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Rosenthal’s Latest: Roberts, Barrett, Piazza

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Ken Rosenthal is presumably in Nashville doing what he does best – collect trade rumors by the dozen.  His latest column is an excellent example.  What’s the over/under on Rosenthal scoops over the next four days?  I’ll set it at 10.

  • Rosenthal says the Mets are unwilling to extend the contract of GM Omar Minaya, who is signed through 2009.  The lack of job security could compel Minaya to mortgage the future, and the Lastings Milledge trade was a good example.  Carlos Gomez, watch out.  Here’s MLBTR’s look at Omar Minaya’s Mets trade profile.
  • The Astros, Giants, and Cardinals aren’t really in the running for Miguel Cabrera, so they don’t need to wait for that shoe to drop to go after Miguel Tejada.  However it sounds like all three clubs don’t have the talent even for a Tejada trade.  Jon Heyman mentioned today that the Orioles do have interest in Adam Everett and Michael Bourn of the Astros.
  • Here’s a good one: Peter Angelos favorite Brian Roberts might be available.  The Mets and Astros inquired but moved on, but Roberts might be just what the Cubs are looking for.  The Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec recently told us that he doesn’t expect Andy MacPhail to move Roberts unless he’s "totally overwhelmed."
  • The Marlins, Rays, and Orioles have interest in Michael Barrett.  In the case of Baltimore, the interest indicates the availability of Ramon Hernandez.  If Barrett can find a multiyear deal from one of those teams, he may decline the Padres’ offer of arbitration.  It’s a catch-22, though, because that would make Barrett much less signable in terms of draft pick compensation. 
  • If Barrett does decline, the Padres might bring Mike Piazza back.
  • The Nationals keep asking for Rickie Weeks for Chad Cordero, and the Brewers keep saying no.
  • The Braves are big fans of Coco Crisp, and could have a passing interest in Corey Patterson.  But they certainly wouldn’t mind going with internal options in center next year.
  • Aaron Rowand is definitely getting that five-year deal – a Mystery Team has already offered one.  The Yanks could pursue him if they trade the Melk Man. 
  • Deja vu – the Yanks and Mets both like Octavio Dotel, again.  It’s known that Octavio loves New York.

Nationals Targeting Damian Miller

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The Nationals aren’t ready to anoint Jesus Flores their starting catcher even with Brian Schneider gone.  The 23 year-old Rule 5 pick was forced to jump from A ball to the bigs this year so the Nats could retain him.  It certainly makes sense to get him to Triple A so he can re-enter a normal development path.

That leaves the Nats seeking a veteran catcher.  According to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, they’ve set their sights on Damian Miller.  The interest is mutual.  Miller, 38, took on a backup role last year as his offense continued to slip.  He made $2.25MM and probably isn’t looking for much more than that.

Ladson runs through the other available options at catcher but none seem an ideal fit for the Nats.

Tomko Not Close To Signing With Padres

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The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Tom Krasovic reported today that Padres GM Kevin Towers expects to sign Brett Tomko for a relief role.  Tomko was quoted as saying "Of course, we’re interested."

To clear things up, ESPN’s Amy Nelson spoke to Tomko today.  He’s not close to signing with the Padres.  In an ideal world he’d get a multiyear deal and a chance to start.  The Padres offered one year and a bullpen job.  Said Tomko: "It’s not like I’m looking to be the highest-paid 4-12 pitcher ever.  But I don’t feel like I’m desperate. I’m willing to wait for a couple of other guys to sign."  Nelson adds that more than six teams have inquired on Tomko, including the Nationals, Rockies, Astros, and Marlins.  He’s an intriguing bargain buy.

But this begs the question: who was the highest paid 4-12 pitcher ever?  Tomko made $4.1MM this year, $5.1MM if you count his buyout.  Since 1901, 27 pitchers have gone 4-12.  Since 1990, only Tomko, Mark Gubicza, and Darryl Kile have done it.  Gubicza earned $1.6MM in ’96, while Kile earned $1.272MM in ’95.  So Tomko technically already is the highest paid 4-12 pitcher ever.

Mets Trade Milledge To Nats For Schneider And Church

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According to SNY via Metsblog as well as WFAN, the Mets have traded Lastings Milledge to the Nationals for Brian Schneider and Ryan Church.

Initial thought: sweet deal by Jim Bowden.  Milledge, who turns 23 in April, has star potential or at least will become an above average right fielder (though he should be tried in center unless he’s terrible there).  The 31 year-old Schneider is strong defensively, but he doesn’t hit.  The 29 year-old Church has a career OPS over .800, and may be a bit underrated.  But he is 29 and not likely to get much better.  He’s quite a ways away from free agency, at least.

I’m just surprised Milledge couldn’t net more. 

Nats Talk To Boras About Patterson And Andruw

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According to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, the Nationals have gotten in touch with Scott Boras regarding center fielders Andruw Jones and Corey Patterson. 

As you know, Andruw isn’t prepared to give much of a discount despite a terrible 2007.  As for Patterson, the Nats seemingly hope to miscast him as a leadoff hitter (.298 career OBP), the same mistake the Cubs made.

Ladson also has a quote from Aaron Rowand indicating that he hasn’t heard much from the Nats.

Brewers Not Likely To Acquire Nathan, Herges

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Tom Haudricourt spoke to Brewers GM Doug Melvin recently to learn more about possible relief acquisitions.

  • Acquiring Joe Nathan or Chad Cordero is highly unlikely, because the Brewers don’t want to create holes at other positions.
  • The Crew has an offer out to one free agent reliever but it’s not Matt Herges.  That conflicts with a report from Haudricourt from November 14th.  Herges must be considering a Mystery Team along with the Rockies.
  • Haudricourt speculates that the offer might be out to David Riske, who I imagine wants at least three years and $12MM.

Odds and Ends: Livan, Bartlett, Willis, Webb

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Random pieces of rumorage…

Heyman’s Latest: Piazza, Matthews, Milledge

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SI.com’s Jon Heyman checks in with a new Daily Scoop column full of rumors.

  • A lot of the standard trade talk we’ve seen regarding Miguel Cabrera, Johan Santana, Miguel Tejada, and Dan Haren.  All these guys require two good young players or more in a trade.
  • Mike Piazza is considering DHing in Japan if he doesn’t find anything he likes in the U.S. 
  • Heyman talked to an AL exec who speculated that the Angels may try to unload Gary Matthews Jr.  GMJ makes $9MM in ’08, $10MM in ’09, $11MM in ’10, and $12MM in ’11.  He currently has a full no-trade clause.
  • Juan Uribe and Vicente Padilla are two salary-dump types whose names have surfaced in recent trade talks (unrelated to each other).  Padilla is owed $24.75MM over the next two seasons.
  • Heyman believes the Mets are very willing to trade Lastings Milledge and have discussed him often.
  • We knew the Mets had discussed Ramon Hernandez and Gerald Laird.  Heyman adds the Nats’ Brian Schneider to the mix.  He makes $4.9MM in ’08 and another $4.9MM in ’09.

Nationals Still Pursuing Dukes

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A week ago, a Dominican news site reported that the Nationals were trying to acquire outfielder Elijah Dukes.  It’s a love affair that’s gone on for some time now; Jim Bowden has a thing for athletic, troubled ballplayers.  The Rays still want some kind of useful pitcher or shortstop in return, but the Nats don’t want to surrender anyone of value. 

Tonight, MLB.com’s Bill Ladson has further details on Washington’s pursuit.  He quotes a baseball official close to the situation who believes it’s more likely than not that the Nationals acquire Dukes.  Coincidentally, the Nationals’ third base coach is currently coaching Dukes in winter ball.  So far he’s avoided any incidents.

If the Nats acquire Dukes, they expect manager Manny Acta and first baseman Dmitri Young to act as mentors to keep him in line.  Young had his own problems but has taken advantage of a second chance.

Hunter Receives Five Offers

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Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, normally their Cubs guy, has the scoop on the Torii Hunter situation.

Wittenmyer says Hunter has at least five offers in hand.  Four of them are for five years, while the Rangers have offered six.  This doesn’t count the Twins’ lowball 3/45 offer.

So which five clubs have made proposals to Hunter?  The Rangers, White Sox, Dodgers, Royals, and Nationals comprise the list.  Wittenmyer notes that the Dodgers could get aggressive on Hunter if they miss out on Miguel Cabrera.  Also, the Yankees could trade Melky Cabrera and jump in.  The amounts offered aren’t well known, but Wittenmyer says the Rangers are just under $15MM per year.   

Hunter hopes to decide next week so he doesn’t have to attend the Winter Meetings the week after that.  Don’t underestimate the Royals, who blew everyone away last year by winning the bidding for Gil Meche.  Still, the White Sox and Rangers are the clear frontrunners.

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