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Padres Rumors: Iguchi, Eckstein, Barrett, Bonds

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Aside from the aforementioned Fukudome stuff, Tom Krasovic has some trade rumors to discuss in today’s article.

  • It seems the Padres and Rockies are the main competitors for Tadahito Iguchi.  The Pads wouldn’t mind getting Matt Antonelli more seasoning at Triple A.  Meanwhile the Rockies are offering Iguchi two years.  The Padres also like the idea of getting David Eckstein on a one-year deal, not something he’s expecting to go for.
  • The Pirates still like Michael Barrett, but expect him to require little in the way of players. 
  • While the Padres recently met with Barry Bonds’ agent, Jeff Borris, the team’s CEO said point-blank that they have no interest in him.  It might’ve been a less interesting Borris client such as Jeff Cirillo, Tony Graffanino, or Jay Witasick.
  • The Padres haven’t been in touch with Aaron Rowand’s people.  They seem in agreement on two years for Mike Cameron, but they disagree on the dollars.

Brewers Acquire Torres

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UPDATE, 12-10-07 at 10:08pm: No more Torres drama…he’ll join the Brewers for the 2008 season.

UPDATE, 12-8-07 at 12:06pm: Seems this story isn’t over.  Torres is contemplating retirement, in which case the Brewers would probably lose the two prospects for nothing.  Torres will talk it over with his family and take a few days to decide.

FROM 12-7-07 at 2:16pm:

According to Tom Haudricourt, the Brewers have acquired reliever Salomon Torres for minor league relievers Marino Salas and Kevin Roberts.

Torres turns 36 in March.  He threw a monstrous 280 innings in relief over 2004-2006, so it’s no surprise his elbow started barking in 2007.  His strikeout rate in ’07 was actually a career high, but his groundball rate decreased and he allowed a lot more home runs and hits than usual.  Torres makes $3.2MM in ’08 and has a $3.75MM club option for ’09.

Haudricourt actually wrote the Brewers’ top ten prospect list for Baseball America, so believe him when he says Salas and Roberts are good arms.

Will the Pirates keep dealing?  It’s known that relievers Damaso Marte and John Grabow are on the block.

Padres May Learn Today About Fukudome Offer

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Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune has a new column up, chock full of Padres rumors.  Let’s discuss.

  • The Padres have a three-year offer out to Kosuke Fukudome that may make him the highest paid Padre ever, aside from Jake Peavy.  Kevin Towers expects to get an answer today from Fukudome’s agent, Joe Urbon.  Urbon basically said that geography would only come into play if offers from competing teams were similar.  Towers admitted he sees the Cubs as the lead horse in this race.
  • San Diego has a strong need for an outfielder or two, especially now that Milton Bradley went to the Rangers for an extra million bucks.  There was some sentiment from Bradley that the Padres were glad they were outbid, maybe even planned it that way.  It would seem more clever if they’d offered Bradley arbitration, though. 
  • Mike Cameron, Geoff Jenkins, and Jason Bay remain on Towers’ radar as alternatives to Fukudome.  Krasovic recently suggested the Reds could jump in on Cameron if they trade Josh Hamilton.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Figgins, Helms, Affeldt

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Ken Rosenthal has a new column up.

  • The Angels are telling teams they will only consider trading Chone Figgins if they find a third baseman.  If Figgins does hit the market, figure on the Cubs getting involved.
  • The Marlins offered Scott Nestor to the Phillies for Wes Helms, if the Phils paid $1.8MM of the $2.9MM owed to the third baseman.  The Phils passed. 
  • Jeremy Affeldt already has a four-year offer in hand, so he’s now looking for five years.  Jeez.  Teams known to be in on Affeldt: the Yankees, Rays, and Astros.  Affeldt’s agent has contacted the Mariners, trying to sell him as a starter.  He grew up in Washington state.
  • The Mets like the Pirates’ Damaso Marte, if the Pirates lessen their demands. The Yankees, Phillies, Braves, and Astros are interested as well.

Barrett Accepts Arbitration

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Catcher Michael Barrett has accepted the Padres’ offer for arbitration, taking him off the free agent market.  He should end up on a reasonable one year, $5MMish deal, and the Padres will explore trade options.

Ken Rosenthal names the Rays and Pirates as interested parties.  Barrett is a lot more attractive to those clubs now that they don’t have to surrender draft picks to get him.  Rosenthal says a mid-level prospect would do the trick.  At one point this winter the Marlins were said to have interest; Barrett would be their highest-paid player.

Yankees Bullpen Situation

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It’s well-known the Yankees want to improve their bullpen.  There’s been talk of converting young minor league starters into relief for 2008.  Otherwise, who’s on the radar?

  • A reliever could be acquired for Hideki Matsui – Tyler Kepner suggests Jonathan Sanchez or Kevin Correia.  Brad Hennessey is another possibility.
  • Kepner says the Yanks checked in on LaTroy Hawkins, Ron Mahay, and Trever Miller but haven’t made offers.  However, Mark Feinsand says the Yanks are talking to Hawkins about a one-year deal worth between $3.25-3.5MM.
  • Luis Vizcaino is probably out of the picture.  George King adds Jeremy Affeldt to the list of free agents the Yanks are checking out.
  • Peter Abraham says the Yanks are competing with the Royals for Mahay and that it might take three years, $9MM.  Pete Caldera recently said Mahay wants three years and $12MM though.  Bob Dutton notes that it’s Mahay’s agents pushing the Royals; they have little interest.
  • Rob Biertempfel says the Yankees and Astros have interest in acquiring Damaso Marte from the Bucs.  George King says John Grabow interests the Yanks as well.

Odds and Ends: Castillo, Marte

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Some random rumorage as the mill slows down a bit…

  • RotoWorld reports that the Pirates have released infielder Jose Castillo.  Castillo has had flashes of brilliance, for example his 7 HR month in ’06.  But he’s been a disappointment overall and doesn’t figure to be anyone’s starting second baseman.
  • The Yankees and Bucs are discussing a Damaso Marte deal.  At the same link a failed Jack Wilson for Chris Duncan rumor is mentioned.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Bradley, Haren

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Ken Rosenthal checks in with the latest buzz.

  • The Astros might be "on the verge of a major deal."  Rosenthal notes the availability of Chris Burke and Luke Scott plus the team’s interest in Damaso Marte.  He also says some clubs are after Houston’s young pitching.  Ed Wade spoke of two-way, three-way, and even four-way discussions before he hit the hay last night, but nothing seemed imminent.
  • Rosenthal says the Padres might have a better chance of re-signing Milton Bradley than Mike Cameron.  He also implies that the Friars could reach a one-year agreement with Michael Barrett and then shop him.
  • Despite Hank’s proclamations, Rosenthal says the Yanks are "lurking" on Dan Haren. Sounds creepy.

Odds and Ends: Guzman, Shelton, Garcia, Jones

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Rounding up some smaller rumors…

Willits Not On Braves’ Radar

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UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 6:50pm: O’Brien corrects himself – Willits is not on the Braves’ radar.  Nor is Josh Hamilton, in case you were wondering.  They’ve got some mild interest in Chris Duffy.

FROM 12-4-07 at 8:26pm:

According to David O’Brien of the AJC, the Braves have talked to the Angels about outfielder Reggie Willits.  The Braves could plug Willits into their center field spot for a few years.  But what could they offer the Angels?

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