Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Phillies Rumors

Cliff Lee Signing: What We Learned

By | at

It's safe to say that prior to yesterday, not many people were predicting Cliff Lee would sign a five-year deal with the Phillies.  The Yankees essentially offered Lee $148MM over seven years, so he turned down two more years and an extra $28MM in guaranteed money.  Here's what we learned:

  • It's unfair to make assumptions about a player's priorities.  There was a lot of talk about how Lee's number one goal was the biggest possible contract.  We also heard about how the Rangers had the advantage of playing near Lee's Arkansas home.  Now it appears the player's comfort with a previous team trumped all else, but we'll wait until Lee explains his choice at the press conference.
  • Players can leave big money on the table.  Before Lee, the best recent example of a player signing a far below-market contract was Roy Halladay's three-year, $60MM extension with the Phillies.  It's rarer in free agency, but Mark Teixeira reportedly turned down the best offer two years ago.  This winter, Jorge de la Rosa, Jake Westbrook, Hiroki Kuroda, and Jon Garland are a few examples of players who probably could have gotten more money elsewhere.
  • Teams can change their minds.  The Phillies traded Lee to Seattle a year ago in part because they reportedly didn't think they could afford to extend him.  Something changed since then - perhaps Jayson Werth's agent?  We also should note that a player being unexpectedly traded doesn't mean he'll hold a grudge.
  • The Yankees can miss out on a targeted free agent.  If a free agent seeks top dollar and the Yankees want him, they'll probably win the bidding.  But a player can turn down the biggest offer and still be set for life, as Lee is. 
  • Every offseason has big surprises.  A couple of years ago I couldn't believe John Smoltz and Trevor Hoffman signed with new teams.  This year there were at least rumblings that the Red Sox could get Carl Crawford and the Nationals liked Jayson Werth.  But the Phillies were not seen as legitimate contenders for Lee, nor was their interest telegraphed prior to yesterday.  Mystery teams can be real and even succeed in signing a top free agent.  In reality, plenty of teams operate entirely under the radar without leaks to the media.
  • You can never have too much pitching.  Front-end starting pitching is exceedingly rare.  Unless C.C. Sabathia opts out, there will be no free agent aces available after the 2011 season.  The availability of an ace prompts teams to move parts around to make it work, and sometimes put more money toward the rotation even when the offense needs help.  The Royals should trade Zack Greinke for nothing less than a king's ransom.

Odds & Ends: Pavano, Red Sox, McCarthy, Lawrie

By | at

More links for Monday night, as we wonder when and where Cliff Lee will sign…

Cliff Lee Rumors: Monday

By | at

Yesterday we learned that the Nationals are out of the Cliff Lee sweepstakes and that the Yankees will not increase their offer again.  Multiple reporters have suggested Lee will decide this week.  If you believe in the mystery team, the lefty may have three legitimate suitors.  Otherwise, it's just the Yankees and Rangers.  The top bullets have the latest:

  • It's hard to find executives who expect Lee to re-sign in Texas, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter).
  • One member of the Phillies organization has said to Jack Curry of the YES Network that Lee isn't in the same class as C.C. Sabathia and Roy Halladay and would be a riskier signing (Twitter link).
  • A decision is unlikely tonight, but could come tomorrow, according to Heyman (on Twitter).
  • The Yankees are now "extremely negative" about landing Lee and they believe he is leaning toward the Phillies' offer, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter).
  • There is a belief Lee is heading to the Phillies, according to Jack Curry of the YES Network (on Twitter). Meanwhile, Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Phils "look like a very strong candidate to win Lee's services" (Twitter link).
  • Lee moved closer to a decision tonight, according to ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick. The Phillies entered the bidding for Lee after the winter meetings and have presented the lefty with “a spirited late bid,” Crasnick writes.
  • The Phillies, Yankees and Rangers are finalists for Lee, who appears to be close to deciding on a team, according to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com (on Twitter).
  • The Phillies are looking to unload Joe Blanton and the $17MM that remains on his contract through 2012, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (Twitter link).
  • The Phillies are still bidding on Lee, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. GM Ruben Amaro Jr. declined to comment, but a source told Rosenthal that the team is "not out."
  • Lee has yet to make a decision, Yankees GM Brian Cashman told Tyler Kepner of the New York Times (on Twitter). "He'll make [a decision] someday," Cashman said.
  • There are still rumblings about a third team, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter). The mystery team's offer appears to be significantly lower than the Yankees' proposal, but it's from a place Lee "loves."
  • Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes, "You would be surprised at how many folks [in the game] think there is a legitimate third team bidding on Lee beyond the Yankees and Rangers."  Sherman speculates on who that team might be.  Less than a third of you believe such a club exists.
  • Lee's agent Darek Braunecker has been in touch with the Yankees today, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney, and he said the process is ongoing.
  • The unidentified third team is only willing to go four or five years, writes George A. King III of the New York Post.

Zack Greinke Rumors: Wednesday

By | at

Yesterday we learned that teams may be upping their offers for Royals ace Zack Greinke, though the Royals' asking price remains high.  The latest:

  • An executive of an interested team hears that the Royals won't deal Greinke before Cliff Lee signs, according to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark (on Twitter). The Royals may not have to wait long, as Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports Lee will sign by the end of the weekend.
  • The Phillies have discussed Greinke with the Royals, reports CSNPhilly's Jim Salisbury, but it's a long shot.
  • The Dodgers haven't heard back from the Royals about Greinke, according to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times (on Twitter).
  • MLB.com's Joe Frisaro hears that the Marlins did not discuss Greinke with the Royals (Twitter link).
  • One of the Marlins' attempted three-team trades would have sent Greinke to Florida, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Talks are lukewarm, but still alive, Rosenthal reports.
  • The asking price on Greinke has gone up since last summer, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter). The deal will be "very hard to get done," according to one interested executive.
  • The Nationals are being aggressive, according to Ed Price of AOL FanHouse. MLB.com's Bill Ladson heard earlier that Washington was not pursuing the right-hander, however.
  • Five teams are seriously pursuing Greinke and another three are on the periphery, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports – in an article, not a tweet!  The Royals are specific with their request – pitching to replace Greinke and up-the-middle help.  The Royals are moving slowly and there is no frontrunner.  The Rangers, Dodgers, Nationals, and Blue Jays have shown some measure of interest.
  • The Cubs called on Greinke but a mid-rotation addition is more likely for them, tweets SI's Jon Heyman.

Magglio Ordonez Rumors: Wednesday

By | at

The latest on Magglio Ordonez…

  • Today's workout was only meant for the Tigers and was not an open audition, tweets MLB.com's Ian Browne.
  • The Orioles did not watch Ordonez work out today and president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail refuted the report that they're interested, according to MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli (Twitter link).
  • Interestingly, the Red Sox did not have a representative at Ordonez's workout today, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com. The Tigers were there, GM Dave Dombrowski told MLB.com's Jason Beck.
  • It's doubtful that the Red Sox would give Ordonez a two-year deal, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe hears (Twitter link).
  • The Red Sox appear to be focusing on Ordonez in their search for an outfielder, reports CBS Sports' Danny Knobler.  This would not be good news for Carl Crawford.  The Tigers, Phillies, and Orioles are also said to be in the mix for Maggs.  Ordonez is coming off a broken ankle, but worked out for teams today.  Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports says Boras is seeking at least two years and $20MM.

Odds & Ends: Iwakuma, Heisey, White Sox, Feliciano

By | at

One year ago today, the Yankees, Tigers and Diamondbacks finalized the trade that sent Curtis Granderson to New York, Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy to Arizona and Max Scherzer and Austin Jackson to Detroit. As we await this year's answer to that 2009 blockbuster, here are some links to enjoy…

  • Phil Coke, who was also in that trade, is set to move to the Tigers' rotation, but Detroit isn't desperate for left-handed relief help. Daniel Schlereth, yet another product of the trade, could be a cog in the Tigers' 'pen, so they're showing limited interest in free agents like J.C. Romero and Ron Mahay, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck.
  • The agent for Hisashi Iwakuma, Don Nomura, told the Associated Press (via ESPN) that the A's showed no respect for his client in their recent negotiations. The agent is clearly frustrated by what he perceives to be a lack of sincerity from Oakland.
  • The D'Backs have some interest in outfielder Chris Heisey, but have yet to approach the Reds about him, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (Twitter link).
  • The Phillies are still interested in a potential deal with Chad Durbin, according to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
  • White Sox GM Kenny Williams tells Jayson Stark of ESPN.com that his team is "about tapped out" in terms of payroll flexibility (Twitter link).
  • The Indians officially announced their minor league deal with Paul Phillips today.
  • The Yankees met with Pedro Feliciano's representatives today, according to Newsday's Ken Davidoff (on Twitter).

Phillies Close To Deal With Dennys Reyes?

By | at

1:22pm: The Phillies have offers out to Reyes and Sherrill, tweets Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly, but it looks like Sherrill might be headed elsewhere.  The Phils are "very close" with Reyes, tweets Salisbury. 

12:46pm: The Phillies are very close to a one-year deal with a club option with Reyes, tweets Rojas.

WEDNESDAY, 11:45am: The Phillies are not close to signing Reyes and have yet to make a formal offer, reports Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Daily News.  Word is they're not close on any reliever right now.

TUESDAY, 4:27pm: Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch hears that Reyes will sign with the Phillies (Twitter link).

2:34pm: Reyes could sign within the next 48 hours, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, probably deciding between the Phillies and Marlins.  The Mariners and Athletics are also in on Reyes, tweets John Hickey of AOL Fanhouse.

12:14pm: The agent for lefty Dennys Reyes, Oscar Suarez, is meeting with the Phillies today, tweets ESPN's Enrique Rojas.  Suarez says at least five to six teams are interested.

The Phillies could be a match for lefty George Sherrill; Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun says they're considered the favorite by most in the industry.

Minor Deals: Quinlan, Phillies, Marlins

By | at

Some minor league transactions for you as we get ready to kick off another round of overnight coverage here on MLBTR:

Brewers, Phillies In On Delwyn Young

By | at

5:50pm: The Marlins are not interested in Young, according to Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun Sentinel (on Twitter). Rodriguez notes that the Marlins haven't considered pursuing Joe Crede, either.

2:26pm: The Brewers, Marlins, and Phillies are talking to Delwyn Young, tweets Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.  Young was designated by the Pirates prior to the non-tender deadline and elected free agency.

Young, 28, hit .236/.286/.414 in 207 plate appearances for the Pirates this year, spending time at second base, third base, and right field.  He joined the Pirates via a trade with the Dodgers in April of last year.

Cliff Lee Rumors: Monday

By | at

Cliff Lee's agent Darek Braunecker held court today at the Winter Meetings, but didn't say much.  The latest on the lefty:

  • The Rangers are waiting on Lee before moving on to other top free agent targets, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com, who suggests (on Twitter) that the market for Lee is heating up tonight.
  • Seven years is a "dealbreaker" for the Yankees, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, who suggests the team would offer six years (Twitter link). Newsday's Ken Davidoff says the Yankees will likely offer a six-year deal.
  • The Yankees don't plan to offer Lee a seven-year deal, according to Rosenthal (on Twitter). 
  • Lee will receive a seven-year offer, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. At least one club has suggested they’re willing to offer a seven-year deal. 
  • MLB "bigwigs" tell Newsday's Ken Davidoff that they expect Lee to sign a six-year deal (Twitter link)
  • Braunecker met with the Yankees today, but the sides did not discuss money, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter).
  • The Rangers were planning to offer Lee a four-year deal, but may have to change their plans, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter).
  • Nats GM Mike Rizzo told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post that he spoke to agent Darek Braunecker recently (Twitter link).
  • The Phillies are considering bringing back Lee, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter).
  • Asked about the Red Sox, Braunecker told WEEI's Rob Bradford, "We've talked."
  • The Yankees are expected to meet with Braunecker again today, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.
  • Braunecker says they have visited with "significantly more clubs" than just the Yankees and Rangers, tweets MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.  Braunecker is in the process of setting up meetings.
Show all

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top