Padres Close To Signing Giles
Ken Rosenthal reports that the Padres are close to signing Marcus Giles to play second base. Brian is getting ready to deliver all sorts of dugout noogies.
Rosenthal believes it will be a one-year deal with a club option for ’08. The signing will push Todd Walker to the bench.
Padres After Marcus Giles, David Wells
The Padres seem to have a distinct advantage in that players want to come play in San Diego at the exclusion of other less enjoyable areas of the country. They’re currently pursuing a couple such possibilities in Marcus Giles and David Wells.
A $3-4MM offer was made to Giles yesterday. Willie Randolph seemed to dismiss the idea of the Mets getting involved, but the San Diego Union-Tribune mentions the Red Sox as possible competition. Still, the Padres are a huge favorite.
In addition, Kevin Towers will dine with David Wells on Monday to try to convince him to return to the Padres. Wells would fit in nicely with Jake Peavy, Chris Young, Greg Maddux, and Clay Hensley.
The Padres are also talking to new free agent Jayson Werth to add some outfield depth.
Pads, Mets, D-Rays Interested In Giles
Marcus Giles, with a career line of .285/.361/.448, has been granted free agency at age 28 after only five seasons of Major League service. While last year was ugly, Giles still may be the best second baseman available.
Most speculation has been centered around the Padres, because Marcus’s brother Brian plays there. The Padres could’ve had Giles for Scott Linebrink, but now they can get him without surrendering players. Kevin Towers will talk to Giles’s agent today, though San Diego does have a capable option in Todd Walker already.
The Mets are also interested; they are looking to acquire a second baseman despite re-signing Jose Valentin.
Finally, the Devil Rays might check in. Jorge Cantu could be moved to first base or traded, opening up a spot. If Cantu were moved to first, he’d be competing with Ty Wigginton for playing time. That assumes the Rays sign Akinori Iwamura, which seems likely.
Early Evening Rumors
Rosenthal has dollar amounts for the Greg Maddux deal: the Padres will pay him $10M in 2007, with a player option for 2008. The option starts at $6M, but if Maddux reaches various plateaus, the option could increase in value to another $10M.
The Arlington Daily-Herald speculates that a Kevin Mench for Jon Lieber deal could be evened out by the Brewers sending along Jose Capellan. Capellan hasn’t lived up to his potential yet, but he’s still young enough that he could develop into a top-tier setup man. I’d be very surprised (not to mention disappointed) if Doug Melvin made that deal without getting something else of value in return.
According to Rotoworld, the Mets have offered Julio Lugo $36 million over four years, but Steve Phillips believes the Red Sox will sign him. Theo Epstein was quoted earlier today saying that Dustin Pedroia could be his opening day shortstop, but it’s hard to believe the Red Sox won’t find some way to upgrade at least one of their middle infield spots.
By Jeff Sackmann, Brew Crew Ball
Pettitte back to New York?
The Yankees may have offered Andy Pettitte $15 million for one year. There’s also a deal on the table from Houston, and he could decide within the week. If Pettitte really is mulling retirement, this may be more appealing then a multi-year deal for less money. Personally, I hope Pettitte signs a multi-year deal somewhere; the guy’s only going to be 35 next year, and he’s already started in on the Roger-esque will-I-or-won’t-I business. C’mon Andy, you want to pitch!
In other news, the Greg Maddux contract with the Padres is still almost done, but 2008 may be a player option (perhaps vesting) instead of the club option that Rosenthal reported earlier.
By Jeff Sackmann, Brew Crew Ball
Maddux inching toward San Diego
Rosenthal reports that the Padres and Greg Maddux are about to finalize a one-year deal with a club option for 2008. Just how that ’08 option works (could it be guaranteed with some number of IP in ’07?) seems to be the holdup. There’s no big surprise here that Mad Dog will end up in San Diego, but I’m very curious to see the dollar amount–on a one-year deal, Maddux could end up getting eight figures.
By Jeff Sackmann, Brew Crew Ball
Maddux To Padres Not Finalized
Ken Rosenthal reports that Scott Boras still has Greg Maddux on the market at this point. The hangup is a second guaranteed year. Why, I don’t know. Mad Dog will be fine in 2008, I promise.
Rosenthal mentions the Dodgers and Astros as possible players. A decision should come down later today.
Padres Sign Jose Cruz Jr.
It’s official; the Padres have agreed to a one-year, $650K contract with outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. It’s not a bad idea – for less than twice the league minimum the Padres get a lefty masher to pair with Terrmel Sledge in left field. Plus, Cruz can play all three outfield positions.
It could make for a decent platoon. Sledge hit .265/.345/.459 against righties over the past three seasons while Cruz hit .291/.392/.493 against southpaws. It’s a way to get league average production for cheap.
Padres Close On Maddux
As has been speculated for some time, the Padres are close to signing Greg Maddux. Ken Rosenthal has the scoop; he describes the likely signing as a "significant blow to the Dodgers."
Maddux turns 41 next April. Overall in 2006 he won 15 games with a 4.20 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 3.2 K/BB. The Professor has reached 199 or more innings every season since 1988. He is one of a kind.
Kei Igawa Has Been Posted
Rotoworld lists the potential suitors for Kei Igawa as the "Padres, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Yankees, Braves, Mets, Cubs and Indians." They rule out the Red Sox and Mariners, though this Tacoma News-Tribune article says the M’s are "likely" to bid. That same article predicts that the posting fee will be about "two-thirds less" than Daisuke Matsuzaka‘s $51.1M: $17M.
That seems high for a guy who David Wright isn’t convinced has MLB-quality stuff. Personally, I wouldn’t want my team spending more than $10M for his rights, but with all those teams involved, $17M seems plausible.
UPDATE: An alert e-mailer points out this article on the Braves official site. According to club officials, Atlanta won’t be involved in this one.
By Jeff Sackmann