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Heyman’s Latest: Cabrera, Pudge, Pedro, Halladay

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Already linked to this article from Jon Heyman in the Manny piece, but it should have its own post as well, as the second half of it covers completely different material. Let’s take a look…

  • Orlando Cabrera and the A’s still face a gap in the numbers. The A’s would like to sign him for $2MM-$3MM, but Cabrera is holding out for more. The hit his reputation took based on problems with his former White Sox teammates is unlikely to be helping matters.
  • Heyman points out that the Dodgers did an excellent job of using Cabrera’s availability to drive down Orlando Hudson’s price tag.
  • Heyman says Pudge Rodriguez’s reputation also took a hit toward the end of his tenure in Detroit. Could that be playing a factor in the lack of interest toward Pudge? Heyman names the Marlins and Astros as good fits. Pudge will use the WBC as an audition to try to prove he’s better than he was with the Yankees (.580 OPS through 33 games).
  • Pedro Martinez will also use the WBC as an audition, but other than the Pirates, there’s not much of a market for him. That could change with a solid showing in March, however. The Indians made a run at Pedro early on, and the Dodgers could become a possibility.
  • Heyman speculates that with Vernon Wells’ health issues and declining production, the stars may aligning for a Roy Halladay trade mid-season. Wells will miss the next month with a hamstring injury.

What’s everyone else think? Is Cabrera being stubborn or are the A’s? Where will Pudge and Pedro end up? Are Halladay’s Toronto days numbered?

Odds & Ends: Marte, Dodgers, Hoffman

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A few links on a slow Monday afternoon in the baseball world…

Rosenthal On Cabrera, Cruz, Nady, Swisher

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Let’s take a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

  • The A’s are offering more at-bats to Nomar Garciaparra than the Phillies.  If the A’s sign Nomar, that wouldn’t stop them from adding Orlando Cabrera.  However, Rosenthal’s source says Cabrera and the A’s "are not even close" in terms of his value.
  • Nothing is close with the Juan Cruz situation; "New teams entered the mix after the sign-and-trade option became more realistic."  Rosenthal says it’s still possible that a team will simply sign Cruz and give up a draft pick.  La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune says the Twins have made an offer to Cruz, but did not speak to his agent yesterday.
  • Even with the Orlando Hudson signing, Blake DeWitt still has a role with the Dodgers pitching in at second base, third base, and even shortstop.
  • Yankees GM Brian Cashman "didn’t particularly like" any of the offers he’s received for Nick Swisher and Xavier Nady.
  • Rosenthal leaves the door slightly ajar for the Astros and Pudge: "the team continues to indicate that it cannot afford free agent Ivan Rodriguez unless his price drops significantly."  Astros GM Ed Wade said on Wednesday: "We’re not signing Pudge.  Put that one to rest. We have no expectation to sign Pudge."

Mark Mulder May Audition Soon

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According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, free agent lefty Mark Mulder is moving closer to holding an open bullpen session for interested teams.  Mulder wants to be in perfect health before holding the session and signing.  Slusser says the A’s are expected to be in attendance.  Mulder is keeping his options open:

"Obviously, Oakland would be fun.  I know the people there and all that. But right now I just so badly want to get right and get back to pitching, I’ve honestly thought about all 29 other teams, too."

Mulder, 31, had rotator cuff surgery back in September of ’06.

Oakland Hot Stove: Garciaparra, Cabrera, Reyes

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Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Oakland Athletics and Nomar Garciaparra are "in serious talks" about a bench spot for the team. Slusser notes that the Phillies are likely competing for Nomar’s services as well; I myself would also mention the Cubs as a team in need of a right-handed bench bat.

Additionally, Slusser points out that signing Garciaparra would not preclude the Athletics from also going after Orlando Cabrera. However, it seems as though the two parties continue to have difficulty in bridging the salary gap, despite Cabrera’s reducing his salary demands from $9MM to roughly $5.5MM at this point.

Also on the A’s radar are a pair of relievers: lefties Dennys Reyes and Andrew Sisco.

The Pudge Rodriguez Market

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Ivan Rodriguez is past his prime by about a decade, but still he caught over 100 games last year and put up an OPS of .713. Let’s take a look at the possible suitors for Pudge and the teams that have said they won’t pursue him:

  • Astros GM Ed Wade said earlier in the week that he doesn’t intend to sign Pudge, regardless of Toby Hall’s shoulder.
  • The Mets don’t appear to be interested either.
  • On Sunday, Pudge said he wants to sign with the Astros, Mets or Marlins. The first two teams don’t seem interested, so could the Marlins offer him a minor league deal? Currently their catchers are John Baker and Mike Rabelo.
  • DRaysBay suggests the Rays could use Rodriguez to back up Dioner Navarro.
  • This is pure speculation on my part, but the A’s, whose current backup is Rob Bowen, have been willing to give veterans second chances before. Mike Piazza, Frank Thomas (twice) and now Nomar Garciaparra have all attracted Billy Beane’s attention, so why not Rodriguez?

Lots of teams could use catching depth; which one’s the best fit for Pudge?

A’s Interested In Garciaparra

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According to ESPN.com’s Buster Olney the A’s are interested in Nomar Garciaparra. Olney suggests the A’s would like Nomar’s righthanded bat to provide balance in a lineup well-stocked with lefthanded hitters like Jason Giambi and Jack Cust.

Olney adds that the A’s have maintained interest in Orlando Cabrera, who will likely have to sign for Orlando Hudson money (up to $8MM) instead of Edgar Renteria money ($18MM).

Dodgers Eyeing Orlando Cabrera

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According to MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick, the Dodgers have begun talks with free agent infielder Orlando Cabrera.

Cabrera, normally a shortstop, told the club that he’d be willing to make the move to second base.  Gurnick writes that the Dodgers are "uncertain they can work a deal for second baseman Orlando Hudson," and believe Cabrera would be a viable fit.  The 34-year-old hit .281/.334/.371 with eight home runs and 57 RBI last season for the White Sox.  He also stole 19 bases.  The White Sox would love it if the Dodgers signed Cabrera, as they’d be given L.A.’s #17 pick in the June draft as part of the compensation.

The A’s have also shown interest in Cabrera this offseason, but haven’t been pleased with his asking price.

More From The Sign-And-Trade Front

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Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle shares some thoughts from the A’s brass on this whole sign-and-trade fiasco:

I spoke to a member of the A’s front office who is doubtful that deals of this nature will be allowed to go through because they so clearly run counter to specific rules.

Slusser also writes that the A’s are not considering tyring such a deal with the White Sox for Type-A free agent Orlando Cabrera.

For one thing, the A’s would lose a second-round pick to Chicago rather than a first-round pick if they were to sign Cabrera, writes Slusser.  And the source told me that losing a second-rounder is not something that would squash a deal.  The A’s aren’t concerned with it at all. Cabrera’s wish for a $9 million-plus salary, though? That could kill things.

Olney Discusses Mark Mulder

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ESPN’s Buster Olney offers his thoughts on free agent lefty Mark Mulder:

Whenever Mulder signs, it figures there is an excellent chance he will wind up with the Oakland Athletics, because he’s a perfect fit there — he has a chance to be a high value signing if he rebounds, he’s cheap, he would be a veteran on a team loaded with young pitchers, and, of course, he knows Oakland, having played there for years.

Mulder, 31, had rotator cuff surgery in September of 2007.

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