Stark’s Latest: Putz, Manny, Lackey, Ibanez
Let’s take a look at the latest column from ESPN’s Jayson Stark.
- Stark does the math and finds 15 potentially available closers versus six clubs in the market for one. Should result in a few bargains or teams holding on to their surpluses.
- The Mets don’t seem willing to extend to four years for Francisco Rodriguez. Stark says J.J. Putz would become the Mets’ top closer target if he’s made available. MetsBlog’s Matthew Cerrone wrote a few days ago that the Mets are likely to trade for a reliever with closing experience before attempting to sign one.
- J.P. Ricciardi quote: "We won’t be involved with Manny." Ricciardi last month: "He’s on our radar, but maybe not on our radar like some people will report."
- Despite reports to the contrary, Stark talked to a rival executive who says Jake Peavy made it "onto [the Angels’] radar pretty hard." Stark speculates that Peavy could fit if the Halos sign Mark Teixeira.
- It seems likely that the Angels will put out an offer to Teixeira with a deadline, and then either sign him or move on.
- John Lackey‘s been telling friends he expects to have an extension with the Angels by Opening Day. Lackey indicated last month he’d wait to see the Halos’ offensive plans before re-signing.
- Stark suspects the Players Union might be OK with C.C. Sabathia turning down a larger offer from the Yankees if he still signed for more than Johan Santana‘s $23MM per year. I don’t really see why Sabathia would worry about the union in any regard.
- The Dodgers inquired on the asking price of Jason Varitek, with the idea of moving Russell Martin to third base in mind. They balked at Scott Boras’ demand for Tek, however.
- Curt Schilling is "more likely than ever" to attempt a late June or early July comeback.
- Tons of teams have expressed some degree of interest in Raul Ibanez: the Mets, Phillies, Cubs, Cardinals, Nationals, Braves, Royals, Rays, Blue Jays, Rangers, Angels, and Mariners. Some interesting new ones in there.
- The Phillies never made a two-year, $21MM offer to Pat Burrell. Will the Phils at least offer him arbitration? The rumored offer was questionable from Day 1, as Paul Hagen said Burrell "reportedly turned down a two-year, $22MM offer" but didn’t reference a specific report.
- Stark believes that the Brewers were not thrilled with the Yankees’ "overbid" for C.C. Sabathia, and therefore would prefer not to trade Mike Cameron to them. Dan Graziano wrote yesterday about the Yanks’ conversations for Cameron.
- Roy Oswalt wants the Astros to sign Ben Sheets, but the price tag may be too high. Stark has the following names on their radar: Randy Wolf, Mike Hampton, Freddy Garcia, Paul Byrd, and maybe Pedro Martinez. Is Drayton McLane willing to bring Andy Pettitte back? GM Ed Wade seemed interested in his chat yesterday, saying, "We’ll have to see what develops down the road."
Graziano’s Latest: Sabathia, Halladay
4:39pm: Tony Jackson of the L.A. Daily News shoots down all Dodgers rumors – no offer in the near future for Sabathia, no talks for Halladay, and no interest in Raul Ibanez.
I think Graziano’s Halladay musings have been distorted a bit – he basically said the Blue Jays might explore the trade market at some point.
3:31pm: Graziano adds in a new post that the Giants plan to make a six-year offer in excess of $100MM but under $140MM. Tom Haudricourt had info about a Giants bid several hours earlier as well.
Haudricourt adds that the Angels will make a bid, but reports about the Dodgers may be inaccurate.
12:26pm: Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger explains why C.C. Sabathia is taking his time while mulling over the Yankees’ six-year, $140MM offer. Graziano believes Sabathia and his agents are waiting to see what the Dodgers propose.
Graziano speaks of "rumblings today that the Dodgers either have offered or are about to offer Sabathia a six-year contract worth between $110 and $120 million." He believes this could compel the Yankees to increase their offer, just to ensure a ridiculous ($30MM+) gap between the two proposals.
Graziano has a source who continues to insist the Blue Jays will explore the market for ace Roy Halladay, who has two years and $30MM left on his deal. In that case, he believes the Dodgers are the most likely match. If the Dodgers acquire Halladay, they would focus on Manny Ramirez rather than Sabathia.
Mets, Phillies, Dodgers Interested In Ibanez
According to Ken Davidoff of Newsday, the Mets, Phillies, and Dodgers have expressed interest in free agent outfielder Raul Ibanez. Ibanez would replace Pat Burrell in Philly, and is a backup plan for the Dodgers if they fail to sign Manny Ramirez. The Cubs and Royals may also get involved, but both clubs face payroll limitations currently.
Interest from four NL clubs means Ibanez could remain an outfielder for his age 37-39 seasons, a dicey proposition. He allowed 18 more bases than the average left fielder in 2008, according to the plus/minus system. Ibanez hit .293/.358/.479 in 707 plate appearances, earning just $5.5MM in the last year of his contract. He should be able to double his salary in ’09.
Gammons Rumors: Sabathia, Manny, Furcal, Bradley
Here’s how ESPN’s Peter Gammons sees some of the bigger free agent dominoes falling, assuming the Dodgers land Sabathia:
Interesting how many GMs think that if the Dodgers get C.C. Sabathia, the Giants will get big into Manny Ramirez, and Billy Beane and the A’s will continue to move fast on Rafael Furcal. Also, expect Toronto to make good on its promise to Milton Bradley that he is the Blue Jays’ priority.
Would Beane and Brian Sabean really be influenced by Sabathia landing in L.A.? We may never know, as the Yankees have come out of the free agent gate with their guns blazing. I can see Beane getting Furcal regardless, even with Bobby Crosby under contract for ’09.
I guessed Bradley would land in Toronto, but only because I like the fit. This is the first I’ve heard of them making him a priority over Jason Giambi or Manny.
Giants Considering Top Players
According to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants have spoken with Scott Boras about Manny Ramirez and Mark Teixeira, but it’s unknown if they’ve made them any offers.
Giants director of player personnel Bobby Evans told Schulman “we’re willing to go after the best talent we can.”
The Giants haven’t offered Rafael Furcal a contract, but Paul Kinzer, Furcal’s agent, said that the Giants and Furcal have “serious interest” in each other. Schulman mentions Oakland as possible competition for the Giants, and the Royals could be among the many teams interested in the shortstop.
Schulman believes Furcal is looking for at least a four-year deal worth $10MM a year.
The Giants have also spoken with C.C. Sabathia‘s representatives.
Dodgers Withdraw Manny Offer
7:31pm: Jesse Spector of the New York Daily News chatted with Colletti about Manny and much more.
5:04pm: According to MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick, the Dodgers withdrew their two-year, $45MM offer to Manny Ramirez. Ned Colletti plans to continue negotiations. Do you think Ramirez will ultimately get four or more guaranteed years?
Do Angels Have Genuine Interest In Manny?
Angels owner Arte Moreno had kind words for Manny Ramirez in a recent radio appearance, sparking talk that he could jump in and swipe the slugger from the Dodgers. However, the general sense is that Moreno just wanted to get people talking about the Angels and perhaps hopes to drive up Ramirez’s price for the Dodgers.
Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times gets a peek at Scott Boras’ binder for Ramirez, which predicts 204 home runs and 684 RBIs over the next six years. Shaikin quotes Angels GM Tony Reagins saying his priority is elsewhere and the Manny discussion hasn’t taken place, so right now the Dodgers don’t face serious competition.
Shaikin also notes that the Dodgers are more likely to sign Orlando Cabrera to a short-term deal than re-sign Rafael Furcal.
Moreno Comments On Manny
Yesterday, Ken Rosenthal said the Angels briefly considered Manny Ramirez during their organizational meetings, but the idea was "tabled rather quickly."
Still, Angels owner Arte Moreno was full of kind words for Manny yesterday on an AM-830 radio show:
"He single-handedly took L.A. to the promised land. He did a heck of a job, he hit great, he was a fan favorite, he did a great job with their young players. At the end of the day, you want people who can hit, and he may be one of top right-handed hitters ever."
It’s hard to see the Angels getting serious about Ramirez unless Mark Teixeira and C.C. Sabathia sign elsewhere first.
Details On Manny Offer
8:52pm: Scott Boras slipped in a dig at the Dodgers’ offer, stating that he will begin taking "serious" offers for Ramirez on Friday.
10:27am: Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times has the details on the Dodgers’ initial offer to Manny Ramirez, which expires tomorrow. Ramirez would earn $15MM in ’09, $22.5MM in ’10, and have a $22.5MM option for ’11 with a $7.5MM buyout. $45MM guaranteed over two years isn’t going to cut it, of course.
Hernandez says the Dodgers will stay involved after Ramirez hits the open market, and may be willing to guarantee a third year. Just a guess, but I think it’ll take four years. It doesn’t sound like Ned Colletti will necessarily acquire another outfielder if he fails to sign Ramirez.
Nationals Not Pursuing Manny
Yesterday, Yahoo’s Tim Brown suggested the Nationals and Jim Bowden were "promising everyone they’re going to be players in the Manny bidding." However, Bowden sent an email to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson today: "We are not pursuing Manny Ramirez."
Ladson says the Nationals are still in the market for a lefthanded slugger – Mark Teixeira, Adam Dunn, and Prince Fielder remain on the radar. And despite their abundance of outfielders, they’ve expressed interest in new Rockie Carlos Gonzalez.