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Raul Ibanez

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.

Cubs Focused On Lefthanded Bat

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Gordon Wittenmyer talked to his sources and agrees with Lou Piniella’s indication that the Cubs are not serious about Jake Peavy.  Wittenmyer believes San Diego sources were putting the Cubs rumors out there to drive up the price.  He says the Cubs are focused on acquiring an athletic lefthanded hitter this winter.

Wittenmyer says Raul Ibanez, Jeremy Hermida, and Brian Roberts remain on the radar.  The latest word on Hermida is that the Marlins will need to be "wowed" to move him.

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.

Mets Prioritize Pitching

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9:15pm: Michael Schmidt has a look at the amusing binder the Boras Corporation compiled to sell Oliver Perez.

6:31pm: Mets GM Omar Minaya commented on Manny Ramirez, indicating that he plans to invest in pitching instead.

2:34pm: The Mets expressed preliminary interest in Jon Garland and Ryan Dempster, according to Ken Davidoff.  Dempster’s agent made it clear that he won’t be re-signing with the Cubs soon.

1:23pm: ESPN’s Buster Olney wrote in his blog this morning that the Mets are probably not willing to go past three years for Francisco Rodriguez or any reliever.

10:03am: More Mets chatter from Joel Sherman of the New York Post. He says the Mets and Rays have had preliminary discussions about Edwin Jackson and Andy Sonnanstine.  The Rays have some interest in Aaron Heilman, though the Mets would need to give more.

Sherman believes the Mets’ interest in Ibanez is minor, and Carlos Delgado or Ryan Church would have to be dealt first.

9:45am: The Mets are prioritizing pitching this winter, based on articles by Mike Puma of the New York Post, Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, and Ken Davidoff of Newsday.  Let’s dig in!

  • Puma says the Mets have Scott Boras clients Oliver Perez and Derek Lowe on the radar.  Perez offers the benefit of familiarity, though he’s not likely to sign quickly.  Ken Rosenthal says the Mets would probably do $12MM a year for Perez, but Boras will want more.  Rubin notes that Lowe is doubly attractive to the Mets for his closing experience.
  • Rubin lists the Rockies, Cardinals, Cubs, and D’Backs as potential trade destinations for Aaron Heilman.  The Rays have also been connected to Heilman.
  • Davidoff mentions Omar Minaya’s Javier Vazquez connection.  ESPN’s Keith Law says the Vazquez to the Mets rumor "appears to have originated in the Chicago camp, and the White Sox are keen to move him." 
  • ESPN’s Buster Olney says the Mets inquired on Rays pitcher Edwin Jackson.
  • Davidoff also points out the Mets’ interest in Raul Ibanez despite their emphasis on pitching.  The Royals and Cubs are also in on Ibanez so far.

Cubs Rumors: Dempster, Peavy, Sabathia, Hill

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6:05pm: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs are willing to offer Dempster a four-year contract.  This helps their chances, though Dempster’s agent said today "there’s very little possibility he’s going to sign soon with the Cubs."

9:36am: Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times has fresh Cubs rumors this morning.

  • De Luca’s sources describe the Cubs’ interest in Jake Peavy as "limited."  Instead, the Cubs have "deep interest" in C.C. Sabathia.  De Luca also wonders if the Cubs will entertain A.J. Burnett.  Dave van Dyck suggested Derek Lowe could fit.  The Cubs’ payroll room will depend on free agents Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood, plus their ability to move Jason Marquis.
  • Rich Hill’s lost 2008 season killed his trade value.  He’ll be out of options next spring.
  • De Luca’s sources say the Cubs continue to pursue Brian Roberts and Raul Ibanez.  Ibanez would play right field for the Cubs, even though he allowed 18 more bases than the average left fielder this year.

Jays Hope To Send Overbay To Seattle?

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11:16am: Larry LaRue of The News Tribune speaks of a "decided lack of enthusiasm" for Overbay from the Mariners.

9:28am: A rumor from Larry Stone of the Seattle Times:

Word out of Toronto is that the Jays want to trade Lyle Overbay to Seattle and are willing to pick up some of his salary. According to one source, Overbay was part of the package (along with reliever Jason Frasor) for Raul Ibanez that was nixed by the Mariners at the trade deadline.

Overbay, 32 in January, hit .270/.358/.419 in 630 plate appearances.  He’ll earn $14MM over the 2009-10 seasons.  Also at that link, Stone puts on his GM cap and suggests some players for Jack Zduriencik.

Royals Rumors: Francoeur, Butler, Ibanez, Greinke

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Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star has several Royals rumors this morning…

  • Dutton says the Braves appear willing to trade Jeff Francoeur.  While no trade talks have taken place, it’s known that Royals GM Dayton Moore is a fan.  Dutton speculates that the Royals would not give up Zack Greinke for Francoeur, but may consider offering Luke Hochevar, Danny Cortes, or Mark Teahen.
  • The Royals and Mariners discussed a Billy Butler for Yuniesky Betancourt trade before the ’07 season, and Dutton wonders if Seattle’s new GM could reignite those talks.
  • Dutton says the Mark Teahen to Cleveland rumor "just won’t die," despite Moore labeling it an "absolute lie" on October 27th.  It may be that Teahen is on the Indians’ list but no talks have occurred.
  • Will the Royals offer arbitration to second baseman Mark Grudzielanek?  He’s a Type B free agent, so it’s under consideration.  The risk is that he accepts.
  • Another Royals rumor from Ken Davidoff of Newsday: they’ve expressed an interest in bringing Raul Ibanez back to Kansas City.  The Mets and Cubs are other known suitors.
  • ESPN’s Keith Law says the Royals would like to sign Zack Greinke to a long-term deal, but if that fails they would make him available. Greinke, 25, is under team control for two more seasons.

LaRue’s Latest: Manny, Ibanez, Putz

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Larry LaRue of The News Tribune has several new rumors…

  • Scott Boras has floated an asking price for Manny Ramirez that begins at $27MM per year.  It seems that the Dodgers may be willing to offer that salary for two years, but Boras wants a significantly longer term.
  • The Cubs and Mets expressed interest to Raul Ibanez’s agent.  Does this mean the Cubs are comfortable with the idea of Ibanez in right field?
  • The Tigers crave a closer, and J.J. Putz may be a target.  Putz will earn $5MM in ’09 with an $8.6MM option for ’10.

Cafardo Rumors: Wigginton, Ibanez, Rodney

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A few rumors we missed from Nick Cafardo’s Sunday column…

  • The Indians would want a young closer type in return for catcher Kelly Shoppach.
  • The Tribe has Houston’s Ty Wigginton on the radar as a third base possibility.  But then who would play third for the Astros?
  • The Yankees have been calling around aggressively, even inquiring on Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman.  They’re not available.
  • The Mets are said to be eyeing Raul Ibanez for left field.
  • The Tigers are dangling setup man Fernando Rodney, hoping to acquire a better closer.  Jon Paul Morosi believes the Tigers might aim for a reliever they control for a year or two, as their in-house options should be ready by 2010.
  • A conflict might arise with the Angels hoping to sign Mark Teixeira quickly while Scott Boras plans to let the market develop.

Ricciardi On Burnett, Manny, Shortstop

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Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports talked to Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi today.

Re-signing A.J. Burnett is one of Ricciari’s primary goals, but Rosenthal says J.P. won’t spend $15-18MM on another free agent starter if Burnett leaves.

The Jays also want to add a hitter.  Ricciardi’s take on Manny Ramirez:

"Manny is not priority No. 1. I can’t even say he’s priority No. 2.  It would really be a long shot for us to bring him to Toronto. He’s on our radar, but maybe not on our radar like some people will report.  I don’t see us getting involved in unbelievable, astronomical numbers. We would not go down that path."

The Jays are expected to add some kind of hitter, with free agent Raul Ibanez a person of interest from July.  Rosenthal has also mentioned Jason Giambi as someone to consider.  A shortstop signing seems unlikely.  Ricciardi said he would "really need to be knocked over" to replace Marco Scutaro as the starter.

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