Yankees Plan To Offer Abreu Arbitration
George King and Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post reported today that the Yankees plan to offer arbitration to right fielder Bobby Abreu. It’s an obvious decision, since the Yankees either get him on a one-year deal or get two draft picks when he signs elsewhere. Abreu has said he’s looking for a three-year deal, but prefers the Yankees. The authors suggest the Mets could be a fit.
Odds and Ends: Jacobs, Howard, Renteria
Links for Friday…
- The A’s claimed infielder Joe Dillon off waivers from the Brewers.
- Dave Cameron criticizes the Royals’ acquisition of Mike Jacobs. ESPN’s Keith Law also panned the move, suggesting Jacobs was a non-tender candidate for the Marlins.
- Peter Abraham breaks down the different types of hot stove stories and sources.
- Derrick Goold looks at Ryan Howard‘s arbitration case.
- MLB.com’s Chris Haft talked to various scouts about Matt Cain‘s trade value.
- Edgar Renteria hopes to remain in Detroit, saying "Next year, we are going to win everything."
- ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian names his top ten offseason storylines.
- Ken Davidoff says the Mets were interested in Brad Lidge last year, but the Astros’ asking price was too high.
- Joel Sherman debates the merits of a Luis Castillo–Andruw Jones swap while stressing that no such deal is actually being discussed.
- The 2008 Fielding Bible awards are out.
Will Rockies Trade Taveras?
Rockies center fielder Willy Taveras hit .251/.308/.296 in 538 plate appearances this year, a major drain on the team’s offense. Defensively, Taveras had a big year in 2006 but has been below average since. Quad and knee injuries may be the culprit, though Taveras has been able to steal bases.
Taveras wants to play every day, but it probably won’t be for the Rockies. Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post fully expects him to be traded this winter. Taveras was claimed off waivers in August, possibly by the Nationals, Phillies, or Mets (obviously no trade agreement was reached). Taveras is arbitration-eligible, and there’s been no indication the Rockies are considering non-tendering him.
Today Renck suggested Taveras for Ian Kennedy is "not a longshot." River Ave. Blues hates the idea, noting that the Yankees already have two superior center fielders on the roster.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Ordonez, Yankees, Red Sox
A look at what is being written around the Blogosphere…
- MetsBlog says Magglio Ordonez may not be the best option but could be a good backup plan should other scenarios not play out (ie. Manny Ramirez).
- Talking Chop thinks Ordonez is a good fit for the Braves noting that the team has significant money to spend this offseason.
- River Ave. Blues is not excited about the possibility of Ordonez in the Yankees’ outfield, noting that it makes more sense to re-sign Bobby Abreu for less money.
- Was Watching wonders if the Yankees would have to sign C.C. Sabathia in order to trade for Matt Holliday. They feel it would be strange for the Yankees to go after Holliday one year after bowing out of the Johan Santana sweepstakes.
- Over The Monster takes a look at whether the Red Sox should re-sign Jason Varitek and what other options are available.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Padres To Explore Peavy Deals With Cubs, Dodgers
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Padres intend to explore a possible Jake Peavy trade with the Cubs and Dodgers at next week’s GM meetings. Apparently Padres GM Kevin Towers would like to exhaust his possibilities with Peavy’s five preferred NL clubs before engaging others.
Rosenthal notes that the Cubs do not have the quality young pitching the Padres crave. They still have interest in Peavy, especially if they fail to re-sign Ryan Dempster.
The Dodgers aren’t keen on giving up Clayton Kershaw or James McDonald. Rosenthal believes the Dodgers have enough in-house pitching depth to buy out Brad Penny‘s 2009 option.
If Towers moves on to negotiate with the Yankees, Peavy will complicate matters by demanding his contract be supplemented.
Burnett Decision Due Monday Before GM Meetings
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick talked to A.J. Burnett‘s agent Darek Braunecker, who says his client will make his opt-out decision prior to the start of Monday’s GM meetings. We all know Burnett is opting out, of course.
Crasnick believes Burnett and Derek Lowe will seek salaries of at least $16MM per year. He names the Yankees, Mets, Rangers, Red Sox, Orioles and Nationals as potential suitors for Burnett. The Blue Jays will remain in the mix as well.
Odds and Ends: Yankees, Lowe, D’Backs
Links for Thursday…
- Peter Abraham takes a look at the Yankees’ first base options. The Royals could match up on a trade, if the Yanks are willing to try an unproven player.
- A pair of free agent bargains from Dave Cameron: Randy Johnson and Derek Lowe. What kind of salary will Lowe command?
- Free agent reliever Will Ohman hopes to remain in Atlanta.
- Braves GM Frank Wren has already talked to every team about his needs in left field and the rotation.
- Nick Piecoro looks at the D’Backs’ offseason needs. Will there be room in the budget to make the necessary improvements?
- The A’s have five days to decide on Alan Embree‘s $3MM option, according to Susan Slusser. Embree profiles as a Type B free agent.
- The Padres have ten days to decide between Brian Giles‘ $9MM option and his $3MM buyout. It’s an easy call to exercise the option.
Will Yankees Consider Manny?
From George King and Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post:
Several industry sources believe the Yankees will make a serious push for Manny Ramirez to play right field next year.
Those sources sound pretty vague, and keep in mind that Dodgers GM Ned Colletti called a previous King/Hubbuch report about a Manny offer "fiction." On the other hand, Colletti said Saturday that the Dodgers hadn’t even had internal conversations about the length or amount of a possible Manny offer. That seems like an odd topic to avoid for ten days.
Additionally, the Yankees have three corner outfielders and the idea of Manny in right field is dubious.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Sabathia, Teixeira, Peavy
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports posted a new column yesterday; let’s take a look.
- Rosenthal says the "expectation in some baseball circles" is that the Brewers will offer a four-year, $100MM contract to C.C. Sabathia. However, between the Yankees, Angels, and Dodgers he could probably do significantly better.
- Mark Teixeira should draw interest from the Yankees, Red Sox, and Angels. Rosenthal adds that Mike Lowell does not have a no-trade clause (I believe I wrote earlier that he did).
- The Padres and Braves are at an impasse in the Jake Peavy talks, with the Padres seeking five players. The Braves don’t want to surrender Tommy Hanson, as Tom Krasovic reported Saturday.
- Scott Boras is reportedly pitching Jason Varitek as the Tigers’ next catcher.
- Rosenthal suggests that Manny Ramirez‘s defense may keep NL teams away.
Odds and Ends: Myers, Crede, Giants
Links for Wednesday…
- The Brewers snagged infielder Casey McGehee off waivers from the Cubs. The Crew also designated Joe Dillon for assignment.
- The Reds signed 16 year-old lefty Ismael Guillon out of Venezuela.
- MLB.com’s Marty Noble discusses the Mets and impending free agents Oliver Perez and Pedro Martinez. The Mets will entertain re-signing Perez at their price, but they’ll let Pedro leave. Any guesses on where he pitches next year?
- Joe Pawlikowski at River Ave. Blues would like the Yankees to sign free agent outfielder Juan Rivera. Brian Cashman traded Rivera, Randy Choate, and Nick Johnson to the Expos for Javier Vazquez back in 2003.
- Brett Myers never wants to pitch in Boston again.
- Two more free agent bargains from Dave Cameron: Joe Crede and Dave Ross. Crede would be a solid one-year signing for the Dodgers or Twins.
- South Side Sox doesn’t see the White Sox adding much else for second base. There goes my Ray Durham idea.
- El Lefty Malo examines the latest Giants rumors.
- J.C. Bradbury provides values for Vladimir Guerrero, John Lackey, and Garret Anderson.