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Astros Close On Runelvys Hernandez

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Brian McTaggart of the Houston Chronicle reports that the Astros are close to a one-year deal with starter Runelvys Hernandez.  Hernandez will turn 30 in April.  He spent 2007 in Triple A with the Pirates, Yankees, and Red Sox organizations.

None of this seems terribly interesting, but the article also says Hernandez got on a strict training regimen.  Now that he’s in shape, he’s reportedly hitting 97 on the gun (sounds like agent-speak to me).  I’ll believe it when I see it.  But Hernandez chose the right team in the Astros, as they’re hurting for starting pitching.  It’s not a done deal yet; he’s having some last minute discussions with other clubs.  McTaggart says the Rangers, Pirates, Phillies, and Reds have all shown interest. 

Rosenthal’s Latest: Feliz, Ellis, Lohse

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Ken Rosenthal checks in with a new column of hot stove material.

  • Rosenthal says some suitors are popping up for third baseman Pedro Feliz: the Dodgers, Brewers, Phillies, and Giants.  Phillies Assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. confirmed interest today in an MLB.com chat.  Rosenthal admits that the Dodgers don’t seem like a great fit.  He says Bill Hall would have to be traded to make room for Feliz, though Tom Haudricourt implied today that Hall would stay put.  It was said Wednesday that the Giants’ talks with Feliz were stalling over his three-year demand.
  • Rosenthal suggests Mark Ellis would be a nice fit for Colorado, though keep in mind that the San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser told us that he was the best bet among veterans to remain with Oakland for 2008.  The Rockies’ current plan is to go with Jayson Nix and keep Marcus Giles around as another option.  I’d be surprised if either pans out.
  • Instead of the four or even five-year demands we were hearing about for Kyle Lohse, Rosenthal says three years with a vesting option for the fourth would now be acceptable.  He believes Lohse’s salary could near $12MM.  Lohse recently said he’s down to about three suitors.
  • Rosenthal still expects the A’s to sign a free agent outfielder, with possible target Mike Cameron headed to Milwaukee.  Take a look at our newly updated free agent list to see who’s out there.

Ruben Amaro Jr. Chats Phillies

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Phils assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. recently did a chat at MLB.com.  I remember Frank Wren did one in mid-November; this is a cool trend. 

  • Amaro admits that the Phils are still considering upgrading at third base.  They’ve had discussions about Pedro Feliz as one such option, while Morgan Ensberg is not on the radar.
  • It’s unlikely that the Phillies re-sign Jose Mesa.
  • Also unlikely would be a Bartolo Colon signing.  On the other hand, discussions with Scott Boras about Kyle Lohse are ongoing.

Ryan Howard Due For Huge Raise

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In March of 2007, Ryan Howard had his contract renewed at $900K.  He had no leverage to expect anything more than the $380K minimum, as he was not yet arbitration-eligible.  When asked about the situation, here’s what Howard said:

"Go ask them," Howard blurted out in a raised voice. "They’re the ones with all the money." 

At that time, it was known that Howard wanted a long-term deal exceeding Chase Utley’s seven years/$85MM and probably exceeding Albert Pujols’ seven years/$100MM as well.

Scott Lauber checks in on this situation in today’s column.  Howard is arb-eligible for the first time, and should jump up past $7MM.  Pat Gillick seemed to suggest at the Winter Meetings that he expected to sign Howard long-term eventually rather than go year-to-year.  Howard doesn’t reach free agency until after the 2011 season, at which point it may be wise to let him walk (he’ll be 31).

Mailbag: Nioka, Crede, Snell

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Let’s dig through the ol’ mailbag once again.  Feel free to shoot an email to mlbtraderumors@gmail.com.

Do you have any news regarding Japanese shortstop Tomohiro Nioka? Is he a free agent and are any teams pursuing him? – Bob

It seems that Nioka turned out to be ineligible for free agency.  We’ll have to keep an eye out for him next year.

What’s up with Joe Crede? Will the ChiSox be looking to deal him this summer if they are struggling? And if so, you have to believe the Phillies would be top contenders for him. – Dan

I’m almost certain Crede will be dealt, I’m just not sure when.  Maybe after a week or two of proving his health in Spring Training?  Josh Fields needs his reps at third base, so I’d be surprised if the Sox started the season with Crede at the hot corner.  The Phillies seem like the perfect fit, especially since Kenny Williams and Pat Gillick have gotten together for many deals.

Have you heard anything about a package of Snell and Bay from Pittsburgh to the M’s for some prospects? – Aaron

Jake at Bucco Blog heard this rumor just a few days ago.  Both of them going to Seattle would represent a whole lot of talent.  Seems that it would require Adam Jones and then some.  Might make more sense for the Mariners to target just Snell, since they’re in fine shape in the outfield.

Phillies Sign So Taguchi

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The Phillies added some outfield depth today, signing So Taguchi to a one-year deal for around $1MM with an option for ’09.  There had been a rumor that the Cubs were eyeing Taguchi.

The Phillies’ outfield will consist of Pat Burrell, Shane Victorino, Geoff Jenkins, Jayson Werth, and Taguchi.  They’ve also got Chris Snelling as an option if he can stay healthy.

Phillies Sign Chad Durbin

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UPDATE, 12-21-07 at 9:34am: Well, Durbin only got $900K.  It’s hard to complain about any signing at that price; this could definitely be a profitable move for the Phils.  The bigger concern is that this move ends their starting pitching search and leaves little behind Hamels and Myers.  An injury to either, and the Phillies seem done.

FROM 12-19-07 at 6:18pm:

According to Dejan Kovacevic, starter Chad Durbin has reached an agreement with the Phillies.  The Bucs missed out on another targeted free agent.

Durbin, a 30 year-old journeyman, posted a 4.72 ERA in 127 innings for the Tigers.  His numbers were below-average across the board; I’m not sure how much he’ll help the Phillies’ starting pitching woes.  They’re looking at a rotation of Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Kyle Kendrick, Jamie Moyer, and Durbin (no one’s counting on Adam Eaton).  Beyond the front two that rotation is going to be pretty bad. 

The Mark Prior Derby

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Let’s do a recap on the Mark Prior Derby, which is getting more confusing each day.  Jerry Crasnick has added some good info this afternoon.  Prior wants a one-year deal and hopes to be on a big league mound before the end of May.

  • Yankees – They’ll probably pass, per Hank Steinbrenner.
  • Red Sox – Named only by Jayson Stark.
  • White Sox – Named only by Stark.
  • Mariners – Named by Stark, denied by Jim Street.
  • Mets – Named by Stark, Crasnick, Ken Rosenthal, Ed Price
  • Cardinals – Named by Stark, Crasnick, Rosenthal, Matthew Leach
  • Padres – Named by many, made an offer according to Crasnick. Prior went to USC but would have to take less money to play in San Diego
  • Astros – Named by many, made an offer according to Alyson Footer
  • Giants – Named only by Stark
  • Reds – Named by Stark, Crasnick. Prior previously played under Dusty Baker
  • Nationals – Named by Stark, Crasnick, Bill Ladson
  • Rangers – Named by Crasnick but not Stark, aggressively pursuing according to Rosenthal
  • Marlins – Named only by Crasnick
  • Indians – Named only by Crasnick

One more and we’re at half of all baseball teams linked at some point.  The Phillies and Pirates are not interested, and it’s probably safe to count the Cubs out.

Phillies Out On Lohse

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George King has a few quotes from Phillies’ assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. today.  Basically, the Phils wouldn’t go past three years on Kyle Lohse, and have dropped out of the bidding for the Scott Boras client.

King indicates that this might put the Mets in the lead for Lohse, perhaps the best of a mediocre group of free agent starters.  Ken Davidoff, however, wrote yesterday that the Mets "did not seem particularly interested" in Lohse at the current price.  Tim Brown wrote on Monday that both the Phils and Mets had four-year offers out to Lohse.

Geoff Jenkins Signs With Phillies

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According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, the Phillies have signed outfielder Geoff Jenkins to a two-year, $13MM deal.  There’s an option for 2010 that could bring the total to $20MM.  We knew the Padres were in on him; Crasnick says the Rangers were also bidding.

Jenkins’ job will be to hit righties.  He hit .262/.326/.482 against them in ’07, and was better than that in ’06.  He’s frighteningly bad against southpaws, so Jayson Werth will platoon with him.  Jenkins can also play left field when Pat Burrell is ailing or DHing.

A $6.5MM platoon outfielder who doesn’t really mash the pitchers he’s supposed to match?  It’s an uninspired signing.  This takes the Phillies out of the running for Mike Cameron, by the way.

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