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Seven Teams Interested In Octavio Dotel

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Seven clubs are interested in Octavio Dotel, according to Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes (on Twitter, in Spanish). The Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, Orioles, Twins, Pirates and Yankees have inquired on the right-hander, Rojas writes.

The 37-year-old bounced from the Pirates to the Dodgers to the Rockies in 2010 and posted a 4.08 ERA along the way. He picked up 21 saves as the Pirates' closer and struck out over a batter per inning (10.5 K/9) overall. Dotel walked lots of hitters as usual (4.5 BB/9), but limited hits.

Carl Crawford Rumors: Wednesday

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Carl Crawford is the biggest free agent prize among position players, but who can afford him?  The latest:

  • One Red Sox source says the market is likely "too crazy" for Boston to get seriously involved, according to ESPNBoston's Gordon Edes (on Twitter).
  • Multiple baseball sources and people close to Crawford tell Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles that they expect the left fielder to sign with the Angels.
  • Crawford was at the dinner with GM Brian Cashman and agent Brian Peters, according to Mark Feinsand and Bill Madden of the New York Daily News. The Yankees are "very interested" in Crawford and could pursue him even if they sign Lee.
  • The Rangers met with Crawford's agent, tweets Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.
  • Yankees GM Brian Cashman had a long Crawford-related meeting yesterday, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.  Joel Sherman tweets that Cashman met with his agent Brian Peters at a restaurant away from the meetings.  Olney feels the Yankees are "preparing to zig off Cliff Lee if necessary."  Meanwhile Olney's colleague Jayson Stark tweets that the Yankees are hinting that if Andy Pettitte retires, it becomes more likely they can afford both Crawford and Lee.  One Yankes official described that scenario as "highly unlikely" to Sherman.

Odds & Ends: Iwakuma, Heisey, White Sox, Feliciano

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One year ago today, the Yankees, Tigers and Diamondbacks finalized the trade that sent Curtis Granderson to New York, Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy to Arizona and Max Scherzer and Austin Jackson to Detroit. As we await this year's answer to that 2009 blockbuster, here are some links to enjoy…

  • Phil Coke, who was also in that trade, is set to move to the Tigers' rotation, but Detroit isn't desperate for left-handed relief help. Daniel Schlereth, yet another product of the trade, could be a cog in the Tigers' 'pen, so they're showing limited interest in free agents like J.C. Romero and Ron Mahay, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck.
  • The agent for Hisashi Iwakuma, Don Nomura, told the Associated Press (via ESPN) that the A's showed no respect for his client in their recent negotiations. The agent is clearly frustrated by what he perceives to be a lack of sincerity from Oakland.
  • The D'Backs have some interest in outfielder Chris Heisey, but have yet to approach the Reds about him, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (Twitter link).
  • The Phillies are still interested in a potential deal with Chad Durbin, according to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
  • White Sox GM Kenny Williams tells Jayson Stark of ESPN.com that his team is "about tapped out" in terms of payroll flexibility (Twitter link).
  • The Indians officially announced their minor league deal with Paul Phillips today.
  • The Yankees met with Pedro Feliciano's representatives today, according to Newsday's Ken Davidoff (on Twitter).

C.C. Sabathia Unaffected By Cliff Lee

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Yankees ace C.C. Sabathia has the ability to opt out of the remaining four years and $92MM remaining on his contract after the 2011 season.  It's been suggested that a Cliff Lee megadeal could prompt Sabathia to bail in search of more money or years, but he told George King of the New York Post, "It has no effect on me at all."  But as Joe Pawlikowski of River Ave. Blues points out, Sabathia did not directly slam the door on the opt-out.

Market For Russell Martin Intensifying

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The market for Russell Martin is intensifying, with three AL East teams showing varying levels of interest, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). The Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays are all interested in the catcher, who may have other suitors. 

The Mets appeared to have interest, but the chances of Sandy Alderson signing Martin seem slim now that the GM has agreed to sign Ronny Paulino. The Dodgers could re-enter the sweepstakes at some point.

ESPN.com's Buster Olney reported this week that Martin, a Montreal native, would like to sign with an East Coast team (Twitter link).

Cliff Lee Rumors: Tuesday

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We heard yesterday that the market for Cliff Lee was beginning to heat up, and that at least one team would be willing to offer Lee a seven-year deal, but it wasn't the Yankees. Here are today's Lee rumors for your reading pleasure:

  • It sounds like the Yankees made Lee an offer. Braunecker spoke to Cashman tonight and when the YES Network's Jack Curry asked if the Yankees presented a proposal, the agent declined comment and smiled (Twitter link).
  • The Angels reached out to Lee's representatives and started pursuing him today, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. Crasnick hears that it's doubtful Lee signs before the Winter Meetings end.
  • The Nationals are not in on Lee, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (Twitter link). GM Mike Rizzo said earlier today that he has some interest in the lefty.
  • Though GM Tony Reagins downplayed the Angels-Lee connection, Tom Krasovic of AOL FanHouse hears that the Halos are discussing Lee and will stay in touch with his agent (Twitter link).
  • The Yankees are on the verge of making Lee a lucrative offer and are awaiting the go-ahead from Braunecker, according to Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com. GM Brian Cashman says he's ready to get serious.
  • Lee now has two seven-year offers for $20MM or more per season, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (Twitter link).
  • Angels GM Tony Reagins tells Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times that the Angels are not the mystery team that has offered Lee seven years.
  • Rangers president Nolan Ryan is more optimistic about signing Lee this week than he was last week, according to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (on Twitter).
  • Rizzo confirmed that he met with Lee's agent again, but says the Nationals are a "real long shot" to sign him, according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post (on Twitter). Meanwhile, Angels manager Mike Scioscia told Yahoo's Steve Henson that a pitcher like Lee makes a team better (Twitter link).
  • Nationals GM Mike Rizzo met with Braunecker for the second time this week today, reports Mark Zuckerman.
  • A Yankees official told Feinsand that Lee getting seven-year offer "won't affect what we do."  They will not go past six years for the lefty.  The Yankees are frustrated with the slow pace of the Lee talks, reports Rosenthal.
  • Lee has at least one seven-year offer for $20-25MM – not from the Nationals – tweets Heyman.
  • Lee's agent Darek Braunecker described his discussions with the Rangers and Yankees as "positive" and "productive," talking to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan.  Braunecker also said he's "maintaining dialogue" with the Nationals.
  • The Nationals are prepared to offer Lee a seven-year deal, reports Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.  But talking to two Nationals sources, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reports that such an offer has zero chance of happening.  The contract length is very important to Lee, tweets SI's Jon Heyman.  There is growing speculation among rival executives and agents that the Nationals will throw a huge number at Lee, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.
  • Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes that the Yankees have vowed not to exceed six years or the $161MM that they gave Sabathia for Lee. Sherman feels the Yankees will top out at $144MM-$150MM over six years. As GM Brian Cashman said, Sabathia's presence as an ace makes Lee a "pleasant addition," but not a necessity.  Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports discusses how signing Lee could affect Sabathia.

Yankees, Rangers Finalists For Mark Prior

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Cliff Lee isn't the only pitcher the Yankees and Rangers are bidding against each other on. Those two clubs are the finalists for Mark Prior, according to Tom Krasovic of AOLFanHouse (on Twitter). The 30-year-old right-hander has a connection to both clubs; he pitched in the Rangers' minor league system last year and the Yankees selected him 43rd overall in the 1998 draft, but were unable to sign him.

Prior soon became one of the National League's best pitchers after the Cubs drafted him second overall in 2001. He posted a 2.43 ERA with 10.4 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 as a 22-year-old just a year and a half after being drafted. A series of shoulder problems derailed Prior's career, but he has tried to resurrect it with stints in the Padres' and Rangers' systems. He has not pitched in a big league ballgame since 2006.

Yankees, White Sox Interested In Kerry Wood?

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2:15pm: The White Sox-Wood rumor was "just blown up by a source," tweets Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.

11:06am: The Yankees and White Sox are interested in free agent reliever Kerry Wood, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  The Yankees want to take care of Cliff Lee first, while the Sox must address Paul Konerko.

The Orioles and Cubs have previously been linked to Wood, who finished strong with the Yankees despite some control issues.

Yankees Re-Sign Derek Jeter

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The Yankees officially re-signed shortstop Derek Jeter to a deal worth a guaranteed $56MM, if he exercises a fourth-year player option.  A press conference is scheduled for this afternoon.

Under the deal, Jeter will make $51MM across the first three seasons with a $8MM player option for the fourth year, Jack Curry tweets.  The shortstop can also earn $9MM in incentives for the fourth year but if he earns no incentives while picking up the option, he's guaranteed at least $56MM, says Curry (via Twitter). SI.com's Jon Heyman explains in a pair of tweets that the incentives are based on finishes in the MVP, Silver Slugger, and Gold Glove voting. Curry adds adds that Jeter agreed to defer money, which helps the Yankees with their luxury tax situation going forward.

Talks between the two sides picked up after a meeting in Tampa put an end to an impasse. The Yankees originally offered their captain a three year contract worth $45MM with no option, then encouraged him to test the market. Jeter was rumored to be seeking a five or six-year deal worth upwards of $25MM per season at one point. 

Jeter, 36, is coming off his worst full season as a big leaguer. He hit just .270/.340/.370, career lows across the board. UZR didn't like his defense either, saying he was worth 4.7 runs below average in the field. At some point next season Jeter will pick up his 3,000th career hit (he's 74 away) and 1,700th run scored (15 away), a combination just eleven players in big league history have achieved.

The agreement was first reported by George A. King III of The New York Post, with Jack Curry of YES adding details.

At Least Seven Teams Checked In On Rich Harden

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The Yankees, Twins, Rays, Diamondbacks, Brewers, Mariners, and Rockies have checked in on free agent righty Rich Harden, writes Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.  Morosi says some teams like Harden as a starter, others as a reliever.

The oft-injured Harden received a $7.5MM guarantee from the Rangers last year, but had a lost season.  He posted a 5.58 ERA, 7.3 K/9, 6.1 BB/9, 1.8 HR/9, and 34.5% groundball rate in 92 innings, battling a strained glute and shoulder tendinitis.  These days he's a fastball/changeup pitcher with a 90.5 mph average heater.

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