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Healey’s Latest: Shoppach, Lee, Crawford

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Some more submissions from Mark Healey at Gotham Baseball Magazine that I’d like to sift through:

  • The first is the Yanks and Mets mutual interest in Indians catching prospect Kelly Shoppach.  According to Mark, scouts around the league view Shoppach as "one of the best up-and-coming prospects" in baseball.  Says Mark, "The Mets’ needs are more immediate, as their interest in Yankees’ backstop Jorge Posada are a bit ’overblown’ said one agent."  The report goes on to note that GM Mark Shapiro is not looking to deal Shoppach but would listen if Aaron Heilman or Mike Pelfrey.  I simply don’t see Shoppach, an already 27-year-old, as having displayed enough to merit a deal for either of them.  Dealing a to-date backup catcher for pitching with upside is not common practice…
  • In the same report, Mark Healey mentions Omar Minaya’s interest is primarily for starter Cliff Lee, an intriguing starter to imagine in the NL.
  • Finally, Gotham Baseball reports on the Brewers’ serious interest in Carl Crawford.  The Dev… sorry, The Rays obviously have no interest in trade pieces Ben Sheets or Chris Capuano, both too "pricey", says Healey.  Meanwhile, the Yanks have reportedly expressed interest in both, so the Brewers and Rays will be trying to get the Yankees involved.  If nothing else, this is a fun one to imagine.

Makes for great speculation.

Contract Window For Miguel Cabrera?

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MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro says the Miguel Cabrera trade talks are heating up.  As you know, Cabrera is under team control for the 2008 and 2009 seasons.  He might become more enticing if the acquiring team can talk to his agent prior to completion of a trade, with a long-term contract in mind.  As far as I can tell Cabrera is represented by Arn Tellem and Fernando Cuza currently.

Frisaro says the Angels and Dodgers are in the lead for Cabrera.  The Yankees, White Sox, Indians, and Tigers are also in the mix.  However this Paul Hoynes article seems to indicate the Indians are fading on Cabrera.  And I think it’s questionable whether the White Sox have the goods.  Frisaro doesn’t include the Red Sox, which jives with Michael Silverman’s info today.  Peter Gammons says the Red Sox could get Hank Blalock in a Coco Crisp deal but aren’t ready to do that right now.

It’s known that the Marlins want Howie Kendrick from the Angels; Ken Rosenthal first reported that yesterday.  Maicer Izturis would also be thrown in there, but I imagine Nick Adenhart would be required as well.  If such a deal were reached, Dan Uggla would move to third base to accomodate Kendrick.  There’s also speculation that the Marlins could trade Uggla if they get Kendrick.

Frisaro expects Dontrelle Willis to stay put this winter.

More On Mike Lowell

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Michael Silverman has a little detail on Boston’s three-year offer to Mike Lowell: it’s between $12-15MM per season.  It’s all guaranteed, and it doesn’t seem to be a "take it or leave it" offer, but they won’t add a fourth year.  So it’s for $45MM on the high end.  If you agree with Jon Heyman’s 4/52 prediction, Lowell would be leaving a minimum of $7MM on the table.

Silverman adds that the Red Sox won’t go nuts trying to replace Lowell with a big name if things don’t work out.  They figure that if Kevin Youkilis can win a Gold Glove at first, he might be adequate at third base.  They peeked their head in on Miguel Cabrera and balked at the price of Jacoby Ellsbury and Clay Buchholz.  Joe Crede might be someone for the Sox to consider. 

The Yankees, Angels, and Phillies will be in on Lowell if he can’t come to an agreement with Boston.  However, Phils GM Pat Gillick has stated his focus is pitching rather than third base.

Rockies Rumors: Helton, Holliday, Matsui

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Troy E. Renck is at it again, with another column updating us on the Rockies’ hot stove situation.

  • Todd Helton isn’t going anywhere, for multiple reasons.  His current $16.6MM salary is less frightening due to playoff revenue, and he’d be unlikely to approve a trade since his current team is already a winner.
  • As Renck reported earlier this week, the Rox will offer Matt Holliday a four-year, $60MM deal to buy out two years of free agency.  Holliday, a Scott Boras client, seems unlikely to accept anything like that.
  • Why would the Cubs be willing to overpay for Kaz Matsui with a three-year deal?  Surely the Cubs know Matsui has hit .256/.305/.370 away from Coors since joining the Rockies?  I don’t buy the speed angle – promote Eric Patterson, then.  I don’t buy the "make Fukudome comfortable angle" – sign a Japanese reliever, then.  The Rockies are fine moving on from Matsui and Yorvit Torrealba if their offers are beat.
  • Renck says Michael Barrett has drawn interest from six clubs so far, the Rockies one of them perhaps.  The Marlins could be another.
  • The Phillies won’t be going after Brian Fuentes now that they have Brad Lidge, but they weren’t pursuing him before Lidge anyway.  After the dust settles on Francisco Cordero and Mariano Rivera, the Tigers, Red Sox, Mets, and Yankees are expected to look at Fuentes.  The Rockies’ demand is aggressive for one year of the closer – a #3 starter and a decent reliever.
  • Matt Herges will look for a two-year deal; otherwise he’ll accept the Rockies one-year offer.
  • Javy Lopez is attempting a comeback!

Crede For Damon Declared Dead?

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They say that if you love something, you have to set it free.  MLBTR conjured up a speculative Johnny Damon for Joe Crede rumor back on October 28th, and then watched it blossom into something widespread.  Now I think it’s time to pronounce this one dead.

As you probably know by now, Johnny Damon met for breakfast Wednesday with new Yankees manager Joe Girardi.  Girardi gave Damon the impression that he’d "definitely be back," and Brian Cashman spoke highly of Damon.  Cashman did admit that he wouldn’t rule anything out.  Ken Davidoff mentioned that the Yankees would actually prefer to trade Hideki Matsui.

What’s more, SI.com’s Jon Heyman revealed yesterday that the White Sox are one of the teams covered by Damon’s partial no-trade clause.  While the White Sox may like the idea of swapping Crede for Damon, the Yankees don’t feel the same way.  That’s not to say they still couldn’t acquire Crede using some other player.  Or even sign him outright – Buster Olney speculates that the Sox might have to non-tender Crede. 

Johan Santana Rumors

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Let’s check in on Johan Santana.  It’s kind of a big deal when the best pitcher in baseball becomes available.

  • Ken Davidoff spoke to an NL official who believes the Twins will hold onto Santana and try to win with him in 2008.  Re-signing him long-term seems unlikely.  Davidoff believes every team in baseball would be interested, but the Mets would have to part with Jose Reyes to get him. Nonetheless Don Burke says the Mets will "pounce" on Santana if he becomes available.
  • Joe Christensen spoke to Twins people who believe re-signing Santana is almost impossible.  The Twins won’t go to five years on an offer for him, and may lowball him the way they did Torii Hunter and Carlos Silva.  The offer would at least pave the way for an intense auction during the Winter Meetings.  A midseason trade is always a consideration too.  Keep in mind that Santana does have a limited no-trade clause allowing him to block trades to 12 teams.  He may use that as leverage. 
  • Christensen adds that the Yankees may covet Santana more than they do Miguel Cabrera.  It’s still believed that they won’t part with Joba, Phil, or Ian though.
  • Phillies GM Pat Gillick believes Santana "will be moved for sure." 

Orioles Notes: Crisp, Burnett

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The always-informed Jeff Zrebiec has a few Orioles tidbits for us.

  • The Orioles didn’t engage in conversations with agents for any free agents during the GM meetings – just trade talks with other teams (about 15 total).
  • President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said that he’s open to trading with other teams in the AL East.  He just wants the best deal. 
  • With that in mind, two Yankees who interest the Orioles are Melky Cabrera and Kyle Farnsworth.  The Yankees could employ Miguel Tejada at third base, if he’s willing.
  • The O’s could have some interest in Coco Crisp, though he’s not atop their list.  But they do need some kind of center fielder.
  • The team’s ears perked up at the availability of A.J. Burnett, even though he makes no sense for them.

Odds and Ends: Lowell, Sabathia, Polanco

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I’m going to start up a catch-all Odds and Ends post for smaller rumors and notes today.  Refresh to see it grow.

Miguel Cabrera Trade Rumors

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For up for auction: two years of Miguel Cabrera.  Who’s going to place a bid?  The latest buzz from Joe Capozzi is that the Dodgers, Angels, Giants, Yankees, Red Sox, and White Sox are all after him.  A deal could happen at the Winter Meetings from December 3-6.  The needs for the Marlins are starting pitching, third base, catcher, and center field.  They want three players.

  • Dodgers: Capozzi’s source says they’re "making a big push" for Cabrera, after calling about him last summer.  This could even involve a package deal with Dontrelle Willis.  The names being thrown around: Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Andy LaRoche, Chad Billingsley, Clayton Kershaw, Scott Elbert, and Jonathan Meloan.  I can’t see the Dodgers trading Billingsley; he’s integral to the 2008 team.  Dodgers side note: Bill Shaikin names Kosuke Fukudome as someone the Dodgers are monitoring.
  • Angels: Capozzi says Cabrera could be the Angels’ alternative if they fail to sign Alex Rodriguez.  Bill Shaikin speculates on Brandon Wood, Nick Adenhart, and Mike Napoli/Jeff Mathis/Hank Conger.  I’d make that deal.  However, Ken Rosenthal says Howie Kendrick would be a requirement. 
  • Giants: Cabrera could be their new Face of the Franchise, but it’s tough to see this happening without Tim Lincecum or Matt Cain.
  • Yankees: Joe Girardi managed him with the Marlins and speaks highly of him.  The Yanks have already touched base about Cabrera with the Fish.  It sounds like the Yankees will trade Melky Cabrera, but are very reluctant to trade Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, or Ian Kennedy.  I could see them relenting on Kennedy.  Capozzi mentions their second tier of prospects – Alan Horne, Humberto Sanchez, Ross Ohlendorf, and Jose Tabata.  Nah.
  • Red Sox: Any big name, the Yankees and Red Sox have to at least check in.  If the Sox somehow don’t retain Mike Lowell, they could move on to Cabrera.  The price is said to be Jacoby Ellsbury plus Jon Lester or Clay Buchholz.  I don’t see the Red Sox doing it.
  • White Sox: Ozzie Guillen is friends with Cabrera and sure, the White Sox love him.  Any package would have to start with Josh Fields, but I’m still not sure they have the goods even if they add Lance Broadway and Gio Gonzalez to the package.
  • Indians: Capozzi doesn’t mention them, but Paul Hoynes says they’ll inquire.  The Tribe has some expendable guys but a deal might have to start with Adam Miller.

Jake Peavy For Phil Hughes and Melky Cabrera?

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This is barely a rumor, but I have been getting emails about it.  Buster Olney said today in his blog that trade talk has run rampant at the GM meetings, even stretching towards deals with little chance of happening. 

Olney says the Padres and Yankees briefly discussed a trade that would send Phil Hughes and Melky Cabrera to the Padres for ace Jake Peavy.  He also said that trade "almost certainly won’t happen."  Peavy makes $6MM in 2008 and $8MM in 2009, with another possible $3MM in incentives over those two years.  Peavy expects to be traded before reaching free agency – he knows the Padres won’t pony up $18MM a year.  You have to figure Kevin Towers will at least listen.  Michael Silverman has heard whispers that Peavy might be available.

Even though it’s highly unlikely, would this be a fair trade?

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