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Kris Benson

Cardinals Turn To Free Agent Market

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The Cardinals want to add at least one starting pitcher.  Once thought to be interested in Carlos Silva and Kyle Lohse – the "premium" options – John Mozeliak is already digging through the bargain bin.  Matthew Leach and Joe Strauss have the latest.

  • Mozeliak has talked to Bartolo Colon’s agent and the Cards will take a look at his medical records.  It’s been suggested that Colon will not take a one-year deal.
  • Livan Hernandez is under consideration, but Mozeliak says he’s "not yet" a fit.
  • Josh Fogg is on the radar too.
  • The Cardinals have marginal interest in Kris Benson, and they’ll attend his workout on the 17th.
  • Interesting non-pitcher note from Mozeliak: the Cards have expressed interest in Aaron Rowand.

Braves Offer James For DeJesus?

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UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 4:21pm: Debunked!  David O’Brien says the Braves aren’t in talks about DeJesus, and the Royals have a negative opinion of James anyway.

FROM 12-4-07 at 2:09pm:

According to the KC Star’s Bob Dutton, the Jose Guillen signing puts the Royals in a better position to trade David DeJesus or Joey Gathright.  The Rangers and Braves are on DeJesus’ trail.  Dutton believes the Braves offered up lefty Chuck James for him.  It seems a little light, as I’m not sure James could be effective in the American League.  Royals GM Dayton Moore, of course, came from the Atlanta organization.

Dutton says not only is Hiroki Kuroda looking for four years, he may want $48MM.  The Royals could move on and spend the money on Andruw Jones instead, if he’ll take a one or two-year deal.  The money could also be diverted to Carlos Silva if he’ll take 4/40.  Otherwise the Royals will just chase rehab guys like Jason Jennings, Kris Benson, and Matt Clement.

Phillies Rumors: Rowand, Benson, Colon, Reyes, Tavarez

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A few articles on the Phillies have surfaced this morning; let’s see what’s cooking on the hot stove.

  • The Phils would pay extra to get Aaron Rowand to take a three-year deal.  Jim Salisbury quotes Rowand’s agent as saying ten clubs are after him.  Salisbury names the usual suspects but throws in the Twins, Royals, Rangers, and Orioles depending on the term.
  • Todd Zolecki confirms the Phillies’ interest in Kris Benson.  He’ll be throwing for teams a few weeks from now.
  • The Phils like Benson best among the rehab project group, now that Randy Wolf is signed.  They’ve also contacted Bartolo Colon’s agent and may be in on Jason Jennings.  Zolecki also names Anthony Reyes and Julian Tavarez as two possible trade targets.
  • Despite what was said yesterday, Zolecki says Livan Hernandez is not high on Pat Gillick’s list.  They remain in the mix for Hiroki Kuroda. 

Rosenthal’s Latest: Rolen, Blalock, Benson

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Ken Rosenthal never sleeps, and he has a few new tidbits early Tuesday morning.

  • The Cards are reluctant to trade Scott Rolen within the division to the Brewers.  A lot of that going on lately – the Cubs like Josh Hamilton, the Jays like Erik Bedard.
  • Hank Blalock is a popular name around the lobby.  Despite the various squashed rumors Rosenthal says he would be a good fit for the Cardinals, Phillies, or Dodgers.
  • The Phils plan on taking a look at Kris Benson when he throws for teams a couple of weeks from now.

Phillies Make Offers To Kuroda, Wolf

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According to Todd Zolecki of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Phillies currently have offers out to free agent starters Hiroki Kuroda and Randy Wolf.  There are other unknown offers out as well.  The Phils are thought to have roughly $10-12MM to burn this winter.

Jayson Stark reiterated that the Phils are after Wolf, noting that he’s high on their list.  Stark adds Matt Clement, Kris Benson, and Mike Wood to those coveted by the Phils.  Seven other teams are after Benson, including the Royals and Marlins.

MLBTR readers also know the Phils like Jon Lieber, Bartolo Colon, Kenny Rogers, Livan Hernandez, Mark Prior, Shawn Chacon, Joe Kennedy, Brian Fuentes, and A.J. Burnett.

Olney’s Latest: Benson, Lowell, Chavez, Mulder, Eckstein

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Buster Olney’s ESPN Insider blog is always a good source for links from around the league. Let’s see what’s up today.

  • Kris Benson’s agent Gregg Clifton says his client will to throw in Arizona about a week after the Winter Meetings.
  • He says that the Yankees "haven’t put forth any offers that would give them a serious chance to get Mike Lowell." So did the Yankees pull back their offer, or did they even make one in the first place?
  • Eric Chavez just underwent his third surgery in the past two months. With three years and $37 million left guaranteed ($34 million in salary plus a $3 million buyout for 2011).
  • Brewers manager Ned Yost is asking NL Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun to take 1,000 groundballs per day this off-season. Maybe this will help Braun improve from his poor defensive year in 2007.
  • The Cardinals are calling Mark Mulder’s progress "very positive." He’s slated to start throwing in January, and according to the team will be ready to throw off a mound come Spring Training.
  • The Mets are still interested in David Eckstein as their second baseman.

Joe Pawlikowski is co-author of River Ave. Blues, a Yankees blog.

Royals Rumors: Cordero, Silva, Guillen

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Some good info surfacing regarding the Royals, as usual courtesy of the KC Star’s Bob Dutton.

  • While Joakim Soria will remain in the pen, the Royals want to add more relief help.  They could re-sign David Riske, and even plan to contact Francisco Cordero’s agent (Bean Stringfellow).  Bringing back Octavio Dotel is also being considered, though Soria would remain the closer.
  • Ron Mahay is on the radar.  It’s thought that he’ll require something close to a three-year, $12MM deal as one of the better southpaw relievers out there.  Riske wants a deal like that too.  Dayton, just take the draft pick.
  • I’ve yet to mention here Dayton Moore’s quotes.  Basically, steroid allegations won’t affect the team’s pursuit of any player, meaning they still like Jose Guillen.  It’s not surprising to see GMs moving in this direction.
  • Japan presents options such as Hitoki Iwase, Kazuo Fukumori, and Yashuhiko Yabuta.  New manager Trey Hillman observed Iwase up close this year.
  • What about more starting pitching?  The Royals like Carlos Silva, Hiroki Kuroda, Kris Benson, Matt Clement, and Jason Jennings.  Something useful could come out of that.
  • By the way, the Royals saw Glendon Rusch work out recently.  The swingman came up as a Royal before being traded to the Mets in ’99.

Odds and Ends: Cabrera, Schilling, Stewart

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Your daily collection of random rumors and links…

  • MLB.com’s Free Agent Frenzy has begun.  You can win Opening Day tickets by closely predicting where 15 free agents will land.  A good strategic move would be to wait until deadline day, November 15th, before submitting.  That way you’ll have more info (keep your browser right here for all the latest free agent info).  By the way, my Top 50 Free Agents list should be ready around Monday.
  • Fielding Bible has their 2007 awards (click the Winners tab).  So much for those who say Andruw is slipping!
  • Miguel Cabrera is available, according to Peter Gammons.  Gammons thinks any package would have to begin with a top pitching prospect such as Phil Hughes, Clay Buchholz, or Clayton Kershaw.
  • Sounds like the Rockies want to keep the 2007 club mostly intact by bringing back free agents (Kaz Matsui, Yorvit Torrealba, Matt Herges, LaTroy Hawkins).  However Josh Fogg and Jeremy Affeldt may be allowed to leave.
  • Though they’re on his list, it doesn’t sound like the D’Backs can afford Curt Schilling.
  • The A’s are talking about re-signing Shannon Stewart, but I don’t see it.  That would have to cost at least $3-4MM.  Meanwhile, Mike Piazza might retire.  Susan Slusser talks about how the A’s would receive compensation for Stewart and Piazza, both Type B free agents.  But that’s only if they offer them arbitration, which is questionable.
  • Comeback time!  Matt Mantei is all surgically repaired and wants to get back into action.  He feels great!  He’d take a minor league contract and/or play for the minimum.  Can’t wait til spring, when we can hear about all the guys who are in the best shape of their careers.  The Tigers might need him with Joel Zumaya’s new, odd injury.
  • A couple of 40+ southpaws will pitch in ’08 – Tom Glavine and David Wells.
  • The O’s will pass on Kris Benson at $7.5MM next year, no surprise.  He had rotator cuff surgery last March.
  • U.S.S. Mariner’s "reasonable" offseason plan.

State Of The Marlins

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The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson has all sorts of info concerning the state of the Florida Marlins.

  • We’ve heard this before – the Fish can’t afford to keep both Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera.  Do you trade the cheaper guy, or the more valuable one?  As Jackson says, it really just depends on the offers.  It wouldn’t be a complete shock to see both traded if the Marlins received separate knockout offers on each.
  • The Marlins are likely to non-tender Miguel Olivo, with an eye on bringing Paul Lo Duca back to Florida to provide veteran leadership for the young pitching staff.  Other free agents on the radar: Yorvit Torrealba, Michael Barrett, Jason Kendall, and former Marlin Ramon Castro.  Several of these are $5MM players, so the team’s owner would have to sign off.
  • Some kind of MLB-ready starting pitching is likely to come back in a Willis or Cabrera deal.  But otherwise the Fish will try an injury-discounted guy like Kris Benson.  The market has no shortage of these types – Matt Clement, Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia, Jason Jennings, Jon Lieber, and Jaret Wright all fit the mold. 
  • The Marlins will listen on Scott Olsen, but aren’t opposed to keeping him.
  • For now, Hanley Ramirez and Miguel Cabrera are staying put on the left side of the infield.  Good luck improving the defense.
  • The Marlins would like to bring Aaron Boone back for ’08.

Orioles Sign Steve Trachsel

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UPDATE: The O’s wasted no time replacing Benson, signing Steve Trachsel to a one-year $3.1MM deal with a $4.75MM club option for ’08.  PECOTA says the Orioles overpaid by $625,000.  Assuming he can hold together for 180 innings, Trax should be a tolerable replacement.

The big news today courtesy of Ken Rosenthal is that Orioles starter Kris Benson is out for the season because of a rotator cuff tear.  It’s a bummer for Benson, as it may result in his $7.5MM option for ’08 being declined.

The injury leaves the Orioles scrambling to find a starter who can provide 180 innings of 4.90 ball in the AL East.  Rodrigo Lopez might’ve been that guy; Hayden Penn probably isn’t ready to do that yet.  The team will probably bring in a veteran replacement.  Rosenthal mentions Steve Trachsel as the most likely, as well as Mark Redman and Ron Villone.  Villone last started in 2004.

Additionally, there are plenty of trade options, as discussed yesterday.  Mike Maroth would be a nice pickup. 

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