Odds and Ends: Nelson, Atkins, Taveras
After a hectic Winter Meetings, it’s been a slow weekend. Today’s links…
- A 3.35 ERA for Phil Hughes next year? Bill James and Co. think so.
- Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe talked to Mark Mulder‘s agent, Gregg Clifton. Clifton said, "He’s ready to go for any team right out of the chute." Clifton shot down talk that Mulder would not be ready in April.
- The Rays have contacted the agents for Joe Nelson and Scott Proctor.
- Keith Law likes A.J. Burnett‘s upside, but notes the risks. Peter Abraham compares the Burnett and Johan Santana deals.
- Law is in favor of the Indians’ Kerry Wood signing.
- Scott Ostler’s baseball source says people are scratching their heads about the Giants’ Edgar Renteria contract.
- Bruce Jenkins says the Rockies would trade Garrett Atkins for Jonathan Sanchez.
- Troy Renck says Willy Taveras has received interest from the Reds, Nationals, and White Sox.
- Drayton McLane says there are a lot of reasons for Astros fans to be optimistic.
- The Yankees like Andy Pettitte over Ben Sheets.
Odds and Ends: Sheets, Moeller, Yankees
Links for Saturday…
- As more teams lock up lefty relievers, Jon Paul Morosi sees the Tigers as more likely to land Joe Beimel.
- Tom Haudricourt has heard that Ben Sheets is more likely to sign with the Rangers, who have Mike Maddux campaigning for them, than the Yankees.
- Peter Schmuck hears that the Orioles have signed catcher Chad Moeller to a minor league deal.
- Ken Davidoff writes that the Yankees shouldn’t concern themselves with Andy Pettitte just yet.
- Dave Perkins of the Toronto Star doesn’t like the Yankees’ aggressive spending.
- Jack Curry of the New York Times writes that the Yankees are instant favorites for the World Series.
- Another New York Times writer, Ben Shpigel, writes that the Mets especially need Oliver Perez now that the Phillies have signed Raul Ibanez.
- RotoAuthority breaks down the re-vamped San Francisco bullpen for fantasy baseball purposes.
- Matt Clement‘s optimistic about his fresh start with the Jays.
- Two players re-signed with their clubs after being non-tendered: Norris Hopper of the Reds and Scott Mathieson of the Phils.
- Hideki Okajima will run a marathon Sunday, and the Red Sox aren’t thrilled.
Cashman Flies To See Pettitte
Why did Yankees GM Brian Cashman jet off yet again this morning? Joel Sherman and George King of the New York Post have the answer.
Cashman headed to Texas to talk to Andy Pettitte. Cashman will offer Pettitte his last rotation spot for $10MM, and move on if he’s not interested.
Derek Lowe Rumors: Wednesday
10:08pm: A note from Dave O’Brien:
Just so you know, one of Boras’ guys also claims the Braves have expressed at least some interest in Lowe.
5:18pm: Jayson Stark has a source saying the Phillies aren’t pursuing Lowe, and didn’t make an offer.
4:27pm: Gordon Edes agrees, Lowe is not on the verge of signing. He does have offers in hand from the Yanks and Phillies, with the Mets and Red Sox in talks. The Brewers made contact but are considered a long shot. Edes says Lowe’s desire to return to Boston has been overstated. Edes says the two offers are in the four-year, $65MM range, and a fifth year could clinch it.
3:14pm: Rosenthal says the Yankees’ talks with Lowe are progressing, but reports that they’re close are overblown. He adds that the Yanks are also in active discussions with A.J. Burnett, and, surprisingly, Andy Pettitte. Kevin Baxter believes it’s the Yanks or retirement for Pettitte.
8:56am: According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Yankees were discussing a four-year, $66MM deal with Derek Lowe late Tuesday night. Via MetsBlog, Heyman said on WFAN this morning that the Yanks are closing in.
Red Sox Interested In Pettitte, Pavano, Penny
5:26pm: WEEI’s Alex Speier says that while the Red Sox touched base with Pettitte’s agent, there’s almost no chance they sign him. They also have not had meaningful dialogue for Ben Sheets.
8:30am: Add Carl Pavano and Brad Penny to the starting pitchers under consideration for Boston, according to Nick Cafardo. He says the Marlins are the favorite for Pavano, and the Yankees are still in it. We learned yesterday that the Blue Jays have interest.
12:36am: According to Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe, the Red Sox expressed interest in free agent lefty Andy Pettitte. Could Pettitte cross enemy lines in 2009? For now Massarotti says the Red Sox have simply kicked the tires, as they seem to do with most interesting free agents.
Cardinals Rumors: Downs, Gonzalez, Boyer
12:41pm: Marc Topkin heard chatter that the Rays and Cardinals are talking. Perhaps Ankiel or Ludwick could interest Tampa Bay.
Meanwhile Scott Lauber says the Cards may be interested in Madson as a potential closer.
8:36am: Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Cardinals remain focused on short-term deals for starters. Possible names include Oliver Perez, Andy Pettitte, Brad Penny, and Randy Wolf. They’ll meet with Wolf’s agent by tomorrow afternoon.
John Mozeliak now seems open to a two or three-year deal for a reliever. He could trade an outfielder like Ryan Ludwick for a top guy, but shot down the idea of Ryan Madson. Makes no sense, Madson is only under team control for one more year. Schumaker and Chris Duncan are trade bait for Mozeliak.
8:28am: Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun says the Cards have interest in Blue Jays lefty Scott Downs. Downs is owed $7.75MM over the next two seasons.
8:01am: We know the Cardinals chatted with the Braves about Mike Gonzalez and Blaine Boyer. Gerry Fraley says they also had trade talks with the Phillies, hoping to trade an outfielder for a reliever. Rick Ankiel and Skip Schumaker are apparently popular with other teams.
Phillies Starting Pitching Rumors
2:20pm: Dan Graziano says the Phillies expressed interest in Andy Pettitte.
8:47am: Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Inquirer says that as the Phillies’ talks with Jamie Moyer drag on, they’re looking at alternatives. They seem to have some kind of offer out to Derek Lowe. Hagen adds that they have some interest in Braden Looper while Randy Wolf is unclear.
Yankees Rumors: Teixeira, Pettitte
A couple of Yankees non-rumors. Brian Cashman said he did not make an offer to Mark Teixeira when they met last week. Additionally, he does not have a meeting scheduled with Andy Pettitte‘s agents (though still hopes to re-sign him).
Cards Switch Focus To Free Agency
According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Cardinals GM John Mozeliak recently shifted his focus from trades to free agency in regards to his pitching staff. They briefly mulled the idea of jumping in on Jake Peavy but decided against it.
Strauss suggests four free agent starters the Cardinals might consider signing for the short-term: Oliver Perez, Andy Pettitte, Randy Wolf, and Brad Penny. The Cards have about $15-17MM to work with, but they won’t be chasing the big fish free agent starters.
Straus adds that it now looks like the Cardinals will retain second baseman Adam Kennedy.
Yankees Rumors: Burnett, Sabathia, Pettitte
10:37pm: Yanks GM Brian Cashman plans to meet with Sabathia this weekend prior to the Meetings. Also, Brewers GM Doug Melvin plans to meet with Sabathia’s agent Greg Genske Monday or Tuesday to get a response to their offer.
3:27pm: Dodgers manager Joe Torre expects Pettitte to return to the Yankees.
8:56am: The latest on the Yankees front…
- Ken Davidoff says the Yankees and Blue Jays were willing to give A.J. Burnett a fifth year vesting option. The Braves seem likely to sign Burnett if they will guarantee that fifth year as has been reported. Braves officials are confident, and Tony Massarotti says they’re "rumored to be on the verge of a five-year deal that could be worth $80 million." Meanwhile the Red Sox have moved on to Derek Lowe.
- Davidoff says Yankees officials are confident they’re the only serious suitor for C.C. Sabathia, as there’s still a $40MM gap between their offer and Milwaukee’s. Davidoff believes the Yanks will move on to Lowe and Andy Pettitte (not Manny Ramirez or Mark Teixeira) if they sign C.C.
- According to Jack Curry of the New York Times, Pettitte does not want a pay cut from last year’s $16MM. Curry says the Yanks have offered Pettitte $10MM, which was first reported by Joel Sherman on Tuesday. Pettitte still sounds like he wants to return to the Yankees, but he’s letting his agents battle for a better salary.