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Red Sox Rumors: Bay, Tazawa, Kawakami, Lugo

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Collecting today’s Red Sox rumors and links…

  • Nick Cafardo says the Red Sox did not meet with C.C. Sabathia’s agent and he doesn’t appear to be in their plans.
  • The Sox are eyeing southpaw reliever Billy Traber, according to WEEI’s Alex Speier.
  • Scott Boras believes Derek Lowe would be a good fit in Boston or New York.  Nick Cafardo says Lowe would like to return to Boston, maybe even at a slight discount.
  • Jason Bay’s agents say he’s loving Boston and is open to a contract extension.
  • When asked about the possibility of Manny Ramirez signing with the Yankees, Red Sox GM Theo Epstein basically said it’s not his concern.
  • Otherwise, the theme of Epstein’s comments was flexibility.  Justin Masterson could be a starter or reliever, and Epstein won’t get hung up on acquiring any one player.
  • Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says the Red Sox are heavily involved on Junichi Tazawa, though the Braves and Mariners are after him as well.  The Sox also like Kenshin Kawakami and may have interest in Paul Byrd and Javier Vazquez.
  • Cafardo believes the Mets and White Sox have interest in Julio Lugo.  It would have to be a bad contract swap.  Cafardo adds that the Red Sox view Jacoby Ellsbury as their starting center fielder, and there has been trade interest in Coco Crisp.
  • Boston’s luxury tax threshold for 2009 is $160.5MM.
  • By tomorrow the Red Sox should receive the Jason Varitek book compiled by the Boras corporation.  Boras gave a ridiculous Varitek pitch to the media; click the link for quotes.  Epstein will meet with Boras today to discuss his clients.
  • The Red Sox plan to talk to the Rangers, with Taylor Teagarden, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Gerald Laird as possibilities.  For Teagarden, the Red Sox would probably have to give up Clay Buchholz or Michael Bowden.

Marlins Rumors: Max Ramirez, Pavano, Rhodes

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Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald has the latest on the Marlins.

  • The Marlins have had informal talks with the Rangers regarding catcher Max Ramirez.  The Fish are willing to trade lefty Scott Olsen, though the Rangers are wary of his makeup and home run tendencies.  The Marlins are OK with their in-house options if they can’t work out a trade.  The Marlins aren’t interested in Gerald Laird.
  • The Marlins may consider bringing Carl Pavano back to Florida, the site of his last success.
  • Luis Gonzalez, Mark Hendrickson, Paul Lo Duca, and Arthur Rhodes are the Marlins’ free agents.  Of the four, Rhodes stands a chance of being re-signed.  However, the Marlins have not spoken to Rhodes’ agent in weeks.
  • Juan C. Rodriguez reports that despite reports, the Marlins are not in on Junichi Tazawa.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Tex, Furcal, Johnson, Lofton

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Here’s a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

  • If they are to sign Mark Teixeira, the Angels would like to do it quickly.  However, it’s Scott Boras’ custom to let the market develop until late December or so.  It’s possible the Angels change gears on November 14th.  There are other big names to pursue, though none fit as perfectly as Tex.
  • Rosenthal’s worst case scenario for the Yankees: C.C. Sabathia goes to a West Coast team while A.J. Burnett re-signs with Toronto.  The Jays truly are in the mix for Burnett.  ESPN’s Keith Law says Burnett expects to receive multiple five-year offers.
  • The Orioles plan to make serious offers to Teixeira and Burnett.  Still, both are considered long shots for Baltimore.  Another note: the Orioles were one of the teams the Yankees outbid for Sergio Mitre.
  • The Dodgers are considered "a good bet" to re-sign Rafael Furcal.  The Giants have their eye on him if he hits the open market.
  • About ten teams have inquired on Braves second baseman Kelly Johnson.  We had a Cardinals rumor yesterday.
  • The Rangers figure to trade one or two of their catchers, with Gerald Laird a strong candidate to be traded.  The Red Sox and Marlins are looking for catching, though the Rangers are wary of Florida’s Scott Olsen.
  • Rosenthal wonders if Brandon Webb could leave the D’Backs after the 2010 season.
  • Kenny Lofton wants to play in 2009.

Rangers Want Pitcher For Catcher

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The Rangers are seeking to deal one of their three catchers – Gerald Laird, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, or Max Ramirez – for pitching, says Evan Grant of the Dallas News. Grant notes that they would still have Taylor Teagarden, who they’re also open to dealing if "the return is great enough."

Grant discusses potential matches in the Giants, Red Sox, Brewers, Reds, and Tigers:

"San Francisco has pitching depth, and the Rangers love the Giants’ arms, but San Francisco has a more pressing need for a corner infielder than a catcher because Bengie Molina is signed for 2009. Getting a pitcher such as Matt Cain might require the Rangers to discuss trading Chris Davis. Boston, Milwaukee and Cincinnati, however, may be the best fits for a catcher-for-pitcher deal. Detroit also needs a catcher, but the Tigers’ system is quite thin at pitcher."

MLBTR discussed this on Friday, including Hank Blalock in the discussion as well as the Rangers’ interest in Scott Olsen.

Dallas Morning News: Jon Daniels Q&A

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Mike Hindman of the Dallas Morning News recently conducted a Q&A with Rangers GM Jon Daniels.  A few highlights:

  • Daniels thought the Rangers had a great chance to sign Michael Inoa, as ownership made a budget exception to pursue him.
  • Daniels doesn’t seem inclined to trade his top pitching prospects for a young big league starter.  He still has certain targets though.
  • A contract extension for Josh Hamilton will probably be explored during the first three months of 2009.
  • Daniels knows what he wants to do with Milton Bradley, but wouldn’t reveal it.
  • He expects to exercise Hank Blalock’s $6.2MM option for ’09.
  • Daniels sees a "good possibility" of making a trade involving one of his four young catchers, but adds that it depends on the market.  Daniels wouldn’t be opposed to trading both Gerald Laird and Jarrod Saltalamacchia in separate deals.  He also admitted that the Red Sox inquired about catching. 
  • Daniels will attempt to improve the bullpen via free agency this winter.

Odds and Ends: Manny, Laird, Strasburg, Chipper

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Let’s gather up today’s linkage.

Perrotto’s Latest: La Russa, Offseason Moves

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John Perrotto at Baseball Prospectus has his Every Given Sunday column up. Here’s the highlights from the Rumors and Rumblings section (with some added speculation here and there from yours truly):

  • There’s a growing rumor that Cardinals manager Tony La Russa could step down after this season and pursue a job as a general manager. We all know Seattle’s looking…
  • The Diamondbacks love Adam Dunn’s production so much that they are considering re-signing him and possibly having him play first base. Dunn’s racked up a .474 OBP since coming to Arizona… what’s not to like about that?
  • The Padres seem willing to move Kevin Kouzmanoff once again. Perrotto doesn’t say, but it would make sense for young starting pitching to be the target for the Padres, and a move would allow Chase Headley to move back to his natural position, third base. The Giants are looking for help at third, but I doubt the Pads would trade him within the division. Minnesota, perhaps?
  • The Marlins are considering playing Jorge Cantu at first next season, using Dallas McPherson at third, and trading Mike Jacobs in the offseason.
  • The Royals will not re-sign Mark Grudzielanek this offseason, but will likely target both Rafael Furcal and Raul Ibanez. Given Mike Aviles’ emergence at the plate, shifting him to second base and putting Furcal at shortstop would make for a very good middle of the infield in Kansas City. The Royals will also explore options for trading Jose Guillen. I personally didn’t like the contract they gave him at the time, and I doubt many clubs like it now either. Moving him could be difficult.
  • The Rangers will try to trade Gerald Laird for pitching, given their surplus at catcher. The Yankees could use some help behind the plate if Jorge Posada is unable to catch…
  • Jeff Kent, Frank Thomas, and Kent Mercker are all mentioned as possibilites for retirement this offseason, with Jeff Kent being almost a certainty, regardless of how his knee reacts to surgery.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Hendry, Burnett, Laird

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Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports has a new column up.

  • Rosenthal fills us in on Jim Hendry’s contract status: Hendry controls his own fate with an option for ’09.  If the new Cubs ownership doesn’t want to extend him beyond that, he could elect free agency this winter.  Click here to download a spreadsheet of Hendry’s trade history.
  • Teams with third basemen to trade this winter are at an advantage due to the weak free agent market.  Names like Garrett Atkins, Melvin Mora, and Hank Blalock could generate interest.  Blalock is a huge question mark though, and the Rangers still have to decide on his $6.2MM option.  Jorge Cantu, Adrian Beltre, and Kevin Kouzmanoff are other names to watch in my opinion.
  • Rosenthal talked to a rival executive who sees the Red Sox making a "major push" for A.J. Burnett if he opts out.  He can hindle the rigors of pitching in the AL East, and will also draw interest from the Yankees.
  • The Rangers may shop Gerald Laird this winter.  Laird, 29 in November, is under team control through 2010.  The Reds could be a nice match.
  • Marlins infielder Chris Coghlan can play second or third base, giving the Fish flexibility on whether they want to trade Cantu, Mike Jacobs, or Dan Uggla this winter.

Odds and Ends: Kendall, Laird, Giles, Manny

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Today’s linkage…

  • A friend pointed out to me how strange it is that the Twins were willing to take on Jarrod Washburn’s salary and give up Boof Bonser but chose to trade Johan Santana before the season.  If Bill Smith could go back in time, would he still make that deal?
  • A Gary Sheffield acquisition by the Rays is "unlikely but not impossible," according to one Buster Olney source.
  • As expected, Jason Kendall’s option for ’09 vested.  He’s off the list!
  • The Rangers were willing to trade Gerald Laird and a solid prospect to the Marlins for Chris Volstad.
  • The Padres are wavering on Brian Giles’ 2009 option.  Scott Miller also wonders if they’ll be able to take on Trevor Hoffman for another year.
  • Miller says the Marlins had a deal for Manny Ramirez worked out, but the commissioner’s office killed it because the Marlins would’ve been getting draft picks rather than a second player.  Manny would’ve vetoed it anyway.
  • Rob Neyer thinks the Yankees will exceed a $200MM payroll if need be next year.
  • There seems a good chance Randy Johnson pitches next year.
  • Randy Winn and Bengie Molina may be traded this winter.
  • Missed this one from Monday – the White Sox acquired reliever Franklyn German from the Pirates for a player to be named later.

Odds and Ends: Lowell, Carroll, Saltalamacchia

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Time to gather up today’s links.

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