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Jake Peavy Rumors: Wednesday

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11:00pm: Meanwhile, Yahoo’s Tim Brown says the Braves, Cubs, and Cardinals are all working out contigency plans to replace the players they’d use in a Peavy deal.

10:53pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Cubs are the frontrunner for Peavy, "perhaps even ahead of the Braves." He says the Cubs also want to re-sign Ryan Dempster.  The Cubs’ dream rotation would be Peavy, Carlos Zambrano, Dempster, Ted Lilly, and Rich Harden.

The Braves had a window of exclusivity to hammer out a Peavy trade, but that has apparently passed.  The Padres like the Cubs’ young pitching, even if it doesn’t match Atlanta’s.

If the Cubs pull this off, they’d have to cut costs by perhaps letting Kerry Wood go and going cheaper in right field.

WEDNESDAY, 9:14am: Ken Davidoff swapped emails with Peavy’s agent, Barry Axelrod.  Axelrod stresses that Peavy’s list of preferred teams is just guidance for the Padres, and is not definitive or all-inclusive.  The Padres have not yet requested approval for any team or trade.

TUESDAY: Time to begin a new thread for Jake Peavy rumors.  According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Padres consider the Braves, Cubs, and Dodgers as potential matches for a Peavy trade.  GM Kevin Towers is "down the road" with two of those clubs (probably the Braves and Cubs), but nothing is imminent.  Things could slow down as free agency opens up, giving potential trade partners more options for their rotations.

Mets Prioritize Pitching

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9:15pm: Michael Schmidt has a look at the amusing binder the Boras Corporation compiled to sell Oliver Perez.

6:31pm: Mets GM Omar Minaya commented on Manny Ramirez, indicating that he plans to invest in pitching instead.

2:34pm: The Mets expressed preliminary interest in Jon Garland and Ryan Dempster, according to Ken Davidoff.  Dempster’s agent made it clear that he won’t be re-signing with the Cubs soon.

1:23pm: ESPN’s Buster Olney wrote in his blog this morning that the Mets are probably not willing to go past three years for Francisco Rodriguez or any reliever.

10:03am: More Mets chatter from Joel Sherman of the New York Post. He says the Mets and Rays have had preliminary discussions about Edwin Jackson and Andy Sonnanstine.  The Rays have some interest in Aaron Heilman, though the Mets would need to give more.

Sherman believes the Mets’ interest in Ibanez is minor, and Carlos Delgado or Ryan Church would have to be dealt first.

9:45am: The Mets are prioritizing pitching this winter, based on articles by Mike Puma of the New York Post, Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, and Ken Davidoff of Newsday.  Let’s dig in!

  • Puma says the Mets have Scott Boras clients Oliver Perez and Derek Lowe on the radar.  Perez offers the benefit of familiarity, though he’s not likely to sign quickly.  Ken Rosenthal says the Mets would probably do $12MM a year for Perez, but Boras will want more.  Rubin notes that Lowe is doubly attractive to the Mets for his closing experience.
  • Rubin lists the Rockies, Cardinals, Cubs, and D’Backs as potential trade destinations for Aaron Heilman.  The Rays have also been connected to Heilman.
  • Davidoff mentions Omar Minaya’s Javier Vazquez connection.  ESPN’s Keith Law says the Vazquez to the Mets rumor "appears to have originated in the Chicago camp, and the White Sox are keen to move him." 
  • ESPN’s Buster Olney says the Mets inquired on Rays pitcher Edwin Jackson.
  • Davidoff also points out the Mets’ interest in Raul Ibanez despite their emphasis on pitching.  The Royals and Cubs are also in on Ibanez so far.

Braves Rumors: Ludwick, Dempster, Francoeur

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David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has been churning out rumors in the comments section of his blog.

  • He believes the Braves are interested in Ryan Ludwick, but is not sure if they’d give up Kelly Johnson.  O’Brien also suggests Rick Ankiel could be available, and that either player would interest Atlanta.
  • O’Brien says the Cubs offered three years, $36MM to Ryan Dempster.  Most folks think he’ll re-sign, but the Braves have spoken to Dempster’s agent.
  • He adds that the Braves will make an offer to Mike Hampton, though Hampton will shop around and may prefer the West Coast.  He’s looking for a one-year deal.
  • The Royals still love Jeff Francoeur.

Kelly Johnson-Ryan Ludwick Rumor

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A whisper from David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

Here’s a rumor you might be hearing soon. I repeat, might be hearing.  Kelly Johnson for Ryan Ludwick. Hey, you ask about whispers, I give you whispers. I’ll let you know if I hear it said above a whisper.

Johnson and Ludwick are both under team control for three more seasons.  Johnson is 27 in February, while Ludwick is 30.  Though Johnson plays a premium position, Ludwick was probably more valuable in 2008.  Thoughts?

Odds and Ends: El Duque, Tazawa, Ausmus

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Links for Tuesday.  Be sure to check back on Odds and Ends posts, as I update them throughout the day with minor links.

Rockies Rumors: Holliday, Atkins, Podsednik

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Let’s check in on the Rockies next.

  • Matt Holliday may be selling his Denver-area home, not that it means anything.  Tracy Ringolsby has the Nationals, Rays, Cardinals, and Mets as teams interested in Holliday.  Meanwhile, Troy E. Renck explores a Yankees scenario.
  • Renck can’t see the Rox trading both Holliday and Garrett Atkins.  Ringolsby says the Angels are more interested in Atkins than Holliday.  Renck has the Indians and Twins as suitors for Atkins.
  • Scott Podsednik is open to returning to the Rockies, and they could have a place for him if Willy Taveras is dealt.
  • Renck expects the Rockies to be in on Carl Pavano if the Yankees don’t re-sign him.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Fielder, Beimel, Eckstein

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Ken Rosenthal is on the scene at the GM meetings, and as usual has all kinds of new info.

  • The Brewers are unlikely to trade Prince Fielder, and reluctant to trade J.J. Hardy or Alcides Escobar.  It’d be smart to retain those three players.
  • Rosenthal still likes the Braves as the favorite for Jake Peavy, but wonders if the Cubs or another team could incorporate a third team to get it done.
  • The Cubs will need to spend much of their available money on pitching, which may leave little payroll room for an outfielder like Bobby Abreu.  They could backload contracts and move some of Jason Marquis’ salary though.
  • The Mets are interested in lefty reliever Joe Beimel, as well as usual suspects Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, and Kerry Wood.  They also like Raul Ibanez.
  • The Cardinals could move forward with a Ryan Ludwick/Colby Rasmus/Rick Ankiel outfield, or trade one of them.  Ankiel, entering his contract year, seems most likely to go if Rasmus is ready.
  • David Eckstein is marketing himself as a second baseman for 2009.
  • Don’t look for the Phillies to move Shane Victorino in a Matt Holliday deal.
  • The Cardinals and Nationals are not contenders for A.J. Burnett.  Still no word on Burnett’s opt-out.
  • The Marlins may wait until some of the top free agent starters sign before shopping Scott Olsen.

Rockies Shopping Holliday, Atkins, Taveras

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9:11pm: According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves are not interested in Taveras after all.

10:47am: According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post and Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News, the Rockies are shopping Matt Holliday, Garrett Atkins, and Willy Taveras.

Holliday, a Scott Boras client, is set to earn $13.5MM in 2009 before reaching free agency.  Ringolsby says the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Angels, Mets, and Phillies have shown interest. Renck has the Cardinals as a lurker.  The Nats may also be interested.  The Rockies will target young pitching in return.

Atkins is under team control for 2009 and 2010.  Ringolsby has the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays, Angels, Mets, Phillies, White Sox, and Twins as interested parties.  Renck sees the Indians as another possibility.

Taveras is also under team control through 2010.  Ringolsby says the Royals, Yankees, White Sox, and Braves are in on him, while Renck adds the Nationals.

Rockies Won’t Re-Sign Fuentes

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According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Rockies will not be re-signing free agent closer Brian Fuentes.  Fuentes’ likely price tag – three years, $36MM+ – is just too high.  Renck believes Fuentes may even be able to snag four years given the poor market for closers after Francisco Rodriguez.

Fuentes’ agent listed the Mets, Cardinals, and Angels as interested teams.  A meeting with the Mets should come soon.  The best case for the Rockies would be the Cardinals, as the Rockies would receive their #19 pick in next year’s draft.

Cardinals’ Offseason Plans

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Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch explains the Cardinals’ offseason plans.  The areas of concern: middle infield, lefthanded relief, and perhaps the rotation (maybe a swingman type pitcher).  The Cards would also like an impact bat to protect Albert Pujols, but that is of lower priority.

Strauss says the Cardinals will investigate the price for Brian Fuentes and Joe Beimel.  They’ll also consider bringing Edgar Renteria back to St. Louis on a one-year deal worth considerably less than $10MM.  The Cards should have $20MM+ to spend in total.

As for trade chips, young catcher Bryan Anderson could be one.  Second baseman Adam Kennedy wants out, but has negative trade value.  The Cards could also move an outfielder.  Derrick Goold of the P-D suggests possible matches.

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