him at the end of December, but he’s obviously keeping his options open.  The Braves, Twins and Cardinals are also believed to have interest.

Chad Cordero To Audition Friday

By | at

THURSDAY: Count the Mets in on the Cordero session.  Twins too.

WEDNESDAY: MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy says Cordero will throw Friday, and the Brewers will be in attendance. They’ve already seen him throw once.  The Rangers will also be there.

TUESDAY, 9:57pm: MLB.com’s Jason Beck says the Tigers are also expected to watch Cordero throw.

1:37pm: Nick Piecoro says the D’Backs will be one of the teams in attendance at Cordero’s audition.  Chico Harlan says the Nationals will also attend.

8:38am: According to a baseball source, free agent reliever Chad Cordero is ahead of schedule and teams will watch him throw this week.  The Nationals had said he wouldn’t be able to throw until June due to last summer’s labrum/biceps surgery.

Teams known to be interested based on reports: the Angels, Mets, Cardinals, D’Backs, Rangers, and Tigers.

Odds and Ends: Crede, Swisher, Astros

By | at

Links for Wednesday…

Odds and Ends: Saito, Teixeira, LaRoche

By | at

More Tuesday links…

  • Over at RotoAuthority, David Chase examines more of the optimistic Spring Training reports of ’08.  Particularly interesting: did pitchers follow up on their intention to use a new pitch?
  • The Marlins’ Scott Proctor signing is official.  Also, Chan Ho Park with the Phillies.
  • Carl Pohlad’s three sons will take over for their father.
  • McCovey Chronicles trade idea: Randy Winn for Xavier Nady.
  • Add Randy Choate to the minor league deals for the Rays.
  • Economist J.C. Bradbury says "the economic downturn cannot explain the magnitude of Pat Burrell’s discount."  He believes teams are exaggerating the recession effect.
  • Keith Law says the risk in giving Milton Bradley a three-year deal "seems excessive" but notes that Bradley is an excellent hitter and above-average defender.
  • Patrick Newman learned that Takashi Saito received almost ten offers last month, including proposals from the Cardinals and Red Sox.  Newman also has new reports of various minor league-level Japanese players who want to join MLB organizations.
  • Tony Massarotti has all kinds of questions about Boston’s failure to sign Mark Teixeira.  Craig Calcaterra offers analysis on the team’s Boras relationship.  Check out stuff from today’s Yankees press conference here and here.
  • Sox Machine on how Jim Thome staying healthy messed up Ken Williams’ plans.
  • Dejan Kovacevic says Adam LaRoche would like to stay in Pittsburgh past ’09, but the team is not considering an extension.

Brown’s Latest: Abreu, Manny, Looper

By | at

The latest from Yahoo’s Tim Brown…

  • Bobby Abreu still wants $48MM over three years, according to Brown and Gordon Edes.  Abreu may have lost three potential suitors today in the Cubs, Rays, and A’s.  Buster Olney suggests Abreu is "probably out on the ledge, more than any other player in the corner outfield market."
  • Brown says the Dodgers, Orioles, Nationals and Mariners "seem to have the most interest in adding an outfielder." Haven’t heard much about the Orioles looking for help there.
  • Brown believes the Dodgers are "sitting on their original offer of two years and $45 million guaranteed" to Manny Ramirez.  He says Scott Boras still wants four or five years at $25MM per.
  • Starters on the Dodgers’ radar: Randy Wolf, Jon Garland, and Braden Looper.  Looper might be a new name.
  • Kenshin Kawakami is apparently "drawing solid interest from the Braves, Cardinals, Red Sox, Twins and Orioles."  It’d be surprising to see Boston sign him after getting Brad Penny.

Twins Rumors: Kawakami, Lyon, Saito, Mota

By | at

La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune has the latest hot stove info on the Twins.

  • The Twins don’t appear to be currently negotiating with Kenshin Kawakami – starting pitching isn’t top priority currently.  Neal says that could change if they need to package a starter in a trade.
  • Reliever names on the radar: Brandon Lyon, Takashi Saito, and Guillermo Mota.  Lyon may be out of their price range.

Braves Still In Kawakami Mix?

By | at

According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Atlanta Braves remain a possible suitor for Japanese pitcher Kenshin Kawakami.

The Japan Times has reported that Kawakami had narrowed his choices to the Baltimore Orioles, Minnesota Twins and St. Louis Cardinals. O’Brien’s report disputes this by saying he spoke Saturday with Kawakami’s agent, who said the Braves were still one of the teams Kawakami had on his list.

Kawakami Down To Orioles, Cardinals, Twins

By | at

According to Wayne Craczyk of the Japan Times, Kenshin Kawakami has narrowed his options to three teams: the Orioles, Cardinals, and Twins.

Kawakami probably makes the most sense for the Cardinals out of those three. Baltimore isn’t near contention and the Twins already have a nice starting rotation. However, signing Kawakami could allow them to feel more comfortable about trading a young starter.

Show all

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top