Padres Rumors

Odds & Ends: Atkins, Twins, Carlyle

By Tim Dierkes | November 20, 2009 at 1:20pm CDT

Links for Friday, as the free agent market officially opens…

As Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports points out, the Angels' lack of interest in Matt Holliday bodes well for the Cardinals, but not for Scott Boras.
Scott Boras tells FOX Sports that interest in Adrian Beltre and Mike Gonzalez is strong so far. The agent says he's fielded offers for eight players already.
The Nippon Ham Fighters signed minor league free agent pitcher Buddy Carlyle, says NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman. Newman also says the Yokohama BayStars are working to sign Chris Bootcheck, Jose Castillo, and Terrmel Sledge.
The Nats hired former Mariners manager John McLaren as a bench coach, according to Ed Price of AOL FanHouse.
Yahoo's Jeff Passan ranks 131 free agents and provides capsules. We've also got SI's Jon Heyman and AOL FanHouse's Frankie Piliere with Top 50 lists.
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch breaks down the market for Mark DeRosa.
ESPN's Buster Olney notes five arbitration-eligible players who could be traded, including Russell Martin and Kevin Correia.
SI's Jon Heyman tweets that the Mariners and Tigers continue to discuss Edwin Jackson.
Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel tweets a comment from Brewers GM Doug Melvin: the team will fill current needs before discussing a Prince Fielder extension.
Garrett Atkins to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post: "I know that I will be on another team next year."
Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune feels that free agents Carl Pavano, Jarrod Washburn, and Rich Harden are potential fits for the Twins.
Christensen's colleague Sid Hartman wonders if catcher Mike Redmond "could wind up with a job in the [Twins] organization." However, Redmond told MLB.com's Kelly Thesier a month ago that he plans on playing in 2010.
Paul Hagen's Phillies source shot down a story that Pat Gillick could be heading back to the Blue Jays.
Maury Brown of The Biz of Baseball has a Winter Meetings primer.
Chico Harlan is moving on from the Washington Post's Nationals beat, once a replacement is found.

Odds & Ends: Bay, Orioles, Padres, Lo Duca

By Luke Adams 2 | November 19, 2009 at 9:52pm CDT

Let's round up some leftover Thursday links….

The Boston Globe's Amalie Benjamin spoke to Joe Urbon, Jason Bay's agent. Urbon suggested that discussion would continue with the Red Sox, but that interest in his client so far has been "extraordinary."
Larry Stone of the Seattle Times warns Mariners fans not to get too excited about rumors of a three-way deal involving Brandon Morrow and the Tigers' Edwin Jackson. He thinks Morrow could be a valuable trade chip for Seattle though.
In a Baltimore Sun column, Jeff Zrebiec and Dan Connolly point out that the Baltimore Orioles' lack of big contract commitments puts them in a great spot if they want to pursue free agents this winter. The article also examines what players the Orioles might go after.
MLB.com's Corey Brock writes that the San Diego Padres could have a little bit of "wiggle room" to sign players this winter, though their payroll will once again be minuscule.
The Mets need to take the same approach this offseason that the Yankees did last year, according to Kevin Kernan of the New York Post.
Marty Noble shares his own thoughts about the Mets' offseason strategy in his latest MLB.com mailbag.
Paul Lo Duca wants to make a comeback after spending last year out of the league. Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News passes on the comments Lo Duca made on Sirius XM about returning.
The Chicago Cubs might not be done moving arbitration-eligible players to save money, according to the Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan.
MLB.com's Bill Ladson recaps some of the big names that the Washington Nationals have already been linked to this month.
Speaking of Ladson, be sure to follow him on Twitter for the latest Nats updates.

Odds & Ends: Figgins, Holliday, Padres

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 19, 2009 at 10:46am CDT

Some links to read through on Ryan Howard's 30th birthday…

The White Sox would like to add a true leadoff man and are open to bringing back Jim Thome, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin.
MLB.com's Todd Zolecki says the Phillies aren't considered serious contenders for free agent Chone Figgins.
MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez reports that the Marlins may spend on a corner outfielder, a second baseman or a third baseman if they free up some payroll by trading Dan Uggla. Jamey Carroll is one of the many free agents the Marlins would consider.
The Brewers are open to bringing Craig Counsell back, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says tension is rising between players and owners.
MLB.com's Corey Brock wonders if the Padres could bring Mike Cameron back.
Padres fixture Brian Giles won't return in 2010, though he hopes to keep playing.
MLB.com's Matthew Leach reports that the Cardinals will likely add a veteran bat if they don't re-sign Matt Holliday. However, the Cards say they're still hoping to sign Holliday, according to FOX Sports.
Leach expects the Cards to sign a pitcher to a one or two year deal to be the club's fourth starter.
As MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo points out, some of the best free agent signings are the ones that get the least attention.
Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun says there's a good chance the O's sign Pedro Feliz.

Angels Notes: Guerrero, Lackey, Oliver

By Mark Polishuk | November 17, 2009 at 8:15pm CDT

MLB.com's Lyle Spencer answered a pile of fans' questions about the Angels' free agents, possible new signings and trade options. Here are some of the highlights…

Spencer "has his doubts" that Los Angeles will re-sign any of its big three free agents (Chone Figgins, Vladimir Guerrero and John Lackey). He thinks the other three AL West teams would be smart to sign Guerrero given that the outfielder is "a prideful man who would have something to prove to his former employer."
If the Angels do dip into the free-agent market, it would be for a starting pitcher. Spencer lists Randy Wolf and former Angel Jon Garland as possible targets, and also says the Halos could wait until midseason to pick up another arm a la their trade for Scott Kazmir last season.
The Angels would "love to keep" free agent reliever Darren Oliver. Spencer thinks Oliver's Type A status will give L.A. the edge in re-signing him since other teams won't want to give up a first-round draft pick for a 38-year-old setup man.
Spencer would re-sign Kelvim Escobar to "an incentives-laden contract" because he thinks the right-hander could have a big season if healthy.
Utilityman Robb Quinlan will likely not be back in Anaheim, and seems to be a better fit in the National League.
Spencer shoots down two suggested trades that would send Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford, respectively, to Los Angeles. He doesn't think San Diego will move Gonzalez for attendance reasons, and thinks Tampa Bay might ask for too much in return for Crawford.
However, a fan-suggested trade of Brandon Wood for Jeremy Guthrie might be mutually beneficial for both the Halos and Orioles. Spencer also calls a proposed Milton Bradley-for-Gary Matthews Jr. swap "an intriguing suggestion," but notes that Matthews still provides more benefit to Los Angeles than Bradley would.

White Sox Eyeing Henry Blanco

By Mark Polishuk | November 17, 2009 at 5:59pm CDT

If San Diego doesn't re-sign Henry Blanco before their exclusive negotiating window ends on Thursday, it appears as if there is at least one known suitor for the veteran catcher. According to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune, Blanco's agent Steven Schneider singled out the White Sox as one of "several teams" who have shown interest in Blanco's services.

Blanco's role in Chicago would be to back up incumbent starter A.J. Pierzynski, with Blanco providing a natural right-handed hitting counterpart to the lefty Pierzynski. The batting is secondary, however, to Blanco's defensive presence and ability to throw out runners. Blanco threw out 40 percent of all runners attempting to steal on him in 2009.

The White Sox would be the eighth team that Blanco has played for in his 12-year career, but it wouldn't be his first time in Chicago. Blanco's longest stint with any club was with the Cubs from 2005 to 2008, and Schneider told Gonzales that the catcher and his family enjoyed their time living in the Windy City.

Mets Notes: Adrian Gonzalez, Marquis, DeRosa

By Howard Megdal | November 16, 2009 at 8:00pm CDT

The incomparable Marty Noble answers many of the fan inquiries with his usual mixture of information and wit. Among other ideas, he considers:

Just what would it take, hypothetically, to bring Adrian Gonzalez to Queens? Noble believes a package of John Maine, Fernando Martinez and Ike Davis "and perhaps more would be one to consider seriously."
Noble likes Joel Pineiro more than Jason Marquis, adding that "I know the Mets are interested in [Bengie] Molina."
He says that while Mark DeRosa wouldn't be a top priority, "If they can't bring back Alex Cora, DeRosa would an even better fit."
He counters a fan's proposal to trade "Jose Reyes, Luis Castillo, Oliver Perez and Omir Santos to the Angels for Erick Aybar, Gary Matthews Jr., Ervin Santana and Jeff Mathis" with one of his own: "How about Perez for the rights to Albie Pearson?" Pearson was the 1958 AL Rookie of the Year, of course.

As usual, Noble is must-reading.

Padres Discussion: Non-Adrian Gonzalez Edition

By Howard Megdal | November 16, 2009 at 5:35pm CDT

Padres fans have plenty to think about beyond considering the future of Adrian Gonzalez, and Corey Brock of MLB.com does a terrific job breaking down some of those potential moves in his latest mailbag.

Brock says that he doesn't see Kevin Correia "going anywhere."
His "GM-for-a-day" scenario involves signing Mike Cameron and Henry Blanco.
He's a big fan of the minor league third basemen in the organization.

The entire mailbag is worth a read. Do you agree with Brock's prescriptions?

Odds & Ends: Butler, Holliday, Counsell

By Tim Dierkes | November 16, 2009 at 3:08pm CDT

A batch of links to kick off the work week…

Newly minted Royals Player of the Year Billy Butler has not held long-term extension talks with the team, MLBTR learned on a conference call today. Butler will not be arbitration-eligible until after the 2010 season.
Desipio on the Cubs-Curtis Granderson idea: "In the end, this smells like a winter of Brian Roberts and Jake Peavy trade rumors. One that ends with us talking ourselves into how Marlon Byrd isn’t so bad after all."
Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports believes it's a three-horse race for Matt Holliday: the Red Sox, Yankees, and Angels.
ESPN's Jerry Crasnick writes about Jed Hoyer and the Adrian Gonzalez situation.
ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that a dozen teams have expressed interest in free agent infielder Craig Counsell. He'd like a multiyear deal.
MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan sums up the Rangers' hot stove storylines.
Evan Grant wonders what it would take for the Rangers to acquire Edwin Jackson.
ESPN's Keith Law believes it'd be unwise for a team to acquire Dan Uggla and move him off second base.
Sean Smith's 2010 CHONE projections for hitters are now available, so take a peek into his crystal ball.
Jeremy Greenhouse of The Hardball Times cautions against misuses of the WAR statistic.
Jeff Blair of The Globe and Mail thinks the Blue Jays "will be all over" Brandon Phillips to play third base if the Reds make him available.
Troy Renck of the Denver Post suggests Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd will hold Type A free agent reliever Rafael Betancourt hostage with an arbitration offer. In my opinion, Betancourt has a decent chance of accepting.
Tommy Rancel of DRays Bay talked to Rays VP of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman.

Odds & Ends: Morillo, Bay, Cabrera, Gonzalez

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 15, 2009 at 9:07pm CDT

Some links to read before the weekend draws to a close…

Juan Morillo, who pitched briefly for the Twins this year, has signed with a Japanese team, according to Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker.
Tyler Hissey of Around the Majors argues that Jason Bay fits best in the American League because of his suspect defense. Bay is a productive hitter, but questions about his ability to play the field may limit his appeal to NL clubs. His agent insists that Bay plays solid defense, but advanced metrics suggest that's not the case.
Here, Hissey argues that the Yankees should consider signing Mike Cameron for a year until Austin Jackson is ready.
Steve Kornacki of MLive.com reminds us that the Miguel Cabrera trade talk is just speculation at this point. It's fun to wonder about, though.
ESPN.com's Buster Olney doesn't think the Padres will face pressure to deal Adrian Gonzalez until next summer, so he doesn't expect them to be in a rush to deal their superstar. Instead, they'll wait to be overwhelmed.
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic predicts where some big-name free agents will sign. He has the Yankees signing Matt Holliday.

Odds & Ends: Griffey, Tigers, Torrealba

By Luke Adams 2 | November 11, 2009 at 7:33pm CDT

Let's have a look at another handful of evening links….

MLB.com's Corey Brock reports that new Padres GM Jed Hoyer will sit down with Adrian Gonzalez next week to discuss the first baseman's future.
Keith Law of ESPN.com shares his thoughts on the trades that have transpired so far during the hot stove season.
Scott Miller of CBS Sports wraps up his observations from the GM meetings, and includes a quote from Angels GM Tony Reagins, saying the team will try their best to retain both John Lackey and Chone Figgins. I think they'd be doing very well if they were able to bring back even one of the two.
What do the Cleveland Indians need to do to improve in 2010? The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Paul Hoynes suggests that, considering the team's lack of payroll flexibility, the Indians just have to hope for better performances from many of their players.
In comments relayed by Larry Stone of the Seattle Times, Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik was vague when asked about Ken Griffey Jr.'s playing time in 2010. Griffey and the Mariners reached an agreement earlier today, but it sounds like Junior could have a lesser role next season — particularly if the team is able to retain Russell Branyan and add another bat or two.
Despite recent rumors about the availability of Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson, the Detroit Tigers don't intend to have a fire sale, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck (via Twitter).
Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune says that if Granderson is available, the Cubs need to pursue him.
Troy Renck of the Denver Post has additional details on Yorvit Torrealba's possible future with the Colorado Rockies.
After hearing Scott Boras compare Matt Holliday to last winter's big free agent prize, Mark Teixeira, Dave Cameron of FanGraphs takes a detailed look at how the two players' values compare.
ESPN.com's Buster Olney tweets that a few GMs came away from this week's meetings thinking that the market for the elite free agents this year will be "very, very limited."
Ever the optimist, Scott Boras disagrees with this assessment of the market, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Boras argues that "we hear this every year" and predicts that the top free agents will still receive "mega-contracts."

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