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Rosenthal’s Latest: Teixeira, Closers, Castillo, Cantu

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Ken Rosenthal has a new column up, let’s take a look at the highlights:

  • Rosenthal doesn’t see Mark Teixeira signing with the Nationals, even for the rumored ten-year, $200MM contract. He’s got better options in the Angels, Red Sox, and Yankees. Scott Boras managed to get Alex Rodriguez a ten-year deal with a losing team in 2000 when he signed with the Rangers, but Rosenthal doesn’t forsee a repeat.
  • The Indians are waiting on the Mets’ closer decision to make a decision of their own. Once New York signs or trades for a closer, the market will likely collapse. The Mets are preparing simultaneous offers to Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, and Kerry Wood.
  • The Brewers could spend big money on a closer once they hear from Ben Sheets and C.C. Sabathia. If the Brewers can somehow retain both, they won’t have money to spend on a closer and would likely have to trade Prince Fielder.
  • The Mets are desperately trying to unload Luis Castillo so they can make a run at Orlando Hudson. They’re having no luck though, even in trying to swap him for another bad contract. The Rangers rejected a swap of Castillo for Vicente Padilla.
  • Nationals GM Jim Bowden is interested in Willy Taveras. Doesn’t make any sense to me. The Nats already have Lastings Milledge, Josh Willingham, Elijah Dukes, and Austin Kearns.
  • The Rockies prefer to keep Garrett Atkins, but the Twins, Dodgers, Giants, and Phillies are all interested. Chase Utley has been a long-time supporter of bringing his former UCLA teammate to the Phils for a reunion.
  • The Marlins are getting several inquiries on Jorge Cantu and Dan Uggla. They don’t plan to trade either, though if the Giants were to offer Jonathan Sanchez for Cantu, the Marlins would jump at the chance.
  • Jermaine Dye, Mike Cameron, Marcus Thames, and Marlon Byrd are all available via the trade market, for teams needing a right-handed hitting outfielder. Rosenthal still feels Cameron could still end up in pinstripes.

Thin Market for Furcal

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3:07pm: There’s a great debate going on in the comments about whether the Twins could swoop in and make an offer to Furcal now that they’ve pulled out of negotiations with Casey Blake. I do wonder if word that the A’s and Furcal couldn’t come to terms precipitated the sudden split between the Twins and Blake. Certainly, Tim saw a good fit between the Twins and Furcal back in October, and Furcal is four years younger than Blake — but still, I think Furcal’s monetary demands are pretty steep. No official Twins-Furcal rumors yet, but if anything comes in in the next couple of hours I’ll update this post again.

As reported here yesterday, after shortstop Furcal rejected the A’s offer of 4 years, $35-40MM, the A’s in turn declined to go any further with Furcal.

2:13pm: Buster Olney says that the market for Rafael Furcal "never really developed; if you were to draw up a list of five players who have been hurt by the economic slowdown, Furcal might be somewhere near the top of the list." Olney breaks down how Furcal’s suitors all ended up looking elsewhere, and says the A’s biggest need is veteran starting pitching. Furcal is "the perfect player for some big-money contender to snag for a big-money, short-term deal, but such an offer may not emerge for some time."

Meanwhile, Athletics Nation agrees that "the only person who believes there is a big market for Rafael Furcal appears to be Furcal" and says A’s GM Billy Beane is now the one holding all the cards in that (apparently bilateral) negotiation.

Chris Haft at MLB.com lists Oakland’s other options at short.

Sarah Green writes for UmpBump and the Boston Metro.

Twins No Longer Talking With Blake

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According to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins have broken off talks with free agent Casey Blake. Neal heard from a source that discussions ended when the Twins, who preferred a two-year deal with an option, wouldn’t offer a guaranteed three-year contract.

The Twins have varying levels of interest in Adrian Beltre, Garrett Atkins, Jason Donald and Jack Wilson. Neal writes that Minnesota balked earlier this year when the Rockies requested Kevin Slowey and Denard Span in exchange for Atkins.

Since shortstops are disappearing fast, Neal’s source says the Twins felt pressure to improve their infield and didn’t want to negotiate for too long with Blake.

Neal heard that the Twins have received calls about Delmon Young, but aren’t in a hurry to trade him for infield help, regardless of how well he fits into their outfield.

There’s a chance the Twins could restart talks with Blake, but for now the Dodgers are the frontrunner for his services, according to Neal.

Phillies, Mets Interested In Punto

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According to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Phillies and Mets have expressed interest in free agent infielder Nick Punto.  The Twins are also in contact.

Punto, 31, hit .284/.344/.382 in 377 plate appearances this year.  He seems to play an above average shortstop, according to the plus/minus system.  Punto is also capable of playing the other infield positions.  He earned $2.4MM in ’08.

Rockies Doing Homework On Delmon Young

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Yesterday in the Rocky Mountain News, Tracy Ringolsby wondered if Twins outfielder Delmon Young would be a good fit for the Rockies.  Today Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune goes one step further, saying Rox GM Dan O’Dowd has been doing his homework on Young.  Young, by the way, is not bothered by Ron Gardenhire’s recent comments.

Christensen says that in general, the Rockies’ demands of the Twins have been excessive.  For example, La Velle E. Neal III suggested they wanted Kevin Slowey, Denard Span, and another prospect for Garrett Atkins.  That asking price almost sounds too outlandish to be true.

Odds and Ends: Renteria, Burnett, Delmon

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Interesting linkage this Thursday evening:

Reds Sign Mike Lincoln, Still Like Weathers

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10:43pm: Reds GM Walt Jocketty says that even with the Lincoln signing he still hopes to sign David Weathers.  Four or five other teams are said to be in the mix for Stormy.  We’ll know by midnight Sunday whether Weathers will accept the Reds’ offer of arbitration.

3:49pm: La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune says the Twins were "hot after" Lincoln and were "barely outbid" by the Reds.  The Twins weren’t in on Bob Howry though.

12:43pm: According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Reds re-signed reliever Mike Lincoln to a two-year deal worth $4MM plus incentives.  Lincoln, 34 in April, posted a 4.48 ERA in 70.1 innings this year.  His command was respectable, though he was prone to the longball. It was an impressive comeback from two Tommy John surgeries.

Rockies To Keep Atkins?

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THURSDAY, 8:10pm: Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports on comments from Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd. O’Dowd says Atkins’ future with the Rockies is closely tied to the future of Todd Helton. If Helton can’t produce, Atkins becomes a seemingly irreplaceable part of the Rockies offense.

WEDNESDAY, 11:27pm: MLB.com’s Thomas Harding talked to Atkins’ agent, who said his client is still willing to listen if the Rockies make a fresh extension offer.

11:13am: Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post gets the impression that Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins will not be traded this winter.  Renck says GM Dan O’Dowd fielded inquiries from the Reds and Twins but hasn’t found a match.  The Rockies would want pitching in return.  Atkins is under team control for two more years, so O’Dowd isn’t pressing to move him.

The Indians were also linked to Atkins at one point, but MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince says they’ve cooled on the idea.

Odds and Ends: Teixeira, Izturis, Gaudin

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Links for Thursday…

Twins, Dodgers Lead Charge For Blake

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6:31pm: Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune says the Twins offered Blake a two-year deal worth about $6MM per year with an option for 2011.  Christensen says not to expect a signing tonight.  Jayson Stark wrote earlier today that if the Twins or Dodgers guarantee a third year they’ll get Blake.

9:07am: Casey Blake’s agent Jim McDowell talked to all kinds of outlets yesterday.  In speaking with Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, McDowell said they’re not far apart with the Dodgers or Twins.  The Twins are apparently "within shouting distance" on the years and money.  The Indians seem less interested than the other two clubs; Anthony Castrovince doesn’t see it happening.  Castrovince notes that the Tribe could’ve signed Blake through ’09 a year ago but figured Andy Marte would be ready.

Yesterday Yahoo’s Tim Brown said McDowell’s initial request was $20MM over three years for Blake, more than the Twins want to spend.

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