Rosenthal On Cubs, Greinke, Beltre, Pavano
The Mariners could presumably ask for a king’s ransom in exchange for Felix Hernandez, but Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports thinks Seattle should build around the reigning Cy Young Award winner, not trade him. Here are the rest of Rosenthal's rumors:
- The Cubs are still willing to trade Kosuke Fukudome, but they’d likely have to cover some of the $13.5MM the outfielder is set to earn in 2011.
- Were it not for his salary, the Reds might be a more serious suitor for Zack Greinke. However, a rival executive says Cincinnati is “tapped out,” payroll-wise.
- The Nationals’ pursuit of Greinke has slowed and one source says it’s because of the team’s reluctance to include Jordan Zimmermann in a potential deal.
- Adrian Beltre remains a “focus” for the Angels.
- The Rangers, however, are more inclined to re-sign Vladimir Guerrero and add a first baseman than pursue Beltre, according to Rosenthal’s sources.
- Don’t expect Texas to spend on a top free agent reliever, even if Neftali Feliz moves to the rotation.
- Kerry Wood wants a two-year, $12MM deal, Rosenthal reports.
- Another former Yankee, Carl Pavano, is searching for considerably more. He wants a three-year deal worth $10-11MM per season, one GM says. The Rangers are not pursuing Pavano right now.
Odds & Ends: Counsell, Ibanez, Johnson, Sheffield
Exactly one year ago, the Angels signed Hideki Matsui. Today, the slugger finalized his one-year agreement with the A's. Here are today's links…
- The Brewers are having ongoing discussions with the representatives for Craig Counsell, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (on Twitter).
- If you've heard about agent Darek Braunecker, but don't know much about him, you're not alone. David Waldstein of the New York Times introduces us to Cliff Lee's agent.
- The Phillies do not intend to trade Raul Ibanez, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Joe Blanton, on the other hand, is available.
- Rosenthal also notes that the Rangers and Rockies have not discussed Michael Young since the Winter Meetings (Twitter link).
- The Orioles are still talking to the representatives for Adam LaRoche, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.
- Indians manager Manny Acta is watching Bartolo Colon's start in the Dominican Republic tonight, according to Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes (on Twitter).
- Kerry Wood told Fred Mitchell and David Kaplan of the Chicago Tribune that he could see himself playing for the Cubs, but probably not for the White Sox.
- In case you were wondering, the Marlins don't intend to trade Josh Johnson, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro (on Twitter).
- Gary Sheffield told Mike Ferrin and Tom Gordon of MLB Network Radio that he has discussed a potential deal with the Rays. However, manager Joe Maddon told Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times that the Rays have limited interest in Sheffield, though they wanted to get to know him better.
Cliff Lee Signing: The Fallout
Cliff Lee's unexpected five-year, $120MM deal with the Phillies has repercussions for several teams.
Rangers
- Lee's agent Darek Braunecker proposed a seven-year contract that would have sealed the deal for the Rangers, and they declined.
- The Rangers figure to be rumored with most available starters. They were linked to Chien-Ming Wang this morning and Brandon Webb previously, and in theory could go after Carl Pavano. Names like Zack Greinke and James Shields could also be in the mix.
- GM Jon Daniels won't limit himself to starting pitching; he may consider "beefing up the offense."
- Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News notes that the Rangers still have to address their DH situation and will probably want to add late-inning relievers if they're to move Neftali Feliz or Alexi Ogando to the rotation.
Yankees
- From Joel Sherman of the New York Post: "One Yankees executive likened what they now face as losing out on Microsoft stock and instead having to diversify the portfolio to keep it strong." The Yanks have added Russell Martin and will probably look into innings-eaters or reclamation project starters. They're also expected to add two relievers and a righty-hitting fourth outfielder. So, they'll spread the wealth.
- GM Brian Cashman preached that "Plan B is patience." He feels that prices will go up with teams, and I assume agents, sensing blood in the water. He's also willing to wait until the season to make an acquisition.
- Cashman says Lee's decision "doesn't affect" Andy Pettitte, who remains undecided but is feeling the pull of retirement a little stronger than normal.
- Cashman talked about the failed Lee trade from July and said he's grateful it didn't happen. At this point, he says "It would be a rare situation for me to include Montero in a deal."
Phillies
They'll look to move Joe Blanton before Opening Day; CSNPhilly's Jim Salisbury tweets that there is no rush. Nonetheless, we've already looked at potential trade partners. Blanton's agent Casey Close expects a trade.
Other Teams
- The Lee signing works out well for the Red Sox, explains WEEI's Rob Bradford. The Sox get Lee out of the league and have a shot at a first-round pick if the Rangers sign Adrian Beltre.
- Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times believes that if the Rangers push for Beltre, it will complicate things for the Angels.
Rangers Interested In Chien-Ming Wang
The Rangers expressed interest in free agent righty Chien-Ming Wang, tweets ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. He says "they've discussed a low-base, incentive type deal."
Wang, 31 in March, was non-tendered by the Nationals this month after failing to make a pro appearance in 2010. He had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right shoulder capsule in July of 2009. Wang is said to be seeking a big league deal, and can at least build off a promising instructional league stint. The Rangers are also known to have an eye on another pitcher who missed the 2010 season due to shoulder issues: Brandon Webb.
The Rangers clearly have some money to work with after Cliff Lee turned them down. One American League executive speculated to Joel Sherman of the New York Post that they could turn to Carl Pavano (Twitter link). The Rangers also have the possibility of moving Neftali Feliz or Alexi Ogando to the rotation.
Zack Greinke Rumors: Monday
10:30pm: The Yankees are reluctant to pursue Greinke if Cliff Lee signs elsewhere, according to Heyman (on Twitter). Jack Curry of the YES Network reports that the Yankees won't make Greinke their Plan B, though they have discussed him (Twitter link). Heyman suggests the Yankees will spend aggressively on relievers if they don't sign Lee.
12:09pm: Royals GM Dayton Moore is "actively gauging" the trade market for Zack Greinke, reports ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. Moore "has focused on adding up-the-middle position players who are close to major league ready," and the Yankees, Rangers, and Brewers are not considered among the best matches.
The Blue Jays and Nationals have been actively pursuing Greinke, and the Jays theoretically do have the players to pull off a deal if the righty's no-trade clause can be addressed. However, ESPN's Buster Olney tweeted on Saturday that the Blue Jays "have no intention of giving up Kyle Drabek and Travis Snider" for Greinke.
Brett Gardner's name has come up in talks between the Royals and Yankees, according to Crasnick.
SI's Jon Heyman covers Greinke today as well, adding that the Dodgers have been linked to him and the Angels could make sense. Heyman feels that the Yankees do have the players "to form a respectable deal."
Rangers Re-Sign Matt Treanor
The Rangers re-signed catcher Matt Treanor to a one-year, $850K contract, reports MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. He adds that they also outrighted pitcher Ryan Tucker, who cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Round Rock.
Treanor, 35 in March, hit .211/.287/.308 in 272 plate appearances for the Rangers this year, leading the team with 614 2/3 innings caught. Treanor signed a minor league contract with the Brewers a year ago and was dealt to the Rangers in March. He missed time in July and August with a knee sprain. The Rangers signed Yorvit Torrealba in November, so their catching tandem is in place.
Tucker, a 24-year-old righty, was claimed off waivers from the Marlins in October when Rich Harden was designated for assignment.
Cliff Lee Rumors: Monday
Yesterday we learned that the Nationals are out of the Cliff Lee sweepstakes and that the Yankees will not increase their offer again. Multiple reporters have suggested Lee will decide this week. If you believe in the mystery team, the lefty may have three legitimate suitors. Otherwise, it's just the Yankees and Rangers. The top bullets have the latest:
- It's hard to find executives who expect Lee to re-sign in Texas, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter).
- One member of the Phillies organization has said to Jack Curry of the YES Network that Lee isn't in the same class as C.C. Sabathia and Roy Halladay and would be a riskier signing (Twitter link).
- A decision is unlikely tonight, but could come tomorrow, according to Heyman (on Twitter).
- The Yankees are now "extremely negative" about landing Lee and they believe he is leaning toward the Phillies' offer, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter).
- There is a belief Lee is heading to the Phillies, according to Jack Curry of the YES Network (on Twitter). Meanwhile, Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Phils "look like a very strong candidate to win Lee's services" (Twitter link).
- Lee moved closer to a decision tonight, according to ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick. The Phillies entered the bidding for Lee after the winter meetings and have presented the lefty with “a spirited late bid,” Crasnick writes.
- The Phillies, Yankees and Rangers are finalists for Lee, who appears to be close to deciding on a team, according to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com (on Twitter).
- The Phillies are looking to unload Joe Blanton and the $17MM that remains on his contract through 2012, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (Twitter link).
- The Phillies are still bidding on Lee, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. GM Ruben Amaro Jr. declined to comment, but a source told Rosenthal that the team is "not out."
- Lee has yet to make a decision, Yankees GM Brian Cashman told Tyler Kepner of the New York Times (on Twitter). "He'll make [a decision] someday," Cashman said.
- There are still rumblings about a third team, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter). The mystery team's offer appears to be significantly lower than the Yankees' proposal, but it's from a place Lee "loves."
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes, "You would be surprised at how many folks [in the game] think there is a legitimate third team bidding on Lee beyond the Yankees and Rangers." Sherman speculates on who that team might be. Less than a third of you believe such a club exists.
- Lee's agent Darek Braunecker has been in touch with the Yankees today, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney, and he said the process is ongoing.
- The unidentified third team is only willing to go four or five years, writes George A. King III of the New York Post.
Rangers Moving Aggressively On Adrian Beltre?
The Rangers "have made [an] aggressive play" for free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre, reports ESPN's Karl Ravech (Twitter link). Ravech wonders if they're setting up for the possibility of Cliff Lee signing with the Yankees.
An aggressive Beltre pursuit would represent a change of course for Texas. On Friday night, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweeted that the Rangers were "not at all optimistic about getting Beltre, backing off for now." Today Rosenthal tweets that nothing has changed, but there's no denying the Rangers' interest.
The Rangers still have Michael Young under contract for three more seasons, so if they acquire Beltre they'd either need to trade Young or use him as a designated hitter.
Rosenthal On Werth, Bill Hall, Cliff Lee
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports leads his latest column by contrasting the value of Zack Greinke and Matt Garza. Though Greinke is widely viewed as the superior pitcher, Garza comes with an extra year of control at similar overall money. Either righty would require a huge trade bounty. On to Rosenthal's other rumors…
- Jayson Werth's contract includes decent-sized bonuses for strong finishes in the MVP voting.
- The Dodgers are in discussions with Bill Hall to be their primary left fielder. Rosenthal feels that such a signing would be the team's last significant move. Hall's last strong season as a regular was 2006, the 35 home run campaign for the Brewers that earned him a $24MM contract.
- Rosenthal tweets that the lack of state income tax in Texas has minimal impact in the Cliff Lee talks, since Lee would reside in Arkansas instead. Rosenthal feels that the income tax-related savings the Rangers could promote would be balanced by a higher salary from the Yankees plus endorsements. George A. King III of the New York Post offers a similar take.
Cliff Lee Rumors: Sunday
If Nolan Ryan is right in believing that Cliff Lee will weigh his options this weekend and come to a decision Monday, we'll have to wait at least another day before hearing anything concrete on Lee. In the meantime, here are the rumblings on the left-hander since yesterday….
- The Nationals are officially out on Lee, reports MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
- Christian Red of The New York Daily News hears from a source that the Lee situation "should get resolved early this week."
- SI's Jon Heyman tweets that there are "strong indications" of a third team being involved in the Lee discussions, but conventional wisdom still says it's between the Rangers and Yankees.
- Yankees GM Brian Cashman tells Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger that "nothing has happened as of yet" regarding Lee's decision.
- Sherman's colleague, George A. King III writes that the Yankees will not increase their offer to Lee again. The Yankees have extended three offers, the longest of which is believed to be in the seven-year, $160MM range.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post opines that Lee and agent Darek Braunecker have "used time expertly" to discomfort the Yankees and force them into upping their offer one last time prior to sealing the deal (Twitter link).
- We heard on Saturday that some Yankees officials were expressing "a bit of skepticism" about the team's chances of landing Lee. ESPN.com's Buster Olney says the same thing today in his Insider-only blog. According to Olney, one Yankee exec told another team's GM that he figures the odds of New York signing Lee are about 50-50.
- Brian Costa of the Wall Street Journal explains how Texas' tax rates mean the Rangers could effectively match the Yankees' offer without actually matching it. Ken Belson of the New York Times made a similar observation earlier this weekend.
- Rangers manager Ron Washington thinks Lee will be back in Texas in 2011, as Tom Spousta of the Dallas Morning News writes.
- Ken Davidoff of Newsday examines some of the oft-repeated theories about Lee's decision, attempting to determine which ones are legitimate.