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Odds and Ends: Smoltz, Cordero, Colon, Byrd

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Links for Thursday…

Rosenthal On Lackey, Dunn, Young, Isringhausen

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Here’s a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal.

  • John Lackey is due up for extension talks with the Angels, as he’ll be eligible for free agency after the ’09 season.  He’d easily be the best available starter.  Rosenthal says talks with the Angels should occur before the beginning of the season, but the Halos may not be willing to offer A.J. Burnett money (five years, $82.5MM).  In November, Jayson Stark said Lackey had been telling friends he expects to have an extension by Opening Day.  That came after Lackey’s confirmation he’d wait to see the Angels’ offensive plans before re-signing.
  • The Braves paid $60MM for Derek Lowe, though no one else made a comparable offer.  This is a testament to Scott Boras (and perhaps the Braves’ desperation), though Boras has more challenging work ahead in Manny Ramirez and Jason Varitek.
  • The Red Sox have shown interest in Adam Dunn, one rival exec tells Rosenthal.  Rosenthal considers the possibility a longshot – "a square peg in a round hole."  The Sox could always make a midseason deal if their offense isn’t cutting it.
  • A Rangers official put Michael Young’s chances of being with the team on Opening Day at at least 90%.  The Rangers aren’t interested in moving Ian Kinsler to left field and Young to second base.
  • Rosenthal believes Xavier Nady is likely to garner Type A status when he becomes a free agent after the ’09 season, but half of the equation (his 2009 stats) is missing.
  • Jason Isringhausen is considering four teams, and he’d have a shot to close for those clubs.  The Dodgers aren’t terribly interested, while the Cardinals and Tigers are possibilities.
  • Should the Mets sign Andy Pettitte as well as Randy Wolf or Oliver Perez?  One rival exec suggested the idea.
  • The Astros apparently made a three-year, $28.5MM offer to Wolf before pulling it back.  Looks like he’ll be settling for less.
  • Rosenthal says a Rangers trade for Jermaine Dye is "not happening."  They’ll go with Hank Blalock’s left-handed offense rather than sign an aging veteran.  Blalock is headed into a contract year.
  • If Todd Helton has a healthy spring, the Rockies could shop Garrett Atkins.
  • The Red Sox and D’Backs are not close to a deal involving catcher Miguel Montero.  Arizona will need to add a capable backup catcher if they do find a deal for Montero.

Cardinals Rumors: Smoltz, Carpenter, Lyon

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11:53pm: More from Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.  Strauss suggests GM John Mozeliak hopes to swap an outfielder for a closer-quality arm.  Any suggestions?

Strauss adds that the Cardinals inquired on John Smoltz.  At least seven teams have shown some level of interest in Smoltz, who most expect to return to Atlanta.

8:20pm: The Associated Press has a slightly different take on the Cardinals’ approach to a closer. La Russa told the AP that Chris Carpenter could return to the bullpen if the club deems that move will be the best scenario for both parties:

"We want Chris pitching for us, and if I was told he couldn’t be healthy throwing 100 pitches every five days and he could be a reliever, I’d take him as a reliever."

6:36pm: St. Louis Cardinals skipper Tony La Russa told Matthew Leach of MLB.com that the Cardinals will likely look at Chris Perez or Jason Motte to close games in 2009, but La Russa also hinted that the team could sign a starter with the thoughts of moving the addition to a ninth-inning role.

La Russa said he’d like to give Perez and Motte more time to mature in the minor leagues before moving them into the role of closer for the Cardinals.

La Russa also mentioned that the list of starters who could be converted into a closer’s role is short, Leach writes. La Russa noted that the Cardinals do not want to convert one of their current starters into the closer.

La Russa said that Jason Isringhausen will not probably return to the Cardinals.  The Cardinals could sign a free-agent reliever such as Juan Cruz or Brandon Lyon.  Cruz is unlikely due to his Type A status, however. The Cards remain cool to the possibility of signing Trevor Hoffman.

La Russa did not shut the door on a closer with health issues, such as Takashi Saito or Chad Cordero. Leach also noted that club’s front office has expressed significant reservations about signing any players who are health risks.

Rangers Rumors: Manny, Sheets, Gagne, Young

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SI.com’s Jon Heyman checks in with a post on the Rangers; most of the info came up during his recent MLB Network appearance.

  • Heyman says the Rangers "are considering a pursuit" of Manny Ramirez, noting that Jon Daniels isn’t currently pursuing him but didn’t rule it out.  Heyman still considers the Dodgers and Giants the top suitors.  El Lefty Malo doesn’t seem him landing with San Francisco.
  • The Rangers maintain interest in Ben Sheets and are also considering bringing Eric Gagne back.  T.R. Sullivan also mentions Tim Redding, Chad Cordero, Jason Isringhausen, and Eddie Guardado.
  • The Rangers have received inquiries on Vicente Padilla (Braves) and Michael Young.  Young has been loosely linked to the Twins, Mets, Angels, Dodgers, and Royals.  Sullivan names Hank Blalock and Kevin Millwood as other trade candidates.

Rangers Seeking Turnbow and Others

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T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com fills us in on the Rangers’ ongoing search for bullpen help:

  • Derrick Turnbow is at the top of the list with pitching coach Mike Maddux leading the charge.  The two worked together a few years ago in Milwaukee.  The Marlins and Pirates are also thought to have interest.
  • The Rangers are also investigating closers Chad Cordero and Jason Isringhausen, both free agents.  As Sullivan points out, the Rangers like to target low-cost, high-reward relievers.  Some would call them reclamation projects.
  • Right-hander Guillermo Mota is also on the team’s list.  The 35-year-old had a 4.11 ERA for the Brewers last year.

Cards Decline To Offer Arb To Springer, Looper, Isringhausen

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TUESDAY: Another note from Strauss – it seems the Cardinals are moving on from Springer.

MONDAY: According to MLB.com’s Matthew Leach, the Cardinals declined to offer arbitration to Russ Springer, Braden Looper, and Jason Isringhausen (as well as their other free agents).  The Looper decision comes as a surprise, as he earned only $5.5MM in ’08 and would’ve been a solid addition or trade chip for ’09.  He’s a Type B free agent, but the Cards won’t get a pick now.  Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says Looper is seeking at least a three-year deal.  Springer is a Type A, so now he’s much more attractive to other teams.

Strauss has a few other Cards notes.  He says the Cardinals are not one of the teams interested in Randy Johnson, but may have interest in Andy Pettitte.  Also, the signing of lefty reliever Trever Miller is being held up due to health concerns that surfaced at the physical.

Indians Shift Focus To Closer

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According to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Indians decided last week that multiyear deals for Rafael Furcal or Orlando Hudson would be too risky (health concerns).  They’re likely to switch their focus to finding a closer.

Hoynes says the Indians have talked to the agents for Brian Fuentes, Trevor Hoffman, Jason Isringhausen, and Francisco Rodriguez.  Hoynes believes the Mets have the upper hand on K-Rod.  Still, Fuentes has scheduled a trip to New York to visit with the Mets.

Cards Make Offer To Rhodes

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According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals made an offer to lefty reliever Arthur Rhodes.  Rhodes’ agent says nine teams expressed interest, and a handful made offers.  More offers are forthcoming for the 39 year-old.

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak continues to hammer out the details of a contract with Trever Miller; he hopes to add two lefties to the pen.

Goold says the Cardinals are also considering two righthanded relievers in Brandon Lyon and Jason Isringhausen.  Three other teams have expressed interest in Isringhausen, who would like to regain his job as the Cardinals’ closer.

The Cardinals remain in the mix for Edgar Renteria, and they’ll be consulted before a deal is finalized with any other team.  They’ll wait until after the December 1st deadline for offering arbitration.

Indians Rumors: Shoppach, Roberts, Street

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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.

Indians Interested In Blake

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According to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Indians have expressed interest in bringing third baseman Casey Blake back to Cleveland.  Blake stands out in a weak free agent market at the hot corner.  The Dodgers are also interested, but they may view other needs as a higher priority.  At the least, they should offer him arbitration as a Type B free agent.

Blake’s agent anticipates offers ranging from one to three years.  Blake brings the added benefit of versatility, as he can play first base and right field as well.

In other Indians news, agent Rick Thurman plans to meet with the Tribe to discuss his clients.  He has Brian Fuentes, Trevor Hoffman, and Jason Isringhausen.  The Indians almost signed Hoffman a few years ago.

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