Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Jason Varitek

Perrotto’s Latest: Free Agent Predictions

By | at

John Perrotto has his Every Given Sunday column up over at Baseball Prospectus. Perrotto offers a list of some educated guesses as to where some of the top free agents in baseball will land, with some surprises here and there. Let’s take a look:

  • Perrotto lists the Yankees loading up on starting pitching, landing C.C. Sabathia and Derek Lowe, while the Dodgers land Manny Ramirez after doubling their initial offer to four years, $100MM.
  • Perrotto says the Nationals will land Mark Teixeira, as they could be prepared to offer Teixeira – a Maryland native – ten years, $200MM. Turning down that kind of money would certainly be difficult.
  • Perrotto has Adam Dunn landing on the North Side of Chicago and having an adventurous time in right field for the Cubs. According to these predictions, he’ll be joined by Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood – neither of whom are going anywhere.
  • Perrotto feel Andy Pettitte won’t be back with the Yankees, and feels that he will either take a below-market contract from his hometown Astros or retire. He also pegs Mike Mussina to likely retire, but agrees he’ll be back with the Yankees if he does indeed make a run at 300 wins.
  • Other predictions from Perrotto: Raul Ibanez  and Francisco Rodriguez to the Mets, Milton Bradley to Toronto, Orlando Cabrera to Minnesota, Casey Blake back to Cleveland, A.J. Burnett to the Orioles, Brian Fuentes to the Angels, Nick Punto to St. Louis, Randy Johnson to the Angels, Jason Giambi to Oakland, and Orlando Hudson to the Mets.
  • The list of players who will end up back with their current teams: Ben Sheets, Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell, Jamie Moyer, and Jason Varitek, on a two-year $20MM contract, courtesy of Scott Boras.

Mets Revamping The Bullpen

By | at

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.

Tigers Rumors: Pudge, Varitek, Lugo, Thames

By | at

Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press doles out the latest Tigers rumors.

  • How will the Tigers resolve their catching situation?  GM Dave Dombrowski calls an Ivan Rodriguez reunion a longshot, and Scott Boras is asking the moon for Jason Varitek.  The Tigers may not have the goods to swing a trade for Gerald Laird.  Morosi likes the idea of Henry Blanco, but says the Tigers have yet to contact his agent.  Check out the other free agent options here.
  • Morosi considers a bad contract swap for Julio Lugo a viable option for the Tigers.  He notes that Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson have similar commitments. Lugo for Robertson does seem reasonable for both sides.
  • Morosi believes the Tigers match up well with the Reds, who are looking for a power-hitting outfielder.  Magglio Ordonez is the marquee name, but Morosi likes the fit with Marcus Thames.

Latest Red Sox Rumors

By | at

A few notes on the Red Sox…

From Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe

  • Scott Boras met with Theo Epstein about Jason Varitek. Boras is still seeking a deal similar to the one signed by Jorge Posada (four years/$52.4MM).
  • Epstein continues to look at other catchers including Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Taylor Teagarden. Cafardo also notes that the Red Sox could go after a veteran through the trade market like Bengie Molina.
  • Other teams have expressed interest in both Coco Crisp and Julio Lugo, but noted that Lugo would not be part of a deal to the White Sox. Cafardo says the Tigers could be a good match for Lugo if the Red Sox take Nate Robertson or Dontrelle Willis noting they could even eat some of Lugo’s remaining contract.
  • The Red Sox are likely out of the market for CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett.

Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald adds to the Lugo and Crisp rumors.

One executive at the general managers meetings talked to the Sox recently estimated that “five or six” teams have shown a willingness to discuss a deal for Crisp…The line being formed to bid for shortstop Julio Lugo, on the other hand, is not nearly as long – though it isn’t nonexistent.

McAdam lists several teams that could be interested in Crisp, including the White Sox, A’s, Braves and Padres. However, McAdam notes that the Cubs are not interested. He also lists some clubs that could have a need for a player like Lugo, including the Cardinals, Twins, Indians, Tigers, O’s and Giants. McAdam sees the White Sox as the best fit, but notes that they will seek more than Lugo in return for Javier Vazquez or Nick Swisher.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Dodgers Make Offer To Manny, Will Pass On Varitek

By | at

8:29pm: Some info on Manny’s offer is coming in.  Ken Davidoff believes it’s for two years with an option.  Peter Abraham suggests two years, $50MM.

6:50pm: Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said this evening he will "probably not" pursue free agent catcher Jason Varitek.  It never made sense to move Russell Martin off catcher, and Scott Boras’ early demands for Varitek are steep anyway.

Colletti also said the Dodgers made an offer to Manny Ramirez that would be the highest average annual salary in club history and second highest in MLB history.  Ken Rosenthal says this means it’s between $22.9MM and $27.5MM per year.  My guess: two years, $52MM. 

Red Sox Rumors: Bay, Tazawa, Kawakami, Lugo

By | at

Collecting today’s Red Sox rumors and links…

  • Nick Cafardo says the Red Sox did not meet with C.C. Sabathia’s agent and he doesn’t appear to be in their plans.
  • The Sox are eyeing southpaw reliever Billy Traber, according to WEEI’s Alex Speier.
  • Scott Boras believes Derek Lowe would be a good fit in Boston or New York.  Nick Cafardo says Lowe would like to return to Boston, maybe even at a slight discount.
  • Jason Bay’s agents say he’s loving Boston and is open to a contract extension.
  • When asked about the possibility of Manny Ramirez signing with the Yankees, Red Sox GM Theo Epstein basically said it’s not his concern.
  • Otherwise, the theme of Epstein’s comments was flexibility.  Justin Masterson could be a starter or reliever, and Epstein won’t get hung up on acquiring any one player.
  • Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says the Red Sox are heavily involved on Junichi Tazawa, though the Braves and Mariners are after him as well.  The Sox also like Kenshin Kawakami and may have interest in Paul Byrd and Javier Vazquez.
  • Cafardo believes the Mets and White Sox have interest in Julio Lugo.  It would have to be a bad contract swap.  Cafardo adds that the Red Sox view Jacoby Ellsbury as their starting center fielder, and there has been trade interest in Coco Crisp.
  • Boston’s luxury tax threshold for 2009 is $160.5MM.
  • By tomorrow the Red Sox should receive the Jason Varitek book compiled by the Boras corporation.  Boras gave a ridiculous Varitek pitch to the media; click the link for quotes.  Epstein will meet with Boras today to discuss his clients.
  • The Red Sox plan to talk to the Rangers, with Taylor Teagarden, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Gerald Laird as possibilities.  For Teagarden, the Red Sox would probably have to give up Clay Buchholz or Michael Bowden.

Boras Wants Posada Money For Varitek

By | at

5:49pm: Scott Boras held court regarding Varitek this afternoon.  He suggested Varitek should get a deal comparable to Jorge Posada’s four-year, $52.4MM contract, which is ridiculous even for Boras.

11:01am: According to Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald, Red Sox GM Theo Epstein will meet with Scott Boras this week to discuss free agent catcher Jason Varitek.  Epstein would not be concerned if the situation remains unresolved well into the offseason.  Yahoo’s Tim Brown suggested the Tigers and Dodgers as other possible fits for Varitek.

Varitek, 37 in April, earned $9MM in 2008.  If Boras can get him two years and $14MM it will be impressive.

Latest Red Sox Buzz

By | at

Alex Speier of WEEI has the latest Red Sox buzz from the GM meetings…

  • Theo Epstein confirmed that he has a new contract, but wouldn’t reveal the terms.  About a month ago, SI.com’s Jon Heyman said it was worth about $7MM over three years.
  • It seems that Mike Timlin plans to pitch in 2009, but it won’t be for the Red Sox.  Timlin, 43 in March, posted a 5.66 ERA in 49.1 innings this year.  It might be time to head back to the NL.
  • Paul Hoynes says Sean Casey also won’t be back with the Sox next year.
  • Epstein will meet with Scott Boras this week, with Jason Varitek an expected topic.

Red Sox Pursuing Teixeira

By | at

Ken Davidoff of Newsday is confirming the Red Sox will be pushing hard to sign Mark Teixeira this offseason, a free agent perfect storm situation for Teixeira who also has interest coming from the Yankees. Writes Davidoff,

"Boston will aggressively pursue Teixeira, two industry sources confirmed. While the Red Sox have a very good first baseman in Kevin Youkilis, they can move Youkilis to third to make room for Teixeira. Incumbent third baseman Mike Lowell is recovering from hip surgery and isn’t expected to be ready until mid-March, and as much as the Red Sox like Lowell, they can look to trade him."

Or they may hold onto Lowell and explore the market during the season as they did with Coco Crisp this year.

Teixeira, a switch hitter, would give Terry Francona an impact bat and added flexibility with the middle of his lineup which figures to have lefties David Ortiz and J.D. Drew and righties Youkilis and a motivated Jason Bay.

In this piece, Davidoff also suggests the Sox part with Jason Varitek and move to acquire Jarrod Saltalamacchia for pitching, as MLBTR discussed earlier today; however, if Varitek can be had for little and the Red Sox can afford it, it may make sense to re-sign Varitek and transition in his replacement at a pace dictated by production and success.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Ordonez, Yankees, Red Sox

By | at

A look at what is being written around the Blogosphere…

  • MetsBlog says Magglio Ordonez may not be the best option but could be a good backup plan should other scenarios not play out (ie. Manny Ramirez).
  • Talking Chop thinks Ordonez is a good fit for the Braves noting that the team has significant money to spend this offseason.
  • River Ave. Blues is not excited about the possibility of Ordonez in the Yankees’ outfield, noting that it makes more sense to re-sign Bobby Abreu for less money.
  • Was Watching wonders if the Yankees would have to sign C.C. Sabathia in order to trade for Matt Holliday.  They feel it would be strange for the Yankees to go after Holliday one year after bowing out of the Johan Santana sweepstakes.
  • Over The Monster takes a look at whether the Red Sox should re-sign Jason Varitek and what other options are available.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Show all

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top