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[h4]Sources: Mets enter bidding for CC Sabathia[/h4]
The latest Subway Series tussle could be over none other than CC Sabathia, the Daily News has learned, as the Mets Thursday apparently joined the Yankees in pursuit of baseball's biggest free agent prize. A high-placed Yankee source Thursday reacted to the development by saying: "The Mets are in it? Great. Bring it on." The Yankees are plotting a quick-strike offer to Sabathia that would meet or exceed the $137.5 million for six years that Johan Santana received from the Mets last winter. -- NY Daily News
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[h4]ChiSox Dye and Vazquez to Cards?[/h4]
Although Jermaine Dye and pitcher Javier Vazquez have limited no-trade clauses, dealing them could help the White Sox address needs of speed, youth and catching depth. St. Louis, which is looking for starting pitching and outfield help, could entice the Sox with a package that includes top outfield prospect Colby Rasmus, who is a leadoff type. -- Chicago Tribune
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[h4]Padres Peavy may go to Yankees or Angels?[/h4]
The Padres have been unable to line up a trade with one of Jake Peavy's preferred teams and next could turn elsewhere to move the ace pitcher's four-year, $63 million guarantee amid apparent financial duress. "We've had advanced discussions with the Cubs and Braves, which are Jake's priority teams," General Manager Kevin Towers said last night, "but at this point in time, I do not see a potential deal with either club." The Yankees and Angels could be next in line, but that doesn't necessarily mean Towers' job will become easier. At season's end, Peavy said he doesn't want to go to the American League. His agent, Barry Axelrod, said a few days later that Peavy has a "strong, strong, strong preference" to stay in the National League. During the GM meetings last week, Towers said that Peavy, 27, might be open to going to the Yankees and Angels. -- San Diego Union-Tribune
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[h4]Mark Teixeira is Orioles primary target[/h4]
Mark Teixeira, the Mount St. Joseph graduate who is widely considered the best free-agent position player available, is the Orioles' primary target. They are not alone. Teixeira's agent Scott Boras said he expects so much interest in his client that Teixeira and his wife likely will have to whittle the list to a handful of clubs before serious negotiations can begin. Boras wouldn't comment as to whether he expected the Orioles to be in that mix, but he wouldn't discount the appeal that a hometown team holds. "Generally, players raised in a certain area are always going to have an attraction to that area and the brand of that area because it is home and they are familiar with it," Boras said. "It's my experience, players always look at those areas because it provides a comfort to them." The Orioles shouldn't expect any hometown discounts, however. Teixeira reportedly turned down an eight-year, $144 million offer from the Texas Rangers in 2007 -- and he has continued to play at an All-Star and Gold Glove level since. -- Baltimore Sun
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[h4]Rockies Atkins to Twins, Halos or Phillies?[/h4]
Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins has drawn interest from the Twins, Angels and Phillies, with the Reds and Indians peeking but not yet making a push. -- Rocky Mountain News
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[h4]Nationals making serious run at Mark Teixeira?[/h4]
Against all odds and logic, the Nationals envision themselves as serious players in the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes, according to team and league sources, and are believed to be preparing an offer they feel will be competitive with the others Teixeira is likely to receive. In other words, it would almost certainly be north of $100 million, if not $150 million -- a remarkable leap for a franchise whose major free agent signing last winter (as it headed into a new stadium) was catcher Paul Lo Duca at $5 million for one year. -- Washington Post
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[h4]Reds looking at blockbuster trade with Rockies?[/h4]
Reds GM Walt Jocketty is talking with several teams about trades, one of which is Colorado. Names that have surfaced include outfielder/leadoff hitter Willy Taveras, catcher Yorvit Torrealba and third baseman Garrett Atkins. All three fit into needs as the Reds search for a right-handed power hitter (Atkins � .286, 21 homers, 99 RBIs); a catcher (Torrealba � .246 in 70 games, most in a backup role); and an outfielder/leadoff hitter (Taveras, who led the league with 68 stolen bases, but hit only .251 with a .308 on-base average). The Rockies are searching for starting pitchers, but are not interested in Homer Bailey. "We'll do what we can to improve our team by any means � free agents we can afford, trades or within the system," Jocketty said. -- Dayton Daily News
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[h4]Yanks unlikely to add Mark Teixeira[/h4]
In fact, in an exclusive interview with The Post, Brian Cashman strongly indicated the Yankees will not even sign CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira in tandem. "At the pricetags I have read, that is fantasy land, not reality land," Cashman said yesterday of bringing in Sabathia and Teixeira. A Yankees executive said the club has not even created scenarios for assembling a 2009 roster in which it signs the most attractive starter and position player in the free-agent market. The plan is to concentrate on starting pitching, namely Sabathia, and - at best - Teixeira is a backburner issue in case all the rotation avenues prove fruitless. Teixeira was pushed further to the backburner yesterday when the Yanks obtained Nick Swisher, who, as of now, projects to be the starting first baseman. -- NY Post
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[h4]Rockies Taveras to Reds, ChiSox or Yanks?[/h4]
Colorado center fielder Willy Taveras could fill needs for the Reds, White Sox, Yankees and Marlins. -- Rocky Mountain News
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[h4]Cards eye Renteria, Hudson and Furcal?[/h4]
Cards GM John Mozeliak, like the other 29 general mangers, will be making initial calls to free agents today. That group is likely to include former Cardinals shortstop Edgar Renteria, who was with Detroit; Arizona second baseman Orlando Hudson; Los Angeles shortstop Rafael Furcal; and lefthanded relievers Arthur Rhodes (Florida), Will Ohman (Atlanta) and Brian Fuentes (Colorado) � although the last named is likely to be too pricey. -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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[h4]Mets looking at ChiSox Jenks?[/h4]
The Mets are investigating a trade for the White Sox's Bobby Jenks and also could opt for free agent Brian Fuentes, who could go as low as three years. The longer the Mets talk trade for Jenks, the lower the prices could drop for either K-Rod or Fuentes. And there's a good chance Minaya will get the opportunity to match or trump whatever offers they do get. In that sense, time is on the Mets' side here, and that should let them pick and choose the best fit. -- Newsday
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[h4]Orioles could target Rafael Furcal?[/h4]
Desperately needing a shortstop since December's trade of Miguel Tejada, the Orioles could target free agents Rafael Furcal, Orlando Cabrera or Edgar Renteria. Or they might court cheaper alternatives such as St. Louis' Cesar Izturis or Minnesota's Adam Everett or acquire a shortstop via trade. Whatever the process, the Orioles are looking for a long-term solution at short and not a one-year stopgap. -- Baltimore Sun
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[h4]Brewers Hardy to Twins?[/h4]
The Twins are in the market for a starting shortstop and have the young pitching to make a strong pitch for Milwaukee's J.J. Hardy or Atlanta's Yunel Escobar. -- Rochester Democrat & Chronicle
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[h4]Cubs could add Abreu, Ibanez or Roberts?[/h4]
The surprise � to me, anyway � is the Cubs didn't get Ryan Dempster signed to a contract extension Thursday when their exclusive signing period ended. That means he hits the open market Friday, which greatly increases the chances he'll leave. Don't be surprised if the Cubs strike quickly either to finalize a Jake Peavy trade or sign another of the eligible free-agent starters. Although if Lou Piniella gets his wish, they will take Dempster's money and sign Bobby Abreu or Raul Ibanez or trade for Brian Roberts, reshaping the lineup. -- Chicago Tribune
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[h4]O's in market for Byrd and Garland?[/h4]
CC Sabathia, who finished 2008 with the Milwaukee Brewers, is the most coveted starter this offseason and almost certainly wouldn't consider the Orioles. Beyond their interest in Burnett, who won a career-best 18 games with the Blue Jays last year, the Orioles might pursue Boston's Paul Byrd and Los Angeles' Jon Garland, among others. -- Baltimore Sun
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[h4]Braves eye Dempster, Burnett and Lowe?[/h4]
Without any guarantee of adding Jake Peavy to their rotation, the Braves will likely be more aggressive in their pursuits of Ryan Dempster, A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe and Randy Wolf. -- MLB.com
