Rosenthal’s Latest: Nationals, Manny, Peavy, Vazquez
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.
Yankees Rumors: Sabathia, Pettitte, Mussina
Some new Yankees rumors surfaced at Joe Torre’s charity event in New York last night.
- Derek Jeter talked to C.C. Sabathia about what it’s like to play for the Yankees but says he’s not "trying to sell anyone on New York."
- According to Newsday’s Kat O’Brien, Andy Pettitte isn’t looking for a long-term deal. He’s waiting to hear from the Yankees, who know that "one year’s fine" for Pettitte. Brian Cashman said this week he’s looking to bring Pettitte back, and that was before Pettitte said he was looking for a one-year deal.
- Peter Abraham has news on Mike Mussina. Mussina told Joe Girardi at the end of the season that he expected to retire.
Odds and Ends: Tazawa, Young, Kouzmanoff
Links for Friday. As always, I’ll update this post with more stuff so refresh later if you’re interested.
- Nick Piecoro suggests catcher Miguel Montero could be the D’Backs’ best trade chip. Their needs will be second base and perhaps starting pitching.
- The Marlins’ top priority is improving their defense.
- Dave Cameron takes apart Scott Boras’ claim about Oliver Perez. If more of these client books leak out, Boras is going to have to hire Cameron to keep him quiet.
- White Sox GM Ken Williams talked about adding speed from within, though Williams is notoriously unpredictable.
- Two 19 year-old Indian men named Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel will try out in front of Major League scouts today after winning the Million Dollar Arm contest. The idea of the contest was to find raw talent among India’s huge population, kids who could hit 85mph consistently. The Red Sox and Indians are among the clubs in attendance.
- The Phillies may be interested in Junichi Tazawa, though Ruben Amaro’s "We know of him" comment isn’t exactly an endorsement. The Indians, Yankees, and D’Backs will pass on Tazawa, who could command $7MM.
- Also at NPB Tracker, a second Japanese club hopes to convince the Rangers to trade Nelson Cruz. Doesn’t make much sense for Texas.
- Amaro is figuring out his front office; Chuck LaMar has been promoted to assistant GM.
- Chris De Luca’s sources close to Bud Selig say there’s "zero chance" Bud and the owners let Mark Cuban buy the Cubs.
- Baseball America has the full list of 561 minor league free agents. See anyone you like?
- Former Dodgers GM Fred Claire looks at the notable waiver claims of the past few years.
- Baseball Prospectus’ John Perrotto says the Twins are reportedly willing to trade Delmon Young to the Padres for Kevin Kouzmanoff.
Yankees Rumors: Teixeira, Igawa, Sabathia
The Yankees chatter died down a bit today, but here’s what we’ve got.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post notes buzz about Robinson Cano going to the Dodgers amid Yankee interest in Russell Martin and Matt Kemp. He admits it’s unlikely.
- Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News talked to one big league exec about whether Mark Teixeira could handle the pressures of New York.
- Brian Cashman says nobody has asked him about Kei Igawa, who has three years and $12MM left on his contract.
- Cashman would not rule out the possibility of bringing back both Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte.
- Mark Hale of the New York Post talked to Mariano Rivera, who would definitely like the Yankees to sign C.C. Sabathia. Why wouldn’t he?
Mets Revamping The Bullpen
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
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.
Cameron Not Likely For Yankees
Peter Abraham suggests that the Brewers may be willing to trade center fielder Mike Cameron if his friend C.C. Sabathia does not sign. He says Ian Kennedy and Melky Cabrera are on Milwaukee’s radar. Brewers GM Doug Melvin admitted to talking trade with the Yanks, but says nothing is imminent.
Ken Davidoff and Kat O’Brien of Newsday report that the Yanks are not optimistic about acquiring Cameron. Center field is not a top priority for the Yanks, and they’re not inclined to include Kennedy.
Dodgers’ Offer To Manny: Two Years, $45 Million
According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Dodgers’ offer to Manny Ramirez is for about two years, $45MM. Ned Colletti was able to say this is a higher average annual value than Johan Santana because of deferred money in Johan’s deal.
Heyman says Manny is thinking seriously about other options now, because the Dodgers’ offer is so far below his range. Scott Boras is still talking about six years. Heyman’s source believes "fan response" could push the Dodgers to three years, though they may already be willing to up the salary a bit. The offer is apparently a backloaded deal with a third-year option.
Heyman likes the Blue Jays, Orioles, and Yankees as other suitors, though the Orioles are already pretty much out and Manny is not a priority for the Yanks.
Tons of Scott Boras quotes on the Manny topic, here and here.
Yankees Rumors: Cameron, Melky, Pettitte, Lowe
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…
- According to Joel Sherman and George King of the New York Post, the Yankees inquired with the Brewers on Mike Cameron. The Yanks would be willing to send Melky Cabrera and pitching to Milwaukee. The Yankees are also talking to other teams about Wilson Betemit.
- The Yankees are only willing to do a one-year deal for Andy Pettitte, who has said he wants to return. The Yanks plan to see what Mike Mussina wants to do first. It seems they’ll bring back one of Mussina/Pettitte and sign two free agent starters out of C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Derek Lowe.
- For Lowe, the Yankees might have to butt heads with the Mets. Scott Boras has already discussed Lowe with both clubs. Peter Abraham thinks the Yankees and Mets could also compete for Oliver Perez or Burnett if Sabathia signs elsewhere.
- Ken Davidoff is not buying the Hideki Matsui three-team trade scenario.
Yankees Decline Marte’s Option
The Yankees announced today that they have declined Damaso Marte‘s ’09 option. Yesterday we learned that the Yankees were seeking to sign Marte to an extension. Marte is a Type A free agent, so figure on at least an offer of arbitration.
The option was for $6MM and was bought out for $250K.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.