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Cards Switch Focus To Free Agency

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According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Cardinals GM John Mozeliak recently shifted his focus from trades to free agency in regards to his pitching staff.  They briefly mulled the idea of jumping in on Jake Peavy but decided against it.

Strauss suggests four free agent starters the Cardinals might consider signing for the short-term: Oliver Perez, Andy Pettitte, Randy Wolf, and Brad Penny.  The Cards have about $15-17MM to work with, but they won’t be chasing the big fish free agent starters.

Straus adds that it now looks like the Cardinals will retain second baseman Adam Kennedy.

Stark’s Latest: Dye, Greinke, Teixeira

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Jayson Stark’s Winter Meetings preview is up; let’s take a look.

  • Stark sees "just about zero chance" the Padres trade Jake Peavy at the Meetings.  The Cubs will need at least a few weeks to settle their ownership situation before they can make a trade and take on his contract.  Plus, a Stark source says it makes sense for the Padres to wait until the top free agent starters are off the board.
  • The Braves, Reds, Royals, Rays, and possibly Mets have shown interest in Jermaine Dye.  Dye played for the Royals from 1997-2001 before he was traded for Neifi Perez.  The White Sox are willing to trade Paul Konerko and Jim Thome too.
  • The Mariners would listen on "pretty much anybody."  But given the surplus of closers on the market, it seems unlikely that Jack Zduriencik will be bowled over with an offer for J.J. Putz.
  • The Royals really don’t want to trade Zack Greinke, but they’ll at least discuss him.  The price would be massive.  It doesn’t look like they want to trade David DeJesus or Mark Teahen either, but Jose Guillen can be had.
  • The Marlins have been pushing Jorge Cantu over Jeremy Hermida, though Hermida’s drawn plenty of interest.  Nick Cafardo named the Rays, Reds, and Giants earlier today.
  • The Angels figure to attach a two or three-day deadline to their eventual Mark Teixeira offer.
  • Stark sees Rafael Furcal and Casey Blake as the two free agents most likely to sign this week.  Most execs Stark surveyed see Teixeira and Manny Ramirez signing in January.

Cafardo’s Latest: Halladay, Hermida, Abreu

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Time for a look at the latest column from Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.

  • Relievers on the Tigers’ radar: Trevor Hoffman, David Weathers, Arthur Rhodes, and Joe Beimel.
  • Blue Jays J.P. Ricciardi is frank: "We will not trade Roy Halladay."
  • Marlins right fielder Jeremy Hermida is said to interest the Reds, Rays, and Giants.  John Perrotto says the Rays have inquired on Hermida.
  • Cafardo believes the Dodgers will turn to Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell, or Jermaine Dye if they fail to re-sign Manny Ramirez.
  • Cafardo likes the Angels and Brewers as dark horses for Jake Peavy.
  • Cafardo says not to discount the possibility of the Nationals signing Ken Griffey Jr.

Winter Meetings Previews

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We’ve added a few new Winter Meetings preview to the collection…

  • Yahoo’s Tim Brown runs through plans for all of the American and National League teams.
  • Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post says the Rockies are all about left-handed relief help.  They’ve got several trade chips to work with.
  • Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer has the Phillies covered.  You know the plan: starting pitcher, outfielder.
  • Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reminds us of the Cardinals’ wish list: starter, closer, lefthanded reliever.  Arthur Rhodes would fit, but he’s leaning toward the Reds.  Strauss wonders if John Mozeliak can match up with the Blue Jays to find relief help.
  • The Twins still want to add a shortstop or third baseman according to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, though several options have already been eliminated.  Neal summarizes the players on the radar.  The Twins are also looking for bullpen help.
  • Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune discusses the Padres.  Kevin Towers will keep the Jake Peavy talks going with the Cubs while also searching for a shortstop and veteran catcher.
  • Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reminds us that Peavy and a left-handed hitting outfielder are on the Cubs’ wish list.  The bat comes first, says Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times.
  • Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star says Dayton Moore has already accomplished his main goals, and now looks to replenish his right-handed relief.  The Royals would also like to add a proven middle infielder and seem to have a glut of corner/DH types.
  • Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic and Jack Magruder of the East Valley Tribune analyze the Diamondbacks.  Josh Byrnes seeks a second baseman, left-handed reliever, and pitching in general.  Miguel Montero is the top trade chip.  They have about $10MM to spend, less if Brandon Lyon accepts arbitration.
  • Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News says the Rangers could trade Gerald Laird, Hank Blalock, Kevin Millwood, or Vicente Padilla.
  • Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel talked to Doug Melvin about C.C. Sabathia, who still hasn’t reacted to their offer.  If Sabathia and Ben Sheets leave, Melvin could add two starters.  Melvin also said it’d be too risky to trade J.J. Hardy and start Alcides Escobar at short.  Rickie Weeks has drawn interest, but Melvin would require "a pretty good hitter" in return.  Mike Cameron is a more likely trade chip.  As for the team’s closer search, Melvin doesn’t expect to be in on the big names.
  • Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post says the Marlins probably won’t steal headlines at these Winter Meetings as they did in ’07.  Still, Jorge Cantu, Matt Treanor, and Jeremy Hermida may be dealt.  The Fish have been "actively shopping" Treanor and Hermida.  The Marlins have mild interest in free agents Ivan Rodriguez and Carl Pavano.
  • Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune says Ken Williams has asked the Reds about Homer Bailey.  Could the Reds match up for Jermaine Dye?  The White Sox hope to add more MLB-ready starting pitching and maybe a backup catcher.
  • The Orioles need starting pitching, with a slew of names under consideration according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun: A.J. Burnett, Paul Byrd, Jon Garland, Mark Hendrickson, Braden Looper, Randy Wolf, Kenshin Kawakami, Koji Uehara, Bartolo Colon, and Matt Clement.  The O’s also hope to extend Brian Roberts, trade Ramon Hernandez, and find a shortstop.  They have interest in Adam Everett.
  • Roch Kubatko of MASN Online explains what it’s like for a reporter at the Meetings.

Peavy To Cubs On Life Support?

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A brief update on the Jake Peavy situation from the indefatigable Jon Heyman:

"’The Peavy thing isn’t dead, but it’s on life support," one person familiar with the Cubs’ dealings said.’"

Heyman also notes that the Cubs are looking at left handed hitters such as Bobby Abreu, Adam Dunn, and Raul Ibanez among others. Jake Peavy and a left handed hitting outfielder are high priorities for the Cubs going into the Winter Meetings.

Perrotto’s Latest: Peavy, Giles, Wilson, Putz

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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.

Olney’s Latest: Winter Meetings

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As we wait for arbitration decisions, Buster Olney offers his latest on the winter meetings:

  • CC Sabathia, who will be sitting down with the Red Sox and Yankees today or tomorrow, may want to wait for Mark Teixeira to sign first. If the Angels don’t land Sabathia, they could be expected to compete with the Yankees $140MM offer.
  • Francisco Rodriguez is not going to get the 5 year, $75MM originally anticipated by his agents and he may find it in his best interest to seek a 3 year deal, and re-enter free agency, perhaps in a better market, before he turns 30.
  • Says Olney, "Look, [Jake] Peavy is going to be traded, and what will be left is a team looking at a long rebuilding process."
  • The Nats are courting Adam Dunn as well as Teixeira, pointing out that Jim Bowden ran the Reds when they drafted Dunn. No word on Dunn’s interest in Washington.
  • Sources say the White Sox moving Jermaine Dye is "overblown." He’ll cost $11.5MM next year with a $1MM buyout for 2010 and teams in need of a corner outfielder can target Dunn or Bobby Abreu rather than give up prospects to the White Sox.
  • Orlando Cabrera has been made aware that Alexei Ramirez is the starting shortstop in 2009 and, for that reason, OC is expected to decline arbitration even in a depressed shortstop market.
  • Olney reports that Rafael Furcal’s final contract request was 4 years, $52MM. He wound up rejecting the offer of 4 years, $35-40MM.

Cubs’ Payroll Higher Than Expected

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According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs CEO Crane Kenney said today that the team’s 2009 payroll exceeds $140MM.  The Chicago Tribune’s Paul Sullivan said Kenney wouldn’t give a payroll figure, but his sources indicated it might be in the $140-145MM range.  By Wittenmyer’s calculations, the Cubs have about $133MM likely to be committed to the current group.

Wittenmyer adds that the Cubs would be willing to eat as much as $4MM of Jason Marquis’ $9.875MM salary to move him.  If the Cubs were to add Jake Peavy after that, they’d be around $138MM.  They could then squeeze in their coveted left-handed hitting outfielder.

Wittenmyer says the Cubs are still interested in Peavy, and talks with the Padres will resume Sunday in Vegas.  Ken Rosenthal wrote a day ago that the Cubs were putting the Peavy pursuit on hold until they added the left-handed hitting bat.

Wittenmyer reports that Kenney said he expects the Cubs’ sale to close by Opening Day.  Sullivan has Kenney saying it should be done by spring training.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Byrd, Putz, Wilson

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Rumor machine Ken Rosenthal has a new column…

  • Free agent starters C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett are in no hurry to sign. Makes sense; they’re obviously special compared to the other starters on the market.
  • Nationals owner Ted Lerner "has spent extensive time" with Scott Boras, presumably in regard to Mark Teixeira.
  • The Cubs want to acquire their left-handed hitting outfielder before worrying about Jake Peavy.  Rosenthal says the trade market is bleak, suggesting free agents such as Raul Ibanez and Milton Bradley might make sense.  As we’ve said, there is no perfect fit for the Cubs’ right field vacancy (unless Brian Giles will waive his no-trade clause).
  • Paul Byrd is "virtually certain" to decline Boston’s offer of arbitration.  He aims to pitch near his Atlanta home – the Braves, Marlins, or Rays could work for him.
  • A Rosenthal source pegged Jon Garland’s chance of accepting arbitration at less than 50-50.  ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick recently indicated it was 75-25 he’d decline.  Buster Olney says "some executives are stunned" that Garland will seemingly not accept.
  • Rosenthal spoke to officials from two teams interested in Mariners closer J.J. Putz.  The Ms haven’t decided yet whether to make him available, contrary to a previous report.  Jack Zduriencik apparently doesn’t consider his club in rebuild mode.
  • The Giants’ signing of Edgar Renteria: "widely panned in industry circles."  Joel Sherman found the same consensus.  This differs from the web, where Keith Law and Dave Cameron liked it.
  • Rosenthal says the Dodgers are not pursuing Jack Wilson; those talks broke down earlier in the offseason.  Who to believe?  He says the Tigers are making a "more serious push."
  • Phillies shortstop prospect Jason Donald is a popular trade target, but the Phils might need him to fill in for Chase Utley at the start of the season.

Khalil Greene Traded To St. Louis

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9:25pm: Just wanted to mention that this deal has been finalized.  For the player to be named later, the Padres will choose from a list of three players (two of them pitchers).  Padres exec Paul DePodesta weighed in on the deal at his blog.  Next on the agenda: acquire a replacement shortstop.  Kevin Towers prefers the trade route.

3:21pm: Tom Krasovic believes the Padres are kicking in at least $1MM, since the trade requires the approval of the commissioner’s office.  Meanwhile, Jonathan Mayo takes a closer look at Worrell.

1:17pm: MLB.com’s Corey Brock says it’ll be Worrell and a player to be named later.

12:48pm: Scout.com writer Dustin Mattison sent along this interview with Cardinals reliever Mark Worrell.  Worrell is quite confident in his abilities and seems upset that the Cardinals didn’t give him more of a chance this year.  Pure speculation, but Mattison wonders if he could be one of the relievers headed to San Diego for Greene.

8:15am: One of the relievers in the trade is right-handed, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

THURSDAY, 1:08am: Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune says the Padres have reached an agreement to send Greene to the Cardinals.  Krasovic believes clearing Greene’s salary may improve the chances of the Padres retaining Jake Peavy.

WEDNESDAY, 10:41pm: Sherman has an update: the Padres are closing in on a deal that will send Greene to the Cardinals for two relief prospects.

8:29pm: According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Padres are expected to trade shortstop Khalil Greene prior to Monday’s Winter Meetings.  Sherman was unable to ascertain Greene’s destination, but he guesses it could be the Orioles or Cardinals.  The Padres are intent on clearing Greene’s $6.5MM salary.

The Padres requested Garrett Olson from Baltimore for Greene a few weeks ago, but maybe the price has come down.  One team not expected to acquire Greene is the Tigers.

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