Cashman Met With Teixeira
According to Tyler Kepner of the New York Times, Yankees GM Brian Cashman was in Washington yesterday to meet with free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira. The meeting came at Scott Boras’ request, and Boras was present. Previous talk of Cashman and Boras meeting in California was incorrect, according to George King of the New York Post.
King says Cashman and Boras also discussed Manny Ramirez, Derek Lowe, and Oliver Perez. Mark Feinsand says Lowe was the focus of this meeting. Cashman intends to meet with C.C. Sabathia soon, Joel Sherman attempts to understand why.
Lowe Receives Two Offers
5:27pm: George King at the New York Post has details on the Cashman-Boras meeting. An offer for Lowe is not mentioned, but a reluctance to offer Lowe five years is cited. As for the Boras clients beyond Lowe that were discussed, King explicitly mentions Mark Teixeira, Manny Ramirez, and Oliver Perez.
3:30pm: Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. wouldn’t confirm or deny his team’s rumored offer to Lowe, but he admitted interest. I imagine he would’ve denied it if it was false. Amaro noted that he’s talked to the representatives for many free agent pitchers. He’s reluctant to go past three years on one, but might consider it.
9:11am: Tony Massarotti, citing a baseball source, says free agent starter Derek Lowe has received two offers. One is from the Phillies, and the other is not from the Yankees or Red Sox. Massarotti believes Lowe will land a three or four-year deal at $15-16MM per. Jon Heyman recently named the Mets, Giants, Mariners, and Dodgers as other Lowe suitors.
Massarotti’s source adds that Yanks GM Brian Cashman flew to California to visit with Scott Boras today. That could lead to an offer for Lowe, though other Boras clients may be discussed as well. The Red Sox like Lowe, but may choose to avoid a bidding war. Massarotti still likes the Sox as a match for Mark Teixeira.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Johnson, Cano, Peavy
4:54pm: The Big Unit is open to the Giants or A’s, not a big surprise. Johnson’s agent says about ten teams have expressed interest, Giants included.
11:49am: Ken Rosenthal is working overtime; here’s his latest.
- The A’s remain the frontrunners for Rafael Furcal. Also, they’re targeting starter Randy Johnson to add a veteran presence to their rotation. Rosenthal adds that the A’s may prefer Nick Johnson over Jason Giambi.
- The Phillies made an offer to Derek Lowe, who seems to be their backup plan if they can’t sign Jamie Moyer. Rosenthal speculates that the Dodgers could consider Moyer. If the Phils sign Lowe, they may have to go cheap in left field.
- Oliver Perez and Randy Wolf are on the Yankees’ radar.
- The Braves haven’t ruled out five guaranteed years for A.J. Burnett. Rosenthal agrees with Mark Bowman that the Braves actually have little interest in Adam Dunn. He adds that Raul Ibanez might be out of their price range. Instead, the Braves could choose to trade Kelly Johnson for an outfielder.
- Rosenthal believes the Dodgers will renew talks for Robinson Cano at the Winter Meetings, and the Yankees will again ask for Matt Kemp.
- The Cubs are speaking daily to the Padres about Jake Peavy. Rosenthal says the Orioles do not seem to be the third team at this time.
- Rosenthal believes the Royals could make a run at Kyle Farnsworth.
Mets Offer Arb To Perez, No Others
According to MLB.com’s Marty Noble, the Mets offered arbitration to Type A free agent Oliver Perez. None of their other free agents received an offer, including Type Bs Luis Ayala and Moises Alou. No big surprises here.
Fuentes’ Price A Bit High For Mets?
According to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, Brian Fuentes‘ agent told the Mets he’s looking for three years and $10-11MM per. The article headline says this demand "rocks" Omar Minaya, but the body of the article just says Minaya finds it "a bit high." It’s hard to imagine the Mets being surprised by Fuentes’ asking price, as most fans could’ve guessed it. Earlier reports actually had Fuentes asking for more.
Rubin says the Mets will negotiate on parallel tracks for Fuentes and Francisco Rodriguez, content to sign either closer.
Other minor news: Minaya confirmed interest in Raul Ibanez, and will talk with Scott Boras at the winter meetings to determine Oliver Perez‘s asking price.
Mets Rumors: K-Rod, Fuentes, Vazquez, Garland
The latest on the Mets.
- Joel Sherman believes the Brewers could interfere with the Mets’ attempts to sign Brian Fuentes or Francisco Rodriguez.
- Ben Shpigel of the New York Times wrote this weekend that the Mets don’t appear likely to dabble in the second-tier relief market for pitchers like Juan Cruz or Joe Beimel.
- Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog passes along a John Harper article from the New York Daily News, adding his own commentary.
- Harper believes the Mets may have to move on to Javier Vazquez, Jon Garland, and Edwin Jackson due to the high price tags on Boras clients Oliver Perez and Derek Lowe.
Odds and Ends: Perez, Lowe, Garland, Swisher, Neshek
Some Tuesday evening links:
- Odalis Perez is waiting to sign a new contract this offseason, says MLB.com’s Bill Ladson after a conversation with Perez’ agent. Ladson also notes that Nats’ GM Jim Bowden has expressed interest in resigning the lefty starter. Perez did start 30 games last season with Washington.
- The Braves have a significant interest in Derek Lowe, reports Mark Bowman of MLB.com. Beyond Lowe, Atlanta may look next at Jon Garland, Randy Wolf, or Oliver Perez. Bowman categorizes the members of this group as potentially "profitable gambles."
- Nick Swisher will play almost exclusively at first base for the Yankees–at least for now, says Ed Smith of the New Jersey Star-Ledger.
- Twins reliever Pat Neshek had successful Tommy John surgery this morning, and will soon begin rehab. He’s targeting Spring Training 2010 for his return, according to Kelly Thesier at MLB.com.
Odds and Ends: Tazawa, Young, Kouzmanoff
Links for Friday. As always, I’ll update this post with more stuff so refresh later if you’re interested.
- Nick Piecoro suggests catcher Miguel Montero could be the D’Backs’ best trade chip. Their needs will be second base and perhaps starting pitching.
- The Marlins’ top priority is improving their defense.
- Dave Cameron takes apart Scott Boras’ claim about Oliver Perez. If more of these client books leak out, Boras is going to have to hire Cameron to keep him quiet.
- White Sox GM Ken Williams talked about adding speed from within, though Williams is notoriously unpredictable.
- Two 19 year-old Indian men named Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel will try out in front of Major League scouts today after winning the Million Dollar Arm contest. The idea of the contest was to find raw talent among India’s huge population, kids who could hit 85mph consistently. The Red Sox and Indians are among the clubs in attendance.
- The Phillies may be interested in Junichi Tazawa, though Ruben Amaro’s "We know of him" comment isn’t exactly an endorsement. The Indians, Yankees, and D’Backs will pass on Tazawa, who could command $7MM.
- Also at NPB Tracker, a second Japanese club hopes to convince the Rangers to trade Nelson Cruz. Doesn’t make much sense for Texas.
- Amaro is figuring out his front office; Chuck LaMar has been promoted to assistant GM.
- Chris De Luca’s sources close to Bud Selig say there’s "zero chance" Bud and the owners let Mark Cuban buy the Cubs.
- Baseball America has the full list of 561 minor league free agents. See anyone you like?
- Former Dodgers GM Fred Claire looks at the notable waiver claims of the past few years.
- Baseball Prospectus’ John Perrotto says the Twins are reportedly willing to trade Delmon Young to the Padres for Kevin Kouzmanoff.
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.
Yankees Rumors: Sabathia, Marte, Mussina
11:09pm: Brian Cashman sums up the Yankees’ plan: "We’re going to show a lot of love."
12:15pm: It’s about time we check in with Yankees links.
- The Yankees will make their record-breaking pitch to C.C. Sabathia. If it fails, they’ll move on to A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe, and Oliver Perez.
- Joel Sherman says the Yankees could get involved on Manny Ramirez, but only if they fail to sign Mark Teixeira and manage to trade Hideki Matsui.
- Sherman says the Yanks are in on the catching market just to be safe, engaging the Rangers about Gerald Laird and Jarrod Saltalamacchia. They’ll also "keep tabs" on Ivan Rodriguez. If the Yanks find another club that values Robinson Cano highly and offers pitching, he could be traded and Orlando Hudson signed. None of this stuff seems likely.
- Peter Abraham believes the Yanks are working on an extension with Damaso Marte.
- Buster Olney says some of Mike Mussina‘s friends believe that the longer it takes for him to decide on 2009, the more likely it is he pitches.
- Peter Abraham believes Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy will be traded before next season, but Brian Cashman has not lost faith in Hughes.