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Rosenthal’s Latest: Peavy, Teixeira, Burnett

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Ken Rosenthal’s got an interesting new column up.

  • Now that talks with the Braves have ended for the time being, Padres GM Kevin Towers is talking with the Yankees about Jake Peavy. The Yankees have had “numerous discussions” with the Padres, even though they just offered C.C. Sabathia a contract and are still considering A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe.
  • Peavy’s agent Barry Axelrod said that “the Angels probably would be more appealing” geographically, but “from other perspectives, they might be less appealing” than other teams
  • Rosenthal talked with an agent who said that the Angels could wait a week or 10 days before making Mark Teixeira a “knockout offer” with a deadline.
  • Even though the Yankees traded for Nick Swisher, they could still have interest in Teixeira if he’s willing to consider a shorter contract of four or five years for top dollar.
  • Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi knows that Toronto “won’t be the highest bidder” for A.J. Burnett. Ricciardi hopes that Burnett likes Toronto enough to re-sign.
  • The Indians are considering going after both Juan Cruz and Jeremy Affeldt instead of an experienced closer.
  • The Phillies and Giants could also bid on Cruz.
  • The Cardinals will have interest in Affeldt and Joe Beimel as they try to strengthen their bullpen.

Mets Revamping The Bullpen

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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.

D’Backs Rumors: Hudson, Dunn, Johnson, Rauch

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8:19pm: According to the AP, the D’Backs exercised Rauch’s $2.9MM option for 2010.  He’ll earn $2MM in ’09.

9:49am: Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic has the latest D’Backs hot stove chatter, here and here.

  • The D’Backs figure to have nine draft picks in the first 75 or so next year.  They will probably offer arbitration to Orlando Hudson, Adam Dunn, Juan Cruz, and Brandon Lyon, and see all of them decline to sign elsewhere.  They could end up spending $8-12MM on next year’s draft, but at least the farm system will be restocked.
  • Team CEO Jeff Moorad says he inquired on Hudson’s contract demands and received no response.  The D’Backs have $10-15MM to spend and probably cannot afford him.
  • Moorad admitted that they will not look to sign Dunn.
  • The D’Backs want to bring Randy Johnson back, but only at a discount.  If Johnson wants to be paid what he’s worth he’ll hit the open market.
  • Jon Rauch’s 2010 option decision is due by Monday.  The option is for $2.9MM, but the D’Backs could decline it and go to arbitration with him that year.
  • Piecoro does not expect the D’Backs to be in on Japanese free agent starter Kenshin Kawakami.

Juan Cruz Headed For Free Agency

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Hard-throwing Diamondbacks reliever Juan Cruz will be eligible for free agency for the first time after this season, and he’s been looking forward to it.  The 29 year-old boasts a massive strikeout rate, but problems with the free pass persist.  This year he’s missed time with oblique and neck injuries.  In ’06 and ’07, it was his shoulder.

Cruz is younger than most other free agent relievers, so he might be able to snag a multiyear deal at $3-4MM per year.  Nick Piecoro says Cruz hasn’t had any talks with the D’Backs about an extension; look for him to sign elsewhere.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Angels, D’Backs, Giambi, Ellis

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Here is the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

  • Many important Angels will reach free agency this winter: Mark Teixeira, Francisco Rodriguez, Jon Garland, and Juan Rivera.  Rosenthal doesn’t expect any of these four back.  Garret Anderson’s $14MM option will not be exercised, but he could be re-signed.  John Lackey and Vladimir Guerrero both have reasonable club options for ’09, but the Halos need to plan beyond that.
  • Several journalists have noted the D’Backs may restock the farm system if they let Adam Dunn, Orlando Hudson, Brandon Lyon, and Juan Cruz depart as free agents after the season.  They’re not worried about Dunn accepting an offer of arbitration. Why would he want a one-year deal?
  • Rosenthal guesses the Indians, Mariners, Blue Jays, and A’s might have interest in Jason Giambi this winter.  Giambi’s .398 OBP ranks 7th in the AL.  The leader: fellow free agent Milton Bradley at a staggering .446.
  • Mark Ellis surprisingly postponed negotiations with the A’s on an extension.  It had been said Ellis wanted to figure out a contract before season’s end.  He’s the affordable free agent alternative to Hudson.
  • The Twins are trying to get creative to find bullpen help.  GM Bill Smith says he’s made many waiver claims and won some.
  • Rosenthal says "speculation persists" that J.P. Ricciardi will be canned after the season.
  • The Tigers aren’t considering trading Magglio Ordonez, but Nate Robertson could be moved this winter.  Robertson seems due for a move back to the NL.  He earns $7MM in ’09 and $10MM in ’10.
  • The Reds are being questioned for holding on to relievers David Weathers and Jeremy Affeldt.

Latest D’Backs Rumors: Bonderman, Ervin Santana

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Nick Piecoro has the scoop regarding all things Diamondbacks.  Let’s dive in.

  • It had slipped my mind that the D’Backs don’t do incentive-laden contracts when I suggested they’d sign Randy Wolf. Bad prediction on my part.
  • The team’s best trade chip: outfielder Carlos Gonzalez.  The 22 year-old hit .286/.330/.476 in Double A last year, and has star potential.  Kevin Goldstein recently ranked Gonzalez third among corner outfield prospects behind Travis Snider and Chris Marrero.  Gonzalez could bring a coveted starter in a trade.  Carlos Quentin is also talked about as a trade candidate, but he needs to get healthy and hit a little first.
  • Conor Jackson is also a trade candidate, more so if the D’Backs can sign Tony Clark.  They’re thinking something close to the two years, $3.25 Matt Stairs received.  Meanwhile Clark’s agent is thinking he could get a near full-time role elsewhere.
  • Piecoro brings up the intriguing idea of shopping Jose Valverde.  He’s getting pricey soon, and could be at peak value.  I like it.  A safer trade option from the team’s strong pen is Juan Cruz.
  • All these great young players to trade, but who to target?  Piecoro tantalizes by telling us Ervin Santana and even Jeremy Bonderman are in the D’Backs’ sights.  Santana is known to be available for a bat.  Bonderman would be attractive to many teams if not for his late-season elbow woes.  He’s signed through 2010.
  • I could see the A’s poking their head in on all of this, with Joe Blanton and even Dan Haren to offer.

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