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Odds & Ends: Kawakami, Renteria, Johnson, Ohman

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A number of Odds & Ends for your weekend update:

Giants Considering Top Players

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According to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants have spoken with Scott Boras about Manny Ramirez and Mark Teixeira, but it’s unknown if they’ve made them any offers.

Giants director of player personnel Bobby Evans told Schulman “we’re willing to go after the best talent we can.”

The Giants haven’t offered Rafael Furcal a contract, but Paul Kinzer, Furcal’s agent, said that the Giants and Furcal have “serious interest” in each other. Schulman mentions Oakland as possible competition for the Giants, and the Royals could be among the many teams interested in the shortstop.

Schulman believes Furcal is looking for at least a four-year deal worth $10MM a year.

The Giants have also spoken with C.C. Sabathia’s representatives.

Cardinals Infield Rumors

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5:06pm: MLB.com’s Matthew Leach says a team source was "somewhat nonplussed" by the report of the Lopez offer, and Lopez says he has not been informed of anything.

Leach says mutual interest is clear with Edgar Renteria, but the Cardinals were not among the ten teams to have expressed interest in Rafael Furcal.

2:32pm: According to Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals have already made an offer to free agent infielder Felipe Lopez.  Lopez, a Scott Boras client, is said to desire a multiyear contract on the strength of this year’s resurgent 169 plate appearances with the Cards.

Keith Law’s thoughts on Lopez: "He’s not a .385 hitter and probably isn’t even a .300 hitter, but as a guy who could easily hit .280/.350/.400 and play a capable second base, he’s one of the best infield options on this market."  However, Law notes that Lopez’s effort level has been questioned often.

Ibanez May Be Too Pricey For Royals

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According to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, Royals officials view Raul Ibanez as the best free agent fit for them.  However, they’re not likely to give him a three-year deal in the $10-12MM range.  They’re also reluctant to surrender their second-round pick to the Mariners.

Dutton says the Royals are "taking a hard look" at Rafael Furcal, who is the best available shortstop and doesn’t cost a draft pick.  However, Dutton doesn’t see the Royals as the high bidder for Furcal either.  The Giants, A’s, and Braves are eyeing Furcal, among others.  Dutton sees the Royals adding a cheaper free agent, someone of the Nick Punto/David Eckstein variety.

Also on the Royals front, Jesse Spector talks to GM Dayton Moore.  Moore denied reports that he’s down on Billy Butler.

Do Angels Have Genuine Interest In Manny?

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Angels owner Arte Moreno had kind words for Manny Ramirez in a recent radio appearance, sparking talk that he could jump in and swipe the slugger from the Dodgers.  However, the general sense is that Moreno just wanted to get people talking about the Angels and perhaps hopes to drive up Ramirez’s price for the Dodgers.

Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times gets a peek at Scott Boras’ binder for Ramirez, which predicts 204 home runs and 684 RBIs over the next six years.  Shaikin quotes Angels GM Tony Reagins saying his priority is elsewhere and the Manny discussion hasn’t taken place, so right now the Dodgers don’t face serious competition.

Shaikin also notes that the Dodgers are more likely to sign Orlando Cabrera to a short-term deal than re-sign Rafael Furcal.

Jake Peavy Rumors: Thursday

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9:41pm: Kevin Towers told Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune that despite advanced discussions with the Braves and Cubs, he does not see a potential deal with either club.  Krasovic wonders if Towers will now try to engage the Yankees and Angels.

4:26pm: Rosenthal says trade talks between the Padres and Braves remain at an impasse, but the Braves would pursue Rafael Furcal next if they do acquire Peavy.

4:14pm: Brown has a quote from Kevin Towers:  "Nothing is close.  I wouldn’t say we are even remotely close to pulling the trigger on anything with Jake."  But the question remains – are the Padres nearing a deal with the Braves?

4:02pm: Click here to listen to an mp3 of Scott Miller on XX Sports Radio.  Miller didn’t say anything new, but explained that the denials are a matter of semantics since he said the Padres are "expected to" approach Peavy soon, and not that a deal was done.

1:34pm: No agreement, says Yahoo’s Tim Brown, but "some movement" in talks with the Braves.  Brown’s source also says the Cubs’ offer was much better than reported.

12:55pm: Ken Rosenthal talked to a Padres source who called Miller’s report "totally inaccurate."  The source says the Padres are not close on a Peavy deal. 

10:29am: MLB.com’s Mark Bowman says the Braves haven’t gotten the sense they’re any closer to a deal with the Padres.

9:18am: CBSSports.com’s Scott Miller, using careful language, suggested the Padres and Braves neared a Jake Peavy trade last night.  Ken Rosenthal, however, says the Padres have not communicated acceptance of the Braves’ offer at this time.  The Cubs remain uncertain but interested, despite Lou Piniella’s remarks.  Rosenthal wonders if the Padres agreed internally to make a deal with Atlanta, and will take the next steps today.

Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports "no clear sign of a deal."  He notes that old friends Kevin Towers and Barry Axelrod do not have the same goals. 

Brown’s Latest: Furcal, Manny, Abreu

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Tip of the cap to Yahoo’s Tim Brown, who was the first reporter yesterday to name the three players the Rockies would receive in the Matt Holliday trade.  Now let’s take a look at Brown’s latest column.

  • Brown believes everyone cleared their physicals in the Holliday deal, so expect news conferences soon.  He says the A’s may add a couple more hitters, possibly Rafael Furcal and/or Jason Giambi.
  • Brown says Jim Bowden is promising everyone the Nationals will be in on the Manny Ramirez bidding.  With Josh Willingham, Lastings Milledge, Elijah Dukes, Austin Kearns, Wily Mo Pena, and Willie Harris already under team control, where does Manny fit in?  Bowden has already said he plans to use Willingham as an outfielder.
  • The Yankees have yet to contract Bobby Abreu.  They still figure to offer him arbitration, of course.

Indians Rumors: Shoppach, Roberts, Street

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Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer discusses the Indians’ offseason needs.

  • With Victor Martinez, Kelly Shoppach, Carlos Santana, and others, the Indians have a surplus of catching (and mad guitar skills).  The Red Sox, Marlins, Reds, and Tigers are known to be in the market, so maybe the Indians can deal a catcher to fill another need.  Those other needs: an infielder, a late inning reliever, and a starter.
  • Hoynes believes the Indians will fall short of meeting the demands of free agents Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, and Rafael Furcal.
  • Hoynes implies the asking price for one year of Brian Roberts is Fausto Carmona and Asdrubal Cabrera.  That won’t work for the Tribe; they are looking to add a starter.  They might have the same problem if they try to acquire Garrett Atkins.
  • As we’ve heard, the Indians are in on Huston Street.
  • Hoynes tosses out a couple of possible free agent bargains that may come with the necessary price break: Joe Crede and Jason Isringhausen.

Latest On Rafael Furcal

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According to Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times, the Dodgers have a two-year deal in mind for free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal.  SI.com’s Jon Heyman recently said their offer was in the two-year, $25-30MM range.  His agent is looking for four years, and says ten other teams have expressed interest.

Heyman believes the Orioles and Royals may be suitors, though Furcal may be out of the Royals’ price range.  The Tigers are out, but the Cubs, Giants, Blue Jays, and A’s are in.

Heyman’s Latest: Furcal, Jenks, Nats, Yankees, White Sox

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Here are a few of the latest notes from Jon Heyman…

  • The Dodgers offered Rafael Furcal a two-year deal worth $25-30MM. A source close to Furcal told Heyman that the Dodgers know that it will take more and at least eight teams have expressed interest in Furcal.
  • In the same piece Heyman says the White Sox are open to trading Bobby Jenks, but Heyman’s source says it will "take quite a bit."
  • Heyman says the Nationals are not likely to land any of the big names they covet noting they do not have the pieces for a trade and few free agents would be willing to play for a 100-loss team. Heyman does say Adam Dunn could be one player that is willing to sign with the Nats based on his relationship with Jim Bowden.
  • Heyman says the Yankees may be serious about trading for Mike Cameron noting that they have even asked for Alex Rodriguez’ opinion of his former teammate.
  • Heyman reports that the White Sox could trade several of their bigger players. Most of the names have been heard here over the last couple of days, but one we haven’t heard in a while is Paul Konerko. Heyman says Konerko could be an attractive backup plan to any team that fails to sign Mark Teixeira. Heyman also says the White Sox could go after Orlando Hudson if they can unload some of their bigger contracts.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

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