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Teams Still Competing For Yabuta?

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On Friday, the word from Ken Rosenthal was that the Royals were close to signing Japanese reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta to a two-year deal with an option.  However, the Chicago Tribune’s Mark Gonzales names five teams currently in the running for his services.

We already knew about the Royals and White Sox.  Gonzales adds the Indians, Rays, and Pirates to the mix as well.  Looks like Japanese relievers are no longer free agency’s best kept secret.  Odd that teams didn’t start figuring this out until Hideki Okajima came along.  There were plenty of successes before him.  It almost seems like you can throw the stats out for Japanese relievers – MLB hitters just aren’t used to these guys yet. 

Odds and Ends: Clark, Izturis, Clemens

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First day for teams to negotiate with free agents, always a good time.  Here are today’s odds and ends.

  • Jeff Blair notes that one athlete may still be better paid than Alex Rodriguez: Kimi Raikkonen, a Formula One driver, earns $51MM per year.  No need to debate on whether race car drivers should be considered athletes, I just thought it was interesting.
  • The D’Backs don’t figure to spend much on free agents, because they’re a smart team. Tony Clark wants two years, $4MM, and the team is thinking it over.
  • The Bucs will probably hold onto Jack Wilson this winter, as they’re cutting Cesar Izturis loose rather than pay him $5.45MM.  The Cardinals have interest in Izturis, by the way.
  • Confirming what we already knew: the Yankees will pursue Mike Lowell and Johan Santana.
  • Marty York has a source saying the Blue Jays might pursue Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte.  Say what?
  • Doug Melvin isn’t planning on moving Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun from third base unless the Brewers acquire another "legitimate, bona fide third baseman."
  • Mark Gonzales notes that the White Sox tried to acquire Scott Linebrink and Octavio Dotel in 2006, implying that Kenny Williams might go after one of them now.  Linebrink is going to be a costly sign, as he’s a Type A and I imagine the Brewers will offer him arbitration.
  • Scott Gregor places odds on various center field possibilities for the White Sox.  He thinks they have a decent chance of trading for Coco Crisp.

Mets Targeting Livan Hernandez?

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Ben Shpigel of the New York Times has some new Mets info for us today.

  • Surprisingly, Shpigel believes the one free agent starter the Mets will seriously consider is Livan Hernandez.  That is odd because I had read Livan wasn’t high on Omar Minaya’s list.  We’ve seen the Mets connected to free agents Byung-Hyun Kim, Carlos Silva, Hiroki Kuroda, Kyle Lohse, and Jason Jennings so far this offseason.
  • As far as some unsung trade opportunities, my Mets guy says Ervin Santana, Chris Capuano, Claudio Vargas, and Noah Lowry are being considered.
  • According to Shpigel, the Mets hope to re-sign Ramon Castro as their backup catcher.  I don’t see that happening, as he’ll probably be able to snag a starting job elsewhere.  Options the Mets are considering to start at catcher include Yorvit Torrealba, Ramon Hernandez, Ronny Paulino, Gerald Laird, and Paul Lo Duca.  A source tells me the D’Backs’ Miguel Montero may also be on the radar.
  • Shpigel says Luis Castillo might command a four-year deal.  Say what?  The Mets may yet re-sign Castillo but want to see what the trade market offers first.  Shpigel names Orlando Hudson, while I’ve also heard Alberto Callaspo.

Odds and Ends: Rolen, Silva, Capps

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Here are some hot stove links to digest this evening.

Indians, Orioles Looking At Bay?

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We first checked in on outfielder Jason Bay back in late September.  Neal Huntington’s comments seemed to indicate Bay could be dealt.  He slumped to a surprising .746 OPS this year.

Logically the Indians would be in the mix for Bay.  He’s affordable – he makes only $13.25MM over the next two seasons.  And Huntington used to work for Tribe GM Mark Shapiro.  Marty York backs up the speculation, saying the Indians are the most interested club. 

Another interested club is the Orioles, according to Bucco Blog.  Jake mentions that teams are still trying to figure out why Bay declined in 2007.  Bay has contended his surgically repaired knee only hindered him on the basepaths and defensively, not at the plate.  A lack of passion has been suggested.  And I hate to throw it out there based only on a statistical decline, but teams may be waiting to see if Bay’s name appears in the Mitchell Report at all.

Tigers Could Lose Rogers, Move On To Silva

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Leave it to Scott Boras to be unsatisfied with Kenny Rogers’ declarations that he will either play for the Tigers or retire.  Boras told Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski yesterday that Rogers wanted to explore the open market. 

The Tigers remain Rogers’ first choice, but Boras wants to be make sure the the 43-year old southpaw is paid at a level commensurate with his peers.  To Boras that would be the Maddux-Schilling-Glavine range, which is roughly $10MM.  Rogers earned $8MM in 2007, and is probably a tad less appealing than that trio.  According to Jon Paul Morosi (linked above), the Mariners and Rangers would be in the mix if the Tigers couldn’t get something done. 

Dombrowski won’t let the Rogers wrinkle stop him from pursuing other pitchers.  Morosi says the Tigers have already expressed interest in Carlos Silva.  Wow, that list is growing rapidly.

The team’s other focus is relief pitching, given Joel Zumaya’s injury.  They still want to re-sign Todd Jones, and Matt Mantei is a mildly interesting wild card.  Morosi added today that the Tigers have talked to the Rockies about Brian Fuentes.  Morosi says relievers from the Cubs and Pirates could also be available – I’m guessing Ryan Dempster, Will Ohman, Damaso Marte, and Salomon Torres.  An intriguing trade option: Jose Valverde.

Odds and Ends: Cook, Benoit, Griffey, Riske

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Some random tidbits that didn’t get their own posts today…

Rockies Pursuing Ian Snell?

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I hate to tap from the same well twice in a row, but I felt the rumor at the bottom of Jake from Bucco Blog’s post deserved it’s own mention.  Jake writes,

"Lastly, are the Rockies going to go after Ian Snell? One NL exec thinks so.. and hard.

I was surprised when I heard this one knowing the Rockies have a pretty solid core of young pitchers in their farm, but if Dave Holliday does come to work as player development or scouting director, well…"

A lot of teams come off World Series trips with a truckload of veterans and the need to rebuild.  The Rockies are not one of those teams.  In fact, with the added confidence of a pennant (and World Series?), I wouldn’t be surprised if these now-seasoned youngsters kept competitive with the Diamondbacks up-and-coming talent over the next few years; however, they will need more starting pitching to do so (’07 starters had a 4.58 team ERA), especially if the Diamondbacks are focusing on upgrading a rotation consisting of Brandon Webb.  So let’s look at Ian Snell as a fit.

Snell can dominate.  He was arguably the Pirates best starter this year (3.76 ERA, 177 K in 208 IP), edging out Tom Gorzelanny in everything except Wins.  He will turn 26 this Tuesday and just completed his second tour of duty.  He is slated to make near-minimum in ’08, and becomes arbitration eligible in ’09-’11.  Free agency is 5 years away.  For that reason, it seems unlikely a rebuilding franchise would trade this cornerstone.  Still, Jake from Bucco Blog doesn’t consider him untouchable.

And now let’s speculate on the Rockies:  They have one of the deepest farm systems in the game, a key that will keep them competitive in the NL West.  Troy Tulowitzki has got to be untouchable.  But Ubaldo Jimenez and Manny Corpas may be at their respective pinnacles of value.  Chris Ianetta, a promising catching prospect, Ian Stewart, Franklin Morales, Jeff Baker… the list of major league ready prospects goes on.  If one team could persuade the Bucs to deal Snell, perhaps it’s the Rockies.  Thoughts?

More on Jason Bay to the Twins

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Yesterday, Joe Nathan said his re-signing was contingent on the Twins remaining competitive.  Today, Jake at Bucco Blog discusses a rumor to that fact:  The Twins’ interest in Jason Bay is real and hinges on whether or not they retain Torii Hunter.

Tim breaks it down here.  Hunter wants 5/75.  The Twins are offering 3/45.  If the they are serious about retaining him and Hunter in fact wants to stay then that discrepancy doesn’t seem insurmountable.  However, if Hunter leaves…

Jason Bay had a down year (.248/.328/.420) and yet almost certain to be dealt by new Pirates GM Neil Huntington this winter.  Shipping Bay is a launch pad for restructuring the Pirates’ system.  Tim notes the viability of a Bay for Matt Garza deal.  He’s signed for a mere $5.75MM in ’08 and an only slightly less mere $7.5MM in ’09, so the Twins would have no financial qualms if Hunter walks.

Posted by Nat Boyle

Tigers Hot Stove Talk

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Lynn Henning of the Detroit News runs down all of the big names rumored to be possibilities for the Tigers this winter and assesses the likelihood of each.  It’s a well-written article so be sure to read it.  Here are the players, ranked by the percent chance of playing for Detroit next year:

Kenny Rogers – 90%
Todd Jones – 80%
Geoff Jenkins – 75%
Edgar Renteria – 50%
Jack Wilson – 30%
Francisco Cordero – 5%
Alex Rodriguez – 3%
Mariano Rivera – 3%
Raul Ibanez – 0.5%
Torii Hunter – 0%
Andruw Jones – 0%

  • Henning believes Jenkins is quite likely to become a Tiger on a two-year deal.  He only costs money, as the Brewers won’t be offering him arbitration if they decline his option.  The Twins may be in the mix for him as well.
  • Henning notes that new Braves GM Frank Wren and current Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski have a connection and could easily work together on a Renteria trade.  Pitching would be the requirement.  Jeremy Bonderman seems like too much; Nate Robertson perhaps too little.
  • The Tigers badly want to bring Rogers back; that seems very likely.
  • Henning expects Jones back unless he receives an offer from the Braves, located somewhat near his home.  That’s not expected.
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