Blue Jays Rumors

Odds & Ends: Gordon, Uribe, D’backs, Igawa

By Tim Dierkes | November 11, 2009 at 3:09pm CDT

Links for a busy Wednesday, as writers, agents, and GMs catch their flights out of O'Hare…

Welcome to Twitter: ESPN's Buster Olney.
ESPN's Keith Law assesses the Mark Teahen, J.J. Hardy, Jeremy Hermida, and Akinori Iwamura trades.
The Royals are committed to Alex Gordon as their third baseman despite acquiring Josh Fields, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Fields instead could play left field in the event David DeJesus is traded. DeJesus' name popped up in our left field trade market post.
Rosenthal and Morosi also note that the Giants are talking with Juan Uribe about a new contract. Uribe was one of the year's best minor league deals. He's represented by Barry Praver.
Rosenthal reported yesterday that the Nationals hired Bryan Minnitti from the Pirates to be their new assistant GM. Jake from New Bucs interviewed the young exec last year.
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic names four relievers who might be of interest to the Diamondbacks: Rafael Betancourt, Mike Gonzalez, LaTroy Hawkins, and Bob Howry.
Joe Pawlikowski of River Ave. Blues has a reality check for fans as we head toward the offseason insanity.
Victor Martinez's agent Alan Nero told WEEI's Rob Bradford there's been "little or no dialogue" in terms of the Red Sox extending his client.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post wonders if the Yankees' championship might enable them to take things more slowly this winter.
Sherman tweets that there is interest in Japan from Kei Igawa, but he doesn't want to go. Igawa posted a 4.15 ERA in 145.3 Triple A innings this year, and still has $8MM remaining on his contract.
Baseball America's Matt Eddy has your minor league transactions. Wilson Valdez and Mike Gosling are among those joining the free agent ranks.
New Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos seems passionate, talking to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun. Anthopoulos even gives props to the fine Jays blogs out there.
Padres pitcher Chris Young told Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune that he understands the business aspect of baseball. With a healthy first half, Young could be a trade candidate.
Grant at McCovey Chronicles says AT&T Park isn't a pitcher's park anymore, and agents know that.

Blue Jays, Mariners Discuss Overbay Trade

By Tim Dierkes | November 11, 2009 at 1:34pm CDT

The Blue Jays and Mariners have discussed a deal involving first baseman Lyle Overbay, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The writers say Overbay "would welcome" a deal, and note that he's been coming up in multiple rumors. Overbay almost went back to Arizona in a deal for Chris Snyder before the Blue Jays backed out.

At $7MM next year, Overbay is reasonably priced. Nonetheless, the Jays seem to prefer to go in another direction at first base. Aside from the Mariners and D'Backs, the Orioles, A's, Rangers, Braves, Mets, and Giants might have openings at first.

Anthopoulos Would Deal Within Division

By Tim Dierkes | November 11, 2009 at 12:45pm CDT

Same-division dealing won't be a big factor for new Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos, according to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald. Said Anthopoulos:

That will never be a stumbling block, if we get the return that we feel, no matter what player it is. We're trying to worry about the Toronto Blue Jays and what makes us a better team.

A comment like that tends to fuel the fire regarding rumors that the Red Sox or Yankees will have interest in Roy Halladay. Indeed, SI's Jon Heyman just tweeted that the Yanks plan to inquire.

Sherman On Lackey, Phillies, Giants

By Tim Dierkes | November 11, 2009 at 8:43am CDT

The latest from Joel Sherman of the New York Post…

The Angels' willingness to let John Lackey leave without a serious offer raises a red flag for at least a few execs with other clubs. With Lackey being the best available free agent starter, it's easy to forget that his 2009 season did not begin until May 16th due to an elbow strain. In 2008, he began on May 14th because of a triceps strain.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports also has a Lackey article, and it takes a different tone. Rosenthal says the Angels would still like to re-sign Lackey, adding that "Plan B could be a renewed effort to trade for Roy Halladay."
Heyman assesses the Phillies and attempts to douse rumors about them eyeing Chone Figgins and Halladay. He does see the needs as third base, the rotation, and the back of the bullpen. Our own Mike Axisa wondered if my Jose Valverde prediction made sense, because Valverde might prefer to sign somewhere he'll surely close. Maybe a guy like Brandon Lyon fits better. David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News says GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has reached out to at least six free agents, and Murphy provides guesses. Two clubs made trade offers as well.
A $90MM payroll might keep the Giants out of the Matt Holliday–Jason Bay bidding. Sherman suggests the Giants are not locked into a first base acquisition in the infield – Pablo Sandoval can play both corners, and Freddy Sanchez can even be considered at third base if the Giants pursue another second baseman. Sherman says the Giants are currently looking to re-sign Brad Penny and Bengie Molina. Since he made only six starts for the Giants, you have to look to 2007 as the last time Penny truly had success. Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News believes the Giants will at least offer arbitration to Molina, which I imagine will hurt his market.

Odds & Ends: Giants, Phillies, Hernandez

By Mark Polishuk | November 10, 2009 at 5:42pm CDT

Some news and notes from around the majors….

Giants blogger Grant of The McCovey Chronicles notes the potential downsides for San Francisco if they were to sign Jason Bay, Jermaine Dye and/or Bengie Molina.
With rumors again swirling that the Phillies will make a play for Roy Halladay, Scott Lauber of the News Journal looks at a Baseball America listing of Philadelphia's top prospects, with an eye towards which of these youngsters could head to Toronto in a trade.
Speaking of Halladay, The Seattle Times' Larry Stone believes that if the Mariners do decide to move Felix Hernandez, they will do so without being as public as the Blue Jays were about dealing their ace last summer.
Dick Kaegel of MLB.com reports that the Royals outrighted pitchers Yasuhiko Yabuta and Lenny DiNardo to Triple-A Omaha, leaving them both eligible for free agency. Neither move was a surprise, particularly given that Kansas City already declined Yabuta's $4MM option for 2010.
Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles signed catcher Michel Hernandez. The 31-year-old Hernandez will get an invite to spring training to vie for the backup catcher's job. Hernandez has a .237/.286/.305 career line in 127 plate appearances with Tampa Bay and New York.

Rosenthal And Morosi On Harden, Putz, Wagner

By Luke Adams 2 | November 10, 2009 at 3:35pm CDT

3:35pm: More from Rosenthal and Morosi:

The White Sox are expected to add a leadoff man, but Chone Figgins still seems too expensive.
John Smoltz is open to starting or relieving next year. He figures to end up in the NL after his failed stint with the Red Sox.
Phillies officials "strongly downplayed" the idea that they could trade for Roy Halladay. The NL Champs will focus instead on third base and the bullpen.

12:38pm: Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi are constantly updating their blog at FOX Sports with more info from the GM meetings. Here are some highlights from today:

Rich Harden could be a good fit for the Seattle Mariners, especially given his past success in the American League West and the close proximity of his hometown (Victoria, British Columbia) to Seattle.
Given their need for some offensive punch, the Mariners will also "kick the tires" on Jason Bay, says one major league source. As ESPN.com's Jason Grey points out, the Mariners have Dustin Ackley and Michael Saunders coming up through the system, so signing an outfielder like Bay to a long-term deal may not appeal to Jack Zduriencik.
J.J. Putz's agent Craig Landis says that his client wouldn't mind accepting a setup role. "He has a preference to be a closer, but absolutely will not rule out an eighth-inning job depending upon many factors," says Landis. The factors Landis mentions include location, coaching staff, team strength, and, of course, money.
Bean Stringfellow, Billy Wagner's agent, claims that six teams have called about the left-hander, and that all of them are interested in Wagner as a closer. We heard earlier today that Wagner's value could be hurt by his Type A status, but if you believe Stringfellow, it's not looking like a problem so far.
The Yankees are "taking it slow" in their discussions with Hideki Matsui.

Odds & Ends: Smoltz, Holliday, Varitek, Tejada

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 10, 2009 at 3:12pm CDT

Let's round up a few more links in a busy day of rumors….

John Smoltz wants to pitch next year, according to this tweet from ESPN.com's Peter Gammons.
The Mets will ask the Blue Jays about the price for Roy Halladay, as they did this summer, according to Newsday's Ken Davidoff.
As Chad Jennings of the Journal News reports, Andy Pettitte isn't likely to return to the Astros.
We knew Matt Capps could be a trade chip for the Pittsburgh Pirates this offseason. According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates offered Capps to the Milwaukee Brewers for J.J. Hardy.
Many expect Matt Holliday to end up in New York in 2010, but both the Mets and Yankees are downplaying their interest in the outfielder, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.
Sherman also writes that if Jason Varitek doesn't exercise his player option, the Mets could be interested in the 37-year-old.
MLB.com's Mychael Urban agrees with Tim: Miguel Tejada fits in Oakland.
Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star notes (via Twitter) that the Royals' payroll reached $82MM this past season.

Heyman On Bradley, Gonzalez, Halladay

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 10, 2009 at 2:08pm CDT

Jon Heyman has the latest on Milton Bradley, Roy Halladay, Adrian Gonzalez, and plenty of other big names in his new column. Let's check out some of the highlights….

Although Texas and Tampa Bay seem like the most likely destinations for Bradley, one GM says the outfielder needs to play in a small market like Kansas City or San Diego.
If the Rangers were to acquire Bradley, they would probably want the Cubs to pick up about $16MM of the remaining $21MM on his contract.
People around baseball figure that Halladay is more likely than Gonzalez to be traded this winter. But a rival GM wouldn't be surprised to see both players get traded, since "sometimes new GMs like to put their stamp on a team."
If the Boston Red Sox are in the Halladay hunt again, don't expect them to give up as much as they would have this summer. One executive believes they offered too much.
Should the New York Yankees offer John Lackey a deal similar to the one they gave A.J. Burnett last winter, a competing GM thinks it would be enough to land Lackey, given teams' increasing reluctance to hand out long-term contracts.
The New York Mets are a little wary of Lackey's "alleged arm issues" but could be interested in second-tier free agent starters like Joel Pineiro and Randy Wolf.
Chone Figgins is a top priority for the Angels early in the offseason. They could attempt to re-sign Vladimir Guerrero later in the winter, but he's not a priority for now.
The Philadelphia Phillies would like to lock up Cliff Lee to a long-term extension that costs them less than $100MM.

Odds & Ends: Chapman, Felix, Jays, Valentine

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 10, 2009 at 11:04am CDT

Some links for Tuesday morning…

Rob Bradford of WEEI.com says there are concerns about Aroldis Chapman's makeup.
One GM asked Joel Sherman of the New York Post why Felix Hernandez would consider signing long-term with the Mariners when the Yankees could conceivably offer $200MM in two winters when he's a free agent.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that Bobby Valentine and Jim Riggleman are the two finalists for the Nats' managerial job.
The Blue Jays claimed Mike McCoy from the Rockies off waivers, according to the Jays' Twitter.
Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd was named executive of the year, writes Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post.
Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times suggests that free agent pitcher Jason Marquis may be out of the Dodgers' price range (via Twitter).
Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe asks himself if the Red Sox are preparing to spend big this offseason.

Rangers Would Consider Dealing For Bradley

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 10, 2009 at 8:33am CDT

More teams are calling the Cubs about Milton Bradley and, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Rangers might be one of them. Team officials told Sherman they would consider bringing Bradley back if the Cubs were willing to take on a considerable chunk of the $21MM he'll make over the course of the next two seasons. Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune says that's unlikely.

Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Cubs have to deal the outfielder – some of Bradley's teammates won't even speak with him. We heard about a potential three-way deal yesterday, but Toronto does not appear to have interest in Bradley. ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports that the Jays have serious doubts about adding Bradley to their clubhouse.

The Rangers, who are considering moving Josh Hamilton to a corner outfield spot, may lose Marlon Byrd to free agency this offseason.

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