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Odds & Ends: Arroyo, Varitek, Angels, Werth

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The Red Sox officially introduced Carl Crawford to Red Sox Nation at a press conference this morning, but that's not the only hot stove news today…

Six Teams Interested In Derrek Lee

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The Orioles, Athletics, Blue Jays, Padres, Nationals, and Diamondbacks have all expressed interest in free agent first baseman Derrek Lee according to SI.com's Jon Heyman (via Twitter). We've heard that Lee wouldn't mind playing for Arizona, and the interest from the O's and A's is nothing new. Heyman reiterated the D'Backs interest in Xavier Nady as well.

Lee, 35, had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his thumb after the season. He's expressed a desire to join a playoff club for 2011, but calling any of those six teams a contender would be generous. D'Backs GM Kevin Towers was the Padres GM when Lee broke in with the team in 1997, and the running theme of the offseason has been Towers bringing some of his former players to Arizona. Nady obviously fits the bill as well.

I examined Lee's free agent stock back in October.

Carl Pavano Rumors: Friday

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Yesterday, we heard that the Brewers don't aim to offer Carl Pavano a contract longer than two years. The Twins and Nationals are also in on the bidding for Pavano, who's arguably the top free agent starter not named Cliff Lee. Here's the latest, with more updates to follow throughout the day:

  • The Nationals are reluctant to offer Pavano a multiyear deal, but they’re still talking to agent Tom O’Connell, according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. The right-hander will wait until after the weekend to decide on an offer, according to O’Connell.

Cliff Lee Rumors: Wednesday

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SI.com's Jon Heyman reported yesterday that two teams may have offered Cliff Lee seven-year deals, and the rumor mill will be flying again today. Remember, the Yankees, Rangers, Angels, and Nationals all deny such an offer. Here's a look at all of yesterday's rumors, and here are today's:

  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports identifies the Red Sox as one of the "mystery teams" who made a seven-year bid for Lee. However, they didn't offer enough money for Lee to realistically consider accepting. Rather, the proposal was about increasing Lee's leverage with other teams and trying to force the Yankees to add an extra year.
  • Boston's agreement with Carl Crawford is good news for Lee, who is now the clear top free agent left on the market. Sherman speculates (via Twitter) that the Angels and Rangers, who were in on Crawford, could make a stronger push for Lee now. Brian Cashman, however, says the move won't affect the Yankees' approach on the lefty (Twitter link).
  • Rangers president Nolan Ryan told MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan that the Rangers have asked Braunecker to tell them what it will take to sign Lee. The Rangers have not made an offer, but they're considering a six-year deal, since they expect it will take a long-term commitment to sign Lee.
  • Lee will decide on his next team by the end of the weekend, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
  • The Yankees offered Lee a six-year deal worth $140MM, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News (on Twitter). George A. King III of the New York Post hears that the team is comfortable offering between $137.5MM and $150MM.
  • Cashman confirmed to reporters that the Yankees have made an offer, according to Marc Carig of the Star Ledger (on Twitter).
  • GM Mike Rizzo told Ben Goessling of MASNSports that the Nationals did not meet with Lee's agent today (Twitter link).
  • The Brewers are not the mystery team interested in Lee, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel confirms (on Twitter).
  • Though it appeared that the Yankees were about to make a strong offer, they have yet to propose a deal formally, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter).
  • Braunecker has left the building!  He wouldn't reveal where he's going, reports CBS Sports' Danny Knobler.
  • The Rangers met with Braunecker again this morning, tweets Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
  • Lee's agent Darek Braunecker told ESPN's Richard Durrett that one club has been eliminated.
  • The Yankees are going to make a very strong six-year offer in the $140-150MM range to Lee today, tweets Heyman.
  • Joel Sherman of the New York Post wonders if Lee really has received seven-year offers, and if he'd go to a non-contender that offered seven years. He spoke with two executives who had Lee in their organization once, and both feel he would.
  • Sherman also checked around and ruled out the Cubs as a seven-year team. He says there was some buzz about the Brewers, but that the finances are beyond their means.  ESPN's Buster Olney rules out the Orioles.
  • MLB.com's Bill Ladson has a source who says the Nationals aren't out of the Lee sweepstakes "by any means," despite GM Mike Rizzo's comments. Ladson's source feels Jayson Werth's seven-year deal actually increased Washington's chances for Lee.

Carl Pavano Rumors: Wednesday

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Carl Pavano met with four teams yesterday; here's the latest…

  • The Brewers are discussing a three-year deal with Pavano, according to Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com.
  • Top Brewers executives dined with Pavano and his agent on Tuesday, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter). The Twins and a mystery team are also involved.
  • Brewers owner Mark Attanasio would increase payroll to accomodate the right pitcher, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
  • Pavano's agent told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that his meetings with the Brewers were "very productive" (Twitter link).
  • Milwaukee is serious about Pavano, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, who says the Twins are still frontrunners (Twitter link). Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports that the Brewers do intend to add another starter, but aren't optimistic about trading for Zack Greinke or Matt Garza (Twitter links).
  • The Brewers were one of the teams that met with Pavano yesterday, GM Doug Melvin told MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.
  • Pavano's camp is telling people not to expect a deal before the end of the Winter Meetings, tweets Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse.
  • The Twins are making a serious push to get something done with Pavano, reports ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.  Crasnick's colleague Buster Olney tweets that the Twins "continue to have a very good shot" to re-sign the righty.  Pavano was impressed by the presence of Bill Smith, Rob Antony, and Terry Ryan at yesterday's meeting, tweets La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
  • The Nationals are still in the mix for Pavano, his agent Tom O'Connell tells Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.

Zack Greinke Rumors: Wednesday

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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.

Nationals Notes: Winn, Webb, Wang, LaRoche

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Washington may or may not be in on Cliff Lee. Here's what we do know about the Nationals:

Nationals Rumors: LaRoche, Lee, Pavano

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MLB.com's Bill Ladson has some late night Nationals rumors. Let's take a look:

  • In the wake of Carlos Pena's deal with the Cubs, the Nats will likely shift their focus to Adam LaRoche. LaRoche said on Monday that he'd have definite interest if he and Washington were on the same page. The free agent is coming off a season in which he hit .261/.320/468 with 25 HR in his age-30 season.
  • A source told Ladson that Washington's chances of winning the Cliff Lee sweepstakes actually increased after the club signed Jayson Werth to his seven-year contract. He also said the Nationals won't offer Lee seven years.
  • GM Mike Rizzo says the club likely won't acquire Lee, but Ladson's source says the Nats "are not out of it by any means." Washington won't, however, get into a bidding war like they did for Mark Teixeira in 2008.
  • The Nationals appear to be out of the bidding for Carl Pavano's services, as they're not comfortable giving him a multiyear deal. A trade may be Washington's best bet at acquiring a starter.

Cliff Lee Rumors: Tuesday

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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.
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