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David Eckstein

Padres Rumors: Iguchi, Eckstein, Barrett, Bonds

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Aside from the aforementioned Fukudome stuff, Tom Krasovic has some trade rumors to discuss in today’s article.

  • It seems the Padres and Rockies are the main competitors for Tadahito Iguchi.  The Pads wouldn’t mind getting Matt Antonelli more seasoning at Triple A.  Meanwhile the Rockies are offering Iguchi two years.  The Padres also like the idea of getting David Eckstein on a one-year deal, not something he’s expecting to go for.
  • The Pirates still like Michael Barrett, but expect him to require little in the way of players. 
  • While the Padres recently met with Barry Bonds’ agent, Jeff Borris, the team’s CEO said point-blank that they have no interest in him.  It might’ve been a less interesting Borris client such as Jeff Cirillo, Tony Graffanino, or Jay Witasick.
  • The Padres haven’t been in touch with Aaron Rowand’s people.  They seem in agreement on two years for Mike Cameron, but they disagree on the dollars.

Youngman’s Latest: Tejada, Eckstein, Inge

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Randy Youngman of the OC Register has a few new rumor tidbits for us.  Let’s discuss.

  • The Angels won’t include Jered Weaver in a Miguel Tejada trade.  Youngman says the O’s asked for the moon as a way of gauging Tejada’s market value.  Now they’ll get serious.
  • Both the Padres and Angels like David Eckstein as one-year possibilities, not that he’s open to that.  The Halos actually have a bench role in mind for him, according to Youngman.  The Padres, by the way, spoke to Eckstein’s agent today. 
  • Youngman says the Dodgers have interest in Brandon Inge and Pedro Feliz.  If that’s the case, they should really go with internal options.  Jayson Stark said three days ago that the Dodgers would pass on Inge.
  • The Giants are apparently fans of Luis Gonzalez.  In a December 5th posting Jerry Crasnick said the Rangers, Twins, Rays, White Sox, and Giants had all spoken to Gonzo’s agent.

Jamey Carroll Traded To Indians

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UPDATE, 12-7-07 at 8:19pm: Troy E. Renck says this deal is done, and right now it’s for a player to be named later.  Dan O’Dowd said he wasn’t eating any of the $2.15MM owed to Carroll, so that’s some pocket change to put toward a free agent reliever.  Yes, I just referred to two million dollars as pocket change.

FROM 12-7-07 at 9:46am:

Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News says the Rockies are set to trade utility infielder Jamey Carroll to the Indians.  It was to be for minor league starter Sean Smith, but that part has changed.  The teams will talk today and figure out the return.  The Rockies will save a few million bucks by moving Carroll.  The Rox previously offered Carroll to the Indians for Josh Barfield, by the way.

As for their second base vacancy, Tadahito Iguchi and David Eckstein remain on the radar.  There are complications with both.

Iguchi is said to want three years, but could settle for two.  He likes the idea of playing second base, and the Rox are the current suitor offering that (though the Orioles could enter the picture).  However Iguchi’s agent told Ringolsby that replacing countryman Kaz Matsui concerns Iguchi.

As for Eckstein, he’s said to want four years.  I could see him settling for three, but two would be a pretty big concession.

Rockies Rumors: Iguchi, Cook, Kip, Holliday

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UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 12:57pm: According to Thomas Harding of MLB.com, David Eckstein is now a Rockies’ target for second base.  They talked to Mark Loretta today, also.  Harding adds that the holdup on the Cook deal is the amount of a fourth-year option.

FROM 12-6-07 at 12:21pm:

The Denver Post’s Troy E. Renck has a lunchtime Rockies update.

  • Renck doesn’t see Tadahito Iguchi getting Kaz Matsui money, noting that only the Rockies are pursuing Iguchi at his preferred position of second base.  That could change if the Orioles trade Brian Roberts.
  • Though Aaron Cook’s 3/30 extension isn’t final, GM Dan O’Dowd believes it will get done.
  • Free agents on the radar: LaTroy Hawkins, Shawn Chacon, Octavio Dotel, Victor Zambrano, and Kip Wells.  There was recent chatter about Wells trying to become a setup man.
  • According to Scott Boras, he’s never received a contract offer from the Rox for Matt Holliday.  The original rumor was that the Rockies were planning to offer a four-year, $60MM extension.

Nationals Rumors: Colon, Fukumori

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MLB.com’s Bill Ladson has a handful of Nationals rumors tonight.

  • As you know, Damian Miller, Johnny Estrada, and Miguel Montero have been targeted at the catcher position.
  • The Nats want to sign Bartolo Colon to a one-year deal, but it appears he craves multiple years.
  • As mentioned earlier, the Nats like Kazuo Fukumori.  What we didn’t mention earlier was the idea that Fukumori could start.  The notion seems questionable, as the 31 year-old hasn’t started a game since 2002.
  • The Nationals have no interest in David Eckstein or Kenny Lofton, despite their desire for a leadoff hitter.  They certainly don’t need an outfielder, anyway.

Crasnick’s Latest: Ellsbury, Owings, Eckstein

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A few new rumors courtesy of ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick…

  • The Scott Boras Corporation recently signed two new clients – Jacoby Ellsbury and Micah Owings.  Seems insignificant now, but wait 4-5 years.
  • David Eckstein is open to playing second base or shortstop.  Crasnick notes that he turned down a four-year offer from the Mets, which might’ve been a mistake.

Cards Considering Jack Wilson, Izturis, Tejada

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The St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Joe Strauss has an excellent update on the Cardinals’ pursuit of a new starting shortstop. 

  • Sounds like the end of the David Eckstein Era in St. Louis – Strauss says it’s a widespread belief that Eckstein will not be offered arbitration and probably will not stay around.
  • While the Cards are drawn to Miguel Tejada, a deal seems highly unlikely.  John Mozeliak wants to move quickly to fill the shortstop position and the Orioles are taking their time with Tejada.
  • Sounds like there’s a very good chance the Cards get Jack Wilson from the Bucs.  They’re OK with paying all of the $13.75MM owed to him through 2009.
  • If Wilson doesn’t work out, Cesar Izturis is the one free agent the Cardinals are considering.  They could have some competition from the Rays.
  • There isn’t much interest in acquiring Juan Uribe or going with internal option Brendan Ryan.
  • A few speculative options not mentioned by Strauss: Cristian Guzman, Alexei Ramirez, Jason Bartlett, Adam Everett, Joaquin Arias, Clint Barmes, and Russ Adams.

Odds and Ends: Fukudome, Eckstein, Lowell

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Ah yes, the odds and ends post, where I cobble together the day’s random links.

  • The Rangers have mild interest Scott Podsednik.  Pods had two separate stints in the Rangers organization but never reached the bigs with them.
  • The Big Lead has an interesting interview with Yahoo baseball guy Jeff Passan, wherein a run-in with Jose Lima is recounted.  Passan also takes on Fire Joe Morgan a bit.
  • Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog is hearing that Kosuke Fukudome is looking for three years and $30MM.  Sounds fair.
  • The Angels are considering signing David Eckstein and/or Darin Erstad, for some reason.
  • Bob Dutton reports that the Royals can be patient with their offer to Torii Hunter, while the White Sox want a quick resolution.  Bonus: a rather large, but not too pixellated picture of Hunter at the Dutton link.  Hunter, by the way, could save $750K per year if he signs with the Rangers because Texas has no state income tax.  Hunter is also considering the Las Vegas 51s for that same reason, I heard. 
  • Per Buster Olney, the Dodgers put in a three-year offer to Mike Lowell.  He takes this as a sign they weren’t serious, but Ned Colletti has shown a tendency to offer fewer years and more per year.  He did this with Rafael Furcal and Jason Schmidt.  So maybe the Dodgers put out a 3/45 offer or something.
  • The Phils picked up oft-injured outfielder Chris Snelling from the Rays for cash.  He’s yet to accumulate 100 big league at-bats in a season, but maybe that’ll change in 2008.
  • Ed Wade + relievers = trouble.  Doug Brocail is on the radar.
  • McCovey Chronicles lists some realistic position player targets for the Giants, including Jeff Clement, Andy Marte, and Adam Lind.

Eckstein seeking Lugo-esque deal

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If Julio Lugo was able to snag four years and $36 million last off-season, well, by golly, David Eckstein wants to do the same this year. You can make some arguments with the comparison — Lugo is a year younger, flashes a bit more power, and has been more consistent in his production (from year-to-year; we’re not counting his huge drop-off after being traded to the Dodgers last year). But it’s tough to argue with Eckstein for wanting to start talks at that level.

This may deter Eckstein’s perceived No. 1 suitor, the New York Mets, who are looking at him to fill their second base vacancy. One has to wonder, though, if the Mets wouldn’t just be better off with Luis Castillo, who performed averagely in his 199 at bats with the Mets last season (.296/.371/.372). On the whole, Castillo is far better Lugo comp than Eckstein; both Lugo and Castillo will be 32 next season, and have seen similar production over the years. The Astros are also reportedly interested in Castillo, though the same can be said for nearly every FA on the list.

The Mets are also looking at Orlando Hudson in possible trade scenarios to fill their second base vacancies. Speculation, though, is that the Mets would like to hold onto their movable prospects in order to acquire a front-line pitcher. Clearly, Johan Santana tops that list.

The Cardinals aren’t officially severing ties with Eckstein, but it appears unlikely that they will dole out a Lugo deal for him. New Cardinals GM John Mozeliak had this to say about the scrappy shortstop:

"We’re going into it looking for a shortstop, and given the fact that David is out there, obviously we have him in mind. One of the things we’re doing internally is trying to get a feel for the supply and the demand of shortstops in this market. David probably is doing the same, and right now there doesn’t appear to be a lot of teams looking for shortstops."

At first, I didn’t think too many teams needed shortstops, but after looking around it seems that there are plenty of teams that could at least use an upgrade at the position. Unfortunately, Eckstein doesn’t represent much of one.

Joe Pawlikowski is co-author of River Ave. Blues, a Yankees blog.

Olney’s Latest: Benson, Lowell, Chavez, Mulder, Eckstein

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Buster Olney’s ESPN Insider blog is always a good source for links from around the league. Let’s see what’s up today.

  • Kris Benson’s agent Gregg Clifton says his client will to throw in Arizona about a week after the Winter Meetings.
  • He says that the Yankees "haven’t put forth any offers that would give them a serious chance to get Mike Lowell." So did the Yankees pull back their offer, or did they even make one in the first place?
  • Eric Chavez just underwent his third surgery in the past two months. With three years and $37 million left guaranteed ($34 million in salary plus a $3 million buyout for 2011).
  • Brewers manager Ned Yost is asking NL Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun to take 1,000 groundballs per day this off-season. Maybe this will help Braun improve from his poor defensive year in 2007.
  • The Cardinals are calling Mark Mulder’s progress "very positive." He’s slated to start throwing in January, and according to the team will be ready to throw off a mound come Spring Training.
  • The Mets are still interested in David Eckstein as their second baseman.

Joe Pawlikowski is co-author of River Ave. Blues, a Yankees blog.

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