According to Dave Sheinin of the Washington Post, the Nationals are "actively seeking bullpen help." Sheinin confirmed their reported interest in Brian Fuentes and added a new target in Juan Cruz. He says the Nats, like many teams, have an opportunistic approach toward free agent pitching. We haven’t heard much about Cruz yet but it doesn’t sound like any team is willing to go crazy for Fuentes.
Brian Fuentes
Details On Tigers’ Failed Putz Bid
Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press has the details on the Tigers’ failed bid for J.J. Putz:
One proposal involved the Tigers sending Matt Joyce to Tampa Bay and outfielders Wilkin Ramirez and Casper Wells to Seattle. Putz was the only player the Tigers would have received.
According to Joe Strauss, the Cardinals also pursued Putz (as well as Aaron Heilman).
After the proposal failed, the Tigers shipped Joyce to Tampa Bay for Edwin Jackson. Brian Fuentes may be the Tigers’ best remaining option from a baseball standpoint, but Morosi believes they’d have to move other contracts off the books to afford him. I’m surprised – they’ll spend less than $10MM in ’09 on their new catcher, shortstop, and starter.
Brian Fuentes Rumors: Thursday
We learned yesterday that Brian Fuentes is a priority for the Cardinals. Tonight, however, ESPN’s Steve Phillips reports that the Cards’ negotiations with Fuentes have slowed. Two new unknown suitors have entered the picture. Word was yesterday that Fuentes could snag a three-year, $33MM deal, even though Francisco Rodriguez was guaranteed only $4MM more. John Mozeliak told MLB.com’s Matthew Leach the Cards would be extremely hesitant to commit $10MM+ to a reliever.
Tigers Unlikely To Add Closer
8:04: Steve Kornacki doesn’t feel that the Tigers are done adding to their bullpen yet. He feels Dave Dombrowski will pursue Fuentes is the price comes down.
He also looks at what he deems the other six viable options left: John Smoltz, Trevor Hoffman, Brandon Lyon, David Weathers, Chad Cordero, and Eric Gagne. Hardly an impressive crop. Kornacki lists Lyon and Weathers as the most attractive options, unless the Tigers can luck out and pry Smoltz away from Atlanta. Smoltz is a Michigan native.
6:44: Danny Knobler of CBS Sports says that getting a closer is no longer a priority for the Tigers.
Detroit isn’t interested in Trevor Hoffman, can’t afford Brian Fuentes, and they tried for Kerry Wood but missed. The Tigers feel they could have landed J.J. Putz, but the Mets swooped in with a last minute offer and won his services.
Knobler also wonders if the Tigers could release Dontrelle Willis if he doesn’t show something in Spring Training.
Dodgers Could Pursue Hoffman; Cards Unlikely
5:56 pm: According to Jayson Stark, the Dodgers, who are likely to non-tender Takashi Saito, could pursue Hoffman. Stark has sources who say that if the price is low enough and the contract is short-term, the Dodgers might be interested.
9:17 am:Cardinals manager Tony La Russa: "I mean, I love and respect Trevor Hoffman. But I don’t know that that’s the guy we’ve talked about a lot." Instead, Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Brian Fuentes is the Cardinals’ priority.
The Brewers seek a closer as well, but they’ll also take a pass on Hoffman. We’ll have to see what the Tigers do. The Dodgers don’t seem passionate; Tim Sullivan of the San Diego Union-Tribune thinks it’s time to mend fences with the Padres if they can afford Hoffman.
Cubs Inquire On Chone Figgins
According to Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times, the Cubs inquired on Chone Figgins. Figgins could theoretically fill Mark DeRosa’s superutility role, though DeRosa seems likely to stay put. DiGiovanna says the Angels won’t be sure of their needs until they sort out the Mark Teixeira and Brian Fuentes situations.
Brewers Looking For Pitching
9:00pm: Tom Haudricourt has an update. Nothing came of Doug Melvin’s talks with the Rangers, and he denied talking to the Giants or Mariners.
The Brewers haven’t made an offer yet to Randy Johnson, who seems to prefer the West Coast. Melvin says he won’t pursue Hoffman. And, some of the $100MM offered to Sabathia is available for pitching.
5:06pm: MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan says Melvin spoke to the Rangers about pitching. Melvin is said to hold Kevin Millwood in high regard.
3:27pm: Danny Knobler heard from two sources that Brewers GM Doug Melvin can’t shift any of the $100MM offered to C.C. Sabathia to players, and the Brewers are "very unlikely" to pursue a closer (this despite meetings with closers that are known to have taken place).
1:51pm: This information has all pretty much surfaced prior to today, but let’s put it all in one place. The Brewers are considering Brian Fuentes and Trevor Hoffman as closer options, with Randy Johnson a rotation option.
Brian Fuentes Rumors: Wednesday
7:52pm: Fuentes appears to be top priority for the Cardinals and manager Tony La Russa.
6:27pm: Ken Rosenthal has a source who expects Brian Fuentes to score a three-year, $33MM deal. That might be too pricey for the Cardinals, Brewers, and Tigers, leaving perhaps the Angels.
Cardinals Reliever Rumors
5:57pm: K-Rod’s agent Paul Kinzer said the Cardinals did not offer his client a similar contract.
9:08am: According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals made a bid for Francisco Rodriguez in the neighborhood of the Mets’ successful three-year, $37MM bid. The search continues. Strauss says the Cards plan to explore trades before escalating talks with Brian Fuentes. Potential trade targets: J.J. Putz, Matt Capps, and Jon Rauch. Talks for Jose Valverde "stalled abruptly earlier in the week." The trade bait will probably be on of the Cardinals’ outfielders.
Strauss adds that GM John Mozeliak met with Scott Boras yesterday, possibly to discuss Oliver Perez.
J.J. Putz Rumors: Wednesday
2:04pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Cardinals offered Rick Ankiel and a prospect for Putz. The Tigers remain interested as well.
9:23am: According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, "the Tigers’ interest in acquiring closer J.J. Putz from Seattle appears stronger than ever." Morosi says the Mariners insist the Tigers include Jeff Larish and Matt Joyce in a deal. If the Ms acquire Larish and are convinced he can play third base, they may be motivated to shop Adrian Beltre. Morosi adds that Brewers and Cardinals have also inquired on Putz.
Brian Fuentes still seems too pricey for Detroit, and Kerry Wood is apparently off the board. Morosi says the Tigers have "mild interest" in Baltimore’s George Sherrill. Joe Beimel remains their top choice among lefty relievers, but the Tigers have yet to offer a contract.
