Jake Peavy Rumors: Thursday
4:05pm: Ken Rosenthal has some of the names being offered by the Braves for Peavy. According to Rosenthal, the Braves are offering Yunel Escobar, either Jo-Jo Reyes or Charlie Morton and an unnamed player believed to be a top prospect. Rosenthal does not have any details on the Cubs’ package but notes that it is likely to be "fluid".
4:00pm: Chris De Luca has updated his earlier piece and now says Dempster is seeking five years, $70MM.
3:03pm: Peter Abraham says that Kevin Towers has told Peavy that he will be traded and that negotiations have been narrowed to three teams. The Yankees are not in the mix as all three clubs are in the NL. Abraham speculates that in addition to the Cubs and Braves, the third team could be the Astros or Cardinals.
11:27am: Chris De Luca says the Cubs are in heavy pursuit of Peavy, partially because of steep contract demands from Ryan Dempster. He’s heard Dempster wants five years, $75MM.
No deal is imminent, but De Luca wonders if pitchers Sean Marshall, Rich Harden, or Jeff Samardzija could be involved. Samardzija has a no-trade clause.
10:02am: ESPN’s Buster Olney says the Padres have interest in Braves prospect Jeff Locke. David O’Brien says the Padres want Tommy Hanson, but are willing to settle for Yunel Escobar and a few lesser prospects.
9:21am: Ken Davidoff is not buying the Feinsand/Yankees rumor. Joel Sherman agrees.
8:55am: Let’s kick off a new Jake Peavy post. Last we heard, Ken Rosenthal was suggesting the Cubs moved ahead of the Braves as the frontrunner.
Today, Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News says the Yankees’ chances for Peavy are improving as Kevin Towers struggles to find a match with an NL team on the pitcher’s list. Feinsand says Towers wants two pitchers and an outfielder for Peavy. He believes the Yanks could build a deal around Phil Hughes or Austin Jackson, though they might need to include Ian Kennedy as well. Brian Cashman seems a bit more open to trading Hughes than he was a year ago. The Padres aren’t interested in Robinson Cano.
Heyman’s Latest: Furcal, Jenks, Nats, Yankees, White Sox
Here are a few of the latest notes from Jon Heyman…
- The Dodgers offered Rafael Furcal a two-year deal worth $25-30MM. A source close to Furcal told Heyman that the Dodgers know that it will take more and at least eight teams have expressed interest in Furcal.
- In the same piece Heyman says the White Sox are open to trading Bobby Jenks, but Heyman’s source says it will "take quite a bit."
- Heyman says the Nationals are not likely to land any of the big names they covet noting they do not have the pieces for a trade and few free agents would be willing to play for a 100-loss team. Heyman does say Adam Dunn could be one player that is willing to sign with the Nats based on his relationship with Jim Bowden.
- Heyman says the Yankees may be serious about trading for Mike Cameron noting that they have even asked for Alex Rodriguez’ opinion of his former teammate.
- Heyman reports that the White Sox could trade several of their bigger players. Most of the names have been heard here over the last couple of days, but one we haven’t heard in a while is Paul Konerko. Heyman says Konerko could be an attractive backup plan to any team that fails to sign Mark Teixeira. Heyman also says the White Sox could go after Orlando Hudson if they can unload some of their bigger contracts.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Giants Rumors: Burrell, Rollins, Rowand
THURSDAY: More Giants info, courtesy of John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. GM Brian Sabean is looking for offense in the infield, but he considers Cain untouchable. Jonathan Sanchez or various pitching prospects could be trade bait instead.
Sabean also met with the agents for various free agent hitters and relievers, including Orlando Hudson and Bob Howry.
WEDNESDAY: Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News has some interesting rumors this evening.
- Baggarly believes the rumor of the Giants’ interest in Rafael Furcal makes sense, as it’d solidify their middle infield situation.
- He doesn’t see the Giants signing Pat Burrell, given their desire to get younger and more athletic. Still, he expects Brian Sabean to check in on him.
- Here’s a new one: Baggarly’s heard the Phillies will listen to offers for shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Rollins is owed just $23.5MM over the next three seasons.
- Scott Eyre enjoyed his time with the Phillies, though the Giants could take a shot at bringing him back.
- Baggarly doesn’t buy any of the Bengie Molina trade rumors. He gives a 75% chance Matt Cain stays put.
- Baggarly expects the Giants to quietly explore the market for Aaron Rowand, which could include the Yankees and White Sox. Rowand is owed $44MM over the next four seasons, and has no-trade protection.
Hideki Matsui-Mariners Rumor
From Yahoo’s Tim Brown:
One source mentioned a potential three-way deal that would send outfielder Hideki Matsui from the New York Yankees to the Seattle Mariners for a pitching prospect, perhaps Ryan Rowland-Smith. The Yankees would package the prospect with second baseman Robinson Cano and another young player to the Rockies for Matt Holliday.
Matsui has a full no-trade clause. He’s owed $13MM next year, the last of his deal. He hit .294/.370/.424 this year in 378 plate appearances, missing much of the season with knee problems. He now has two surgically repaired knees, so he’s questionable to play the outfield.
At any rate, it doesn’t seem like the Yankees would seriously explore a Holliday trade unless Mark Teixeira signs elsewhere first. And does it make sense for the Mariners to give up a young pitcher and take on a risky DH like Matsui?
Yankees Rumors: Sabathia, Marte, Mussina
11:09pm: Brian Cashman sums up the Yankees’ plan: "We’re going to show a lot of love."
12:15pm: It’s about time we check in with Yankees links.
- The Yankees will make their record-breaking pitch to C.C. Sabathia. If it fails, they’ll move on to A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe, and Oliver Perez.
- Joel Sherman says the Yankees could get involved on Manny Ramirez, but only if they fail to sign Mark Teixeira and manage to trade Hideki Matsui.
- Sherman says the Yanks are in on the catching market just to be safe, engaging the Rangers about Gerald Laird and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. They’ll also "keep tabs" on Ivan Rodriguez. If the Yanks find another club that values Robinson Cano highly and offers pitching, he could be traded and Orlando Hudson signed. None of this stuff seems likely.
- Peter Abraham believes the Yanks are working on an extension with Damaso Marte.
- Buster Olney says some of Mike Mussina‘s friends believe that the longer it takes for him to decide on 2009, the more likely it is he pitches.
- Peter Abraham believes Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy will be traded before next season, but Brian Cashman has not lost faith in Hughes.
White Sox Shopping Vazquez, Swisher?
8:43pm: Ken Davidoff says the Yankees had "extremely preliminary" talks with the Sox regarding Swisher. Something to keep an eye on if the Yanks don’t sign Mark Teixeira. Additionally, Davidoff says the White Sox are not anxious to unload Vazquez.
9:42am: According to Dave van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune, the White Sox are aggressively shopping Javier Vazquez and Nick Swisher. Additionally, the Sox reportedly have interest in Rockies center fielder Willy Taveras.
GM Ken Williams didn’t offer much info regarding possible trade talks. Van Dyck speculates on names like Luis Castillo or Julio Lugo for Vazquez, seemingly suggesting Vazquez has a terrible contract too. Hard to figure out, as he remains a useful mid-rotation starter. Sox Machine wants the abuse of logic to stop.
Van Dyck wonders whether the A’s or Red Sox would have interest in Swisher, based on some tenuous Moneyball connection. Joel Sherman believes Swisher could be a fit for the Yankees due to his versatility. Williams replied in the negative when asked whether Swisher would play center field for the ’09 White Sox, which could be interpreted multiple ways.
Van Dyck says the Rockies wouldn’t have interest in Vazquez or Swisher, but rather a young pitcher like Lance Broadway for Taveras.
Matt Holliday Rumors: Wednesday
8:40pm: Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd says he is "completely open-minded to anything" in a Holliday deal – a premium starter is not a requirement.
2:38pm: Renck says the Rockies have talked to the Rays about Holliday, as the Rays have an abundance of pitching. He also believes the Rays might be willing to give up Carl Crawford for Holliday.
9:54am: According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, there is too much momentum toward a Matt Holliday trade for the Rockies to turn back now. Sherman figures a deal could go down in December. He notes the Rockies’ appreciation of Yankees pitcher Ian Kennedy, though he wouldn’t be the centerpiece of a trade.
Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post did an exclusive interview with Holliday, who questioned the Rockies’ ability to contend every year. Holliday disputed the notion that his contract talks with the Rockies were a distraction to the team.
Pettitte Looking For Two Years?
8:33pm: Yankees GM Brian Cashman says there’s mutual interest with Pettitte.
4:44pm: We know Andy Pettitte wants to pitch in 2009, and he prefers the Yankees. However, the Yanks want to hear from Mike Mussina before they talk to Pettitte. Further complicating matters, Ken Davidoff says Pettitte may desire a two-year deal.
Davidoff figures the Astros will try to jump in and sign Pettitte. The Astros seem to have room in the budget for one free agent starter.
Red Sox Rumors: Bay, Tazawa, Kawakami, Lugo
Collecting today’s Red Sox rumors and links…
- Nick Cafardo says the Red Sox did not meet with C.C. Sabathia‘s agent and he doesn’t appear to be in their plans.
- The Sox are eyeing southpaw reliever Billy Traber, according to WEEI’s Alex Speier.
- Scott Boras believes Derek Lowe would be a good fit in Boston or New York. Nick Cafardo says Lowe would like to return to Boston, maybe even at a slight discount.
- Jason Bay‘s agents say he’s loving Boston and is open to a contract extension.
- When asked about the possibility of Manny Ramirez signing with the Yankees, Red Sox GM Theo Epstein basically said it’s not his concern.
- Otherwise, the theme of Epstein’s comments was flexibility. Justin Masterson could be a starter or reliever, and Epstein won’t get hung up on acquiring any one player.
- Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says the Red Sox are heavily involved on Junichi Tazawa, though the Braves and Mariners are after him as well. The Sox also like Kenshin Kawakami and may have interest in Paul Byrd and Javier Vazquez.
- Cafardo believes the Mets and White Sox have interest in Julio Lugo. It would have to be a bad contract swap. Cafardo adds that the Red Sox view Jacoby Ellsbury as their starting center fielder, and there has been trade interest in Coco Crisp.
- Boston’s luxury tax threshold for 2009 is $160.5MM.
- By tomorrow the Red Sox should receive the Jason Varitek book compiled by the Boras corporation. Boras gave a ridiculous Varitek pitch to the media; click the link for quotes. Epstein will meet with Boras today to discuss his clients.
- The Red Sox plan to talk to the Rangers, with Taylor Teagarden, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Gerald Laird as possibilities. For Teagarden, the Red Sox would probably have to give up Clay Buchholz or Michael Bowden.
LaRue’s Latest: Francoeur, Sabathia, Teixeira
Here’s the latest from Larry LaRue of the Tacoma News Tribune.
- The Braves are mentioning Jeff Francoeur "in trade talks with anyone who will listen." Royals GM Dayton Moore is known to be a fan. Looking at 2008’s bottom ten in OBP…Moore signed Jose Guillen (.300), acquired Mike Jacobs (.299), and has been linked in trade talks to Francoeur (.294) and Yuniesky Betancourt (.300). And don’t forget Willy Taveras (.308).
- LaRue says the Angels are hinting they can afford both Mark Teixeira and C.C. Sabathia. The Yankees could afford it, too.
- He says the A’s are eyeing Jason Giambi. Oakland recently hired Giambi’s strength coach. Billy Beane scoffed at the idea that he hired the strength coach to lure Giambi, but no one was really suggesting that. Susan Slusser believes Giambi seeks a three-year deal, which would put him out of the A’s range.