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Orlando Hudson Rumors: Thursday

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Yesterday we learned from MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick that Dodgers GM Ned Colletti has ongoing talks for free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson.  Today, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Dodgers appear to be the front-runner for Hudson.  Signing him wouldn’t affect their chances of locking up Manny Ramirez.  MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick says Colletti has also not ruled out relief help from guys like Joe Beimel, Dennys Reyes, or Jason Isringhausen.

Even as divisional rivals the D’Backs may be rooting for the Dodgers to sign Hudson, since they’d receive L.A.’s #17 pick in the June draft as part of the compensation.  Rosenthal says the Royals and other unknown clubs remain in the mix for him, with the White Sox, Cardinals, Yankees, and Mets seemingly not seriously involved.  Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star discusses the Royals angle in a column today.

Brian Giles Likes Red Sox, Yankees, Angels

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Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune talked to Padres outfielder Brian Giles today.  At $9MM, Giles is the Padres’ second highest-paid player behind Jake Peavy.  He’s a trade candidate this season, though he has full no-trade rights.  He carries the baggage of a lawsuit with his former girlfriend as well as an additional $2MM in salary if traded.  The Padres exercised his ’09 option on November 7th last year, and I’m guessing they’re already regretting it.

Krasovic learned that Giles’ favored trade destinations would be the Red Sox, Yankees, and Angels.  The Yankees and Angels have surpluses in the outfield currently, though Giles would love to stay in California.  Giles vetoed a trade to Boston last year due to playing time issues and an expectation that Theo Epstein would’ve traded him after the season.

Braves Rumors: Glavine, Outfielders

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1:29pm: David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution offers thoughts on the Glavine situation.

10:42am: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has the latest on the Braves.

Rosenthal believes the Braves have $6-8MM to work with, as they try to re-sign Tom Glavine and add an outfielder.  The outfield situation is of greater priority.

The Braves had a positive meeting with Glavine on Wednesday; Rosenthal says their offer gives the lefty "the chance to make $3MM — a $1MM guarantee, $1MM if he made the Opening Day roster and $1MM if he was on the roster 60 days."  Glavine is said to be seeking $3MM guaranteed plus incentives.  He wants to retire a Brave, and is intent on pitching in 2009.

As for the outfield, Rosenthal says the Braves are "checking into" free agents such as Garret Anderson, Luis Gonzalez, Jim Edmonds, and Ken Griffey Jr.  ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick wrote earlier today that the Mariners are making progress with Griffey.  Rosenthal says a Nick Swisher trade "also remains possible, but the Braves almost certainly could land one of the free agents for less than the $5.3MM that Swisher will earn in 2009."  Swisher is guaranteed an additional $16.75MM for 2010-11, if his 2012 option for $10.25MM is declined.

Fallout From Abreu And Dunn Deals

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Let’s look at the fallout from today’s big news. The Angels have reached an agreement with Bobby Abreu and the Nats have done the same with Adam Dunn, but, as many of our commenters have noted, other teams and players are affected by these deals. Here’s a breakdown:

  • The Dodgers lose a lot of leverage in their negotiations with Manny Ramirez. Dunn was their preferred alternative to Manny, and Abreu was another possibility. Unless GM Ned Colletti wants to trade for a bat or sign a much lesser hitter, he may have to give in to Manny and offer three years or an enhanced one or two year deal.
  • Manny Ramirez and Scott Boras must be smiling tonight. The two strongest suitors for Manny, the Dodgers and Giants, still need bats, but Manny’s the only top-notch outfielder left.
  • The Braves lose leverage. They’ve considered trading for Xavier Nady or Nick Swisher, but with Dunn and Abreu off the board, and Manny out of reach, the Braves might have to give up more in a trade with the Yankees.
  • The Yankees, in turn, benefit from these two deals because they can demand more from the Braves. Peter Abraham thinks the Yankees should hold onto Swisher and Nady.
  • Garret Anderson and Ken Griffey Jr. are now the best remaining alternatives to Manny, so they could both benefit from today’s deals.

Odds And Ends: Brewers, Roberts, Tejada

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A few links for Wednesday night…

Yankees Won’t Void A-Rod’s Contract Or Trade Him

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As expected, the Yankees won’t try to void Alex Rodriguez’s contract or trade him in the wake of news about his 2001-03 steroid use.  George A. King III and Mark Hale of the New York Post asked Hank Steinbrenner about the possibility of voiding the deal, and he said, "No, no…it’s simply…that’s it basically."  Steinbrenner also chuckled/giggled when asked about attempting to trade A-Rod.

Cafardo’s Latest: Manny, Sheets, Glavine

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The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo shares some notes on Manny Ramirez and around the league. Let’s have a look, bullet-point style:

  • He cites an AL Exec who says, "I’ll be honest, I never thought Ramirez would walk away from… one year, $25 million. That’s better than the $20 million option he had torn up… If he has another great year, he gets another $25 million for one year? Or maybe a team then decides, ’OK, this guy has behaved himself for a while, continues to produce at a high level now, let’s commit for another two years to him.’ Unless a team like the Yankees comes in at the last minute and gets it done, I just don’t see where he’s going to make more than $25 million." Cafardo adds that "Brian Cashman insists it won’t happen."
  • A quote from Rich Hill on his being traded to the Orioles: "[Cubs general manager] Jim Hendry really took care of me. He wanted to create an opportunity for me that he told me probably didn’t exist in Chicago, so I’m grateful. I know Baltimore tried to deal for me last year and it didn’t work out, but this time they made it work." Hill also adds that he’s over his back injury and will rediscover his control.
  • Ben Sheets not signing anywhere until June hurts the Brewers two-fold: they may have to foot the bill for the surgery and won’t receive a first round draft pick for losing a Type-A free agent. Sheets has a torn flexor tendon, as revealed by an exam with the Texas Rangers. On the other hand, MLBTR has noted that in June, after his surgery, he won’t cost a draft pick to sign.
  • Andruw Jones on playing in Boston: "It’s too cold there. There’s too much stuff going on."
  • Bobby Abreu may have to settle for a one or two year deal at $3MM. Cafardo lists the Angels, Mets, Braves, Dodgers, and Mariners.
  • Expect an incentive-laden deal for one year between Tom Glavine and the Braves. As MLBTR has noted, their latest offer was between $1-2MM with no incentives.
  • Mark Mulder could be a useful back end starter and he’s almost ready to put himself on display to teams.
  • Shea Hillenbrand is 32 and receiving no interest. Cafardo wonders if he’s "being punished for past transgressions?"
  • Cubs, White Sox, and Dodgers are lined up for Orlando Hudson; however, the transfer of ownership may have temporarily tied the hands of Jim Hendry to do anything until Tom Ricketts takes over.
  • The A’s are continuously interested in Orlando Cabrera, Adam Dunn, and Abreu.

Rangers Considering Andruw Jones

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8:58pm: Jeff Wilson writes in the Dallas Morning News that Andruw Jones worked out at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington Jan. 26. Rangers GM Jon Daniels confirmed that Jones worked out with Rudy Jaramillo, the Rangers hitting coach.

Wilson writes that Jones would probably be offered a minor-league contract with an invite to Spring Training.

3:32pm: T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com chimes in on the Andruw Jones rumor.

The article suggests we downgrade from "close to agreement" status, as we reported earlier,  to "strongly considering," to quote Sullivan.

1:57pm: Andruw Jones is close to signing a minor-league contract with the Texas Rangers, Yahoo! Sports’ Tim Brown reports.

Brown also states that Jones had earlier declined a non-roster invitation to Spring Training from the New York Yankees.

The signing could potentially help the team move Josh Hamilton to right field, which would likely keep him healthier over the course of an entire season. Of course, Jones’ most recent major league showings have indicated a need for drastic improvement before he can contribute at a big league level.

A-Rod’s Contract Stands, Steroids Or Not

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According to Selena Roberts and David Epstein of Sports Illustrated, "Alex Rodriguez tested positive for two anabolic steroids" in 2003. Rodriguez did not comment, but Roberts and Epstein say they confirmed his alleged steroid use with four independent sources. Rodriguez was reportedly one of 104 players to test positive for PEDs in 2003.

However, steroid use doesn’t impact A-Rod’s contract.

"Two sources familiar with Rodriguez’s contract told SI there is no language about steroids in the contract that would put Rodriguez at risk of losing money."

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