Mariners Targeting Blanton?
So far this winter, we haven’t heard much about the Mariners getting involved for Joe Blanton. However, Buster Olney says today that "it appears they are in the thick of the trade bidding" for the 27 year-old righty. Blanton has a career ERA of 4.10 with a below-average K/9 of 5.24 and better-than-average BB/9 of 2.37.
Olney believes Adam Jones would be required for Seattle to acquire Blanton. Along with Jones, Carlos Gonzalez, Daric Barton, Kurt Suzuki, and Travis Buck could be the makings of a solid, cheap offensive core for Oakland. Olney believes the Mets and Reds could be other clubs eyeing Blanton.
The Mariners are still scrambling for two starters after missing out on Hiroki Kuroda. According to Larry Stone, they’re still after Erik Bedard. Carlos Silva and Kyle Lohse might also become targets if the bigger names fall through.
Royals Still Want Kuroda; Could Turn To Silva
Bob Dutton of the KC Star has the latest Royals buzz, as usual.
The Royals are being aggressive trying to win an unlikely bid for Hiroki Kuroda. They might even send Trey Hillman to Japan to make a last-minute pitch. The Dodgers currently lead for Kuroda, who will decide from Japan rather than take a U.S. tour.
Plan B for the Royals is said to be Carlos Silva, but not at a price higher than four years and $40MM. That probably won’t cut it for Silva, who can probably get an additional $10MM or another year elsewhere.
Silva Headed To Kansas City?
An uncredited report in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune says Carlos Silva "has been rumored to be headed to Kansas City, although his agent said nothing is imminent."
The Royals have room in the budget for one more decent-sized acquisition, and Andruw Jones is now off the table.
Phillies Rumors: Iguchi, Inge, Silva, Ensberg
Sounds like there’s a whole lot of ‘nothin’ going on with the Phillies.
- As you know, the Phils are out on Hiroki Kuroda.
- Yesterday the Phillies made an offer and a second improved offer to Tadahito Iguchi. Iguchi is looking for a three-year deal for around the $16.5MM Kaz Matsui received.
- Todd Zolecki says the Phils have "kicked around" Brandon Inge‘s name; he’s definitely available. The general sentiment is that the Tigers would have to eat some of the $19.1MM owed to Inge over the next three seasons. Plus, the Phillies already tried the defense-first idea at third base.
- Talks with Mike Cameron went nowhere, as the Phillies didn’t want to consider a multiyear deal. Aaron Rowand is also a long shot. Not a very exciting Meetings for Phillies fans.
- Scott Lauber checks in this morning and says Carlos Silva would like to return to the Phillies. The interest isn’t mutual, however, if Silva continues to ask for four or five years.
- Lauber suggests Morgan Ensberg is a strong non-tender candidate and someone the Phils should look at.
Cardinals Turn To Free Agent Market
The Cardinals want to add at least one starting pitcher. Once thought to be interested in Carlos Silva and Kyle Lohse – the "premium" options – John Mozeliak is already digging through the bargain bin. Matthew Leach and Joe Strauss have the latest.
- Mozeliak has talked to Bartolo Colon‘s agent and the Cards will take a look at his medical records. It’s been suggested that Colon will not take a one-year deal.
- Livan Hernandez is under consideration, but Mozeliak says he’s "not yet" a fit.
- Josh Fogg is on the radar too.
- The Cardinals have marginal interest in Kris Benson, and they’ll attend his workout on the 17th.
- Interesting non-pitcher note from Mozeliak: the Cards have expressed interest in Aaron Rowand.
Giants Rumors: Silva, Kuroda, Lowry
Andrew Baggarly checks in with some new Giants information.
- He says the Giants are acting as if they’re planning on trading a pitcher, checking in with the agents for Carlos Silva and Hiroki Kuroda. Brian Sabean found the cost for Kuroda prohibitive, though. This activity is, of course, linked to the rumored Tim Lincecum trade.
- No truth to the rumors linking the Giants to Ben Broussard and Shawn Green.
- Teams have called about Noah Lowry, but the Giants have only gotten lowball offers.
Odds and Ends: Jose Lopez, Green, Silva, Fukumori
Let’s round a few more rumors up, because they just don’t stop coming.
- Says Jim Molony: no less than 10 teams have expressed interest in Carlos Silva. Weak – 11 have expressed interest in Bedard, loser.
- Other guys in the 10 interested teams club – Livan Hernandez and Kazuo Fukumori. At least, that’s where their agents would like everyone to think.
- The Padres can only afford one of Mike Cameron and Kosuke Fukudome. They think Fukudome can play an adequate center. Kevin Towers is still in talks with Cameron.
- The Mariners are shopping Jose Lopez, who Jeff Passan names as a possible non-tender. However Lopez already is already all tendered up through 2010 on a long-term pact. So to ditch him the Ms would have to trade him or else cut him and eat the money, Russ Ortiz style.
- Passan suggests the Rays might prefer to go with Shawn Green for their right field vacancy, as Geoff Jenkins and Brad Wilkerson want multiyear deals. The Giants also like Green, for some reason. Nick Cafardo suggests Trot Nixon could be the guy behind the guy for the Rays.
Braves Offer James For DeJesus?
UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 4:21pm: Debunked! David O’Brien says the Braves aren’t in talks about DeJesus, and the Royals have a negative opinion of James anyway.
FROM 12-4-07 at 2:09pm:
According to the KC Star’s Bob Dutton, the Jose Guillen signing puts the Royals in a better position to trade David DeJesus or Joey Gathright. The Rangers and Braves are on DeJesus’ trail. Dutton believes the Braves offered up lefty Chuck James for him. It seems a little light, as I’m not sure James could be effective in the American League. Royals GM Dayton Moore, of course, came from the Atlanta organization.
Dutton says not only is Hiroki Kuroda looking for four years, he may want $48MM. The Royals could move on and spend the money on Andruw Jones instead, if he’ll take a one or two-year deal. The money could also be diverted to Carlos Silva if he’ll take 4/40. Otherwise the Royals will just chase rehab guys like Jason Jennings, Kris Benson, and Matt Clement.
Phillies Rumors: Wolf, Feliz, Jenkins
MLB.com’s Ken Mandel has a Phillies update for us tonight.
- Pat Gillick’s honesty is refreshing and funny. On Randy Wolf: "He’s the only guy who’s voiced some concern, but I haven’t heard anyone else voice concern about the ballpark. He’s always voiced concern. I talked to him last year and talked to him this year, and he always makes some remarks about the park which are quite unfounded."
- Gillick also weighed in on Kyle Lohse and Carlos Silva, noting their agents want to keep as many clubs involved as possible. The Phillies expect to sign neither.
- It’s a bottom priority, but the Phils are considering Pedro Feliz as a third base option.
- Trot Nixon isn’t on the Phils’ list of outfield targets. As you know, Geoff Jenkins is under consideration.
Red Sox Leading For Santana?
UPDATE, 11-29-07 at 10:30pm: The Yankees’ offer stands at Ian Kennedy, Melky Cabrera, and maybe Jose Tabata. Phil Hughes is a big upgrade over Kennedy, and the Twins are insisting on him. Meanwhile the Red Sox are still pushing Coco Crisp while the Twins are holding out for Jacoby Ellsbury. If one of the teams cracks on Hughes or Ellsbury this thing might get done.
UPDATE, 11-29-07 at 8pm: Despite what Jon Heyman said, the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo seems to think the Red Sox are still in the lead for Santana. It would be the package named below by Olney. Nothing is done yet, as Santana’s agent hasn’t been approached about an extension. Meanwhile Cafardo indicates that the Yankees may part with Robinson Cano after all. One other note: Peter Gammons suggests that the Sox would have to redo Josh Beckett’s reasonable deal if they acquire Santana and give him $20MM+.
UPDATE, 11-29-07 at 2:50pm: Buster Olney suggests the same package as Walters from the Red Sox, except with Michael Bowden rather than Masterson. However the fourth player is still undetermined. He also notes that the Yankees are simultaneously talking to the Twins.
UPDATE, 11-29-07 at 1pm: The Boston Herald has a bit more. Basically the Red Sox are only willing to include one of Ellsbury/Buchholz/Lester, while the Twins want two from that group.
FROM 11-29-07 at 8:30am:
Shooter Charley Walters is back with a new column of rumors and whatnot. Remember, Walters was the one saying the Garza for Delmon rumor wouldn’t die.
- Despite the exclusion of Jacoby Ellsbury, Walters says the Red Sox have the lead in the Johan Santana sweepstakes. The package would be Coco Crisp, Jed Lowrie, Jon Lester, and Justin Masterson. Not a bad haul. I was thinking Lowrie might become a target of the Twins.
- The following clubs are interested in Carlos Silva: Tigers, Mets, Phillies, and Royals. None of those teams are new.
- The amount of cash each club is getting this year for online media properties like MLB.com sites: $25MM. And don’t forget the Twins get about $20MM in revenue sharing. Maybe that’s why they have interest in Aaron Rowand.