Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Milton Bradley

Rosenthal’s Latest: Byrd, Putz, Wilson

By | at

Rumor machine Ken Rosenthal has a new column…

  • Free agent starters C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett are in no hurry to sign. Makes sense; they’re obviously special compared to the other starters on the market.
  • Nationals owner Ted Lerner "has spent extensive time" with Scott Boras, presumably in regard to Mark Teixeira.
  • The Cubs want to acquire their left-handed hitting outfielder before worrying about Jake Peavy.  Rosenthal says the trade market is bleak, suggesting free agents such as Raul Ibanez and Milton Bradley might make sense.  As we’ve said, there is no perfect fit for the Cubs’ right field vacancy (unless Brian Giles will waive his no-trade clause).
  • Paul Byrd is "virtually certain" to decline Boston’s offer of arbitration.  He aims to pitch near his Atlanta home – the Braves, Marlins, or Rays could work for him.
  • A Rosenthal source pegged Jon Garland’s chance of accepting arbitration at less than 50-50.  ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick recently indicated it was 75-25 he’d decline.  Buster Olney says "some executives are stunned" that Garland will seemingly not accept.
  • Rosenthal spoke to officials from two teams interested in Mariners closer J.J. Putz.  The Ms haven’t decided yet whether to make him available, contrary to a previous report.  Jack Zduriencik apparently doesn’t consider his club in rebuild mode.
  • The Giants’ signing of Edgar Renteria: "widely panned in industry circles."  Joel Sherman found the same consensus.  This differs from the web, where Keith Law and Dave Cameron liked it.
  • Rosenthal says the Dodgers are not pursuing Jack Wilson; those talks broke down earlier in the offseason.  Who to believe?  He says the Tigers are making a "more serious push."
  • Phillies shortstop prospect Jason Donald is a popular trade target, but the Phils might need him to fill in for Chase Utley at the start of the season.

Odds and Ends: Griffey, Springer, Hoffman

By | at

Links for Wednesday…

Rangers Offer Arb To Bradley

By | at

11:55pm: Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News says the Rangers have interest in re-signing Bradley to a one or two-year deal, but GM Jon Daniels expects him to explore the market.  Grant adds that the Rangers have interest in re-signing starter Jason Jennings to a minor league deal.  The interest is known to be mutual; Jennings had elbow surgery in May.

10:05pm: According to MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan, the Rangers offered arbitration to Type B free agent Milton Bradley.  It was an easy decision given his .436 OBP and .563 SLG this year.  Jon Heyman wrote about a month ago that Bradley hopes to find a four-year deal worth more than $10MM per.

Blue Jays To Sit Out Free Agent Market?

By | at

Beyond attempting to re-sign starter A.J. Burnett, Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi does not intend to dabble in free agency this year.  He told MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian he’d probably stay in-house.  Ricciardi shot down rumors of interest in Jason Giambi, Milton Bradley, and Rafael Furcal.  Drunk Jays Fans doesn’t buy the talk, though.

Trades are Ricciardi’s ideal route, though Richard Griffin notes J.P. has rarely dealt prospects for Major Leaguers.  Griffin believes big league trade chips may include B.J. Ryan, John McDonald, and Lyle Overbay.  Jason Frasor could be another.

Gammons Rumors: Sabathia, Manny, Furcal, Bradley

By | at

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.

Perrotto’s Latest: Free Agent Predictions

By | at

John Perrotto has his Every Given Sunday column up over at Baseball Prospectus. Perrotto offers a list of some educated guesses as to where some of the top free agents in baseball will land, with some surprises here and there. Let’s take a look:

  • Perrotto lists the Yankees loading up on starting pitching, landing C.C. Sabathia and Derek Lowe, while the Dodgers land Manny Ramirez after doubling their initial offer to four years, $100MM.
  • Perrotto says the Nationals will land Mark Teixeira, as they could be prepared to offer Teixeira – a Maryland native – ten years, $200MM. Turning down that kind of money would certainly be difficult.
  • Perrotto has Adam Dunn landing on the North Side of Chicago and having an adventurous time in right field for the Cubs. According to these predictions, he’ll be joined by Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood – neither of whom are going anywhere.
  • Perrotto feel Andy Pettitte won’t be back with the Yankees, and feels that he will either take a below-market contract from his hometown Astros or retire. He also pegs Mike Mussina to likely retire, but agrees he’ll be back with the Yankees if he does indeed make a run at 300 wins.
  • Other predictions from Perrotto: Raul Ibanez  and Francisco Rodriguez to the Mets, Milton Bradley to Toronto, Orlando Cabrera to Minnesota, Casey Blake back to Cleveland, A.J. Burnett to the Orioles, Brian Fuentes to the Angels, Nick Punto to St. Louis, Randy Johnson to the Angels, Jason Giambi to Oakland, and Orlando Hudson to the Mets.
  • The list of players who will end up back with their current teams: Ben Sheets, Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell, Jamie Moyer, and Jason Varitek, on a two-year $20MM contract, courtesy of Scott Boras.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Furcal, Bradley, Greinke

By | at

Another day, another Ken Rosenthal column.

  • The A’s have payroll flexibility, and are expressing "strong interest" in free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal.  Bobby Crosby is set to earn $5.25MM in ’09, but it makes sense to upgrade.
  • Contrary to previous reports, Rosenthal says the Tigers are not in on Furcal.  They’ll also pass on Francisco Rodriguez, which was expected.
  • Rosenthal discusses possible fits for Milton Bradley, including the Rays, Rangers, Blue Jays, Mets, Cardinals, and Phillies.  It will be hard to overlook the health risk and give Bradley a three-year deal, especially for an NL club.
  • Rosenthal confirms interest in Khalil Greene from the Orioles and Reds.  The Blue Jays and Tigers have also been mentioned.
  • There’s no way the Phillies can afford Manny Ramirez; a look at their ’09 commitments makes that clear.
  • The Royals hope to sign Zack Greinke and Alex Gordon to long-term extensions.  Rosenthal feels trade discussions could pick up for Greinke if the Royals can’t sign him.  Keith Law said the same yesterday.
  • The Padres will exercise Brian Giles’ $9MM option in the next day or two.

Heyman’s Latest: Holliday, Bradley, Hudson

By | at

SI.com’s Jon Heyman reports from the GM meetings…

  • Matt Holliday showed up at the GM meetings to talk to Scott Boras, sparking trade speculation by reporters.
  • The Rangers failed to reach an agreement with Milton Bradley, and he’ll seek a four-year deal worth more than $10MM per.  Good luck with that.
  • Heyman says the Nationals are interested in Mark Teixeira and Matt Holliday, which MLB.com’s Bill Ladson first reported yesterday.  It does not seem that the Nats have the goods to acquire Holliday.  Heyman adds A.J. Burnett as a possibility, though Ken Rosenthal said to scratch them from the running this morning.  Adam Dunn is a more realistic name for the Nats.
  • The Angels haven’t ruled out signing Teixeira and C.C. Sabathia, though it’d be tough to fit both in the payroll.
  • The Yankees are eyeing Orlando Hudson, and could even ask him to play center field.  Nick Piecoro figures this would require an absurd offer from the Yanks.

Bradley Gets Type B Status

By | at

It seems that teams have received the official Elias rankings, so we’ll have to see if they’re posted publicly today.  Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports that Milton Bradley is officially a Type B free agent.  Bradley was right around the Type A/B borderline.

This is good news for teams other than the Rangers that may wish to sign Bradley.  As a Type B, he can be signed without his new team surrending a draft pick.  The Rangers will still snag a supplemental pick if they offer him arbitration and he declines and signs elsewhere.

Dallas Morning News: Jon Daniels Q&A

By | at

Mike Hindman of the Dallas Morning News recently conducted a Q&A with Rangers GM Jon Daniels.  A few highlights:

  • Daniels thought the Rangers had a great chance to sign Michael Inoa, as ownership made a budget exception to pursue him.
  • Daniels doesn’t seem inclined to trade his top pitching prospects for a young big league starter.  He still has certain targets though.
  • A contract extension for Josh Hamilton will probably be explored during the first three months of 2009.
  • Daniels knows what he wants to do with Milton Bradley, but wouldn’t reveal it.
  • He expects to exercise Hank Blalock’s $6.2MM option for ’09.
  • Daniels sees a "good possibility" of making a trade involving one of his four young catchers, but adds that it depends on the market.  Daniels wouldn’t be opposed to trading both Gerald Laird and Jarrod Saltalamacchia in separate deals.  He also admitted that the Red Sox inquired about catching. 
  • Daniels will attempt to improve the bullpen via free agency this winter.
Show all

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top