Jack Wilson Rumors: Thursday
Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes about Jack Wilson:
Only the Minnesota Twins are known to be interested, but the Los Angeles Dodgers could come back if their bid to re-sign free agent Rafael Furcal falls short.
Ken Rosenthal chimes in that the Astros could become an option if they first overcome the "extremely slim" odds against trading Miguel Tejada. Kovacevic adds that in the Pirates’ final Wilson proposal to the Tigers a few days ago they sought shortstop prospect Danny Worth and one of the team’s top pitching prospects.
Pirates Rumors: McLouth, Maholm, Doumit
WEDNESDAY, 6:22pm: Kovacevic says Doumit’s agent will meet with the Pirates later tonight to discuss their offer. Rob Biertempfel says the Pirates did make offers to all three and want to finalize deals within six to eight weeks.
TUESDAY, 11:28pm: Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette offers up the latest information on the Pirates.
- The Pirates have initiated extension talks with Nate McLouth, Ryan Doumit, and Paul Maholm. The Braves inquired on McLouth and Maholm, but the Pirates’ demands were "way high" according to an Atlanta official. Kovacevic mentions Jordan Schafer as someone who could be offered.
- The Pirates had conversations with David Eckstein‘s agent, but not negotiations. The Bucs would probably have to trade a middle infielder for it to make sense. They never made a formal offer to Mark Loretta, who signed with the Dodgers today.
- The Jack Wilson market is tepid – the Twins have mild interest, the Dodgers have moved on to Rafael Furcal.
- While the Pirates have gotten inquiries on John Grabow, teams apparently want to look at free agent options first.
- John Perrotto says Jason Davis will refuse the Pirates’ Triple A assignment and head to Japan.
Twins Rumors: Kouzmanoff, Wigginton, Cantu
6:38pm: Phil Miller says the Twins’ young pitching is quite popular at the Meetings.
12:04pm: The latest from La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:
- The Twins have discussed Kevin Kouzmanoff, Ty Wigginton, and Jorge Cantu internally. It’s not known whether they’ve actually inquired.
- Jack Wilson is still on the Twins’ radar.
- Several teams have asked about Boof Bonser.
Pirates Rumors: Eckstein, Wilson, Turnbow
5:29pm: A handful of teams have expressed interest in Doug Mientkiewicz, reports Jenifer Langosch. He expects to sign within a few weeks, and his agent will meet with the Pirates this week.
4:56pm: Kovacevic confirmed that the Pirates are in negotiations with Eckstein. The Orioles and Padres are also said to be in on him. As for Wilson: the Dodgers are said to be exasperated by the Pirates’ asking price.
12:10am: Let’s check in with Dejan Kovacevic and Rob Biertempfel for the latest on the Pirates.
- Kovacevic on Jack Wilson: the Tigers are out, the Dodgers are quiet lately, and the Twins are in. Biertempfel says the Orioles continue to watch from afar. Wilson’s contract is a sticking point for all suitors.
- Kovacevic believes the Pirates have at least not ruled out the idea of pursuing Pedro Martinez.
- Derrick Turnbow will throw for scouts in mid-January, so he probably won’t sign until then. The Pirates and Giants are among eight teams that have expressed interest.
- The Pirates seem likely to make a Rule 5 pick this year.
- With Pirates target Mark Loretta signing with the Dodgers, Biertempfel wonders if the Bucs may pursue David Eckstein or Craig Counsell.
Tigers Sign Adam Everett, Twins Like Wilson
9:42pm: Contrary to Kovacevic’s report below, MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch says the Twins are not pursuing Wilson. Still, LEN3 sides with Kovacevic on this one.
2:31pm: Rosenthal confirms it. The Tigers reached a one-year agreement with Everett for $1MM plus incentives. The deal is pending a physical.
1:44pm: According to Dejan Kovacevic, the Tigers are set to sign free agent shortstop Adam Everett. Kovacevic says this takes them out of the running for Jack Wilson. The Twins have emerged as a suitor for Wilson.
Pirates Rumors: Wilson, Millar, Bautista
Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette checks in from Vegas with the latest Pirates rumors.
- At some point during the Meetings, the Pirates and Tigers will meet to discuss Jack Wilson. It has been suggested that the Tigers are backing off on Wilson; they worked out Adam Everett last week. The Dodgers are also in the mix, with recent discussions involving the possible restructuring of Wilson’s contract.
- Other trade candidates: John Grabow, Ronny Paulino, Freddy Sanchez, and Adam LaRoche.
- The Pirates’ "power bat" addition could be Kevin Millar, muses Kovacevic.
- Reliever Denny Bautista is a non-tender candidate. We’ll add him to the list.
- The Pirates have not yet made extension offers to Ryan Doumit, Nate McLouth, or Paul Maholm.
Perrotto’s Latest: Peavy, Giles, Wilson, Putz
MONDAY: Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times found no indications the Rays have talked with the Padres and Cubs about getting in on the Peavy talks to acquire Giles.
SUNDAY: The latest from Baseball Prospectus’ John Perrotto:
- Perrotto speaks of a "wild rumor" – the Rays could be the third team in a Jake Peavy-Cubs trade, with Tampa Bay acquiring Brian Giles. Would he waive his no-trade clause to play there? One way or another, Kevin Towers wants five players back for Peavy.
- The Tigers are backing off Jack Wilson, as they consider Adam Everett his equal. They’d like to use Jeff Larish in a trade for Michigan native J.J. Putz if possible.
Twins No Longer Talking With Blake
According to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins have broken off talks with free agent Casey Blake. Neal heard from a source that discussions ended when the Twins, who preferred a two-year deal with an option, wouldn’t offer a guaranteed three-year contract.
The Twins have varying levels of interest in Adrian Beltre, Garrett Atkins, Jason Donald and Jack Wilson. Neal writes that Minnesota balked earlier this year when the Rockies requested Kevin Slowey and Denard Span in exchange for Atkins.
Since shortstops are disappearing fast, Neal’s source says the Twins felt pressure to improve their infield and didn’t want to negotiate for too long with Blake.
Neal heard that the Twins have received calls about Delmon Young, but aren’t in a hurry to trade him for infield help, regardless of how well he fits into their outfield.
There’s a chance the Twins could restart talks with Blake, but for now the Dodgers are the frontrunner for his services, according to Neal.
Odds and Ends: Michaels, Greene, Prior
Links for Saturday…
- Jason Michaels is confused by the lack of interest from the Pirates, who have said they want him back.
- Khalil Greene says he’s frustrated to have let the Padres down and Tim Sullivan writes that it wasn’t for lack of intensity. The Padres still won’t be dropping their grievance against Greene.
- Buster Olney expects Mark Prior to sign a minor-league deal with the Padres.
- Jason Beck writes that the Tigers could afford to trade either Jeff Larish or Matt Joyce in a deal for Jack Wilson. Detroit has other weaknesses to address though, so Beck thinks they could hold onto their trade chips and sign a player like Adam Everett.
- Arbitration could work for both Jason Varitek and the Red Sox, suggests Sean McAdam.
- Tony Massarotti has five reasons to keep Justin Masterson in the bullpen.
- The Angels signed South Korean righty Pil Joon Jang to a minor league contract.
- Jay Jaffe plays Yankees GM at Baseball Prospectus.
- MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo ranks the best Rule 5 Draft selections since 1990.
- Tom Verducci looks back at the career Greg Maddux had.
Pirates Eyeing Joyce, Larish For Wilson
According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates are eyeing Tigers players Jeff Larish and Matt Joyce as part of a potential Jack Wilson deal. They could get one of the two as well as a pitching prospect. The $7.85MM owed to Wilson remains an issue; it’s not known how much the Bucs are willing to pick up.
The Tigers have other options, as they plan to meet with Adam Everett‘s agent next week.
Kovacevic adds that the Pirates removed Jason Davis and Raul Chavez from the 40-man roster today, creating two spots for future moves.