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Rosenthal’s Latest: Furcal, Bradley, Greinke

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Another day, another Ken Rosenthal column.

  • The A’s have payroll flexibility, and are expressing "strong interest" in free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal.  Bobby Crosby is set to earn $5.25MM in ’09, but it makes sense to upgrade.
  • Contrary to previous reports, Rosenthal says the Tigers are not in on Furcal.  They’ll also pass on Francisco Rodriguez, which was expected.
  • Rosenthal discusses possible fits for Milton Bradley, including the Rays, Rangers, Blue Jays, Mets, Cardinals, and Phillies.  It will be hard to overlook the health risk and give Bradley a three-year deal, especially for an NL club.
  • Rosenthal confirms interest in Khalil Greene from the Orioles and Reds.  The Blue Jays and Tigers have also been mentioned.
  • There’s no way the Phillies can afford Manny Ramirez; a look at their ’09 commitments makes that clear.
  • The Royals hope to sign Zack Greinke and Alex Gordon to long-term extensions.  Rosenthal feels trade discussions could pick up for Greinke if the Royals can’t sign him.  Keith Law said the same yesterday.
  • The Padres will exercise Brian Giles’ $9MM option in the next day or two.

Tigers Rumors: Gregg, Putz, Ordonez

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Tigers beat writer Jon Paul Morosi has been doing a fine job, with new articles here, here, and here.  Let’s discuss.

  • Morosi reasons that the Tigers’ 2009 closer will come from outside of the organization, probably via trade.  His top three candidates: Kevin Gregg, Huston Street, and J.J. Putz.  As a free agent after ’09, Gregg would fit nicely with the Tigers’ long-term plans.  The Tigers and Marlins have matched up often on trades.  However, Morosi notes that Gregg had critical words for Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera, who would become his teammates again. 
  • Putz would make for a great story, as he grew up in Michigan.
  • As you know, Scott Boras doesn’t see a Magglio Ordonez trade as likely.  Still, Morosi notes that the Angels would be a fine fit if Mark Teixeira leaves – they could fill all of the Tigers’ needs.  Surely Boras would ask for concessions to waive Ordonez’s no-trade clause.

LaRue’s Latest: Francoeur, Sabathia, Teixeira

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Here’s the latest from Larry LaRue of the Tacoma News Tribune.

  • The Braves are mentioning Jeff Francoeur "in trade talks with anyone who will listen."  Royals GM Dayton Moore is known to be a fan.  Looking at 2008’s bottom ten in OBP…Moore signed Jose Guillen (.300), acquired Mike Jacobs (.299), and has been linked in trade talks to Francoeur (.294) and Yuniesky Betancourt (.300).  And don’t forget Willy Taveras (.308).
  • LaRue says the Angels are hinting they can afford both Mark Teixeira and C.C. Sabathia.  The Yankees could afford it, too.
  • He says the A’s are eyeing Jason Giambi.  Oakland recently hired Giambi’s strength coach.  Billy Beane scoffed at the idea that he hired the strength coach to lure Giambi, but no one was really suggesting that.  Susan Slusser believes Giambi seeks a three-year deal, which would put him out of the A’s range.

Brown’s Latest: Teixeira, Crede, Friedman

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Yahoo’s Tim Brown filed a column late last night; let’s take a look.

  • Scott Boras doesn’t know of any kind of contingency where the Dodgers would have to unload Andruw Jones’ contract before signing Manny Ramirez.
  • The Angels have not yet made an offer to Mark Teixeira, but they’ll deal with that situation before moving on to other needs.  Boras is suggesting Teixeira pays for himself.
  • Boras compared Joe Crede to Magglio Ordonez.  I think he is implying that he may seek big money for Crede but allow a team to opt out after a year if he hits the DL for back problems.
  • Ken Williams spoke up manufacturing runs, while Billy Beane still prefers walks and homers.
  • Rays GM Andrew Friedman doesn’t have a contract, but he isn’t concerned.

Indians Open To All Options At Closer

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According to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Indians GM Mark Shapiro is considering all options for the team’s closer job.

No free agents have been ruled out, even expensive closers like Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes.  The Indians’ #15 pick is protected, if they go that route.  Shapiro admitted to interest in Trevor Hoffman and Kerry Wood, if they are not retained by their old teams.  If the Indians can’t find a closer, they may add a late inning reliever to put in front of Jensen Lewis and Rafael Perez anyway.

On the trade front, the Indians have Huston Street on the radar.  Kevin Gregg could be another consideration.

Odds and Ends: El Duque, Tazawa, Ausmus

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Links for Tuesday.  Be sure to check back on Odds and Ends posts, as I update them throughout the day with minor links.

Mets Rumors: Wolf, Fuentes, K-Rod, Street, Pedro

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11:37am: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says the Mets are eyeing Randy Wolf, in addition to Derek Lowe and Oliver Perez.

Heyman adds that some Mets people are concerned about their catching, but others aren’t thrilled with the free agent options.

9:20am: All kinds of Mets rumors this morning.

  • Let’s begin with the closer situation.  The Mets are interested in Brian Fuentes, but Omar Minaya will not rule out Francisco Rodriguez. He makes a great point: contract numbers are tossed around early, but the player often fails to reach that amount. 
  • Joel Sherman says the Mets also want to speak to the A’s about Huston Street.  However, his sources say the A’s feel they match up better with the Indians, Rockies, and Brewers (all interested parties).  Rosenthal has Kerry Wood and Joe Beimel in the Mets’ sights as well.  Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog believes J.J. Putz could be a trade target, with interest on the Mariners’ side. 
  • Ken Davidoff explains how the Mets could end up signing K-Rod – the Fuentes market blows up, while Rodriguez settles for less.  I’m on board with that.
  • The Javier Vazquez rumors were addressed in this post.  Elsewhere on the starting pitching front – Minaya will talk to Pedro Martinez’s agent, but he’s unlikely to return.  Aaron Heilman won’t be moving to the rotation.
  • We’ve heard about the Mets’ interest in Raul Ibanez, but Minaya does not seem to consider the offense a problem.  He even spoke optimistically about a Luis Castillo rebound (though he did not give Castillo a ringing endorsement).

Marlins Claim Dan Meyer

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According to Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Marlins claimed pitcher Dan Meyer off waivers from the Athletics today.  He’ll contend for a bullpen spot.  Meyer was an important piece in the Tim Hudson trade several years ago.

Meyer, 27, posted a 4.48 ERA in 122.2 minor league innings this year and pitched poorly in 27.2 innings for the A’s.  He had multiple shoulder surgeries since being acquired.

Odds and Ends: Pudge, Ohman, Manny

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Rounding up linkage for Monday…

Options Declined: Taguchi, Gordon, Counsell, Embree

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Alright, time to lump today’s remaining options together in one post.

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