White Sox-Bobby Abreu Rumor
Yesterday ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick wrote that the White Sox "floated the possibility of a one-year $8MM contract" for Bobby Abreu this week, and that flotation caused talks to stall. One obstacle in the Sox signing Abreu is Jermaine Dye and the $11.5MM he has coming. It makes little sense for a team to give up prospects for Dye when they could just sign Abreu or Adam Dunn for a similar amount.
Today Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times confirmed that no official offer was made to Abreu, and heard from a Sox source who called the rumor "BS" and suggested Abreu’s agent Peter Greenberg "is trying to drum up interest for his player."
White Sox Make Offer To Bobby Abreu?
2:33pm: ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick says the White Sox "floated the possibility" of one year and $8MM to Abreu’s agent Peter Greenberg, and then talks stalled. The Sox haven’t made progress in trading Dye, which would be necessary to sign Abreu.
Sox GM Ken Williams on Abreu, with another odd blog-related barb for good measure:
"He is a great player and can help any club. But I just have stopped responding to every blogger’s post."
2:09pm: The Daily Herald’s Scot Gregor talked to a White Sox source who "dismissed the rumor."
9:25am: According to Roger Rubin of the New York Daily News, the White Sox offered a one-year, $8MM deal to free agent outfielder Bobby Abreu. If the Sox are able to sign Abreu, you’d have to think Jermaine Dye or Jim Thome would be traded.
Abreu has also been linked recently to the Braves, Mariners, Dodgers, and Giants.
White Sox Rumors: Garland, Dye
Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald has some White Sox info this evening.
- White Sox GM Ken Williams considered attempting to re-sign Jon Garland, but decided against it due to money as well as the possible emergence of Jeff Marquez. Williams "would rather save that money for a possible in-season addition," says Gregor.
- Gregor has touted the idea of the Sox signing Ivan Rodriguez as a backup catcher. Gregor believes Williams does intend to add a veteran backup of some kind. Mark Gonzales, however, says any backup catcher addition would not seriously cut into A.J. Pierzynski’s playing time.
- Williams "shot down" speculation that Jermaine Dye could be traded, says Gregor. Gonzales adds details – Williams told Dye it was unlikely he’d be traded, but would never be willing to give a player 100% assurance.
Rosenthal On Roberts, Hudson, Counsell
Let’s take a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal.
- The Orioles have their ears open Brian Roberts, whose trade value has diminished as he nears free agency. The White Sox can’t afford him, the Braves are reluctant to give up talent, and the Cubs didn’t discuss him in the Felix Pie talks. The Roberts market may improve once Orlando Hudson signs.
- Rosenthal’s source says the Michael Young–Jermaine Dye discussions did take place. If you read Dave van Dyck’s article, Ken Williams never specifically denied talks with the Rangers.
- Rosenthal believes that if the Cubs make another big move, it’ll be a Jake Peavy trade. They’re not in on Hudson.
- The Dodgers have roughly $50MM in payroll flexibility right now.
- The Giants may be looking at Manny Ramirez, but they’ve also looked in trades for hitters – "presumably" Prince Fielder or Corey Hart included. Those talks with the Brewers didn’t go far. The Giants may be willing to move Jonathan Sanchez, but the Jorge Cantu talks have stalled.
- So far the Dodgers and Russell Martin have only talked about a one-year deal.
- The Mariners are Brewers are eyeing Craig Counsell.
- The Ms "likely are willing" to trade Aaron Heilman.
Williams Annoyed With Dye Rumors
Scot Gregor snagged a funny quote from from irritated White Sox GM Ken Williams on this winter’s Jermaine Dye trade rumors:
"Can’t even imagine what the rumor is. I’m tired of responding to every blogger’s idea."
This offseason, Dye has been mentioned in rumors by venerable journalists Hal McCoy, Jayson Stark, Danny Knobler, Ken Rosenthal, Jon Heyman, Bruce Levine, and Joe Cowley.
Rosenthal On Lackey, Dunn, Young, Isringhausen
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.
Angels Do Not Have Interest In Dye
WEDNESDAY: Bill Shaikin talked to Angels GM Tony Reagins, who shot down Cowley’s Dye rumor. Reagins said, "No truth to that rumor." Reagins apparently hasn’t talked to the White Sox for a while, though Shaikin’s source indicated the Angels did express interest in Dye before they re-signed Juan Rivera.
MONDAY: The Los Angeles Angels have interest in Chicago White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
According to a major-league scout, the Angels are the latest team to express interest in acquiring Dye now that the Mark Teixeira ship has set sail to New York. Unlike the talks with the Cincinnati Reds that stalled during the Winter Meetings, the Sox and Angels actually have a fit, Cowley wrote.
Cowley speculates that the White Sox would want Chone Figgins in return. Figgins could play third base and lead off for Chicago.
Cowley also notes that the Angels have a surplus of outfielders, but the Angels want to add protection in the lineup for Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter.
Cowley’s source also said the Angels do not like the rest of the free-agent outfield market and do not want to be pawns in the on-going Manny Ramirez saga.
The Angels are not one of the teams listed on Dye’s no-trade list, Cowley writes.
Odds and Ends: Smoltz, Young, Cameron
Links for Tuesday…
- Lyle Spencer doesn’t think Michael Young and Jermaine Dye make sense for the Angels.
- Joel Sherman speculates on some possible matches Young trades.
- The Marlins’ recent minor league signings, including John Koronka and Jay Gibbons.
- The Red Sox officially announced the John Smoltz signing today. Here’s the transcript, and here are the contract terms.
- Buster Olney debunks the Mike Cameron for Nick Swisher rumor, saying the teams haven’t talked trade since the Winter Meetings.
- With the ninth pick in a fantasy draft, this is the team I’d put together.
Heyman On Young, Pettitte, Dye, Cordero
The latest from SI.com’s Jon Heyman…
- It’s more likely that Michael Young will give in and move to third base than be traded. Heyman runs through six (long shot) "potential contenders." Most were addressed here, but Heyman adds the Yankees.
- Yankees people believe there is less than a 50% chance of the team re-signing Andy Pettitte. He could instead retire or sign with the Dodgers or Astros.
- Heyman suggests Bobby Abreu or Garret Anderson for the Reds, noting that Abreu is probably too expensive.
- The White Sox want "top pitching prospects" for Jermaine Dye, not necessarily big league-ready ones.
- The Dodgers were among 12 teams who watched Chad Cordero throw on Friday. The Mets, Twins, Brewers, Rangers, Tigers, Diamondbacks, and Nationals are among the other known attendees.
Williams Shoots Down Dye Rumor
In an e-mail to Dave van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune, White Sox GM Kenny Williams denied that there’s anything to yesterday’s rumor that the White Sox are talking with the Rangers about a deal that would send Michael Young to Chicago in exchange for Jermaine Dye and Aaron Poreda.
Williams wrote that he "would not waste time" debunking the rumor, implying that there’s nothing to it.
He also denied interest in former Sox starter Jon Garland, who’s now a free agent.