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Mets Targeting Livan Hernandez?

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Ben Shpigel of the New York Times has some new Mets info for us today.

  • Surprisingly, Shpigel believes the one free agent starter the Mets will seriously consider is Livan Hernandez.  That is odd because I had read Livan wasn’t high on Omar Minaya’s list.  We’ve seen the Mets connected to free agents Byung-Hyun Kim, Carlos Silva, Hiroki Kuroda, Kyle Lohse, and Jason Jennings so far this offseason.
  • As far as some unsung trade opportunities, my Mets guy says Ervin Santana, Chris Capuano, Claudio Vargas, and Noah Lowry are being considered.
  • According to Shpigel, the Mets hope to re-sign Ramon Castro as their backup catcher.  I don’t see that happening, as he’ll probably be able to snag a starting job elsewhere.  Options the Mets are considering to start at catcher include Yorvit Torrealba, Ramon Hernandez, Ronny Paulino, Gerald Laird, and Paul Lo Duca.  A source tells me the D’Backs’ Miguel Montero may also be on the radar.
  • Shpigel says Luis Castillo might command a four-year deal.  Say what?  The Mets may yet re-sign Castillo but want to see what the trade market offers first.  Shpigel names Orlando Hudson, while I’ve also heard Alberto Callaspo.

Rangers Rumors: Kinsler, Laird, Padilla

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Here’s the latest hot stove buzz surrounding the Rangers.

  • The team will try again to lock up second baseman Ian Kinsler long-term.  It would be a five-year deal, buying out one year of free agency.  Kinsler had an inconsistent 2007.  He hit .298/.375/.667 with 9 HR in April and .256/.351/.393 thereafter.  Nice to see him draw 62 walks though.
  • Jon Daniels has had several teams ask him about Gerald Laird and Hank Blalock.  He’s not likely to sell low on Blalock.  But Laird is getting more costly and the Rangers want to use Jarrod Saltalamacchia full-time behind the plate.  He’s only 28 – young in catcher years – and has a cannon for an arm.  And while he didn’t hit much in ’07, he’s shown flashes of potential.  The Red Sox have checked in on him.
  • Daniels admitted publicly admitted that he’s open to trading Vicente Padilla.  Might as well not hide it.  This could be a fine buy-low opportunity for some team, if they can keep his attitude in check.  The Cubs had interest last summer but don’t figure to re-open the discussion.
  • The Rangers will look at Japanese options in Kosuke Fukudome and Hiroki Kuroda.  They also like Mike Lamb and Ben Broussard.  Those all seem like reasonable signings.

Rangers Rumors: DeJesus, Lamb, Millar

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Evan Grant writes for the Dallas Morning News, but he posted this column at night.  Go figure.  He’s got some new info regarding the Rangers.

  • As you know, the Rangers have had difficulty finding a long-term center fielder.  That’s the main focus of this offseason.  The team has already shown interest in Torii Hunter and Aaron Rowand, the top center fielders available.  Other free agents such as Andruw Jones and Mike Cameron appear to be in play as well.  Grant’s trade candidates: Coco Crisp, David DeJesus, Mark Kotsay, and Carlos Beltran.  We’ve speculated on DeJesus to Atlanta in the past.  With DeJesus signed cheaply through 2011 and the market at the position robust this winter, it might make sense for Dayton Moore to wait a year to shop him aggressively.
  • Grant adds that Jon Daniels is considering some affordable options for first base.  They’ve already talked to Mike Lamb’s agent and like Kevin Millar as well.  Lamb came up through the Rangers’ system but was traded to the Yankees in ’04.  Millar is under contract for ’08 but it’s in the $3-4MM range and the Orioles should be open to a trade.  Grant says Ben Broussard could pique the Rangers’ interest if he’s non-tendered.
  • Grant concludes with five Rangers whose names will be bandied about in trade talks: Gerald Laird, Vicente Padilla, Joaquin Arias, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Nelson Cruz.  Salty’s not being shopped but Grant expects teams to ask.  He proposes some kind of bad contract swap for Padilla – Jason Giambi, Richie Sexson, or Adam Eaton are named.  I still think it’s funny the way Padilla crawled away from the brawl he started this year. 

Pie For Laird and Mahay?

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Phil Rogers has a rumor up on the Tribune blog today, where he indicated that the Cubs are thinking short-term and may be willing to give up Felix Pie in a deal.  According to Rogers, Pie for Gerald Laird and Ron Mahay is a possibility.

It seems that Mahay has since gone to Atlanta, so perhaps Rogers’ post went up before then.  Even if it was C.J. Wilson instead of Mahay I’d consider it a horrible deal for the Cubs.  Pie is a five-tool center fielder and he’s raking at Triple A.  Trading him for Laird would be absurd even if Laird threw out 100% of baserunners.   

Now if Torii Hunter is in play, the Cubs should at least listen.  Not sure if I’d make that move, but at least Hunter would net the Cubs a few extra wins this year.

Murton Late Scratch; Payton Talks Itensify

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UPDATE: While perhaps shopping Murton, the Cubs have had significant talks regarding Baltimore’s Jay Payton. The Cubs would send over two mid-level prospects; does Murton fit that criteria?  Payton will make $5MM next year to finish his contract.

UPDATE 2: RotoWorld says Murton was scratched tonight to allow Cliff Floyd to play and then get Sunday off.

Matt Murton was a late scratch for tonight’s Cubs-Reds game.  Does it mean anything?  We should know soon enough.  This time of year, every scratch or unexpected mid-game substitution is magnified.

The Cubs have been talking to the Rangers about lefty reliever Ron Mahay and catcher Gerald Laird, so maybe there’s a connection.  The Rangers could definitely find room for Murton in their outfield.

Take it with a grain of salt, but a Cubs source of mine confirms Felix Pie’s availability (huh?) and says the Cubs made an inquiry on Torii Hunter.  While intriguing, I wouldn’t expect either player to be traded.

Backwards Center Field Trade Bait

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Most of Joel Sherman’s column today is filled with the Mark Teixeira stuff you’ve been reading about everywhere else.  (I, for one, am now absolutely sure of how to spell Tex’s name.  A couple of weeks ago?  Not so much.)

But, there are two tidbits buried in the column that are interesting both on their own and juxtaposed.

First, Sherman corroborates Buster Olney’s claim that the Yankees are hot after Dan Johnson.  But he gives us more: Billy Beane asked for Brett Gardner and was rejected.  Uh, Brett Gardner?  Useful player, perhaps, but the Yanks are interested in Johnson because he’s a useful player too, and one who is a lot more likely to help them this year (and next, too, in all likelihood).  Sherman interprets that as New York’s new protectiveness of their prospects.  Too bad there isn’t another ~$15M rental like Bobby Abreu out there this year … unless you count Richie Sexson, whom I don’t.

Second, he repeats the common Gerald Laird-to-the-Cubs refrain, but adds a twist:

The Cubs have interest in Laird and Rangers relievers, and might include center field prospect Felix Pie to get that.

I suppose Laird + Eric Gagne might merit Pie.  Maybe.  It would certainly make the Cubs more credible contenders immediately, but…Felix Pie? 

What an odd world it is, when Brett Gardner is off the block, and Felix Pie is on.

By Jeff Sackmann
Brew Crew Ball

Cubs Interested In Gerald Laird?

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According to Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus, the Cubs have asked for their scouts’ evaluation of Texas catcher Gerald Laird.  Laird, 27, has been a disappointment at the plate this year (.237/.296/.353).  On the other hand, he’s second in baseball with a 40.8% caught stealing rate (Dave Ross is first).

A Laird acquisition would indicate a lack of faith in Jason Kendall, so it seems unlikely.  The Cubs will probably give Kendall a fair shake.  Laird would probably only become available if the Rangers acquired Jarrod Saltalamacchia first, anyway.

Hey, Cubs!  Give Geovany Soto an extended look!  He’s not too bad.

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