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Randy Johnson

Odds and Ends: Pettitte, Zaun, Blanco

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Links for Tuesday…

Rosenthal’s Latest: Johnson, Peavy, Dempster

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

  • It doesn’t seem likely that Randy Johnson re-signs with the Diamondbacks, though Johnson is holding out filing for free agency until the possibility is exhausted.  The D’Backs hope he will take a significant hometown discount; they have roughly $10MM to spend for Johnson and a second baseman.  If a Mark Loretta type takes $2MM, will Johnson take $8MM after earning $15.1MM for a fine ’08 season?
  • The Braves are frustrated with the progress on the Jake Peavy talks, and will explore other options (especially once the free agent market opens Friday).  Rosenthal says the Padres sent revised proposals to the Cubs and Braves yesterday, but those teams intend to stick with their offers.  Will the Padres crack and make a deal before Friday?
  • Rosenthal criticizes the Padres for the classless farewell to Trevor Hoffman.  They pulled their reduced offer, and didn’t agree to the meeting with ownership he requested.
  • Suddenly there may be more solid free agent closers than teams seeking one.  The Mets have their pick.  To me this is a sign that K-Rod will fall short of five years, $75MM.
  • Rosenthal believes Kevin Gregg is next up on the trading block for the Marlins, with Jeremy Hermida another possibility.
  • Casey Blake doesn’t have any geographic leanings regarding his next destination.  His agent feels a three-year deal is reasonable.  The Twins and Indians are among seven teams eyeing Blake.
  • The Cubs offered Ryan Dempster something in the range of Kyle Lohse’s four years, $41MM.  Teams don’t like to use the Carlos Silva deal as a benchmark, because it was such a clear mistake.

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.

Boras Makes Pitch For Felipe Lopez

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Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic has some good stuff tonight:

  • Scott Boras made his pitch for infielder Felipe Lopez, suggesting Lopez "re-established" himself in 169 plate appearances with the Cardinals.  He hopes to find Lopez a starting gig and a multiyear deal.  Piecoro heard Lopez would love to play for Arizona, but isn’t sure if the interest is mutual.
  • Adam Dunn does not have a positional preference – he’s open to first base or either of the outfield corners.  Piecoro’s heard Dunn prefers the NL, just like Pat Burrell.
  • Piecoro likes the fit with Kelly Johnson for the D’Backs, but isn’t sure who they’d send in return.
  • If the D’Backs fail to re-sign Randy Johnson, they’ll probably look at bargain free agent starters in January.  If it’s true that the Diamondbacks have just $3-5MM budgeted for Johnson, he’s gone.

Odds and Ends: Twins, Big Unit, Rockies

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Links and tidbits for Wednesday.  Remember to check back on this post for updates!

D’Backs Rumors: Hudson, Dunn, Johnson, Rauch

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8:19pm: According to the AP, the D’Backs exercised Rauch’s $2.9MM option for 2010.  He’ll earn $2MM in ’09.

9:49am: Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic has the latest D’Backs hot stove chatter, here and here.

  • The D’Backs figure to have nine draft picks in the first 75 or so next year.  They will probably offer arbitration to Orlando Hudson, Adam Dunn, Juan Cruz, and Brandon Lyon, and see all of them decline to sign elsewhere.  They could end up spending $8-12MM on next year’s draft, but at least the farm system will be restocked.
  • Team CEO Jeff Moorad says he inquired on Hudson’s contract demands and received no response.  The D’Backs have $10-15MM to spend and probably cannot afford him.
  • Moorad admitted that they will not look to sign Dunn.
  • The D’Backs want to bring Randy Johnson back, but only at a discount.  If Johnson wants to be paid what he’s worth he’ll hit the open market.
  • Jon Rauch’s 2010 option decision is due by Monday.  The option is for $2.9MM, but the D’Backs could decline it and go to arbitration with him that year.
  • Piecoro does not expect the D’Backs to be in on Japanese free agent starter Kenshin Kawakami.

Odds and Ends: Yankees, Lowe, D’Backs

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Links for Thursday…

Perrotto’s Latest: Peavy, Unit, Joba

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John Perrotto has his Every Given Sunday column up over at Baseball Prospectus. Here’s some highlights from his "Rumors and Rumblings section" this week:

  • Perrotto expects a Jake Peavy deal to be done before the Winter Meetings, stating that the Braves, Yankees, and Dodgers seem to be the leaders in the race right now. He notes that the Yankees will be willing to include Phil Hughes, while the Braves are willing to move Yunel Escobar. I personally like the Escobar idea for San Diego, as it would allow them to make Atlanta take on Khalil Greene’s salary. A package around Escobar and Tommy Hanson would certainly be tough to ignore.
  • Perrotto reiterates that a move to the Dodgers or Angels for California-native Randy Johnson seems like a strong possibility. Johnson posted a fine season for the Diamondbacks, despite being 45 years old. He’s maintained a very solid strikeout-rate even at this stage in his career, fanning 8.46 batters per nine innings.
  • The Yankees are planning on using Joba Chamberlain in their rotation next year, but are not planning on settling for what they have. Perrotto states that the Yankees will "go all-in" on the free agent market, making aggressive offers to C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe, and Mark Teixeira. Add in the pursuit of Peavy, and decisions on numerous free agents, and it looks like a very busy offseason for the Bombers.

Randy Johnson’s Future

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Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic has an in-depth look at the Randy Johnson situation.  The legendary 45 year-old lefty was effective this year in 30 starts.  It seems highly unlikely that he’ll retire just five wins from 300.  There are concerns he would remain committed after winning those five games.

Piecoro says D’Backs GM Josh Byrnes hinted that he is not willing to go as high as $10MM for Johnson in 2009.  The team seemingly doesn’t have much more than that to spend in total, and they have other needs.  Also, the Diamondbacks are against incentive-based contracts.  Still, Piecoro wonders if ownership could step in and mandate re-signing Johnson.

Johnson is right on the borderline for Type B status, but the D’Backs stand to pick up many draft picks for other players so they may not risk offering arbitration.  Would Johnson pitch elsewhere?  Piecoro feels that he favors the West Coast, making the Dodgers and Angels intriguing possibilities.

D’Backs Rumors: Johnson, Webb, Byrnes

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Diamondbacks GM Josh Byrnes talked to the media Monday afternoon; the transcript can be found here along with comments from beat writer Nick Piecoro.  Let’s discuss.

  • The D’Backs want to improve the offense and have good positional flexibility.  However, Piecoro thinks it’s possible the team relies on improvement from young players rather than acquisitions.
  • The team will wait a few more weeks before really engaging with free agent Randy Johnson.  You get the impression the D’Backs have their limit for him, maybe in the $10MM range.
  • Byrnes intends to be more active in free agency than he has in the past.
  • The D’Backs will continue to talk with Brandon Webb about a contract extension (they can control him through 2010 already).  Byrnes said Webb may want to see what C.C. Sabathia gets.
  • In another post, Piecoro talks about Eric Byrnes’ no-trade clause.  Byrnes gives the impression he might waive it if he feels he’s not wanted.  If Conor Jackson stays in left Byrnes could be the fourth outfielder heading into ’09.
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