I love the idea of signing
Carlos Pena for a year to see if getting him healthy and in a new environment (in the easier league, as it turns out) helps him re-establish some value for himself in another contract year.
Getty ImagesPena's motivation for a new deal will be a boon to the Cubs.
I'm a little stunned at the $10 million price tag, though.
Two years ago, Pena was a down-ballot MVP candidate, a great defender at first who had tremendous secondary skills -- working the count, drawing walks, and hitting for power. Since 2008, however, he's been baffled by even moderate-quality offspeed stuff, but he's also been bothered by hand and foot injuries that may be behind the struggles. For the Cubs, adding Pena on a one-year deal makes a ton of sense -- if he's healthy and clicks with hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, they could get an
Aubrey Huff or
Adrian Beltre kind of return on their investment. That still wouldn't give the Cubs a good offense -- they've got potential offensive holes at at least three other positions -- but even if they don't upgrade elsewhere, they get a valuable asset for the trade deadline.
The salary doesn't adequately reflect the risk, however.
Pena wasn't worth half of that $10 million in 2010 and it's debatable whether he was worth that figure in 2009, so there's an uncomfortably high risk that his value in 2011 -- even with some bounceback as he gets healthy -- doesn't reach that number. If you're a GM taking on this kind of risk, there should be more potential reward on the other side for you than the $10 million salary affords the Cubs.
Pena leaving the market probably helps
Derrek Lee the most, as he's the best remaining possible one-year-with-upside guy on the market, and has a somewhat similar profile to Pena; Lee is a good defender with potential power but is older and carries more risk. With
Paul Konerko now signed, it's Lee's market.
http://[h3]
[h3]Red Sox not pursuing Beltran[/h3]
10:51AM ET
[h5]Carlos Beltran |
Mets | Interested:
Athletics? [/h5]
UPDATE:There were rumors that the Red Sox could be interested in Beltran, but Adam Rubin of
ESPNNewYork.com cites a Mets source who says: "It's all the same. There's nothing."
--
Sandy Alderson made his mark in baseball as the general manager of the
Oakland Athletics. Could Alderson turn to the A's to pull off his first big move as GM of the
New York Mets?
The Mets are still mulling their options regarding center fielder
Carlos Beltran, who is entering the final year of an $18.5 contract. Alderson is building a new culture in Queens and may be looking for a new home for Beltran, who has not looked like the same player defensively since undergoing knee surgery in January.
John Harper of the
Daily News wrote Tuesday it makes sense for Alderson to place a call to A's GM Billy Beane, who needs an impact hitter to be a legitimate contender again in the AL West.
The A's lost out on
Lance Berkman and appear to have soured on
Adrian Beltre, so Beltran would be a fit.
A deal still appears unlikely unless the Mets eat a huge portion of the contract. However, one rival executive who knows Beane well tells Harper that the A's GM would be "intrigued by the idea of trying to catch lightning in a bottle" with Beltran.
- Doug Mittler
[h5]Buster Olney[/h5]
Beltran by the Bay?
"For Oakland, this is a nice thought, in theory, but on the other hand: Would Beltran, a prospective free agent, want to play in Oakland?"
[/h3]
http://[h3]Padres on verge of Moseley deal[/h3]
10:42AM ET
[h5]Dustin Moseley |
Yankees [/h5]
The Padres could agree to a deal with right-hander pitcher
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6214Dustin Moseley as early as Wednesday, reports Bill Center of the
Union Tribune.
The Padres could give Moseley a chance to compete for the fifth spot in the rotation or put him in a bullpen that lost
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28501Edward Mujica and
Ryan Webb to Florida in the deal for
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6455Cameron Maybin.
Moseley pitched in 16 games for the Yankees in 2010 after spending parts of four seasons with the Dodgers.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Sabathia won't opt out of deal[/h3]
10:25AM ET
[h5]CC Sabathia |
Yankees [/h5]
The master plan for the
New York Yankees is to unveil a 1-2 rotation punch of
CC Sabathia and
Cliff Lee.
The Yankees are in hot pursuit of Lee and apparently have no worries about Sabathia using that as a reason to opt out of his seven-year deal that has four year deals and $97 million remaining.
"It has no effect on me at all," Sabathia told the
New York Post when asked about Lee's potential goldmine.
Sabathia is a good friend of Lee and said late last season he had no plans to get out of his deal with the Yankees.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Brewers could stand pat on Fielder[/h3]
10:10AM ET
[h5]Prince Fielder |
Brewers [/h5]
The
http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/mil/milwaukee-brewersMilwaukee Brewers, are exploring their options on what to do with
Prince Fielder. One viable option is to do nothing at all.
Michael Hunt of the
Journal Sentinel writes Wednesday that the Brewers will never get fair value in return for the slugging first baseman who is scheduled to hit the free agent market next winter.
"Keep him until his deal expires at the end of the season. Hope that he has the mother of all contract years. Thank him for his services, wish him well and gladly accept the two draft picks that could be the best compensation they'll get for Fielder," Hunt writes.
There were rumors earlier Monday that the Dodgers were talking specifics on a deal for Fielder that would have included
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6497James Loney and
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6370Jonathan Broxton, but sources on that story told Rumor Central's Jason A. Churchill that there is no activity on that front.
The speculation regarding Fielder heated up once
Adrian Gonzalez landed in Boston earlier this week. One thing Scott Boras almost certainly has considered: The Red Sox and Yankees, two teams unafraid to spend, already are set for the long term at first base. Gonzalez is expected to ink a long-term deal with Boston and the Yankees have
Mark Teixeira under wraps.
Finding another team to write a blank check will not be easy.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Rockies interested in Michael Young?[/h3]
9:51AM ET
[h5]Michael Young |
Rangers [/h5]
UPDATE:Buster Olney hears it was the Rockies who took the Michael Young conversations to the Rangers, not vice versa.
--
UPDATE:Jeff Wilson of the
Star Telegram reports Wednesday that the Rockies have inquired about Young, but the interest is currently at the kick-the-tires stage.
--
Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com tweets Tuesday that the
Texas Rangers are
fielding offers for infielder
Michael Young. Young, 34, hit .284/.330/.444 with 21 home runs in 2010, but is due $48 million over the next three season.
Meanwhile,
Richard Durrett reports that while the Rangers may be taking calls on Young, they are not actively shopping him.
The Rangers may have to be willing to send cash along with Young, and probably have to accept the idea that they may not get much in return. Clubs that could view Young as an option may include the
St. Louis Cardinals,
San Francisco Giants,
Los Angeles Angels and
Toronto Blue Jays.
The Rangers could be trying to pave the way for a future move, since if Young were dealt he would vacate third base, and the club does not have an obvious in-house option at the position. Might
Adrian Beltre be an option in Arlington?
Rosenthal writes, however, that the Rangers could be looking to clear payroll because of their sizable offer to Cliff Lee, and that trading Young now maks sense because he will become a 10-5 player next May, enabling him to block any trade.
- Jason A. Churchill
http://[h3]Vlad open to Oakland[/h3]
9:42AM ET
[h5]Vladimir Guerrero |
Rangers [/h5]
Vladimir Guerrero is expanding his options beyond the
Texas Rangers and is now willing to talk to all four teams in the American League West, reports Susan Slusser of the
San Francisco Chronicle.
Slusser reports Wednesday that
Hideki Matsui remains a higher priority in Oakland, but Guerrero has become a more viable option for the Athletics than originally thought.
Guerrero had told other clubs that it will take a three-year deal to get him to sign,
according to MLB.com, but that he will settle for less years from the Rangers.
The club would like to have him back, but Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com
reported earlier this week that GM Jon Daniels is also considering signing a designated hitter that can play the outfield and/or first base on occasion.
Slusser reports that Guerrero is now willing to talk with all AL West teams about a one-year deal plus an option.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Could the Cards bow out on Pujols?[/h3]
9:26AM ET
[h5]Albert Pujols |
Cardinals [/h5]
Could the Cardinals be laying the groundwork for life without
Albert Pujols?
The three-time National League MVP will be a free agent after next season and he undoubtedly will command astronomical numbers in upcoming contract talks.
That process took at least a small step forward when, according to Joe Strauss of the Post Dispatch, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak
met Monday with Dan Lozano, the agent for Pujols as a precursor to negotiations for a contract extension.
Bryan Burwell of the Post-Dispatch hints Wednesday that the Cardinals
could bow out if Pujols is demanding $28 million to $30 million.
"The longer you listen to Cardinals officials who carefully broach the subject, the more it sounds like they are either trying to get you to start getting comfortable with the possible reality of life without Pujols in the not-so-distant future, or at the very least take the concept out for a little public stroll for their own prospective negotiating benefit," Burwell writes.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Twins still in Pavano hunt[/h3]
9:07AM ET
[h5]Carl Pavano |
Twins | Interested:
Pirates? [/h5]
Players are not in plentiful attendance at most winter meetings. In most cases, the prominent free agents let their agents do the leg work while they await the outcome.
Carl Pavano took a different approach Tuesday, arriving at the Orlando meetings to join his agent, Tom O'Connell, as they met with several teams, including the Twins.
Ken Davidoff of Newsday tweets that Pavano had a productive meeting with Minnesota Tuesday
and also met with the Nationals and two other clubs.
The
Milwaukee Brewers appear to have interest in Pavano, too, on the heels of acquiring
Shaun Marcum from the
Toronto Blue Jays,
tweets Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.
The Twins assured themselves of draft pick compensation once Pavano turned down arbitration, but they remain in serious pursuit of the Type-A free agent. La Velle Neal of the
Star Tribune reports that the Twins remain in the hunt for Pavano, but would like to avoid having to go to a third year.
Pavano is the top starting pitcher on the market behind
Cliff Lee, especially now that
Jorge De La Rosa re-signed with the Rockies. Pavano has at least four teams interested,
tweets SI.com's Jon Heyman, including the Twins and Nationals.
- Doug Mittler
[h5]Keith Law[/h5]
The market for Pavano
"Some people throw him under the bus for his stint with the
New York Yankees, but he's remade himself as a sinker-changeup artist and is coming off two of the best seasons of his career. He's not a good option if you play in a small park, though; he has a below-average fastball and that can make him homer-prone."
http://[h3]Konerko, White Sox talks stalled [/h3]
8:41AM ET
[h5]Paul Konerko |
White Sox [/h5]
Paul Konerko had spent the last dozen years with the White Sox and his strong bond with team chairman Jerry Reinsdorf had many excepting the first baseman to return to the South Side.
In fact, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick tweeted Tuesday afternoon that the
"Orioles fully expect Paul Konerko to re-sign with White Sox."
The Orioles could be in the hunt after all. White Sox general manager Ken Williams said Tuesday that negotiations with Konerko are
at a standstill, prompting him to start seriously considering other options.
Konerko's agent, Craig Landis, said that talks with the White Sox are ongoing. Doug Padilla of ESPNChicago.com adds that the Konerko talks aren?t finished, but cites a source who says the White Sox will now concentrate on rebuilding their bullpen.
The potential loss of Konerko was softened by the signing of free agent
Adam Dunn, but the White Sox would prefer to use Dunn as a designated hitter and not at first base.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Damon eyes the Gulf Coast?[/h3]
8:20AM ET
[h5]Johnny Damon |
Tigers [/h5]
Few players generated more rumors last offseason than
Johnny Damon, who went back-and-forth with the
New York Yankees before landing a one-year deal with the Tigers.
Damon is generating some Rumor Central fodder once again, telling Marc Topkin of the
St. Pete Times that he would like to fill the
Tampa Bay Rays' vacancy in left field.
Damon would seem to be a better fit in the American League where he could spend at least some time as a designated hitter. But Ken Rosenthal reported last week that the Dodgers had expressed interest in Damon as a replacement for
Scott Podsednik.
The Boston Globe wrote earlier this month that while Damon wants to stay in the east, the
http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/sf/san-francisco-giantsSan Francisco Giants and
http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/sd/san-diego-padresSan Diego Padres may be
among the veteran's best options, although his days playing the field appear to be nearing an end.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Rangers, Brewers looking at Garza[/h3]
8:04AM ET
[h5]Matt Garza |
Rays [/h5]
UPDATE: Roger Mooney of the
Tampa Tribune reports Wednesday that the Rangers and Brewers have shown interest in Garza.
--
Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune tweets that the
Milwaukee Brewers are
"rekindling talks" with the
Tampa Bay Rays regarding right-hander
Matt Garza, and that the Brewers may be willing to include center field prospect
Lorenzo Cain.
Garza is arbitration eligible this winter after making $3.35 million in 2010, but he is under club control for two more seasons.
Milwaukee was linked to
Carl Pavano earlier Tuesday, and traded for right-hander
Shaun Marcum on day 1 of the winter meetings.
The Brewers may have competition, however, as the
Washington Nationals may prefer to deal for Garza than for Greinke,
writes Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.
Cain would presumably be a candidate to take over for
Carl Crawford in Tampa, but his presence could also make
B.J. Upton trade bait as well. Last summer, GM Andrew Friedman told reporters that he didn't want to move Upton because of his defense, but Cain has similar defensively capabilities.
- Jason A. Churchill
http://[h3]Bartlett to O's deal fizzles[/h3]
7:58AM ET
[h5]Jason Bartlett |
Rays [/h5]
Jason Bartlett could become one of a number of potential casualties on the
http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/tb/tampa-bay-rayshttp://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/tb/tampa-bay-raysTampa Bay Rays roster this winter. In fact, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark lists Bartlett as
the most likely candidate to be traded this week at the winter meetings.
Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun tweeted Tuesday that a deal between the Orioles and Rays
was heating up, but Roger Mooney of the
Tampa Tribune reports Wednesday that nothing developed on that front.
Stark lists the Padres, Orioles, Pirates and Indians as teams looking for shortstops. The Giants (
Miguel Tejada) and Cardinals (
Ryan Theriot) filled their shortstop vacancies with recent moves.
If Bartlett is traded, the Rays could go with
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28707http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28707Reid Brignac in 2011 and have
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28536http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28536Ben Zobrist and
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=29105http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=29105Sean Rodriguez to use at the position in a pinch. Bartlett will be a free agent following 2011 and is set to receive a raise via arbitration this winter after making $4 million in 2010.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Braves, Uggla to talk long-term deal[/h3]
7:48AM ET
[h5]Dan Uggla |
Braves [/h5]
Give
Dan Uggla credit for having confidence.
The former All-Star thought he was worth more than $48 million over four years, the deal he rejected from the
Florida Marlins and prompted his trade to the
Atlanta Braves last month.
The question now turns to whether the arbitration-eligible Uggla will be more than a one-year rental and sign with the Braves, an organization with a reputation for treating its players well.
David O'Brien of the
Atlanta JC reports Wednesday that discussions on a contract extension with Uggla will pick up soon. O'Brien says Uggla appears motivated "to stay long term with the Braves."
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Red Sox, Angels still in Crawford chase[/h3]
7:37AM ET
[h5]Carl Crawford |
Rays [/h5]
The general consensus had Jayson Werth's jaw-dropping $126 million deal with the Nationals upping the ante for any team looking to land
Carl Crawford. But ESPN.com's Jayson Stark wrote Tuesday that Crawford's market
may actually have shrunk significantly as a result.
If the left fielder is seeking the top-end deal -- the $150-$180 million range -- several potentially interested clubs theoretically could be priced out, including the
http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/laa/los-angeles-angelsLos Angeles Angels and the
http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/bos/boston-red-soxBoston Red Sox.
But the Red Sox aren't out of the running for Crawford,
tweets Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com, quoting GM Theo Epstein as saying "anything's possible."
Meanwhile, Stark adds that Crawford remains
the No. 1 priority of the Angels.
The
http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/det/detroit-tigersDetroit Tigers had interest early on, and could stay involved just to see if the price comes down enough to allow them to bid, but it doesn't appear likely at the moment.
Financial pressure on the Red Sox could come from the Yankees. George King of the
New York Post reports Tuesday the Yankees view Crawford as a backup plan if
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5353Cliff Lee doesn't land in the Bronx, and as a vehicle to drive up the price on the Red Sox. King adds that the Yankees will likely top the $126 million offer made to Werth.
- Doug Mittler
[h5]Buster Olney[/h5]
Angels must up the ante
"There is word that the Angels' preference is to sign Crawford to a five-year deal. If that is, in fact, somewhere close to the Angels' ceiling for bidding, then they probably have no chance to sign Crawford, unless they're willing to pay him $25 million a year or more -- and even that might not be enough, because in the aftermath of the Werth contract, Crawford, the younger and better player, is probably in position to ask for eight years."
http://[h3]Pena heads to the North Side[/h3]
7:13AM ET
[h5]Carlos Pena |
Rays | Interested:
Cubs? [/h5]
In case you forgot,
Carlos Pena has seen his batting average decline for three straight seasons, and it fell below the Mendoza line in 2010. Don't tell that to the Cubs, who may have landed the free agent first baseman.
Pena,
reported Carrie Muskat of MLB.com, finalized a one-year deal with the Cubs worth about $10 million.
Bruce Levine of
ESPNChicago.com reported the Cubs met with agent Scott Boras on Monday night to talk about Pena. Levine adds that the Cubs have also talked in their meetings about
Adam LaRoche and
Lyle Overbay.
ESPNBoston.com's Gordon Edes
tweets Monday afternoon that the
Toronto Blue Jays were aggressively in on Pena.
The Nationals also were believed to be very interested in Pena as a replacement for the departed Adam Dunn.
The deal makes sense for Pena, who will look to bring up his offensive numbers and then seen a more lucrative multi-year deal next winter.
.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Lee still taking his time[/h3]
7:03AM ET
[h5]Cliff Lee |
Rangers [/h5]
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said Tuesday he was willing to "get serious" regarding
Cliff Lee, but the free agent lefthander seems to be in no immediate rush to make up his mind.
ESPN.com's
Jerry Crasnick cites a baseball source said the chances of Lee signing a contract before the end of the winter meetings is "doubtful."
What is taking to so long? For one, agent Darek Braunecker seems intent on increasing the pool of suitors. It may have worked as Crasnick
reported Tuesday night that the
Los Angeles Angels are throwing their hat in the Lee sweepstakes.
Earlier Tuesday evening, several outlets,
including the New York Daily News, reported that the Nationals are preparing to offer Lee a seven-year deal worth as much as $175 million.
Cashman reportedly was on the verge of making Lee a very lucrative offer and was just waiting for the green light from the player's agent.
Meanwhile, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram
tweeted late Tuesday afternoon that Rangers president Nolan Ryan is "more encouraged this week than last that Cliff Lee will sign with #Rangers," a sentiment that backs up what manager Ron Washington told reporters Monday.
While the Yankees are prepared to break the bank for Lee, Mark Feinsand of the Daily News writes Wednesday that Cashman
will not go as high as seven years.
Lee's offer from the Yankees will be for six years,
tweets Buster Olney.
George King of the
New York Post believes the Yankees are willing to spend $23 million per season on Lee, which also might be too rich for the Rangers.
Konerko also just signed, 3 years for $37.5 million.
