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Odds and Ends: Inge, Greene, Pavano

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A few tidbits this morning as we wait to hear more on Fukudome…

Phillies Have Mild Interest In Mussina

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The Yankees’ rotation currently consists of Chien-Ming Wang, Andy Pettitte, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, and Ian Kennedy.  That leaves both Mike Mussina (owed $11MM in ’08, no-trade protection) and Kei Igawa (owed $16MM over 2008-11) without starting jobs.  It wouldn’t be a bad move to just keep the depth, if you consider it depth.  After all, the three kids aren’t going to combine for 600 innings.  But Mussina and Igawa might be available.

Bob Matthews of the Times-Union Democrat and Chronicle (yes we’re really digging for rumors) notes today that the Phillies have "mild interest" in Mussina.  The 39 year-old Pennsylvania native may not want to leave New York, but it might not be a bad career move.  He’s got 250 wins; 300 would be a grind.  280 seems within reach though.  What could the Phils offer the Yanks for Mussina?  $11MM off their books and some kind of low-level prospect, I’d imagine.

Yankees Sign LaTroy Hawkins

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UPDATE, 12-10-07 at 8:41am: It’s a done deal, pending a physical.  Having watched LaTroy implode firsthand as the Cubs’ closer, I’m skeptical as to whether he can succeed in New York.  But the risk is low.

FROM 12-9-07 at 3:27pm:

Ken Rosenthal reports that the Yankees are close with LaTroy Hawkins on a one-year deal worth $3.75 million. If this proves true, the Yankees will have beat out the Rockies and Rangers for Hawkins. The signing comes as rather strange, being a one-year deal for a soon-to-be 35-year-old.

After a couple of stellar years with the Twins and the Cubs, Hawkins has been average in terms of ERA. He had a decent season last year, posting a 3.42 ERA in 55.1 innings, though he struck out only a batter every other inning, give or take. He did keep his walks low.

Apparently, the Yankees liked the idea of Hawkins on a one-year deal, rather than Luis Vizcaino for three or four. Vizcaino had a solid three months for the Yankees in 2007, but also had three months where he got beat around pretty bad.

After missing out on Hawkins, the Rockies are reportedly looking at Vizcaino.

–Joe

Odds and Ends: Fukudome, Mahay, Santana

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Rounding up some odds and ends for you…

  • I’d read that Akinori Otsuka recommended the Padres to Kosuke Fukudome, kind of glossed over the fact.  But Jamey Newberg has is rightly disappointed in the Rangers reliever.  After all, the Rangers have Fukudome in their sights, and Otsuka plays for the Rangers.
  • A good source tells me the Yankees believe they are in the lead for Ron Mahay, and think it can be done this upcoming week.  If it’s true that Mahay has narrowed his choices to the Yanks and Royals, and the Royals have little interest, this makes sense.
  • MetsBlog reports that Johan Santana prefers to pitch for the Mets.  He likes the idea of moving to the NL.

Yanks Interested In Kazuo Fukumori

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31 year-old Japanese reliever Kazuo Fukumori is drawing plenty of interest – 10 teams have inquired, if you believe his agent.  A new interested party has been revealed – the Yankees.  They met with Alan Nero on Wednesday.  Fukumori wants a two-year deal.

Ken Davidoff’s article says the Padres and Rays are also in the mix.  The Nationals, Royals, and Red Sox are others who have been connected.  The Rockies will pass on Fukumori because of concerns over his elbow.  East Windup Chronicle profiled Fukumori here.  A scout Davidoff talked to saw him as a sixth or seventh inning guy; he didn’t seem thrilled.

Yankees Bullpen Situation

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It’s well-known the Yankees want to improve their bullpen.  There’s been talk of converting young minor league starters into relief for 2008.  Otherwise, who’s on the radar?

  • A reliever could be acquired for Hideki Matsui – Tyler Kepner suggests Jonathan Sanchez or Kevin Correia.  Brad Hennessey is another possibility.
  • Kepner says the Yanks checked in on LaTroy Hawkins, Ron Mahay, and Trever Miller but haven’t made offers.  However, Mark Feinsand says the Yanks are talking to Hawkins about a one-year deal worth between $3.25-3.5MM.
  • Luis Vizcaino is probably out of the picture.  George King adds Jeremy Affeldt to the list of free agents the Yanks are checking out.
  • Peter Abraham says the Yanks are competing with the Royals for Mahay and that it might take three years, $9MM.  Pete Caldera recently said Mahay wants three years and $12MM though.  Bob Dutton notes that it’s Mahay’s agents pushing the Royals; they have little interest.
  • Rob Biertempfel says the Yankees and Astros have interest in acquiring Damaso Marte from the Bucs.  George King says John Grabow interests the Yanks as well.

The Giants and Hideki Matsui

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As we learned earlier this week, the Giants and Yankees have talked about a Hideki Matsui trade.  Let’s discuss.

  • According to Andrew Baggarly, talks are still in the early stages but the teams will meet again soon on the topic.  A source close to Matsui indicated that he’d waive his no-trade for San Fran.  However, the Giants are said to prefer adding a right-handed slugger.  Baggarly thinks the Giants would readily part with Jonathan Sanchez and Brad Hennessey, with Noah Lowry a possibility.  The Giants won’t part with Brian Wilson, their closer of the future.
  • Other notes from Baggarly – the Giants are over Miguel Tejada and were told Jay Bruce is untouchable.
  • Pete Caldera says the Yankees like Lowry but considers a deal a long shot.
  • Ed Price reports that Matsui’s agent hasn’t had a request about waiving the no-trade, and the agent won’t comment on Matsui’s willingness.
  • Don’t expect the Giants to acquire both Alex Rios and Matsui.  Tim Lincecum would stay if Lowry goes.  At this same link Mark Feinsand notes that subtracting Matsui’s contract might create more flexibility to acquire Johan Santana.

Odds and Ends: Bonds, Rusch, Iguchi, Nathan

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The Winter Meetings are over and I have a nice case of carpal tunnel.  Let’s round up some odds and ends anyway, I can always type with my toes.

  • In a chat today, Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus said the only team besides the A’s with a modicum of interest in Barry Bonds is the Cardinals (a week ago).
  • Couple of Phils notes per Scott Lauber.  Glendon Rusch asked for a big league deal and a rotation spot, neither of which the Phils are keen on.  Also that Tadahito Iguchi waiver?  No chance.
  • Joel Sherman noted today that the Twins and Yankees briefly discussed expanding the Johan Santana talks to include Joe Nathan.  I heard this one at the beginning of the Meetings but I was skeptical.  I wonder if including Nathan ever came up with the Red Sox?  Maybe that would compel them to put both Ellsbury and Lester in the deal.

Heyman’s Latest: Santana, Gagne, Kuroda

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SI.com’s Jon Heyman has penned (or typed I guess) a new column with some hot stove banter.

  • The Mets are offering Carlos Gomez, Mike Pelfrey, and others for Santana.  Joel Sherman thinks the offer is at least viable, and that Aaron Heilman may interest Minnesota..  The Yankees offered Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, and Jeff Marquez.  The Red Sox proposed Jon Lester, Coco Crisp, Jed Lowrie, and Justin Masterson.  The Mariners have offered Adam Jones and Brandon Morrow.  Seems to me the Red Sox still have the advantage, at least slightly.
  • Heyman says the Brewers and Astros are in the mix for Eric Gagne (if he doesn’t accept arbitration).  Regarding the Brewers, though, Doug Melvin said today that they already have a closer in Derrick Turnbow.
  • Heyman says offers for Hiroki Kuroda are expected to approach $15MM per year.  Damn, for him?

Giants Discuss Hideki Matsui, Reds Like Rios

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UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 1:38pm: Abraham has more than a no comment now – he confirms that the Yankees and Giants have discussed Matsui.  Abraham speculates that Noah Lowry could make sense.

UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 12:29pm: Peter Abraham got a "no comment" from Cashman  on Matsui.  Abraham implies that the no comment could be telling.  Abraham also adds that Matsui has said he would waive his no-trade clause.

FROM 12-6-07 at 10:31am:

Good stuff from the Toronto Sun’s Bob Elliott today.

  • Just a small blurb from Elliott – the Giants and Yanks have discussed Hideki Matsui.  Elliott notes that Matsui has a full no-trade clause.  He makes $13MM in each of the 2008 and ’09 seasons.  On November 8th, Ken Davidoff noted that the Yanks would prefer to move Matsui over Johnny Damon.  He added that it could be embarrassing for Matsui to leave New York.
  • Elliott also said the Reds are interested in Alex Rios.  If the Giants are pondering sending Tim Lincecum to the Jays for him, I imagine the Reds would have to counter with Homer Bailey.  Bailey, however, is less proven than Lincecum. 

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