Nats Still Like Jason Jennings
It’s no secret that the Nationals like free agent starter Jason Jennings – they touched base with his agent almost a month ago. Today, MLB.com’s Jim Molony writes that the Nats are still targeting Jennings on a one-year deal.
Jennings’ torn flexor tendon is believed to be an injury he came make a full recovery from by Spring Training. If so, many other teams will seek Jennings as a possible bargain. So the Nats aren’t going to slip under the radar and get him for $3MM or something. There will be plenty of competition from teams like the Rockies, Rangers, Royals, and Mets.
Mr. Dukes Goes To Washington
UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 4:19pm: The Rays will receive a 20 year-old southpaw starter named Glenn Gibson. Gibson was actually rumored way back on November 14th in this deal and the Nats didn’t want to part with him. He’s said to have a "decent fastball, very good curve, and tons of polish." Scratch what I said about getting Dukes for nothing; Gibson is something. He’s been compared to Will Inman but with a little more projection.
UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 2:34pm: The Post’s Barry Svrluga has more on this trade. The Nats basically get Dukes for nothing – just an as-yet unknown minor leaguer. Jim Bowden is hoping Dmitri Young can keep Dukes in check, and he’s not worried about his outfield surplus.
UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 2:18pm: The Washington Post’s Dave Sheinin confirms that the Nats have acquired Dukes. That’d leave the Nats with four outfielders, five if Nick Johnson comes back and forces Dmitri Young to the outfield.
UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 1:30pm: Marc Topkin has some unconfirmed buzz that Dukes is indeed headed to the Nationals.
FROM 12-3-07 at 1:18pm:
C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Post says a Nationals-Rays trade may be in the works. We know the Nats have interest in Elijah Dukes, and I could see the Rays parting with him even with Delmon Young gone. After all, the Rays are known to be looking at various free agents to help in right field such as Geoff Jenkins.
Odds and Ends: Loretta, Pettitte, Affeldt
Random Winter Meetings rumors…
- Doug Melvin confirms that the Nats offered Chad Cordero for Rickie Weeks. Melvin is adamant that he won’t be trading Weeks or J.J. Hardy for a closer.
- Mike Timlin for $3MM, done.
- Mark Loretta would like to return to San Diego but the Padres will pass. The Rockies may yet sign him.
- Rob Biertempfel thinks the Pirates could send a reliever to the Rockies for Jamey Carroll, if the Rockies would eat some of Carroll’s salary. That’s right, a Jamey Carroll trade rumor. For a man of his abilities Carroll is a tad pricey at $2.3MM.
- Andy Pettitte deal is official at $16MM with no option year.
- Jeremy Affeldt might be looking for four years, $16MM. Say whaaaat? The Rox offered him a mere $4MM over two years.
Brown’s Latest: Erstad, Livan, Tomko
Yahoo’s Tim Brown checks in with his own set of rumors after working the floor a bit.
- Darin Erstad is popular – the Padres, Mariners, Astros, and Rays have inquired. His mystique lives on.
- The Phillies appear to have a serious interest in Livan Hernandez, though he doesn’t seem to be what they need.
- Brett Tomko‘s agent met with the Rockies today. Brown says the Pirates, Nationals, Marlins, Reds, and Rangers are after him too. Separately it’s been said that the Astros are in on him too. The Padres made a weak $1.5MM offer to Tomko.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Roberts, Barrett, Piazza
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
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
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
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
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
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.