Could Braves Target Cain?
This is more speculation than rumor, but David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wonders if the Braves could go after Matt Cain if their Jake Peavy pursuit falls through.
It’s an interesting thought, given reports of the Braves’ mounting frustration with the Padres. At $13-15MM over the next three years, Cain is incredibly affordable. And I imagine the Braves’ primary Peavy trade chips, especially the position players, would appeal to the Giants. Still, when asked last week if Cain is untouchable, Giants GM Brian Sabean replied in the affirmative.
Odds and Ends: Pettitte, Zaun, Blanco
Links for Tuesday…
- Scott Bordow feels the D’Backs and Randy Johnson should meet at $5MM, which still seems light.
- David Murphy explains why the Phillies make more sense than the Mariners for Jamie Moyer, geographically.
- David Ortiz would like the Red Sox to add a 30 home run bat.
- Richard Justice wants the Astros to sign both Randy Wolf and Andy Pettitte. He says the Cubs and Cardinals will be talking to Pettitte even though his heart is with the Yankees.
- El Lefty Malo recommends the Giants sign Derek Lowe. The Giants are at least considering the big-ticket free agents.
- Jeff Blair runs through a few options for the Blue Jays if A.J. Burnett leaves.
- Free agent catcher Gregg Zaun is not pleased with Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi.
- The D’Backs want Miguel Montero showcased as a catcher.
- Ken Davidoff has a list of nine intriguing (and older) free agents.
- Joel Sherman joins Buster Olney in saying Brian Giles vetoed a trade to the A’s in August, after the Red Sox won the claim and failed to make a deal. How is this possible?
- Geovany Soto expects Henry Blanco to re-sign with the Cubs.
- Tony Massarotti looks at possible trade partners for the Red Sox.
Odds and Ends: Burrell, Atkins, Ohmura
Links for Monday…
- Even after signing LaTroy Hawkins, the Astros would like to re-sign Doug Brocail. They already chose a $250K buyout over his $3.25MM option. Further complicating matters, Brocail is a Type A free agent.
- The Royals signed pitcher Brandon Duckworth and then outrighted him to Triple A.
- Yahoo’s Jeff Passan ranks all the free agents, from C.C. Sabathia at #1 to Vance Wilson at #183.
- The Giants seem likely to hit the free agent market for a reliever.
- Pat Burrell hasn’t heard from the Phillies yet.
- John Brattain battles Scott Boras on his Manny Ramirez claims.
- Aaron Gleeman suggests the Twins would be better off platooning Brian Buscher and Brendan Harris at third base than acquiring Garrett Atkins.
- Joe Posnanski continues to find the Royals’ Mike Jacobs acquisition baffling. Jacobs seems to be aiming for a .320 OBP.
- Free agent pitcher Kenshin Kawakami still hasn’t decided whether to jump over to MLB.
- Outfielder Saburo Ohmura seems to have changed his mind – he’s likely to remain in Japan.
Olney’s Latest: Peavy, Hoffman, Sabathia
Buster Olney has a new update on the Padres and a new article about the Giants.
Olney says there’s a growing feeling that Jake Peavy will be dealt “sometime before Thanksgiving.”
Trevor Hoffman hopes to meet with Padres executives soon to discuss the team’s direction. Olney says that the Indians are one of many teams who might be interested in Hoffman if he decides to reject the Padres one year $4MM offer.
Olney writes that the Giants shouldn’t let the Barry Zito signing stop them from going after C.C. Sabathia aggressively this offseason.
Red Sox Rumors: Crisp, Lugo, Burnett, Baldelli
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe has the latest on the Red Sox.
- GM Theo Epstein says there’s one deal he might be able to do before the winter meetings, possibly involving Coco Crisp or Julio Lugo. The free agent market for center fielders and shortstops is weak this year.
- Cafardo doesn’t believe the Sox are in on C.C. Sabathia or A.J. Burnett, and he says they’re unsure about Derek Lowe. However, Buster Olney says "there is an expectation within other quarters of the AL East that the Red Sox will get in on the Burnett bidding." Cafardo does see Boston adding a starter of some kind, possibly a Japanese free agent.
- Catchers on Epstein’s radar to varying degrees: Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Taylor Teagarden, Jeff Clement, Bengie Molina, and Ivan Rodriguez.
- Cafardo says the Red Sox are "more than intrigued" by Rocco Baldelli, who could fill their fourth outfielder role if and when Mark Kotsay leaves.
- Tony Massarotti discusses Mark Teixeira in-depth at his blog.
Latest On Rafael Furcal
According to Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times, the Dodgers have a two-year deal in mind for free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal. SI.com’s Jon Heyman recently said their offer was in the two-year, $25-30MM range. His agent is looking for four years, and says ten other teams have expressed interest.
Heyman believes the Orioles and Royals may be suitors, though Furcal may be out of the Royals’ price range. The Tigers are out, but the Cubs, Giants, Blue Jays, and A’s are in.
Giants Rumors: Burrell, Rollins, Rowand
THURSDAY: More Giants info, courtesy of John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. GM Brian Sabean is looking for offense in the infield, but he considers Cain untouchable. Jonathan Sanchez or various pitching prospects could be trade bait instead.
Sabean also met with the agents for various free agent hitters and relievers, including Orlando Hudson and Bob Howry.
WEDNESDAY: Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News has some interesting rumors this evening.
- Baggarly believes the rumor of the Giants’ interest in Rafael Furcal makes sense, as it’d solidify their middle infield situation.
- He doesn’t see the Giants signing Pat Burrell, given their desire to get younger and more athletic. Still, he expects Brian Sabean to check in on him.
- Here’s a new one: Baggarly’s heard the Phillies will listen to offers for shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Rollins is owed just $23.5MM over the next three seasons.
- Scott Eyre enjoyed his time with the Phillies, though the Giants could take a shot at bringing him back.
- Baggarly doesn’t buy any of the Bengie Molina trade rumors. He gives a 75% chance Matt Cain stays put.
- Baggarly expects the Giants to quietly explore the market for Aaron Rowand, which could include the Yankees and White Sox. Rowand is owed $44MM over the next four seasons, and has no-trade protection.
Furcal To Hit The Open Market?
Bill Shaikin and Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times have the scoop on free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal.
Furcal’s agent Paul Kinzer met with Dodgers GM Ned Colletti recently, and they didn’t see eye to eye. Kinzer doesn’t want to compromise much on the term despite Furcal missing most of ’08 due to back surgery. Furcal wants to return to the Dodgers, but may be "forced" to hit the open market to find the four-year deal he craves. At least seven teams have expressed interest, the Cubs, Giants, and Blue Jays among them. The Royals, Orioles, Cardinals, Indians, Tigers, and Twins also make sense.
Phillies Rumors: Burrell, Moyer, Howard
Let’s round up the Phillies links. By the way, I am hoping to get to their Offseason Outlook on Friday.
- The first issue is Pat Burrell, to whom the Phillies will probably make a two-year offer (according to Buster Olney). It is true that Burrell added a Philly-based agent (Ed Hayes), but he’s also keeping Greg Genske. The confusion with agents is one reason negotiations haven’t begun with the Phils. Burrell would love to return. If he doesn’t re-sign, the Giants may be interested. Keep in mind that Burrell does not want to DH.
- If Burrell leaves, the Phillies hope to add a righthanded hitter to replace him. Magglio Ordonez, Matt Holliday, and Manny Ramirez are considered long shots. Milton Bradley would be interesting, if the Phillies believe he can play the field every day. It’d also make sense for the Phillies to inquire on Ryan Ludwick, Jermaine Dye, Josh Willingham, Casey Blake, and Mark DeRosa.
- The Phillies have had one brief conversation with Jamie Moyer‘s agent. Moyer wants a multiyear deal, but Olney does not believe the Phils are inclined to do that.
- Scott Eyre would take a one-year contract to stay, and the Phillies hope to re-sign him before November 14th.
- Olney says the Phillies are expected to explore talks with Ryan Howard‘s agent regarding a long-term deal.
- Don’t forget starting pitching; Scott Lauber figures they’ll be in the market.
- Outfielder So Taguchi was released today.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Tex, Furcal, Johnson, Lofton
Here’s a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- If they are to sign Mark Teixeira, the Angels would like to do it quickly. However, it’s Scott Boras’ custom to let the market develop until late December or so. It’s possible the Angels change gears on November 14th. There are other big names to pursue, though none fit as perfectly as Tex.
- Rosenthal’s worst case scenario for the Yankees: C.C. Sabathia goes to a West Coast team while A.J. Burnett re-signs with Toronto. The Jays truly are in the mix for Burnett. ESPN’s Keith Law says Burnett expects to receive multiple five-year offers.
- The Orioles plan to make serious offers to Teixeira and Burnett. Still, both are considered long shots for Baltimore. Another note: the Orioles were one of the teams the Yankees outbid for Sergio Mitre.
- The Dodgers are considered "a good bet" to re-sign Rafael Furcal. The Giants have their eye on him if he hits the open market.
- About ten teams have inquired on Braves second baseman Kelly Johnson. We had a Cardinals rumor yesterday.
- The Rangers figure to trade one or two of their catchers, with Gerald Laird a strong candidate to be traded. The Red Sox and Marlins are looking for catching, though the Rangers are wary of Florida’s Scott Olsen.
- Rosenthal wonders if Brandon Webb could leave the D’Backs after the 2010 season.
- Kenny Lofton wants to play in 2009.