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Kosuke Fukudome

Crasnick’s Latest: Hamilton, Figgins, Andruw, Inge

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Jerry Crasnick filed more rumors ripe for discussion.

  • The Reds may consider trading Josh Hamilton, but not to an NL Central team.  There was nothing to the Hamilton-Cubs rumor anyway, according to Bruce Levine.  And now officials from both teams have debunked it.
  • The Cubs actually want to add two left-handed hitting outfielders, for some reason.  Beyond Kosuke Fukudome, Geoff Jenkins remains on the radar.  Jim Hendry likes Chone Figgins, but the Angels would ridiculously ask for Aramis Ramirez in that one.
  • Scott Boras is still saying Andruw Jones isn’t looking for a one or two-year deal.
  • The Rays have checked into Shawn Green, Geoff Jenkins, and Cliff Floyd.  No truth to the rumor that Green is considering retirement.
  • Brandon Inge hits the market, though he’s got three years and $19.1MM left on his deal.  Plenty of clubs are in the market for a third baseman assuming the Tigers will eat some of the contract.  Inge probably won’t be moving back behind the plate, by the way.

Odds and Ends: Jose Lopez, Green, Silva, Fukumori

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Let’s round a few more rumors up, because they just don’t stop coming.

  • Says Jim Molony: no less than 10 teams have expressed interest in Carlos Silva.  Weak – 11 have expressed interest in Bedard, loser.
  • Other guys in the 10 interested teams club – Livan Hernandez and Kazuo Fukumori.  At least, that’s where their agents would like everyone to think.
  • The Padres can only afford one of Mike Cameron and Kosuke Fukudome.  They think Fukudome can play an adequate center.  Kevin Towers is still in talks with Cameron.
  • The Mariners are shopping Jose Lopez, who Jeff Passan names as a possible non-tender.  However Lopez already is already all tendered up through 2010 on a long-term pact.  So to ditch him the Ms would have to trade him or else cut him and eat the money, Russ Ortiz style.
  • Passan suggests the Rays might prefer to go with Shawn Green for their right field vacancy, as Geoff Jenkins and Brad Wilkerson want multiyear deals.  The Giants also like Green, for some reason.  Nick Cafardo suggests Trot Nixon could be the guy behind the guy for the Rays.

Rios For Franklin Gutierrez and Cliff Lee?

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UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 10:03am: Per Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun: no match for the Indians and Jays on Rios.  I knew Gutierrez/Lee didn’t sound right.

FROM 12-4-07 at 9:46am:

Joel Sherman has a new column up with some fresh rumors.

  • The Indians and Blue Jays are reportedly talking about a swap that would send Alex Rios to the Tribe for Franklin Gutierrez and Cliff Lee.  Seriously?  That seems like a lousy deal for the Jays.  How long until a debunking on this one?
  • The Jake Peavy signing is a cause for optimism as the Indians seek to re-sign C.C. Sabathia.
  • As you know, the Cubs are all about getting a left-handed hitting right fielder, and Kosuke Fukudome is the best available.  Adam Dunn was also on their radar (in right field??) but those talks died.  Sherman says if the Cubs don’t get Fukudome they could move on to Johnny Damon (in right field??).

Odds and Ends: Tavarez, Lieber, Stewart

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Another collection…

Rangers Rumors: Bay, Gagne, Fukudome

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T.R. Sullivan has the Rangers goods for us this evening.  Wow, did MLB.com send 30+ reporters out to Nashville?

  • The Rangers are still pursuing Eric Gagne to return as their closer (and then maybe they’d flip him again).  The interest is mutual. 
  • The team is also considering LaTroy Hawkins, Shawn Chacon, Luis Vizcaino, Trever Miller, and Octavio Dotel.  Basically, most of the relief market.  Problem is, the Rangers don’t want to give more than one year to any of these guys.
  • The Rangers are moving toward filling center field internally after exploring options.  Carlos Gomez, Felix Pie, and Carlos Gonzalez proved unavailable or too pricey (though if all the Mets wanted for Gomez was Gerald Laird, Daniels should’ve pounced).
  • Daniels has shifted gears to a corner outfielder.  Kosuke Fukudome remains on the radar.
  • The Rangers had a preliminary conversation with the Bucs about Jason Bay. 
  • The team isn’t focused on getting pitching for once, but Daniels is still perusing medical reports on Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia, and Jason Jennings.   
  • Daniels said he’s not shopping Hank Blalock.

Giants Rumors: Lincecum, Tejada, Molina, Fukudome

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Another MLB.com article for you, this time about the Giants from Chris Haft.

  • Brian Sabean is getting a bit annoyed with teams thinking Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain are available.  They’re pretty much not, but since the door is open a crack it may be inhibiting other deals.  Sabean did admit that one team made an "interesting" offer for Lincecum.  Any guesses?
  • The Giants had talks with the Orioles about Miguel Tejada, as has been reported elsewhere.  The Giants aren’t thrilled with Miggy though because of his age, salary, and the position switch thing.
  • A team asked about Bengie Molina.  Any guesses on that?  The Marlins don’t seem right.  Rays maybe?
  • Nothing much going on regarding free agents Andruw Jones and Kosuke Fukudome.

Levine’s Latest: Rowand, Prior, Hudson, Swisher

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Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000 went on air a few hours ago with some interesting tidbits regarding the Chicago teams.  This was before the Sox acquired Carlos Quentin so I’m not sure what kind of effect that has on this info.

  • The White Sox are still very much in the mix for Aaron Rowand, but they really don’t want to give him five years.  By the way Jerry Crasnick mentioned today that the Phillies may be willing to stretch to four years on Rowand or at least three years plus a vesting option.
  • The Cubs are having all sorts of trade discussions involving Mark Prior.  The Rangers and Padres are said to be two interested parties.
  • Of course the Cubs still have Kosuke Fukudome in their sights.  But they also have their eye on Oakland’s Nick Swisher and Arizona’s Orlando Hudson.  Both are switch-hitters, by the way.

Padres Rumors: Peavy, Fukudome, Clement

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Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune has a new column up with some good Padres info.

  • The Padres are still hammering out Jake Peavy’s deal.  It’ll include no-trade protection and a player option for 2013.  Brandon Webb and his agent will be watching closely.
  • The Friars have stepped up their interest in Kosuke Fukudome, who they’d use as a center fielder.  The Cubs are also in hard on him.  I recently broke down Fukudome’s suitors here.
  • Randy Wolf will get $4MM guaranteed, with another possible $5MM in incentives.
  • Matt Clement’s top choice is the Padres, but they’re not treating the situation with any urgency given the Wolf signing.  The Ms and Jays are pushing hardest for Clement.  The Rockies, Pirates, Diamondbacks, Phillies, and Royals are known to have interest as well.  The Bucs, in fact, recently contacted Clement’s agent.
  • Eight clubs are after Brett Tomko.  From yesterday we know the Padres, Nationals, Rockies, Astros, and Marlins are among them.

Carl Crawford Not Available

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Not a huge surprise, since Carl Crawford’s availability was questionable in the first place.  But Dave van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune affirms that Crawford can’t be had now that the Rays have dealt Delmon Young.

The Cubs’ focus remains a left-handed hitting outfielder.  Their top priority is Kosuke Fukudome, who is very likely to try his hand at MLB.  Who else might the Cubs consider?

Reasonable options in my estimation include Raul Ibanez, Ryan Church, Milton Bradley, Randy Winn, Gary Matthews Jr., Luke Scott, Geoff Jenkins, David Dellucci, and Shawn Green.

Kosuke Fukudome Rumors

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Kosuke Fukudome is expected to make an official announcement soon on whether he will come to the Major Leagues for the 2008 season.  Per Fukudome’s agent, it’s highly unlikely he stays in Japan.  He wants only a three-year contract, no more.  So who’s after him?

  • Cubs: They’re still after him, and Lou Piniella doesn’t see why the failure to sign his acquaintance Kaz Matsui would have any bearing on it.  The Cubs have a vacancy in right field plus perhaps a need to spell Felix Pie in center.  They also could use a nice dose of OBP.  Fukudome is a perfect fit.
  • White Sox: The Sox have openings in left and center and a strong need for OBP.  Aaron Rowand and Torii Hunter are out of the picture, leaving Fukudome as a prime target. It’s been said that the Cubs are prepared for a crosstown bidding war.
  • Padres: The Friars have already contacted Fukudome’s agent.  Kevin Towers has publicly expressed his interest.  Fukudome could play left or center for the Padres.
  • Rangers: With a center field spot up for grabs, the Rangers have "serious interest."
  • Giants: In late October, it was said that they were "seriously interested."
  • Yankees, Red Sox: They’ve both scouted him, for what it’s worth.  Little doubt he could play a better center field than Johnny Damon, but it’s hard to see where he could fit in with Boston since they’ve already got four starting outfielders.
  • Mets: They have a right field vacancy, but I haven’t seen too many published reports indicating they’re after him (as of now, I can’t find any).  Wouldn’t surprise me to see Omar jump in here though.

Did I miss anyone?

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