Derek Lowe Rumors: Thursday
12:08pm: Despite yesterday’s reported contention from a Boras guy, ESPN’s Jayson Stark heard the Braves have "zero interest" in Lowe. Randy Wolf is on their radar as a backup plan for A.J. Burnett though.
Also, the Mets are probably out on Lowe and Burnett, according to Omar Minaya.
10:23am: According to WEEI’s Lou Merloni, the Yankees’ signing of C.C. Sabathia made the team more appealing to Lowe.
9:50am: Some Derek Lowe chatter this morning – Jayson Stark says the Yankees would remain interested in Lowe if they sign A.J. Burnett.
Odds and Ends: Rule 5, Beltre, Schmidt, Bako
Stray links I’ve collected over the past few days…
- John Manuel and Jonathan Mayo get us ready for the Rule 5 draft. Manuel has a second post on it here.
- Sarah Green looks at A.J. Burnett‘s possible commutes.
- LEN3 suggests the Twins might be part of Adrian Beltre‘s limited no-trade clause.
- K-Rod signing analysis from Dave Cameron, Jesse Spector, and Keith Law. Also check out the usual solid analysis over at Ken Davidoff’s blog.
- Law also takes on the Edwin Jackson, Ramon Hernandez, J.J. Putz, and C.C. Sabathia moves.
- The Red Sox are likely to non-tender Kevin Cash. Josh Bard is one free agent on their radar. Also, Tony Massarotti learned that the Red Sox are strongly opposed to opt-out clauses.
- UmpBump found some C.C. Sabathia rumors we missed on Monday. Also, the Brewers’ offer to C.C. had unique clauses and two club options.
- The Dodgers knew Jason Schmidt had a partial rotator cuff tear when they signed him.
- Rany Jazayerli on recent Royals rumors, reliever and otherwise.
- Bruce Miles says the Cubs have some interest in bringing Paul Bako back.
- Jason Davis, Raul Chavez, and R.A. Dickey became free agents. Davis may be headed to Japan.
- Nick Piecoro says Junior Spivey is looking for a job.
- Much of the money saved from recent White Sox trades was repurposed for Dayan Viciedo.
A.J. Burnett Rumors: Wednesday
11:53pm: Not seeing the $91MM rumor on Rosenthal’s blog anymore. Mark Feinsand wrote earlier today it was $80MM. Feinsand even said the Yankees and Burnett were "working into the night on closing a deal." A Mark Bowman source put the Yanks’ offer at $85MM.
10:12pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Yanks are offering $91MM over five years. He also learned that the Yanks will not sign both Burnett and Lowe – just one of them and then possibly other free agent pitchers. Similar to Crasnick’s note below.
9:57pm: Tony Massarotti indicates the Red Sox are out and Burnett will choose between the Yankees and Braves. Jerry Crasnick says that if the Yankees sign Burnett, a third free agent rotation addition would likely be a short-term guy like Ben Sheets as opposed to Derek Lowe.
6:54pm: Jon Heyman believes the Yankees’ five-year offer to Burnett is for $80MM.
6:09pm: Crasnick’s report about the Yanks’ five-year offer to Burnett is online now. Crasnick’s source says a deal could be in place as soon as tomorrow. He says the dollar figure is not known but Burnett’s agent is believed to be seeking a deal approaching Zambrano’s five years, $91.5MM.
6:06pm: ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reports on TV that the Yankees have offered Burnett a five-year deal.
4:53pm: MLB.com’s Mark Bowman has a Major League source who does not believe the Braves offered Burnett five years.
4:06pm: ESPN’s Keith Law believes bidding on Burnett will exceed the value of Carlos Zambrano‘s contract, which is for $91.5MM over five years.
12:54pm: Rosenthal and Gerry Fraley report that the Braves made an offer to Burnett late Tuesday for $80MM over five years. That guaranteed fifth year could be big.
11:14am: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Braves are pushing hard for A.J. Burnett and talks with him progressed through the night. The Yankees remain involved, however.
Mark Teixeira Rumors: Wednesday
11:40pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Red Sox made progress today in their Teixeira talks.
8:45pm: Dave Sheinin says the Nationals offered eight years and $160MM, and Ladson now agrees.
5:38pm: Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun says the Orioles met with Boras last night and apparently made an offer. However, Peter Schmuck says the nine-year, $180MM report was "met with incredulity from O’s officials."
5:33pm: According to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, the Nationals offered Tex an eight-year, $180MM contract. Dave Sheinin talked to a Nationals exec who said in general about the rumors, "Ninety percent of this stuff is pure fabrication."
2:35pm: Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times has the Nats willing to offer ten years at more than $20MM per and the Orioles willing to do nine years also at at least $20MM per year.
1:27pm: Ken Rosenthal and Ed Price heard Teixeira would prefer to be on the East Coast for family reasons. It could be an issue for the Angels.
1:14pm: Yahoo’s Jose Mota (new guy) says the Nationals made an offer to Tex for at least seven years and $150MM.
12:44pm: SI.com’s Jon Heyman talked to two high-ranking baseball officials who predicted Teixeira will get a $200MM deal. Heyman believes two teams already bid $160MM.
11:17am: Dave Sheinin of the Washington Post has heard the Yankees’ signing of C.C. Sabathia takes them out of the running for Tex. The Angels, Red Sox, Nationals, and Orioles will battle for the Boras client.
9:36am: Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times talks about Mark Teixeira:
The Boston Red Sox have emerged as front-runners, and the Washington Nationals, who appear willing to offer eight years and $160 million, could make the most lucrative bid. The Baltimore Orioles are in hot pursuit, the Yankees are lurking, and the Angels are growing more concerned that Teixeira might be slipping away, primarily because they’d like to sign him for six or seven years, not the eight or nine it might take.
Manny Ramirez Rumors: Wednesday
10:13pm: According to Ed Price:
The Dodgers have had internal discussions about extending their contract offer to Manny Ramirez to three years.
9:47pm: Dan Graziano’s source suggests "there is a push by some members of the Yankees’ organization to make a play for free-agent outfielder Manny Ramirez."
5:02pm: Despite numerous reports to the contrary, Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times says the Angels are "believed to be considering a two-year offer to Manny Ramirez." Shaikin adds that Juan Rivera remains on the Halos’ radar.
4:12pm: Jayson Stark talked to a source who said the Angels have zero interest in Manny.
9:59am: Jon Heyman talked to people close to Hank Steinbrenner who say he wants Manny. Heyman says the Yanks are mulling a run at the slugger.
9:28am: T.J. Simers talked to Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, who said Scott Boras told him four other teams have expressed interest in Manny Ramirez. Colletti quipped: "That’s good. I wouldn’t like to see a guy out of work."
Derek Lowe Rumors: Wednesday
10:08pm: A note from Dave O’Brien:
Just so you know, one of Boras’ guys also claims the Braves have expressed at least some interest in Lowe.
5:18pm: Jayson Stark has a source saying the Phillies aren’t pursuing Lowe, and didn’t make an offer.
4:27pm: Gordon Edes agrees, Lowe is not on the verge of signing. He does have offers in hand from the Yanks and Phillies, with the Mets and Red Sox in talks. The Brewers made contact but are considered a long shot. Edes says Lowe’s desire to return to Boston has been overstated. Edes says the two offers are in the four-year, $65MM range, and a fifth year could clinch it.
3:14pm: Rosenthal says the Yankees’ talks with Lowe are progressing, but reports that they’re close are overblown. He adds that the Yanks are also in active discussions with A.J. Burnett, and, surprisingly, Andy Pettitte. Kevin Baxter believes it’s the Yanks or retirement for Pettitte.
8:56am: According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Yankees were discussing a four-year, $66MM deal with Derek Lowe late Tuesday night. Via MetsBlog, Heyman said on WFAN this morning that the Yanks are closing in.
Ben Sheets Rumors: Wednesday
9:05pm: Sheets had his house for sale in Dallas but recently took it off the market, for what it’s worth.
1:01pm: Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that Brewers GM Doug Melvin met with Ben Sheets and his agent Casey Close yesterday. The Brewers did not make an offer, but haven’t ruled it out. Haudricourt notes that Sheets signing with the Yankees would be bad for Milwaukee, since the Brewers can’t get a second first-round compensation pick from them.
Jake Peavy Rumors: Wednesday
8:36pm: MLB.com’s Corey Brock learned from Towers that he should know one way or another on a Peavy trade by the end of the Meetings. Towers now believes a fourth team will be required. Towers mentioned that Marquis and DeRosa may be hangups, especially Marquis’ contract. Though he’d prefer not to, under certain circumstances the Padres might pay some of his salary.
There was some goofy Carlos Carrasco/Jason Donald stuff we didn’t link to today, and that was shot down. Brock suggests names like Josh Vitters, Felix Pie, and Kevin Hart could be involved on the Cubs’ part.
8:31pm: Jayson Stark says Peavy to the Cubs doesn’t seem inevitable anymore, and the sides have not made progress in the last 24 hours. The Cubs have leverage, so they’ve dug in their heels. Stark adds that once word of the possible inclusion of DeRosa linked, Jim Hendry has been "bombarded with calls from other clubs interested" in him. Hendry does not want to trade DeRosa.
6:00pm: Buster Olney says the Yankees have talked with the Padres recently about Peavy, but it didn’t go anywhere.
5:19pm: Brock talked to a Padres source who does not believe the Twins are involved.
4:10pm: Buster Olney says Axelrod left the Meetings with no word of a deal but the expectation is still that the Cubs will get it done.
3:48pm: Tom Krasovic reminds us that Peavy’s agent Barry Axelrod said going into the Meetings that the Yankees would be more attractive to his client if they signed C.C. Sabathia. Still, Peavy prefers the NL.
3:17pm: Corey Brock says the Phillies might want Scott Hairston from the Padres to use in left field.
2:33pm: Carrie Muskat’s Cubs source says DeRosa will not be traded.
9:45am: LEN3 says the Twins discussed DeRosa with the Cubs yesterday. The Cubs will present the Twins with a list of pitchers they like, which will be influenced by the Padres’ preferences.
9:31am: There’s word from Jim Salisbury that pitcher Kyle Kendrick could be included in this three-team trade.
1:19am: If you dare to sort through yesterday’s Jake Peavy rumors, click here. Today, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times maintains that the biggest obstacle is the Cubs moving part of Jason Marquis‘ contract. Another factor – the Padres will need to free up several spots on the 40-man roster. The Cubs’ sale will not be an issue.
Wittenmyer adds that a Phillies official didn’t expect to get Mark DeRosa from the Cubs but rather other players. Also, Cubs officials shot down the John Perrotto rumor that the Cubs might shop Carlos Zambrano after acquiring Peavy.
Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune also weighs in. He says the Padres have discussed Phils catching prospect Jason Jaramillo.
Sabathia Signs With Yankees
1:25pm: Sherman has more details on the Yankees’ talks with Sabathia.
12:49pm: Rosenthal talked to a rival exec who sees no upside to Sabathia’s opt-out clause. I think it could benefit the Yankees if Sabathia performs decently in the third year but the Yanks do not feel he’ll be worth $92MM over the following four years. But, opt-out clauses obviously favor the player.
10:50am: For the first time, Brewers GM Doug Melvin confirmed he offered five years and slightly more than $100MM to Sabathia. Adding a sixth year was under serious consideration. Tom Haudricourt also learned from Melvin that Sabathia wanted an opt-out clause no matter where he signed, and the Brewers were prepared to offer one. Ken Rosenthal says the Brewers will not conduct a fire sale in the wake of Sabathia’s departure; Melvin intends to "scramble for pitching."
10:14am: Tim Brown and Gordon Edes of Yahoo report that the deal is for $161MM over seven years (which would top Johan’s average annual value).
The deal has an opt-out clause after the first three years, which are worth $69MM. The 31 year-old Sabathia will make his opt-out decision after the 2011 season with four years, $92MM remaining on the deal. He would have to buck the opt-out trend (or renegotiate) to make this more than a three-year, $69MM deal for the Yankees. That is not necessarily a bad thing for them.
8:07am: Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the deal is seven years for approximately $160MM – the fourth largest in MLB history. If that’s the exact amount it’s a hair under the average annual value of Johan Santana‘s deal.
7:53am: According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, C.C. Sabathia has chosen to accept the Yankees offer after his latest meeting with Brian Cashman. The news first came in around 3:36am CST.
After three straight days of face-to-face meetings between GM Brian Cashman and Sabathia, the big lefty decided he wants to spend the next six years of his career as a Yankee. The decision came late last night after Cashman flew to see Sabathia at his home in San Francisco. By the time the meeting was concluded, Sabathia had informed the Yankees that he had made his decision to call New York his baseball home, the Post has learned.
Sherman says the deal is not finalized and that there are still "minor hurdles" to overcome. Sherman does not mention if the final offer was any different than the original six-year, $140MM offer or if the contract will require an opt-out clause as was previously speculated.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here. Tim Dierkes also contributed to this post.
C.C. Sabathia Rumors: Wednesday
1:08am: Gordon Edes notes that Giants GM Brian Sabean told reporters he would not be willing to give Sabathia a sixth year on a contract. They are the fallback option if the big lefty decides he wants to take less to pitch close to home.
12:25am: The big news on the C.C. Sabathia front is that Yankees GM Brian Cashman flew to San Francisco to visit with Sabathia for the third time in three days. ESPN’s Jayson Stark says the visit is not about money and was initiated by Sabathia. Some believe Cashman will attempt to sell Sabathia’s wife Amber on New York.
Stark talked to several baseball people who still don’t believe Sabathia wants to be in New York. One predicted the Yanks would have to include an opt-out clause. Also, Stark speaks of indications that the Dodgers told C.C. they might be interested if they can fill some of their other needs affordably.