Derek Lowe

Odds & Ends: Cubs, Vazquez, Matthews

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | December 18, 2009 at 12:23pm CDT

Some links for Friday…

Jayson Stark and Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com expect the Cubs to go after free agent center fielders now that they've dealt Milton Bradley.
John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer doesn't expect the Reds to deal Aaron Harang in the near future.
The Chiba Lotte Marines signed Bryan Corey, according to NPB Tracker.
A source close to Javier Vazquez tells MLB.com's Mark Bowman that it's highly unlikely the pitcher would approve a trade to a west coast team like the Angels. The Braves are still interested in trading Derek Lowe.
USA Today's Bob Nightengale says it would be an upset to see anyone but the Cardinals sign Matt Holliday.
Now that the Dodgers have traded Juan Pierre, the Angels are optimistic about unloading Gary Matthews Jr. and his contract, according to Ed Price of AOL FanHouse. The Angels will have to eat some of the $23MM owed to Matthews if they hope to deal him.
O's reliever Jim Johnson tells Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun that he's glad to have new acquisition Mike Gonzalez around.
Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News says the Yankees still need another arm. Brian Cashman says the Yankees aren't done.
Tyler Kepner of the New York Times expects the Yanks to spend big on next year's free agent class.
New Blue Jay Kyle Drabek tells the Toronto Sun that he doesn't plan on changing his approach, though he does feel some pressure as a major piece of the Roy Halladay trade.
Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says the Pirates evaluate players and then stand by the figures they decide on almost all the time. This approach prevents the Pirates from over-spending and sometimes prevents them from signing their targets (like Miguel Angel Sano).
Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that the Brewers expect Claudio Vargas to take his physical today and finalize his deal.
Yahoo's Jeff Passan examines Scott Boras' relationship with mystery teams.

Heyman On Bay, Molina, M’s, Dodgers

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | December 18, 2009 at 9:06am CDT

The Mariners are "not a serious player" for Jason Bay, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com. The Braves and Giants don't appear to be engaged with Bay and the Angels aren't focused on him now, so the Mets are the lone known suitor for the left fielder. They're keeping in touch with Scott Boras, who represents Matt Holliday, but they may be willing to offer Bay a deal in the five-year $75MM range. They're hoping to hear back from him today.

Ideally, the Mets would like to sign Bay and Bengie Molina, who still wants a three-year deal worth about $20MM, or roughly twice as much as the team is presently willing to commit. Here are the rest of Heyman's rumors:

The Angels have more interest in Javier Vazquez than Derek Lowe, according to one source.
The Mariners are interested in locking up Cliff Lee and Felix Hernandez.
The Red Sox would like to acquire Adrian Gonzalez. If they can't pull a trade for Gonzalez off, they would like to sign Adrian Beltre. However, that could put them over the luxury tax.
The Dodgers are interested in Ronnie Belliard and Felipe Lopez.

Angels Pursuing Javier Vazquez?

By Luke Adams 2 | December 17, 2009 at 5:54pm CDT

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are focusing on acquiring Javier Vazquez from the Atlanta Braves, according to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. Stark (who credits angelswin.com's Chuck Richter with the initial story) hears from rival executives that, in the wake of missing out on John Lackey, the Angels have turned their attention to the Braves and Vazquez.

The Angels will have an uphill battle, however, attempting to deal for Vazquez, as opposed to his teammate Derek Lowe. In addition to coming off a stronger season and having a more favorable contract than Lowe, Vazquez also has a no-trade clause that allows him to veto a deal to a west-coast club. A trade to the Angels would mean the right-hander would have to waive that clause, which he negotiated in order to stay closer to his family in Puerto Rico.

With Lackey, Roy Halladay, and Randy Wolf all off the market, Vazquez is one of the more interesting names still potentially available. The Braves have maintained all along that once Lackey signed, Lowe would become a more attractive commodity, and the same could be said about Vazquez. I don't expect the Braves to move him, but they could demand a significant return if they did.

Odds & Ends: Lowe, Bay, Gonzalez

By Mark Polishuk | December 16, 2009 at 10:45pm CDT

News and notes from around the big leagues tonight…

Derek Lowe tells MLB.com's Mark Bowman that he doesn't expect to be back in Atlanta in 2010 and feels rather disrespected by being put on the trade market just a year after signing with the Braves: "I would have never even considered going there if I knew that ultimately this was going to happen."
The Providence Journal's Joe McDonald considers Theo Epstein's comments from the Mike Cameron press conference to be a virtual farewell to Jason Bay's time in Boston.
As if the Mike Gonzalez and Garrett Atkins signings weren't enough, the Orioles also "made a pretty good run" at trading for Adrian Gonzalez at the winter meetings, tweets ESPNBoston.com's Gordon Edes.
Scott Merkin of MLB.com is reporting (via Twitter) that Jason Botts has been given an invitation to spring training by the White Sox. Botts played in Japan last season after posting a .230/.325/.344 line in 326 plate appearances with Texas from 2005 to 2008.
MLB.com's Todd Zolecki (via Twitter) quoted Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. as saying "Right now, it doesn't look good," in regards to Chan Ho Park re-signing with Philadelphia.
ESPN's Jayson Stark talks with Baseball America's John Manuel about how the Phillies' farm system looks in the wake of the big Roy Halladay/Cliff Lee deal.
Jose Contreras wanted a three-year contract from the Rockies, but the club "didn't bite," reports Thomas Harding of MLB.com. Harding notes that Colorado may have to wait to see what happens with Rafael Betancourt's possible arbitration case before they can make a move toward signing relievers like Contreras or Joe Beimel.
If the Nationals can't sign any relief help, they will move a willing Collin Balester into the bullpen, reports MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
Jake Westbrook seems fit after his stint Puerto Rican Winter League, reports MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince. It was rumored that the Tribe would have been in the market for a veteran starter (maybe Carl Pavano) to anchor their staff had Westbrook suffered a setback from his Tommy John surgery in 2008.

Odds & Ends: Mets, Royals, Dodgers, Lowe

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | December 15, 2009 at 7:38pm CDT

Braves Waiting To Deal Lowe

By Zachary Links | December 14, 2009 at 6:06pm CDT

MONDAY, 6:06pm: The wait may be nearing its end. Now that they have lost Lackey to Boston and appear to have missed out on landing Cliff Lee, the Angels have a pitching void to fill. This now means that the Angels are "among the favorites" to acquire the Lowe from the Braves, according to an update in Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi's blockbuster deal story.

The Halos could offer outfielder Juan Rivera, who the FOX Sports duo says is the type of right-handed run producer Atlanta is seeking.

SATURDAY, 11:37pm: According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, the Braves are waiting until starting pitching on the open market becomes more scarce to deal starter Derek Lowe. Specifically, John Lackey signing with a club would, arguably, make Lowe more attractive than any other free agent starter.

Morosi mentions two possible teams for the 36-year-old – the Angels and Mariners. We've heard in recent weeks that the M's are still looking to spend even after committing major money to Chone Figgins. What destination makes the most sense to you?

Rays Acquire Rafael Soriano

By Tim Dierkes | December 10, 2009 at 7:18pm CDT

7:18pm: Joe Smith of the St. Petersburg Times says it's a "done deal." It'll be announced tomorrow.

6:29pm: David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says the deal hasn't been finalized yet. The doctors didn't look at all the reports today, but it should go through tomorrow.

4:38pm: MLB.com's Mark Bowman says the medical reports have been reviewed and the Rafael Soriano–Jesse Chavez swap has been finalized.

11:00am: Rosenthal and Morosi say the Rays will sign Soriano for one year and $7MM or slightly more; the deal will be official after medical records are exchanged. They say Soriano's contract will be non-guaranteed.

10:16am: Rosenthal tweets that the Rays are negotiating a one-year deal with Soriano, and terms must be reached before the trade can become official. ESPN's Jerry Crasnick believes this deal should be done by day's end once the Rays look at Soriano's medicals.

1:30am: Topkin says the Rays will pay all of Soriano's salary, whatever that may be. The two sides don't necessarily have to go to arbitration even though Soriano accepted, they could even work out a multi-year deal.

THURSDAY, 12:55am: SI.com's Jon Heyman says that Soriano has been traded to Tampa, pending medical review.

WEDNESDAY, 11:53pm: Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports says the deal is "nearly complete." Jesse Chavez, the reliever the Rays obtained for Akinori Iwamura, will likely be dealt to Atlanta.

11:38pm: Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times reports that the Rays and Braves are "close" to a deal for Soriano. It could be completed tomorrow.

10:08pm: David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the Braves and Rays could finalize a deal for Soriano as early as tomorrow morning.

8:05pm: They may not be frontrunners, but the Rays are talking to the Braves about Soriano, according to Yahoo's Tim Brown.

5:16pm: The Braves don't consider any team the frontrunner for Soriano, according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman.

3:23pm: Tracy Ringolsby of FOX Sports suggests the Rays are the frontrunner for Soriano, assuming they'll expand their payroll to fit him in. ESPN's Jayson Stark tweets that the Rays are very interested but are balking at the money and players involved. Funny to note that Rays owner Stuart Sternberg recently told Roger Mooney, "There is no $7 million closer showing up."

2:36pm: ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that the Braves want a solid return for Soriano and want the other team picking up the tab. Not sure they have the leverage for that.

1:52pm: Rosenthal tweets that the Rays and Astros are vying for Soriano. Note that the Astros just lost LaTroy Hawkins to the Brewers.

1:04pm: Rosenthal now tweets that the Orioles and Angels are out on Soriano. Soriano is apparently out of the Angels' price range. Rosenthal still thinks a deal will come together quickly.

WEDNESDAY, 8:36am: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets that the Angels are another suitor for Soriano. Makes sense, given Brian Fuentes' struggles.

TUESDAY, 6:31pm: Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald says the Red Sox are unlikely to be suitors for Soriano. Meanwhile, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution says the Yankees, Astros and Orioles have interest in Soriano. Braves GM Frank Wren confirmed to O'Brien that at least one team has interest in both Soriano and Derek Lowe.

4:09pm: Reliever Rafael Soriano has already given Braves GM Frank Wren trade clearance, tweets MLB.com's Mark Bowman. Wren said he's already had discussions with multiple teams. Soriano accepted the Braves' offer of arbitration last night, perhaps in an effort to skirt draft pick compensation.

The Orioles, Astros, and Red Sox appear to be potential suitors for Soriano, based on previous reports. Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweeted earlier today that the Yankees are not interested in trading for him.

Multiple Teams Discussing Derek Lowe

By Tim Dierkes | December 9, 2009 at 3:33pm CDT

WEDNESDAY, 3:33pm: ESPN's Jayson Stark tweets that the Braves are no longer asking for veteran bats for Lowe, and are telling teams they'll eat money.

TUESDAY, 1:42pm: The Braves are discussing righty Derek Lowe with multiple teams, MLBTR has learned. In an article yesterday, MLB.com's Mark Bowman suggested Lowe could be viewed as a cheaper, more durable alternative to John Lackey. Lowe is owed $45MM over the next three years.

Orioles Rumors: Millwood, Uggla, Atkins, Beltre

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | December 9, 2009 at 10:02am CDT

WEDNESDAY, 10:02am: Millwood update: Zrebiec says the Rangers originally wanted David Hernandez and a low-level prospect for Millwood, and were willing to pay $3MM of the $12MM owed to the veteran. Meanwhile Zrebiec's colleague Peter Schmuck says Chris Ray could be involved and the Rangers would pick up most of Millwood's salary, in one scenario.

TUESDAY, 9:36pm: Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports that the O's are still exchanging trade proposals with the Rangers for Kevin Millwood. T.R. Sullivan reported that the Rangers wanted Chris Tillman initially, but talks have since developed. The Orioles are among the frontrunners for Millwood.

The O's met with the Marlins about Dan Uggla, but the Marlins want two pitching prospects in return and the Orioles are reluctant to hand that kind of package over. The Marlins have one less suitor for Uggla, according to Andrew Baggarly, who says the Giants aren't serious bidders, so that could lower the asking price for the arbitration-eligible infielder.

Here are even more O's rumors:

Kevin Kouzmanoff and Garrett Atkins interest the O's to an extent.
Joe Crede and Pedro Feliz remain options for Baltimore, but Adrian Beltre has priced himself out of reach.
We heard about their interest in Hank Blalock, Carlos Delgado and Nick Johnson earlier today.
They also have "tepid" interest in Russell Branyan.
The Orioles aren't particularly intrigued by Joe Blanton and Derek Lowe, who are both available via trade.
Vladimir Guerrero, Adam LaRoche, Jose Valverde and Kevin Gregg all interest the O's slightly.
They do have interest in Rafael Soriano, and spoke with the Braves about him.
They're not interested in J.J. Putz.
MLB.com's Spencer Fordin reports that the Royals engaged the O's in Felix Pie trade talks without ever coming close to a deal.

Braves Notes: Lowe, Johnson, Church

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | December 7, 2009 at 10:37pm CDT

The Braves are "really pushing" for a Derek Lowe trade, according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. The righty has three years and $45MM remaining on his contract, so the club would prefer to part with him than Javier Vazquez, who's more affordable ($11.5MM salary in 2010) and more effective.

The Braves are also getting "nibbles" on Kelly Johnson and Ryan Church. There's more interest in Johnson than Church.

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