Mark Prior Rumors: Astros, Cardinals
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?
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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.
Odds and Ends: Guzman, Shelton, Garcia, Jones
Rounding up some smaller rumors…
- The Phillies talked to the Pirates today about Nate McLouth, Damaso Marte, and John Grabow. Grabow remains a possibility.
- There’s some ill will between the Marlins and Angels.
- Aaron Rowand, Andruw Jones, and Hiroki Kuroda are all asking for more years than GMs are willing to give.
- The Tigers picked up Freddy Guzman from the Rangers for first baseman Chris Shelton. Maybe Shelton can work his way into the team’s first base mix.
- Interesting note from MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan – the Rangers considered trying to acquire Adam Jones, but Bill Bavasi said, "You don’t want to see Jones kicking your tail for the next 10 years."
- The Mets and roughly five other teams looked at Freddy Garcia’s medical records, according to Joel Sherman. The Rangers are one other interested party.
Johan Santana Rumors: Wednesday
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 7:50pm: Tim Brown says the Red Sox had a moment of doubt, but they remain the frontrunner for Santana. The previously mentioned packages apply.
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 6:21pm: LENIII checks in on the interest level of the six teams involved.
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 5:05pm: Santana’s agent, Peter Greenberg, indicated that the Mets are in the running for Santana.
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 2:48pm: BP’s John Perrotto talked to a Twins official, and it definitely looks like the Meetings will end without a Johan deal. Perrotto says he’s still likely to be dealt before Spring Training.
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 2:18pm: Ken Rosenthal believes the door is open for more teams to jump in, especially the Mariners.
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 12:43pm: Jon Heyman reports that the Mets are trying to work their way back into the mix. They’re still viewed as a longshot without Jose Reyes in the offer, but at least the Twins are listening.
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 12:21pm: The Red Sox and Twins are still engaged in talks. The Sox are still considering the Yankees a factor. And no, Ellsbury signing on with Boras doesn’t change the Twins’ opinion of him.
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 11:26am: Joel Sherman describes Boston’s two goals in the Santana Sweepstakes. He wonders whether the Sox and Twins could reach an accord on players and then the Red Sox wouldn’t be able to agree with Santana on an extension. Meanwhile Gammons himself reiterates that he senses the Twins will hold onto Santana.
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 10:54am: Peter Gammons via Amy Nelson is saying Santana may not be traded.
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 9:56am: According to Keith Law via MetsBlog, the Twins have reached out to the Mets, Dodgers, and Angels to revisit Santana talks.
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 9:43am: Joel Sherman agrees with Bill Madden’s take below – part of the reason the Yankees pulled out is that even they have a payroll.
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 8:30am: The Yankees could’ve had Santana for Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, Jeff Marquez, and Mitch Hilligoss. Brian Cashman, however, never wanted to sacrifice Hughes for Santana and convinced his bosses that the Yankees couldn’t afford him now that Andy Pettitte is in the fold. This near-trade won’t be forgotten by Yankees fans, unless Hughes takes off in ’08.
FROM 12-5-07 at 12:55am:
Time for a fresh Johan thread. Yesterday’s had 297 comments on it.
The Boston Herald’s Rob Bradford says the Red Sox told Ryan Kalish‘s agent that his name has never come up in the Santana talks with Minnesota. Peter Gammons had said the 19 year-old outfielder was added to the deal to make it a 5-for-1 around 3pm yesterday.