By Tim Dierkes | at
According to Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times, the Dodgers have a two-year deal in mind for free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal. SI.com’s Jon Heyman recently said their offer was in the two-year, $25-30MM range. His agent is looking for four years, and says ten other teams have expressed interest.
Heyman believes the Orioles and Royals may be suitors, though Furcal may be out of the Royals’ price range. The Tigers are out, but the Cubs, Giants, Blue Jays, and A’s are in.
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Dodgers’ offer to Manny Ramirez is for about two years, $45MM. Ned Colletti was able to say this is a higher average annual value than Johan Santana because of deferred money in Johan’s deal.
Heyman says Manny is thinking seriously about other options now, because the Dodgers’ offer is so far below his range. Scott Boras is still talking about six years. Heyman’s source believes "fan response" could push the Dodgers to three years, though they may already be willing to up the salary a bit. The offer is apparently a backloaded deal with a third-year option.
Heyman likes the Blue Jays, Orioles, and Yankees as other suitors, though the Orioles are already pretty much out and Manny is not a priority for the Yanks.
Tons of Scott Boras quotes on the Manny topic, here and here.
By Tim Dierkes | at
THURSDAY: Reds GM Walt Jocketty shot down the rumor that he was interested in Greene. If he adds a shortstop, it’ll be a 0-3 guy.
TUESDAY, 11:21pm: Tom Krasovic adds the Blue Jays to the mix for Greene. Padres GM Kevin Towers says Greene would likely be traded in a separate deal rather than packaged with Jake Peavy.
7:42pm: The Red Sox and Padres made a point to officially dismiss the idea of Crisp for Greene.
2:59pm: It seems that LaRue was saying both Crisp and Greene are available, not that one was offered for the other. So, scratch the Crisp for Greene rumor.
11:13am: The Red Sox are offering Coco Crisp for Greene, according to Larry LaRue of The News Tribune. That’d be surprising, as the Sox don’t figure to be in the market for a shortstop.
8:46am: According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Orioles, Reds, and Tigers are among the teams interested in Padres shortstop Khalil Greene. GM Kevin Towers admits to having "nibbles" on Greene.
Prior to his self-inflicted broken hand, Greene hit a woeful .213/.260/.339 in 423 plate appearances. The Padres filed a grievance to recover salary due to the injury, so they’re probably not on the best of terms right now. Greene did not impress defensively either – he made four fewer plays than the average shortstop. Greene is owed $6.5MM in 2009, and Krasovic says he turned down a four-year, $29MM offer a year ago.
Seemingly, the Padres would attempt to acquire a shortstop in a Jake Peavy trade if they move Greene. Yunel Escobar and Ronny Cedeno have been mentioned in rumors. The Reds’ interest in Greene seems to indicate a lack of faith in Alex Gonzalez, presumably next year’s starting shortstop.
By Cork Gaines | at
A few notes from the MLBiverse…
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers seek a short-term solution at shortstop. The Tigers like the idea of using prospect Cale Iorg in 2010. That means they won’t be signing free agents Orlando Cabrera and Rafael Furcal. The Tigers view the relief market in the way – they like their long-term options (Ryan Perry, for example).
The Tigers have "mild interest" in Khalil Greene, who is signed through 2009. They don’t like his $6.5MM price tag, which might mean Jack Wilson is also too pricey. John McDonald is a more affordable name on the radar (the pitchers certainly wouldn’t mind).
The Tigers have an eye on the Rangers’ catchers, Gerald Laird in particular. It might be tough to make a deal, as the Tigers don’t have pitching to spare.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Another day, another Ken Rosenthal column.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Let’s talk about free agent starter A.J. Burnett, who expects to receive multiple five-year offers (according to Keith Law).
By Tim Dierkes | at
Links and tidbits for Wednesday. Remember to check back on this post for updates!
By Tim Dierkes | at
Bill Shaikin and Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times have the scoop on free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal.
Furcal’s agent Paul Kinzer met with Dodgers GM Ned Colletti recently, and they didn’t see eye to eye. Kinzer doesn’t want to compromise much on the term despite Furcal missing most of ’08 due to back surgery. Furcal wants to return to the Dodgers, but may be "forced" to hit the open market to find the four-year deal he craves. At least seven teams have expressed interest, the Cubs, Giants, and Blue Jays among them. The Royals, Orioles, Cardinals, Indians, Tigers, and Twins also make sense.
By Tim Dierkes | at
11:16am: Larry LaRue of The News Tribune speaks of a "decided lack of enthusiasm" for Overbay from the Mariners.
9:28am: A rumor from Larry Stone of the Seattle Times:
Word out of Toronto is that the Jays want to trade Lyle Overbay to Seattle and are willing to pick up some of his salary. According to one source, Overbay was part of the package (along with reliever Jason Frasor) for Raul Ibanez that was nixed by the Mariners at the trade deadline.
Overbay, 32 in January, hit .270/.358/.419 in 630 plate appearances. He’ll earn $14MM over the 2009-10 seasons. Also at that link, Stone puts on his GM cap and suggests some players for Jack Zduriencik.
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