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Padres Rumors: Peavy, Fukudome, Clement

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Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune has a new column up with some good Padres info.

  • The Padres are still hammering out Jake Peavy’s deal.  It’ll include no-trade protection and a player option for 2013.  Brandon Webb and his agent will be watching closely.
  • The Friars have stepped up their interest in Kosuke Fukudome, who they’d use as a center fielder.  The Cubs are also in hard on him.  I recently broke down Fukudome’s suitors here.
  • Randy Wolf will get $4MM guaranteed, with another possible $5MM in incentives.
  • Matt Clement’s top choice is the Padres, but they’re not treating the situation with any urgency given the Wolf signing.  The Ms and Jays are pushing hardest for Clement.  The Rockies, Pirates, Diamondbacks, Phillies, and Royals are known to have interest as well.  The Bucs, in fact, recently contacted Clement’s agent.
  • Eight clubs are after Brett Tomko.  From yesterday we know the Padres, Nationals, Rockies, Astros, and Marlins are among them.

Peavy Extension Could Be Model For Webb

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Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports that the Diamondbacks may use Jake Peavy’s new three-year extension with the Padres as a guideline for their ace, Brandon Webb.  Webb recently rejected a three-year proposal from Arizona.

Peavy is to receive roughly $50MM for the three-year extension.  Webb will earn only $20.5MM over the 2008-10 seasons.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Roberts, Barrett, Piazza

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Ken Rosenthal is presumably in Nashville doing what he does best – collect trade rumors by the dozen.  His latest column is an excellent example.  What’s the over/under on Rosenthal scoops over the next four days?  I’ll set it at 10.

  • Rosenthal says the Mets are unwilling to extend the contract of GM Omar Minaya, who is signed through 2009.  The lack of job security could compel Minaya to mortgage the future, and the Lastings Milledge trade was a good example.  Carlos Gomez, watch out.  Here’s MLBTR’s look at Omar Minaya’s Mets trade profile.
  • The Astros, Giants, and Cardinals aren’t really in the running for Miguel Cabrera, so they don’t need to wait for that shoe to drop to go after Miguel Tejada.  However it sounds like all three clubs don’t have the talent even for a Tejada trade.  Jon Heyman mentioned today that the Orioles do have interest in Adam Everett and Michael Bourn of the Astros.
  • Here’s a good one: Peter Angelos favorite Brian Roberts might be available.  The Mets and Astros inquired but moved on, but Roberts might be just what the Cubs are looking for.  The Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec recently told us that he doesn’t expect Andy MacPhail to move Roberts unless he’s "totally overwhelmed."
  • The Marlins, Rays, and Orioles have interest in Michael Barrett.  In the case of Baltimore, the interest indicates the availability of Ramon Hernandez.  If Barrett can find a multiyear deal from one of those teams, he may decline the Padres’ offer of arbitration.  It’s a catch-22, though, because that would make Barrett much less signable in terms of draft pick compensation. 
  • If Barrett does decline, the Padres might bring Mike Piazza back.
  • The Nationals keep asking for Rickie Weeks for Chad Cordero, and the Brewers keep saying no.
  • The Braves are big fans of Coco Crisp, and could have a passing interest in Corey Patterson.  But they certainly wouldn’t mind going with internal options in center next year.
  • Aaron Rowand is definitely getting that five-year deal – a Mystery Team has already offered one.  The Yanks could pursue him if they trade the Melk Man. 
  • Deja vu – the Yanks and Mets both like Octavio Dotel, again.  It’s known that Octavio loves New York.

Tomko Not Close To Signing With Padres

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The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Tom Krasovic reported today that Padres GM Kevin Towers expects to sign Brett Tomko for a relief role.  Tomko was quoted as saying "Of course, we’re interested."

To clear things up, ESPN’s Amy Nelson spoke to Tomko today.  He’s not close to signing with the Padres.  In an ideal world he’d get a multiyear deal and a chance to start.  The Padres offered one year and a bullpen job.  Said Tomko: "It’s not like I’m looking to be the highest-paid 4-12 pitcher ever.  But I don’t feel like I’m desperate. I’m willing to wait for a couple of other guys to sign."  Nelson adds that more than six teams have inquired on Tomko, including the Nationals, Rockies, Astros, and Marlins.  He’s an intriguing bargain buy.

But this begs the question: who was the highest paid 4-12 pitcher ever?  Tomko made $4.1MM this year, $5.1MM if you count his buyout.  Since 1901, 27 pitchers have gone 4-12.  Since 1990, only Tomko, Mark Gubicza, and Darryl Kile have done it.  Gubicza earned $1.6MM in ’96, while Kile earned $1.272MM in ’95.  So Tomko technically already is the highest paid 4-12 pitcher ever.

Edmonds Would Waive No-Trade

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Joe Strauss has a new article up at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, discussing John Mozeliak’s pursuit of a starting pitcher as well as the availability of two veterans.

Nothing new on Scott Rolen, but Strauss did have an interesting tidbit on Jim Edmonds.  Edmonds has a full no-trade clause, and his latest stance is that he’d waive it for a Southern California team only.  Since the Dodgers and Angels don’t need outfielders, the Padres are the one possibility.  The Padres are interested if the Cards throw in some cash.  Edmonds makes $8MM in ’08 in the last year of his deal.

Also, Strauss contends that center field prospect Colby Rasmus is untouchable, while the Cards would be reluctant to include Chris Duncan in a deal.

Kosuke Fukudome Rumors

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Kosuke Fukudome is expected to make an official announcement soon on whether he will come to the Major Leagues for the 2008 season.  Per Fukudome’s agent, it’s highly unlikely he stays in Japan.  He wants only a three-year contract, no more.  So who’s after him?

  • Cubs: They’re still after him, and Lou Piniella doesn’t see why the failure to sign his acquaintance Kaz Matsui would have any bearing on it.  The Cubs have a vacancy in right field plus perhaps a need to spell Felix Pie in center.  They also could use a nice dose of OBP.  Fukudome is a perfect fit.
  • White Sox: The Sox have openings in left and center and a strong need for OBP.  Aaron Rowand and Torii Hunter are out of the picture, leaving Fukudome as a prime target. It’s been said that the Cubs are prepared for a crosstown bidding war.
  • Padres: The Friars have already contacted Fukudome’s agent.  Kevin Towers has publicly expressed his interest.  Fukudome could play left or center for the Padres.
  • Rangers: With a center field spot up for grabs, the Rangers have "serious interest."
  • Giants: In late October, it was said that they were "seriously interested."
  • Yankees, Red Sox: They’ve both scouted him, for what it’s worth.  Little doubt he could play a better center field than Johnny Damon, but it’s hard to see where he could fit in with Boston since they’ve already got four starting outfielders.
  • Mets: They have a right field vacancy, but I haven’t seen too many published reports indicating they’re after him (as of now, I can’t find any).  Wouldn’t surprise me to see Omar jump in here though.

Did I miss anyone?

Padres Sign Randy Wolf

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According to Ken Rosenthal, the Padres have a preliminary agreement in place with starter Randy Wolf.  It’ll be final once Wolf passes a physical.  The Phillies and Astros had been in on him as well.

Wolf had Tommy John surgery in July of 2005.  He found his way back to a big league mound a year later.  He struggled through 12 starts in ’06 to finish off a solid Phillies career.  That winter the Blue Jays and D’Backs had interest, but Wolf opted to give the Dodgers a hometown discount by signing for $7.5MM in ’07 plus a $9MM club option for ’08.

Wolf felt good to start off 2007.  After stumbling through a mediocre April, he was phenomenal in May with a 1.48 ERA.  However he was knocked around in June and hit the DL in early July for shoulder soreness.  He had a cortisone shot and started rehabbing, but had a setback and wasn’t able to return.  He had shoulder surgery in late August.  There hadn’t been structural damage so it must’ve been minor.  He expects to be ready for Spring Training.  The Dodgers opted for his $500K buyout rather than his $9MM option.  The 31 year-old lefty seems a good value signing for the Friars.

Today’s Arbitration Decisions

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The decision whether to offer your own free agent arbitration can affect your team in two ways: you may end up retaining a player you didn’t want, or you may score a draft pick or two as compensation.  With that in mind let’s run down the rumors regarding some Type A and B free agents.

  • The Red Sox plan on offering arbitration to Type B Eric Gagne.  Worst case scenario, they hang onto him for one more year.  Best case, they get a sandwich pick.
  • The Astros have to decide on Trever Miller and Mark Loretta.  Both are Type Bs, but the Astros might not want them back.  Richard Justice notes that the old Astro regime made a mistake not offering arbitration to Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte.
  • The Angels decided not to offer arby to Bartolo Colon, because the most they could give him would be a 20% pay cut.  So best case scenario they could get him for one year, $11.2MM.  Colon is not a Type A or B, so there’s no compensation regardless.
  • The Phils will offer arb to Aaron Rowand but not Freddy Garcia.  Rowand is a Type A, Garcia a Type B.  It’s a no-brainer with Rowand, who will hopefully net them a first-round pick plus a supplemental depending on who he signs with.  With Garcia they risked getting burned as he might’ve accepted.   
  • The D’Backs will offer arbitration to Livan Hernandez, who will likely decline it to pursue a three-year deal.  He’s a Type B so they’ll snag a sandwich pick.
  • The Padres will offer arbitration to Michael Barrett, and Kevin Towers actually hopes he accepts.  No worries if he doesn’t – Barrett is a Type A.  The Friars will also offer arby to Mike Cameron and Doug Brocail.  Brocail nets them a sandwich pick for sure; Cameron still has a slight chance of accepting.
  • The Braves did not offer arb to Andruw Jones but did for Ron Mahay.  Both are Type Bs; I’m surprised they didn’t want to risk Andruw returning on a one-year deal.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Peavy, Guillen, Barrett

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Ken Rosenthal checks in with another fine rumor-filled column.

  • Johan Santana doesn’t seem a great fit for the Angels, partly because he’ll be very expensive and the Halos actually do have a payroll limit.
  • Jake Peavy knows he’d have to take a discount to stay in San Diego…but even a $15MM per year type deal would be unprecedented for them.  He’s under the Padres’ control through ’09.
  • Rosenthal’s sources are divided on whether the Mets will go after Jose Guillen.  Such a scenario is possible if Lastings Milledge and/or Carlos Gomez are dealt.  It’s said that the Mets are still very interested in Livan Hernandez.
  • Chase Headley is very popular.  Rosenthal confirms Scott Miller’s rumored offer of Xavier Nady and Nate McLouth for him, not that the Padres would consider it.  Otherwise the Red Sox are asking for him for Coco Crisp.
  • The Padres will probably offer arbitration to both Mike Cameron and Michael Barrett.  That brings the risk that Barrett accepts, which wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
  • We already knew the Padres and Rays were in on Geoff Jenkins; add the Phils to the mix.  The Cubs, Giants, Rangers, and Royals have also been linked to him.

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