By Tim Dierkes | at
According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, the Dodgers made an offer to free agent lefty Dennys Reyes. He says they also want a right-handed setup man – Guillermo Mota or Juan Cruz are possibilities (Cruz would cost a draft pick).
Various reports stated earlier today that the Dodgers made a one-year offer to Trevor Hoffman.
By Tim Dierkes | at
The latest from Ken Rosenthal.
By Ben Jones | at
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.
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to Dave Sheinin of the Washington Post, the Nationals are "actively seeking bullpen help." Sheinin confirmed their reported interest in Brian Fuentes and added a new target in Juan Cruz. He says the Nats, like many teams, have an opportunistic approach toward free agent pitching. We haven’t heard much about Cruz yet but it doesn’t sound like any team is willing to go crazy for Fuentes.
By Tim Dierkes | at
SI.com’s Jon Heyman says relievers Darren Oliver and David Weathers were the only two players of the 24 who accepted offers of arbitration. That means Juan Cruz, Orlando Hudson, Mark Teixeira, Francisco Rodriguez, and Jon Garland declined in addition to those we’ve already reported.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic has the D’Backs arbitration decisions. They offered arb to Juan Cruz (Type A), Brandon Lyon (Type B), and Orlando Hudson (Type A) while declining to offer it to Adam Dunn (Type A). I’m surprised by all but Hudson. The D’Backs are taking on a risk, as they don’t really have room in the budget for the two relievers. They must be confident they’ll decline or they can make trades.
Dunn at one year is a worthwhile risk with two draft picks at stake, but the D’Backs were apparently scared off by a possible payday north of $13MM. GM Josh Byrnes said of the decision, "The poor economy has affected some things." I’m sure Dunn doesn’t mind; he just became more attractive to other teams. We should know soon whether the Phillies offered arb to his righthanded counterpart, Pat Burrell.
Also, MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert adds that Randy Johnson (Type B) was not offered arbitration. No surprise there.
By Alex Walsh | at
Tim Kurkjian at ESPN.com has a Friday morning round up for us, looking at several prominent team needs around the league.
While the article mentions several big names like Mike Mussina, Matt Holliday, Francisco Rodriguez and Trevor Hoffman, perhaps the most interesting part of Kurkjian’s article is that which discusses the offseason plan for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Part of that plan may include trading outfielder Eric Byrnes. Byrnes has two years and $20MM left on his deal with the D’Backs, and will be a challenge to move, says Kurkjian. Byrnes certainly has upside, with great speed and decent pop. But injuries have kept him from really breaking out in the past.
Also, Kurkjian offers Raul Ibanez as an "ideal" solution to Arizona’s everyday player needs. However, he doesn’t expect the D’Backs to be able to keep up in what is expected to be a fierece bidding competition for the right fielder. With the Mets, Phillies, and Cubs apparently involved, Kurkjian would appear to be spot on in that assessment.
The Diamondbacks have a lot of needs to address with just a little bit of money–Adam Dunn, Orlando Hudson, Randy Johnson, Brandon Lyon and Juan Cruz are all likely departing via free agency this offseason.
By Tim Dierkes | at
The latest on the Mets.
By Ben Nicholson-Smith | at
According to Chris Haft of MLB.com, the Giants are seriously interested in signing Orlando Hudson.
The Giants have already signed Jeremy Affeldt and Haft says their big off-season plans could also include C.C. Sabathia, Edgar Renteria, Rafael Furcal and Juan Cruz.
Kevin Frandsen, who’s played mostly at second base, could play third if the Giants obtain Hudson.
The Indians, Mets, Yankees and Dodgers all seem interested in Hudson too.
By Tim Dierkes | at
A look at the latest column from FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal:
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