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Rosenthal’s Latest: Andruw, Rowand, Castillo

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Ken Rosenthal has cranked out another rumor-filled column.  A summary is below.

  • The Marlins are insisting on Howie Kendrick in a Miguel Cabrera deal.  The Angels are understandably reluctant.
  • The Nationals could sign Andruw Jones long-term if they felt it was a bargain – say, $13MM a year.  The Giants, White Sox, and Padres may be in the mix as well.  Hmmm, White Sox and Boras?  And if Scott Boras changes his tune and hunts for a one-year "rebuild value" contract for Jones, the Red Sox could get involved. 
  • The Phillies think Aaron Rowand will end up getting a 4/52 contract, though Rosenthal expects him to get the fifth guaranteed year.  It’s previously been reported that Rowand is looking for a six-year, $84MM deal. Yikes.
  • Aside from the Astros and Mets, the Indians, Padres, and Dodgers could get in on Luis Castillo.  In the Tribe’s case, it would involve a scenario where Jhonny Peralta was dealt.
  • Interesting note on Curt Schilling’s $2MM in weight incentives – the target weights are aggressively low, and the weigh-ins will be done randomly.  So, no cheating the system.  By the way, isn’t it ridiculous that one Cy vote gets him $1MM?  Sportswriters have given out single votes on a whim for much dumber reasons.
  • The Red Sox are apparently asking a lot for Coco Crisp, more than the Twins are ready to give up.
  • The Indians and Brewers have an excess of starters.  Names that could hit the market include Cliff Lee, Dave Bush, and Chris Capuano.  The Nationals have their eye on Lee.  He came up as an Expo through Double A.
  • The Nationals might be able to get something good for outfielder Ryan Church.  In general, Jim Bowden desires a young MLB-ready starter like Kevin Mulvey or Kevin Slowey.

Latest Cubs Rumors: Crawford, Crisp, Ibanez

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Cubs rumors abound today.  Some sensible, some not.  Let’s catch up. 

  • According to Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs want to re-sign Kerry Wood and possibly give him the closer job.  Ryan Dempster could be pushed down the reliever totem pole or traded (he makes $5.5MM in the last year of his deal).  Dempster has expressed a desire to start in the past, but the Cubs don’t seem keen on it.  UPDATE: The Cubs are keen on Dempster as a starter, as Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000 reported today that he will be switched to that role in ’08.  Carlos Marmol, Bob Howry, or Kerry Wood will close.
  • Rogers also notes that the Cubs will bring Mark Prior back on the condition that he’ll accept an option for the 2009 season.  That way they won’t get burned if he does have a useful 2008.
  • Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald says the Cubs have interest in trading for Carl Crawford.  Problem is, that would require a king’s ransom in young players.  Miles adds that the Cubs are serious about Kosuke Fukudome, and signing him would leave the team with plenty of outfielders.  Phil Rogers echoes the Fukudome interest, also mentioning that the Rangers and Giants like him.
  • Michael Silverman says the Cubs are among several teams interested in Coco Crisp.  Within this piece Silverman says the Rangers are in on Crisp and the Red Sox like expendable catcher Gerald Laird. 
  • Another name on the Cubs’ radar: Raul Ibanez.  He makes $5.5MM in the last year of his deal, though he’s a liability in left field.  And the Cubs have Alfonso Soriano there already.  Larry LaRue also says the Tigers and Indians like Ibanez; the Tribe could offer Aaron Laffey.
  • Not sure why, but the Cubs are also interested in free agent second baseman Kaz Matsui.  Would the plan be to use him at shortstop?  The Padres also have an eye on Matsui.

Odds and Ends: Fukudome, Burrell, Furcal, Rolen

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Two of my favorite local blogs have good hot stove posts for us today as part of Odds and Ends.

Padres Rumors: Crisp, Pie, Andruw, Eckstein

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Tom Krasovic continues to set the standard for Padres inside information.  Today’s column is especially delicious for rumor junkies, with tons of new material to chew on.

  • Kevin Towers expects to fill his center field vacancy via trade.  He may first want to wait to see if Mike Cameron accepts the team’s upcoming offer of arbitration.  Cameron is a Type B free agent.  Remember that he will be limited to 137 games in ’07. 
  • As for trade candidates, Coco Crisp is on the radar but the Padres smartly won’t part with Chase Headley. 
  • Krasovic notes that Bud Black’s connection with Angels manager Mike Scioscia could play a role now that Trader Bill Stoneman isn’t the GM.  Reggie Willits or Nathan Haynes might be in play for the Padres.
  • The Padres really seem to like Felix Pie, and could re-open talks that would include Khalil Greene.  They’ve asked about Tony Gwynn Jr. of the Brewers in the past.  And it does sound like the Royals are willing to talk about David DeJesus.
  • Sounds like the Padres will offer Andruw Jones $14-16MM on a one-year contract.  Scott Boras hasn’t seemed open to this with Jones, but time will tell.
  • The Tigers will have competition from the Padres for Geoff Jenkins.  Krasovic envisions a Jenkins/Scott Hairston platoon in left and expects the Friars to make an offer.
  • Two starters will be acquired even after Greg Maddux is retained.  Rehabbing former Mark Prior and Matt Clement would both like to play in San Diego.  There has to be some sort of cosmic rule about having three ex-Cubs in the rotation.  That is not recommended.  Plus the Padres were on Curt Schilling’s list.  And don’t forget the team’s previous trade interest in Josh Towers, who seems likely to be non-tendered and could be solid in PETCO.
  • The Padres could pursue David Eckstein as a second baseman and leadoff man.  But that would seemingly block Matt Antonelli for longer than necessary.  Plus such a switch wouldn’t be in Eckstein’s best interests financially.
  • Towers likes Jason Kendall, perhaps as a backup, but faces opposition in the organization.
  • In another article, Towers lends credence to the theory that the Marlins could sign Alex Rodriguez. 

Rangers Rumors: DeJesus, Lamb, Millar

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Evan Grant writes for the Dallas Morning News, but he posted this column at night.  Go figure.  He’s got some new info regarding the Rangers.

  • As you know, the Rangers have had difficulty finding a long-term center fielder.  That’s the main focus of this offseason.  The team has already shown interest in Torii Hunter and Aaron Rowand, the top center fielders available.  Other free agents such as Andruw Jones and Mike Cameron appear to be in play as well.  Grant’s trade candidates: Coco Crisp, David DeJesus, Mark Kotsay, and Carlos Beltran.  We’ve speculated on DeJesus to Atlanta in the past.  With DeJesus signed cheaply through 2011 and the market at the position robust this winter, it might make sense for Dayton Moore to wait a year to shop him aggressively.
  • Grant adds that Jon Daniels is considering some affordable options for first base.  They’ve already talked to Mike Lamb’s agent and like Kevin Millar as well.  Lamb came up through the Rangers’ system but was traded to the Yankees in ’04.  Millar is under contract for ’08 but it’s in the $3-4MM range and the Orioles should be open to a trade.  Grant says Ben Broussard could pique the Rangers’ interest if he’s non-tendered.
  • Grant concludes with five Rangers whose names will be bandied about in trade talks: Gerald Laird, Vicente Padilla, Joaquin Arias, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Nelson Cruz.  Salty’s not being shopped but Grant expects teams to ask.  He proposes some kind of bad contract swap for Padilla – Jason Giambi, Richie Sexson, or Adam Eaton are named.  I still think it’s funny the way Padilla crawled away from the brawl he started this year. 

Twins Rumors: Hunter, Silva, Slowey

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A couple of Minnesota writers offered speculation today on the Twins’ plans.  Let’s discuss.

  • La Velle E. Neal III expects Torii Hunter to file for free agency today.  Meanwhile Ed Thoma sees the White Sox, Rangers, and Cubs as the top contenders.
  • Neal likes the idea of trading for Coco Crisp to play center for the Twins.  Personally I would search for a more offensive-minded guy, but as Neal says Crisp could work if big improvements are made at 3B and DH.  Thoma expects the Twins to fill this void by trading Boof Bonser or Kevin Slowey, with the Mets, Rays, Reds, and D’Backs as possibilities.  That seems to imply a deal for Lastings Milledge, Carlos Gomez, Rocco Baldelli, Ken Griffey Jr., or Carlos Gonzalez.  Actually Griffey seems unlikely…Ryan Freel maybe?  You tell me.
  • Thoma also predicts that the Twins extend Johan Santana for 5/100.

Coco Crisp For Kelly Johnson?

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UPDATE: O’Brien spoke to "a person who should know" with the Braves and this one’s not happening.  I think we were all skeptical from the start.

There’s a rumor making the rounds: the Red Sox may offer Coco Crisp to the Braves for Kelly Johnson.  Right now this is fourth-hand information – Buster Olney allegedly said it on a radio show on Wednesday, and one Braves fan heard the report and posted a comment to David O’Brien’s AJC blog.  O’Brien hadn’t heard the rumor himself, but found it plausible.

This is an interesting proposal to examine, whether or not it’s legitimate.  Let’s try to figure out how each team would view this.

Johnson turns 26 in February.  He was a shortstop in the early minors, but had become a left fielder for the Braves when he came up in ’05.  That’s an interesting conversion.  It was likely tied to his elbow, on which he had arthroscopic surgery in early 2006.  The elbow was still barking in May of that year, leading to Tommy John surgery.  After non-tendering Marcus Giles last winter, the Braves had Johnson learn second base and used him there in ’07.  Johnson responded with a breakout .276/.375/.457 line (16 HR, 79 walks in 147 games).  Trading Johnson might be reason to keep Edgar Renteria.  Seems more sensible to trade Renteria. 

Even if the Red Sox aren’t sure where to use Johnson or even whether to keep him, this would be a nice acquisition.  Could his surgically repaired elbow handle demanding throwing positions like third base or even shortstop?  Does he have the range for short and would the Sox move Julio Lugo to the bench?  Or maybe Dustin Pedroia could move back to short for ’08 and Johnson would remain at second base.  Bottom line – Johnson is cheap, good, and could improve the infield somehow.

The Braves won’t try Jeff Francouer in center next year; they’re highly likely to acquire someone to fill Andruw’s void.  Crisp is less risky than most of the free agents out there given the modest $11MM committed to him for 2008-09.  His offense doesn’t add much, while his defense this year has received accolades.  Still, the Braves would be adding more than $4MM in salary for ’08 with this swap.  We aren’t sure yet how much the Braves plan to increase their $84MM payroll.  Adding Tom Glavine would have to cost around $10MM alone, and the Braves want another starter beyond him.

Nats Considering Coco Crisp?

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The Washington Post has a couple paragraphs on the possiblity of the Nationals trading for Coco Crisp.  Crisp may be deemed expendable by Theo Epstein this winter because of the emergence of Jacoby Ellsbury.

Crisp hit .268/.330/.382 this year; the solid power from his Cleveland days has not returned.  We can write ’06 off due to wrist injuries but Crisp’s offense this year was disappointing.  The 28 year-old at least played some fine center field defense.  He earns $4.75MM in ’08, $5.75MM in ’09, and has an $8MM option with a $500K buyout for ’10.  The reasonable contract and possibility for a resurgence might catch Jim Bowden’s eye.  The Nats went with Nook Logan, Ryan Church, and others this year and received a .255/.321/.382 line.  Just tossing a name out there – if Nick Johnson is healthy, is that a possible match for Boston? 

The Nationals have been linked to the big-name free agent CFs as well – Andruw Jones, Aaron Rowand, and Torii Hunter.

Odds and Ends

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Here are some various trade rumors that didn’t quite have enough behind them for individual posts.

  • There’s a gossip section in the Boston Herald called Inside Track, written by Gayle Fee, Laura Raposa, and Erin Hayes.  They heard that Coco Crisp told fans at the recent Division Champs celebration that he expects to be dealt this winter to make room for Jacoby Ellsbury.  By most accounts Crisp has developed into a fine defensive center fielder, and he’s under contract for $4.75MM in ’08, $5.75MM in ’09, and an $8MM club option in ’10.  Perhaps Crisp could be used to acquire a third baseman in the event that Mike Lowell leaves and the Red Sox can’t sign A-Rod. 
  • Phil Wood of the Washington Examiner speculates that the Nationals could get in on Jason Bay.  Not the worst idea, but the Nats don’t seem to have the available young pitching for the deal.
  • Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution likes the Nate Robertson to Atlanta idea, tossing Joe Blanton and Shaun Marcum into the mix as other options.
  • Bob Wickman may quietly retire, bumming out these guys.
  • El Lefty Malo dissects recent comments from Giants GM Brian Sabean.
  • Peter Abraham suggests the Mets trade Carlos Beltran for pitching.

Rosenthal’s Latest Video: Coco Crisp, Freddy Garcia

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Ken Rosenthal has a new Full Count video up; check it out.  Interesting trade rumor nuggets:

  • Some have speculated that the apparent emergence of Jacoby Ellsbury might compel the Red Sox to trade Coco Crisp this winter.  Crisp is signed affordably at $4.75MM in ’08, $5.75MM in ’09, and an $8MM club option in ’10.  While his .723 OPS is slightly below-average for center fielders, Rosenthal says the Red Sox consider Crisp’s defense to be Gold Glove caliber.  The Red Sox seem more likely to retain Crisp and have Ellsbury serve as an oft-used fourth outfielder for now.  They’d ask for a lot for Crisp if they did trade him.
  • Very interesting idea floating around regarding Freddy Garcia.  Rosenthal says that instead of signing this winter, Garcia could rehab on his own and join a contender midseason as a free agent, Roger Clemens style.  Garcia had surgery in late August to repair a frayed rotator cuff and torn labrum, according to Will Carroll.  No word yet on his timetable.
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