Rockies Rumors: Fuentes, Street, Rusch, Podsednik
MLB.com’s Thomas Harding has the latest on the Rockies, here and here.
- The Rockies will offer arbitration to Brian Fuentes, who is a Type A free agent. Obviously it’s all about the two draft picks, as Fuentes will decline. He’ll probably sign with a team with an unprotected first-round pick, too.
- Harding says the Rockies are already receiving calls on Huston Street. ESPN’s Buster Olney says Dan O’Dowd is telling other GMs he won’t trade Street, but some believe it’s posturing.
- O’Dowd backed off a bit on the idea of re-signing Glendon Rusch and Scott Podsednik, saying he wants to make sure there’s a role for them in Colorado.
- The Rockies won’t be diving in on any big-name free agent pitchers. They’ll either stand pat or pursue trades.
- O’Dowd called the Reds trade rumors "comical." The Rockies, by the way, are apparently not interested in Homer Bailey.
Mets Closer Plan Starts With Free Agents
Let’s try to decipher the Mets’ strategy for acquiring a new closer.
- Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post says the Mets will pursue a free agent out of the gate, perhaps with Brian Fuentes ranked above Francisco Rodriguez on their list. Still, K-Rod’s agent noted that they’re not "wedded" to a five-year deal, and he didn’t toss the reported $15MM demand out there. Hubbuch believes the Mets will move on to trade targets such as Bobby Jenks and Huston Street if they fail to sign Fuentes or Rodriguez.
- Ken Davidoff and David Lennon mention J.J. Putz as well, while suggesting the Mets don’t love Street. They agree that the Mets will try free agency first, with Kerry Wood a third target. Davidoff likes Jenks over K-Rod, but expects it’d cost Fernando Martinez and maybe Bobby Parnell. The White Sox have reportedly scouted Parnell and Eddie Kunz.
Rockies To Keep Street?
Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd commented today on the rumors that he will flip reliever Huston Street:
"There is nothing in place right now. I’m not saying we wouldn’t move Huston, or anybody else, but right now I plan on him being with us. That’s what I told Huston today."
It makes sense to hold on to Street for now, because the market has an abundance of closers and Street’s value is down. O’Dowd would be better served letting him rack up saves and shopping him in July, when teams are desperate for relievers (especially with Street under team control through 2010).
Odds and Ends: Holliday, Takahashi, Lincecum
Links for Wednesday…
- Richard Justice says the Astros should offer Andy Pettitte $7-8MM to come back.
- Joe Christensen doesn’t see Huston Street landing in Minnesota.
- Larry Beinfest dismissed a "cyberspace rumor" that the Marlins are planning a run at Manny Ramirez.
- Gordon Wittenmyer says the Cubs could fit both Jake Peavy and Ryan Dempster into the payroll, and that the Peavy situation will be resolved first.
- Today is the deadline for MLB.com’s Free Agent Frenzy. You have until 4pm CST to submit your picks for 15 free agents. Here are my predictions from November 3rd…I would change the Furcal and Sheets ones for starters.
- Who had the Matt Holliday scoop? SI.com’s Jon Heyman broke the story, while Yahoo’s Tim Brown was the first to name the players involved.
- Holliday figures to be a three to six month rental for the A’s. Over at FanGraphs, Dave Cameron takes a closer look at Carlos Gonzalez and Greg Smith. ESPN’s Keith Law says the Rockies received a "fair return" for Holliday.
- Athletics Nation suggests the A’s sign Derek Lowe.
- Ken Davidoff looks at the Yankees’ seesawing philosophy.
- Japanese southpaw Ken Takahashi intends to sign with an MLB club, and the Mets may be interested. Nikkan Sports says the Cubs, Padres, and Giants are also in on him.
- River Ave. Blues looks ahead to Derek Jeter‘s next contract.
- Andrew Baggarly reminds us that Tim Lincecum intends to go year to year.
- ESPN’s Buster Olney talked to one GM who expects "a whole lot of bargains" in late January, given the nation’s economy.
- Rany Jazayerli didn’t like the Royals’ acquisition of Mike Jacobs, but doesn’t think it’s the end of the world.
- Braves GM Frank Wren on Jeff Francoeur: "We haven’t talked about him at all. It’s not to say that we wouldn’t."
Rockies Talking Trade With Reds
8:50pm: Reds GM Walt Jocketty says nothing is close with the Rockies; he’s talked to a lot of clubs. His snide remark: "They all didn’t allow it to get out."
Jocketty talked to the Rockies about Matt Holliday, but it was a short discussion.
7:37pm: Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News says the Reds have definite interest in Atkins, but not Torrealba or Taveras. The Reds like the idea of adding Atkins’ righthanded bat. They don’t like Torrealba’s price and Taveras’ inability to get on base. Ringolsby says the Phillies, Angels, and Twins are also after Atkins.
3:28pm: Troy Renck confirms Rosenthal’s report, and also speaks of speculation that the Red Sox will make a run at Chris Iannetta. A long shot to be sure.
Other Rockies notes: Renck says the Rox told people close to Manny Corpas that he’s still the closer, meaning Street might be on the outs. Additionally, the Rockies have expressed interest in Carl Pavano.
1:17pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Rockies aren’t done dealing – they’re talking trade with the Reds and other clubs. The Reds like Willy Taveras, Yorvit Torrealba, and Garrett Atkins, with a "definite interest" in Taveras.
Meanwhile the Indians like newly acquired Huston Street and the Nationals are one club eyeing Carlos Gonzalez. Rosenthal says the Rockies figure to hang on to Greg Smith.
It seems we can’t yet judge the Holliday trade for the Rockies. It did seem odd that they would acquire a closer and a young center fielder, two positions at which they already had solid options.
Matt Holliday Trade Roundup
It seems that the Rockies will send left fielder Matt Holliday to the A’s for Carlos Gonzalez, Greg Smith, and Huston Street soon (assuming Smith’s elbow checks out). While the A’s were rumored to be in the mix for Holliday, the trade still comes as a surprise to most. Let’s round up today’s links on the topic.
- Nick Cafardo says the Red Sox were briefly involved in talks for Holliday.
- ESPN’s Peter Gammons says Beane first engaged the Red Sox on Jason Bay before moving on to Holliday.
- Troy Renck says Holliday is flying to Oakland today to meet with team officials. Garrett Atkins hopes the Holliday trade keeps him in Colorado.
- Dave Cameron thinks Holliday can hit around .300/.380/.500 for the A’s.
- Athletics Nation considers this a message that the A’s are trying to compete in ’09, and expects more additions. They also believe Billy Beane will take stock in July and decide whether to trade Holliday or keep him all year and take the draft picks. I agree on both points.
- Jack Etkin of the Rocky Mountain News and Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post have scouting reports on the players Colorado will receive.
- Depressed Fan tries to get a handle on Beane’s motivation for the trade.
- Holliday’s dad would like to see his son join the Yankees.
Twins Interested In Street?
According to La Velle E. Neal of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins might have interest in Colorado reliever Huston Street. With the news that Pat Neshek will need Tommy John surgery, you have to figure the Twins will bring in a reliever or two. Given the Twins’ rumored interest in Garrett Atkins, maybe some kind of megadeal could come together.
A’s Acquire Matt Holliday
5:01pm: Scott Miller of CBSSports.com says the Rockies are prepared to turn around and trade Street to another team.
4:08pm: Gonzalez confirmed his inclusion in the trade in a phone call to Jorge L. Ortiz of USA Today.
3:42pm: A Rockies spokesman told the AP that talks are fluid, and "everything’s speculation." Heyman is now aboard with Gonzalez/Smith/Street as the package. Seems solid for one year of Holliday and the accompanying draft picks.
3:20pm: Susan Slusser spoke to Smith, who is flying to Denver for a physical. She agrees that Street and Gonzalez are the other two players.
2:54pm: ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick confirmed Smith is in the deal.
2:39pm: Troy Renck says the A’s had been offering Street and Gonzalez. Meanwhile ESPN adds Ryan Sweeney and Gonzalez to their mix of players discussed.
2:30pm: Brown says the two teams have agreed in principle to a deal that will send Gonzalez, Smith, and Street to the Rockies.
2:24pm: The ESPN report now says Brett Anderson was under discussion as well as Smith.
2:03pm: The ESPN guys talked to A’s assistant GM David Forst, who said, "It’s still an ongoing discussion."
2:00pm: Ken Rosenthal chimes in. The deal may not be finalized for about 48 hours. Players discussed over the weekend: Carlos Gonzalez, Huston Street, and Smith. Rosenthal says the A’s do not plan to flip Holliday or trade him in July. Rosenthal also says the A’s could increase payroll to as high as $80MM, which could mean $25-30MM to play with.
1:57pm: ESPN’s Buster Olney and Jerry Crasnick say the two teams have agreed to terms, and believe pitcher Greg Smith was under discussion.
1:51pm: Yahoo’s Tim Brown also says a deal is close.
1:27pm: According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the A’s traded for Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday. More as it comes in!
Indians Rumors: Shoppach, Roberts, Street
Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer discusses the Indians’ offseason needs.
- With Victor Martinez, Kelly Shoppach, Carlos Santana, and others, the Indians have a surplus of catching (and mad guitar skills). The Red Sox, Marlins, Reds, and Tigers are known to be in the market, so maybe the Indians can deal a catcher to fill another need. Those other needs: an infielder, a late inning reliever, and a starter.
- Hoynes believes the Indians will fall short of meeting the demands of free agents Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, and Rafael Furcal.
- Hoynes implies the asking price for one year of Brian Roberts is Fausto Carmona and Asdrubal Cabrera. That won’t work for the Tribe; they are looking to add a starter. They might have the same problem if they try to acquire Garrett Atkins.
- As we’ve heard, the Indians are in on Huston Street.
- Hoynes tosses out a couple of possible free agent bargains that may come with the necessary price break: Joe Crede and Jason Isringhausen.
Mets Revamping The Bullpen
The Mets’ primary focus this winter is to completely revamp their bullpen. Ken Davidoff and Joel Sherman outline Plan A: free agents. Names in the mix: Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, Kerry Wood, Joe Beimel, Juan Cruz, and Chad Cordero. Sherman figures the Mets are in a good position because most of the other big-market teams aren’t looking for a closer.
Plan B: trades. The Mets have already discussed Bobby Jenks with the White Sox. J.J. Putz, Huston Street, and Kevin Gregg are the other names. It all depends on how much young talent Omar Minaya wants to sacrifice.
As a corollary to Plan B, the Mets want to ship out Pedro Feliciano, Aaron Heilman, and Scott Schoeneweis. They hope to clear payroll and/or bring in other relievers in these trades. Davidoff says Heilman has plenty of admirers.
Another note from Sherman – the Mets "could be interested" in Jason Varitek if the price comes down but Varitek doesn’t re-sign with Boston. In another article, Davidoff lays out Plans A, B, and C for both the Mets and Yankees.