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Mariners Met With Josh Hamilton Yesterday

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The latest on slugger Josh Hamilton, with the most recent updates on top…

  • Hamilton is at the Winter Meetings, report Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, and Mariners officials met with him Sunday.  They go on to write that other teams have met with Hamilton, but the Rangers are "currently working the hardest to sign him."  Rangers GM Jon Daniels told reporters today that so far he has no plans to speak with Hamilton or his agent this week at the Meetings.  The Brewers are on the periphery for Hamilton, note Rosenthal and Morosi.

Earlier updates:

  • The Red Sox are among four or five teams interested in Hamilton only on a short-term contract, reports WEEI's Rob Bradford.  
  • The chances of the Red Sox signing Hamilton are not high, a source tells ESPN's Jayson Stark(Twitter link).
  • The Rangers currently have no plans to speak with Hamilton or his agent, GM Jon Daniels told reporters today.
  • While the Phillies have been mentioned as a possible suitor for Hamilton, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark says the best word to describe their interest is "wary" (Twitter link)
  • A source tells Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com not to rule out the Red Sox on Hamilton, pointing out that they have the money to make it happen (Twitter link). Along the same lines, Jim Bowden of ESPN and SiriusXM tweets that the Yankees should be considered a realistic landing spot for Hamilton as well, though I'm not sure they have quite as much financial flexibilty
  • The Rangers have been the most aggressive team so far on the Hamilton front, a source tells Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter links)
  • The Brewers are "on the periphery" for Hamilton, Rosenthal adds in the same tweet.

Phillies Rumors: Hamilton, Fowler, Ichiro, Michael Young

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The latest buzz on the Phillies, courtesy of Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com…

  • GM Ruben Amaro told reporters he's more likely to land his center fielder through free agency than trade.  Salisbury says Michael Bourn doesn't appear to fit the team's profile, while they're lukewarm on a Shane Victorino reunion.  A corner player like Cody Ross could work.  
  • Amaro made a thinly-veiled reference to the one difference-maker on the market, understood to be Josh Hamilton.  The GM skirted the question as to whether he is pursuing Hamilton.  Salisbury considers it a long shot.

Earlier updates:

  • Though the team has some interest in the major free agent center fielders, they're also eyeing Dexter Fowler and Peter Bourjos as potential trade targets.  Bourjos is projected to start for the Halos, however.  The Phillies and Rockies have discussed Fowler, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  He notes that the Rockies would want pitching in return.
  • There has been some communication between the Phillies and Ichiro Suzuki's camp, though it's unclear who reached out.
  • The Phillies have interest in the Rangers' Michael Young for third base, but they'd need Young to approve the trade and the Rangers to pick up part of the tab.  Young, 36, is owed $16MM in 2013, though part of his salary is deferred.

Rangers Re-Sign Geovany Soto

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After rumors swirled around the Rangers and their catching situation for weeks, Texas has decided to retain the backstop that finished the 2012 season with the team, agreeing to a one-year deal with Geovany Soto. The deal, which is now official, will pay Soto $2.75MM, with incentives giving him the chance to earn $3MM.

Uspw_6592732Soto, 29, had a .198/.270/.343 batting line with 11 home runs in 361 plate appearances for the Rangers and Cubs last season. The catcher, who earned $4.3MM in 2012, was non-tendered by Texas just days ago. Last year marked a significant dip in offensive production for Soto, so the Rangers will hope to see him get closer to his career slash line .248/.336/.437 in 2013.

Soto is represented by the Wasserman Media Group, as shown in MLBTR's Agency Database. With the former Cub off the market, A.J. Pierzynski headlines a fairly uninspiring group of free agent catchers.

Evan Grant of MLB.com reported the agreement between Soto and the Rangers, with Jon Heyman and Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com adding financial details. Luke Adams contributed to this post. Photo courtesy of U.S. Presswire.

Orioles Have Minimal Interest In Adam LaRoche

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With Mike Napoli headed to Boston, one suitor was removed for the equation for Adam LaRoche. While that should improve the Nationals' leverage a little, there are still a handful of teams in the mix for the slugging first baseman. Here's the latest on LaRoche, with new updates added to the top throughout the day:

  • The Rangers are not involved on LaRoche, tweets Danny Knobler of CBS Sports.
  • Despite an earlier report that the Orioles are in "hard" on LaRoche, MLB.com's Britt Ghiroli hears the team's interest is minimal at best, as they're instead focused on trades.

Earlier updates:

  • The Nationals believe the Rangers are the biggest threat to sign LaRoche, according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).
  • The Orioles are in "hard" on LaRoche, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark hears from an executive from one interested team (Twitter link).
  • Mark Zuckerman of CSNWashington.com had written earlier today that the Orioles, like the Nationals, didn't seem willing to go up to three years for LaRoche at this point.
  • After Napoli didn't get a fourth year from the Red Sox, Jim Bowden of ESPN and SiriusXM expects LaRoche to have to settle for a two-year deal (Twitter link).
  • Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post tweeted this morning that the Rangers and Mariners seemed to be the Nats' top competitors for LaRoche.

Zack Greinke Rumors: Monday

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Zack Greinke figures to sign one of the two largest contracts of the offseason, and could do so before the 2012 Winter Meetings end. His agent, Casey Close, told reporters yesterday that it won't take him more then 24-48 hours to see if he can get a deal signed before he leaves Nashville. Here are Monday's Greinke rumors, with the most recent updates topping the list…

  • When it comes to a willingness to spend on Greinke, the Rangers are "right there" with the Dodgers, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (Twitter link). Sherman also says the Nationals remain in contact with Greinke, though the Angels seem to be falling out of the running.
  • The Dodgers seem determined to sign Greinke no matter the cost, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.  Heyman asked a Dodgers person about the team's budget, to which the reply was, "What budget?"  Good news for Casey Close!  The Rangers, Nationals, Angels, and Braves are some of the other teams showing interest in Greinke, but Heyman indicates the Dodgers are the heavy favorite.   

AL West Notes: Rangers, Mariners, LaRoche, Angels

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An ex-Ranger is heading to the AL East, as Mike Napoli and the Red Sox agreed to a three-year contract earlier today. However, there's still plenty of activity going on out west, so let's round up a few items from the AL West….

  • The Mariners and Rangers sound like the two biggest suitors besides the Nationals for Adam LaRoche, says Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post (Twitter link).
  • As the Angels eye Sean Burnett, they continue to have interest in other relief options, according to MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez (via Twitter). Mike Adams remains a possibility, and the team also checked in on Joakim Soria, though he wants to close.
  • The Mariners remain open to signing a defensive catcher, tweets Greg Johns of MLB.com.
  • The Mariners had "no idea" that the Red Sox were closing in on an agreement with Napoli, GM Jack Zduriencik tells Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.

Red Sox Talking To Swisher, Out On LaRoche

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Agreeing to sign Mike Napoli doesn't take the Red Sox out of the running for Nick Swisher, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, who says (via Twitter) that the Sox remain in talks with Swisher. Cody Ross and Shane Victorino also remain on Boston's radar, though the team is likely out of the running for Adam LaRoche, tweets ESPN.com's Jayson Stark.

The Red Sox were said on Friday to be one of a number of clubs that has spoken to Swisher's representatives. However, both Swisher and the Red Sox are considering their options, tweets Scott Miller of CBS Sports. Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald adds (via Twitter) that Boston's pursuit of Swisher had been moving slowly, though that could change now that the team has locked up Napoli.

Buster Olney of ESPN.com (Twitter link) believes the market for Swisher could become much clearer once Josh Hamilton signs. If Hamilton leaves Texas, Swisher could be a good fit with the Rangers, says Olney.

Rangers Close To Deal With Joakim Soria

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The Rangers are close to a two-year deal with reliever Joakim Soria, tweet Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.  The contract is thought to be worth $8-9MM, tweets Danny Knobler of CBS Sports.  The longtime Royals closer had Tommy John surgery in April, and the team declined his $8MM club option.

Soria, 28, owns a 2.40 ERA, 9.7 K/9, 2.5 BB/9, 0.68 HR/9, and 160 saves in 315 1/3 career innings.  The Royals picked him up in the 2006 Rule 5 draft, and he ranks third among franchise saves leaders.

West Notes: Dodgers, Giants, Angels, Padres

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Here's a look at some news out of the AL and NL West..

Edward Creech contributed to this post.

Olney: Winter Meetings Preview

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The Winter Meetings begin shortly at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville. ESPN's Buster Olney, in an Insider-only post, writes past Winter Meetings have been dominated by free agent signings, but some GMs say there is more groundwork laid for possible trades this year than they can remember in the recent past. Here are some of the storylines that could play out this week, according to Olney:

  • If Olney was Rangers' GM Jon Daniels, he would go all out to sign Zack Greinke and then trade some surplus pitching for offense.
  • Some rival officials remain convinced the Diamondbacks will eventually trade Justin Upton, whose contract ($38.5MM due over the next three years) has become more attractive in the wake of his brother's deal with the Braves.
  • The Indians have set the bar high in their demands for Asdrubal Cabrera and Shin-Soo Choo. "Time will tell on whether they've lowered (the asking prices)," said a rival GM.
  • The most likely of the Rays' established starting pitchers to be dealt is Jeremy Hellickson. On paper, the best matchup appears to be the Padres.
  • The Reds are looking to acquire a leadoff hitter and could target Dexter Fowler.
  • The Phillies continue to push on Angel Pagan. If Pagan signs with Philadelphia, the Giants could look to Shane Victorino, who is looking for $9-10MM annually.
  • The Pirates have let other teams know that closer Joel Hanrahan is available and they are looking for starting pitching.
  • In a separate tweet, Olney says the perception among rival executives is the signing of David Wright makes it much easier for the Mets to trade R.A. Dickey without fear of a PR backlash.
  • Nate Schierholtz received calls from nine teams within the first 12 hours of being non-tendered with the Yankees in the mix and the Rays also a good fit (Twitter links).
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