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Miller’s Latest: Olsen, Willis, Blake

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Here’s a look at the latest from Scott Miller of CBSSports.com.

  • The Braves and Rangers have talked to the Marlins about lefty Scott Olsen.
  • The Red Sox have done background work on Dontrelle Willis, stirring up the Willis for Julio Lugo rumors.
  • The Twins, Dodgers, and Indians have expressed interest in Casey Blake.  Blake’s agent said he anticipates offers ranging from one to three years.

Rockies Rumors: Holliday, Taveras, Atkins

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4:54pm: More Rockies chatter from Troy Renck.  The Rockies intend to sort out the Holliday/Atkins trade situations before moving on to other concerns such as the bullpen.  They do like the idea of bringing Jeremy Affeldt back, though.  Renck has the Twins and Indians kicking the tires on Atkins, while Tracy Ringolsby believes Michael Cuddyer could be a fit for Colorado.

11:18am: The latest Rockies buzz…

  • Buster Olney says the Rockies are very motivated to move Matt Holliday.  Olney wonders if the Rox might end up taking a bit less than expected for him.  Troy Renck says various execs see the A’s and Phillies as the most likely matches for Holliday.  The Rays are another possibility.  GM Dan O’Dowd will be open-minded about the return.
  • Renck also says the White Sox have contacted the Rockies about Willy Taveras.
  • Renck talked to the agent for Doug Brocail, Brandon Lyon, and Kyle Farnsworth.  All three are open to pitching in Colorado.
  • Tracy Ringolsby says the Rockies have had "initial talks" with the Twins regarding Garrett Atkins.  He wonders if the Angels could jump in later.
  • Ringolsby suggests Brad Penny would be an interesting candidate for the Rockies.

Odds and Ends: Twins, Big Unit, Rockies

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Links and tidbits for Wednesday.  Remember to check back on this post for updates!

Rockies Rumors: Holliday, Atkins, Podsednik

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Let’s check in on the Rockies next.

  • Matt Holliday may be selling his Denver-area home, not that it means anything.  Tracy Ringolsby has the Nationals, Rays, Cardinals, and Mets as teams interested in Holliday.  Meanwhile, Troy E. Renck explores a Yankees scenario.
  • Renck can’t see the Rox trading both Holliday and Garrett Atkins.  Ringolsby says the Angels are more interested in Atkins than Holliday.  Renck has the Indians and Twins as suitors for Atkins.
  • Scott Podsednik is open to returning to the Rockies, and they could have a place for him if Willy Taveras is dealt.
  • Renck expects the Rockies to be in on Carl Pavano if the Yankees don’t re-sign him.

Rockies Shopping Holliday, Atkins, Taveras

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9:11pm: According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves are not interested in Taveras after all.

10:47am: According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post and Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News, the Rockies are shopping Matt Holliday, Garrett Atkins, and Willy Taveras.

Holliday, a Scott Boras client, is set to earn $13.5MM in 2009 before reaching free agency.  Ringolsby says the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Angels, Mets, and Phillies have shown interest. Renck has the Cardinals as a lurker.  The Nats may also be interested.  The Rockies will target young pitching in return.

Atkins is under team control for 2009 and 2010.  Ringolsby has the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Angels, Mets, Phillies, White Sox, and Twins as interested parties.  Renck sees the Indians as another possibility.

Taveras is also under team control through 2010.  Ringolsby says the Royals, Yankees, White Sox, and Braves are in on him, while Renck adds the Nationals.

Cafardo’s Latest: Hot Stove, Twins, Gordon, Pedro

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Nick Cafardo from the Boston Globe has a nice article up catching up on some Hot Stove news, with a few other odds and ends tied in. Let’s hit the highlights here:

  • Cafardo seems to think the Yankees could entice C.C. Sabathia to pitch on the East Coast, and that the Angels would be crazy not to re-sign Mark Teixeira at whatever the cost. He also points out Joe Maddon’s connection to Francisco Rodriguez from his days as a coach with the Angels, and covers other top names such as Jake Peavy, A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe, Manny Ramirez, Pat Burrell, Matt Holliday, and Garrett Atkins.
  • The Minnesota Twins were ranked as the #1 team in young talent by the 2009 Bill James Handbook. Minnesota had ten players in the top 150: Joe Mauer, Delmon Young, Justin Morneau, Kevin Slowey, Scott Baker, Carlos Gomez, Nick Blackburn, Jason Kubel, Denard Span, and Glen Perkins.
  • The article includes a Q&A with Tom Gordon, who has high praise for the Phillies, particularly Brad Lidge. Gordon says that having avoided Tommy John Surgery, he feels he can continue his career, and would love to pitch in Philadelphia next year. Gordon will understand if his option is declined, but is emphatic in saying he’s "going to pitch somewhere." Plenty of teams need bullpen help, and even with his injury, I can’t imagine him having a hard time finding work.
  • Cafardo likes the idea of either Rocco Baldelli or Gabe Kapler as a fourth outfielder for the Red Sox.
  • Would Pedro Martinez consider an incentive-laden contract to be Boston’s fifth starter next season?
  • Red Sox catching prospect Mark Wagner has shown improvement the Arizona Fall League. This only adds to the Jason Varitek dilemma that Boston is faced with.

Holliday Derby Begins

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According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Rockies have made it known to rival executives that left fielder Matt Holliday is available.  Renck names the Red Sox, Phillies, Angels, Mets, Royals, and Nationals as potential suitors.  I still find the oft-mentioned Red Sox idea to be far-fetched.

The Rockies would prefer to move corner infielder Garrett Atkins, however.  The Angels, Twins, and Red Sox are cited as potential fits.  However, other teams are surely aware of Atkins’ defensive struggles at third base and questionable hitting away from Coors Field.  Renck says the Angels’ interest will depend on their ability to re-sign Mark Teixeira.

Starting pitching seems to be the Rockies’ target return for either player.  They’d be giving up one year of Holliday and two of Atkins, plus the likely draft pick compensation.

Odds and Ends: Bowden, Cain, Young

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Links for Tuesday…

  • Chat today!  2pm CST.
  • Joe Pawlikowski at River Ave. Blues looks at some under-the-radar free agents.
  • MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy crunches the numbers and determines that it would be difficult to fit C.C. Sabathia into the Brewers’ payroll.  I think they could retain Mike Cameron and sign Sabathia, but only if they’re willing to take payroll into the mid-$90MM range and forgo other improvements.  Or, they could save $17-19MM by declining Cameron’s option and trading Fielder.
  • Reds beat writer John Fay muses on the team’s offseason needs.
  • Nationals GM Jim Bowden was diagnosed with a form of skin cancer this summer, but delayed surgery until after the season (a decision he regrets).  He’s OK now and back to work.
  • I get this question all the time: if the Yankees sign C.C. Sabathia and Mark Teixeira, do the Brewers or the Angels get the Yanks’ first-round pick?  Baseball America’s Jim Callis explains that it’s determined by which player has the higher Elias rating.  In this case it might be Tex by a hair, but the official rankings are not out yet.
  • MLB.com’s Chris Haft heard the Twins covet Matt Cain and would be willing to trade Delmon Young for him.  Haft does not believe the Giants would make the one-for-one swap.
  • As of Monday night, the Mariners had not decided on their new GM.  They are not supposed to make an announcement during the World Series, so today remains an option.  It’s also been suggested they announce it tomorrow before the Series begins or get a waiver and do it on Friday (an off-day). 

Twins Offseason Plans

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SUNDAY: Further reading on the Twins: a Q&A with Smith conducted by La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.  Smith doesn’t tip his hand on whether he’d be more willing to trade an outfielder or a starting pitcher.

SATURDAY: Tom Powers of the St. Paul Pioneer Press dishes on the Twins, who are holding their organizational meetings this weekend.

  • GM Bill Smith is looking for help in the bullpen and middle infield.  Powers still expects free agent Dennys Reyes to sign elsewhere; perhaps the Twins will sign a righty reliever.  Nick Punto seems more likely to be re-signed.  Another infielder will probably still be added.
  • Powers sees Smith as more likely to trade a pitcher than Delmon Young.  I agree – it’d be surprising to see the Twins give up on Young after one year.
  • Smith had all kinds of trade discussions this summer, but ultimately felt some GMs were "trying to pick on the rookie."
  • For more on the Twins, check out our Offseason Outlook.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Bradley, Peavy, Young

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A look at what is being written around the Blogosphere…

  • Goat Riders of the Apocalypse looks at Milton Bradley and sees a clubhouse cancer, but can’t ignore his .999 OPS and wonders if he is the answer in right field for the Cubs.
  • Pinstripes Published takes a look at the crop of free agent starting pitchers and speculates on who will sign with the Yankees, with the most likely being C.C. Sabathia, Jon Garland and Ryan Dempster.
  • Chop-n-Change takes a look at which prospects it might take to land Jake Peavy, and wonders if a package built around RHP Tommy Hanson and OF Jordan Schafer could get it done.
  • Talking Chop does not want to the Braves giving up prospects for Peavy and would rather see the Braves acquire pitching through free agency.
  • First And Goal From Second Base warns that it will be a mistake for the Twins to trade Delmon Young.
  • Twinkie Town takes a look at which Twins free agents could return (Nick Punto, Dennys Reyes) and the rest of the Twins offseason.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

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