Giants Negotiating With Renteria
MLB.com’s Chris Haft talked to Edgar Renteria‘s agent Jeff Lane, who said he’s actively negotiating with the Giants. At least six teams are interested in Renteria, but his future is tied to Rafael Furcal. Furcal is expected to sign first, and the shortstops share many of the same suitors.
The Giants also have serious interest in Orlando Hudson. It’d be surprising to see them sign two middle infielders though.
Orioles Targeting Izturis
According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles have contacted shortstop Cesar Izturis‘ agent to express interest. Zrebiec believes the 28 year-old defensive whiz tops their list. Izturis earned $3.05MM this year.
The Orioles have also had trade discussions for Khalil Greene and Bobby Crosby. The Padres requested Garrett Olson for Greene, and the Orioles passed.
Zrebiec says the Orioles are not interested in Rafael Furcal, Orlando Cabrera, or Edgar Renteria. If they spend big on a free agent, it’ll be A.J. Burnett or Mark Teixeira. However, Furcal’s agent Paul Kinzer said yesterday that the O’s are one of six teams to have shown interest in his client.
Giants Interested In Hudson
According to Chris Haft of MLB.com, the Giants are seriously interested in signing Orlando Hudson.
The Giants have already signed Jeremy Affeldt and Haft says their big off-season plans could also include C.C. Sabathia, Edgar Renteria, Rafael Furcal and Juan Cruz.
Kevin Frandsen, who’s played mostly at second base, could play third if the Giants obtain Hudson.
The Indians, Mets, Yankees and Dodgers all seem interested in Hudson too.
Rafael Furcal Rumors: Thursday
8:35pm: According to Jeff Passan, Furcal has been offered many three-year deals, but he wants a four-year contract. Furcal’s agent, Paul Kinzer confirmed that the Orioles, Braves, Giants, Cubs, Dodgers and A’s are interested, along with one unnamed "mystery" team.
1:30pm: MLB.com’s Mychael Urban talked to Kinzer, who said the A’s have examined Furcal’s medical records. Urban also says the A’s expressed interest in Jason Giambi.
9:40am: Rounding up the recent Rafael Furcal links…
- According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the A’s are still pursuing free agent shortstop Furcal. They like that he’s not a Type A free agent and won’t cost them a draft pick.
- Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times wrote on Friday that the Dodgers "would like to bring back Furcal, although they appear more likely to sign Orlando Cabrera to a short-term deal." MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick said Furcal is the "lynchpin of the club’s infield plans" after talking to Joe Torre.
- Henry Schulman talked to Furcal’s agent Paul Kinzer yesterday, who said his client will not accept an incentive-based deal.
- The Cubs have talked to Kinzer about Furcal, but it’s "nothing serious" at this point.
- J.P. Ricciardi told MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian he’s not interested in Furcal.
Schulman On The Giants
Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle gives us a look at what the Giants’ offseason plans look like right now.
- For one, they’d like to upgrade at shortstop. However, the Giants’ current pursuit of Rafael Furcal would be "impacted," says Schulman, by any deal that sends Jake Peavy to Atlanta. It’s expected the Braves would get in on the bidding for Furcal if Peavy were acquired. By "impacted," I’m going to assume this means the Giants would be much less interested in the free agent shortstop.
- Second, they need an impact bat for the middle of the order. There seems to be "some dialog" between the Giants and Brewers regarding Prince Fielder and J.J. Hardy. However, Schulman notes that teams across the league, the Brewers included, are hesitant to give up everyday players in exchange for anything but top-tier pitching.
- As for pitching, the Giants are keeping an eye on Japanese starting pitcher Kenshin Kawakami, and will give Keiichi Yabu another shot at a spot in the bullpen this spring.
Cubs Rumors: Marquis, Furcal, Peavy
The Cubs re-signed Ryan Dempster yesterday; what’s next? They’ve got one of the game’s most expensive rotations, yet could add another starter. They’re also projecting to exceed a $130MM payroll, so GM Jim Hendry will need to be creative.
- Joel Sherman expects the Cubs to try to trade Jason Marquis, who is owed $9.875MM in 2009.
- Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago Sun-Times runs through the options for a lefthanded/switch-hitting bat.
- Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune says the Cubs spoke to Rafael Furcal‘s agent, though nothing is serious yet. Furcal was very nearly a Cub in 2006. Sullivan says the Cubs are still in on Jake Peavy and Randy Johnson.
- Padres GM Kevin Towers said yesterday (before the Dempster signing) that it was down to just the Cubs in the Peavy talks. Towers says a third or fourth team would be necessary to find a match on players.
Blue Jays To Sit Out Free Agent Market?
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.
Cubs Re-Sign Dempster
3:45pm: ESPN is reporting details of the contract. Dempster gets a $4 million signing bonus, $8MM in 2009, $12.5MM in 2010, $13.5MM in 2011, and a $14MM player option for 2012. He can make additional money based on awards. Looks like the Cubs backloaded the deal to leave payroll room.
11:51am: Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times also says there’s a four-year, $52MM agreement and Dempster will sign the deal today. I consider this an acceptable price. There’s a health risk, but Dempster already had Tommy John surgery. He can probably maintain an ERA below 4.00.
11:47am: Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger has a source saying the Cubs and Dempster have agreed on a four-year, $52MM deal.
11:24am: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says the Cubs are "making progress" on a deal with Dempster.
10:50am: Rosenthal says the deal would be worth "slightly more than $50 million."
9:53am: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs are close to re-signing Ryan Dempster to a four-year contract. Depending on their ownership situation, the Cubs may still pursue Jake Peavy or Randy Johnson. They could also be in the mix for Rafael Furcal.
Gammons Rumors: Sabathia, Manny, Furcal, Bradley
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.
Rafael Furcal Rumors: Monday
8:04pm: Furcal is "shocked and excited" about possible interest from the Braves, though Yunel Escobar would have to be traded first. Furcal already has a three-year, $39MM offer on the table from an unknown team. Kinzer says it might be a few weeks before his client signs.
MLB.com’s Chris Haft says the Giants are also considering Orlando Cabrera and Edgar Renteria as shortstop options. However, those players might cost the Giants their second-round draft pick (Furcal wouldn’t). The Giants are also still pondering making a play for one of the Big Three free agents, according to Jon Heyman.
1:26pm: Mychael Urban of MLB.com talked to Rafael Furcal‘s agent Paul Kinzer this morning. Kinzer says six teams have contacted him about Furcal since free agency opened Friday. The A’s have yet to make an offer, but Kinzer’s comments imply that the Giants might have. Both teams have very strong interest in the 31 year-old shortstop, who could sign before the winter meetings. When asked about the reported four-year, $40MM demand for Furcal, Kinzer said it was in the ballpark.
It’s hard to peg the other four suitors, but the Cubs, Blue Jays, and Orioles are possibilities. The Cardinals and Dodgers may be out, while the Royals, Tigers, and Dodgers may balk at the salary or term. Presumably the Braves are backing off given the state of the Jake Peavy talks. Kinzer and Furcal will narrow it down to three teams soon.