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Peavy To Cubs On Life Support?

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A brief update on the Jake Peavy situation from the indefatigable Jon Heyman:

"’The Peavy thing isn’t dead, but it’s on life support," one person familiar with the Cubs’ dealings said.’"

Heyman also notes that the Cubs are looking at left handed hitters such as Bobby Abreu, Adam Dunn, and Raul Ibanez among others. Jake Peavy and a left handed hitting outfielder are high priorities for the Cubs going into the Winter Meetings.

Perrotto’s Latest: Peavy, Giles, Wilson, Putz

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MONDAY: Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times found no indications the Rays have talked with the Padres and Cubs about getting in on the Peavy talks to acquire Giles.

SUNDAY: The latest from Baseball Prospectus’ John Perrotto:

  • Perrotto speaks of a "wild rumor" – the Rays could be the third team in a Jake Peavy-Cubs trade, with Tampa Bay acquiring Brian Giles.  Would he waive his no-trade clause to play there?  One way or another, Kevin Towers wants five players back for Peavy.
  • The Tigers are backing off Jack Wilson, as they consider Adam Everett his equal.  They’d like to use Jeff Larish in a trade for Michigan native J.J. Putz if possible.

Olney’s Latest: Winter Meetings

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As we wait for arbitration decisions, Buster Olney offers his latest on the winter meetings:

  • CC Sabathia, who will be sitting down with the Red Sox and Yankees today or tomorrow, may want to wait for Mark Teixeira to sign first. If the Angels don’t land Sabathia, they could be expected to compete with the Yankees $140MM offer.
  • Francisco Rodriguez is not going to get the 5 year, $75MM originally anticipated by his agents and he may find it in his best interest to seek a 3 year deal, and re-enter free agency, perhaps in a better market, before he turns 30.
  • Says Olney, "Look, [Jake] Peavy is going to be traded, and what will be left is a team looking at a long rebuilding process."
  • The Nats are courting Adam Dunn as well as Teixeira, pointing out that Jim Bowden ran the Reds when they drafted Dunn. No word on Dunn’s interest in Washington.
  • Sources say the White Sox moving Jermaine Dye is "overblown." He’ll cost $11.5MM next year with a $1MM buyout for 2010 and teams in need of a corner outfielder can target Dunn or Bobby Abreu rather than give up prospects to the White Sox.
  • Orlando Cabrera has been made aware that Alexei Ramirez is the starting shortstop in 2009 and, for that reason, OC is expected to decline arbitration even in a depressed shortstop market.
  • Olney reports that Rafael Furcal’s final contract request was 4 years, $52MM. He wound up rejecting the offer of 4 years, $35-40MM.

Cardinals Rumors: Greene, Ludwick, Pitching

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Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch posted a few Cardinals rumors online today:

  • Miklasz spoke with Cardinals GM John Mozeliak and found that the Padres aren’t paying Khalil Greene any of his $6.5MM salary next year. Earlier in the week, it wasn’t clear whether they’d be chipping in.
  • Talk that the Cards could trade Ryan Ludwick to the Braves was mostly rumor and “never had traction.”
  • Mozeliak hopes to build on the Trever Miller signing and acquire more pitching. Specifically, he’d like a starter, a reliever who could close and another lefty.
  • Not surprisingly, Mozeliak says there’s no chance the Cardinals will go after any of the high-profile free agents on the market.
  • Second base doesn’t appear to be a priority for the Cardinals.

Odds and Ends: Michaels, Greene, Prior

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Links for Saturday…

Cubs’ Payroll Higher Than Expected

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According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, Cubs CEO Crane Kenney said today that the team’s 2009 payroll exceeds $140MM.  The Chicago Tribune’s Paul Sullivan said Kenney wouldn’t give a payroll figure, but his sources indicated it might be in the $140-145MM range.  By Wittenmyer’s calculations, the Cubs have about $133MM likely to be committed to the current group.

Wittenmyer adds that the Cubs would be willing to eat as much as $4MM of Jason Marquis’ $9.875MM salary to move him.  If the Cubs were to add Jake Peavy after that, they’d be around $138MM.  They could then squeeze in their coveted left-handed hitting outfielder.

Wittenmyer says the Cubs are still interested in Peavy, and talks with the Padres will resume Sunday in Vegas.  Ken Rosenthal wrote a day ago that the Cubs were putting the Peavy pursuit on hold until they added the left-handed hitting bat.

Wittenmyer reports that Kenney said he expects the Cubs’ sale to close by Opening Day.  Sullivan has Kenney saying it should be done by spring training.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Byrd, Putz, Wilson

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Rumor machine Ken Rosenthal has a new column…

  • Free agent starters C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett are in no hurry to sign. Makes sense; they’re obviously special compared to the other starters on the market.
  • Nationals owner Ted Lerner "has spent extensive time" with Scott Boras, presumably in regard to Mark Teixeira.
  • The Cubs want to acquire their left-handed hitting outfielder before worrying about Jake Peavy.  Rosenthal says the trade market is bleak, suggesting free agents such as Raul Ibanez and Milton Bradley might make sense.  As we’ve said, there is no perfect fit for the Cubs’ right field vacancy (unless Brian Giles will waive his no-trade clause).
  • Paul Byrd is "virtually certain" to decline Boston’s offer of arbitration.  He aims to pitch near his Atlanta home – the Braves, Marlins, or Rays could work for him.
  • A Rosenthal source pegged Jon Garland’s chance of accepting arbitration at less than 50-50.  ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick recently indicated it was 75-25 he’d decline.  Buster Olney says "some executives are stunned" that Garland will seemingly not accept.
  • Rosenthal spoke to officials from two teams interested in Mariners closer J.J. Putz.  The Ms haven’t decided yet whether to make him available, contrary to a previous report.  Jack Zduriencik apparently doesn’t consider his club in rebuild mode.
  • The Giants’ signing of Edgar Renteria: "widely panned in industry circles."  Joel Sherman found the same consensus.  This differs from the web, where Keith Law and Dave Cameron liked it.
  • Rosenthal says the Dodgers are not pursuing Jack Wilson; those talks broke down earlier in the offseason.  Who to believe?  He says the Tigers are making a "more serious push."
  • Phillies shortstop prospect Jason Donald is a popular trade target, but the Phils might need him to fill in for Chase Utley at the start of the season.

Khalil Greene Traded To St. Louis

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9:25pm: Just wanted to mention that this deal has been finalized.  For the player to be named later, the Padres will choose from a list of three players (two of them pitchers).  Padres exec Paul DePodesta weighed in on the deal at his blog.  Next on the agenda: acquire a replacement shortstop.  Kevin Towers prefers the trade route.

3:21pm: Tom Krasovic believes the Padres are kicking in at least $1MM, since the trade requires the approval of the commissioner’s office.  Meanwhile, Jonathan Mayo takes a closer look at Worrell.

1:17pm: MLB.com’s Corey Brock says it’ll be Worrell and a player to be named later.

12:48pm: Scout.com writer Dustin Mattison sent along this interview with Cardinals reliever Mark Worrell.  Worrell is quite confident in his abilities and seems upset that the Cardinals didn’t give him more of a chance this year.  Pure speculation, but Mattison wonders if he could be one of the relievers headed to San Diego for Greene.

8:15am: One of the relievers in the trade is right-handed, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

THURSDAY, 1:08am: Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune says the Padres have reached an agreement to send Greene to the Cardinals.  Krasovic believes clearing Greene’s salary may improve the chances of the Padres retaining Jake Peavy.

WEDNESDAY, 10:41pm: Sherman has an update: the Padres are closing in on a deal that will send Greene to the Cardinals for two relief prospects.

8:29pm: According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Padres are expected to trade shortstop Khalil Greene prior to Monday’s Winter Meetings.  Sherman was unable to ascertain Greene’s destination, but he guesses it could be the Orioles or Cardinals.  The Padres are intent on clearing Greene’s $6.5MM salary.

The Padres requested Garrett Olson from Baltimore for Greene a few weeks ago, but maybe the price has come down.  One team not expected to acquire Greene is the Tigers.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Johnson, Cano, Peavy

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4:54pm: The Big Unit is open to the Giants or A’s, not a big surprise.  Johnson’s agent says about ten teams have expressed interest, Giants included.

11:49am: Ken Rosenthal is working overtime; here’s his latest.

  • The A’s remain the frontrunners for Rafael Furcal.  Also, they’re targeting starter Randy Johnson to add a veteran presence to their rotation.  Rosenthal adds that the A’s may prefer Nick Johnson over Jason Giambi.
  • The Phillies made an offer to Derek Lowe, who seems to be their backup plan if they can’t sign Jamie Moyer.  Rosenthal speculates that the Dodgers could consider Moyer.  If the Phils sign Lowe, they may have to go cheap in left field.
  • Oliver Perez and Randy Wolf are on the Yankees’ radar.
  • The Braves haven’t ruled out five guaranteed years for A.J. Burnett.  Rosenthal agrees with Mark Bowman that the Braves actually have little interest in Adam Dunn.  He adds that Raul Ibanez might be out of their price range.  Instead, the Braves could choose to trade Kelly Johnson for an outfielder.
  • Rosenthal believes the Dodgers will renew talks for Robinson Cano at the Winter Meetings, and the Yankees will again ask for Matt Kemp.
  • The Cubs are speaking daily to the Padres about Jake Peavy.  Rosenthal says the Orioles do not seem to be the third team at this time.
  • Rosenthal believes the Royals could make a run at Kyle Farnsworth.

Olney’s Latest: Manny, Peavy, Fuentes

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ESPN’s Buster Olney has a bunch of new info in today’s blog.

  • Olney continues to wonder if Manny Ramirez and Scott Boras will "wave the white flag" and accept the Dodgers’ offer of arbitration.  It could result in a huge one-year salary, and the current market for Manny is not robust.  However, Peter Abraham said in July that a condition of Manny’s trade was that he would decline arbitration.  Did anyone else write this?  Hopefully a journalist will ask Boras about it soon.
  • Olney says the Cubs would love to have Adam Dunn in their lineup, but he’s a stretch as a full-time right fielder.  The Cubs are willing to sacrifice some defense in right, but how much?
  • Could Dunn or Pat Burrell wind up with the Rays on an affordable one-year deal?
  • The Cubs and Padres "have a basic framework in place" for a Jake Peavy deal built around third baseman Josh Vitters.  Things may pick up after the Cubs’ ownership situation is resolved.
  • The Astros don’t have a ton of flexibility to move their high-salaried stars, but Jose Valverde is one they can deal without restriction.  He’s due for a nice raise from this year’s $4.7MM.
  • Olney suggests the Rockies were wise to trade Matt Holliday when they did, or they might’ve gotten significantly less.
  • Olney speaks of "a belief within the Rockies’ organization" that Brian Fuentes could come back on a multiyear deal.  The Rockies could trade Huston Street in that case.
  • The Braves may push A.J. Burnett for an answer before C.C. Sabathia signs, in case the Yanks miss out on C.C. and come after Burnett.
  • Apparently there is "serious tension" between Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski and manager Jim Leyland.
  • Olney sees Rafael Furcal signing with the A’s.
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