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Looking Beyond Varitek

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According to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald, a slew of catchers are being shopped to the Red Sox.  Among them: Jeff Mathis, Mike Napoli, Brian Schneider, Miguel Montero, John Buck, Ramon Hernandez, Bengie Molina, Carlos Santana, Kelly Shoppach, Victor Martinez, Jesus Flores, Kenji Johjima, Jeff Clement, Yorvit Torrealba, and the Rangers’ guys.  Silverman says the Braves, Cardinals, and Rays also have catchers available.  It seems that teams are asking for players like Justin Masterson, Clay Buchholz, or Lars Anderson in some cases.

On the Jason Varitek front, Scott Boras told the AP yesterday that he’s had no financial discussions with the Red Sox.  He expects the matter to be discussed after Thanksgiving.  Curt Schilling commented last week about Varitek possibly playing fewer games in 2009, but Boras shot down the idea of a reduced role.

Orioles Rumors: Baez, Greene, Hernandez

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Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun has a few Orioles notes today.

  • Danys Baez, who hasn’t pitched since 2006, would like to prepare as a starter for 2008.  Andy MacPhail is open to the idea; the Orioles have more open spots in their rotation than their bullpen.  Baez is set to earn $5.5MM in ’09, the last year of his deal.  Starting is where the money’s at, unless you get a chance to close.
  • The Orioles are interested in Khalil Greene, but prefer a long-term solution at shortstop.
  • Nothing new on the extension front for Nick Markakis and Brian Roberts.  MacPhail is probably eyeing the Jake Peavy negotiations closely, as the Cubs be out of the running for Roberts if they acquire Peavy.
  • Zrebiec speculated recently that the Orioles will sign Cesar Izturis to play short and will eat the $9MM owed to Ramon Hernandez to move him.

Cafardo’s Latest: Lowe, Maddux, Peavy

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Here’s a look at the latest column from Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.

  • Interestingly, the Red Sox are reportedly Derek Lowe’s preferred destination.  It’s unknown whether the Sox intend to add a starter this winter, but they may lose free agent Paul Byrd (and will have to decide on Tim Wakefield’s $4MM option).  Cafardo names a dozen other clubs interested in Lowe: the Yankees, Mets, Tigers, Indians, Cardinals, Cubs, Angels, Braves, Phillies, Rangers, Astros, and Blue Jays.
  • Bill Mueller, 38 in March, admits he’d like to play again.  Medically, it’s a long shot because he’d need to regrow cartilage in his knees.
  • One of Greg Maddux’s teammates feels he’ll retire. Maddux could return to the Padres as a player/coach (specifically, he’d prefer a bench coach gig).
  • The Brewers as a sleeper for Jake Peavy?  They’re not on his list, but he’s named other midwest clubs.
  • Cafardo believes catchers Bengie Molina and Ramon Hernandez will be available this winter.  Makes sense, given the weak free agent market at the position.

Orioles To Entertain Burnett, Teixeira?

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Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun has a nice end-of-season column about the Orioles today.  Dan Connolly also wrote a fine summary on Saturday.

In my Offseason Outlook for the team, I suggested the Orioles explore the possibility of signing A.J. Burnett but pass on a huge commitment for Mark Teixeira.  Zrebiec says the O’s will be in the initial bidding for both free agents.  I respect that; it’s hard to see them winning any bidding wars though.

Instead, the Orioles will look to add starting pitching, a shortstop, and maybe a first baseman this winter.  To do so, they can shop Melvin Mora, Aubrey Huff, and Ramon Hernandez among others.  Brian Roberts could bring the biggest bounty, but the Orioles will explore an extension first.

My gut feeling is we will see Daniel Cabrera join the free agent class via a non-tender.  He did not show progress this year, and his average fastball velocity dropped almost two miles per hour.  He’d be $3MM+ poorly spent.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Dempster, Mora, Cameron

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Ken Rosenthal has a new column up; let’s take a look.

  • Rosenthal agrees with those who considered C.C. Sabathia pitching the ninth inning Monday a needless risk.  Sabathia already had thrown 112 pitches and the Brewers had a seven run lead, but he pitched the ninth to bring the total to 130.  The innings shouldn’t affect Sabathia’s payday, but hopefully he remains healthy.
  • Rosenthal sees a minimal chance of Ryan Dempster signing elsewhere, given his strong relationship with Cubs GM Jim Hendry.  Dempster will be the Cubs’ top offseason priority.  I also consider Kerry Wood unlikely to leave.
  • Add Melvin Mora to the list of players who have cleared waivers.  He, Aubrey Huff, and Ramon Hernandez will be shopped this winter.  Mora has raised his numbers and stock significantly by hitting .378/.421/.652 since the beginning of July.  He has a full no-trade clause and is owed $9MM next year.
  • The Indians are almost certain to sign a closer this winter, with Brandon Lyon and Brian Fuentes perhaps the best available aside from Francisco Rodriguez and Wood.
  • The Rockies will place Fuentes on waivers soon and may also shop Willy Taveras.  Manny Corpas has already hit the wire.
  • Rosenthal figures Mike Cameron’s $10MM option for ’09 will be exercised.  Cameron is hitting .245/.333/.509 in 372 plate appearances while playing strong defense.
  • Gary Matthews Jr.’s knee injury may prevent the Angels from trading him this winter.  That, and the $33MM owed to him through 2011.

Odds And Ends: Braves, Orioles, Redding, Dunn, Ryan

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A few more post-deadline notes from the MLBiverse…

  • Apparently the Braves tried to get involved in the Jason Bay sweepstakes in the last hour before the deadline.
  • Andy MacPhail feels that the Orioles will actually be more active in August than in July. Jeff Zrebiec and Dan Connolly suggest that several players, including Kevin Millar, Jay Payton and Ramon Hernandez could be had in August. MacPhail also noted that while there "was a pretty high bar set" for teams asking about Brian Roberts, MacPhail made it clear that Roberts was not off-limits and suggested that a deal this winter is not out of the question.
  • Jim Bowden does not appear eager to trade Tim Redding, who according to Bill Ladson, is the Nat’s only player of value that could be traded in August.
  • Walt Jocketty would not commit to an attempt to sign Adam Dunn to an extension.
  • Terry Ryan, the Twins former GM, penned a piece for SI.com in which he details what a GM goes through in the weeks and days leading up to the trade deadline. Very interesting read.

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

Marlins Looking For Catcher, Reliever

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The NL East is a three-team race, with the Mets, Phillies, and Marlins all within a game of each other.  Who’d have thought the Marlins would be contending after trading Miguel Cabrera?

According to Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Marlins have intensified their search for a catcher.  The targets: Bengie Molina, Ramon Hernandez, Gerald Laird, and Ryan Doumit.  Molina and Hernandez are the pricey options.  Doumit would be especially tough to pry loose; he has a .937 OPS this year as a 27 year-old.

MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro wonders if Miguel Olivo, Gregg Zaun, and Paul Lo Duca could also enter the mix.  He says it could even be a three-way possibility where the Jays acquire Olivo and move him to Florida.

The Marlins are also hunting for a lefty reliever, with Arthur Rhodes, Jack Taschner, John Grabow, Eddie Guardado, George Sherrill, Will Ohman, and Alan Embree all considered candidates.  Dejan Kovacevic rattled off five suitors for Grabow this morning, the Marlins not among them.  Also, the Marlins’ interest in Guardado is light.  The Giants and Mariners both scouted the Marlins recently, and Berardino wonders if Mike Jacobs would interest them.

Berardino says acquiring a catcher and reliever in one trade would be ideal.  The one Marlins minor leaguer considered off-limits is Sean West.

Knobler’s Latest: Pirates, Brewers, Beltre, Cabrera

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Here’s the latest from CBSSports.com’s Danny Knobler.

  • A rumor made the rounds that Pirates president Frank Coonelly and GM Neal Huntington were at odds over the team’s strategy, with Coonelly pushing .500 as a goal.  Huntington denied that, and has five coveted players to work with in the next week.  Keep in mind that only Damaso Marte is a free agent after the season, so moves can be made in the offseason.
  • Teams with available relievers believes the Brewers are still in the market, despite Doug Melvin’s claims.  Many teams are scouting the Brewers’ Double A club.
  • Adrian Beltre’s contract wouldn’t be a problem for the Twins, but the teams haven’t found a match on players.
  • Knobler heard that the Marlins might consider Baltimore catcher Ramon Hernandez.
  • The rumor about Kevin Towers becoming a candidate for the Seattle GM vacancy won’t die.
  • Some folks expect the White Sox to move shortstop Orlando Cabrera before the deadline.  They’re still looking for pitching.

Odds and Ends: Harden, Bonds, Ramon Hernandez

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Time to round up today’s linkage.

Marlins/Tigers Cabrera/Willis Blockbuster

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UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 2:41pm: Joe Capozzi agrees – separate deals if anything.

UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 1:29pm: MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro has a source indicating that the Tigers are interested in Willis or Cabrera and not necessarily both.

UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 12:23pm: According to Danny Knobler, the Tigers feel they’re being used by the Marlins to jack up the price for other teams like the Angels.  The trade talks between Detroit and Florida are characterized as discussions rather than trade negotiations.  Knobler says Dombrowski doesn’t want to trade Maybin, but I can’t see this happening otherwise.

FROM 12-4-07 at 11:02am:

Ken Rosenthal has an update with a whopper of a trade rumor.

  • The Marlins and Tigers are talking about a monster deal that would send Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis over to the Tigers for Andrew Miller, Cameron Maybin, and others.  Dave Dombrowski has always worked well with the Marlins, his former team.
  • Rosenthal confirms Bob Dutton’s assertion – the Royals signing Jose Guillen may not stop them from getting Andruw Jones too.
  • The O’s are trying to move Ramon Hernandez. They could sign Michael Barrett if they move him, or else get Jeff Mathis or Mike Napoli from L.A. in a Tejada deal.
  • The Tribe hasn’t decided whether to trade Cliff Lee, though there’s been plenty of buzz so far.

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