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Brian Fuentes

Rockies Rumors: Fuentes, Street, Rusch, Podsednik

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MLB.com’s Thomas Harding has the latest on the Rockies, here and here.

  • The Rockies will offer arbitration to Brian Fuentes, who is a Type A free agent.  Obviously it’s all about the two draft picks, as Fuentes will decline.  He’ll probably sign with a team with an unprotected first-round pick, too.
  • Harding says the Rockies are already receiving calls on Huston Street.  ESPN’s Buster Olney says Dan O’Dowd is telling other GMs he won’t trade Street, but some believe it’s posturing.
  • O’Dowd backed off a bit on the idea of re-signing Glendon Rusch and Scott Podsednik, saying he wants to make sure there’s a role for them in Colorado.
  • The Rockies won’t be diving in on any big-name free agent pitchers.  They’ll either stand pat or pursue trades.
  • O’Dowd called the Reds trade rumors "comical."  The Rockies, by the way, are apparently not interested in Homer Bailey.

Mets Closer Plan Starts With Free Agents

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Let’s try to decipher the Mets’ strategy for acquiring a new closer.

  • Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post says the Mets will pursue a free agent out of the gate, perhaps with Brian Fuentes ranked above Francisco Rodriguez on their list.  Still, K-Rod’s agent noted that they’re not "wedded" to a five-year deal, and he didn’t toss the reported $15MM demand out there.  Hubbuch believes the Mets will move on to trade targets such as Bobby Jenks and Huston Street if they fail to sign Fuentes or Rodriguez.
  • Ken Davidoff and David Lennon mention J.J. Putz as well, while suggesting the Mets don’t love Street.  They agree that the Mets will try free agency first, with Kerry Wood a third target.  Davidoff likes Jenks over K-Rod, but expects it’d cost Fernando Martinez and maybe Bobby Parnell.  The White Sox have reportedly scouted Parnell and Eddie Kunz.

Perrotto’s Latest: Free Agent Predictions

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John Perrotto has his Every Given Sunday column up over at Baseball Prospectus. Perrotto offers a list of some educated guesses as to where some of the top free agents in baseball will land, with some surprises here and there. Let’s take a look:

  • Perrotto lists the Yankees loading up on starting pitching, landing C.C. Sabathia and Derek Lowe, while the Dodgers land Manny Ramirez after doubling their initial offer to four years, $100MM.
  • Perrotto says the Nationals will land Mark Teixeira, as they could be prepared to offer Teixeira – a Maryland native – ten years, $200MM. Turning down that kind of money would certainly be difficult.
  • Perrotto has Adam Dunn landing on the North Side of Chicago and having an adventurous time in right field for the Cubs. According to these predictions, he’ll be joined by Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood – neither of whom are going anywhere.
  • Perrotto feel Andy Pettitte won’t be back with the Yankees, and feels that he will either take a below-market contract from his hometown Astros or retire. He also pegs Mike Mussina to likely retire, but agrees he’ll be back with the Yankees if he does indeed make a run at 300 wins.
  • Other predictions from Perrotto: Raul Ibanez  and Francisco Rodriguez to the Mets, Milton Bradley to Toronto, Orlando Cabrera to Minnesota, Casey Blake back to Cleveland, A.J. Burnett to the Orioles, Brian Fuentes to the Angels, Nick Punto to St. Louis, Randy Johnson to the Angels, Jason Giambi to Oakland, and Orlando Hudson to the Mets.
  • The list of players who will end up back with their current teams: Ben Sheets, Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell, Jamie Moyer, and Jason Varitek, on a two-year $20MM contract, courtesy of Scott Boras.

Indians Rumors: Shoppach, Roberts, Street

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Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer discusses the Indians’ offseason needs.

  • With Victor Martinez, Kelly Shoppach, Carlos Santana, and others, the Indians have a surplus of catching (and mad guitar skills).  The Red Sox, Marlins, Reds, and Tigers are known to be in the market, so maybe the Indians can deal a catcher to fill another need.  Those other needs: an infielder, a late inning reliever, and a starter.
  • Hoynes believes the Indians will fall short of meeting the demands of free agents Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, and Rafael Furcal.
  • Hoynes implies the asking price for one year of Brian Roberts is Fausto Carmona and Asdrubal Cabrera.  That won’t work for the Tribe; they are looking to add a starter.  They might have the same problem if they try to acquire Garrett Atkins.
  • As we’ve heard, the Indians are in on Huston Street.
  • Hoynes tosses out a couple of possible free agent bargains that may come with the necessary price break: Joe Crede and Jason Isringhausen.

Mets Revamping The Bullpen

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The Mets’ primary focus this winter is to completely revamp their bullpen.  Ken Davidoff and Joel Sherman outline Plan A: free agents.  Names in the mix: Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, Kerry Wood, Joe Beimel, Juan Cruz, and Chad Cordero.  Sherman figures the Mets are in a good position because most of the other big-market teams aren’t looking for a closer.

Plan B: trades.  The Mets have already discussed Bobby Jenks with the White Sox.  J.J. Putz, Huston Street, and Kevin Gregg are the other names.  It all depends on how much young talent Omar Minaya wants to sacrifice.

As a corollary to Plan B, the Mets want to ship out Pedro Feliciano, Aaron Heilman, and Scott Schoeneweis.  They hope to clear payroll and/or bring in other relievers in these trades.  Davidoff says Heilman has plenty of admirers.

Another note from Sherman – the Mets "could be interested" in Jason Varitek if the price comes down but Varitek doesn’t re-sign with Boston.  In another article, Davidoff lays out Plans A, B, and C for both the Mets and Yankees.

Mets Rumors: Fuentes, Cordero, Delgado

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5:18pm: More on the Mets: Ken Davidoff says they’re shopping Aaron Heilman, Scott Schoeneweis, and Pedro Feliciano.  The A’s, Rays, and Rangers are fans of Heilman.  The Rockies, Cardinals, Cubs, and D’Backs were also tossed into the mix by Adam Rubin, though the D’Backs haven’t had recent talks.   The Mets would be willing to pick up some of the $3.6MM owed to Schoeneweis next year.

4:58pm: Brian Fuentes’ agent Rick Thurman calls the below rumor of an offer to the Mets a "total fabrication."

10:56am: Checking in on the Mets…

  • Tracy Ringolsby says Brian Fuentes’ agents proposed a four-year, $44MM deal to the Mets.  Ringolsby heard the Indians and Cardinals don’t want to go beyond two years.  The Mets also met with Francisco Rodriguez’s agent.
  • The Mets are considering free agent Chad Cordero, who is coming off July shoulder surgery.
  • GM Omar Minaya seems willing to spend big money on a closer and one starter, and then fill the other starting spot cheaply.  The Mets could, say, sign Derek Lowe and trade for the affordable Edwin Jackson.  The Mets haven’t exchanged names yet for Jackson.
  • Ryan Dempster and Jon Garland may be on the radar, as Minaya met with their agent yesterday.  Dempster’s agent said he can handle New York.
  • Carlos Delgado approached the Mets late in the season about an extension for 2010, but they decided to pass.  Delgado wasn’t bothered by this.
  • Ken Davidoff adds that the Mets have let scout/former Bulls GM Jerry Krause go.

Indians Open To All Options At Closer

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According to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Indians GM Mark Shapiro is considering all options for the team’s closer job.

No free agents have been ruled out, even expensive closers like Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes.  The Indians’ #15 pick is protected, if they go that route.  Shapiro admitted to interest in Trevor Hoffman and Kerry Wood, if they are not retained by their old teams.  If the Indians can’t find a closer, they may add a late inning reliever to put in front of Jensen Lewis and Rafael Perez anyway.

On the trade front, the Indians have Huston Street on the radar.  Kevin Gregg could be another consideration.

Mets Rumors: Wolf, Fuentes, K-Rod, Street, Pedro

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11:37am: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says the Mets are eyeing Randy Wolf, in addition to Derek Lowe and Oliver Perez.

Heyman adds that some Mets people are concerned about their catching, but others aren’t thrilled with the free agent options.

9:20am: All kinds of Mets rumors this morning.

  • Let’s begin with the closer situation.  The Mets are interested in Brian Fuentes, but Omar Minaya will not rule out Francisco Rodriguez. He makes a great point: contract numbers are tossed around early, but the player often fails to reach that amount. 
  • Joel Sherman says the Mets also want to speak to the A’s about Huston Street.  However, his sources say the A’s feel they match up better with the Indians, Rockies, and Brewers (all interested parties).  Rosenthal has Kerry Wood and Joe Beimel in the Mets’ sights as well.  Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog believes J.J. Putz could be a trade target, with interest on the Mariners’ side. 
  • Ken Davidoff explains how the Mets could end up signing K-Rod – the Fuentes market blows up, while Rodriguez settles for less.  I’m on board with that.
  • The Javier Vazquez rumors were addressed in this post.  Elsewhere on the starting pitching front – Minaya will talk to Pedro Martinez’s agent, but he’s unlikely to return.  Aaron Heilman won’t be moving to the rotation.
  • We’ve heard about the Mets’ interest in Raul Ibanez, but Minaya does not seem to consider the offense a problem.  He even spoke optimistically about a Luis Castillo rebound (though he did not give Castillo a ringing endorsement).

Indians Interested In Blake

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According to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Indians have expressed interest in bringing third baseman Casey Blake back to Cleveland.  Blake stands out in a weak free agent market at the hot corner.  The Dodgers are also interested, but they may view other needs as a higher priority.  At the least, they should offer him arbitration as a Type B free agent.

Blake’s agent anticipates offers ranging from one to three years.  Blake brings the added benefit of versatility, as he can play first base and right field as well.

In other Indians news, agent Rick Thurman plans to meet with the Tribe to discuss his clients.  He has Brian Fuentes, Trevor Hoffman, and Jason Isringhausen.  The Indians almost signed Hoffman a few years ago.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Fielder, Beimel, Eckstein

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Ken Rosenthal is on the scene at the GM meetings, and as usual has all kinds of new info.

  • The Brewers are unlikely to trade Prince Fielder, and reluctant to trade J.J. Hardy or Alcides Escobar.  It’d be smart to retain those three players.
  • Rosenthal still likes the Braves as the favorite for Jake Peavy, but wonders if the Cubs or another team could incorporate a third team to get it done.
  • The Cubs will need to spend much of their available money on pitching, which may leave little payroll room for an outfielder like Bobby Abreu.  They could backload contracts and move some of Jason Marquis’ salary though.
  • The Mets are interested in lefty reliever Joe Beimel, as well as usual suspects Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, and Kerry Wood.  They also like Raul Ibanez.
  • The Cardinals could move forward with a Ryan Ludwick/Colby Rasmus/Rick Ankiel outfield, or trade one of them.  Ankiel, entering his contract year, seems most likely to go if Rasmus is ready.
  • David Eckstein is marketing himself as a second baseman for 2009.
  • Don’t look for the Phillies to move Shane Victorino in a Matt Holliday deal.
  • The Cardinals and Nationals are not contenders for A.J. Burnett.  Still no word on Burnett’s opt-out.
  • The Marlins may wait until some of the top free agent starters sign before shopping Scott Olsen.
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