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A.J. Burnett Rumors: Wednesday

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11:53pm: Not seeing the $91MM rumor on Rosenthal’s blog anymore.  Mark Feinsand wrote earlier today it was $80MM.  Feinsand even said the Yankees and Burnett were "working into the night on closing a deal."  A Mark Bowman source put the Yanks’ offer at $85MM.

10:12pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Yanks are offering $91MM over five years.  He also learned that the Yanks will not sign both Burnett and Lowe – just one of them and then possibly other free agent pitchers.  Similar to Crasnick’s note below.

9:57pm: Tony Massarotti indicates the Red Sox are out and Burnett will choose between the Yankees and Braves.  Jerry Crasnick says that if the Yankees sign Burnett, a third free agent rotation addition would likely be a short-term guy like Ben Sheets as opposed to Derek Lowe.

6:54pm: Jon Heyman believes the Yankees’ five-year offer to Burnett is for $80MM.

6:09pm: Crasnick’s report about the Yanks’ five-year offer to Burnett is online now.  Crasnick’s source says a deal could be in place as soon as tomorrow.  He says the dollar figure is not known but Burnett’s agent is believed to be seeking a deal approaching Zambrano’s five years, $91.5MM. 

6:06pm: ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reports on TV that the Yankees have offered Burnett a five-year deal.

4:53pm: MLB.com’s Mark Bowman has a Major League source who does not believe the Braves offered Burnett five years.

4:06pm: ESPN’s Keith Law believes bidding on Burnett will exceed the value of Carlos Zambrano’s contract, which is for $91.5MM over five years.

12:54pm: Rosenthal and Gerry Fraley report that the Braves made an offer to Burnett late Tuesday for $80MM over five years.  That guaranteed fifth year could be big.

11:14am: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Braves are pushing hard for A.J. Burnett and talks with him progressed through the night.  The Yankees remain involved, however.

Ben Sheets Rumors: Wednesday

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9:05pm: Sheets had his house for sale in Dallas but recently took it off the market, for what it’s worth.

1:01pm: Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that Brewers GM Doug Melvin met with Ben Sheets and his agent Casey Close yesterday.  The Brewers did not make an offer, but haven’t ruled it out.  Haudricourt notes that Sheets signing with the Yankees would be bad for Milwaukee, since the Brewers can’t get a second first-round compensation pick from them.

Ben Sheets Rumors: Tuesday

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9:43pm: Nolan Ryan says the Rangers examined Sheets’ medical records and determined he’s healthy.  Sheets seems to have mutual interest, though the Rangers would need to move players to fit him in the payroll.

6:35pm: Joe Girardi was impressed with Sheets.  Meanwhile T.R. Sullivan talks about whether the Rangers could fit Sheets in the budget.

12:14pm: Feinsand now says the Yankees will offer around $26MM over two years to Sheets (hat tip to RAB).

8:26am: Joel Sherman says the Yanks have yet to decide whether to make Sheets an offer.

12:58am: According to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, the Yankees are preparing an offer for Ben Sheets to be made within 72 hours (hat tip to River Ave. Blues). Feinsand believes it will be in the two-year, $30MM range.

Red Sox Interested In Pettitte, Pavano, Penny

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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.

Sheets Meets With Yankees, Rangers

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9:24pm: The Rangers met with Sheets and his agent, according to T.R. Sullivan.  Jon Daniels said not to read too much into it.

7:13pm: Per Sherman, the Yanks met with Sheets today.

6:30pm: Free agent hurler Ben Sheets arrived in Vegas this afternoon, according to Ken Rosenthal.  Sheets wouldn’t comment much on the Yankees, but said he wouldn’t burn the bridge leading to a possible Milwaukee return.

MLB.com reports that the Rangers would like to chat with Sheets this week (he currently lives in Dallas).  They’d have to free up some cash to sign him.  Jon Daniels was already planning on meeting with Sheets’ agent Casey Close in regards to Jason Jennings.

Sabathia, Sheets, Shouse Decline Arb Offers

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11:33pm: MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy says Type A free agents Ben Sheets and C.C. Sabathia also declined arbitration.  The Brewers will get two draft picks for each if they sign elsewhere.  Haudricourt says Sheets’ decision "almost certainly ends his association with the Brewers."

11:12pm: According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Type B free agent reliever Brian Shouse declined the Brewers’ offer of arbitration.  The Brewers will get a supplemental pick if he signs elsewhere.  He’s looking for a two-year deal.

Winter Meetings Previews

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We’ve added a few new Winter Meetings preview to the collection…

  • Yahoo’s Tim Brown runs through plans for all of the American and National League teams.
  • Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post says the Rockies are all about left-handed relief help.  They’ve got several trade chips to work with.
  • Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer has the Phillies covered.  You know the plan: starting pitcher, outfielder.
  • Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reminds us of the Cardinals’ wish list: starter, closer, lefthanded reliever.  Arthur Rhodes would fit, but he’s leaning toward the Reds.  Strauss wonders if John Mozeliak can match up with the Blue Jays to find relief help.
  • The Twins still want to add a shortstop or third baseman according to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, though several options have already been eliminated.  Neal summarizes the players on the radar.  The Twins are also looking for bullpen help.
  • Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune discusses the Padres.  Kevin Towers will keep the Jake Peavy talks going with the Cubs while also searching for a shortstop and veteran catcher.
  • Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reminds us that Peavy and a left-handed hitting outfielder are on the Cubs’ wish list.  The bat comes first, says Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times.
  • Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star says Dayton Moore has already accomplished his main goals, and now looks to replenish his right-handed relief.  The Royals would also like to add a proven middle infielder and seem to have a glut of corner/DH types.
  • Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic and Jack Magruder of the East Valley Tribune analyze the Diamondbacks.  Josh Byrnes seeks a second baseman, left-handed reliever, and pitching in general.  Miguel Montero is the top trade chip.  They have about $10MM to spend, less if Brandon Lyon accepts arbitration.
  • Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News says the Rangers could trade Gerald Laird, Hank Blalock, Kevin Millwood, or Vicente Padilla.
  • Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel talked to Doug Melvin about C.C. Sabathia, who still hasn’t reacted to their offer.  If Sabathia and Ben Sheets leave, Melvin could add two starters.  Melvin also said it’d be too risky to trade J.J. Hardy and start Alcides Escobar at short.  Rickie Weeks has drawn interest, but Melvin would require "a pretty good hitter" in return.  Mike Cameron is a more likely trade chip.  As for the team’s closer search, Melvin doesn’t expect to be in on the big names.
  • Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post says the Marlins probably won’t steal headlines at these Winter Meetings as they did in ’07.  Still, Jorge Cantu, Matt Treanor, and Jeremy Hermida may be dealt.  The Fish have been "actively shopping" Treanor and Hermida.  The Marlins have mild interest in free agents Ivan Rodriguez and Carl Pavano.
  • Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune says Ken Williams has asked the Reds about Homer Bailey.  Could the Reds match up for Jermaine Dye?  The White Sox hope to add more MLB-ready starting pitching and maybe a backup catcher.
  • The Orioles need starting pitching, with a slew of names under consideration according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun: A.J. Burnett, Paul Byrd, Jon Garland, Mark Hendrickson, Braden Looper, Randy Wolf, Kenshin Kawakami, Koji Uehara, Bartolo Colon, and Matt Clement.  The O’s also hope to extend Brian Roberts, trade Ramon Hernandez, and find a shortstop.  They have interest in Adam Everett.
  • Roch Kubatko of MASN Online explains what it’s like for a reporter at the Meetings.

Sheets Expected To Decline Arbitration; Yanks Interested?

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Jon Heyman has another arbitration update, stating that Ben Sheets is expected to decline the Brewers’ offer. Ken Rosenthal had speculated this same thing earlier in the week.

There was some speculation that Sheets would accept arbitration in order to prove his health, then seek a multi-year deal after the 2009 season.

Heyman writes that the Yankees may pursue Sheets if they aren’t able to land one or two of C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Derek Lowe.

Sheets is a known ace-talent, but is it worth surrendering a first-round pick to offer Sheets multiple years?

Rosenthal’s Latest: Teixeira, Closers, Castillo, Cantu

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Ken Rosenthal has a new column up, let’s take a look at the highlights:

  • Rosenthal doesn’t see Mark Teixeira signing with the Nationals, even for the rumored ten-year, $200MM contract. He’s got better options in the Angels, Red Sox, and Yankees. Scott Boras managed to get Alex Rodriguez a ten-year deal with a losing team in 2000 when he signed with the Rangers, but Rosenthal doesn’t forsee a repeat.
  • The Indians are waiting on the Mets’ closer decision to make a decision of their own. Once New York signs or trades for a closer, the market will likely collapse. The Mets are preparing simultaneous offers to Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, and Kerry Wood.
  • The Brewers could spend big money on a closer once they hear from Ben Sheets and C.C. Sabathia. If the Brewers can somehow retain both, they won’t have money to spend on a closer and would likely have to trade Prince Fielder.
  • The Mets are desperately trying to unload Luis Castillo so they can make a run at Orlando Hudson. They’re having no luck though, even in trying to swap him for another bad contract. The Rangers rejected a swap of Castillo for Vicente Padilla.
  • Nationals GM Jim Bowden is interested in Willy Taveras. Doesn’t make any sense to me. The Nats already have Lastings Milledge, Josh Willingham, Elijah Dukes, and Austin Kearns.
  • The Rockies prefer to keep Garrett Atkins, but the Twins, Dodgers, Giants, and Phillies are all interested. Chase Utley has been a long-time supporter of bringing his former UCLA teammate to the Phils for a reunion.
  • The Marlins are getting several inquiries on Jorge Cantu and Dan Uggla. They don’t plan to trade either, though if the Giants were to offer Jonathan Sanchez for Cantu, the Marlins would jump at the chance.
  • Jermaine Dye, Mike Cameron, Marcus Thames, and Marlon Byrd are all available via the trade market, for teams needing a right-handed hitting outfielder. Rosenthal still feels Cameron could still end up in pinstripes.

Arbitration Decision Rumors

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As you know, 24 free agents were offered arbitration – 15 Type As and 9 Type Bs.  Their decisions will roll in throughout the day, but SI.com’s Jon Heyman spoils the ending – aside from perhaps a couple of middle relievers (Darren Oliver comes to mind), almost everyone will decline.  Nonetheless, let’s gather up some rumors on the topic.

  • Heyman analyzes six players: Jon Garland, Oliver Perez, Paul Byrd, Orlando Cabrera, Jason Varitek, and Ben Sheets.  He doesn’t really see these guys accepting, but their names have at least been raised in baseball circles.
  • Ken Rosenthal has sources saying Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, Sheets, and Garland will decline.  Tracy Ringolsby agrees on Fuentes.
  • Brandon Lyon’s agent Barry Meister admitted that he’ll consider accepting.
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