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Rosenthal’s Latest: Prior, Bedard, Haren

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The rumor mill is picking up today, thanks in no short part to Ken Rosenthal.  Check out his latest column.

  • Rosenthal believes the Padres are Mark Prior’s first choice, but as usual they won’t pay as much as other teams.  Both Texas clubs are in the lead for Prior currently.  Rosenthal also names the Cards, Mets, and Yankees are suitors, as we knew.  The Pirates, by the way, have not inquired.
  • Talks for Erik Bedard have slowed down, because the Orioles aren’t impressed with the offers.  The Mariners, Reds, and Mets are the top contenders.  Rosenthal indicates that the Reds may be overvaluing Homer Bailey, compared to the perception of other clubs.
  • Interesting late-game suitors for Dan Haren: the Rockies and Braves.  You wonder, then, whether they’ll also inquire on Bedard. 
  • Rosenthal notes that the Chris Burke acquisition could be a sign that the D’Backs won’t re-sign Orlando Hudson.  Burke will have to show something first though.
  • The Orioles don’t seem likely to flip Luke Scott; they like his style.  The guy could hit 30 bombs this year, in the opinion of Ron Shandler and Co.
  • The Twins are up to 39 on their 40 man roster, so they’ll have to be creative to take back four players in a Johan Santana deal.  It could mean including a player with Johan.

Giants Pursuing Corner Infield Help

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I’m not sure of the Giants’ plan – are they rebuilding?  Playing for 2008?  Kind of rebuilding but trying to seem respectable?

At any rate, the Giants don’t have much going on at first and third base.  I like the idea of going after a cheap under-30 third base upside play like Dallas McPherson.  But I wouldn’t fill the spot with a vet just to fill it.  As for first, I’ve said before I’d just toss Dan Ortmeier there for 550 ABs in lieu of adding some stopgap.  But that’s just me; here’s the latest on Brian Sabean’s corner infield pursuits:

  • Tony Clark is a target, and San Francisco is a good fit for him in terms of playing time.  He’d probably get a one-year deal and be paired with Ortmeier.
  • The Mariners are apparently shopping Adrian Beltre for pitching.  Doesn’t seem to be a smart move for Seattle but it may be a moot point if they are nearing a Carlos Silva signing.
  • No doubt Joe Crede can be had.  Paul Konerko, not so much.  Crede makes sense for the Giants in that they might be able to flip him if he has a good April-May.
  • Morgan Ensberg is a free agent who would probably play for $3MM and jump at a full-time chance.
  • Pedro Feliz remains on the radar, but apparently still wants three years.  C’mon now.
  • The Giants have "moved in opposing directions" with McPherson, a Scott Boras client.

Mark Prior Rumors: Astros, Cardinals

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More info coming in on Mark Prior, who’s starting to seem like a hot commodity.  I can see how teams find him tantalizing, though a decent half-season from him is probably the upside.

The Astros have an offer out to Prior; throwing out tons of early offers seems to be Ed Wade’s style this winter.  Wade says the expectation is for Prior to be ready by late May; you can easily push that back a month if you want to be realistic.  The ’Stros will also watch Kris Benson throw.  That means only two of the ten clubs interested in Benson remain unknown.

Another NL Central team may have an eye on Prior.  MLB.com’s Matthew Leach says Prior is on the Cardinals’ radar.  You might think the Cardinals already have enough injury risk in the rotation.  But as Larry Borowsky notes, the Edmonds trade may have left the team with enough money for one innings eating starter and one wild card like Prior.

By the way, it doesn’t appear the Mariners are interested in Prior.

Mariners Targeting Blanton?

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So far this winter, we haven’t heard much about the Mariners getting involved for Joe Blanton.  However, Buster Olney says today that "it appears they are in the thick of the trade bidding" for the 27 year-old righty.  Blanton has a career ERA of 4.10 with a below-average K/9 of 5.24 and better-than-average BB/9 of 2.37.

Olney believes Adam Jones would be required for Seattle to acquire Blanton.  Along with Jones, Carlos Gonzalez, Daric Barton, Kurt Suzuki, and Travis Buck could be the makings of a solid, cheap offensive core for Oakland.  Olney believes the Mets and Reds could be other clubs eyeing Blanton.

The Mariners are still scrambling for two starters after missing out on Hiroki Kuroda.  According to Larry Stone, they’re still after Erik Bedard.  Carlos Silva and Kyle Lohse might also become targets if the bigger names fall through.

Dodgers Sign Kuroda

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UPDATE, 12-15-07 at 6:26pm: Crasnick has an update: it’s for $35-36MM over three years.  So he’s no bargain.  $35.3MM, to be exact.

UPDATE, 12-15-07 at 3:52pm: Ken Rosenthal checks in, noting that the Dodgers and other clubs were willing to go to four years on Kuroda but he preferred three.

UPDATE, 12-15-07 at 2:25pm: Tony Jackson of the L.A. Daily News reports that the Dodgers have signed Kuroda to a three-year deal worth between $36-40MM, pending a physical.  The Dodgers will go with Brad Penny, Chad Billingsley, Derek Lowe, Kuroda, and Jason Schmidt if he’s healthy.  Esteban Loaiza might have to move to the bullpen for now.

UPDATE, 12-15-07 at 11:32am: Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times says Ned Colletti had multiple conversations with Kuroda’s agent yesterday, and the two sides made "significant progress."  The Dodgers still appear to be offering three years and $30MM.  Hernandez adds that Arizona continued talking to Kuroda’s agent as well – the addition of Dan Haren apparently doesn’t diminish their interest.

FROM 12-14-07 at 9:50pm:

After all the ruckus about Hiroki Kuroda earlier this week, his agent said today that he still has not reached a decision.  The decision is "very close," and may come by the end of the weekend.  The Mariners, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, and Royals have offers out.

No word yet on whether the D’Backs will pull their offer after snagging Dan Haren.  I know they’re going with the three-year payroll plan, so they can probably still fit Kuroda in.

Rangers Acquire Broussard, Non-tender Otsuka

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Quick note from Geoff Baker – the Mariners sent first baseman Ben Broussard to the Rangers for minor league infielder Tug Hulett.  Makes sense; the Mariners clear $3.5MM+ from the payroll and actually get something in return.  The Rangers get a cheap stopgap first baseman who won’t embarrass them.

We may never hear from Hulett again, but he’s better than the nothing the Mariners would’ve gotten for non-tendering Broussard.

The Rangers also non-tendered Akinori Otsuka.  Last we’d heard he was throwing pain-free in October, but maybe the Rangers learned he needed Tommy John after all. (Hat tip to Rangerfans.com).

Mariners Leading For Kuroda?

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John Hickey has an update on Hiroki Kuroda this morning.  It seems the Mariners, Dodgers, and Diamondbacks are competing for his services.  Kuroda only wants a three-year deal, giving himself a chance to go back to Japan for the 2011 season if he chooses.  According to Hickey, "Kuroda’s final decision will be between the Dodgers and the Mariners."

  • Mariners: Hickey thinks they’re in the lead with a three-year offer in the $33-36MM range.  The rumors of a four-year offer were false.
  • Dodgers: They’re at 3/30 and are considered the Mariners’ biggest competition.
  • Diamondbacks: Hickey says they’re also close to 3/30 but on the fringes, which might imply his source was not aware of their recently improved offer.

It seems Kuroda will make a decision within a week or so.  Maybe by then the starting pitching market will start moving.

Heyman’s Latest: Santana, Gagne, Kuroda

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SI.com’s Jon Heyman has penned (or typed I guess) a new column with some hot stove banter.

  • The Mets are offering Carlos Gomez, Mike Pelfrey, and others for Santana.  Joel Sherman thinks the offer is at least viable, and that Aaron Heilman may interest Minnesota..  The Yankees offered Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, and Jeff Marquez.  The Red Sox proposed Jon Lester, Coco Crisp, Jed Lowrie, and Justin Masterson.  The Mariners have offered Adam Jones and Brandon Morrow.  Seems to me the Red Sox still have the advantage, at least slightly.
  • Heyman says the Brewers and Astros are in the mix for Eric Gagne (if he doesn’t accept arbitration).  Regarding the Brewers, though, Doug Melvin said today that they already have a closer in Derrick Turnbow.
  • Heyman says offers for Hiroki Kuroda are expected to approach $15MM per year.  Damn, for him?

Erik Bedard Rumors: Wednesday

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UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 1:10am: Geoff Baker believes the Mariners are still in on Bedard, and that no team has beaten their offer yet.  However, that offer still may not be enough for Andy MacPhail and Co.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 1:38pm: Jon Heyman says Bedard turned down a three-year extension offer from the Orioles.  He has some interesting thoughts; check it out.

Meanwhile there’s chatter of a 610 WIP report coming out of Philly about the team’s attempts to acquire Bedard.  Something like Kyle Kendrick, Shane Victorino, Carlos Carrasco, and others.  I don’t put much stock in this one as the Orioles could do much better.

FROM 12-5-07 at 1:59am:

Tuesday ended with 11 teams expressing interest in Erik Bedard.  Let’s start a new thread for today’s rumors.

Geoff Baker cautiously names the Mariners the frontrunners for Bedard, now that the Dodgers have vowed not to give up Jonathan Broxton.  He says the front office is salivating over Bedard and could offer up some combination of Adam Jones, Wladimir Balentien, Brandon Morrow, and George Sherrill.

Hiroki Kuroda Rumors: Wednesday

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UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 1:08am: Geoff Baker reads between the lines, and thinks the Mariners may have added that fourth year to their offer for Kuroda.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 5:59pm: Per Scott Lauber, the Phils are out on Kuroda.

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 10:46am: Todd Zolecki says Kuroda will visit the D’Backs, Mariners, and Dodgers next week, so it’s fair to assume those are three of the four finalists.

FROM 12-5-07 at 9:41am:

Yesterday morning it was reported that the Mets had reached "Round 2" of the bidding for free agent Hiroki Kuroda.  At that time 8-10 teams were in on him.

Now, the Kuroda derby is down to four finalists and the Mets aren’t one of them. David Lennon agrees, saying the Mets were "drifting to the back of the pack" for Kuroda.

My guess on the four finalists: Mariners, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, and Royals.

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