Scott Lauber reports that Phillies manager Charlie Manuel received an extension that runs through 2011.
Phillies Rumors
Derek Lowe Rumors: Tuesday
5:22pm: Heyman says the Yankees are negotiating with Boras about a four-year deal for more than $65MM.
1:19pm: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says the Phillies and Yankees lead the charge for Lowe, who wants $80MM over five years. A team official for one club told Heyman he was "shocked" with the escalating bidding.
8:34am: According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, a Phillies official denied the presence of a three-year offer for Derek Lowe. Does this mean they have two or four years on the table? Cafardo talked to another source who said Lowe likes the idea of pitching for Philly.
Burrell Unlikely To Return To Philly
4:29pm: ESPN’s Jayson Stark says the Phillies will not tread water to see if they get DeRosa from the Cubs. A friend of Ibanez told Stark the Phils are his first choice, so there seems to be mutual interest. The problem: the Cubs want Ibanez too and may not be willing to move DeRosa until they get their outfielder.
3:46pm: Pat Burrell’s agent Ed Hayes would be surprised if his client re-signs with the Phillies, as would most observers. Todd Zolecki believes the Phils’ top three candidates to replace him in left field are Raul Ibanez, Mark DeRosa, and Juan Rivera.
Cardinals Rumors: Downs, Gonzalez, Boyer
12:41pm: Marc Topkin heard chatter that the Rays and Cardinals are talking. Perhaps Ankiel or Ludwick could interest Tampa Bay.
Meanwhile Scott Lauber says the Cards may be interested in Madson as a potential closer.
8:36am: Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Cardinals remain focused on short-term deals for starters. Possible names include Oliver Perez, Andy Pettitte, Brad Penny, and Randy Wolf. They’ll meet with Wolf’s agent by tomorrow afternoon.
John Mozeliak now seems open to a two or three-year deal for a reliever. He could trade an outfielder like Ryan Ludwick for a top guy, but shot down the idea of Ryan Madson. Makes no sense, Madson is only under team control for one more year. Schumaker and Chris Duncan are trade bait for Mozeliak.
8:28am: Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun says the Cards have interest in Blue Jays lefty Scott Downs. Downs is owed $7.75MM over the next two seasons.
8:01am: We know the Cardinals chatted with the Braves about Mike Gonzalez and Blaine Boyer. Gerry Fraley says they also had trade talks with the Phillies, hoping to trade an outfielder for a reliever. Rick Ankiel and Skip Schumaker are apparently popular with other teams.
Phillies Starting Pitching Rumors
2:20pm: Dan Graziano says the Phillies expressed interest in Andy Pettitte.
8:47am: Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Inquirer says that as the Phillies’ talks with Jamie Moyer drag on, they’re looking at alternatives. They seem to have some kind of offer out to Derek Lowe. Hagen adds that they have some interest in Braden Looper while Randy Wolf is unclear.
Phillies, Moyer Wrangle Over Dollars
11:37pm: Jon Heyman says Ruben Amaro Jr. is being very aggressive in his pursuits of Moyer and Derek Lowe. He says the Phils have offered Moyer two years and $14MM but Moyer wants an additional $4MM on the contract.
12:47pm: According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, the Phillies and Jamie Moyer "continue to haggle purely over dollars." Phils GM Ruben Amaro Jr. admitted the negotiations have been "a little disappointing."
Punto Visits With Phillies, Draws Yankee Interest
7:31pm: The Yankees are looking for a utility infielder, and Brian Cashman said today Punto is on their radar.
6:51pm: John R. Finger of Comcast Sportsnet Philadelphia says Nick Punto visited with Phillies brass this afternoon. They’ll meet again later today. Punto may return to the Twins, and he’s also been linked to the D’Backs and Mets.
Phillies Interested In Delmon Young?
7:05pm: LEN3 says the Twins would want more than Donald for Young, but it’s a moot point because the Phillies don’t want to trade Donald. The teams haven’t spoken lately and don’t have plans to meet in the near future.
Neal also says there’s nothing going on between the Twins and Giants.
4:20pm: LEN3 says the Twins do like Donald. Neal also believes the rumor about the Giants being interested in Young.
One other fresh note from Neal’s blog post – Dennys Reyes "might be on the Reds’ radar."
1:26pm: According to Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Daily News, the Phillies have inquired on Twins outfielder Delmon Young. Hagen believes the Twins would want shortstop prospect Jason Donald in return.
Odds and Ends: Shelton, Laird, Baldelli
Links for Monday – Winter Meetings, Day 1.
- Check out the minor league signings for the week at Baseball America. Hey, Jerome Williams to the A’s! Also, Chris Shelton signed with the Mariners.
- Funny quote from Scott Boras: "There can be a lot of late-night meetings where you’re in a room and people are falling asleep. And you’ll have some late-night GMs who want you to drink. I’ll allow them to do it, but I won’t do it. I do have some interesting things written on napkins over the years."
- Dave Cameron likes the Tigers’ acquisition of Gerald Laird.
- Buster Olney talked to some agents who believe "the stated concern about the economy is providing a nice cover for Major League Baseball to roll back salaries." Another note from Olney, he’d be "shocked" if Rocco Baldelli doesn’t sign with Boston.
- Tony Massarotti makes five recommendations for the Red Sox.
- David Murphy asks ten questions about the Phillies.
Wolf Open To All Teams
According to Ken Rosenthal, free agent southpaw Randy Wolf is open to all teams. He won’t limit himself to the West Coast. Wolf first revealed this info on September 26th. Rosenthal wonders if a return to the Phillies could be in order if they don’t re-sign Jamie Moyer.
