Odds and Ends: Fogg, Jays, Red Sox, White Sox
Links for Friday…
- Corey Brock talked to agent Barry Axelrod about the slow-moving free agent market.
- The D’Backs still have Will Ohman and Joe Beimel on the radar, but Nick Piecoro believes they’d like to add a starter first.
- Red Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino doesn’t want the team’s dealings with Scott Boras for Mark Teixeira to affect other negotiations.
- Josh Fogg hopes to sign soon; possibilities may include the Rockies, Orioles, and Nationals.
- The Blue Jays are currently in talks with a Japanese pitcher.
- Nolan Ryan comments on the free agent market.
- Ed Wade explains his approach to waivers.
- Tony Massarotti projects an Opening Day payroll around $135MM for the Red Sox. Michael Silverman examines Boston’s options behind the plate.
- South Side Sox have the White Sox around $100MM for their Opening Day payroll.
- RotoAuthority lists the hitters projected to earn at least $10 in fantasy value in 2009.
Thome Down To Last Year Of Contract
Jim Thome told Scott Merkin of MLB.com Wednesday that he plans on playing beyond 2009. His contract with the White Sox, however, runs out at the conclusion of this season.
Thome claims to be in great shape and knocked 34 balls out of the park last year. His power would be welcome in most lineups.
"If this is my last year [in Chicago], I’m truly going to enjoy every minute of it — as I am going to enjoy this last phase of my career… Playing for [manager] Ozzie [Guillen] and with guys from Konerko to Dye to A.J., they are all proven winners. I’ve been given the chance to play in a great, winning organization."
Dewon Day Clears Waivers
According to Bill Chastain of MLB.com, right-hander Dewon Day cleared waivers earlier today and was outrighted by Tampa Bay to Triple-A Durham.
Day, 28, spent the 2008 season in the White Sox organization, posting a 6.61 ERA in 13 starts in Double-A Birmingham and a 4.56 ERA in 21 relief appearances in Triple-A Charlotte.
He was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox in October and then by the Rays on Friday. He has an invitation to Major League Camp in Spring Training.
Freddy Garcia Close To Finding A Team
Scot Gregor of the Arlington Daily Herald expects free agent pitcher Freddy Garcia to make a decision sometime this week.
The White Sox, Mets and Rangers appear to be the only serious suitors. Gregor provides some analysis on the White Sox’ interest:
"There has been some speculation that the White Sox are no longer interested in Garcia after they signed another injury-prone veteran Bartolo Colon last week. That’s not necessarily true. Given Colon’s physical troubles over the past three seasons, there is still plenty of interest in Garcia on the South Side. And even if Colon does manage to stay off the disabled list, they still need a No. 5 starter… If they get Garcia, that buys more time to develop promising left-hander Aaron Poreda."
White Sox Avoid Arb With Bobby Jenks
According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, the White Sox have avoided arbitration with closer Bobby Jenks by signing him for $5.6MM. It’s a record for a first-year arb closer, but Jonathan Papelbon figures to top it.
Rosenthal On Roberts, Hudson, Counsell
Let’s take a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal.
- The Orioles have their ears open Brian Roberts, whose trade value has diminished as he nears free agency. The White Sox can’t afford him, the Braves are reluctant to give up talent, and the Cubs didn’t discuss him in the Felix Pie talks. The Roberts market may improve once Orlando Hudson signs.
- Rosenthal’s source says the Michael Young–Jermaine Dye discussions did take place. If you read Dave van Dyck’s article, Ken Williams never specifically denied talks with the Rangers.
- Rosenthal believes that if the Cubs make another big move, it’ll be a Jake Peavy trade. They’re not in on Hudson.
- The Dodgers have roughly $50MM in payroll flexibility right now.
- The Giants may be looking at Manny Ramirez, but they’ve also looked in trades for hitters – "presumably" Prince Fielder or Corey Hart included. Those talks with the Brewers didn’t go far. The Giants may be willing to move Jonathan Sanchez, but the Jorge Cantu talks have stalled.
- So far the Dodgers and Russell Martin have only talked about a one-year deal.
- The Mariners are Brewers are eyeing Craig Counsell.
- The Ms "likely are willing" to trade Aaron Heilman.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Garcia, Perez, O-Dog
A few quick notes from FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal…
- The White Sox, Rangers and Mets have strong interest in Freddy Garcia. Rosenthal believes he would accept a minor league deal if a team gives him a chance to start.
- The Diamondbacks are not willing to pay the money that Oliver Perez desires.
- Rosenthal notes that few teams have openly expressed interest in free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson and believes he could fall to the Nationals if large market teams give way.
Rosenthal On Andruw, Nady, Lyon, Madson
The latest from Ken Rosenthal…
- The Braves are pulling back for the moment in their search for an outfield bat. They’ll hope for a free agent bargain or the right trade. Rosenthal says they’re torn about Andruw Jones. The Braves seek a right-handed hitter but aren’t dead set on it. They were unwilling to meet the Yankees’ demands for Xavier Nady.
- Brandon Lyon‘s agent is telling teams he has a two-year, $9MM offer in hand (Kyle Farnsworth money). The Tigers or Twins are possibilities there, while the Cardinals may have offered one year. Jon Paul Morosi confirms Detroit’s interest, but says they’ve yet to make an offer. Morosi believes the Tigers have about $5MM left in their budget.
- Ryan Madson turned down a three-year, $12MM extension from the Phillies. The Scott Boras client is eligible for free agency after the season.
- Execs have all kinds of concerns with Oliver Perez: his flyball tendencies, frequent walks, and inability to reach 200 innings.
- The Yankees have little interest in Ben Sheets and Freddy Garcia. The Rangers, Mets, and White Sox remain in the mix for Garcia.
- The Brewers and other teams are in on Braden Looper, while the Orioles and Dodgers have backed off.
- Edgardo Alfonzo is playing well in the Venezuelan Winter League and could make a comeback.
Garcia Considering Return To White Sox
FRIDAY: Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times believes the Colon signing "all but ends" the chance the Sox will pursue Garcia.
THURSDAY: According to Scot Gregor of the Chicago Daily Herald, Freddy Garcia is "strongly considering returning to the White Sox." Gregor says we shouldn’t be surprised to see Garcia sign a deal similar to Bartolo Colon‘s within the next couple days.
When Kenny Williams was asked if his rotation’s set, he said "we’ll see," which Gregor believes is "code for no."
White Sox Agree To Terms With Bartolo Colon
THURSDAY: According to the AP, Colon gets $1MM plus another possible $2MM based on innings pitched.
WEDNESDAY: FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal reports that the White Sox have added veteran pitcher Bartolo Colon on a one-year deal.
Rosenthal believes Colon will compete for the fifth spot in the starting rotation, along with Aaron Poreda. The 35-year-old Colon started seven games for the Red Sox last season, posting a 3.92 ERA and record of 4-2. Colon was a workhorse for the 2003 White Sox, tossing 242 innings.