The Pudge Rodriguez Market
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
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
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
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
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.
Rosenthal On Hudson, Pudge, Cabrera, Edmonds
Here’s a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- Orlando Hudson would like to play for the Royals, but currently they cannot afford him even at a likely salary under $5MM. They could free up most of the cash by releasing Mark Teahen, but Rosenthal’s source says the Royals are "unwilling to make such a move." Rany Jazayerli discusses the Royals-Hudson idea in this blog post. The Dodgers are the only other known suitor, though the fit there is questionable in my opinion.
- The Mets aren’t serious about signing Ivan Rodriguez, though they have discussed it. The Mets already have $7.4MM committed to their current catching tandem. Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post goes further, saying the Mets "aren’t interested" in Rodriguez.
- Currently the A’s are unwilling to meet Orlando Cabrera‘s asking price. They are willing to sacrifice their second-round pick for him if they get their price.
- Jim Edmonds is "attracting virtually no interest." Edmonds can still hit righties, so you’d think someone would make an offer.
Heyman On Manny, Pudge, Cabrera, Howard
The latest from SI.com’s Jon Heyman…
- Heyman says "most in the know seem to still believe [Dodgers owner Frank] McCourt will bend on Manny Ramirez and go to three years."
- The Nationals’ offer to Adam Dunn was on the table for weeks until he realized no team was going to beat or approach it. There were rumors months ago that Dunn sought a $100MM deal heading into free agency.
- The Astros and Marlins are looking at Ivan Rodriguez. There’s even an El Nuevo Dia report suggesting the Astros offered $2.5MM+ to Pudge, but that seems out of their price range to me. In today’s mailbag, MLB.com’s Alyson Footer opines that the Astros wouldn’t go to $3MM for a catcher.
- The A’s "want to spend no more than $5MM, and probably closer to $3MM" for Orlando Cabrera. He should take that if it’s offered.
- The Angels had been eyeing Joe Crede but may be done after signing Bobby Abreu. The Giants and Twins remain the likeliest suitors for Crede.
- The Phillies hoped to lock up Ryan Howard beyond his arbitration years, and Ruben Amaro Jr. disputed the notion that he is after Teixeira money.
Johnson Wants To Play, Would Accept A Trade
According to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, Nick Johnson will not accept a bench role with the Nationals, who will "most likely look to trade" him. Johnson said he "would rather play every day" than accept a role as a reserve. Now that the Nats added Adam Dunn, Johnson doesn’t fit as a starter so he said if the Nationals choose to trade him "that’s fine."
Ladson writes that the A’s, who have had interest in Johnson, aren’t near a deal with the Nats. Oakland doesn’t have a clear spot for him either, though.
Rosenthal On Lefty Relievers, Bobby Crosby
New information from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports…
The top free agent lefty relievers may sign this week. Will Ohman received three offers in recent days and four total; he could sign today or tomorrow. Back on February 5th, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick linked the Mets and Phillies to Ohman after talking to his agent. Rosenthal does not indicate which clubs made the offers, however. The Dodgers are in on Joe Beimel, who they declined to offer arbitration to in December. Dennys Reyes continues to draw interest from the Dodgers and A’s.
Rosenthal adds that the A’s want to save their money for Orlando Cabrera, who would replace Bobby Crosby at shortstop. The Padres would not have interest in Crosby.
A’s Still In On Orlando Cabrera?
It was reported last week that the A’s might take a shot at free agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera. MLB.com’s Mychael Urban tried to confirm the rumor Tuesday, but received little response from either side.
Urban notes that "for the A’s, that’s hardly a shocker. General manager Billy Beane has long had a policy against discussing free agents, and he stuck to it Tuesday via text." It is a bit strange that a player’s agent would refuse to discuss interest in his client, however.
The silence can be looked at in a few different ways. Maybe Cabrera’s agent feels that he’s close to a deal and doesn’t want to spoil anything with the normally-mum Beane. Or maybe all is as it seems, and there’s simply nothing going on.