Twins Acquire Orlando Cabrera
6:59pm: Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the A's will send a total of $500k to the Twins.
12:45pm: Via Twitter, La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune says the Twins are also getting cash in the deal.
12:08pm: Yahoo's Tim Brown said it was a done deal, with the Twins sending shortstop prospect Tyler Ladendorf to Oakland for Cabrera.
Cabrera, 34, is hitting .280/.318/.365 on the season in 448 plate appearances. He has $1.75MM remaining on his contract, once you factor in a $250K bonus for being dealt. Though he profiles as a Type A free agent after the season, Cabrera's agent wisely negotiated a clause disallowing his club to offer arbitration. So, no draft picks for the team for the loss and no impediment to signing Cabrera from the player's point of view.
11:56am: Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle says Cabrera to the Twins is "very close." Slusser says Valencia is not part of the deal.
11:41am: La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune doesn't see the Twins as close to a deal for Cabrera. The A's apparently want third base prospect Danny Valencia. Neal wonders whether the Twins might go after David Eckstein or Kennedy instead.
FRIDAY, 1:26am: ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports that the A's and Twins are making "steady progress" as they discuss a deal that would send Cabrera to Minnesota.
THURSDAY, 11:31pm: Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports report that the Twins are making progress in their attempt to acquire Cabrera. The teams continued talking today and expect discussions to resume tomorrow.
9:30am: Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle has a few hot stove notes on the A's this morning.
- Despite interest, the A's do not intend to trade infielder Adam Kennedy. They might even try to re-sign him for 2010 eventually. The 33 year-old is hitting .296/.350/.434 in 327 plate appearances while playing second and third base. Oakland acquired Kennedy back in May from the Rays.
- Slusser debunks a Providence Journal report from Daniel Barbarisi that the Red Sox turned down a trade for Orlando Cabrera. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe agrees with Slusser, saying Cabrera "is not keen on returning to Boston."
- We do know that the Twins have talked to the A's about O-Cab. Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun says the Twins are "still chasing" Marco Scutaro as well.
Odds And Ends: Torre, Ross, Braves
The rumors keep coming; here are a few tidbits for the evening…
- Joe Torre gave Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch his take on unnamed sources: "It's really embarrassing that their parents don't name them."
- Cody Ross told MLB.com's Joe Frisaro that he would trade for Roy Halladay and Matt Holliday if he were an MLB GM.
- ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports that the Braves could make a minor addition.
- USA Today's Bob Nightengale suggests the Twins could deal for David Eckstein or Adam Kennedy instead of Orlando Cabrera.
- One GM tells Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that Boston's pursuit of Adrian Gonzalez won't affect a possible Victor Martinez trade between the Red Sox and Indians.
Towers Speaks About Possible Moves
Padres GM Kevin Towers spoke with Darren Smith of 1090 XX Sports Radio earlier today, touching on a variety of Padre related topics. You can download and listen to the interview by clicking here, but here's a roundup of the rumors…
- Towers said he expects to get calls from contending teams about his "experienced players," mentioning David Eckstein, Brian Giles, Henry Blanco, Kevin Correia, Chad Gaudin, Cla Meredith and Mike Adams by name.
- He also said it's doubtful that the team would take on salary in a deadline deal, but they might be able to during the offseason.
- Depending on how he comes back from injury, there may be interest in Giles. Towers said it's doubtful anything happens before the deadline, but a waiver trade could be made in August. Giles, of course, has a full no-trade clause.
- When asked why he wouldn't trade Adrian Gonzalez or Heath Bell before the deadline to bring back as much talent as possible, Towers said "it's not to say we won't." He then mentions that they first need to determine what young players they're committed to keeping here and what they need to bring in from outside the organization, but if someone approaches them about one of those guys "they need to listen."
Heyman On Eckstein, Peavy, Pedro
SI.com's Jon Heyman has a new column up…
- The Mets apparently had interest last winter in signing David Eckstein as a backup for $1-2MM, but he preferred to take $850K to start at second base for the Padres.
- Heyman looks at the Jake Peavy situation. He learned that new CEO Jeff Moorad "didn't believe the economic downturn and slumping late-winter market would inhibit suitors for Peavy, who has $63 million and four years left on his contract." That said, we know Moorad is willing to keep Peavy this year. And Peavy may be happiest in San Diego, according to Heyman.
- Pedro Martinez has fielded calls from several teams since the season began. Heyman speculates on the Dodgers, Indians, Phillies, Brewers, Pirates, D'Backs, and Mets as possibilities. And what about the Cardinals, who just lost Chris Carpenter for a while?
Padres To Pass On Omar Vizquel
Ken Rosenthal suggested yesterday that the David Eckstein signing might mean the Padres will pass on Omar Vizquel. Jenny Cavnar of Channel 4 San Diego spoke to Padres GM Kevin Towers, who told her the Padres will go in-house at shortstop, probably with Luis Rodriguez or Chris Burke.
Padres Agree To Terms With David Eckstein
According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Padres agreed to terms with David Eckstein on a one-year deal worth $850k. He’ll play second base. Eckstein, 34 in a few days, hit .265/.343/.349 in 376 plate appearances for the Blue Jays and D’Backs in ’08. He played an above-average second base in 197 innings there.
A Ken Rosenthal source suggests that the Padres might decide to pass on signing Omar Vizquel.
Padres Considering Eckstein, Vizquel
1:23pm: ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick heard the Padres prefer David Eckstein over Vizquel. He suggests the Padres may not be able to offer a base salary much beyond $1MM. Meanwhile, Ken Rosenthal says the Padres are in serious discussions with Eckstein to play second base.
THURSDAY, 8:50am: MLB.com’s Corey Brock confirmed that the Padres hope to sign a shortstop this week and Vizquel is on the radar. Vizquel admitted San Diego could be a great fit.
WEDNESDAY: According to Channel 4 San Diego anchor and Padres pre/post-game host John Weisbarth:
I’m hearing today that Omar Vizquel (owner of 11 gold-gloves) could be the Friars shortstop as soon as tomorrow.
Rosenthal On Dunn, Angels, Garland, Roberts
Let’s take a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal.
- The Dodgers won’t go after Adam Dunn until they exhaust their options with Manny Ramirez. Rosenthal likes the Dunn-L.A. match. Should Dunn opt for a one-year deal so he can try his hand at a weaker free agent market?
- Rosenthal wonders if Tony La Russa and/or Albert Pujols will depart if the Cardinals do not contend in coming seasons.
- The Angels are not in on any hitter currently, but could engage in trade talks this summer if necessary.
- Rosenthal drives home just how difficult it would be for the Mets to move Luis Castillo. He says the team wants to bring in a capable backup infielder such as Alex Cora, David Eckstein, or Craig Counsell.
- The D’Backs made offers for Jon Garland and Brad Penny, but Penny signed with Boston and they’re out on Garland. Rosenthal says the D’Backs still aren’t necessarily in the market for a starter.
- A Brian Roberts trade is said to be a "growing possibility."
Padres Eyeing Vizquel, Eckstein
Padres GM Kevin Towers in an interview today said he expects to sign a shortstop by next week, according to Corey Brook at MLB.com.
"Towers said he had interest in veterans David Eckstein and Omar Vizquel, in addition to a few names he didn’t want to divulge. ‘There are a couple of other guys, too,’ Towers said. ‘We’ve got three or four options.’"
Crasnick On Abreu, Eckstein, Bloomquist, Lowry
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick has a bunch of new info.
- The Braves’ interest in Bobby Abreu is described as "lukewarm at best." And he’d have to be a huge bargain for the Mets to get involved. Abreu’s agent has his work cut out for him.
- Two middle infield possibilities for the Royals: David Eckstein and Willie Bloomquist. The Royals also considered Jerry Hairston Jr., but are concerned with his health record. Also, Dayton Moore continues to deal with payroll limitations.
- The Rangers are "keeping an eye on" Giants starters Noah Lowry and Jonathan Sanchez. Lowry had arthroscopic elbow surgery in September.