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Orlando Cabrera

Marlins Showing Interest In Orlando Cabrera

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According to Scot Gregor of the Arlington Daily Herald, the Marlins have shown interest in free agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera.

Cabrera definitely wouldn’t bump Hanley Ramirez from his spot, but the long shot acquisition could result in Dan Uggla sliding to third.  Cabrera would obviously then man second base.  He actually told reporters one week ago that he’d be open to that move if it helps him land a bigger contract.  The A’s have also shown strong interest in him this offseason.  Problem is, Cabrera costs a draft pick.

Perrotto’s Latest: Top 20 Remaining Free Agents

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John Perrotto’s latest Every Given Sunday column at Baseball Prospectus takes a look at the top 20 remaining free agents (sorted by WARP3 – Wins Above Replacement Player) and offers destination predictions and top suitors (or lack thereof in some cases) for each one. For those without a BP subscription, here’s a quick summary:

  • Manny Ramirez – Dodgers
  • Orlando Cabrera – Athletics
  • Derek Lowe – Braves/Mets/Cubs
  • Adam Dunn – Nationals
  • Bobby Abreu – Reds
  • Ben Sheets – Rangers
  • Orlando Hudson – Nationals
  • Andy Pettitte – Astros (at less than $10MM)
  • Jason Varitek – Red Sox (at less than $10MM)
  • Ty Wigginton – Astros
  • Ivan Rodriguez – Not much of a market, may have to take a minor-league deal with an invite to Spring Training if he’s not signed soon. Could he end up involuntarily retired, a la Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, and Mike Piazza?
  • Kevin Millar – Orioles
  • Mark Grudzielanek – Padres
  • Braden Looper – Brewers
  • Garret Anderson, Eric Hinske, Ray Durham, Jim Edmonds, Paul Byrd, Odalis Perez – All of them (with the exception of Byrd, who may retire) are drawing little to no interest and may be without a club on Opening Day.

Odds and Ends: Pavano, Giambi, Manny, Tigers

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Links for Thursday…

  • RotoAuthority looks at possible injury risk young starters for 2009, by way of the Verducci Effect.
  • Anthony Castrovince says the Indians looked at Mark Mulder, Kris Benson, Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon before signing Carl Pavano.  The Tribe’s rotation appears set.  The article also outlines Pavano’s incentives, which kick in at 18 starts.
  • A reminder: for the past month or so we’ve had a Top Stories section in the righthand sidebar.  If you’re looking to find the biggest hot stove news of the past few days quickly, look there first.
  • I did a Q&A with 3:10 To Joba.
  • Ben Shpigel tries to quantify how slow this offseason has been.
  • Susan Slusser has a few details on Jason Giambi’s contract. Jon Heyman confirms Slusser’s earlier comment that the A’s are considering Orlando Cabrera.
  • Bill Plaschke says the Dodgers are "playing the Manny Ramirez game perfectly."  McCovey Chronicles liveblogs that game from the Giants’ side.
  • Jason Beck looks at the dwindling closer options for the Tigers.

A’s Rumors: Abreu, Cabrera, Barton

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Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle has the latest on the A’s.

  • The Jason Giambi press conference is scheduled for today.  Joe Dillon was designated for assignment to make room.
  • Slusser believes Billy Beane will take a look at Bobby Abreu and/or Orlando Cabrera if their price tags slip.
  • Daric Barton is drawing trade interest, with the Nationals a possibility.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Swisher, Nady, Kapler, Zaun

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The latest from Ken Rosenthal.

  • A recent Ned Colletti-Scott Boras conversation about Manny Ramirez didn’t result in progress.  Boras still has his sights on at least $100MM over four years.  Rosenthal adds that Manny is "cool to the idea of playing in San Francisco."
  • Nick Swisher and Xavier Nady are drawing "significant interest."  Rosenthal speculates that the Giants, Braves, or Pirates would make sense.
  • The door is not closed with the Yankees and Andy Pettitte.  Pettitte recently rejected the Yanks’ one-year, $10MM offer.
  • Some Mets people prefer Oliver Perez to Derek Lowe.  The Braves have yet to speak to Boras about Lowe, while the Brewers and Phillies have financial concerns about fitting him in.
  • Trevor Hoffman has a West Coast preference (the Dodgers or maybe a Padres reconciliation) but interest with the Brewers is mutual.  Other relievers on the Dodgers’ radar: Juan Cruz, Guillermo Mota, and Dennys Reyes.
  • Brian Fuentes’ agent had serious talks with the Yankees, but no offer was made.  Fuentes would’ve been Mariano Rivera’s set-up man and perhaps taken over upon his retirement.
  • Rosenthal notes that MLB kicked in a small part of the $10MM owed to Sidney Ponson from their luxury tax pool, which is not uncommon.
  • If they can afford it, the Rays would like to sign Gabe Kapler.
  • The Orioles, Red Sox, and A’s are interested in Gregg Zaun.
  • Perhaps because of the cool market for his services, Orlando Cabrera is willing to play second base.  The Yankees did not have interest.
  • That Gavin Floyd for Brian Roberts rumor "seemingly arose from internal discussions among Orioles officials."

Olney’s Latest: Peavy, Braves, Lowe, Sheets

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More from Buster Olney’s notes from around the majors:

  • The Braves were so close to completing a trade a for Jake Peavy in November that they may want to revisit talks. Says Olney, "What they could do, if they are intent on contending in 2009, would be to sign Orlando Cabrera as a stop-gap at shortstop for 2009, and then deal [Yunel] Escobar in the package for Peavy." He also suggests the Braves give up on their refusal to give Peavy a no-trade provision for the entire length of his contract as that’s been a sticking point. Landing Peavy under any circumstances is a move their own players would support, even if he was given special treatment.
  • Derek Lowe may have missed out on the big money when the Yankees signed A.J. Burnett for 5 years, $82.5MM over him. Lowe’s highest offer is $36MM.
  • Olney says "there are more starting pitchers available than there are big-money offers available, so the Mets are bound to wind up with a good free agent pitcher."
  • Olney reports several teams are concerned about Ben Sheets’ medical reports; however, it’s his shoulder, not his elbow, that’s worrisome.
  • Pure speculation: "Jason Giambi will sign with Oakland, Pat Burrell will land with Tampa Bay."

Olney’s Latest: Lyon, Cabrera, Castillo

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The latest from ESPN’s Buster Olney.

  • Olney says the Brewers "might take a look at" free agent reliever Brandon Lyon, who’s been linked in other reports to the Twins and Red Sox.  It’s been reported that Lyon seeks a multiyear deal and may wait until Brian Fuentes signs.  Nick Piecoro suggested that one unknown Lyon suitor views him as a starter.
  • Olney says the Brewers will probably reach out to Trevor Hoffman, and the Dodgers will also take a look.  He adds that the Dodgers will not attempt to re-sign Derek Lowe despite his sinking price tag.
  • The Dodgers turned back to Rafael Furcal after realizing Orlando Cabrera had an asking price close to the amount Furcal signed for.  The market for Cabrera seems weak, perhaps since he will cost a draft pick.  Cabrera signing with the Dodgers would’ve been ideal for the White Sox, who would’ve swiped L.A.’s #17 draft pick in June.
  • Olney says the Mets continue to attempt to unload Luis Castillo, who has $18MM left on his deal.
  • Interesting note: "For the first time in recent memory, the Yankees’ offices will be closed in the week between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day — one of the signs of the more measured leadership of Hal Steinbrenner."

Orlando Cabrera A Long Shot For A’s

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According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the A’s only have interest in free agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera if he can be had as a late bargain.  Despite the twists and turns it seems safe to say the A’s are no longer in the mix for Rafael Furcal.

The problems with Cabrera are the loss of a second-round pick and his probable $10MM+ salary demands.  Slusser sees a legitimate chance the A’s stick with Bobby Crosby at shortstop for 2009.

Cabrera is said to be the Dodgers’ Plan B, though he carries an even steeper price for them.  The Dodgers have the #17 selection in the 2009 amateur draft, the first unprotected pick.  The White Sox would be thrilled to get it, and Cabrera’s Elias number is higher than that of any other Type A free agent who was offered arb the Dodgers could plausibly sign.  So if the Dodgers sign Cabrera and, say, Oliver Perez, the White Sox still get the #17 pick.

No Trade Market For Jack Wilson

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According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates might not be able to trade shortstop Jack Wilson this offseason.  Even if the Dodgers miss out on Rafael Furcal, their Plan B is Orlando Cabrera.  The A’s, Royals, and Blue Jays have not expressed interest in Wilson.  Kovacevic says the Blue Jays are definitely not interested.  You may recall that J.P. Ricciardi went out of his way to deny interest in Wilson in July of last year.

Furcal Close To Deciding Between Braves, Dodgers

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11:40pm: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says a Braves person said Furcal had a "gentleman’s agreement" with the team.  Talks continued with the Dodgers nonetheless.

7:00pm: Matthew Leach is reporting that the Royals are no longer pursuing Furcal. Leach says the Royals were unable to fit Furcal’s demands into the payroll. Dayton Moore added that if the Royals are to add a player at this point, the team "would have to subtract [someone] because of where [the Royals] are financially." We previously heard that the Royals were one of four teams Furcal was considering offers from.

4:43pm: Tim Brown explains that while some Braves people believed they had a deal with Furcal, Kinzer and Arn Tellem are still talking to the Dodgers.  The Braves probably aren’t terribly amused with the agents.

3:13pm: Ned Colletti says he’s still talking to Kinzer about Furcal, while Yahoo’s Tim Brown talks about the Dodgers and A’s shifting their focus to Orlando Cabrera.

1:00pm: Furcal’s agent Paul Kinzer says there’s no agreement yet.  He says that if Furcal chose right now, it’d be Atlanta.  Jerry Crasnick says it’d be a three-year, $30MM deal with a fourth-year vesting option.  However, Kinzer will call the Dodgers today to give them a final chance to sign Furcal.  Furcal will probably accept an offer today, and it’ll be the Braves or Dodgers. 

10:51am: MLB.com’s Mark Bowman says the Braves have no intention of trading Johnson or Escobar – they are moving Johnson back to left field.  Bowman believes Furcal will play second base.

9:42am: Crasnick now says the Braves have a preliminary agreement with Furcal.  Dave O’Brien thinks the signing points to an Escobar trade.

8:35am: ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick has a source saying no agreement has been reached, but the Braves are confident and interest is mutual.

7:50am: According to Ken Rosenthal, shortstop Rafael Furcal has reached an agreement with the Braves.  He came up with Atlanta, of course.  Furcal just needs to pass a physical.  Rosenthal believes the Braves offered three years with a fourth-year vesting option, and Furcal chose that over Oakland’s guaranteed four years.

Now we’re left to wonder what happens with Yunel Escobar and Kelly Johnson.  Dave O’Brien notes that the Braves have inquired on young starters such as Zack Greinke and Paul Maholm.  Danny Knobler says the Braves will likely put Furcal at second base and Johnson in left field.

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