Rays Rumors

Heyman’s Latest: Perez, Greinke, Dye, Garland

By Tim Dierkes | December 18, 2008 at 2:16pm CDT

The latest from SI.com’s Jon Heyman, non-Teixeira department…

Heyman describes the Mets’ chance of signing Oliver Perez as "remote for now." He names other "potential suitors" – the Brewers, Dodgers, Reds, and perhaps Mariners.
Apparently some Yankees people wouldn’t mind if Andy Pettitte passed on their $10MM offer, as they’d be able to pursue Ben Sheets or Derek Lowe.
The Red Sox "looked into" trading for Zack Greinke but didn’t like the price.
Heyman says the Reds, Braves, and Rays are still showing interest in Jermaine Dye.
He says the Dodgers, White Sox, and Mets "could be possibilities" for Jon Garland. A return to Chicago?

Derrick Turnbow Derby

By Tim Dierkes | December 18, 2008 at 8:30am CDT

We learned yesterday from Dejan Kovacevic that five teams are in serious talks for free agent reliever Derrick Turnbow. One large-market team (not the Pirates) made a Major League offer.

Jon Paul Morosi talked to Turnbow’s agent Damon Lapa, who said the Tigers called him this week to reaffirm their interest. The Tigers have Turnbow’s medical records (he dealt with a slight labrum tear this year). Lapa expects his client to sign somewhere by the end of the year.

According to Morosi, the Pirates, Marlins, Rays, Rangers, and Phillies have also shown interest in Turnbow. The last three are new, while the Rockies and Giants have been linked to Turnbow in the past as well.

19 Teams Interested In Joe Nelson

By Tim Dierkes | December 17, 2008 at 9:30pm CDT

There’s a good chance your favorite team has inquired on free agent reliever Joe Nelson. MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro learned that Nelson’s agent has received inquiries from 19 teams. A few teams have topped a $1MM in their offer. The known suitors: the Royals, Cardinals, Red Sox, Braves, Rays, and Mets. Nelson is hoping to sign before Christmas.

On Friday, the Marlins made the thrifty decision to non-tender Nelson, a positive development for the 34 year-old reliever. He hasn’t ruled out the Marlins, but a return doesn’t seem likely.

Odds and Ends: Wigginton, Andruw, Royals

By Tim Dierkes | December 16, 2008 at 3:00pm CDT

Links and notes for Tuesday…

The Rays held a "get-to-know you" chat with free agent reliever Joe Nelson. Also, exec Andrew Friedman doesn’t see their pursuit for a hitter lasting into late January.
The Mets will not be affected by the money a few of their owners lost in the Bernard Madoff scheme.
Argenis Reyes and Ambiorix Burgos are now free agents after being non-tendered.
RotoAuthority has a running list of pitchers who are moving from the AL to the NL for 2009.
I chatted about the Yankees with Coast To Coast Baseball.
El Lefty Malo discusses the idea of the Giants signing Ty Wigginton.
Kevin Baxter passes along quotes from Andruw Jones regarding the future.
Rany Jazayerli weighs in on recent Royals moves.
Bleeding Blue and Teal tells us about Taiwanese lefty Fu-Te Ni, who may sign with a Major League team.

Odds and Ends: Teixeira, Hunsicker, Burrell

By Tim Dierkes | December 15, 2008 at 2:30pm CDT

Links for Monday…

According to the Newberg Report mailing list and CBSSports.com, the Rangers re-signed pitcher Doug Mathis to a minor league deal.
Joe Nelson’s been popular since being non-tendered – he’s heard from "at least 12-14 teams." Ruben Amaro Jr. said today the Phillies inquired on "20 or so" non-tendered players.
Adam Everett’s deal with the Tigers is official – $1MM plus incentives.
MLB.com’s Barry Bloom spoke to Padres owner John Moores.
Richard Justice doesn’t think Drayton McLane would ask Ed Wade to trade Roy Oswalt, but he could see Oswalt requesting a trade.
Dave Sheinin says nothing has happened with Mark Teixeira since the Winter Meetings ended, and it’s no coincidence that we haven’t heard much about offers from the Red Sox or Yankees. Michael Silverman says Boston’s eventual offer to Tex will easily be a record for this ownership group. He guesses eight years in the $145-175MM range, noting that the Red Sox do not like to have players signed beyond age 36.
Buster Olney says the Orioles and Nationals bidding on Tex is "nothing less than lunacy."
Gerry Hunsicker has signed an extension to stay with the Rays.
RotoAuthority takes a look at Jonathan Sanchez.
George King says Kenny Lofton attempted to dissuade C.C. Sabathia from signing with the Yankees.
Ken Davidoff says it seems that the Yankees will avoid Scott Boras this offseason.
Steve Serby did a Q&A with Omar Minaya, learning details of Minaya’s Winter Meetings dealings.
Pat Burrell says he never received a formal offer from the Phillies. His replacement, Raul Ibanez, will receive three years and $31.5MM.

Odds and Ends: Nelson, Atkins, Taveras

By Tim Dierkes | December 14, 2008 at 6:43pm CDT

After a hectic Winter Meetings, it’s been a slow weekend. Today’s links…

A 3.35 ERA for Phil Hughes next year? Bill James and Co. think so.
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe talked to Mark Mulder’s agent, Gregg Clifton. Clifton said, "He’s ready to go for any team right out of the chute." Clifton shot down talk that Mulder would not be ready in April.
The Rays have contacted the agents for Joe Nelson and Scott Proctor.
Keith Law likes A.J. Burnett’s upside, but notes the risks. Peter Abraham compares the Burnett and Johan Santana deals.
Law is in favor of the Indians’ Kerry Wood signing.
Scott Ostler’s baseball source says people are scratching their heads about the Giants’ Edgar Renteria contract.
Bruce Jenkins says the Rockies would trade Garrett Atkins for Jonathan Sanchez.
Troy Renck says Willy Taveras has received interest from the Reds, Nationals, and White Sox.
Drayton McLane says there are a lot of reasons for Astros fans to be optimistic.
The Yankees like Andy Pettitte over Ben Sheets.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Yankees, Teixeira, Bradley, Furcal

By Nat Boyle | December 14, 2008 at 5:45pm CDT

Ken Rosenthal has his latest article up. Let’s go through it.

Milton Bradley is weighing his options with the Cubs and Rays. Joe Maddon and the Rays may be a better fit than Lou Piniella and the Cubs. And spending time at DH would allow him to "protect his oft-injured body." But will the Rays meet Bradley’s asking price when they can turn to Bobby Abreu, Jason Giambi, Garret Anderson, or Pat Burrell instead? Rosenthal adds that the Reds, Angels, and Nationals are also interested in Bradley.
Rosenthal says the Yankees are aiming to keep their payroll lower than last season. Despite gorging this holiday season, they’re shedding more than they’re putting on.
With regards to Mark Teixeira, Rosenthal reports one general manager says there is a lot of bluffing going on right now to get the Red Sox to go higher.
Ty Wigginton has received calls from four teams since being non-tendered by the Astros. His replacement in Houston has yet to be established. Chris Johnson, the team’s third base prospect, had a .539 OPS in Triple A last season.
Jerry Hairston Jr. is receiving interest from the Reds and three AL clubs, the Mariners likely being one of them. Says Rosenthal, "Hairston, 32, plays six positions and was a favorite of new M’s manager Don Wakamatsu when both were with the Rangers." Not sure where the Phillies fit in, but Jay Bruce said Hairston was considering them. And John Perrotto has the Pirates in the mix for Hairston.
The reason Rafael Furcal rejected the A’s offer was that he wants to stay with the Dodgers, so says "one agent." Meanwhile the Dodgers appear to be daring Furcal to leave for a lesser club before making an offer.

Rays Still Have Options For Offensive Addition

By Tim Dierkes | December 14, 2008 at 10:44am CDT

Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times says Raul Ibanez’s three-year, $30MM deal puts a ceiling on the market for most of the remaining outfield/DH types. Adam Dunn was, at one point, expected to get at least twice that amount.

The Rays are looking for a hitter, and still have plenty of options. Topkin gives his odds of Jason Giambi, Milton Bradley, Pat Burrell, Garret Anderson, Dunn, Juan Rivera, and Ken Griffey Jr. landing with the Rays. He finds Giambi, possibly on a two-year deal, as the most likely.

The Rays had a .726 OPS against lefties this year (12th in the AL), so they may seek a right-handed bat (Burrell, Rivera) or the switch-hitting Bradley.

Topkin adds that trading Chad Bradford would give the Rays another $3.5MM to work with.

Four Teams Express Interest In Abreu

By Tim Dierkes | December 12, 2008 at 2:29pm CDT

According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman:

The Cubs, Rays, Dodgers and Angels are among teams that have expressed interest in star free-agent outfielder Bobby Abreu.

The Cubs are said to prefer Milton Bradley. The Rays met with Abreu’s agents on Wednesday at the Winter Meetings. The California teams are new, I believe.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Tigers, Braves, Red Sox, Pirates

By Cork Gaines | December 12, 2008 at 11:50am CDT

Today is free agent Orlando Hudson’s 31st birthday and the 29th birthday of Garrett Atkins, the subject of many recent trade rumors.

Also, on this date 10 years ago, Kevin Brown became the first player to sign a contract worth at least $100MM, when he signed a seven-year/$105MM contract with the Dodgers. The deal came when Brown was 34, one season after going 18-7 with a 2.38 ERA. Brown’s first two seasons with the Dodgers (18-9, 3.00 and 13-6, 2.58) were solid, but he would only make 29 starts in years three and four combined. Since then, two pitchers have signed deals for at least six years. Mike Hampton and Barry Zito. That doesn’t bode well for C.C. Sabathia, but it’s a small sample size…With the winter meetings now wrapped up, let’s take a look at what is being said in the Blogosphere…

T ake 75 North feels the Tigers are going to regret acquiring Edwin Jackson and lament the loss of Matt Joyce.
The Detroit Tigers Weblog does not get the Edwin Jackson/Matt Joyce deal noting that at least Joyce has shown signs of being a very good player.
When Sid Slid weighs the merits of acquiring Jake Peavy or A.J. Burnett and sees Burnett as the better option.
Infield Chatter warns the Red Sox about signing Mark Teixeira, feeling Theo Epstein should be more concerned with acquiring a pitcher and noting the Red Sox have Lars Anderson waiting in the minors.
Pirate Revolution feels the Pirates need to move Adam LaRoche, Freddy Sanchez, Jack Wilson and John Grabow to unblock the paths of younger players.
DraftInfo has a Q&A with Max Stassi, a high school catcher that is projected to be selected in the first round.
Fire Brand of the American League takes a look at the impact C.C. Sabathia will have on the AL East.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here.

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