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Lyon Aiming For Multiyear Deal

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ESPN's Buster Olney spoke with Brandon Lyon's agent Barry Meister, who believes his client can land a multiyear deal this winter.  Lyon is flexible with his role, whether it be closer, set-up man, or something in-between.  Olney believes the Phillies, Angels, Yankees, and Mets make sense.  Will the Tigers feel safe offering Lyon arbitration?  They could gain a draft pick from the Type B free agent, as it doesn't sound like he'd accept an offer.

Lyon, 30, posted a 2.86 ERA, 6.5 K/9, and 3.5 BB/9 in 78.6 innings this for the Tigers, earning $4.25MM.  He posted his best groundball rate in years – 47.2% – which helps soften the blow of his career-worst walk rate.

Phillies Free Agent Notes

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MLB.com's Todd Zolecki runs down the Phillies offseason, looking at how the club is planning to improve coming off back-to-back World Series appearances. Here's some highlights:

  • The Phillies are looking to upgrade at third base, as we've heard before. Chone Figgins figures to be too expensive for their liking, and they'll look for a shorter, more affordable contract. Zolecki names the same possibilities we heard earlier in the week: Adrian Beltre, Mark DeRosa, and Placido Polanco.
  • Philadelphia has interest in Fernando Rodney, but it may not be mutual, as Rodney likely would prefer a team with whom he can close. As Zolecki writes, that is "not an option" in Philly.
  • The Phillies have seven impending free agents: Paul Bako, Miguel Cairo, Scott Eyre, Pedro Feliz, Pedro Martinez, Chan Ho Park, Matt Stairs, and Jack Taschner. Zolecki says Park and Eyre are the two most likely to return, with Ruben Amaro Jr. already having contacted Park's agent.
  • Bako's return hasn't been ruled out, but Amaro has said that he's seeking a backup catcher. Feliz is in a similar situation, with his return not being ruled out but the team looking to upgrade.
  • If Stairs returns, it will be on a minor league contract. Taschner and Martinez are not expected to return.
  • The futures for Eric Bruntlett, Clay Condrey, and Tyler Walker are in question.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Figgins, Halladay, Uggla

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On this date 31 years ago, Red Sox free agent pitcher Luis Tiant signed a two-year, $875K contract with the Yankees. After eight seasons and 122 wins with Boston, Tiant would go 21-17 with the Yankees before finishing his career with the Pirates and Angels. With this year's free agents looking for new homes, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

  • UmpBump attempts to determine how much Chone Figgins is worth.
  • The Phrontiersman warns that giving up Cole Hamels is too much for Roy Halladay.
  • We Should Be GMs analyzes the Phillies roster and suggests some names to fill the holes.
  • Camden Crazies looks at what Dan Uggla would mean for the O's and what he might cost.
  • Twins Overlook looks back at the Johan Santana trade and compares the pieces that are left and what the Twins could have gotten from the Red Sox or Yankees.
  • Nick's Twins Blog thinks Adrian Beltre is the missing piece to the Twins infield.
  • Dock of the Rays likes the idea of swapping Pat Burrell for Milton Bradley and wonders if throwing in Andy Sonnanstine can entice the Cubs to add more money.
  • Feeling Dodgers Blue says L.A. needs two pitchers and breaks down the pros and cons of the available talent.
  • Dodgers Rumors feels Brandon Phillips would fit nicely at second base for the Dodgers.
  • Blogging Mets breaks down the Mets' needs and is not very optimistic.
  • The Pinstriper projects the Yankees 25-man roster for next season.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.

Eyre Would Only Pitch For Phillies

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Scott Eyre had successful surgery on his throwing elbow and has filed for free agency, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. Zolecki says that if Eyre doesn't retire, the left-hander only wants to pitch for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2010.

We heard earlier in the season that Eyre was leaning towards retiring, but Philadelphia's playoff run rejuvenated his interest in continuing his career. The team was waiting to see how Eyre's elbow surgery turned out before discussing the 37-year-old's future. Now that the surgery has been performed without a hitch, Zolecki indicates that the Phillies will be in touch with Eyre's agent about a possible return.

When he was healthy, Eyre was one of the club's most dependable relievers, posting a 1.50 ERA in 42 appearances (albeit only 30 innings). If the Phillies are confident in Eyre's health, I don't think they'd mind bringing him back on a one-year deal similar to the one he signed for $2MM last winter.

Odds & Ends: Astros, Schmidt, Callaspo

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A few Thursday evening links to browse through….

Olney On Ausmus, Carroll, Prior, Penny

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A few notes from ESPN's Buster Olney…

  • Via Twitter, Olney's heard from other teams that the Reds would love to move closer Francisco Cordero.  Of course, closers are plentiful and Cordero is set to earn $25MM over the next two years.  I mentioned in our Reds Offseason Outlook that the team would have to eat half of that to make him mildly appealing.  Similarly, the Indians would definitely listen on Kerry Wood, who is set to earn $20MM over the next two years.
  • Olney believes other teams could join the Reds and Tigers in cost-cutting mode.  He says the teams with payroll space "will be in position to make some excellent deals."
  • Olney finds it unlikely that Matt Holliday, Jason Bay, or John Lackey will receive a $100MM contract.
  • Catcher Brad Ausmus on 2010: "I could end up playing if somebody wants me."
  • The A's are interested in free agent infielder Jamey Carroll. Ed Price of AOL FanHouse tweets that the Dodgers and at least seven other teams are also interested in Carroll.
  • Mark Prior is throwing on flat ground and plans to audition for scouts.  Prior, 29, most recently had shoulder surgery in June.
  • The Giants are attempting to re-sign Brad Penny, who lost 12 pounds since the end of the season.
  • Olney wonders if the Royals will dump more players before the December 12th non-tender deadline.  I think Mike Jacobs, John Buck, and John Bale fit the bill.
  • Olney's heard that the Phillies "will be aggressive in signing a set-up man/closer safety net," with Brad Lidge having flexor tendon surgery.

Phillies’ Third Base Targets

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The Phillies have Placido Polanco, Mark DeRosa, and Adrian Beltre on their third base wish list, according to sources speaking to Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer.  Salisbury adds that Chone Figgins and Miguel Tejada are also of interest, but to a lesser degree.

Phils GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told Salisbury he'd "rather do something early," but doesn't see that happening.  DeRosa signed early with the Cubs three years ago, specifically on November 14th.  Salisbury debates the merits of Polanco, DeRosa, and Beltre in his column.  Which do you prefer?  By the way, ESPN's Jayson Stark finds Figgins an unrealistic fit for the Phillies for a variety of reasons.

In other Phillies news, Salisbury notes Korean reports suggesting Chan Ho Park wants to start in 2010.  Amaro has heard differently from Park's agent.  Starting was a big factor in Park's decision to sign with the Phillies a year ago.

Roy Halladay Rumors: Thursday

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The Blue Jays are not resigned to trading ace pitcher Roy Halladay, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.  However, Feinsand believes Halladay "wants out of Toronto," and would require an extension as part of waiving his no-trade clause.  As you know, Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos won't rule out trading within the division, opening up Yankees and Red Sox speculation.

SI's Jon Heyman says the Yankees will inquire on Halladay; why wouldn't they?  Heyman believes Halladay favors a deal to an East Coast team and was willing to go to the Yankees or Red Sox last summer.  Since then, the asking price has presumably come down.  Heyman also expects the Mets to check in on Doc, but sees them as a long shot.

Feinsand and Heyman also get into the Yankees' other options to add top-level pitching.  Feinsand says the Yankees "already have their sights set on signing either Halladay or Cliff Lee if both become free agents after next season," but fear Lee might sign an extension with the Phillies.  He says Yankees officials have mixed opinions on whether to pursue John Lackey this winter.

Eight Teams Inquire On Mark DeRosa

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Jon Heyman must have bumped into Mark DeRosa's agent today, because the SI reporter lists eight clubs that have already called on the player.  Heyman's tweet indicates the Yankees, Mariners, Nationals, Dodgers, Phillies, Rangers, Orioles, and Giants have inquired.

That seems to be an indication that DeRosa's November wrist surgery will not limit his market.

Heyman On Figgins, Pineiro, Braves

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SI's Jon Heyman reports from Chicago, where the GM Meetings are wrapping up…

  • The Phillies are "intent on pursuing Chone Figgins hard," while the Mets are also fans of the Seth Levinson client.  The Angels still hope to re-sign Figgins.  Joel Sherman of the New York Post has more on the Mets' interest, explaining that moving Luis Castillo would make signing Figgins easier.  Sherman thought another reasonable addition for the Mets might be Carlos Lee, but his idea was shot down by Ed Wade and a Mets official.
  • Heyman senses mixed signals with the Mets and Matt Holliday – Omar Minaya loves the player, but the money required will be huge and the Mets might be better-served spreading it around.
  • The Mets are interested in Joel Pineiro, and Minaya met with his agent Arn Tellem.
  • On Page 2 of the article, Heyman quotes a couple new Scott Boras gems.
  • Braves GM Frank Wren admitted he'll field offers on his starting pitching excess.  It appears inevitable that the Braves will trade one starter, Derek Lowe or Javier Vazquez according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman.
  • My Billy Wagner-Cubs idea should probably be put to bed, as Jim Hendry said he wouldn't spend a lot of money on a closer given Carlos Marmol's talent.  Marmol himself is due a large arbitration raise.
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