Ken Griffey Jr. Rumors: Monday
C. Trent Rosecrans of 1530 Homer spoke to Ken Griffey Jr.‘s agent Brian Goldberg today. Goldberg expects Griffey to have a deal this time next week. He added that two teams are more serious than the others.
The Rays contacted Goldberg early in the offseason, but were upfront that they preferred to sign a younger player. The Pat Burrell signing took them out of the running.
Chass On Griffey, Burrell, Orlando Cabrera
The latest from Murray Chass, who seems to be doing just fine without being employed by a newspaper…
- MLB "negotiated a new line of credit for $125MM, from which clubs can borrow." I’d like to learn more about the topic – which teams are borrowing, if any?
- Ken Griffey Jr.‘s agent Brian Goldberg does not think the economy is a factor in his client remaining unsigned. Goldberg said, "Junior’s salary expectations have been modest from the beginning. He’s realistic." Perhaps Griffey is not seeking $5-6MM after all? Goldberg says he continues to talk to the same four teams about Griffey.
- Scott Boras says Pat Burrell "took a bad deal" when he signed for two years and $16MM on January 5th. Boras says Burrell’s contract froze the market for corner outfielders.
- One additional possible explanation for Orlando Cabrera remaining unsigned: a baseball person described him as a "very caustic guy in the locker room." Cabrera’s Type A status is probably the larger issue.
The Corner Outfield-DH Market
There are still many jobless players who could contribute as a corner outfielder or a DH, so it’s a good time to take stock of the market. Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn and Bobby Abreu are the big names, but Garret Anderson, Andruw Jones, Luis Gonzalez, Jim Edmonds and Ken Griffey Jr. want jobs and Jermaine Dye, Xavier Nady and Nick Swisher could be available through trades.
Here’s a look at the teams who have reportedly had interest in this type of player, starting in the AL:
- White Sox: They thought about Abreu and Dye’s been involved in rumors all offseason, much to the frustration of Kenny Williams. Dye will earn $11.5MM in 2009.
- Angels: They aren’t interested in Dye, but they could be interested in Abreu or Dunn at the right price. Don’t look for them to make a play for Manny though; GM Tony Reagins said it won’t happen. Garret Anderson won’t be back.
- Mariners: The Ms could sign Griffey, but they prefer Abreu and Anderson.
- Braves: They are the top suitor for Swisher and they have some interest in bringing back Jones. Atlanta has about $5-9MM to spend, so they could change plans and pursue Dunn or Abreu if they’re willing to accept a deal worth under $10MM. Don’t rule out a Nady trade, either.
- Nationals: The Nats have offered Dunn a contract, which he’s been sitting on for a while. They’re also monitoring the Manny market.
- Mets: Abreu and Ramirez won’t sign with the Mets this offseason. If Griffey’s willing to sign at a major discount, he could sign with the Mets, but indications are he wants $5-6MM.
- Dodgers: The Dodgers have targeted Manny Ramirez all offseason, and he’s rejected two contract offers from them. The first was for $45MM over two years with a club option; the second was for $25MM over one year. Dunn appears to like the Dodgers, and Abreu’s an option, too.
- Giants: The Giants are also courting Manny, but some have said they just want to prevent the Dodgers from getting a deal. Abreu could also fit in San Francisco.
- Reds: Yet another team that could pursue Abreu, the Reds spoke with Luis Gonzalez’s agent ealier in the winter. Adam Dunn won’t return to Cincinnati this offseason.
Odds And Ends: Anderson, Griffey, Varitek
Links for Saturday…
- According to Bill Dwyre of the LA Times Garret Anderson has no ill will towards the Angels.
- Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times thinks the Mariners need to sign Ken Griffey Jr. He adds that the Mariners may be "warming to the idea."
- The Kyodo News reports that the Blue Jays have finalized Ken Takahashi‘s contract.
- According to Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe, Jason Varitek passed his physical.
- Jay Jaffe, Kevin Goldstein and Christina Kahrl of BP fill in the remaining holes on National League teams.
- Buster Olney of ESPN.com writes that players should "go the extra mile" to please fans in the weakened economy, as they did in 1995 after the strike.
Griffey Wants $5-6MM?
According to Larry Stone of the Seattle Times, free agent outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. is "believed to be looking for a one-year deal in the $5 million to $6 million base salary range, would pay for himself with the boost in attendance he would provide." I’m skeptical on both fronts – that Griffey expects that kind of base salary and that he’d drive that much extra revenue. UPDATE: Just realized that ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick had this same info in his January 27th article.
Griffey seems to be the Mariners’ backup plan, as they’re currently trying to move money to pay for Bobby Abreu or perhaps Garret Anderson (the Twins have "lost their appetite" for Jarrod Washburn trade, says Joe Christensen). Trading for an outfielder is another viable option for Seattle, and if it’s for an affordable player they might not have to unload salary. Griffey’s agent Brian Goldberg admitted that his client is the fallback option for several teams.
Griffey is open to playing anywhere, but his friend Harold Reynolds said, "I know he’d love to be back [in Seattle]." Reynolds added: "I think they need to do it. He’s such an icon to the game of baseball. He’s going to play one more year, maybe two at the most. He needs to retire as a Mariner. He’s still got something left. I think he’d be fantastic for that team."
Latest On Ken Griffey Jr.
Jon Heyman of SI.com and Buster Olney of ESPN write about free agent outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. this morning.
Heyman says Junior is well set financially: "His 16-year payout at $5MM per year just happens to begin this year." Griffey’s agent Brian Goldberg has been shopping his client with no luck so far. Griffey is said to be "completely healthy" after knee surgery, and is open to playing anywhere.
Olney talked to Reds doctor Tim Kremcheck, who said Griffey’s in the best shape he’s been in in years. Kremcheck believes last year’s knee injuries limited Griffey’s power and he’ll bounce back.
We’ve heard the loose Mariners connection, but not much beyond that. The Braves are looking for an outfielder or two, but haven’t been linked to Griffey recently. The Padres seek a veteran left-handed hitter but Griffey’s name hasn’t come up in reports. Olney adds:
Heard this: The Mets will continue to bottom-feed for guys on the free agent market, at the $600K-$1MM level, and if that nets them someone like Griffey, well, then so be it.
Mariners Hot Stove Update: Griffey, Abreu, Anderson
Mariners president Chuck Armstrong spoke to a few hundred Portland-area business leaders on Thursday and addressed a few questions on some potential moves that his team might make. Andy Giegerich covered the event for the Portland Business Journal.
- Armstrong met with a representative for free agent Ken Griffey Jr. on Wednesday, but nothing came out of the discussion.
- The M’s are also looking at free agent outfielders Bobby Abreu and Garret Anderson. They could become serious suitors as contract numbers continue to fall, especially if the demand for those guys remains low.
Griffey Jr. Market Remains Quiet
Hal McCoy at the Dayton Daily News has a story up about Ken Griffey Jr.‘s offseason thus far.
Brian Goldberg, Griffey’s agent, is quoted in the article as saying there was some mutual interest between Griffey and the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays’ signing of Pat Burrell ended that interest, however.
Perhaps the most noteworthy thing to take from this article is the lack of any specific teams being mentioned going foward. The market for corner outfielders with declining defense remains quiet, as players like Griffey, Bobby Abreu, Adam Dunn, and Manny Ramirez continue to look for a contract.
Mariners Rumors: Griffey, Draft, Morrow
Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune collected a number of Mariners rumors from the team’s spring luncheon today.
- The chances of Ken Griffey Jr.‘s return to Seattle seem slim. Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik said he plans on "taking the emotion out of signings."
- The Mariners appear to have made a "take it or leave it" offer to their 2008 first round draft choice, Josh Fields. Zduriencik did not say whether the team’s talks with the prospect have progressed.
- The Mariners plan on taking the best available player with their second overall pick in this year’s June draft. They will consider drafting elite high school players.
- Brandon Morrow and Aaron Heilman will compete for jobs in a crowded Mariners rotation.
Reds Predictions From John Fay
John Fay has taken a unique approach to generating some more offseason predictions for this weekend. Rather than offer up ideas on what the Reds might do, Fay thinks he’s more likely to be correct if he takes a few guesses at what they won’t do.
- The Reds will not acquire a veteran shortstop; Alex Gonzalez and Jeff Keppinger should be up to the task. If healthy, Gonzalez should start over Keppinger, says Fay.
- Joey Votto will not be traded this offseason. Fay quotes Jocketty on this one; says the GM, "No chance."
- Micah Owings will not play the outfield. He’ll pitch, as he well should.
- The Reds won’t sign a veteran outfielder to a multi-year contract. If the Reds do sign such an outfielder, like Bobby Abreu, the deal will be for one-year. With the economy the way it is, such a deal may become increasingly more favorable to a player like Abreu.
- As for Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey, Jr., however, neither player will suit up for the Reds in 2009. While both of these outfielders may also become amenable to a short-term contract given the current market, says Fay, "the Reds are set on moving beyond the Griffey-Dunn era."