Rockies Reach Agreement With Embree
THURSDAY: Renck now says Embree’s deal is for $2.225MM with a mutual option for ’10. It may be announced tomorrow.
WEDNESDAY: Following up – Renck says the Rockies have an agreement in principle with Embree one a one-year deal worth around $2.5MM. The deal will be announced Thursday after the Rule 5 draft. Embree was a Type B free agent, but the A’s will not receive draft pick compensation because they did not offer arbitration.
TUESDAY: According to Troy Renck, the Rockies are nearing a one-year agreement with free agent lefty Alan Embree. The deal would be finalized later this week.
Rockies Rumors: Taveras, Villone, Marquis
9:48pm: The Rockies are moving forward on a deal for Rusch, according to Tracy Ringolsby. Ringolsby adds that the Rox may explore a long-term deal with Ubaldo Jimenez after the holidays, but aren’t quite ready to do so with Chris Iannetta. Also, the Rockies like Josh Bard but they don’t have room for him.
1:00pm: Joel Sherman adds Eddie Guardado as a lefty of interest for Colorado.
2:07am: Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post sums up the latest hot stove buzz around the Rockies.
- As you know, the Nationals are interested in Rockies outfielder Willy Taveras. Taveras might be just a step above a non-tender, so the price shouldn’t be too high. The real question is whether the Nats are planning on starting four players in the outfield.
- Joe Beimel is dropping out of the picture, but the Rockies still like Alan Embree, Ron Villone, and Glendon Rusch.
- The Mets’ asking price for Aaron Heilman was too high. Jason Marquis could be a trade target, he can at least eat innings at a cost of $6MM to the Rockies. Then again, a lot of guys can do that.
- No chance of multiyear contract talks between the Rockies and Brian Fuentes.
A’s Decline To Offer Arb To Embree, Thomas
According to MLB.com’s Mychael Urban, the A’s declined to offer arbitration to Type B free agents Alan Embree and Frank Thomas. Embree was an uncertainty, but the player said earlier today he didn’t expect an offer. Ten teams have expressed interest in the lefty reliever. Among them: the Mariners and Rockies, reportedly.
Mariners Make Free Agent Offer
According to MLB.com’s Jim Street, Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik made an offer to a position player free agent and expects to know more within 24-48 hours. That free agent is not Ken Griffey Jr., though Zduriencik has talked to his agent. Any guesses? One reader emailed wondering if the Ms could be the mystery team for Rafael Furcal.
Alan Embree is also on the radar; he acknowledged that the Mariners were one of ten clubs to express interest with his agent.
Rockies Rumors: Fuentes, Embree, Taveras
Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has a few Rockies tidbits today…
- It deserves another mention – Brian Fuentes has scheduled a visit with the Mets. If he signs there, the Rockies will add the Mets’ #25 pick to their own #11 pick in the first round while also snagging a sandwich pick.
- The Rockies want two lefties, probably from the pool of Glendon Rusch, Alan Embree, Brian Shouse, and Joe Beimel. Renck says the Tigers are aggressively pursuing Beimel, while Embree might have extra appeal if he can be had on a one-year deal.
- The Rockies hope to trade Willy Taveras, while free agent Cory Sullivan could fit with the Marlins or D’Backs according to Renck. The Rockies plan to use Ryan Spilborghs in center and perhaps re-sign Scott Podsednik as a reserve.
Perrotto’s Latest: Teixeira, Burnett, Wilson
John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus has his Sunday article up. Let’s go through it:
- The Angels may be willing to match the Yankees $140MM offer to CC Sabathia. They won’t offer 10 years to Mark Teixeira. If they can’t land Teixeira, they will consider Pat Burrell for first base.
- A.J. Burnett is looking at the Blue Jays, Red Sox, Yankees, Braves, Orioles, and Phillies.
- The Twins want a left-side infielder for Delmon Young, so they can open a spot for Denard Span in the starting lineup.
- The Tigers are pursuing Jack Wilson from the Pirates and Matt Treanor from the Marlins. They are also putting high priority on signing Joe Beimel who’s getting interest from a number of teams.
- The Dodgers will not re-sign Rafael Furcal for health reasons so the Giants, Athletics, and Reds are his most likely destinations.
- The Cubs will need to offer more than Jason Marquis to the Royals for David DeJesus. If they can’t get it done, they’d sign Raul Ibanez over Bobby Abreu.
- The Braves are interested in Javier Vazquez and Jermaine Dye…
- The Reds need to offer more than Homer Bailey to get Dye.
- The Mets are considering Jon Garland, Vazquez, Edwin Jackson, Andy Sonnanstine. The Rays want more than Aaron Heilman for either of their starters.
- The Mets could soon become suitors for Manny Ramirez.
- The Brewers could soon become suitors for Francisco Rodriguez.
- The Astros are targeting Paul Bako and David Ross as backup catchers.
- The Rockies are trying to find lefthanders, eyeing Alan Embree, Will Ohman, Brian Shouse, and Glendon Rusch.
A’s Rumors: Furcal, Embree, Thomas
Joe Stiglich of the Contra Costa Times has a few A’s rumors:
- Stiglich spoke with Rafael Furcal‘s agent, Paul Kinzer, and heard that it will be the middle of next week at the earliest that Furcal decides where he’d like to sign. It no longer seems likely that Furcal will narrow his options down to two teams this weekend.
- In a poll earlier in the week, 32% of MLBTR readers said they expected Furcal to sign with the A’s, who had the most votes of any team by far.
- The Rockies are interested in free agent reliever Alan Embree, but the A’s are considering brining him back for another year.
- And the A’s are deciding whether to offer arbitration to Embree and Frank Thomas.
Rockies Rumors: Embree, Shouse, Taveras, Atkins
Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has the latest on the Rockies.
Manager Clint Hurdle says the Rockies are focused on adding pitching, particularly in the bullpen. On the radar: Aaron Heilman, Alan Embree, Joe Beimel, and Brian Shouse. Yesterday Joel Sherman said the Mets balked at the idea of swapping Heilman and Pedro Feliciano for Huston Street.
Renck adds that the Reds and White Sox remain interested in outfielder Willy Taveras. On November 11th, Tracy Ringolsby said the Reds were not interested in Taveras despite reports. As for Garrett Atkins, Renck believes the market will take shape after Casey Blake signs.
Rockies Considering Embree, Shouse, Ohman
Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post talked to Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, who said the team has internally discussed lefthanded free agent relievers Alan Embree, Brian Shouse, and Will Ohman. Ken Rosenthal also suggests Embree is a possibility.
Another note from Rosenthal:
The Rockies, at least for the moment, seem content to keep third baseman Garrett Atkins and the three players they acquired in the Matt Holliday trade – left-hander Greg Smith, outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and reliever Huston Street.
Thinking about Street…it makes the most sense to trade him in June or July. Right now the supply for closers outstrips the demand, plus Street did not finish the season as a closer. The Rockies should let him rack up 20 saves, prove he’s on top of his game, and then move him during the summer when contenders are desperate for bullpen help.
Options Declined: Taguchi, Gordon, Counsell, Embree
Alright, time to lump today’s remaining options together in one post.
- The Pirates declined Jason Michaels‘ $2.6MM option. He could re-sign for less.
- The Phillies declined their options on So Taguchi ($1.25MM with a $150K buyout) and Tom Gordon ($4.5MM with a $1MM buyout). The moves may have been Pat Gillick’s last as GM.
- The Brewers declined Craig Counsell‘s $3.4MM option, paying a $400K buyout.
- The Athletics declined Alan Embree‘s $3MM option. As a Type B free agent, the A’s could offer him arbitration. Susan Slusser spoke to Embree, who didn’t mind having the option declined.