Heyman’s Latest: Holliday, Teixeira, Burnett, Blake
10:19pm: Angels GM Tony Reagins laughed at Charley Walters’ Teixeira rumor, blaming it on…"those bloggers."
11:16am: The latest from SI.com’s Jon Heyman.
- The Rockies and Braves will wait until right before the July 31st deadline to decide whether to trade Matt Holliday and Mark Teixeira. The Rox have been more active calling around about Holliday, though. Heyman notes that Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd has spoken to the Mets, Angels, Phillies, and other teams about him. The Rockies are seven games out, while the Braves are six back.
- The Braves are reportedly making a list of trading partners for Tex, including the Red Sox, Angels, Rays, and D’Backs.
- Charley Walters has a rumor: Teixeira to the Angels for Robb Quinlan and Brandon Wood.
- The Yankees haven’t even considered signing Barry Bonds, despite the Hideki Matsui injury.
- Heyman spoke to a "Yankees person" who is fearful of A.J. Burnett‘s contract. I could see an acquiring team pushing for more certainty by buying out or guaranteeing the contract.
- Heyman considers Manny Ramirez‘s $20MM option for ’09 a bargain. For me, it’s not nearly as clear-cut.
- Omar Minaya is "especially" a fan of Cleveland’s Casey Blake. He would be a great fit for the Mets.
- Heyman is still hearing the rumor about the Mariners trying to lure Pat Gillick for an upper management position next year.
Orioles Want Jered Weaver, Brandon Wood For Tejada
Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times writes his "State of the Angels" Winter Meetings intro, and some information is revealed regarding Miguel Tejada.
As you know, Tejada is the Angels’ fallback option if they can’t get Miguel Cabrera. Well, it doesn’t sound like the price is reasonable on Tejada either. The Orioles want both third baseman Brandon Wood and starter Jered Weaver for him. The Angels would be comfortable with one of Joe Saunders or Ervin Santana plus a lesser prospect.
Given the lack of interest in Tejada and the multiple question marks, it’s surprising to see such a huge demand for talent. No wonder Ken Rosenthal said the Giants, Astros, and Cards don’t have the young talent to get Tejada. And by the way – the Orioles won’t be eating any of the $26MM owed to Tejada over the next two years.
Angels Out On Teixeira?
According to Mike DiGiovanna and Ben Bolch of the L.A. Times, the Angels are done trying to acquire Mark Teixeira. Casey Kotchman and Joe Saunders were agreed upon. The Angels wanted the Rangers to settle on Terry Evans or Nathan Haynes as the third player. The Rangers, however, wanted one of Brandon Wood, Nick Adenhart, Howie Kendrick, and Ervin Santana.
Perhaps there is some middle ground, like a Hank Conger, Sean Rodriguez, or Erick Aybar? The L.A. Times says the door is not completely closed on Teixeira but the Angels won’t relent to Jon Daniels’ list.
Meanwhile, the L.A. Daily News sings a different tune. Doug Padilla suggests an offer of Kotchman, Adenhart, and Reggie Willits. He does not believe the talks to be dead.
Jermaine Dye or Mike Piazza look like the logical alternatives for the Angels. Buster Olney believes Piazza to be a fine idea, and I agree. Interestingly, the Angels kicked the tires of Miguel Cabrera but were rebuffed.
Teixeira may now be left to the Braves, Dodgers, and Red Sox. I still expect a deal to be made. The sticking point for an Atlanta appears to be John Schuerholz’s demand to get a solid reliever back with Teixeira if he is to include Elvis Andrus.
Rosenthal’s Latest
Ken Rosenthal posted a new article this afternoon. A good read as usual, though not chock full of new rumors.
- Rocco Baldelli remains the Devil Rays’ best trading chip; they hope to see the 25 year-old return and re-establish the trade value he had in 2006. Many are already saying the Rays waited too long on Baldelli, but let’s see what they get for him before making that judgment.
- Reggie Willits has hit his way into a starting job for the Angels. Nice to see an Angel drawing walks 12% of the time. That will enable Willits to remain effective after his batting average regresses. Rosenthal says third base is the clear position for upgrade for the Angels. Garrett Atkins is desired, and Rosenthal would consider Brandon Wood a reasonable bounty. If I’m Dan O’Dowd, I’m making that deal. Meanwhile, Bill Shaikin believes the Blue Jays would ask for Wood for Troy Glaus, but would settle for Ervin Santana and 1B/3B/DH Matt Brown. Shaikin’s source says J.P. Ricciardi is not yet prepared to trade Glaus, however.
- Rosenthal speculates that the Braves would like to add a big-time starter to get away from the current plan of "Hudson and Smoltz and pray for lightning bolts." Sorry, that was the best weather rhyme I could come up with. He mentions Rich Harden and Dontrelle Willis, accompanied by the obligatory Jarrod Saltalamacchia rumor. Poor Salty.