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Orioles Rumors: Baez, Greene, Hernandez

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Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun has a few Orioles notes today.

  • Danys Baez, who hasn’t pitched since 2006, would like to prepare as a starter for 2008.  Andy MacPhail is open to the idea; the Orioles have more open spots in their rotation than their bullpen.  Baez is set to earn $5.5MM in ’09, the last year of his deal.  Starting is where the money’s at, unless you get a chance to close.
  • The Orioles are interested in Khalil Greene, but prefer a long-term solution at shortstop.
  • Nothing new on the extension front for Nick Markakis and Brian Roberts.  MacPhail is probably eyeing the Jake Peavy negotiations closely, as the Cubs be out of the running for Roberts if they acquire Peavy.
  • Zrebiec speculated recently that the Orioles will sign Cesar Izturis to play short and will eat the $9MM owed to Ramon Hernandez to move him.

Reds Rumors: Pitching, Greene, Hairston

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Here’s the latest from John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

  • GM Walt Jocketty said he will not be trading young pitching for a quick fix.  Still, you have to think Homer Bailey is available in the right deal for another young player.
  • Despite an earlier report to the contrary, the Reds are not interested in San Diego shortstop Khalil Greene.  If Jocketty is to acquire a shortstop, it’ll be a pre-arbitration player.  The Reds are shaky at shortstop – Alex Gonzalez is penciled in for next year, but he missed all of ’08 with a compression fracture in his knee.
  • The Reds like young backstop Ryan Hanigan, but they are still in the market for catchers.  Fay says Jocketty chatted with the Rangers regarding their surplus, though a recent report didn’t have Cincinnati in the mix.  Joel Sherman seems to indicate the Reds have interest in the Mets’ Brian Schneider.
  • Jocketty made progress toward re-signing Jerry Hairston Jr. (also on Philly’s radar), and he plans to talk to the agents for David Weathers, Jeremy Affeldt, and Mike Lincoln this week.

Orioles, Reds, Tigers, Jays Interested In Greene

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THURSDAY: Reds GM Walt Jocketty shot down the rumor that he was interested in Greene.  If he adds a shortstop, it’ll be a 0-3 guy.

TUESDAY, 11:21pm: Tom Krasovic adds the Blue Jays to the mix for Greene.  Padres GM Kevin Towers says Greene would likely be traded in a separate deal rather than packaged with Jake Peavy.

7:42pm: The Red Sox and Padres made a point to officially dismiss the idea of Crisp for Greene.

2:59pm: It seems that LaRue was saying both Crisp and Greene are available, not that one was offered for the other.  So, scratch the Crisp for Greene rumor.

11:13am: The Red Sox are offering Coco Crisp for Greene, according to Larry LaRue of The News Tribune.  That’d be surprising, as the Sox don’t figure to be in the market for a shortstop.

8:46am: According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Orioles, Reds, and Tigers are among the teams interested in Padres shortstop Khalil Greene.  GM Kevin Towers admits to having "nibbles" on Greene.

Prior to his self-inflicted broken hand, Greene hit a woeful .213/.260/.339 in 423 plate appearances.  The Padres filed a grievance to recover salary due to the injury, so they’re probably not on the best of terms right now.  Greene did not impress defensively either – he made four fewer plays than the average shortstop.  Greene is owed $6.5MM in 2009, and Krasovic says he turned down a four-year, $29MM offer a year ago.

Seemingly, the Padres would attempt to acquire a shortstop in a Jake Peavy trade if they move Greene.  Yunel Escobar and Ronny Cedeno have been mentioned in rumors. The Reds’ interest in Greene seems to indicate a lack of faith in Alex Gonzalez, presumably next year’s starting shortstop.

More Odds And Ends: Padres, Francoeur, Manny, Phillies

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A few more notes from the MLBiverse…

  • Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting that the Padres have not set their ’09 payroll but that it could be as low as $40MM. Krasovic also notes that the Braves are not one of the teams that have inquired about Khalil Greene. Also, Kevin Towers continues to sound positive about the possibility of resigning Trevor Hoffman. The Padres have offered Hoffman a one-year deal for $4MM with a ’10 option at the same price.
  • Paul DePodesta comments about all of the rumors that are swirling on his personal blog.
  • We have heard this before, but now a Braves official is saying there have been no recent discussions involving Jeff Francoeur.
  • Jayson Stark discusses why a six-year deal for Manny Ramirez makes little sense.
  • Ken Mandel takes a closer look at the Phillies’ contract commitments and what they mean for the ’09 roster.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Jake Peavy Rumors: Thursday

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4:05pm: Ken Rosenthal has some of the names being offered by the Braves for Peavy. According to Rosenthal, the Braves are offering Yunel Escobar, either Jo-Jo Reyes or Charlie Morton and an unnamed player believed to be a top prospect. Rosenthal does not have any details on the Cubs’ package but notes that it is likely to be "fluid".

4:00pm: Chris De Luca has updated his earlier piece and now says Dempster is seeking five years, $70MM.

3:03pm: Peter Abraham says that Kevin Towers has told Peavy that he will be traded and that negotiations have been narrowed to three teams. The Yankees are not in the mix as all three clubs are in the NL. Abraham speculates that in addition to the Cubs and Braves, the third team could be the Astros or Cardinals.

11:27am: Chris De Luca says the Cubs are in heavy pursuit of Peavy, partially because of steep contract demands from Ryan Dempster.  He’s heard Dempster wants five years, $75MM.

No deal is imminent, but De Luca wonders if pitchers Sean Marshall, Rich Harden, or Jeff Samardzija could be involved.  Samardzija has a no-trade clause.

10:02am: ESPN’s Buster Olney says the Padres have interest in Braves prospect Jeff Locke.  David O’Brien says the Padres want Tommy Hanson, but are willing to settle for Yunel Escobar and a few lesser prospects.

9:21am: Ken Davidoff is not buying the Feinsand/Yankees rumor.  Joel Sherman agrees.

8:55am: Let’s kick off a new Jake Peavy post.  Last we heard, Ken Rosenthal was suggesting the Cubs moved ahead of the Braves as the frontrunner.

Today, Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News says the Yankees’ chances for Peavy are improving as Kevin Towers struggles to find a match with an NL team on the pitcher’s list.  Feinsand says Towers wants two pitchers and an outfielder for Peavy.  He believes the Yanks could build a deal around Phil Hughes or Austin Jackson, though they might need to include Ian Kennedy as well.  Brian Cashman seems a bit more open to trading Hughes than he was a year ago.  The Padres aren’t interested in Robinson Cano.

Tigers Want Short-Term Shortstop

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According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers seek a short-term solution at shortstop.  The Tigers like the idea of using prospect Cale Iorg in 2010.  That means they won’t be signing free agents Orlando Cabrera and Rafael Furcal.  The Tigers view the relief market in the way – they like their long-term options (Ryan Perry, for example).

The Tigers have "mild interest" in Khalil Greene, who is signed through 2009.  They don’t like his $6.5MM price tag, which might mean Jack Wilson is also too pricey.  John McDonald is a more affordable name on the radar (the pitchers certainly wouldn’t mind).

The Tigers have an eye on the Rangers’ catchers, Gerald Laird in particular.  It might be tough to make a deal, as the Tigers don’t have pitching to spare.

Cards Won’t Rule Out Ludwick/Ankiel Trade

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Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch dug into the rumors that Cardinals outfielders Ryan Ludwick and Rick Ankiel might be available.  It seems that the Cards will listen on them, but with caveats: GM John Mozeliak says there’s a "high likelihood" both stay, and a trade is just one of many scenarios.

Strauss confirms the recent chatter from Dave O’Brien – the Braves are interested, and would be willing to give up Kelly Johnson or Yunel Escobar if they don’t trade one of them in a Jake Peavy deal.  The Cardinals like both infielders, but would probably require "significant minor league pitching" to be added by the Braves.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Furcal, Bradley, Greinke

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Another day, another Ken Rosenthal column.

  • The A’s have payroll flexibility, and are expressing "strong interest" in free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal.  Bobby Crosby is set to earn $5.25MM in ’09, but it makes sense to upgrade.
  • Contrary to previous reports, Rosenthal says the Tigers are not in on Furcal.  They’ll also pass on Francisco Rodriguez, which was expected.
  • Rosenthal discusses possible fits for Milton Bradley, including the Rays, Rangers, Blue Jays, Mets, Cardinals, and Phillies.  It will be hard to overlook the health risk and give Bradley a three-year deal, especially for an NL club.
  • Rosenthal confirms interest in Khalil Greene from the Orioles and Reds.  The Blue Jays and Tigers have also been mentioned.
  • There’s no way the Phillies can afford Manny Ramirez; a look at their ’09 commitments makes that clear.
  • The Royals hope to sign Zack Greinke and Alex Gordon to long-term extensions.  Rosenthal feels trade discussions could pick up for Greinke if the Royals can’t sign him.  Keith Law said the same yesterday.
  • The Padres will exercise Brian Giles’ $9MM option in the next day or two.

Jake Peavy Rumors: Wednesday

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11:00pm: Meanwhile, Yahoo’s Tim Brown says the Braves, Cubs, and Cardinals are all working out contigency plans to replace the players they’d use in a Peavy deal.

10:53pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Cubs are the frontrunner for Peavy, "perhaps even ahead of the Braves." He says the Cubs also want to re-sign Ryan Dempster.  The Cubs’ dream rotation would be Peavy, Carlos Zambrano, Dempster, Ted Lilly, and Rich Harden.

The Braves had a window of exclusivity to hammer out a Peavy trade, but that has apparently passed.  The Padres like the Cubs’ young pitching, even if it doesn’t match Atlanta’s.

If the Cubs pull this off, they’d have to cut costs by perhaps letting Kerry Wood go and going cheaper in right field.

WEDNESDAY, 9:14am: Ken Davidoff swapped emails with Peavy’s agent, Barry Axelrod.  Axelrod stresses that Peavy’s list of preferred teams is just guidance for the Padres, and is not definitive or all-inclusive.  The Padres have not yet requested approval for any team or trade.

TUESDAY: Time to begin a new thread for Jake Peavy rumors.  According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Padres consider the Braves, Cubs, and Dodgers as potential matches for a Peavy trade.  GM Kevin Towers is "down the road" with two of those clubs (probably the Braves and Cubs), but nothing is imminent.  Things could slow down as free agency opens up, giving potential trade partners more options for their rotations.

Braves Rumors: Ludwick, Johnson, Escobar, Francoeur

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David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has all kinds of Braves info, found in the body and comments of his latest blog post.

  • The Braves have expressed interest in Ryan Ludwick, and the Cardinals would be willing to take Kelly Johnson or Yunel Escobar in return.  However, the Braves would probably have to include one of their middle infielders in a Jake Peavy deal and don’t want to trade both this winter.
  • Braves GM Frank Wren publicly acknowledged the Peavy trade talks.  O’Brien believes a package built around Escobar has a chance.  Pitching prospect Tommy Hanson is not available.  The Braves don’t have interest in Khalil Greene, by the way.
  • The Braves aren’t looking to sign health risk-starters like Ben Sheets and Brad Penny.
  • The Braves have an eye on the available White Sox veterans: Jermaine Dye, Nick Swisher, and Javier Vazquez.
  • The latest word on Atlanta’s offer to Junichi Tazawa: a $4-5MM signing bonus and a four-year contract, which wouldn’t be counted against ’09 payroll.  Speaking of Tazawa – the Rangers are in on him too.
  • The Braves are not shopping Jeff Francoeur.  His name has not surfaced in trade talks.
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