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Giants Rumors: Burrell, Rollins, Rowand

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THURSDAY: More Giants info, courtesy of John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle.  GM Brian Sabean is looking for offense in the infield, but he considers Cain untouchable.  Jonathan Sanchez or various pitching prospects could be trade bait instead.

Sabean also met with the agents for various free agent hitters and relievers, including Orlando Hudson and Bob Howry.

WEDNESDAY: Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News has some interesting rumors this evening.

  • Baggarly believes the rumor of the Giants’ interest in Rafael Furcal makes sense, as it’d solidify their middle infield situation.
  • He doesn’t see the Giants signing Pat Burrell, given their desire to get younger and more athletic.  Still, he expects Brian Sabean to check in on him.
  • Here’s a new one: Baggarly’s heard the Phillies will listen to offers for shortstop Jimmy Rollins.  Rollins is owed just $23.5MM over the next three seasons.
  • Scott Eyre enjoyed his time with the Phillies, though the Giants could take a shot at bringing him back.
  • Baggarly doesn’t buy any of the Bengie Molina trade rumors.  He gives a 75% chance Matt Cain stays put.
  • Baggarly expects the Giants to quietly explore the market for Aaron Rowand, which could include the Yankees and White Sox.  Rowand is owed $44MM over the next four seasons, and has no-trade protection.

Offseason Outlook: Philadelphia Phillies

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The World Champion Phillies conclude our Offseason Outlook series.  Their likely 2009 commitments:

C – Carlos Ruiz – $425K
C – Chris Coste – $415K
1B – Ryan Howard – $10MM+
2B – Chase Utley – $11MM
SS – Jimmy Rollins – $7.5MM
3B – Pedro Feliz – $5MM
IF – Eric Bruntlett – $600K+
IF/OF – Greg Dobbs – $440K+
LF – Jayson Werth – $1.7MM+
CF – Shane Victorino – $480K+
RF – Geoff Jenkins – $6.75MM
OF – Matt Stairs – $1MM
OF – Greg Golson – $400K

SP – Cole Hamels – $500K+
SP – Brett Myers – $12MM
SP – Joe Blanton – $3.7MM+
SP – J.A. Happ – $400K
SP – Kyle Kendrick – $445K

RP – Brad Lidge – $11.5MM
RP – J.C. Romero – $4MM
RP – Ryan Madson – $1.4MM+
RP – Chad Durbin – $900K+
RP – Clay Condrey – $420K+
RP – R.J. Swindle – $400K
RP – Andrew Carpenter – $400K

Other commitments: Adam Eaton – $8.5MM, Tom Gordon – $1MM

That’s about $89MM committed, plus arbitration raises to Howard, Bruntlett, Dobbs, Werth, Victorino, Blanton, Hamels, Madson, Durbin, and Condrey.  The raises should push the Phillies past $115MM.  The Phillies’ ’09 payroll is not set at this time.  They entered the season at $98.2MM, so a large increase is necessary.

As you can see above, re-signing Jamie Moyer and Scott Eyre will go a long way toward rounding out the pitching staff.  The Phils may be interested in bringing in an additional starter and another reliever.

Since the Phillies have entertained the idea of re-signing Pat Burrell, we can assume they’re willing to spend at least $10MM on left field.  The money could go toward any number of righthanded bats.  The biggest names don’t seem to fit into the payroll, but there are good options in the $12MM or less bracket.  The Phillies ranked 7th of 16 NL clubs in OBP, so finding someone who can match Burrell’s .370 is important.  They could also make up ground with an OBP improvement from Howard (.339) and more production behind the plate.

A full season of Blanton gives the Phils a respectable #1-4, assuming Moyer returns.  The key players from the bullpen will be back.  The Phillies won’t look much different in 2009.  They didn’t win the World Series on a bunch of career years, so keeping this group intact is a reasonable strategy.

Phillies Rumors: Burrell, Moyer, Howard

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Let’s round up the Phillies links.  By the way, I am hoping to get to their Offseason Outlook on Friday.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Fielder, Beimel, Eckstein

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Ken Rosenthal is on the scene at the GM meetings, and as usual has all kinds of new info.

  • The Brewers are unlikely to trade Prince Fielder, and reluctant to trade J.J. Hardy or Alcides Escobar.  It’d be smart to retain those three players.
  • Rosenthal still likes the Braves as the favorite for Jake Peavy, but wonders if the Cubs or another team could incorporate a third team to get it done.
  • The Cubs will need to spend much of their available money on pitching, which may leave little payroll room for an outfielder like Bobby Abreu.  They could backload contracts and move some of Jason Marquis’ salary though.
  • The Mets are interested in lefty reliever Joe Beimel, as well as usual suspects Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, and Kerry Wood.  They also like Raul Ibanez.
  • The Cardinals could move forward with a Ryan Ludwick/Colby Rasmus/Rick Ankiel outfield, or trade one of them.  Ankiel, entering his contract year, seems most likely to go if Rasmus is ready.
  • David Eckstein is marketing himself as a second baseman for 2009.
  • Don’t look for the Phillies to move Shane Victorino in a Matt Holliday deal.
  • The Cardinals and Nationals are not contenders for A.J. Burnett.  Still no word on Burnett’s opt-out.
  • The Marlins may wait until some of the top free agent starters sign before shopping Scott Olsen.

NPB Rumors: Tazawa, Iwase, Iguchi

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Some Japanese baseball-related rumors, courtesy of Patrick Newman at NPB Tracker:

Rockies Shopping Holliday, Atkins, Taveras

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9:11pm: According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves are not interested in Taveras after all.

10:47am: According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post and Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News, the Rockies are shopping Matt Holliday, Garrett Atkins, and Willy Taveras.

Holliday, a Scott Boras client, is set to earn $13.5MM in 2009 before reaching free agency.  Ringolsby says the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Angels, Mets, and Phillies have shown interest. Renck has the Cardinals as a lurker.  The Nats may also be interested.  The Rockies will target young pitching in return.

Atkins is under team control for 2009 and 2010.  Ringolsby has the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Angels, Mets, Phillies, White Sox, and Twins as interested parties.  Renck sees the Indians as another possibility.

Taveras is also under team control through 2010.  Ringolsby says the Royals, Yankees, White Sox, and Braves are in on him, while Renck adds the Nationals.

Phillies’ Offseason Agenda

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12:47pm: Scott Lauber has the latest from the Amaro press conference. 

  • Manny Ramirez seems unlikely as a left field solution.  Execs surveyed by Jerry Crasnick felt the same.
  • Burrell switched to a Philly-based agent, and talks will begin soon with the Phillies.
  • Pat Gillick will remain with the Phillies as a paid consultant.

11:13am: The Phillies locked up Ruben Amaro Jr. as their GM through 2011.  Items on his to-do list:

  • Left fielder Pat Burrell could be back if he accepts a two-year deal.  Otherwise, the Phils will kick the tires on Manny Ramirez, Matt Holliday, and Magglio Ordonez.  Jim Salisbury also notes that the Phillies have long liked Rocco Baldelli.  They’ve also been linked to Garrett Atkins.
  • Cole Hamels and Ryan Howard are in for large raises through arbitration; Amaro may attempt to sign them long-term.
  • Salisbury sees free agent lefties Jamie Moyer and Scott Eyre re-signing.  Scott Lauber suggests the Phils don’t want to go beyond one year for Moyer, though.
  • The team had a $104MM payroll in ’08, and that is expected to increase.
  • The Phillies (along with the Tigers and Nationals) have interest in free agent utility man Pete Orr.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Peavy, Burnett, Sabathia

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Let’s take a look at the latest column from Ken Rosenthal at FOX Sports.

  • Don’t look for a Jake Peavy trade this week at the GM meetings, as the Padres haven’t found a match with Peavy’s five preferred teams.
  • A.J. Burnett’s agent should announce his client’s decision to opt out today.  Rosenthal notes Burnett’s preference to sign near his Maryland home, with the Yankees and Red Sox as the most realistic possibilities.
  • Rosenthal believes the Brewers offered C.C. Sabathia $100MM over five years (rather than four).  The Brewers can say they tried, but no one expects Sabathia to settle so far below his market value.  Also, the Brewers will decide today on Mike Cameron’s $10MM option.
  • The Phillies’ areas of uncertainty: GM, left field, fifth starter.

Odds & Ends: Amaro, Marte, Griffey

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Some Odds & Ends to begin the day:

  • The Phillies are expected to announce Ruben Amaro Jr. as their next General Manager on Monday. Says Ken Mandel of MLB.com, "Amaro, 43, served as a batboy for the Phillies from 1980-83, and played for the Phillies from 1992-93 and 1996-98. He moved into the front office after retiring as a player." As the clubs Assistant General Manager, he’s been the heir apparent to the 71-year-old Pat Gillick as GM.
  • The Yankees are expected to decline Damaso Marte’s $6MM option, according to George King III of the New York Post. Marte made $2MM this year and the Yankees are opting to buy him out for $250,000. I expect them to make an attempt to sign him to a new contract but no details yet.
  • Larry Stone of the Seattle Times says Ken Griffey Jr. is open to returing to Seattle. No comment from M’s new GM Jack Zduriencik.
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