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Rosenthal’s Latest: Johnson, Peavy, Dempster

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Here’s a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

  • It doesn’t seem likely that Randy Johnson re-signs with the Diamondbacks, though Johnson is holding out filing for free agency until the possibility is exhausted.  The D’Backs hope he will take a significant hometown discount; they have roughly $10MM to spend for Johnson and a second baseman.  If a Mark Loretta type takes $2MM, will Johnson take $8MM after earning $15.1MM for a fine ’08 season?
  • The Braves are frustrated with the progress on the Jake Peavy talks, and will explore other options (especially once the free agent market opens Friday).  Rosenthal says the Padres sent revised proposals to the Cubs and Braves yesterday, but those teams intend to stick with their offers.  Will the Padres crack and make a deal before Friday?
  • Rosenthal criticizes the Padres for the classless farewell to Trevor Hoffman.  They pulled their reduced offer, and didn’t agree to the meeting with ownership he requested.
  • Suddenly there may be more solid free agent closers than teams seeking one.  The Mets have their pick.  To me this is a sign that K-Rod will fall short of five years, $75MM.
  • Rosenthal believes Kevin Gregg is next up on the trading block for the Marlins, with Jeremy Hermida another possibility.
  • Casey Blake doesn’t have any geographic leanings regarding his next destination.  His agent feels a three-year deal is reasonable.  The Twins and Indians are among seven teams eyeing Blake.
  • The Cubs offered Ryan Dempster something in the range of Kyle Lohse’s four years, $41MM.  Teams don’t like to use the Carlos Silva deal as a benchmark, because it was such a clear mistake.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Nationals, Manny, Peavy, Vazquez

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We’ve already touched on Ken Rosenthal’s Matt Holliday update, but there are other good tidbits in the article as well:

  • "Club officials believe" that the Nationals are "reasonably close to a breakthrough." They blame 2008’s sorry performance on the raft of injuries Washington suffered, which is why they’re willing to spend now for a big bat — the key names floating around have been the aforementioned Holliday, Adam Dunn, and Mark Teixeira, though Rosenthal seems skeptical they could snag any of them. But what about Manny Ramirez? "Jim Bowden, the Nats’ unconventional GM, probably would love the idea, but D.C. might not be big enough for Manny and Barack Obama." Looking at the impact that Manny has had on the LA’s attendance, and looking at the empty seats at Nationals Park, it could make sense.
  • Obligatory Jake Peavy update: Padres discuss keeping the ace, Braves grow impatient. Cubs are still in the mix, while the Dodgers and Yankees are "on the backburner." (Buster Olney had a subtly different take posted a few hours later — that Peavy would be dealt before the turkey hits the sideboard.) Rosenthal also quotes Pads GM Kevin Towers as wanting to move the fences in at Petco (which is hard enough just to write without typing in "cavernous" as an automatic prefix).
  • The Mets, among other ballclubs, are interested in Rays’ righties Andy Sonnanstine and Edwin Jackson, but the Rays are in no hurry to make a deal.
  • "The White Sox are in an ideal position with" Javier Vazquez if they wait until Peavy, CC Sabathia, et al are placed and then shop him, Rosenthal argues. The 32-year old righty will make $23 MM through 2010, which he calls "a bargain for a pitcher who has produced four straight 200-inning seasons, albeit with a 49-51 record and 4.41 ERA." On the other hand, Vazquez has also hit the 200-strikeout mark in each of the last two seasons.

Sarah Green can be reached here.

Odds and Ends: Tazawa, Young, Kouzmanoff

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Links for Friday.  As always, I’ll update this post with more stuff so refresh later if you’re interested.

Mets Revamping The Bullpen

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The Mets’ primary focus this winter is to completely revamp their bullpen.  Ken Davidoff and Joel Sherman outline Plan A: free agents.  Names in the mix: Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, Kerry Wood, Joe Beimel, Juan Cruz, and Chad Cordero.  Sherman figures the Mets are in a good position because most of the other big-market teams aren’t looking for a closer.

Plan B: trades.  The Mets have already discussed Bobby Jenks with the White Sox.  J.J. Putz, Huston Street, and Kevin Gregg are the other names.  It all depends on how much young talent Omar Minaya wants to sacrifice.

As a corollary to Plan B, the Mets want to ship out Pedro Feliciano, Aaron Heilman, and Scott Schoeneweis.  They hope to clear payroll and/or bring in other relievers in these trades.  Davidoff says Heilman has plenty of admirers.

Another note from Sherman – the Mets "could be interested" in Jason Varitek if the price comes down but Varitek doesn’t re-sign with Boston.  In another article, Davidoff lays out Plans A, B, and C for both the Mets and Yankees.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Holliday, Manny, Swisher, Johnson

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A look at what is being written around the Blogosphere…

  • Cardinals Diaspora would love to see the Cardinals land Matt Holliday but does not think the front office will have the guts to make the move.
  • Oriole Post is not sure the Orioles are truly interested in Manny Ramirez. If there is indeed interest, Oriole Post thinks the O’s should pass.
  • MetsBlog does not see the Mets going after Manny Ramirez even if the Yankees and Angels drop out of consideration.
  • River Ave. Blues makes a case for the Yankees trading for Nick Swisher over signing Mark Teixeira to play first base.
  • Talking Chop argues for keeping Yunel Escobar and moving Kelly Johnson for a power bat.

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

Four Teams Eyeing Chad Cordero

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According to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, the Angels, Mets, Rangers, and Tigers have asked to look at Chad Cordero’s medical records.  The Nationals are not in the mix.  Cordero, 26, had shoulder surgery in July.

Ladson says Cordero’s first choice is the Angels, as he’s from Anaheim.  After that would come the Mets due to the Omar Minaya connection from Montreal.

Phils, Cards Battle For Holliday

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According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Phillies and Cardinals are the top suitors for Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday.

The Phillies discussed Holliday and Brian Fuentes with the Rockies during the season.  The Rockies have an eye on Carlos Carrasco, J.A. Happ, and Shane Victorino.  Todd Zolecki believes Jayson Werth could be in the mix.

The Cardinals have been aggressive, and Ryan Ludwick is their bargaining chip.  Joe Strauss says the Cardinals would like to try to sign Holliday to an extension, but may not have the leverage to require a window.  The Cards would like to get something done soon.  Ludwick alone seems a pretty solid return for Holliday, since the Rockies would have him for three years.  Strauss adds that the Mets are also in the running for Holliday.

Mets Rumors: Fuentes, Cordero, Delgado

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5:18pm: More on the Mets: Ken Davidoff says they’re shopping Aaron Heilman, Scott Schoeneweis, and Pedro Feliciano.  The A’s, Rays, and Rangers are fans of Heilman.  The Rockies, Cardinals, Cubs, and D’Backs were also tossed into the mix by Adam Rubin, though the D’Backs haven’t had recent talks.   The Mets would be willing to pick up some of the $3.6MM owed to Schoeneweis next year.

4:58pm: Brian Fuentes’ agent Rick Thurman calls the below rumor of an offer to the Mets a "total fabrication."

10:56am: Checking in on the Mets…

  • Tracy Ringolsby says Brian Fuentes’ agents proposed a four-year, $44MM deal to the Mets.  Ringolsby heard the Indians and Cardinals don’t want to go beyond two years.  The Mets also met with Francisco Rodriguez’s agent.
  • The Mets are considering free agent Chad Cordero, who is coming off July shoulder surgery.
  • GM Omar Minaya seems willing to spend big money on a closer and one starter, and then fill the other starting spot cheaply.  The Mets could, say, sign Derek Lowe and trade for the affordable Edwin Jackson.  The Mets haven’t exchanged names yet for Jackson.
  • Ryan Dempster and Jon Garland may be on the radar, as Minaya met with their agent yesterday.  Dempster’s agent said he can handle New York.
  • Carlos Delgado approached the Mets late in the season about an extension for 2010, but they decided to pass.  Delgado wasn’t bothered by this.
  • Ken Davidoff adds that the Mets have let scout/former Bulls GM Jerry Krause go.

Yankees Rumors: Cameron, Melky, Pettitte, Lowe

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5:06pm: More on the Cameron situation: Ken Davidoff says Cabrera and Ian Kennedy have been discussed.  However, the Brewers will probably wait to see if they can sign Sabathia, since he’s good friends with Cameron.

10:26am: The latest Yankees hot stove buzz…

K-Rod’s Agent Backs Off Previous Demands

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Francisco Rodriguez’ agent was on 1050 ESPN Radio today and softened his stance in which he previously stated that K-Rod would demand at least five years/$75MM.

"I don’t have anything drawn," [Paul] Kinzer told 1050 ESPN Radio in New York. "The market will take us there."

This is an apparent shift in stance. SI.com quoted Kinzer early last month saying that the "baseline" for getting into the K-Rod sweepstakes was "at least five years" and for Mariano Rivera money. Rivera makes $15 million per season.

Andrew Marchand of ESPN.com says that Kinzer may still prefer a five year deal, but will not shut the door on anybody not willing to offer such a lengthy contract.

This appears to be a ploy to keep the Mets involved and help drive up the price. Yesterday, Buster Olney reported that the Mets would not go beyond three years for any relief pitchers.

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

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