Odds and Ends: Redding, Turnbow, Looper
Links for Saturday…
- RotoAuthority looks at projections for Chris Davis. 35 home runs next year?
- Bill Madden suggests Paul Kinzer screwed up in both the Rafael Furcal and Francisco Rodriguez negotiations.
- More details on Dan Johnson – the Rays are selling him to a Japanese team for $100,000-500,000.
- Tim Redding‘s agent says "the Mets are very much in the mix" for the righty.
- Juan C. Rodriguez confirms the Marlins’ interest in Derrick Turnbow, but says they aren’t going after Ray King.
- The Rockies could pursue Braden Looper.
- The Orioles have expressed interest in Phillies catcher Chris Coste.
- New National Josh Willingham likes the Marlins’ young talent.
- New Phillie Raul Ibanez likes the chances that the Mariners will have a better offense in 2009.
- The AP has details on the perks in the C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett deals.
- Ken Davidoff looks at the impact Mark Teixeira‘s decision will have on six teams. Amazing how one deal will shape so many teams’ plans.
- Buster Olney writes that many players are going to make much less than expected in 2009, including Manny Ramirez. In that same blog post, Olney notes that his colleague Jerry Crasnick says the Angels’ signing of Juan Rivera takes them out of the market for Manny.
- The D’Backs’ discussions for Tony Clark are progressing.
Mark Teixeira Rumors: Friday
3:48pm: Jon Heyman believes the Red Sox are at their final number, at least $180MM. Scott Miller explains why you shouldn’t be surprised if the Nationals sign Teixeira.
2:39pm: Buster Olney and Peter Gammons suggest a lower amount was offered by Boston: $165-170MM. That’s seemingly at least $20MM short of what Boras wants. He might be happy with eight years, $184MM ($23MM per).
Olney, Gammons, Adam Kilgore, and Nick Cafardo are all on board with the sentiment that the Red Sox remain in the mix for Teixeira.
9:33am: Jon Heyman says the Red Sox remain interested in Teixeira, but are sticking to their eight-year offer of $180MM or so. Nick Cafardo has a similar take. Tony Massarotti and Thomas Boswell are good reads as well.
9:05am: George King learned from Brian Cashman that it was not the Yankees who outbid the Red Sox for Teixeira (if they were indeed outbid). Chico Harlan says the Nationals are in a holding pattern until the Tex situation is resolved.
8:03am: Mike DiGiovanna says Boston’s eight-year offer in the $175MM range was "significantly" better than the Angels’ eight-year proposal. But DiGiovanna talked to Torii Hunter, who spoke to Teixeira and said the Angels "gave him an offer that blew everyone away." Also, DiGiovanna finds it doubtful that the Angels would match the two-year, $45MM offer the Dodgers made to Manny Ramirez.
7:50am: Alex Speier of WEEI examines both vague statements, as well as past Red Sox-Boras battles. Meanwhile, Joel Sherman offers thoughts on the idea of Teixeira signing with the Nationals, drawing parallel to the Rangers’ A-Rod contract.
12:52am: Yesterday evening we received this surprising statement from Red Sox owner John Henry:
"We met with Mr. Teixeira and were very much impressed with him. After hearing about his other offers, however, it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor."
Michael Silverman was able to get this quote from Scott Boras as a semi-response:
"The Boston ownership was kind enough to request and travel to meet with Mark Teixeira. While it was a very positive meeting Mark was candid and advised he is in the process of making a decision and is now attempting to eliminate teams."
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Teixeira, Giants, Braves, Bradley, Pirates
On this date 17 years ago, the Blue Jays signed 40-year old future Hall of Famer Dave Winfield to a one-year, $2.3MM contract. The signing was a good one as Winfield helped the Jays to their first title in 1992. That year he hit .290-26-108 with a .377 OBP and 137 OPS+, including what would prove to be the series-winning two-run double in the top of the 11th of game 6 of the World Series. Did I mention he was 40? With this year’s crop of free agents playing euchre as they patiently wait for Mark Teixeira to make up his mind, let’s take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…
- Sully Baseball is not worried about the Red Sox possibly losing out on Mark Teixeira feeling the money may be better spent on pitching.
- The Bottom Line wonders if the Red Sox are better off waiting a year and going after Matt Holliday to replace Jason Bay.
- El Lefty Malo projects the Giants offense for next season and shows that one more big bat would give them a league-average offense.
- Braves Blast laments the Braves inability to land a starting pitcher so far this off-season and wonders what options are left.
- The Launching Pad does not see any of the remaining free agent pitchers as an upgrade for the Braves over what is already on the roster.
- Goat Riders of the Apocalypse is aggravated by the lack of big moves from the Cubs and while they would like Milton Bradley as a Cub, they think it is unlikely.
- Baseball Handyman offers grades for the free agent signings to date, with only the Francisco Rodriguez contract earning an ‘A’.
- The ‘Burgh Blues takes a look at the Pirates inability to find pitchers that can find the strike zone.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here.
Mark Teixeira Rumors: Thursday
9:58pm: Red Sox owner John Henry said:
"We met with Mr. Teixeira and were very much impressed with him. After hearing about his other offers, however, it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor."
Wow. From favorites to out of the bidding.
9:16pm: Gordon Edes says Boston’s eight-year offer is more than $160MM but less than the $184MM figure Lynch mentioned. In a newer article, Edes talked to a Red Sox exec who called the idea of a $25MM salary for Tex "ridiculous." This info gels with the Gammons/Olney suggestion of $22MM per year. Edes adds that it won’t be a "take it or leave it" type of meeting.
Edes says the Angels haven’t budged off their original offer, which is north of $160MM. The Nationals have been told by Boras that they’d have to pay extra.
8:38pm: The Red Sox "aren’t close to getting a deal done" with Teixeira according to an updated report by Dan Roche of WBZTV.
8:34pm: When asked whether the Angels might improve their offer to Teixeira, Tony Reagins simply repeated that he had already made him a "fair offer."
6:55pm: Dan Roche of WBZTV also confirms the meeting. He suggests an eight-year Red Sox offer in the $180MM range, but hears that Boston doesn’t expect anything "conclusive" tonight.
6:38pm: Buster Olney and Peter Gammons confirm Lynch’s report. ESPN has heard from major league sources that Boras may soon meet with Red Sox executives. Olney and Gammons heard from another team’s executive who expects the offer to be for "about $22MM" per year for eight years, or about $176MM in total.
5:21pm: Mike Lynch from Channel 5 in Boston reports John Henry and Theo Epstein will meet with Scott Boras tonight with the aim of signing Teixeira tonight or Friday morning. Lynch says the Sox are offering eight years and $184MM.
1:59pm: SI.com’s Jon Heyman on rumored offers for Tex:
One source said he believed that Boston was in for close to $180 million over eight years and the Angels in for about the same. The Nats may be as high, or even higher than that. Some suggest they have either hit the $200 million mark, or gotten very close. Or that someone else has.
Heyman expects Teixeira to sign next week, and agrees that the Red Sox are the favorites. He provides odds of each bidding team signing Teixeira.
8:55am: Yesterday’s Mark Teixeira post focused on the Orioles – they seem to be falling behind, though Andy MacPhail said there’s flexibility with their offer.
We learned today from Kat O’Brien of Newsday today that the Yankees have not made an offer to Teixeira, and may not if the bidding gets too high.
Nick Cafardo’s been talking to a GM involved in the bidding, and that person says the Red Sox have the highest offer on the table. The offer could be eight years at the highest average annual salary. Sean McAdam says the Red Sox have their own ceiling and won’t get into a bidding war. He adds that there’s no backup plan for Boston – "it’s Teixeira or bust."
Odds and Ends: Abreu, Millwood, Wigginton
Links for Thursday…
- Luke Hudson agreed to stay with the Royals on a minor league deal. And because Braves fans keep emailing it…the Braves signed Lance Niekro as a pitcher, as noted in the minor league transactions we linked yesterday. Talking Chop and Henry Schulman have more.
- Along similar lines, here’s a link to Joel Sherman’s December 12th story about the Orlando Hudson and Adam Dunn being the Nationals’ backup plan for Mark Teixeira. That came four days before the Jon Heyman report people keep emailing.
- C.C. Sabathia‘s preferred teams heading into free agency: the Yankees, Brewers, and Angels.
- Dave O’Brien tries to figure out what the Braves should do with all their money.
- John Fay explains why the Reds may attempt to acquire a young shortstop.
- The Orioles may move on to Gregg Zaun now that Matt Treanor is off the board.
- Geoff Baker speculates on a possible Mariners-Brewers trade match, though nothing seems to be cooking currently.
- RotoAuthority looks at the biggest losers, comparing ’09 fantasy baseball mock draft positions to ’08.
- I did a Q&A with Called Safe At Second.
- ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick writes about how teams view free agent outfielder Bobby Abreu.
- Kevin Millwood has twelve million reasons to pitch 180 innings in 2009. I never understood that phrase. Why is each dollar a reason?
- Dejan Kovacevic says Ty Wigginton has no wish to return to Pittsburgh.
- Roch Kubatko is hearing the Orioles may have reached a settlement with Sidney Ponson regarding the grievance.
- Pitcher Jon Leicester is the latest to head to Japan.
- Might not read about this on MLBTR, eh? Chico Harlan says the Nationals signed 16 year-old Dominican prospects Bill Pena and Gregory Baez.
Manny Ramirez Rumors: Thursday
Hoping the Yankees sign Manny Ramirez? Ken Davidoff of Newsday gives it about a 20% chance. As for Manny signing with the Mets, Davidoff gives it no chance.
Davidoff’s colleague Kat O’Brien paints a similar picture, suggesting that the Yankees’ baseball operations people "have not even discussed Ramirez at any length." O’Brien says the Yanks are more interested in Mark Teixeira, who is also a long shot. Tex is expected to sign before Manny.
Did the Mike Cameron talks fizzle to allow for a Yankees pursuit of Manny? Mark Feinsand’s source says there’s no connection. Still, Feinsand believes Hank Steinbrenner is pushing for Ramirez.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Teixeira, Markakis, Johnson
We have a new column from Ken Rosenthal this evening.
- Mark Teixeira is holding up many areas of the free agent market, as guys like Brian Fuentes and Milton Bradley know the Angels will be interested if Tex signs elsewhere.
- Rosenthal believes the Yankees should continue to be aggressive and make a competitive bid for Teixeira.
- The "poor working conditions and occasionally unruly crowd behavior" make it hard for the A’s to attract free agents. Their move in 2012 should help.
- Rosenthal believes Chase Utley‘s seven year, $85MM deal could provide a framework for a Nick Markakis extension.
- The A’s will wait for free agent bargains now that they’ve lost Rafael Furcal.
- The Red Sox and Mets are the main suitors for Derek Lowe, with the Yankees less likely.
- The Braves have been shopping Kelly Johnson for an outfielder. Attempts to acquire Ryan Ludwick or Corey Hart did not work out.
Mark Teixeira Rumors: Wednesday
2:15pm: Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun talked to Orioles president Andy MacPhail, who reminded that the Orioles have flexibility with their offer.
10:46am: Nick Cafardo talked to a GM for one of the five teams in the Teixeira bidding who believes the Red Sox are in the lead. So…was it Andy MacPhail, Jim Bowden, Brian Cashman, or Tony Reagins?
9:54am: According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Orioles have not improved their initial offer to Mark Teixeira. The Red Sox, Angels, and Nationals have higher bids on the table. Olney’s source believes Teixeira would have to "really, really want to play there" to take Baltimore’s offer.
Based on the most recent reports, the Red Sox appear to be at eight years, the Nationals at eight years, $160MM, and Angels at eight years and at least $160MM, and the Orioles at seven years in the $140-150MM range. I’m guessing a ninth year and an opt-out clause will be two of the biggest factors when it’s all said and done.
Odds and Ends: Ponson, Pie, Dohmann
Links for Wednesday…
- Check out the recent minor league transactions, always some familiar names.
- Scott Erickson‘s wife talks about his comeback bid.
- The Red Sox have had "early-stage conversations" about an extension for Kevin Youkilis.
- The Phillies invited ten players to Spring Training and signed a bunch of minor league free agents. The Royals invited four, including Lenny DiNardo and Oscar Villarreal.
- Roch Kubatko suggests the Orioles should try to acquire Ryan Garko.
- Curt Schilling weighs in on Mark Teixeira‘s options.
- Dayton Moore still doesn’t sound willing to trade Zack Greinke.
- Peter Schmuck and Craig Calcaterra discuss the Sidney Ponson case, which could have a significant impact on the game.
- RotoAuthority looks at the current top fantasy draft picks at each position.
- Gordon Wittenmyer expects Felix Pie to be traded.
- Cesar Izturis‘ contract is actually for two years and $5MM guaranteed, plus incentives.
- John Fay looks at options for a right-handed bat for the Reds.
- Reliever Scott Dohmann is headed to Japan on a $650K deal plus incentives.
- Chris Capuano can earn over $3MM this year based on incentives.
- Willie Bloomquist hasn’t received an offer yet, and he doesn’t expect to return to Seattle.
Cardinals Rumors: Fuentes, Saito, Kawakami, Uehara
Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has the latest on the Cardinals’ hunt for pitching.
GM John Mozeliak is getting impatient with Brian Fuentes‘ agents, who are waiting for the market to develop. They might be waiting for the Angels to jump in, but that won’t happen until the Mark Teixeira situation is resolved. Strauss says the Cardinals have offered two years and $16-18MM, and the ball is in Fuentes’ court. Fuentes, of course, wants three years and more than $30MM. The Cardinals are reluctant to give him the third year.
Strauss says the Cards "may investigate the availability" of Takashi Saito, though the Dodgers hope to re-sign him. Strauss also learned that Mozeliak met with the agents for Kenshin Kawakami and Koji Uehara at the Winter Meetings.