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Giants Rumors: Molina, Pudge, Bay, Holliday

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Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News reports that the Giants are open to bringing Bengie Molina back, but prepared in case the catcher signs elsewhere. Here are the details:

  • The Giants won't likely offer Molina much more than the $6MM he made this year.
  • Molina wants a two-year deal, so Baggarly says the 35-year-old is unlikely to re-sign with the Giants.
  • The Mets could have interest, and Baggarly says an unnamed AL team expects to get involved, too.
  • Baggarly expects the Giants to offer Molina arbitration, but would be surprised to see the team extend similar offers to Bob Howry, Randy Johnson or Randy Winn.
  • The Giants have tried to acquire Ivan Rodriguez before, so they could bring him in to mentor Buster Posey and provide the club with insurance in case the top prospect struggles.
  • The Giants believe Matt Holliday's defense regressed a shocking amount last year.
  • Jason Bay seems like a better fit for the Giants.

Rangers Notes: Vizquel, Byrd, Rodriguez

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MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan examined what some of the Rangers' plans might be this winter, and here are some of the highlights…

  • A right-handed bat is at the top of the Texas wish list for the off-season, with Sullivan singling out Jermaine Dye as perhaps the best fit for the Rangers amongst the veteran hitters on the free agent market.
  • There is a good chance that veteran shortstop Omar Vizquel will re-sign with Texas before the club's exclusive negotiating period for free agents ends on November 19.  Sullivan reports that "there appears to be genuine interest on both sides" to bring the 11-time Gold Glover back for his 22nd big-league season in 2010.
  • Texas GM Jon Daniels says that the team would like to bring back free-agent outfielder Marlon Byrd, but since Byrd wants to test the market, "it's just not going to happen in the exclusive window period, if it's going to happen at all."
  • The Rangers want to see how Jarrod Saltalamacchia rebounds from shoulder surgery before looking at re-signing veteran catcher and franchise legend Ivan Rodriguez.
  • In regards to the other four Texas free agents, Sullivan said that Andruw Jones and Hank Blalock won't be pursued by the club, Eddie Guardado may retire and Joaquin Benoit is "in limbo" following shoulder surgery that sidelined him for all of 2009.
  • If Ben Sheets is able to pitch in 2010, the Rangers still have interest in the right-hander who they thought they had signed last January.
  • Relief pitching will become a priority if Neftali Feliz and C.J. Wilson are moved to the rotation.  Sullivan lists several bullpen options for the Rangers, many of whom have pitched in Texas before.

Rangers Talk: Payroll, Byrd, Pudge

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Rangers president Nolan Ryan talked to reporters today.  MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan and has the story.

  • Ryan said to expect payroll to remain in the same range next season, meaning around $68MM.  By my calculations the Rangers have about $44MM committed before arbitration raises to Josh Hamilton, Brandon McCarthy, Scott Feldman, C.J. Wilson, and Frank Francisco.  GM Jon Daniels should have around $15MM with which to work.
  • Ryan doesn't plan on the Rangers signing a big-name free agent to a long-term deal.  The team wants to re-sign Marlon Byrd and Ivan Rodriguez while adding a right-handed bat and multiple pitchers (veteran starter, left-handed reliever according to manager Ron Washington).
  • Ryan doesn't believe the team's unsettled ownership situation "impacts us at all."

Rangers’ Rumors: Pudge, Andruw, Vizquel

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The Rangers fell just short in their pursuit of the franchise's first playoff berth since 1999 this season, but with oodles of young talent the future certainly looks bright. MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan brings us some news on three of the more veteran members of the ballclub in Arlington…

  • GM Jon Daniels has told catcher Ivan Rodriguez that the team has interest in bringing him back next year. With Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Taylor Teagarden on board, Pudge knows he'd play a reduced role, and would be okay playing once or twice a week while mentoring the kids.
  • Club officials have made it clear to Andruw Jones that he's not expected to be back in 2010. Jones, who has been playing some first base lately, said he expects to keep playing for someone, but admits his days as a centerfielder are probably over. Seems like just yesterday that this guy was hitting homers in the World Series and running down everything from gap to gap, doesn't it?
  • Omar Vizquel may no longer be a starting shortstop, but he still has value as a utility infielder and the team is interested in bringing him back. The 42-year old said he would be interested in returning, but wants to see what other opportunities are out there for him.

Odds & Ends: Pudge, Millwood, Harden

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Links for Thursday…

Rangers GM On Byrd, Pudge, Scheppers

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Rangers GM Jon Daniels said in a chat hosted by the Dallas Morning News that he's focusing on this year because the Rangers haven't set their budget for 2010 yet. Here are the details and the rest of the rumors:

  • Not surprisingly, the Rangers aren't looking to trade away any of their veterans before the end of the month.
  • Ideally, Daniels would like to have Marlon Byrd back next year.
  • The Rangers acquired Ivan Rodriguez to win now, but they're open to bringing him back for another year.
  • Daniels estimates that 75% of all players appear on trade waivers at some point in August.
  • Daniels gets the sense that there have been more waiver claims than usual this year, despite suggestions that more players would clear because of a general reluctance to spend.
  • The GM would prefer not to see a worldwide draft, in part because he believes the Rangers have established a competitive advantage in Latin America.
  • The Rangers are still talking with Tanner Scheppers and his agent. The Rangers have until next year's draft to sign Scheppers.

Stark On Wagner, Padres, Crawford

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ESPN.com's Jayson Stark shows that a number of contenders have vulnerable-looking closers. The Cubs and Phillies two of many teams with shaky arms at the back of the 'pen. Here are the details and the rest of Stark's rumors:

  • At least one scout believes John Smoltz would have been the perfect arm for the Marlins to add to their 'pen.
  • However, clubs pursuing Smoltz heard that he wanted to start, at least for now.    
  • A scout who watched Billy Wagner throw has "no doubt" that Wagner could help a team win. The Rays and Marlins are thought to have interest in Wagner, but neither team would be likely to give up much of a prospect unless the Mets picked up salary.  
  • Stark hears that the Padres pulled Heath Bell and Adrian Gonzalez back off waivers after multiple teams claimed them.
  • Mark Hendrickson cleared waivers, and can now be traded to any team. The Rockies were interested before the deadline, but they may decide to see where the Billy Wagner bidding goes before pursuing Hendrickson again.
  • One rival GM considers the Cards "the best team in the league right now."  
  • The Royals don't seem interested in trading their top pitchers. They pulled Brian Bannister back from waivers and though Joakim Soria and Gil Meche are on waivers now, they aren't likely to be dealt.
  • Clubs eyeing Carl Crawford believe the Rays are becoming less likely to deal him. Desmond Jennings could become the Rays' left fielder, but they'd probably have to be overwhelmed to part with Crawford.
  • It's possible that Jamie Moyer could draw interest as a trade candidate after the season. 
  • One AL exec isn't sure Bryce Harper's the guarantee people perceive him to be.  
  • Stark points out that the Astros traded Ivan Rodriguez just as his incentives were about to start kicking in.
  • An official of a team that inquired about Stephen Strasburg before the draft says that Scott Boras invoked Daisuke Matsuzaka's name without specifically saying he wanted $50MM for his client.

Rangers Acquire Pudge From Astros

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9:55pm: According to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, the Astros will receive a third player in the deal if the Rangers make the playoffs. Sullivan confirms that Vallejo is believed to be the second player and must clear trade waivers.

8:15pm: Jason Grodsky of MLB.com is reporting that the Astros are receiving two players to be named along with Nevarez.

4:07pm: MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports that the Astros will acquire infielder Jose Vallejo along with Matt Nevarez. Both players are 22.

2:10pm: Pat Lackey of AOL FanHouse hears that minor league reliever Matt Nevarez will head to the Astros along with another player.

1:22pm: Jeff Wilson of the Dallas Morning News reports that the Rangers are responsible for a pro-rated portion of Pudge's $1.5MM contract, which includes $1.5MM in incentives.

1:16pm: Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that the Rangers are giving up two mid-level prospects to acquire Rodriguez.

12:47pm: MLB.com's Noah Coslov reports that the Rangers acquired Pudge for a player to be named later.

12:18pm: The Rangers are close to re-acquiring Ivan Rodriguez, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. Sullivan says the Astros would obtain two mid-tier prospects for Rodriguez, who starred with the Rangers from 1991-2002. The Rangers have told Rodriguez that he will back Taylor Teagarden up and Pudge understands the arrangement,

Odds and Ends: Pudge, Reds, Boras, Gordon

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Links from around the league on Tuesday evening…

Trade Candidates: Catchers

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The market for catchers has been silent this year, as many contenders are set behind the plate. It’s partially a coincidence, but still noteworthy that so many of baseball’s best teams have catchers performing well. Here are a few backstops who could be available this month:

  • Ramon Hernandez – Likely expendable because of Ryan Hanigan's emergence, Hernandez has hit .252/.333/.368 with five homers and more walks than strikeouts this year. He doesn't come cheap though, as he makes $8MM.
  • Yorvit Torrealba - The Rockies have Chris Iannetta, so Torrealba and his career OPS of .700 are expendable. He'll earn $3.5MM this year and there's a mutual option for 2010 on his contract.  
  • Ivan Rodriguez – The Astros aren't selling now, but Rodriguez, who was dealt at last year's deadline, could become trade bait if Houston falls out of it. He makes from $1.5-3MM this year, depending on incentives.
  • Javier Valentin – This free agent hit relatively well with the Reds as recently as last year.
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