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Cubs, Other Teams Also Pursuing Adrian Gonzalez

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The Red Sox aren't the only team in the hunt for Adrian Gonzalez.  "Multiple teams besides [the] Red Sox," including the Cubs, are interested in the Padres slugger, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com.  This isn't the first time we've heard about Chicago's interest in Gonzalez, and the Cubs' search for a big-hitting first baseman may have intensified now that Adam Dunn has signed with the crosstown rival White Sox. 

Two big obstacles stand in the way of a Cubs/Padres deal: the Cubs' ability to provide the blue-chip prospects that San Diego desires in any Gonzalez trade, and whether the Cubs can afford the long-term extension that Gonzalez wants after 2011.  One obviously impacts the other, since it would be foolish for the Cubs to move several prospects for just one season of Gonzalez.  With the Carlos Silva and Kosuke Fukudome contracts coming off the books after this year, Chicago has about $63MM committed to their 2012 payroll.

Besides the Cubs, Rosenthal lists the Angels, Blue Jays, Orioles, Nationals, Rangers and Rays as having a "possible interest" in a Gonzalez trade.  All of the teams could potentially afford a Gonzalez extension except Tampa Bay, and all of the clubs have intriguing minor league prospects to interest the Padres (though it might be hard for L.A. to acquire Gonzalez without giving up star prospect Mike Trout).  Dan Hayes of the North County Times tweets that it's the Cubs and Red Sox, however, who are the "main focus" of San Diego's trade talks.

Blue Jays Acquire Carlos Villanueva

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The Blue Jays have acquired Carlos Villanueva from the Brewers for a player to be named later, according to the team's Twitter page. The 27-year-old right-hander posted 11.4 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 in 52 2/3 innings of relief last year. He pitched exclusively out of the bullpen after starting games in each of his first four big league seasons. 

Arbitration eligible for the second time, Villanueva will get a raise from the $950K salary he earned in 2010.

Defense independent pitching stats suggest Villanueva's 4.61 ERA was inflated in 2010. That suggests his ERA could dip with a similar performance in 2011, but moving to the homer-friendly Rogers Centre could be challenging for Villanueva, who allowed more fly balls than ground balls last year. Villanueva has handled both lefties and righties successfully throughout his career.

American League Non-Tenders

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This post will list all the American League players non-tendered today, but the best place to track all 200+ arbitration eligible players is our new non-tender tracker.

Blue Jays Not Close To Signing A.J. Pierzynski

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9:10pm: The Blue Jays are not close to signing Pierzynski, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). The White Sox still appear to be in the mix for the catcher.

6:42pm: The Blue Jays are close to signing A.J. Pierzynski, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times. Even though John Buck signed with the Marlins and Miguel Olivo declined the team's offer of arbitration, the Blue Jays still have two capable catchers. Jose Molina will return in 2011 and J.P. Arencibia showed power in a late-season call-up and won Pacific Coast League MVP.

Pierzynski, 34 later this month, batted .270/.300/.388 with nine homers in 503 plate appearances this year. He is durable, having caught at least 128 games every season since 2001, but his offense slipped in 2010. He posted his lowest on base and slugging percentages since becoming a full-time player.

The Dodgers, Marlins and White Sox were among the teams interested in Pierzynski, who had a number of other potential suitors. Chicago did not offer the catcher arbitration, so he would not cost the Blue Jays a draft pick.

Orioles, Padres, Blue Jays Interested In Reynolds

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The Diamondbacks are discussing possible Mark Reynolds trades with three teams, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter links). The Orioles, Padres and Blue Jays are interested in the third baseman, though he can block trades to Toronto. The extent of the Padres' interest is unclear, according to Rosenthal.

Yahoo's Tim Brown reported last month that GM Kevin Towers is "looking for contact hitters and bullpen help" in exchange for Reynolds. The 27-year-old batted .189/.320/.433 last year, leading the league in strikeouts for the third consecutive season. Reynolds, whose homer total dropped from 44 to 32 last year, will earn $5MM in 2011, $7.5MM in 2012 and either $11MM or a $500K buyout in 2013.

Blue Jays Interested In Matt Guerrier

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The Blue Jays are showing interest in reliever Matt Guerrier, a source tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter).  The right-hander was not offered arbitration by Minnesota and therefore will not cost a top draft pick.  Had he received an arbitration offer from the Twins, he would have been a Type A free agent.

Guerrier posted a 3.17 ERA in 2010 with 5.3 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 in 74 appearances.  The 32-year-old earned $3.15MM this season and our own Ben Nicholson-Smith doesn't see him making more than $4-5MM in 2011.

Earlier this week we learned that Toronto is also reportedly interested in another reliever familiar to the Twins organization, Jesse Crain. 

 

American League Free Agent Arbitration Decisions

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23 American League free agents were offered arbitration on November 23rd.  Four of those - Joaquin Benoit, John Buck, Victor Martinez, and Javier Vazquez - already have new contract agreements.  Current free agent Kevin Gregg has chosen to decline.  The remaining 18 AL free agents offered arbitration will have their decisions noted here and in our tracker.

Frasor To Accept Arb Or Sign Multiyear Deal

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Jason Frasor is discussing potential contracts with three teams and may sign a multiyear deal tonight. But if he doesn't sign a multi-year contract by tonight at midnight EDT, the Type A free agent will accept the Blue Jays' offer of arbitration, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter).

If a team other than Toronto signs Frasor tonight, they'll surrender a top pick in the 2011 draft. The Blue Jays would obtain that draft choice and a supplementary first round pick for losing Frasor to another club. Frasor posted a 3.68 ERA with 9.2 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 after a slow start last year, so he'd be a welcome addition to just about any big league bullpen. But Type A status figures to limit for Frasor, Frank Francisco and Grant Balfour to an extent.

Gregg Drawing Interest, Will Turn Down Arbitration

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Kevin Gregg is drawing interest from the Angels, Orioles, Rays and Blue Jays and will turn down Toronto's offer of arbitration, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter). All four of those teams could be in the market for a closer, but they aren't the only ones interested in Gregg.

Since the right-hander is a Type B free agent, teams won't have to surrender a draft choice to sign him. The Blue Jays will obtain a supplementary first rounder if Gregg signs a big league deal elsewhere. If you're wondering which ranked free agents have accepted or turned down arbitration, check out MLBTR's free agent arbitration offer tracker.

When Mike Axisa broke down Gregg's free agent stock yesterday, he explained that closing experience, a history of health and high strikeout rates should play in Gregg's favor. The 32-year-old walks lots of hitters, but he may very well get another chance to close.

Berkman Names Interested Teams

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Add the Cardinals, Pirates, and Blue Jays to the list of teams known to have at least kicked the tires on free agent Lance Berkman.  The first baseman/outfielder named those suitors in a conversation with Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle recently.  Berkman had already referenced the Athletics, Cubs, and Rockies in a November 23rd Ken Rosenthal article.  Berkman said at the time that eight teams had checked in.  The Astros don't have a spot for him, and the Rangers won't unless Vladimir Guerrero departs.

Berkman told Rosenthal he won't rule out a full-time DH job like the one the A's have open, but he'd prefer to return to the National League as a first baseman/outfielder.  Berkman plans to re-establish himself in 2011, blaming his power decline on his injured knee.

Berkman, who struggles against lefties, doesn't seem to be the ideal match for the Pirates.  Back in September, GM Neal Huntington talked about adding a right-handed first base bat who beats up on southpaws.  On the other hand, the Pirates aren't necessarily committed to Garrett Jones and that plan.  The Cardinals would be one club that could only offer an outfield corner for Berkman.  The Blue Jays have a crowded outfield but could use Berkman at first base or DH depending on where they like Adam Lind.

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