Rangers Rumors: Red Sox Pitching, Andruw
A few Rangers notes from MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan…
- The Rangers weren’t able to pry Clay Buchholz loose from the Red Sox back when they were actively looking for a catcher. But, Sullivan says the Rangers "still like many pitchers in the Red Sox organization." Michael Bowden, Nick Hagadone, and Daniel Bard are Boston’s other top pitching prospects.
- The Rangers worked out Andruw Jones but with their crowded outfield they "just don’t see a fit right now."
- Sullivan looks at various pitchers who’ve had flexor tendon surgery – Andy Pettitte, Victor Zambrano, and Jason Schmidt. Jason Jennings hopes to return strong this year after two such surgeries in recent years.
Stark On Andruw, Swisher, Hudson, Pedro
The latest from ESPN’s Jayson Stark…
- Stark looks at all the factors influencing this year’s slow-moving free agent market, talking to all sorts of anonymous execs. It’s a good read.
- Among all the teams, the Phillies have added the most to their payroll this winter ($30MM+). Only ten teams raised payroll this year. The Phils are still looking at the same cast of righthanded bench bats, and are also looking to sign a reliever for one year. Names of interest: Joe Borowski, Rudy Seanez, Will Ohman, Joe Beimel, Dennys Reyes, and Randy Flores. Stark notes that Flores is out until June due to shoulder surgery.
- Andruw Jones is looking for a team that will give him playing time. One of Stark’s sources says Braves manager Bobby Cox is "lobbying harder for Jones than the rest of the baseball operation."
- The Braves are the top suitor for Nick Swisher, but their suggestion that the Yankees eat some of Swisher’s contract was shot down.
- Stark has heard that Angels owner Arte Moreno is ticked at Scott Boras and Mark Teixeira for the way they handled negotiations.
- Stark received conflicting answers on whether the Elias formulas "can be changed without a special negotiation." It figures that the players union would push to eliminate the Jason Varitek/Juan Cruz/Orlando Cabrera situations we saw this winter. The D’Backs may have interest in re-signing Cruz, but don’t look for a Cabrera-White Sox reunion.
- The Yankees and Mets have not pursued Orlando Hudson, despite Hudson’s statements of their interest. Stark sees a one-year deal with the Nationals or Dodgers in his future.
- One assistant GM doesn’t think the WBC will be a good gauge for Pedro Martinez‘s abilities, since he’ll be doing short stints.
- Stark has details on Eddie Guardado‘s contract, which has interesting provisions if he is to be traded.
Manny Ramirez Rumors: Thursday
9:05pm: Jayson Stark has been told that the Angels will not pursue Ramirez. GM Tony Reagins put it plainly to ESPN.com:
"I can make this very brief and very clear. We are not in on Manny — and will not be."
9:01pm: According to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angles Times, Dodgers GM Ned Colletti wrote in an e-mail that he "hasn’t had any conversations today" with Scott Boras. This is fun, isn’t it?
2:33pm: ESPN’s Jayson Stark talked to Rangers GM Jon Daniels, who dismissed the idea of signing Manny.
2:13pm: SI.com’s Jon Heyman learned from Ned Colletti that the Dodgers do not have a "drop-dead date" on the Manny negotiations. Heyman says that Joe Torre prefers Bobby Abreu to Adam Dunn, in terms of a backup plan.
8:47am: Your daily dose of Manny Ramirez: Ken Rosenthal says the Dodgers’ one-year, $25MM offer contained some deferred money, but Scott Boras didn’t seem put off by that aspect of the offer. He still rejected it quickly though. Rosenthal says Boras is holding out for more years especially since players such as Rafael Furcal, Derek Lowe, and Raul Ibanez received at least three.
According to Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times, Dodgers GM Ned Colletti sent out a text message to reporters about his Wednesday talks with Boras:
Colletti wrote that the two sides restated their respective positions — Ramirez has been asking for at least a four-year deal and the Dodgers are interested in something shorter. The sides agreed to maintain communication over the next few days.
Hernandez received a clarification from Boras, who expects Manny to be signed by the time Spring Training games begin (Feb. 25) rather than when camp begins (Feb. 14).
Ben Sheets To Have Elbow Surgery
3:39pm: SI.com’s Jon Heyman talked to Sheets’ agent Casey Close, who said his client will have elbow surgery. Sheets hopes for a July or August return. Tom Haudricourt says Sheets expects the Brewers to pay for the procedure.
1:56pm: ESPN’s Jayson Stark says the surgery Sheets is considering has a standard 9-10 month recovery time, jeopardizing his 2009 season. Stark adds that "some teams that had pursued Sheets this winter seemed to be more concerned about his shoulder than his elbow."
Ken Rosenthal says Sheets is "seriously considering" surgery, with the goal of pitching in the second half.
12:45pm: According to MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy and T.R. Sullivan, Ben Sheets has a torn flexor tendon in his elbow that might require surgery. There is some debate as to whether the Brewers would have to pay for the procedure. The Rangers and Sheets agreed to a two-year deal last week, but the physical threw a wrench into it. GM Jon Daniels says he’s not optimistic at this point.
The injury first surfaced late in the ’08 season, but until Sheets’ physical with the Rangers it was thought that rehab would be sufficient. As many readers have pointed out, if Sheets has surgery and signs after the June draft he’ll no longer cost a draft pick to sign.
Heyman On Andruw, Pedro, Crede, Grudz
The latest from SI.com’s Jon Heyman…
- The Yankees offered a minor league deal to Andruw Jones, which he turned down. Other teams "thought to have interest": the Rangers, Phillies, Braves, and Mets.
- Heyman thinks Pedro Martinez makes a lot of sense for the Dodgers. However, Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times learned from Ned Colletti on January 6th that the Dodgers weren’t among the teams pursuing Pedro.
- Jason Varitek‘s camp (ie, Scott Boras) apparently has no regrets about rejecting arbitration since it wouldn’t have been a guaranteed contract.
- Chad Cordero‘s next showcase is scheduled for February 19th.
- Heyman has the Twins as favorites over the Giants to sign Joe Crede. More on Crede here.
- Heyman says the Yankees feel they’re more likely to find a deal for Nick Swisher than Xavier Nady.
- Add Mark Grudzielanek to the list of right-handed hitters the Phillies are considering (Nomar Garciaparra, Rich Aurilia, and Moises Alou being the others).
Jays, Kevin Millar Close To Deal
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, first baseman Kevin Millar is "almost certain" to sign a minor league deal with the Blue Jays today or tomorrow. The Mets, Yankees, Nationals, and Rangers had also been in on Millar. Rich Aurilia has been recommended for the Mets by several writers, but Joel Sherman of the New York Post learned they’ve yet to make contact with his agent.
Millar, 37, hit .234/.323/.394 in 610 plate appearances last year.
T.R. Sullivan: Rangers Unlikely To Land Sheets
Ben Sheets remains a free agent. The Rangers still have holes in their starting rotation. Yet, MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan writes that "all signs point to him not being with the Rangers" in 2009.
"Did the Rangers look? Yes. Sheets lives here [in Dallas] and is from Louisiana. He is also a No. 1 starter. That mandates the Rangers consider him. The Rangers also need pitching. That mandates Sheets being interested in them. It’s a perfect match. They had two weeks to get it done. Both have little in the way of alternatives. And it’s still not done."
"This just isn’t going to get done," concludes Sullivan. The 30-year-old right-hander has a career ERA of 3.72. He went 13-9 last season with a 3.09 ERA over 198 1/3 innings. Obviously Sheets carries a troubling history of injuries, but it seems this one is all about dollars and cents.
Rangers A Fit For Andruw Jones?
SI.com’s Jon Heyman believes the Rangers could become serious suitors for free agent outfielder Andruw Jones.
"If someone wants to resurrect their career, Texas is the perfect place," an American League executive told Heyman, referring to The Ballpark at Arlington’s short outfield walls.
The Rangers currently have outfielders Josh Hamilton, Marlon Byrd, Neslon Cruz and David Murphy on their projected big league roster. GM Jon Daniels said last weekend that he wants Hamilton to move from center to right field eventually, which could potentially open a spot for Jones.
Rangers Sign Eddie Guardado
4:13pm: The Rangers’ minor league deal with Guardado is official, according to MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan.
TUESDAY, 7:48am: Wilson says Guardado "has agreed to return to the Rangers on a non-roster deal." Final details remain, and the deal could be worth up to $3MM.
MONDAY, 5:21pm: Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram spoke with Rangers GM Jon Daniels, who confirmed that a deal could be finalized for Guardado "within the next few days."
2:05pm: According to MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan, the Rangers are close to a deal to bring lefty reliever Eddie Guardado back to Texas. It may be completed in the next few days. Adding Guardado could help soften the blow of losing Joaquin Benoit to rotator cuff surgery.
Sullivan adds that the Rangers continue to look for pitching help beyond Guardado, with names like Jason Jennings, Kris Benson, and Chad Cordero in the mix.
Rangers Hot Stove Update: Jennings, Sheets
Jeff Wilson, writing for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, has a few more updates on the Rangers’ hot stove situation:
- Jason Jennings is still on the team’s radar. His agent and GM Jon Daniels had multiple conversations last week. Jennings, 30, struggled last season before undergoing surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon. He should be ready for spring training and is likely to come cheap.
- The lines of communication remain open with free agent Ben Sheets, but there hasn’t been much progress. Wilson believes that might change now that the Mets have agreed to a deal with Oliver Perez.