Rosenthal’s Latest: Crosby, Kawakami, Wolf
3:44pm: MLB.com’s Jim Street says Crosby cleared waivers.
9:00am: The word from Ken Rosenthal…
- The A’s placed shortstop Bobby Crosby on outright waivers in the hope that some team will assume his $5.75MM salary for ’09. After his lousy ’08, he may go unclaimed.
- The Braves were focused on Rafael Furcal; they’re not looking to add a different infielder as a backup plan. They still want another starting pitcher. Dave O’Brien names some possible targets.
- Rosenthal says some teams fear Kenshin Kawakami might want to match Hiroki Kuroda‘s three-year, $35.3MM deal.
- The Mariners would like to add a left-handed hitter with power; they’re waiting for a bargain.
- The Rockies are apparently debating whether to sign Tim Redding or trade for Jason Marquis. Reports in the Denver Post suggest Redding is the top target.
- Randy Wolf is looking for $30MM over three years. The Astros were in the $22-24MM range before pulling back.
Orlando Cabrera A Long Shot For A’s
According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the A’s only have interest in free agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera if he can be had as a late bargain. Despite the twists and turns it seems safe to say the A’s are no longer in the mix for Rafael Furcal.
The problems with Cabrera are the loss of a second-round pick and his probable $10MM+ salary demands. Slusser sees a legitimate chance the A’s stick with Bobby Crosby at shortstop for 2009.
Cabrera is said to be the Dodgers’ Plan B, though he carries an even steeper price for them. The Dodgers have the #17 selection in the 2009 amateur draft, the first unprotected pick. The White Sox would be thrilled to get it, and Cabrera’s Elias number is higher than that of any other Type A free agent who was offered arb the Dodgers could plausibly sign. So if the Dodgers sign Cabrera and, say, Oliver Perez, the White Sox still get the #17 pick.
Odds And Ends: Lowell, Vazquez, Tazawa
Links for Saturday…
- Ken Rosenthal comes up with a few possible suitors for Mike Lowell if the Red Sox sign Mark Teixeira. He lists the Dodgers, White Sox, Tigers and Brewers as possible fits.
- Nick Piecoro likes Ramon Vazquez as a fit for the D-Backs.
- Highly coveted Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa pitched a complete game shutout in Osaka, walking no one and striking out 10.
- John Van Benschoten will move on from the Pirates and try to sign with another team.
- Luke Hudson will also leave his old club, moving on from the Royals instead of accepting an assignment to AAA.
- Bobby Crosby is out of the loop amid the rumors swirling about Rafael Furcal.
- Mike Scarr takes a look at the market for middle infielders.
Orioles Targeting Izturis
According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles have contacted shortstop Cesar Izturis‘ agent to express interest. Zrebiec believes the 28 year-old defensive whiz tops their list. Izturis earned $3.05MM this year.
The Orioles have also had trade discussions for Khalil Greene and Bobby Crosby. The Padres requested Garrett Olson for Greene, and the Orioles passed.
Zrebiec says the Orioles are not interested in Rafael Furcal, Orlando Cabrera, or Edgar Renteria. If they spend big on a free agent, it’ll be A.J. Burnett or Mark Teixeira. However, Furcal’s agent Paul Kinzer said yesterday that the O’s are one of six teams to have shown interest in his client.
A’s Rumors: Street, Crosby, Embree
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle has a slew of A’s hot stove info for us today.
- Pending free agents include Mark Ellis, Frank Thomas, Emil Brown, and Keith Foulke. All except Ellis are certainly goners.
- Huston Street trade talks may resume with the team that claimed him in August. All we know is that it was a non-contender. Street is under team control through 2010, and could earn $5MM next year.
- The A’s aren’t planning to trade Justin Duchscherer, and are currently just hoping his hip will be OK for ’09.
- Shortstop Bobby Crosby will earn $5.25MM next year. He racked up 605 plate appearances this year, the most since his rookie year. However, he didn’t hit or play acceptable defense. Interest in him will not be high.
- Lefty reliever Alan Embree spoke of "positive dialogue" between him and Billy Beane regarding his next year. Embree posted a 4.96 ERA, so maybe the A’s will decline his $3MM option and re-sign him for less.
- Kirk Saarloos is a non-tender candidate.
Dodgers Scouting A’s?
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle notes that the Dodgers have a scout at the current A’s-Rays series in Tampa Bay. Ken Rosenthal recently named the Dodgers as one suitor for A’s closer Huston Street. Slusser also speculates that the Dodgers could consider shortstop Bobby Crosby.
Street is not at peak value right now, with eight hits and four runs allowed in his last three appearances. His average fastball velocity is down to 89.7 mph this year from 90.4 last year. Strikeouts are down, walks and home runs are up. He’s dealt with a groin strain this season and ulnar nerve irritation last year. Street is under team control through 2010.
Other teams eyeing Street: the Mets, White Sox, and Brewers.
Santana/Reyes/Haren Rumor Quashed
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 5:45pm: Billy Beane, who rarely comments on trade rumors, actually went out of his way to call mine below a "total fabrication." I guess I should be proud, right? I was the subject of an elaborate hoax/impersonated sportswriter (thanks, Fake John Delcos!). I apologize – not sure why someone would go to such lengths, but lesson learned.
FROM 12-5-07 at 3:36pm:
Just got an incredible rumor from a trusted New York sportswriter. Stay with me, because this one’s crazy. But rest assured that if the source wasn’t good, I wouldn’t post it.
Minnesota has initiated talks for a three-way blockbuster with the Twins and A’s. Here’s how it would go down:
Mets send Jose Reyes, Kevin Mulvey to A’s
Mets send Hector Pellot to Twins
A’s send Bobby Crosby and Dan Johnson to Mets
A’s send Dan Haren to Twins
Twins send Johan Santana to Mets
Mets get Johan Santana, Bobby Crosby and Dan Johnson
A’s get Jose Reyes and Kevin Mulvey
Twins get Dan Haren and Hector Pellot
The source says Haren is exactly the type of player the Twins want for Santana, a cheap frontline starter. It’s known the Mets would hate to deal Reyes but they would get some value beyond Santana. Billy Beane is happy because he gets Reyes for one more year than he had Haren plus longtime favorite Mulvey. And, he’s out of Crosby’s contract.
Thoughts?