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Raul Ibanez

Odds and Ends: Burrell, Braves, Red Sox

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Links for Friday night…

Mark Teixeira Rumors: Thursday

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9:56: Jeff Zrebiec says that even with larger offers on the table, the Orioles do not plan on upping their offer for Teixeira. The Orioles’ offer is believed to be seven years, and in the $140-150MM range. The Orioles have discussed Eric Hinske and Hank Blalock as fallbacks if Teixeira signs elsewhere.

2:38pm: Tim Brown and Gordon Edes talked to involved execs (not with the Angels) who believe the Boras camp is "using the media to ratchet up the price beyond what any team had actually offered." 

Brown and Edes say the Angels were told the Red Sox and Nationals offered eight years at about $20MM per.  The Angels don’t want to do an eighth year, so they’ll look into trades for Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko, and possibly Adrian Beltre.  Raul Ibanez is the top free agent backup plan.

Brown and Edes believe Boras could insist on an opt-out clause in a deal with the Nationals.

8:59am: Mike DiGiovanna says the Angels "are believed to be willing to offer at least seven years for something in the $160-million range" for Tex.

8:51am: Jon Heyman says the Yankees have re-entered the Teixeira sweepstakes.

2:40am: Summing up the reported offers made to Mark Teixeira:

By the way, Joe Haggerty transcribed the full Scott Boras talk from yesterday at his site.

Raul Ibanez Rumors: Thursday

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2:53pm: Stark says the Phillies "stepped up their efforts" for Ibanez.  What’s more, Ibanez has been telling friends the Phils are his top choice.

12:18pm: According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark:

Even as the Angels continue to pursue Mark Teixeira, it appears that Raul Ibanez has emerged as their No. 1 alternative if Teixeira signs elsewhere. There were indications that the Angels already have begun negotiating the parameters of a deal with Ibanez on a just-in-case basis.

Ken Davidoff said the same in his blog earlier today. The Phillies, Mets, Nationals, and Cubs are other known suitors.

Cubs Focused On Bradley, Ibanez

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Paul Sullivan and Gordon Wittenmyer believe Milton Bradley is at the top of the Cubs’ list for an outfielder.  But even with the Matt Joyce acquisition, you have to figure the Rays are still a contender if the price is reasonable.  The Rays can offer Bradley a chance to DH, which could be valuable if playing time incentives are part of his contract.

Both Chicago writers also name Raul Ibanez as a person of interest, with Sullivan citing Bobby Abreu as well.

Raul Ibanez Rumors: Tuesday

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8:09pm: Rosenthal says Mets officials met with Ibanez at a Bellagio restaurant today.  He says the Angels, Phillies, Braves and Nationals are also in on Ibanez, though the Braves’ interest is mild.

11:25am: ESPN’s Jayson Stark says the Phillies, Mets, and Cubs are in the lead for Raul Ibanez, with the Braves and Angels on the periphery.

Burrell Unlikely To Return To Philly

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4:29pm: ESPN’s Jayson Stark says the Phillies will not tread water to see if they get DeRosa from the Cubs.  A friend of Ibanez told Stark the Phils are his first choice, so there seems to be mutual interest.  The problem: the Cubs want Ibanez too and may not be willing to move DeRosa until they get their outfielder.

3:46pm: Pat Burrell’s agent Ed Hayes would be surprised if his client re-signs with the Phillies, as would most observers.  Todd Zolecki believes the Phils’ top three candidates to replace him in left field are Raul Ibanez, Mark DeRosa, and Juan Rivera.

Braves Interested In Ankiel, Hart, Hermida

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11:15pm: Melvin confirmed to Tom Haudricourt that the Braves inquired on Hart.  However, Melvin has no plans to trade his right fielder.  Also, Melvin rejected Dave O’Brien’s suggestion that the Braves have been connected to Hardy.

9:10pm: Doesn’t sound like the Cardinals would want one of the Braves’ middle infielders for Ankiel.  Instead, they want to get a starter back if they trade an outfielder.

6:41pm: Dave O’Brien says Ankiel makes sense for the Braves, because the Cards are more willing to deal him and the price would be more reasonable.  The Braves also like Raul Ibanez, but not his probable three-year, $30MM+ price tag.

O’Brien is hearing J.J. Hardy’s name connected with the Braves, making him suspect Yunel Escobar could be on the move.  Keep in mind though that Doug Melvin did not see inclined to move Hardy in his recent comments.

4:28pm: According to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, the Braves have Rick Ankiel, Corey Hart, and Jeremy Hermida on the radar (with more interest in the first two).  Bowman doesn’t believe the Braves have much interest in Ryan Ludwick.

Cubs Rumors: Hermida, Bradley, Roberts

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7:24pm: The Cubs met with Bradley last night, according to ESPN Deportes.

5:06pm: Cubs manager Lou Piniella asked Seattle reporters today whether Ibanez can play right field.

2:16pm: The Tribune Company filed for bankruptcy today, but the Cubs were not part of the filing.

1:59pm: Jayson Stark says Ibanez and Abreu rank much higher than Adam Dunn and Bradley on the Cubs’ list.  They’ve checked in on all four free agents.  As for Hermida, the Marlins want more than just prospects and the Cubs may not be able to do that.  Stark adds that the Cubs’ payroll is not frozen – they can temporarily go over budget assuming they can subtract payroll later.

On a related note, Stark talked to a source who described interest in Jason Marquis as not even in nibble form yet.

11:57am: Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald adds more Cubs nuggets.  The Cubs are not looking to trade Mike Fontenot.  However Ronny Cedeno is available and could even be a non-tender candidate if the Cubs can’t find a match.

1:33am: Before trying to complete a Jake Peavy deal, the Cubs want to find a left-handed hitter.  Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times outlines a few targets.

Wittenmyer says Jeremy Hermida is high on the Cubs’ list (they’re not alone).  They’re also eyeing free agent Milton Bradley, who declined the Rangers’ offer of arbitration last night.  Manager Lou Piniella likes Raul Ibanez, and Wittenmyer likes Bobby Abreu.  The Cubs are still fond of Brian Roberts.  They also might consider acquiring a shortstop, which would create a surplus at second base.

The Cubs discussed Khalil Greene with the Padres before he was sent to St. Louis, even though Greene bats from the right side.

Rays Rumors: Bradley, Rivera, Griffey

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4:44pm: Mike DiGiovanna says the Rays are also believed to be interested in Juan Rivera.

3:14pm: Rosenthal adds that Bradley went to lunch today with Rays officials.

3:12pm: According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Rays are "thought to be considering" Milton Bradley, Pat Burrell, Bobby Abreu, Jason Giambi, and Raul Ibanez.  Heyman adds that Ken Griffey Jr. would be thrilled to play for the Rays.

I imagine the Rays will wait back until January in hopes of signing somebody to a one-year deal.

Raul Ibanez To Decline Arbitration

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Raul Ibanez will decline arbitration today, according to Larry LaRue of the Tacoma News Tribune blog. Says LaRue,

"The Phillies, Cubs, Mets, Rays, Yankees and a half-dozen other teams are pursuing Ibanez, who last year made $5.5 million. He wants a multi-year contract, and the Mariners weren’t in position to offer him one."

LaRue praises Ibanez for his work ethic and propensity to challenge, in a positive way, both young and veteran players in the clubhouse.

This was expected since at least ten other teams have interest in Ibanez who will certainly receive a number of multi-year offers. As a Type A free agent, the Mariners will gain 2 draft picks for him.

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