Rangers Continued Discussing Potential Young Deals
9:18pm: The Rangers discussed Young with the Angels, Cardinals and Dodgers, though they're pushing hardest to make a deal with the Rockies, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The infielder tells Rosenthal that he wants to stay in Texas.
7:05pm: Rangers GM Jon Daniels told Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he will consider every possible way of improving the team, even if that means discussing big name players. However, Daniels said it's unlikely that the club trades Young.
6:35pm: The Rangers continued discussing potential Young trades today, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. One GM told Morosi that the Rangers are sending mixed signals about the infielder's availability. The Rangers have continued talking about possible moves after telling Young he's staying put. The Rockies still appear the likeliest landing spot, according to Morosi's sources and Colorado outfield prospect Charlie Blackmon interests the Rangers.
WEDNESDAY, 1:10am: USA Today's Bob Nightengale tweets that the Rangers have told Young he won't be traded.
TUESDAY, 11:33pm: Though Young can block trades to 22 teams, the Rockies are not one of them, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Young says he would accept a trade to Colorado, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (on Twitter).
11:09pm: A Rockies source tells Troy Renck of the Denver Post that it's "just talk" at this point, but wonders if there could be a fit (Twitter link).
10:03pm: The Rockies and Rangers have not yet discussed the players that would go from Colorado to Texas, according to Ringolsby.
9:30pm: The Rockies have expressed interest in Young as a second baseman, according to Tracy Ringolsby of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Young last played second base in 2003 and the Rockies just acquired Jose Lopez as an option at second. The Rockies have a crowded infield, with Todd Helton, Troy Tulowitzki, Ian Stewart and, now, Ty Wigginton. Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News confirms (on Twitter) that the Rockies and Rangers are talking and says the Rangers would pursue Beltre if they trade Young.
6:40pm: Rangers president Nolan Ryan says the team is not "shopping" Young, but will listen when his name comes up in conversation, according to Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com.
5:58pm: The Rangers are gauging interest in Young and willing to pay a small portion of his salary, according to Rosenthal (on Twitter).
4:52pm: The Rangers will listen to trade offers for Michael Young, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The 34-year-old is under contract for $48MM through 2013, so not all teams can afford him. Young batted .284/.330/.444 in 2010, his 11th season with the Rangers.
No deal is close for Young, who has a limited no-trade clause that enables him to block trades to all but eight teams. Young picks up ten and five rights in May, at which point he'll have the right to veto any trade. The market for Adrian Beltre could pick up if the Rangers do move Young.
Zack Greinke Rumors: Wednesday
Yesterday we learned that teams may be upping their offers for Royals ace Zack Greinke, though the Royals' asking price remains high. The latest:
- An executive of an interested team hears that the Royals won't deal Greinke before Cliff Lee signs, according to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark (on Twitter). The Royals may not have to wait long, as Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports Lee will sign by the end of the weekend.
- The Phillies have discussed Greinke with the Royals, reports CSNPhilly's Jim Salisbury, but it's a long shot.
- The Dodgers haven't heard back from the Royals about Greinke, according to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times (on Twitter).
- MLB.com's Joe Frisaro hears that the Marlins did not discuss Greinke with the Royals (Twitter link).
- One of the Marlins' attempted three-team trades would have sent Greinke to Florida, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Talks are lukewarm, but still alive, Rosenthal reports.
- The asking price on Greinke has gone up since last summer, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter). The deal will be "very hard to get done," according to one interested executive.
- The Nationals are being aggressive, according to Ed Price of AOL FanHouse. MLB.com's Bill Ladson heard earlier that Washington was not pursuing the right-hander, however.
- Five teams are seriously pursuing Greinke and another three are on the periphery, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports – in an article, not a tweet! The Royals are specific with their request – pitching to replace Greinke and up-the-middle help. The Royals are moving slowly and there is no frontrunner. The Rangers, Dodgers, Nationals, and Blue Jays have shown some measure of interest.
- The Cubs called on Greinke but a mid-rotation addition is more likely for them, tweets SI's Jon Heyman.
Marlins Discussed Three-Team Deal
6:50pm: The Marlins and Rangers are discussing deals involving relievers, according to Rosenthal.
5:44pm: The Marlins tried to acquire Greinke and were talking to the Rangers, but Texas denies that they discussed a three-team deal, according to Rosenthal (on Twitter).
5:31pm: The Marlins are not trading Nolasco, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro (Twitter link).
5:14pm: The Rangers and Royals were involved in the potential three-team deal involving Greinke, according to Rosenthal (Twitter links). And the Rockies? They inquired about Nunez, but not Nolasco, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (Twitter link).
5:01pm: The deal would have sent Nolasco to the Rockies, according to Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun Sentinel (Twitter link). One of the Marlins' attempted three-team trades would have sent Zack Greinke to Florida, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Talks are lukewarm, but still alive, Rosenthal reports.
4:44pm: Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest told Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald that the team was involved in discussions with two other clubs about a multiplayer deal before talks stalled (Twitter link). The Rangers and Rockies were the other teams involved in the potential swap, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post (Twitter link). Leo Nunez and Ricky Nolasco, two players the Marlins will consider trading, were involved in the discussions.
The Rangers and Rockies were discussing a potential Michael Young deal last night, but it's not clear if these trade talks were related.
Carl Crawford Rumors: Wednesday
Carl Crawford is the biggest free agent prize among position players, but who can afford him? The latest:
- One Red Sox source says the market is likely "too crazy" for Boston to get seriously involved, according to ESPNBoston's Gordon Edes (on Twitter).
- Multiple baseball sources and people close to Crawford tell Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles that they expect the left fielder to sign with the Angels.
- Crawford was at the dinner with GM Brian Cashman and agent Brian Peters, according to Mark Feinsand and Bill Madden of the New York Daily News. The Yankees are "very interested" in Crawford and could pursue him even if they sign Lee.
- The Rangers met with Crawford's agent, tweets Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.
- Yankees GM Brian Cashman had a long Crawford-related meeting yesterday, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney. Joel Sherman tweets that Cashman met with his agent Brian Peters at a restaurant away from the meetings. Olney feels the Yankees are "preparing to zig off Cliff Lee if necessary." Meanwhile Olney's colleague Jayson Stark tweets that the Yankees are hinting that if Andy Pettitte retires, it becomes more likely they can afford both Crawford and Lee. One Yankes official described that scenario as "highly unlikely" to Sherman.
Latest On Athletics Designated Hitter Search
5:36pm: The A's are confident they can sign Matsui, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (on Twitter).
2:32pm: This morning, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle posted the latest on the Athletics' search for a designated hitter:
- Vladimir Guerrero is now open to a one-year deal with any AL West team. The Mariners are probably not a match given the Jack Cust signing, and the Angels probably aren't planning a reunion, so this news really only affects the Athletics. Meanwhile, the Rangers still consider Vlad their best DH option and are optimistic about a deal according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan.
- The A's still have Hideki Matsui atop their list, though he's drawn interest from the Orioles and possibly Rangers.
- Nick Johnson, said to be fully recovered from wrist surgery, is also in the mix for Oakland.
Heyman’s Latest: Vlad, Thome, Molina, Mets
SI.com's Jon Heyman brings us some updates from around the league, via Twitter:
- Vladimir Guerrero's main suitors appear to be the Rangers, Orioles, and Athletics. Only the Orioles have a set option at designated hitter of that bunch, in Luke Scott. He can man first base, however, and his name has popped up in trade rumors from time to time.
- Heyman lists the same suitors for another DH candidate — Jim Thome. In a separate tweet, Heyman agrees with this report that the Twins are a possible landing spot as well.
- Bengie Molina is now "on the fence" about playing in 2011. Heyman says the veteran backstop could sit out for a year and then return in 2012.
- The Mets prefer Chris Young to Jeff Francis, as Young is said to be willing to accept a guaranteed salary of around $2MM. Francis, according to Heyman, is looking for a guarantee between $4MM and $5MM.
Cliff Lee Rumors: Tuesday
We heard yesterday that the market for Cliff Lee was beginning to heat up, and that at least one team would be willing to offer Lee a seven-year deal, but it wasn't the Yankees. Here are today's Lee rumors for your reading pleasure:
- It sounds like the Yankees made Lee an offer. Braunecker spoke to Cashman tonight and when the YES Network's Jack Curry asked if the Yankees presented a proposal, the agent declined comment and smiled (Twitter link).
- The Angels reached out to Lee's representatives and started pursuing him today, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. Crasnick hears that it's doubtful Lee signs before the Winter Meetings end.
- The Nationals are not in on Lee, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (Twitter link). GM Mike Rizzo said earlier today that he has some interest in the lefty.
- Though GM Tony Reagins downplayed the Angels-Lee connection, Tom Krasovic of AOL FanHouse hears that the Halos are discussing Lee and will stay in touch with his agent (Twitter link).
- The Yankees are on the verge of making Lee a lucrative offer and are awaiting the go-ahead from Braunecker, according to Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com. GM Brian Cashman says he's ready to get serious.
- Lee now has two seven-year offers for $20MM or more per season, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (Twitter link).
- Angels GM Tony Reagins tells Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times that the Angels are not the mystery team that has offered Lee seven years.
- Rangers president Nolan Ryan is more optimistic about signing Lee this week than he was last week, according to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (on Twitter).
- Rizzo confirmed that he met with Lee's agent again, but says the Nationals are a "real long shot" to sign him, according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post (on Twitter). Meanwhile, Angels manager Mike Scioscia told Yahoo's Steve Henson that a pitcher like Lee makes a team better (Twitter link).
- Nationals GM Mike Rizzo met with Braunecker for the second time this week today, reports Mark Zuckerman.
- A Yankees official told Feinsand that Lee getting seven-year offer "won't affect what we do." They will not go past six years for the lefty. The Yankees are frustrated with the slow pace of the Lee talks, reports Rosenthal.
- Lee has at least one seven-year offer for $20-25MM – not from the Nationals – tweets Heyman.
- Lee's agent Darek Braunecker described his discussions with the Rangers and Yankees as "positive" and "productive," talking to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. Braunecker also said he's "maintaining dialogue" with the Nationals.
- The Nationals are prepared to offer Lee a seven-year deal, reports Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News. But talking to two Nationals sources, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reports that such an offer has zero chance of happening. The contract length is very important to Lee, tweets SI's Jon Heyman. There is growing speculation among rival executives and agents that the Nationals will throw a huge number at Lee, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes that the Yankees have vowed not to exceed six years or the $161MM that they gave Sabathia for Lee. Sherman feels the Yankees will top out at $144MM-$150MM over six years. As GM Brian Cashman said, Sabathia's presence as an ace makes Lee a "pleasant addition," but not a necessity. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports discusses how signing Lee could affect Sabathia.
Snag In White Sox, Konerko Talks?
10:26pm: White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf still wants the deal to happen and will work to resolve things by tomorrow afternoon, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.
10:00pm: White Sox GM Kenny Williams told Dave van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune that he’s prepared to move on without Konerko and address other needs. "There's no deadline, but we're going to make the first best deal we can," Williams said. The White Sox had plans to discuss alternatives this evening.
5:25pm: There's still "pretty decent optimism" for a deal, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter). Konerko's agent is pushing for more than the White Sox want to commit.
4:14pm: There have been "big changes" in the talks, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times (Twitter links). The Konerko ship may be sailing, Cowley writes. Even though talks have hit a snag, it does seem that there's a fit here.
4:10pm: Snag or no snag, the Orioles expect Konerko to re-sign with the White Sox, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick (on Twitter). The O's will likely be in on Derrek Lee if that's the case.
12:50pm: The White Sox are not the only team to make a multiyear offer to Konerko, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. No deal is expected today.
10:59am: There could be a snag in the Konerko talks, tweets Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, with the player's agent insisting on $15MM per year.
7:11am: We've heard Paul Konerko's name connected to a few teams over the past several days, including the White Sox, Orioles, Rangers, and Diamondbacks. According to this tweet from SI's Jon Heyman, however, the White Sox are "in the driver's seat" for Konerko.
The Rangers will instead be focusing their efforts on signing Cliff Lee, and Heyman quotes a friend of Konerko who says "no way" on the possibility of him going to the Orioles. The Diamondbacks don't have enough money to win the bidding, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
Yesterday, we heard that talks between the White Sox and Konerko were going well, and that he could be in line for a $12.5MM annual salary, possibly over three years. The 34-year-old Konerko enjoyed perhaps the best season of his career, hitting .312/.393/.584 with 39 home runs. He finished fifth in the American League MVP voting.
Yankees, Rangers Finalists For Mark Prior
Cliff Lee isn't the only pitcher the Yankees and Rangers are bidding against each other on. Those two clubs are the finalists for Mark Prior, according to Tom Krasovic of AOLFanHouse (on Twitter). The 30-year-old right-hander has a connection to both clubs; he pitched in the Rangers' minor league system last year and the Yankees selected him 43rd overall in the 1998 draft, but were unable to sign him.
Prior soon became one of the National League's best pitchers after the Cubs drafted him second overall in 2001. He posted a 2.43 ERA with 10.4 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 as a 22-year-old just a year and a half after being drafted. A series of shoulder problems derailed Prior's career, but he has tried to resurrect it with stints in the Padres' and Rangers' systems. He has not pitched in a big league ballgame since 2006.
Rangers Interested In Magglio Ordonez
Why stop at Cliff Lee, Carl Crawford, Adrian Beltre, Paul Konerko or Zack Greinke? The Rangers are interested in just about every star player available and Magglio Ordonez is no exception. Ordonez is an alternative the Rangers are looking at in case talks with Vladimir Guerrero don't progress, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. Guerrero, who wants a multiyear deal, is the team's first choice, but only on a one-year deal.
The Red Sox are also interested in Ordonez, who sounded optimistic about re-signing in Detroit not long ago. Before fracturing his right ankle last July, the 36-year-old Scott Boras client batted .303/.378/.474 in 365 plate appearances.