Rosenthal On Fielder, Buchholz, Edmonds
The latest from Ken Rosenthal…
- Rosenthal suggests the Brewers trade Prince Fielder for "premium pitching" and then sign Adam Dunn to replace him. Which begs the question, why wouldn’t the team giving up this premium pitching just sign Dunn instead?
- Despite signing John Smoltz, the Red Sox still are not willing to trade Clay Buchholz for Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The Sox may be willing to move Michael Bowden or especially Daniel Bard for Salty.
- The Yankees’ interest in Mike Cameron "seems to be waning."
- Despite Jon Heyman’s report, the Phillies, Angels, and Brewers deny interest in Derek Lowe. Rosenthal says the market for Oliver Perez is even worse.
- Rosenthal suggests veterans such as Nomar Garciaparra, Frank Thomas, and Jim Edmonds could go the Kenny Lofton route. Lofton, a capable player, sat out the 2008 season when his salary demands weren’t met. As I mentioned yesterday, we’ll soon see which former stars are willing to play for a pittance (if you consider more than $500K a pittance).
- The Orioles have Edmonds on the radar as a first base candidate.
- Suitors for lefty reliever Dennys Reyes: the A’s, Mets, and Dodgers. The Tigers and Rangers are also known to be on the lookout for a southpaw in the pen.
Dodgers Made Offer To Dennys Reyes
According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, the Dodgers made an offer to free agent lefty Dennys Reyes. He says they also want a right-handed setup man – Guillermo Mota or Juan Cruz are possibilities (Cruz would cost a draft pick).
Various reports stated earlier today that the Dodgers made a one-year offer to Trevor Hoffman.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Swisher, Nady, Kapler, Zaun
The latest from Ken Rosenthal.
- A recent Ned Colletti-Scott Boras conversation about Manny Ramirez didn’t result in progress. Boras still has his sights on at least $100MM over four years. Rosenthal adds that Manny is "cool to the idea of playing in San Francisco."
- Nick Swisher and Xavier Nady are drawing "significant interest." Rosenthal speculates that the Giants, Braves, or Pirates would make sense.
- The door is not closed with the Yankees and Andy Pettitte. Pettitte recently rejected the Yanks’ one-year, $10MM offer.
- Some Mets people prefer Oliver Perez to Derek Lowe. The Braves have yet to speak to Boras about Lowe, while the Brewers and Phillies have financial concerns about fitting him in.
- Trevor Hoffman has a West Coast preference (the Dodgers or maybe a Padres reconciliation) but interest with the Brewers is mutual. Other relievers on the Dodgers’ radar: Juan Cruz, Guillermo Mota, and Dennys Reyes.
- Brian Fuentes‘ agent had serious talks with the Yankees, but no offer was made. Fuentes would’ve been Mariano Rivera‘s set-up man and perhaps taken over upon his retirement.
- Rosenthal notes that MLB kicked in a small part of the $10MM owed to Sidney Ponson from their luxury tax pool, which is not uncommon.
- If they can afford it, the Rays would like to sign Gabe Kapler.
- The Orioles, Red Sox, and A’s are interested in Gregg Zaun.
- Perhaps because of the cool market for his services, Orlando Cabrera is willing to play second base. The Yankees did not have interest.
- That Gavin Floyd for Brian Roberts rumor "seemingly arose from internal discussions among Orioles officials."
Reds Rumors: Rhodes, Reyes, Francoeur
10:18pm: Mike Berardino says the D’Backs are one of the other two Rhodes finalists.
TUESDAY, 4:37pm: Rhodes’ agent says he should make a decision within 24-48 hours. It’s down to the Reds plus two unknown teams.
MONDAY, 10:52pm: MLB.com’s Mark Bowman says the Reds "may have some interest in Jeff Francoeur." However, the Braves don’t want to move him.
8:35pm: A few Reds rumors this evening…
- The Reds met with the agents for Jerry Hairston Jr. and David Weathers and will meet again tonight. Weathers is already a Red for ’09 after accepting arb, but his salary has yet to be determined.
- The Reds still have an offer to Arthur Rhodes on the table.
- Also on the lefty reliever front, the Reds have had talks with Dennys Reyes‘ agent.
Phillies Interested In Delmon Young?
7:05pm: LEN3 says the Twins would want more than Donald for Young, but it’s a moot point because the Phillies don’t want to trade Donald. The teams haven’t spoken lately and don’t have plans to meet in the near future.
Neal also says there’s nothing going on between the Twins and Giants.
4:20pm: LEN3 says the Twins do like Donald. Neal also believes the rumor about the Giants being interested in Young.
One other fresh note from Neal’s blog post – Dennys Reyes "might be on the Reds’ radar."
1:26pm: According to Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Daily News, the Phillies have inquired on Twins outfielder Delmon Young. Hagen believes the Twins would want shortstop prospect Jason Donald in return.
Dennys Reyes Declines Arb Offer
According to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Type B free agent reliever Dennys Reyes declined the Twins’ offer of arbitration. They’ll get a supplemental pick if he signs elsewhere. He’s looking for a three-year deal for about $4MM per.
Reds Rumors: Gonzalez, Reyes, Beimel
Let’s gather up the latest on the Reds.
- John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer figures the Reds would like to add a young shortstop. Alex Gonzalez was supposed to play winter ball but the plan changed. The Reds still hope he’s ready for spring training.
- Kerry Wood is not likely, but the Reds have an offer out to Arthur Rhodes and maintain interest in David Weathers after offering him arbitration.
- MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon throws a few new lefties into the mix: Dennys Reyes and Joe Beimel. Darren Oliver is not under consideration since he’d cost the Reds their second-round pick. I imagine Oliver’s agent is hearing that from most teams.
- Reds GM Walt Jocketty also continues to talk to the agents for Mike Lincoln and Jerry Hairston Jr., according to Sheldon.
Twins Offer Arb To Dennys Reyes
According to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins offered arbitration to Type B free agent reliever Dennys Reyes. Reyes earned $1MM this year while tossing 46.1 solid innings, so the Twins can’t go wrong either way.
Twins Rumors: Padres, Blake, Reyes
Joe Christensen brings us the latest on the Twins, but unfortunately there’s not much going on.
- Christensen learned from a Padres official that there’s been very little dialogue with the Twins. Some have suggested Kevin Kouzmanoff and Khalil Greene would be fits for Minnesota. Hopefully they’re setting their sights higher.
- On the Casey Blake front: slight progress.
- The Twins have an arbitration decision to make by Monday’s deadline with Dennys Reyes, who is a Type B. The Twins won’t get burned badly if Reyes accepts, so I imagine they’ll offer. He probably wants two years somewhere instead.
Reds Hope To Add Lefty Reliever
According to MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon, Reds GM Walt Jocketty wants to add a lefty to the Reds bullpen. Jocketty says the Reds considered Trever Miller before it became apparent that he was close to a deal with the Cardinals.
To build the bullpen back up, Jocketty said the Reds would consider Arthur Rhodes, Will Ohman, Darren Oliver, Dennys Reyes and Joe Beimel. Cincinnati could use a reliever since ex-Red Jeremy Affeldt signed with the Giants earlier in the week.
The Reds have talked about bringing back two of their own free agents, David Weathers and Mike Lincoln.
Teams are more interested in talking about trades now that some free agent price tags seem so high, according to Jocketty.