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Jeff Cirillo Leaning Towards Retirement

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According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Jeff Cirillo will likely retire after being told that the Brewers do not have a spot on their roster for him. Cirillo stated that he would only play for Seattle (where his family resides) or Milwaukee in 2008.

Cirillo, a two-time all-star, has not been a full-time player since 2002 and enjoyed his greatest success with the Brewers and Colorado from 1998-2001 when he posted three straight seasons with an average greater than .320 and four straight years with an OPS north of .830.

By Cork Gaines

The Adam Jones Degenerative Hip Rumor

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UPDATE, 1-30-08 at 9:09am: John Hickey of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer calls Charles’ report "completely unsubstantiated."

FROM 1-29-08 at 10:40pm:

This story got lost in the shuffle today.  Let’s take a look at what we know about the Adam Jones degenerative hip rumor.

  • The rumor originated with Stan Charles, publisher of a Baltimore sports weekly called Press Box.  Charles appeared on the Mark Viviano Show on ESPN 1300 Tuesday afternoon. 
  • Unfortunately I did not hear exactly what Charles said – the show may be up for download on Wednesday.  But the gist of Charles’ rumor based on emailers who listened is that the Orioles believe Jones has a degenerative hip condition.  They are trying to use this leverage to get more players for Erik Bedard.  The Orioles saw firsthand how quickly a degenerative hip killed Albert Belle’s career.
  • Roch Kubatko of the Baltimore Sun: All I can say about the topic is that the Orioles became concerned with something related to Jones, and the fact that they wanted to bring him in for a physical before alerting Bedard’s agent that a trade agreement was reached should send off signals. But we’ve heard nothing up to this point about his hip.  Kubatko implied that Charles was in dangerous territory with his claim.

Mariners Have Company In Bedard Pursuit

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Andy MacPhail told the Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec today that teams other than the Mariners have "chimed in" on Erik Bedard.  What is the goal of this public statement?  To push the Mariners to up their offer?

MacPhail says he’s just having conversations with the Mariners currently.  He’s been in touch with Peter Angelos and not much has changed of late.

Hard to say which other clubs chimed in on Bedard, if it’s true.  I have heard that the Cubs haven’t talked to the O’s in over a week.  Teams like the Reds, Indians, Angels, and Rockies could theoretically jump in.

Erik Bedard Rumors: Tuesday

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UPDATE, 1-29-08 at 3:45pm: The Baltimore Sun’s Roch Kubatko weighs in on a radio rumor going around.  The radio rumor says that the O’s are holding up the deal over a possible degenerative hip condition with Adam Jones.  Kubatko could only confirm that the Orioles "became concerned with something related to Jones."

FROM 1-29-08 at 7:50am:

Why can’t all megadeals be as simple as Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera acquisition?  The Erik Bedard to Seattle has become a full-blown mess.  As always, MLBTradeRumors.com has the latest.

Ken Rosenthal expounds on three theories as to why Orioles owner Peter Angelos may be holding up the deal.  Maybe he still wants to sign Bedard to an extension.  Maybe he’s mad about Adam Jones leaking the deal to the Venezuelan press.  Or maybe he just wants more/different players than Andy MacPhail negotiated.  Or my own theory – maybe he was just busy Monday with a family matter, as has been suggested, and nothing’s wrong.

Erik Bedard Rumors: Monday

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UPDATE, 1-28-08 at 8:58pm: The drama continues.  Baker believes the deal is still alive, and heard the original quotes from Jones with his own two ears.  Jones did say he was traded to the Orioles and that he was off to Baltimore for a physical, despite the KOMO 1000 backpedaling.  In other words, the Orioles asked him to kindly stop talking.

Jeff Zrebiec has the latest from the Baltimore side.  The O’s are holding this up over "unspecified complex issues," which might mean Angelos’ approval.  Zrebiec believes the framework of a deal has been agreed upon, and that Jones was at one point scheduled to fly to Baltimore for a physical.  Zrebiec also got in touch with Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, who apparently pulled Jones from winter ball simply because he "met his goals."

UPDATE, 1-28-08 at 5:46pm: According to KOMO 1000 News Radio, Jones has been ordered not to play but remains in Venezuela.  He was also misquoted by the Venezuelan press – he did not mention getting traded.

UPDATE, 1-28-08 at 4:51pm: I honestly didn’t think Angelos would interfere with this one.  But according to Ken Rosenthal, the deal is on hold and possibly off because of him.  Then again, we knew it was on hold until Tuesday anyway because of Angelos’ availability.

FROM 1-28-08 at 1:43pm:

Let’s get a fresh post going for the Erik Bedard rumors.

  • According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, the Bedard to Seattle trade awaits Peter Angelos’ approval.  Angelos will not be available today to evaluate the deal because of a family matter.  So this should drag a bit more.
  • Stark still expects the deal to get done but verifies that Adam Jones was not sent to Baltimore for a physical. 
  • Jerry Crasnick says both Jones and George Sherrill have been told to take physicals in anticipation of the deal.  Sherrill disputes this in the Seattle PI, though.
  • Stark and Crasnick say the current package from Seattle is Jones, Sherrill, Chris Tillman, and a fourth unknown prospect.  Tillman, however, hasn’t yet been informed of a trade.

Wilkerson Signs With Mariners?

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Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times is being told that "the Mariners already have a one-year deal with free-agent Brad Wilkerson in their back pocket for the moment a Bedard trade is finalized."  Wilkerson will pass on a one-year, $2MM plus incentives offer to be a Red Sox backup.  This all gels with MLBTR’s report from January 24th.

ESPN’s Jayson Stark mentioned that Luis Gonzalez could be another option for the Ms.  Gonzalez recently scoffed at a $2MM Marlins offer.  Gonzo made $7.35MM in ’07.

Bedard Traded To Mariners?

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UPDATE, 1-27-08 at 11:29pm: Geoff Baker checks in again.  He notes MacPhail’s careful choice of words and reiterates that a deal appears close.  He seems to think only a Peter Angelos objection could kill it, but would consider that a crazy thing for him to do.

UPDATE, 1-27-08 at 10:55pm: Jason Churchill, referencing three sources, believes this to be 99% done.  He is hearing Jones, Tillman, Sherrill, Tony Butler, and Kameron Mickolio to the O’s.  He’s not sure whether Bedard extension talks are a factor but you have to think that might be holding it up.  He’s also unsure on whether the O’s would include anyone else with Bedard.

UPDATE, 1-27-08 at 10:25pm: Jon Heyman of SI.com says "there is still some internal debate in Baltimore over the deal."  Heyman’s heard that Jones, Tillman, and Sherrill are possibilities but the Ms may keep Jeff Clement.  Heyman then goes on to add that the O’s might send Brian Roberts to the Cubs for Sean Gallagher and Felix Pie if they finish the Bedard deal.

UPDATE, 1-27-08 at 9:32pm: No deal, says Andy MacPhail.  He denies that Jones is headed to Baltimore for a physical.  This Baltimore Sun link also has quotes from Jones, which kind of started the whole thing.  Someone must’ve said something to him.

UPDATE, 1-27-08 at 8:45pm: A high-ranking Orioles official told the Baltimore Sun that a trade has not been completed.  Meanwhile MLB.com’s Jim Street believes the Ms will send Jones, Sherrill, Chris Tillman, and a minor leaguer for Bedard.

FROM 1-27-08 at 7:49pm:

According to Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times, Adam Jones is headed to Baltimore in an Erik Bedard trade.  Jones was pulled from the Lara Cardinals’ lineup today in Venezuela.  Cardinals manager Luis Sojo confirmed Jones went to Baltimore for a physical.

Baker got in touch with reliever George Sherrill, who has not been informed of any involvement in a trade.  When we hear about the other players involved we’ll post it here.

Odds and Ends: Dotel, Valverde, Wilkerson

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Some Saturday odds and ends to mull over…

  • The Yankees considered bringing Octavio Dotel back, but wouldn’t go two years on him.
  • Richard Justice thinks Astros GM Ed Wade is making a mistake by setting a deadline and going to arbitration hearings with Jose Valverde and Mark Loretta.  I doubt the Astros wanted Loretta to accept their offer of arbitration in the first place, but they took the $4-5MM gamble hoping to get a draft pick.  But they actively sought out Valverde, and this might not bode well for him staying past 2009.
  • Can’t promise anything, but my source is saying Brad Wilkerson is likely to become a Mariner on a one-year deal.  Put this in the unconfirmed category for now.
  • Did the Rangers DFA Armando Galarraga in anticipation of including him in a trade?
  • Troy Tulowitzki explanation: he can opt out of his $15MM club option for 2014 if he’s traded. Tracy Ringolsby also reports that Garrett Atkins had unfruitful extension talks with the Rox last year and would still like to stay.
  • "No substantive negotiations" on a multiyear deal for Ryan Zimmerman.
  • Casey Blake’s agent put in a counteroffer but hasn’t heard back from the Indians yet; the two sides are $1.5MM apart on his ’08 salary.

Erik Bedard Rumors

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The Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec was able to get in touch with Erik Bedard this evening.  Bedard’s quotes paint a story of his team not attempting to sign him to an extension.  He says how there are a lot more talks about trading him than signing him.  He accuses the Orioles of "playing it both ways."  Bedard is certain about one thing – he has no desire to be part of a rebuilding effort.

Andy MacPhail says Bedard’s agent suggested a one-year deal and denied the Orioles’ multiyear overtures.  MacPhail’s version sounds more accurate, given that Bedard’s agent acknowledged the Orioles’ "conceptual" talks about signing him through 2010.

Zrebiec thinks a deal could happen with the Mariners next week, of course centered around Adam Jones.  The Orioles covet Chris Tillman and Carlos Triunfel as well, though Triunfel may be untouchable.

Brad Wilkerson Rumors

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I’ve got some more info from the same source that told me about Boston’s interest in Brad Wilkerson.

  • The Red Sox offered Wilkerson one year and $2MM plus incentives, and today is the deadline for him to decide.  The appeal is that Wilkerson would join a winning organization for the first time; he’d be a backup first baseman and outfielder.  It does not seem that Wilkerson is seeking three years and $21MM.
  • Wilkerson’s fate could be linked to the Erik Bedard situation.  If the Mariners are able to acquire Bedard and give up Adam Jones, they would be interested in signing Wilkerson to play right field.  That would be a better chance for playing time for him.

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