Yankees Rumors: Cameron, Melky, Pettitte, Lowe
5:06pm: More on the Cameron situation: Ken Davidoff says Cabrera and Ian Kennedy have been discussed. However, the Brewers will probably wait to see if they can sign Sabathia, since he’s good friends with Cameron.
10:26am: The latest Yankees hot stove buzz…
- According to Joel Sherman and George King of the New York Post, the Yankees inquired with the Brewers on Mike Cameron. The Yanks would be willing to send Melky Cabrera and pitching to Milwaukee. The Yankees are also talking to other teams about Wilson Betemit.
- The Yankees are only willing to do a one-year deal for Andy Pettitte, who has said he wants to return. The Yanks plan to see what Mike Mussina wants to do first. It seems they’ll bring back one of Mussina/Pettitte and sign two free agent starters out of C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Derek Lowe.
- For Lowe, the Yankees might have to butt heads with the Mets. Scott Boras has already discussed Lowe with both clubs. Peter Abraham thinks the Yankees and Mets could also compete for Oliver Perez or Burnett if Sabathia signs elsewhere.
- Ken Davidoff is not buying the Hideki Matsui three-team trade scenario.
Heyman’s Latest: Furcal, Jenks, Nats, Yankees, White Sox
Here are a few of the latest notes from Jon Heyman…
- The Dodgers offered Rafael Furcal a two-year deal worth $25-30MM. A source close to Furcal told Heyman that the Dodgers know that it will take more and at least eight teams have expressed interest in Furcal.
- In the same piece Heyman says the White Sox are open to trading Bobby Jenks, but Heyman’s source says it will "take quite a bit."
- Heyman says the Nationals are not likely to land any of the big names they covet noting they do not have the pieces for a trade and few free agents would be willing to play for a 100-loss team. Heyman does say Adam Dunn could be one player that is willing to sign with the Nats based on his relationship with Jim Bowden.
- Heyman says the Yankees may be serious about trading for Mike Cameron noting that they have even asked for Alex Rodriguez’ opinion of his former teammate.
- Heyman reports that the White Sox could trade several of their bigger players. Most of the names have been heard here over the last couple of days, but one we haven’t heard in a while is Paul Konerko. Heyman says Konerko could be an attractive backup plan to any team that fails to sign Mark Teixeira. Heyman also says the White Sox could go after Orlando Hudson if they can unload some of their bigger contracts.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Odds and Ends: El Duque, Tazawa, Ausmus
Links for Tuesday. Be sure to check back on Odds and Ends posts, as I update them throughout the day with minor links.
- The Jays may no longer have A.J. Burnett under contract, but they continued their claiming frenzy by adding pitcher Les Walrond.
- The A’s re-hired Jason Giambi‘s strength coach. Does it mean anything?
- The Cardinals remain intrigued by the idea of bringing Edgar Renteria back.
- The Dodgers bought out catcher Gary Bennett for $50K; he’s a free agent now.
- Mike Cameron thinks C.C. Sabathia has a good chance of re-signing with the Brewers. He says Sabathia could be a pioneer by taking less money to stay.
- Yahoo’s Tim Brown says Orlando Hernandez is working out and intends to play next year. He did not pitch in the Majors at all this year due to foot injuries.
- Dylan Hernandez chatted with Scott Boras last week.
- The New York Daily News discusses Baseball Prospectus’ Nate Silver, whose political website is immensely popular.
- Patrick Newman points out that Junichi Tazawa will not be the first Japanese amateur to sign with an MLB team.
- Buster Olney says Brad Ausmus wants to play in 2009 if it’s close to his San Diego home. The Dodgers could be one possibility.
Brewers Exercise Option On Cameron
According to MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy, the Brewers exercised their $10MM option on center fielder Mike Cameron. This is a good call – Cameron is above average offensively and defensively, and the market for center fielders is weak.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Peavy, Burnett, Sabathia
Let’s take a look at the latest column from Ken Rosenthal at FOX Sports.
- Don’t look for a Jake Peavy trade this week at the GM meetings, as the Padres haven’t found a match with Peavy’s five preferred teams.
- A.J. Burnett‘s agent should announce his client’s decision to opt out today. Rosenthal notes Burnett’s preference to sign near his Maryland home, with the Yankees and Red Sox as the most realistic possibilities.
- Rosenthal believes the Brewers offered C.C. Sabathia $100MM over five years (rather than four). The Brewers can say they tried, but no one expects Sabathia to settle so far below his market value. Also, the Brewers will decide today on Mike Cameron‘s $10MM option.
- The Phillies’ areas of uncertainty: GM, left field, fifth starter.
C.C. Sabathia Rumors: Monday
David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a C.C. Sabathia rumor:
The figure I’m hearing that Milwaukee might offer C.C. $100 million for four years. They’re hoping that by going with fewer years and more per year, they can keep him. He’s indicated to friends a serious interest in staying there, he liked it so much. The Brewers might help their chances of signing him if they pick up the option on Mike Cameron, who’s a good friend of CC’s.
With Cameron, the Brewers figure to have over $70MM committed (not including Chris Capuano). It’s hard to see the Brewers backloading an already huge $25MM salary to Sabathia, so they’d probably have to take payroll to the mid $90MM range to fit him in. Keeping Cameron and Sabathia would seem to limit roster construction – it could necessitate a Prince Fielder or J.J. Hardy trade, or leave little money for third base or the bullpen.
Yankees Targeting Cameron?
George King of the New York Post talked to "an industry source," who believes the Yankees have targeted center fielder Mike Cameron in the event that the Brewers decline his $10MM option. GM Brian Cashman wouldn’t bite on the rumor. Ken Rosenthal wrote back in January that the Yankees pursued him but may have passed due to concerns over paying both Cameron and Johan Santana.
King says the Brewers could also pick up Cameron’s option and then trade him. Cameron is a Type B player, by the way. Joel Sherman believes Cameron is a backup plan for the Yankees, as they’d prefer a longer-term solution in center.
Odds and Ends: Prior, Mulder, Cameron
Links for Wednesday…
- Mark Prior hopes to return to the Padres, according to a blogger who talked to him at a pumpkin patch. That wheelbarrow looks a bit heavy…
- I am still digging through the many applications for the Saturday morning position – thanks for your interest. Tons of great candidates in the mix.
- Viva El Birdos reflects on Mark Mulder‘s time with the Cardinals. Mulder is trying everything he can to get back to his old self.
- Dave Cameron names Mike Cameron the top free agent bargain of last offseason.
- SI.com’s Jon Heyman looks at how the Rays were built.
- Joe Posnanski looks at the divergent paths of the Royals and Rays.
- Sox Machine considers some free agent fits for the White Sox.
- Mets owner Jeff Wilpon spoke about "addition by subtraction" in a recent radio interview.
- I agree with this take on the Mark Ellis signing.
- Patrick Newman believes NPB will eventually soften its stance toward Junichi Tazawa.
- Steve Buckley of the Boston Herald doesn’t like the idea of the Red Sox shifting things around to accomodate Mark Teixeira.
- The Mariners apparently have still not decided on their new GM.
Mike Cameron’s Option
From ESPN’s Buster Olney:
The Brewers have five days after the World Series to tell Mike Cameron whether they’re picking up the option; to date, there has been no official conversation between the team and the player, and it figures there won’t be until Doug Melvin’s situation is resolved.
Melvin has one year left on his contract, and the Brewers plan to offer him an extension.
Cameron has a $10MM option with a $750K buyout. At the time of the signing (January), it seemed likely to stand as a one-year deal. Cameron began the season with a 25-game suspension for using a banned stimulant. The Yankees might have passed due to concerns over paying both Cameron and Johan Santana, according to Ken Rosenthal.
Cameron, 36 in January, hit .243/.331/.477 in 508 plate appearances. He also saved eight bases defensively compared to the average center fielder. After such a fine year, he’s an easy choice at one-year, $9.25MM.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Dempster, Mora, Cameron
Ken Rosenthal has a new column up; let’s take a look.
- Rosenthal agrees with those who considered C.C. Sabathia pitching the ninth inning Monday a needless risk. Sabathia already had thrown 112 pitches and the Brewers had a seven run lead, but he pitched the ninth to bring the total to 130. The innings shouldn’t affect Sabathia’s payday, but hopefully he remains healthy.
- Rosenthal sees a minimal chance of Ryan Dempster signing elsewhere, given his strong relationship with Cubs GM Jim Hendry. Dempster will be the Cubs’ top offseason priority. I also consider Kerry Wood unlikely to leave.
- Add Melvin Mora to the list of players who have cleared waivers. He, Aubrey Huff, and Ramon Hernandez will be shopped this winter. Mora has raised his numbers and stock significantly by hitting .378/.421/.652 since the beginning of July. He has a full no-trade clause and is owed $9MM next year.
- The Indians are almost certain to sign a closer this winter, with Brandon Lyon and Brian Fuentes perhaps the best available aside from Francisco Rodriguez and Wood.
- The Rockies will place Fuentes on waivers soon and may also shop Willy Taveras. Manny Corpas has already hit the wire.
- Rosenthal figures Mike Cameron‘s $10MM option for ’09 will be exercised. Cameron is hitting .245/.333/.509 in 372 plate appearances while playing strong defense.
- Gary Matthews Jr.‘s knee injury may prevent the Angels from trading him this winter. That, and the $33MM owed to him through 2011.