- The Nationals renewed Ryan Zimmerman’s contract and will pay him $465K in 2008, but still hope to sign him to a longer deal. Zimmerman will be eligible for arbitration in 2009.
- According to the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles recently discussed free agent pitcher Kyle Lohse with his agent, Scott Boras. Lohse was originally seeking a five-year deal for approximately $50 million, but word is his price has come down drastically.
- The Detroit Free Press says the Tigers "have mild interest in Houston’s Humberto Quintero but are giving strong consideration to Dane Sardinha, the starting catcher at Triple-A Toledo last year."
Kyle Lohse
Phillies Not Interested In Lohse
Kyle Lohse for one year and $4MM doesn’t sound too bad, does it? Not to the Phillies, even with Adam Eaton and a couple of Durbins battling it out for the fifth starter job. Phils assistant GM Mike Arbuckle said "I know we’re not interested" in Lohse at such a price.
I don’t get this. Pretty much every team in the NL should be looking at Lohse if he’s really willing to take $4MM. Even non-contenders have to consider the ol’ sign and flip with him. Even this year, with teams showing relatively more common sense with free agents, $2-3MM deals have been tossed around on roster filler type players. The standard rate for a sixth-inning middle reliever is three mil now. The only explanation I can think of is that the reports are wrong, and Lohse is still trying to get $6-8MM.
Kyle Lohse Ready To Settle?
ESPN’s Buster Olney says Kyle Lohse is currently looking for a one-year deal between $4-10MM. According to Olney, multiple teams have expressed their disinterest in the Boras-represented Lohse. Lohse at $5MM seems really solid – how is this guy out of work on March 3rd? He’s even young enough to have upside, which can’t be said for Livan Hernandez.
On Sunday, Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger said the Mets hadn’t ruled out Lohse. The Mets would probably need to unload an arm or two first though. Shouldn’t the Phillies, Astros, and Cardinals be in on Lohse too?
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Garcia, Lohse, Colon
With a full slate of Spring Training games underway today, there are still some big names hanging out in the free agent market. After the Red Sox signed signed former Cy Young winner Bartolo Colon to a minor league deal, there are still two big-name starting pitchers that have yet to find new homes. Former all-star Freddy Garcia is not expected to be ready until mid-season after having rotator cuff surgery last fall, but may have interest from several clubs. On the other hand Kyle Lohse is still looking for work despite being perfectly healthy. His biggest ailment maybe that his agent’s name is Scott Boras. With just over four weeks until opening day, let’s take a look at coverage of these pitchers in the blogosphere.
If there is a topic you would like to see covered in "Baseball Blogs Weigh In" please let me know HERE.
- Mets Fever notes that the names Garcia and Lohse keep popping up on the radar and they are not surprised considering that the Mets rotation is a crapshoot once you get past Johan Santana.
- Sox and Pinstripes says that signing Garcia would be a smart move for the Red Sox. With Colon and Curt Schilling, Garcia would provide the Sox with plenty of second half pitching insurance.
- Fire Brand of the American League is hoping the Red Sox will sign Garcia as they believe he will be more dependable than Colon.
- MetsBlog can’t see the Mets signing Lohse unless they can find a way to unload Orlando Hernandez. And then they would only go for a one year deal.
- Sox & Dawgs notes the age-old baseball cliche that a team can never have too much pitching and likes the addition of Colon.
- Bugs & Cranks says that the signing of Colon has them seeing El Guapo Deja Vu and wonder if he will be as important and beloved as another former Cy Young winner, Eric Gagne.
- Surviving Grady notes that every good sitcom needs a fat guy and now the Red Sox have theirs in the form of Colon.
Stark’s Latest: Patterson, Lohse, Lofton, Clemens
Finally, new info regarding some of the remaining free agents. Jayson Stark has the scoop.
- Seems there’s a chance Corey Patterson takes a cheap deal to return to Baltimore. He could be relegated to fourth outfielder duty in that case. Stark says the Marlins have discussed Patterson internally, but aren’t sure if they could afford the Boras client. Patterson would be a nice stopgap for Cameron Maybin, who’d be well-served with some time in Triple A. Ken Rosenthal also mentioned the Florida possibility.
- One of the most surprising free agents at this point is Kyle Lohse. Stark shoots down the notion of Lohse signing with the Met or Phillies on a one-year deal. Rosenthal tossed out the Cards and O’s as slight possibilities. It’s tough to be impressed with Boras’ work with Patterson and Lohse this year. Stark’s colleague Buster Olney even speaks of rumors that Lohse could ditch Boras.
- Kenny Lofton wants a Major League deal, and the offers so far have been minor league (including one from the Reds). I don’t find this an unreasonable demand on Lofton’s part; he’s still a useful player. He’s OK with starting the season late and coming in as a mercenary when a spot opens up.
- Stark talked to a friend of Drayton McLane who believes the Astros’ owner could roll the dice on Roger Clemens at the right price.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Lohse, Furcal, Lofton
FOX’s Ken Rosenthal checks in with the latest buzz from Spring Training.
- The Mets, Cardinals, and Orioles are listed as possibilities for Kyle Lohse. However, the Mets may deem him unnecessary, reports are conflicting on the Cards’ interest, and the Orioles are wary of the price.
- Rosenthal says Rafael Furcal’s agent met with Ned Colletti a few days ago, but the Dodgers would likely want to see Furcal return to form before entertaining an extension. Click here to see the other shortstops eligible for free agency after the ’08 season. The Dodgers may have a viable replacement for Furcal in defensive whiz Chin-Lung Hu.
- Rosenthal notes that the Yankees, in search of a right-handed outfielder, considered Shannon Stewart and Mike Cameron this winter.
- Kenny Lofton’s chances of a getting the big league deal he wants with the Reds or Twins look slim.
- The rumor going around for Corey Patterson is the Marlins, if the price is right.
- Rosenthal confirms two additions for our 2008 Out Of Options list – Gabe Gross and Clint Barmes.
- Rosenthal says the Mets need a right-handed hitter who can play left field and first base. Here are some names I came up with: Ryan Ludwick, Xavier Nady, Matt Murton, Franklin Gutierrez, and Kevin Millar. Granted, not all those guys know their way around first base.
Mets Dangled El Duque
According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman:
The Mets quietly sought trade offers for Orlando Hernandez late this winter, with the idea that if anyone bit, they would sign Kyle Lohse. But apparently there were no takers.
Swapping El Duque’s 140-150 innings for Lohse’s 190 might add a few wins, given the replacement level pitchers the Mets went to in ’07. Hernandez at $6.5MM isn’t terribly appealing though. The Mets could probably get Lohse for a similar amount on a one-year deal. Maybe they still should and just force Hernandez into the bullpen whether he likes it or not.
Odds and Ends: Choo, Inge, Lohse, Francona
Let’s round up some rumors and links.
- Not only is Shin-Soo Choo out of options, but he’s recovering from Tommy John surgery and may have to join the South Korean military.
- Brandon Inge sat out a demanding drill on Friday, causing Tom Gage to wonder if trade talks are ongoing. Dave Dombrowski spoke on the topic recently, saying all the right things about Inge.
- Kyle Lohse is not interested in a minor league deal or playing in another country. He’s still waiting by the phone though.
- Funny anecdote involving J.P. Ricciardi’s son.
- Terry Francona was extended through 2011, with club options for ’12 and ’13.
- Kenny Williams and Billy Beane: opposites attract. Given their strong relationship, perhaps the Sox could look to acquire Mark Ellis during the season if the current options fall through.
- Wow – Scott Rolen would’ve accepted a trade to the Phillies. The Phils discussed him internally but decided not to pursue it.
- The Giants briefly considered Sean Casey, who is "really good at life" according to Aaron Boone.
Santana Extension Talk
UPDATE, 1-31-08 at 5:10pm: Jon Heyman says the Mets are offering a six-year, $129MM extension starting with the ’09 season. Including his ’07 salary that would amount to seven years and $142.25MM. Santana’s people want to get the total up around $170MM. Less than 5% of MLBTR readers believe this won’t get done.
UPDATE, 1-31-08 at 11:31am: ESPN’s Jayson Stark says contract talks will spill over onto Friday, the deadline day. Chances of failing to reach an agreement are "remote." For now it appears that the Mets want the sixth year as a vesting option and Santana’s people want it guaranteed.
Stark also adds that Kyle Lohse may not be completely out of the picture for the Mets, even if they do sign Santana.
FROM 1-31-08 at 8:54am:
There’s still the little matter of the Mets signing Johan Santana to perhaps the largest deal ever for a pitcher. Let’s explore.
- LEN3 said yesterday to expect an extension (starting with 2009) in the range of six years, $130MM. Remember, Santana is signed for 2008 at $13.25MM.
- Charley Walters expects a six-year deal worth more than $150MM (which would include a $7MM signing bonus and performance incentives).
- Sabernomics says Santana might be worth around $138MM over the 2009-14 seasons.
- What do you think? Take MLBTR’s Johan Santana extension poll. Click here to see the results of this poll.
Orioles Discuss Lohse, Villone, Chacon
Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun says the Orioles are looking at various one or two-year stopgap free agents.
- According to Scott Boras, he and Andy MacPhail have discussed six or seven of his clients. Among them are Kyle Lohse, Ron Villone, and Corey Patterson. Lohse would probably not sign for two years, I’m guessing. Or in the American League. Who else might they have discussed? Jeff Weaver? Anyway, it’s nice to see the Orioles getting along with Boras!
- Zrebiec notes that the O’s have had "preliminary talks" with the agents for Shawn Chacon and Steve Trachsel. Looks like MacPhail just wants some warm bodies for the back end of the rotation. Chacon seems to prefer to the Pirates, and a return to Pittsburgh looks "increasingly logical."
- Zbrebiec says Rod Barajas seems to be headed elsewhere despite "significant discussions" with Baltimore.
