Notes On Byrd, Burnett, Sosa
Today’s hot stove happenings:
Ken Rosenthal reports on the Cubs’ interest in A.J. Burnett. This confirms our assertion from November 18th:
"It’s sounding more and more like the Cubs will come up with another starter to add to the stable. Then they’ll deal from that depth to acquire an outfielder. GM Jim Hendry may be more inclined to make a big splash with A.J. Burnett than give a lot of money to Washburn. Unlike last season when he had to get Sammy Sosa off the books, Hendry will act early and often. The Cardinals’ interest in Burnett may motivate Hendry to make a better offer to the starter."
Speaking of Sosa, the Mets are mentioned as a suitor for the outfielder. The opinion here is that Sosa has nothing left, and is three years older than his listed age of 37. Only a foolish team desperate to allocate its free agent budget somewhere, anywhere, would take a chance on Sosa. I’m predicting the Kansas City Royals sign him as a PR move.
In yet another Rosenthal scoop, the Indians nabbed Paul Byrd for two years and $14.25MM. There’s a club option for the third year. We first reported the Tribe’s interest on November 29th. Byrd should provide decent value at what’s become the going rate for a middle-of-the-rotation starter. The fallout: the Angels will have to bring in a name pitcher if Jarrod Washburn also leaves town. I think he will, and the Angels kicking the tires on Erik Bedard, Livan Hernandez, and Jason Marquis.
The Mets moved quickly on Paul LoDuca, giving up one of their best remaining pitching prospects. Juan Pierre remains the last man standing, and the Marlins haven’t been waiting around to ditch their expensive players. Pierre should be gone as soon as the Fish find a team desperate enough to part with a top-notch prospect. The feeling here is that that team will not be the Yankees.
Thanks to Jerry and Alex
Cleveland Courting Paul Byrd
Although sources have indicated the Orioles’ strong likelihood of signing Paul Byrd, it seems that the pitcher is visiting Mark Shapiro in Cleveland today.
I was directed by an emailer to this thread on Scout.com a few minutes ago. As a commenter mentions, putting B.J. Ryan‘s name in lights didn’t exactly seal the deal. Regardless, the Indians’ interest is for real. Byrd has looked solid pitching against current White Sox players, for what that’s worth.
Thanks to Eamon M.
Orioles Hot Stove Hearsay
All sorts of interesting hot stove boiling in the Baltimore area. Here’s the latest.
Published reports have said that the Orioles have made a two-year offer to 35 year-old starter Paul Byrd. My sources are saying that Byrd is very likely to sign with Baltimore, although it may take three guaranteed years.
Nomar Garciaparra at first base? The Orioles are not likely to sign Paul Konerko according to sources, and Nomar is expected to sign a one year deal with an option with the Orioles. Garciaparra would spell Melvin Mora at third and spend time at first and DH as well.
Erik Bedard is very much available and will probably be dealt this offseason. The team questions his tenacity after a knee injury limited him to 24 starts in 2005. If not packaged in a deal for Bobby Abreu, Bedard may be part of an Adam Dunn trade. The Orioles also have interest in Wily Mo Pena from the Reds if they decide to make a trade of less magnitude.
The Orioles could also make some room at first base for 23 year-old Adrian Gonzalez. The #1 draft pick in 2000, Gonzalez has yet to get the opportunity to translate his minor league success in the Majors. He has just 192 Major League at-bats under his belt and nowhere to play in Texas. The O’s would be happy to send soft-tossing Rodrigo Lopez over to the Rangers for him. However, Lopez projects terribly in Ameriquest and wouldn’t be enough to get a deal done.