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Rosenthal’s Latest: Dye, Burrell, Young

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Here’s a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

  • Rosenthal says the Braves are interested in A.J. Burnett, but you already knew that.
  • Rosenthal believes Trevor Hoffman to the Dodgers "makes sense."
  • The Red Sox apparently have confidence they could trade Mike Lowell if need be, but rival execs believe he’d have to prove his health in spring first.  Lowell has two years and $24MM on his deal. 
  • The White Sox want a young starter and additional players for right fielder Jermaine Dye.  The Mets, Rays, and Phillies are "balking at such a price."  Rosenthal learned that most of the six teams on Dye’s no-trade list are in the northeast.  Interesting that the White Sox are still willing to trade Dye after moving Nick Swisher.
  • The Mets "aren’t enamored" with Javier Vazquez.
  • Rosenthal suggests the Rays will sit back and hope one of the free agent DH-types becomes a bargain for them.
  • SI.com’s Jon Heyman wrote on Friday that the "Braves, Dodgers, and Mets are believed to be among teams that have inquired about Rangers starting pitchers Kevin Millwood and Vicente Padilla."  However, Rosenthal says the Braves and Mets are not interested in either pitcher and the Rangers aren’t desperate to move them.
  • Rosenthal has Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, and Pat Burrell on the Angels’ radar if they fail to sign Mark Teixeira, C.C. Sabathia, or Manny Ramirez.
  • A rival GM tells Rosenthal Twins outfielder Delmon Young is "very, very much out there."

Stark’s Latest: Putz, Manny, Lackey, Ibanez

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Let’s take a look at the latest column from ESPN’s Jayson Stark.

  • Stark does the math and finds 15 potentially available closers versus six clubs in the market for one.  Should result in a few bargains or teams holding on to their surpluses.
  • The Mets don’t seem willing to extend to four years for Francisco Rodriguez.  Stark says J.J. Putz would become the Mets’ top closer target if he’s made available.  MetsBlog’s Matthew Cerrone wrote a few days ago that the Mets are likely to trade for a reliever with closing experience before attempting to sign one.
  • J.P. Ricciardi quote: "We won’t be involved with Manny."  Ricciardi last month: "He’s on our radar, but maybe not on our radar like some people will report."
  • Despite reports to the contrary, Stark talked to a rival executive who says Jake Peavy made it "onto [the Angels’] radar pretty hard."  Stark speculates that Peavy could fit if the Halos sign Mark Teixeira.
  • It seems likely that the Angels will put out an offer to Teixeira with a deadline, and then either sign him or move on.
  • John Lackey’s been telling friends he expects to have an extension with the Angels by Opening Day.  Lackey indicated last month he’d wait to see the Halos’ offensive plans before re-signing.
  • Stark suspects the Players Union might be OK with C.C. Sabathia turning down a larger offer from the Yankees if he still signed for more than Johan Santana’s $23MM per year.  I don’t really see why Sabathia would worry about the union in any regard.
  • The Dodgers inquired on the asking price of Jason Varitek, with the idea of moving Russell Martin to third base in mind.  They balked at Scott Boras’ demand for Tek, however.
  • Curt Schilling is "more likely than ever" to attempt a late June or early July comeback.
  • Tons of teams have expressed some degree of interest in Raul Ibanez: the Mets, Phillies, Cubs, Cardinals, Nationals, Braves, Royals, Rays, Blue Jays, Rangers, Angels, and Mariners.  Some interesting new ones in there.
  • The Phillies never made a two-year, $21MM offer to Pat Burrell.  Will the Phils at least offer him arbitration?  The rumored offer was questionable from Day 1, as Paul Hagen said Burrell "reportedly turned down a two-year, $22MM offer" but didn’t reference a specific report.
  • Stark believes that the Brewers were not thrilled with the Yankees’ "overbid" for C.C. Sabathia, and therefore would prefer not to trade Mike Cameron to them.  Dan Graziano wrote yesterday about the Yanks’ conversations for Cameron.
  • Roy Oswalt wants the Astros to sign Ben Sheets, but the price tag may be too high.  Stark has the following names on their radar: Randy Wolf, Mike Hampton, Freddy Garcia, Paul Byrd, and maybe Pedro Martinez.  Is Drayton McLane willing to bring Andy Pettitte back?  GM Ed Wade seemed interested in his chat yesterday, saying, "We’ll have to see what develops down the road."

Mets, Phillies, Dodgers Interested In Ibanez

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According to Ken Davidoff of Newsday, the Mets, Phillies, and Dodgers have expressed interest in free agent outfielder Raul Ibanez.  Ibanez would replace Pat Burrell in Philly, and is a backup plan for the Dodgers if they fail to sign Manny Ramirez.  The Cubs and Royals may also get involved, but both clubs face payroll limitations currently.

Interest from four NL clubs means Ibanez could remain an outfielder for his age 37-39 seasons, a dicey proposition.  He allowed 18 more bases than the average left fielder in 2008, according to the plus/minus system.  Ibanez hit .293/.358/.479 in 707 plate appearances, earning just $5.5MM in the last year of his contract.  He should be able to double his salary in ’09.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Burnett, Lowe, Peavy

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Here’s a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal.

  • Rosenthal says reports of the Blue Jays’ four-year, $54MM offer to A.J. Burnett are inaccurate – they’ve yet to make a proposal.  He’s on board with Kat O’Brien’s info from yesterday, noting Boston’s interest.
  • Scott Boras is apparently telling teams he wants "a Zito-type contract" for righty Derek Lowe.  Lowe is 35, while Zito was 28.  Is Boras implying that he wants $18MM a year?  Obviously Lowe will not find a seven-year offer.  ESPN’s Buster Olney says Boras wants five years for Lowe.
  • The Padres told the Yankees a Jake Peavy deal is possible even without Phil Hughes.  They’ve scouted Hughes anyway, but he’s off-limits.
  • The Rockies will sit back and listen on Garrett Atkins and Huston Street.  They don’t plan on signing a free agent to replace Matt Holliday.
  • The Mets want to add a righthanded bat, though they’re not high on Pat Burrell.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Griffey, Peavy, Dempster

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A look at the latest column from FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal:

  • Rosenthal wonders if Jason Varitek’s viral sickness and divorce last year contributed to his poor performance at the plate.
  • Ken Griffey Jr.’s wife gave him her blessing to play anywhere he’d like.  If he’s focused on getting a ring, Seattle might not make sense.  Griffey’s doctor believes his knee will be in better shape in 2009.
  • Padres GM Kevin Towers wonders if Jake Peavy would’ve accepted a trade to the Braves, given Atlanta’s club policy against no-trade clauses.  Towers isn’t talking to the Braves, Dodgers, or Yankees about Peavy, and Rosenthal says he’s "not making much headway" with the Cubs.  ESPN’s Peter Gammons says the Cubs’ loss of Jose Ceda lessens their chances, while Frank Wren still believes Peavy will end up a Brave.
  • The Cubs hope to resolve the Ryan Dempster situation this week.  The team wants to do a four-year deal.
  • The Giants are still in on Juan Cruz after their Jeremy Affeldt signing.
  • The Phillies gave Pat Burrell "parameters" for a new deal, while Rosenthal speculates on the Giants and Dodgers as other possible fits.

Phillies Rumors: Holliday, Moyer, Burrell

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5:34pm: Mandel talked to a team source who says the Phillies were never close to a deal for Matt Holliday.  Talks at the GM meetings were brief.

3:25pm: According to MLB.com’s Ken Mandel, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is now focused on re-signing lefty starter Jamie Moyer.  Mandel gives a 50-50 chance Moyer signs before Friday.  Moyer turns 46 soon, but he’s not showing any signs of slowing down.  He wants a multiyear deal after earning $7MM this season.

Mandel adds that the Phillies have expressed interest in re-signing Pat Burrell, but he’ll likely have a chance to test the open market.

Odds and Ends: Burrell, Atkins, Ohmura

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Links for Monday…

Perrotto’s Latest: Free Agent Predictions

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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.

Phillies Rumors: Baldelli, Hairston, Mench

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5:44pm: MLB.com’s Ken Mandel says the Phillies have Rocco Baldelli, Jerry Hairston Jr., and Kevin Mench on the radar in the event they don’t re-sign Burrell.  The Phillies have long liked Baldelli, though the Rays hope to talk contract soon.  Reds GM Walt Jocketty recently met with Hairston’s agent, and feels he made progress.  And the Hanshin Tigers hope to lure Mench to Japan.

9:38am: Checkin’ in on the Phillies…

  • GM Ruben Amaro Jr. had an informal five-minute talk with Casey Close, who represents Ryan Howard and Joe Blanton.
  • Talks have not yet begun with free agents Pat Burrell, Jamie Moyer, and Scott Eyre.  Conversations will begin soon with Moyer and Eyre.
  • Curt Schilling would be open to returning to the Phillies if he pitches next year.  Amaro says he hasn’t even considered the possibility yet.  He would make a nice fifth starter if they can re-sign Moyer.
  • The Phillies control setup man Ryan Madson through 2009, but he’s represented by Scott Boras.  Boras compared Madson to Mariano Rivera circa 1996, so don’t look for an affordable long-term deal.
  • Amaro talked to at least 27 other GMs at the meetings.
  • No word yet from the Philly writers on Andrew Baggarly’s rumor that the Phils will listen on Jimmy Rollins.

Giants Rumors: Burrell, Rollins, Rowand

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THURSDAY: More Giants info, courtesy of John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle.  GM Brian Sabean is looking for offense in the infield, but he considers Cain untouchable.  Jonathan Sanchez or various pitching prospects could be trade bait instead.

Sabean also met with the agents for various free agent hitters and relievers, including Orlando Hudson and Bob Howry.

WEDNESDAY: Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News has some interesting rumors this evening.

  • Baggarly believes the rumor of the Giants’ interest in Rafael Furcal makes sense, as it’d solidify their middle infield situation.
  • He doesn’t see the Giants signing Pat Burrell, given their desire to get younger and more athletic.  Still, he expects Brian Sabean to check in on him.
  • Here’s a new one: Baggarly’s heard the Phillies will listen to offers for shortstop Jimmy Rollins.  Rollins is owed just $23.5MM over the next three seasons.
  • Scott Eyre enjoyed his time with the Phillies, though the Giants could take a shot at bringing him back.
  • Baggarly doesn’t buy any of the Bengie Molina trade rumors.  He gives a 75% chance Matt Cain stays put.
  • Baggarly expects the Giants to quietly explore the market for Aaron Rowand, which could include the Yankees and White Sox.  Rowand is owed $44MM over the next four seasons, and has no-trade protection.
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