Pirates Discussing Trade For Robert Andino
6:52pm: Frisaro says Pirates shortstop Brian Bixler is a name that has surfaced as a possible return for Andino.
6:20pm: Kovacevic says this trade "looks as if it might not advance past the talking stage."
11:51am: Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald notes that Andino is out of options and Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez has publicly admired Paulino.
11:33am: Related note from MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro:
There has been talks at the Winter Meetings about Florida showing interest in catcher Ronny Paulino. But according to a National League source, there didn’t seem to be any discussions about sending the catcher to the Marlins.
11:08am: According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates are discussing a trade with the Marlins for shortstop Robert Andino. It’s not known who else is being discussed, but Kovacevic notes the Marlins’ earlier interest in catcher Ronny Paulino.
Andino, 24 in April, has a .549 OPS in his brief Major League career. He did show a little potential in his second stint at Triple A though. Baseball America wrote in their 2007 Handbook that Andino plays "exemplary defense."
Pirates Rumors: McLouth, Maholm, Doumit
WEDNESDAY, 6:22pm: Kovacevic says Doumit’s agent will meet with the Pirates later tonight to discuss their offer. Rob Biertempfel says the Pirates did make offers to all three and want to finalize deals within six to eight weeks.
TUESDAY, 11:28pm: Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette offers up the latest information on the Pirates.
- The Pirates have initiated extension talks with Nate McLouth, Ryan Doumit, and Paul Maholm. The Braves inquired on McLouth and Maholm, but the Pirates’ demands were "way high" according to an Atlanta official. Kovacevic mentions Jordan Schafer as someone who could be offered.
- The Pirates had conversations with David Eckstein‘s agent, but not negotiations. The Bucs would probably have to trade a middle infielder for it to make sense. They never made a formal offer to Mark Loretta, who signed with the Dodgers today.
- The Jack Wilson market is tepid – the Twins have mild interest, the Dodgers have moved on to Rafael Furcal.
- While the Pirates have gotten inquiries on John Grabow, teams apparently want to look at free agent options first.
- John Perrotto says Jason Davis will refuse the Pirates’ Triple A assignment and head to Japan.
Cardinals Reliever Rumors
5:57pm: K-Rod’s agent Paul Kinzer said the Cardinals did not offer his client a similar contract.
9:08am: According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals made a bid for Francisco Rodriguez in the neighborhood of the Mets’ successful three-year, $37MM bid. The search continues. Strauss says the Cards plan to explore trades before escalating talks with Brian Fuentes. Potential trade targets: J.J. Putz, Matt Capps, and Jon Rauch. Talks for Jose Valverde "stalled abruptly earlier in the week." The trade bait will probably be on of the Cardinals’ outfielders.
Strauss adds that GM John Mozeliak met with Scott Boras yesterday, possibly to discuss Oliver Perez.
Mets Bullpen Rumors
The Mets signed Francisco Rodriguez yesterday, but GM Omar Minaya is not done tinkering with his bullpen. SI.com’s Jon Heyman says Matt Capps, Huston Street, and others are on the radar as setup possibilities. However, teams are asking for Jon Niese and the Mets don’t want to give him up. Heyman adds that the Mets have talked to the Mariners and Cubs about relief help as well.
Twins Rumors: Kouzmanoff, Wigginton, Cantu
6:38pm: Phil Miller says the Twins’ young pitching is quite popular at the Meetings.
12:04pm: The latest from La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:
- The Twins have discussed Kevin Kouzmanoff, Ty Wigginton, and Jorge Cantu internally. It’s not known whether they’ve actually inquired.
- Jack Wilson is still on the Twins’ radar.
- Several teams have asked about Boof Bonser.
Red Sox Rumors: Payton, Taguchi, Bard, Paulino
Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald has a few new Red Sox rumors:
- The Sox are not interested in Jay Payton or any Craig Landis client (he also reps Jon Garland). They’re also not in on So Taguchi.
- Josh Bard could be a Plan B or C at catcher. Ronny Paulino has also been discussed.
Pirates Rumors: Eckstein, Wilson, Turnbow
5:29pm: A handful of teams have expressed interest in Doug Mientkiewicz, reports Jenifer Langosch. He expects to sign within a few weeks, and his agent will meet with the Pirates this week.
4:56pm: Kovacevic confirmed that the Pirates are in negotiations with Eckstein. The Orioles and Padres are also said to be in on him. As for Wilson: the Dodgers are said to be exasperated by the Pirates’ asking price.
12:10am: Let’s check in with Dejan Kovacevic and Rob Biertempfel for the latest on the Pirates.
- Kovacevic on Jack Wilson: the Tigers are out, the Dodgers are quiet lately, and the Twins are in. Biertempfel says the Orioles continue to watch from afar. Wilson’s contract is a sticking point for all suitors.
- Kovacevic believes the Pirates have at least not ruled out the idea of pursuing Pedro Martinez.
- Derrick Turnbow will throw for scouts in mid-January, so he probably won’t sign until then. The Pirates and Giants are among eight teams that have expressed interest.
- The Pirates seem likely to make a Rule 5 pick this year.
- With Pirates target Mark Loretta signing with the Dodgers, Biertempfel wonders if the Bucs may pursue David Eckstein or Craig Counsell.
Marlins Catcher Rumors
Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel has the latest on the Marlins’ trade talks for a catcher.
The Rangers could part with Max Ramirez or Jarrod Saltalamacchia, but want a frontline starter type such as Chris Volstad, Josh Johnson, or Ricky Nolasco. The Marlins aren’t willing to do that, but instead could flip Jonathan Sanchez to Texas if they get him. Or, they could send Anibal Sanchez if they add a starter.
The Marlins also have an eye on Pittsburgh’s Ronny Paulino. Meanwhile current Marlin Matt Treanor could be non-tendered or traded for a minor piece.
Braves Interested In Maholm, McLouth, Snell
4:54pm: Dejan Kovacevic learned that the Braves asked the Pirates about Maholm and Nate McLouth. Neither player would come cheap.
3:35pm: According to John Perrotto of the Beaver County Times, the Braves are interested in Paul Maholm and Ian Snell but wouldn’t be willing to trade Tommy Hanson. It’s hard to see the pitching-deprived Pirates trading either starter without getting MLB-ready pitching in return. Perrotto adds that the Nationals also have interest in Snell.
Tigers Sign Adam Everett, Twins Like Wilson
9:42pm: Contrary to Kovacevic’s report below, MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch says the Twins are not pursuing Wilson. Still, LEN3 sides with Kovacevic on this one.
2:31pm: Rosenthal confirms it. The Tigers reached a one-year agreement with Everett for $1MM plus incentives. The deal is pending a physical.
1:44pm: According to Dejan Kovacevic, the Tigers are set to sign free agent shortstop Adam Everett. Kovacevic says this takes them out of the running for Jack Wilson. The Twins have emerged as a suitor for Wilson.