The Major League Baseball Offseason Post

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[h3]Stark: MacDougal's market full[/h3]
12:00PM ET

[h5]Mike MacDougal | Nationals[/h5]
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Matt Capps isn't the only non-tendered closer drawing a ton of activity this week. Eight to 10 teams are actively pursuing Mike MacDougal, who was non-tendered by the Nationals last weekend, reports ESPN.com's Jayson Stark.

The Phillies -- a team whose many moves this winter have yet to address their bullpen, which GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has said is their top priority -- head that list, according to a source. Other teams believed to be in on MacDougal include the Orioles, Pirates, Cardinals, Mets and A's.

After being released by the White Sox last May, the 32-year-old righthander was signed by Washington, became their closer in midseason and wound up leading the National League in save percentage (20 for 21, 95.2 percent). MacDougal's downside has been command. He walked as many hitters (31) as he struck out for Washington. But his biggest selling point may be his ground-ball/fly-ball ratio of 1.80 -- which ranks first among all free-agent relievers.

http:// [h3]Gonzalez deal bad for Valverde?[/h3]
11:39AM ET

[h5]Mike Gonzalez | Braves[/h5]
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One of the top available relievers apparently came off the market when left-hander http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5642Mike Gonzalez agreed to a two-year deal with the Orioles, according to the Baltimore Sun.

The Sun report says it is unclear whether the Orioles view Gonzalez as their full-time closer or whether he'll split the job with right-handed relievers http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28531Jim Johnson and http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=30130Koji Uehara.

ESPN The Magazine"s Buster Olney writes in today's blog that Gonzalez's $12 million deal is not good news for http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5504Jose Valverde, who declined an arbitration offer and a possible award of $8 million to $10 million for 2010 and is the most prominent closer still on the market. The Tigers, Marlins and Pirates are looking for a closer, but none of those teams is expected to offer what Valverde wants.

[h5]Keith Law[/h5]
Gonzalez is a solid arm, but ...

"I don't see Gonzalez making a huge difference for the Orioles in 2010, since contention is close to out of the question next year -- but they're going to be a dark horse in 2011 as their young starters gain experience, more kids like Josh Bell and maybe Brandon Snyder arrive, and Matt Wieters unleashes hellfire on the American League. At this point, having a premium late-game reliever would make more sense, both in baseball and financial terms. If anything, the loss of the second round pick is the real negative here, as the Orioles are still building and have added some talent through their high picks in the last few drafts under scouting director Joe Jordan. It's certainly a top 60 pick and could end up a top 50 pick depending on where the remaining Type-A and Type-B free agents land, and Jordan's track record is good enough that I'd hesitate to ever take a top 100 pick away from him while the team remains in building mode."

http:// [h3]Lackey's impact on Beckett[/h3]
11:26AM ET

[h5]Josh Beckett | Red Sox[/h5]
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The Boston Red Sox new contract with John Lackey could make some observers speculate that the team is planning on life without Beckett, but GM Theo Epstein made it very clear that Beckett is a player he wants to keep beyond 2010 when his current contract expires.

Beckett will make $12 million in 2010 and could command a contract at least as long and rich as the one Lackey just signed -- five years and $82.5 million, but Lackey's presence apparently does not mean the Red Sox aren't just as interested in keeping today as they were before bringing in their new right-hander.

http:// [h3]Chapman now awaiting offers[/h3]
10:57AM ET

[h5]MLB[/h5]
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[img]http://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/leagues/lrg/trans/mlb.gif[/img]
Earlier this week we noted that a report from ESPN The Magazine's Jorge Arangure Jr. that said the Red Sox have made a three-year offer for $15.5 million to Aroldis Chapman, the Cuban defector.

Arangure checked in with a report from a throwing session in Houston, where Chapman topped out at 96 mph on the gun. A number of team reps attended, from Boston and the Yankees down to the Pirates and Marlins.

Arangure reported Wednesday that Chapman is simply waiting for offers now.

One talent evaluator told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney that the question that will nag at teams that make offers is why it was that a pitcher with such incredible tools never really had much success pitching in games in Cuba.

Chapman's original asking price was rumored to be in the $40 million-$60 million range, but that has since sunk down into the range of $20 million or below, according to Arangure. The consensus seems to be that Chapman will need time in the minor leagues, so his signing may not affect the big leagues in 2010.

[h5]Jorge Arangure, Jr.[/h5]
Getting to know Aroldis

"For months now, the rumors swirled that Chapman was too busy partying instead of training. Tuesday's workout put an end to those rumors. Several team representatives at the workout said Chapman appeared in great shape. One scout estimated that he stands at about 6-foot-4, 200-210 pounds. Chapman was listed at 185 pounds for the World Baseball Classic, meaning he's likely put on some muscle since defecting from Cuba in July ... One team executive at the workout who has scouted Chapman extensively said the Cuban lefty has clearly made some alterations to his mechanics, which in turn has helped his breaking pitches. While still not dominant, Chapman's secondary pitches appeared to have improved. The executive said Chapman has closed his delivery, which allows him to have greater control. Of course the usual suspects -- the Red Sox and the Yankees -- attended the workout, but it was a surprise to see Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, the only out-of-town GM in attendance. The Oakland A's sent three representatives: assistant general manager David Forst, director of player personnel Billy Owens and coordinator of international operations Dan Kantrovitz. Among the other attendees were the Kansas City Royals, Minnesota Twins, Pittsburgh Pirates and Florida Marlins, who sent two out of their top executives, Dan Jennings and Jim Fleming."

http:// [h3]Red Sox in Holliday chase?[/h3]
10:52AM ET

[h5]Matt Holliday | Cardinals[/h5]
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There is sentiment within the Cardinals organization that it is not competing with a lot of teams -- if any -- for the services of http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5940Matt Holliday, so St. Louis plans to stand by their stance of a five-year offer, reports ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

Olney writes in today's blog that the Red Sox would still be interested in signing Holliday, but at less dollars than are currently being offered by the Cardinals.

The Yankees have been named as one possible suitor, but an official with knowledge of the Yankees' thinking told Buster there is "not a chance" the team gets involved in the bidding for a high-priced corner outfielder such as Holliday or Jason Bay this winter.

Could the Mets be getting in on Holliday? Olney reported Wednesday that the Mets are monitoring the Holliday negotiations, but are not actively involved, and it could be that the Holliday talks are out of their price range.

Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch wrote Tuesday that the Cardinals have tweaked the offer made by general manager John Mozeliak to agent Scott Boras at the end of the winter meetings. The deal is worth around $16 million a season and the Cardinals have attempted to address Boras' displeasure with the proposal's average value by adding years to the deal.

[h5]Rob Neyer[/h5]
Too much for Holliday

"Hmmm, let's see here ... eight years, roughly $130 million (so far), an opt-out clause and 'full no-trade protection' ... Gee, there's no way this won't work out beautifully for the club, huh? ... Holliday is an excellent baseball player. He is not the player everyone saw playing for the Cardinals last August and September. He is not the player whose batting line in those months was exactly as good as Albert Pujols'. In fairness, I do believe the Cardinals know that Holliday isn't as good as Pujols. But if these figures being bandied about are correct, it seems they think Holliday is nearly as good as Pujols."

http:// [h3]Dodgers have eye on Harang[/h3]
10:47AM ET

[h5]Aaron Harang | Reds[/h5]
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With Randy Wolf now signed, sealed and delivered to Milwaukee, the Los Angeles Dodgers need some starting pitching.

Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times writes today that the Dodgers have started exploring a possible trade with the Cincinnati Reds for Aaron Harang.

Hernandez writes that the Dodgers would want the Reds to pay for a portion of the $15 million Harang would be guaranteed if he is traded. Harang was just 6-14 in 2009 and had the season cut short by an appendectomy. But he did have back-to-back 16-win seasons in 2006 and 2007, so the potential is there.

http:// [h3]Nick Johnson a DH in the Bronx?[/h3]
10:32AM ET

[h5]Nick Johnson | Marlins[/h5]
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The Yankees reportedly are interested in bringing free agent Nick Johnson back to the Bronx to serve as their designated hitter.

George King of the New York Post says the Yankees are interested in a one-year deal for Johnson, which would be another indication that the World Series champions are ready to part ways with Johnny Damon. The Yankees are looking for a DH to replace the departed Hideki Matsui.

A report on ESPNBoston.com says the Red Sox also could be looking at Johnson, whose major league debut came with the Yankees in 2001.

http:// [h3]No Beltre in Boston?[/h3]
10:27AM ET

[h5]Adrian Beltre | Mariners[/h5]
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The Red Sox essentially have pulled out of the running for free-agent third baseman Adrian Beltre, according to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com.

Edes writes that the Red Sox have no plans to meet the asking price of agent Scott Boras and are not willing to wait around until late December or early January to see whether the price drops. Beltre is believed to be seeking a five-year deal worth $13 million-$15 million annually.

Edes cites a source who says the Red Sox are prepared to start the season with Kevin Youkilis at third base and Casey Kotchman at first. The Sox also could revisit talks with free agent Nick Johnson.

Where else could Beltre land? The Mariners were believed to be interested in bringing him back, but they have been preoccupied of late with the megadeal for Cliff Lee.

http:// [h3]Atkins headed to Baltimore[/h3]
9:55AM ET

[h5]Garrett Atkins | Rockies[/h5]
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Agent Jeff Black told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick on Wednesday afternoon that a deal for Garrett Atkins, who became a free agent when he was non-tendered by Colorado, could come quickly.

How quick? The Baltimore Sun reported late Wednesday night that the Orioles are the verge of signing Atkins to a one-year deal, pending a physical.

The Orioles were in the market for a right-handed power bat and hope Atkins can have a bounce-back season.

Atkins, a former Chase Utley teammate at UCLA, averaged 25 homers and 110 RBIs with Colorado from 2006 through 2008, and made $7.05 million last year. Defense has never been his strong suit, and after he slumped to .226 with nine homers and 48 RBIs and lost playing time to Ian Stewart at third base, the Rockies declined to offer him a contract at the tender deadline.

http:// [h3]Latest on Gonzo-to-Boston[/h3]
9:36AM ET

[h5]Adrian Gonzalez | Padres[/h5]
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It's been a roller-coaster couple of days in the realm of Adrian Gonzalez-to-Boston talks. And whether they can get him depends on your source.

Early on Wednesday, Jorge Arangure, Jr. tweeted that a "Source close to A Gonzalez believes he'll be traded to Red Sox within next 10 days. Does this mean deal will happen? No. But momentum is there."

But by Wednesday afternoon, ESPNBoston.com's Gordon Edes tweets "Take a deep breath, Boston fans. Adrian Gonzalez won't be walking through the door anytime soon. Nothing going on on that front," which suggests that nothing is close.

Edes also tweets that the "Red Sox know what it would take to get Gonzalez, and they're not trading Buchholz and Ellsbury, baseball source tells me. SD asking a ton."

ESPN The Magazine Buster Olney writes in today's blog that there will a time for Gonzalez to be moved, but now now.

John Tomase of the Boston Herald writes today that a deal could take place once the season begins, but the chances of a deal happening now are slim. Tomase says that the risk is just too great for Padres GM Jed Hoyer, who risks alienating a fan base if the deal goes bad.

Plenty has changed in the last few days, with the Red Sox landing http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5203John Lackey, the top free agent pitcher on the market. The Providence Journal was one of many media outlets to report that Lackey's arrival could mean the departure of http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28855http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=28855Clay Buchholz, potentially in a deal to San Diego for Gonzalez.

[h5]Buster Olney[/h5]
Why the Padres could wait 'til summer

"Gonzalez will become a free agent when he is 29 years old, and given his defense and his annual production, he would not be out of line to ask for a deal along the lines of what Mark Teixeira got -- $180 million. That time may well come in June or July, when Gonzalez's trade value will never be higher, when he would be a viewed as a difference-making player by contending teams and could be acquired to impact pennant races in 2010 and 2011. But that time probably is not going to be this winter, when the Padres' new ownership is trying to hold onto its ticket base and knows that trading its biggest star for three youngsters that the casual fans won't know isn't going to help."

http:// [h3]Lowe expects to be traded[/h3]
9:05AM ET

[h5]Derek Lowe | Braves[/h5]
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Atlanta Braves right-hander Derek Lowe appears resigned to the fact he will be wearing a different uniform by next season.

"I'm just waiting for it to happen," Lowe told MLB.com "I don't think it's a matter of if anymore. It's just a matter of when."

It has been rumored for weeks that the Braves would try to trade Lowe, who is owed $45 million over the next three seasons, or Javier Vazquez, who will make $11.5 million in 2010. Lowe's comments do little to help the Braves' leverage.

The Braves might be calling the Angels, who need a replacement for the departed John Lackey.

FoxSports.com's Jon Morosi tweeted Tuesday that the Braves aren't necessarily requiring a right-handed power bat in a deal for Lowe, and that prospects may very well do the trick.

Would the Mets get involved, despite the fact that both clubs reside in the same division? How about the Rangers?

http:// [h3]Bucs eye Kelly Johnson[/h3]
8:38AM ET

[h5]Kelly Johnson | Braves[/h5]
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Kelly Johnson, who was non-tendered by the Atlanta Braves last weekend, reportedly has had preliminary talks with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Post-Gazette reports that the Pirates view Johnson as a possible corner outfielder because he would be better defensively there than at second base. If Johnson is in right field, the Bucs could move Garrett Jones to first base if Jeff Clement struggles there.

http:// [h3]Where will Cameron play?[/h3]
8:11AM ET

[h5]Mike Cameron | Red Sox[/h5]
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The Boston Red Sox officially introduced new acquisition Mike Cameron on Wednesday, but did not answer the question whether he will be in center field or left field come the season opener against the Yankees on April 4.

Cameron has started just one game in left field in his career, but the Gold Glove winner is open to the idea of playing there should the Red Sox decide to keep Jacoby Ellsbury in center.

According to ESPNBoston.com, GM Theo Epstein has yet to broach a possible move to left field with Ellsbury. Epstein says the team has a number of attractive options, including finding some at-bats for outfielder Jeremy Hermida, picked up earlier this offseason from Florida.

http:// [h3]Olney: Damon talks sluggish[/h3]
7:33AM ET

[h5]Johnny Damon | Yankees[/h5]
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Sources say that there is no movement in the talks between free agent outfielder Johnny Damon and the Yankees, reports ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

Damon wants $13 million a year, his salary on his recently expired contract, and has indicated to the Yankees that he doesn't even want them making an offer if they're going to propose less than that.

The New York Post reported Wednesday that there has been very little contact between the Yankees and Damon and the free agent outfielder is ready to explore other options that could see him following Hideki Matsui out of the Bronx.

The Post says the Yankees have no plans to offer more than two years for about $20 million.

http:// [h3]Mets playing hardball with Bay?[/h3]
7:27AM ET

[h5]Jason Bay | Red Sox[/h5]
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The New York Mets may be playing a little hardball in their negotiations with Jason Bay.

John Harper of the New York Daily News reports that the Mets are reluctant to move beyond the four-year, $65 million offer for the free agent outfielder. The Mets apparently feel there is not another serious bidder for Bay and they are determined not to overpay.

ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reports that the Mets were in serious negotiations with Bay as of Wednesday, but their offer stood at four years.

There was speculation Tuesday that the team across town might get into the Bay race, but the Yankees are not willing to commit more than $60 million to another outfielder.

Bay's agent, Joe Upton, said earlier this week his client would prefer to sign outside of Boston, and the signing of John Lackey and Mike Cameron by the Red Sox sealed Bay's departure.

Harper writes that the Angels may no longer be a suitor after signing Hideki Matsui and the Mariners' interest has waned of late because they have been preoccupied with the trade for Cliff Lee. Now that the Lee deal is done, could Seattle be back in the mix?

[h5]Keith Law[/h5]
Top bats being punished

"Teams seem to be focusing more on pitching than hitting, which is probably a reflection of how much these two premium bats want in salary and contract length. Pitching has always been the overvalued commodity in free agency, but this year we had just one top-end pitcher on the market (Lackey) and the position players may be overplaying their hands slightly because they assumed that teams would reallocate funds to offense instead of pitching."

http:// [h3]Olney: Carroll deal done[/h3]
6:59AM ET

[h5]Jamey Carroll | Indians[/h5]
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ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reports that free agent Jamey Carroll has agreed to a two-year deal with the Dodgers, pending a physical.

Carroll's role could be anywhere from fill-in infielder to utility outfielder. He spent the past two seasons in Cleveland where he played the infield almost exclusively, but he has played a little outfield in parts of seven seasons.

[h5]Keith Law[/h5]
Go buy something on credit

"If Jamey Carroll is getting a two-year deal the recession is officially over. Don't wait for further confirmation."

 

[finnns2003]

Originally Posted by CP1708

Originally Posted by DsLee559

Originally Posted by dland24

Originally Posted by CP1708


I wonder if they gonna use Figgins in the leadoff spot and ask their hero to bat third and drive in runs.

I'd be impressed if Ichiro actually did it.

Just so we are clear.....are you saying you would be impressed if Ichiro COULD be a good 3 hitter and drive in runs or are you saying you would be impressed if he was WILLING to give up his leadoff spot and move to third?

I think CP meant Ichiro actually willing to do it. I love Ichiro and everything but I agree with CP, I'd be real surprised and impressed if Ichiro was willing to move out of that leadoff spot.
It'll definitely end all the speculation of him caring more about his numbers than winning.

Also, I always hear about how Ichiro could hit 30+ homeruns a season if he was asked to, well now would be the time to ask him.
His streak of 200 hit seasons is AWESOME, but unfortunately, the Mariners' streak of missing the post season is anything but that.

About Dustin Ackley, is he even ready? I'd rather have him develop into a Mark Tex instead of rushing him into being one.

It is my belief that Ichiro is a "numbers" guy that only cares about his singles getting slapped. I don't think he's a franchise guy, or a guy that even cares about winning. Ever since the 116, his teams stay doing nothing but losing while he keeps going out there and bunting singles. This annoys me.

If he gave all that up, and moved to third in the lineup, and tried to drive in some runs, bring some runners home, and stopped with all the single slapping, I would be very impressed. M's fans will swear up and down til their last breath that Ichiro could hit home runs "if he wanted too"

Why wouldn't a guy want to hit a home run for his team? Because it's safer to slap a single and get that base hit, then muscle up and maybe swing and miss a few balls, causing your precious average to dip slightly.

So if he goes to third, gets 20 homers and his average goes down to .300, or .310, I would be MUCH more impressed with that, then him hitting .350 with a lot of singles and 100 losses or so. (which is his norm)

Have you followed the M's to make that statement? The teams Bavasi fielded were GARBAGE and reeked of incompetence and lack of talent. Do NOTblame that on Ichiro. He's been one of the only players actually playing up to a high level in the M's organization, for years.

 

[CP1708]

Hi level being, getting his numbers his way, resisting doing anything other then trying to keep his average up.

Remember, I live in the northwest, I listen to all the stuff goin on around me, there have been whispers FOR YEARS by his own teammates that he only caresabout himself.

True or not, it's out there, and thought about. Everytime they tried to move him to third in the order, he pouted. Why? Cuz you can't bunt forsingles in the 3 hole.

 

[incredibleev]

dont have to convince me to make Nick Johnson our DH...i'd take him anyday

 

[kiddin like jason]

"If Jamey Carroll is getting a two-year deal the recession is officially over. Don't wait for further confirmation."
I needed that laugh.

 

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Smile Finns, you guys won something this decade:

[h2]BP: Best and worst teams of the '00s[/h2] [h3]Sure, they didn't make the World Series, but the 2001 Mariners still reign[/h3]
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By Jay Jaffe
Baseball Prospectus
Archive

Simple question put forth to us: the 2000s end in 14 days. Across the decade, who are the best and worst single-season teams? Throw out some ideas in your head before we begin: The 2001 Seattle Mariners? The 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks? The 2007 Boston Red Sox? Everyone has an idea, of course.

Now let's look at the numbers.

Through more than a century of baseball, the elementary relationship between runs scored, runs allowed and winning percentage has remained the best standard by which to judge teams. Baseball Prospectus adds enhancements -- park, league, quality of opposition -- but we arrive at the same place: those 2001 Mariners were the best team of the decade (despite not even advancing to the World Series) and the 2003 Detroit Tigers were the worst.

Baseball Prospectus takes Bill James' Pythagorean Theorem of Baseball and publishes three related derivations; they're based upon a modification of that formula called Pythagenpat.

We call the average of a team's actual and Pythagenpat winning percentages "The Hit List Factor;" it helps drive the weekly power rankings that Baseball Prospectus does during the season. Hit List Factor (HLF) doesn't adjust to account for league difficulty, but it does provide a useful benchmark for measuring relative dominance. When we compare HLFs across the entire decade, the 2001 Mariners are the runaway leaders with a HLF of .687 (and a run differential of 300); the No. 2 team is the 2001 Oakland Athletics, who finished 102-60 with a run differential of 239 and a HLF of .642. Someone also wrote a book about them, apparently.

Getty ImagesThis is how the 2001 ALCS ended for Ichiro. This article may give him small consolation.

Those Mariners tied the 1906 Cubs for the major league record for wins, though it took them 162 games to accomplish what the Cubs did in a pre-expansion schedule of 154 games. The M's also broke the 1998 Yankees' freshly minted record for the most wins by a team over the course of a 162-game season (114). Even without Alex Rodriguez (departed via free agency over the previous winter), Ken Griffey Jr. (traded in February 2000), or Jay Buhner (limited by injuries to just 19 games), Seattle's offense led the league in scoring at 5.7 runs per game. Newcomer Ichiro Suzuki rapped 242 hits, hit a league-best .350 -- and won both Rookie of the Year and MVP honors. Bret Boone bashed 37 homers and collected 206 hits; Edgar Martinez, John Olerud and Mike Cameron all had strong years, as well. Meanwhile their pitching staff, which had seen Randy Johnson traded just two seasons earlier, allowed the league's fewest runs per game at 3.9. Freddy Garcia, Aaron Sele and Jamie Moyer all tossed more than 200 innings with ERAs of 3.60 or lower.

And as for that 300-run differential? It's 61 more than any other team this decade.

The Mariners' Hit List Factor was higher than any other team since World War II, with only the 1998 New York Yankees (.682), 1954 Cleveland Indians (.677), 1969 Baltimore Orioles (.677) and 1953 Yankees (.661) cracking the all-time top 25. Other than teams from the first decade of the 20th century, only two mega-famous Yankees clubs -- the 1939 model (.713) and the 1927 club (.693) -- top those Mariners.

We started this on a positive note, but now we must look at the dregs. You're probably inclined to shout out "Pittsburgh Pirates!" or "Kansas City Royals!" In fact, the two worst teams of this decade were both editions of the Detroit Tigers -- 2003 (a HLF of .292 with a run differential of negative 337) and 2002 (a HLF of .326 with a run differential of negative 289).

That 2003 team had to win five of its final six to avoid topping the 1962 Mets for all-time futility; the Tigers' offense finished last in the league in scoring at 3.6 runs per game, with only three regulars -- Dmitri Young, Carlos Pena and Eric Munson -- managing even a league-average .260 EqA. Other regulars like Brandon Inge, Ramon Santiago and Shane Halter finished at .211 or lower, well into replacement-level territory.

Mike Maroth lost 20 games for the Tigers that year; Jeremy Bonderman lost 19 -- and spent September in the bullpen. Their bullpen ranked last in the league in WXRL, which helped the team's actual record wind up five or six wins below even their miserable Pythagenpat projections.

No other postwar team is even close to those '03 Tigers and the '62 Mets in terms of futility; aside from a few war-torn Philadelphia Phillies clubs, the only post-dead ball era team to surpass them in futility was the 1932 Boston Red Sox (43-111, .291 HLF). The postwar bottom five would consist of those Tigers and the '62 Mets, plus the 1954 Philadelphia A's (.305), 1952 Pittsburgh Pirates (.307) and 1969 San Diego Padres (another expansion club, .313).

Jay Jaffe is an author of Baseball Prospectus.

 

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[h3]Flux of infielders still available[/h3]
1:15PM ET

[h5]MLB[/h5]
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[img]http://a.espncdn.com/i/teamlogos/leagues/lrg/trans/mlb.gif[/img]
Assuming the Mike Lowell trade does indeed get finalized, that leaves, still, a plethora of infielders on the free agent and trade markets.

Leading the way are the likes of Dan Uggla, Adrian Beltre, Orlando Hudson and Felipe Lopez, the latter three of which are free agents.

Beltre is apparently not on Boston's wish list anymore, and manager Terry Francona stated today on WEEI that they would fine with Casey Kotchman at first base and Kevin Youkili at third.

Uggla has drawn trade interest from San Francisco and Baltimore, but the Orioles brought in Garrett Atkins Wednesday. There's also Mark DeRosa, Miguel Tejada and Melvin Mora available, all of whom may end up at third base despite Tejada's and Uribe's natural position being shortstop.

The pure second baseman -- Hudson and Lopez -- appear to be waiting out the market for teams like the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners and St. Louis Cardinals to come calling.

Teams in need of a third baseman include the Angels, Giants, and possibly Twins and Mariners.

http:// [h3]Instead of Lowell ...[/h3]
1:08PM ET

[h5]Texas Rangers[/h5]
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Should the proposed trade to acquire Mike Lowell from the Boston Red Sox fall through, the Texas Rangers' backup plan is free agency where Jim Thome, Vladimir Guerrero and Jermaine Dye are waiting for the market to come to them.

General manager Jon Daniels appears to prefer a player who could play the field occasionally, which would move Thome to the bottom of the list, but neither Dye nor Guerrero are likely to warrant much time in the field, either.

Lowell is ideal for Texas because he can still play a little defense, and might be pretty good at first base while also serving as the main backup to Michael Young at third.

There have been no reports of Texas looking into Adrian Beltre, but whether that is due to his contract demands or how he fits into their lineup is unknown.

According to the Boston Herald Wednesday, the Lowell deal could be finalized at any time, but here we are 24 hours later and the Rangers are still discussing their second and third options.

http:// [h3]Marlins, Giants talking Uggla[/h3]
12:55PM ET

[h5]Dan Uggla | Marlins[/h5]
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The http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=flaFlorida Marlins came to the winter meetings looking to unload http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6462Dan Uggla, but left Indianapolis with the increasingly-expensive second baseman still on their roster.

Today, the Miami Herald reports that the players being discussed between the Marlins and the Giants for Uggla include left-hander Jonathan Sanchez and minor league pitcher Clayton Tanner.

Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald wrote last Friday that the Giants and Orioles have expressed the most interest in Uggla, but neither club has been willing to meet the Marlins' demands.

"There's still some stuff simmering," Marlins president Larry Beinfest told the Herald.

While Uggla is a solid run-producer, he is not the Giants' top choice because of his defensive liabilities, Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News reported earlier this week. The Giants instead are more interested in first basemen http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4240Nick Johnson, third baseman http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3878Adrian Beltre and utilityman http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3933Mark DeRosa.

Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune wrote earlier this week that the acquisition of Uggla could lead to the Giants moving Freddy Sanchez to third base.

[h5]Keith Law[/h5]
Uggla could be a great get

"Now is actually a great time to try to trade for Uggla as he's coming off a slightly down year in batting average that is masking a significant spike in walk rate. He's always had power, and his approach at the plate has improved for several years. If he maintains those secondary skills and posts a BABIP over .300 -- something he did twice in three years before 2009 -- oddly, he's a potential MVP candidate."

 

[finnns2003]

Originally Posted by CP1708

Hi level being, getting his numbers his way, resisting doing anything other then trying to keep his average up.

Remember, I live in the northwest, I listen to all the stuff goin on around me, there have been whispers FOR YEARS by his own teammates that he only cares about himself.

True or not, it's out there, and thought about. Everytime they tried to move him to third in the order, he pouted. Why? Cuz you can't bunt for singles in the 3 hole.

What about his defense?

His teammates? Which teammates would that be? The goofball Putz who talked after being traded? Buffet line Silva? Give me a break. His teammates were eitherjealous or were unable to look at their own shortcomings. You look back to why the M's have sucked most of this decade, you do not look at Ichiro as one ofthose reasons.

The bunting deal is really a moot point. I watch pretty much every M's game since Ichiro came in the league, the guy has always been like that. Maybe he isa stat-freak, but in the end look at the ineptitude of the people hitting behind him all these years. Ichiro is no worse than some of these guys out here whoswing for the fences every at-bat and end up hurting their team.

Seriously, no one was complaining about Ichiro in '01, as Proshares posted about that team. 2001 team and his World Baseball Classic teams are examples ofIchiro playing well on winning teams.

 

[CP1708]

I certainly understand there can be teammates that are jealous and say @#$%, I know that, but it was more then just one or two guys. They would interviewpeople on the radio before every single game the last 10 years and there's always that "cloud" if you will of doubt or uncertainty about dude.

I've always said, he's good, sure, but he's not great. Not yet. He's great at hitting singles, but he's not great at hitting, not to me. If he goes and hits third and tries to drive guys in and plays as a teammate that way, then yeah, I'll give him credit. But not until then. I've seenhim have at bats late in games with a runner on first, all he needs to do is gap one or try and muscle up, and he slaps a grounder to short.

They're holdin the runner on first, pull the ball in the hole, something,but no, he's still tryin to just get singles. I can't stand that crap. And if his other teammates suck as much as you say, then what the hell point isit to hit singles? The next dude ain't gonna do nothin based on how you claim they are, so why not try to drive guys in himself? That's the stuffI'm talkin about. I agree his team hasn't had the same guys as 01, but then it falls on him to elevate his game, but he has refused to do that. Hejust continues to slap away. That's lame.

 

[finnns2003]

Well, let's see what happens with better hitters behind him. GM needs to get work done to bring in some guys to knock him and Figgins in. Ichiro failed totop 100 runs for the first time in his career last season, because of the knuckleheads in the 3-4-5-6 spots.

 

[o fenomeno]

ichiro is one of the best hitters in baseball

 

[DownByLaw]

Originally Posted by CP1708

I certainly understand there can be teammates that are jealous and say @#$%, I know that, but it was more then just one or two guys. They would interview people on the radio before every single game the last 10 years and there's always that "cloud" if you will of doubt or uncertainty about dude.

I've always said, he's good, sure, but he's not great. Not yet. He's great at hitting singles, but he's not great at hitting, not to me. If he goes and hits third and tries to drive guys in and plays as a teammate that way, then yeah, I'll give him credit. But not until then. I've seen him have at bats late in games with a runner on first, all he needs to do is gap one or try and muscle up, and he slaps a grounder to short.

They're holdin the runner on first, pull the ball in the hole, something, but no, he's still tryin to just get singles. I can't stand that crap. And if his other teammates suck as much as you say, then what the hell point is it to hit singles? The next dude ain't gonna do nothin based on how you claim they are, so why not try to drive guys in himself? That's the stuff I'm talkin about. I agree his team hasn't had the same guys as 01, but then it falls on him to elevate his game, but he has refused to do that. He just continues to slap away. That's lame.

CP and is everlong quest of taking shots at Ichiro

 

[proshares]

If I ever meet CP, I know there are 3 people never to mention: Nash, Iverson and Ichiro.

http:// [h3][/h3]

[h3]Crasnick: Cust nearing decision[/h3]
4:12PM ET

[h5]Jack Cust | Athletics[/h5]
Top Email


Jack Cust, who became a free agent when the Oakland A's non-tendered him last weekend, is expected to have two and possibly three offers on the table and be ready to decide on his next team before Christmas, reports ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.

The A's haven't closed the door on a reunion, but the chances of Cust returning to Oakland weren't helped by the recent acquisitions of Jake Fox and outfield prospect Michael Taylor in trades. The Rays have expressed some interest in Cust, but probably can't make a move until they trade Pat Burrell.

That leaves Kansas City, Seattle and Detroit as possible fits for Cust. The Mets have some interest in Cust in a Matt Stairs-type role, but realistically, he's better suited for an AL club where he can spend most of his time at designated hitter. If Seattle brings in Cust as its primary DH, that could relegate Ken Griffey Jr. to more of a pinch-hitting role.

Cust, 30, averaged 28 homers, 76 RBIs and 182 strikeouts over the past three seasons in Oakland. He earned $2.8 million in 2009.

http:// [h3]Three in on Johnson[/h3]
3:29PM ET

[h5]Nick Johnson | Marlins[/h5]
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The Yankees reportedly are interested in bringing free agent Nick Johnson back to the Bronx to serve as their designated hitter, and Ken Rosenthal writes today that the San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners remain interested, too.

In fact, Rosenthal reports that the Giants have increased their initial offer.

George King of the New York Post says the Yankees are interested in a one-year deal for Johnson, which would be another indication that the World Series champions are ready to part ways with Johnny Damon. The Yankees are looking for a DH to replace the departed Hideki Matsui.

A report on ESPNBoston.com says the Red Sox also could be looking at Johnson, whose major league debut came with the Yankees in 2001.

http:// [h3]Molina alternatives?[/h3]
3:26PM ET

[h5]Bengie Molina | Giants[/h5]
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FoxSports.com writes today that contract negotiations between the New York Mets and catcher Bengie Molina have stalled because the Mets will not give the veteran a three-year deal and may have to look at other options.

The site mentions Miguel Olivo, Rod Barajas, both free agents, and a trade for Chris Snyder as possibilities but we've heard nothing about Molina getting even a two-year offer from another club, so this could drag out awhile.

http:// [h3]Olney: Orioles called on Holliday[/h3]
1:40PM ET

[h5]Baltimore Orioles[/h5]
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ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney drops a note to say that the Baltimore Orioles did in fact engage in talks with free agent slugger Matt Holliday a couple of weeks ago.

However, sources say the Orioles, who've been active this week, were not comfortable with the financial parameters that the outfielder is seeking. The team's involvement in the Holliday talks fell dormant a couple of weeks ago, and there is little expectation within the organization that they will re-ignite.

Earlier today Buster wrote that the "Orioles are probably still a year or two or more away from competing, but they are putting together a team that could present a much tougher challenge for the AL powers, with the addition of Kevin Millwood and now the signings of Mike Gonzalez and Garrett Atkins. Millwood fronts a young rotation and Gonzalez provides a nice safety net at the back of the bullpen.

http:// [h3]Marlins paying Nolasco ... who else?[/h3]
1:36PM ET

[h5]Ricky Nolasco | Marlins[/h5]
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When the offseason began we wrote about the high number of arbitration-eligible players the Florida Marlins would have to deal with and that trades could be a part of their winter. They got one of their pitchers signed today, however.

Florida pitcher Ricky Nolasco, who went 13-9 with a 5.06 ERA last season, has agreed to a new deal that will pay him $3.8 million in 2010, a baseball source told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.

Nolasco, who would have been eligible for salary arbitration in the spring, made $2.4 million last season.

The Marlins optioned Nolasco to Triple-A New Orleans in late May after he gave up eight runs in two innings against Tampa Bay. Nolasco was 2-5 with a 9.07 ERA at the time of his demotion, but returned to win 11 of his last 15 decisions.

With Nolasco in the fold, the Fish can focus on trading Dan Uggla after moving Matt Lindstrom to the Astros last week. The club is also trying to work out the futures of Josh Johnson, Jorge Cantu and Cody Ross, all of whom are also arbitration eligible. The club has stated recently that they would like to keep Cantu aboard and aren't ready to trade Johnson before exhausting all efforts to get him signed to an extension.

 

[kiddin like jason]

Johnny Damon is Zduriencik's answer?

 

[mez 0ne]

[h5]Bengie Molina | Giants[/h5]
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FoxSports.com writes today that contract negotiations between the New York Mets and catcher Bengie Molina have stalled because the Mets will not give the veteran a three-year deal and may have to look at other options.

The site mentions Miguel Olivo, Rod Barajas, both free agents, and a trade for Chris Snyder as possibilities but we've heard nothing about Molina getting even a two-year offer from another club, so this could drag out awhile.



Thank you god, that fat bastard is not worth 3 years, 1 year (2 at most).

I don't mind the stern patience on the Mets part right now, they were smart last off season with spending as well.

 

[proshares]

[h3]Red Sox in Holliday chase?[/h3]
6:39PM ET

[h5]Matt Holliday | Cardinals[/h5]
Top Email


There is sentiment within the Cardinals organization that it is not competing with a lot of teams -- if any -- for the services of Matt Holliday, so St. Louis plans to stand by their stance of a five-year offer, reports ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

Olney writes in today's blog that the Red Sox would still be interested in signing Holliday, but at less dollars than are currently being offered by the Cardinals.

The Yankees have been named as one possible suitor, but an official with knowledge of the Yankees' thinking told Buster there is "not a chance" the team gets involved in the bidding for a high-priced corner outfielder such as Holliday or Jason Bay this winter.

Could the Mets be getting in on Holliday? Olney reported Wednesday that the Mets are monitoring the Holliday negotiations, but are not actively involved, and it could be that the Holliday talks are out of their price range.

Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch wrote Tuesday that the Cardinals have tweaked the offer made by general manager John Mozeliak to agent Scott Boras at the end of the winter meetings. The deal is worth around $16 million a season and the Cardinals have attempted to address Boras' displeasure with the proposal's average value by adding years to the deal.

[h5]Rob Neyer[/h5]
Too much for Holliday

"Hmmm, let's see here ... eight years, roughly $130 million (so far), an opt-out clause and 'full no-trade protection' ... Gee, there's no way this won't work out beautifully for the club, huh? ... Holliday is an excellent baseball player. He is not the player everyone saw playing for the Cardinals last August and September. He is not the player whose batting line in those months was exactly as good as Albert Pujols'. In fairness, I do believe the Cardinals know that Holliday isn't as good as Pujols. But if these figures being bandied about are correct, it seems they think Holliday is nearly as good as Pujols."

http:// [h3]Marlins, Giants talking Uggla[/h3]
6:12PM ET

[h5]Dan Uggla | Marlins[/h5]
Top Email


The Florida Marlins came to the winter meetings looking to unload Dan Uggla, but left Indianapolis with the increasingly-expensive second baseman still on their roster.

Today, the Miami Herald reports that the players being discussed between the Marlins and the Giants for Uggla include left-hander Jonathan Sanchez and minor league pitcher Clayton Tanner.

Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald wrote last Friday that the Giants and Orioles have expressed the most interest in Uggla, but neither club has been willing to meet the Marlins' demands.

"There's still some stuff simmering," Marlins president Larry Beinfest told the Herald.

While Uggla is a solid run-producer, he is not the Giants' top choice because of his defensive liabilities, Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News reported earlier this week. The Giants instead are more interested in first basemen Nick Johnson, third baseman Adrian Beltre and utilityman Mark DeRosa.

Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune wrote earlier this week that the acquisition of Uggla could lead to the Giants moving Freddy Sanchez to third base.

[h5]Keith Law[/h5]
Uggla could be a great get

"Now is actually a great time to try to trade for Uggla as he's coming off a slightly down year in batting average that is masking a significant spike in walk rate. He's always had power, and his approach at the plate has improved for several years. If he maintains those secondary skills and posts a BABIP over .300 -- something he did twice in three years before 2009 -- oddly, he's a potential MVP candidate."

http:// [h3]Stark: LAD serious about Harang[/h3]
5:56PM ET

[h5]Aaron Harang | Reds[/h5]
Top Email


The Dodgers' pursuit of Reds starter Aaron Harang has gotten beyond the tire-kicking stage, according to a source familiar with the Reds' thinking, reports ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. But the two sides have a long way to go to complete a deal, the source said.

The Los Angeles Times reported this week that the Dodgers were "exploring" a trade for Harang. But indications are that the two sides are now seriously contemplating what it would take to make a deal work.

One requirement that's almost a certainty, given the Dodgers' financial limitations, is that L.A. would want the Reds to pay a major chunk of the $12.5 million Harang is due in 2010. The 31-year-old righthander has a $12.75-million option for 2011, or a $2-million buyout.

http:// [h3]Stark: Angels wants Vazquez[/h3]
5:51PM ET

[h5]Javier Vazquez | Braves[/h5]
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In the wake of losing out on John Lackey, the Los Angeles Angels have turned their attention to a starting pitcher in Atlanta, reports ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. But it's not Derek Lowe. The Angels have actually been focused on Javier Vazquez, according to executives of two clubs that have spoken with them. But here's the hang-up: Vazquez has a limited no-trade clause that blocks the Braves from dealing him to a team on the west coast, a clause he negotiated in his 2007 contract extension (with the White Sox) because of his desire to remain within geographical proximity of his family in Puerto Rico.

Both executives said they believe it's unlikely that Vazquez would waive his no-trade to approve a trade to any west-coast team even if the two teams can work out a deal. Word of the Angels' interest was first reported by Angelswin.com.

http:// [h3]What did LAD get for Pierre?[/h3]
4:33PM ET

[h5]Los Angeles Dodgers[/h5]
Top Email


Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com writes today that one of the two prospects headed to Los Angeles from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Juan Pierre and an ice chest full of cash is right-hander John Ely.

Ely, 23, went 14-2 with a 2.82 ERA with a Southern League leading 125 strikeouts in 2009 after being the Sox's 2007 first-round draft pick.

We asked our in-house scouting director, Keith Law, about Ely's future potential.

[h5]Keith Law[/h5]
What is John Ely?

"Ely wouldn't be a Top 10 guy in most systems. He's a changeup artist; throws some strikes, doesn't miss bats and won't in the majors without more velocity or a better breaking ball. So it sounds like the Dodgers traded Pierre for two guys who are fringe prospects if you like them and non-prospects if you don't."

 

[cincoseisdos]

MLB 10 The Show (PS3) pre-order $40 http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/28214/?utm_campaign=twitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter

 

[onewearz]

i like the yanks signing nick johnson. dude is an on base machine. let johnny walk, never liked him as a yankee, i just cant get that game 7 grand slam outtamy head.

good looking on that link, im feening right now for the show. longoria's on the cover this year .......

 

[Sinner]

Originally Posted by Kiddin Like Jason

Johnny Damon is Zduriencik's answer?

*But must have faith in Jack Z*

 

[proshares]

^

now they're talking about putting Milton Bradley as their corneroutfielder.


http:// [h3][/h3]

[h3]Mets playing hardball with Bay?[/h3]
10:19AM ET

[h5]Jason Bay | Red Sox[/h5]
Top Email


The Bay Watch continues in New York with no quick resolution in sight.

John Harper of the Daily News writes today that the Mets continue to feel that they don't need to significantly improve their offer of four years for approximately $65 million to Jason Bay. That would change only if the Mets are convinced Bay has another interested party.

ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney writes today that "only Bay's agent, Joe Urbon, knows exactly what offers Bay has; some executives with teams that had past interest think the Mets are on an island with their offer."

Upton said earlier this week his client would prefer to sign outside of Boston and the signing of John Lackey and Mike Cameron by the Red Sox sealed Bay's departure.

[h5]Keith Law[/h5]
Top bats being punished

"Teams seem to be focusing more on pitching than hitting, which is probably a reflection of how much these two premium bats want in salary and contract length. Pitching has always been the overvalued commodity in free agency, but this year we had just one top-end pitcher on the market (Lackey) and the position players may be overplaying their hands slightly because they assumed that teams would reallocate funds to offense instead of pitching."

http:// [h3]Lee not ready to talk contract[/h3]
10:07AM ET

[h5]Cliff Lee | Mariners[/h5]
Top Email


Earlier this week, Cliff Lee believed he was close to signing a long-term extension with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Lee then found himself headed to the Mariners as part of a four-team blockbuster deal that left him shocked. As a result, Lee, a free agent after the 2009 season, is not yet ready to ink a lengthy deal with Seattle.

"I don't know what Seattle has to offer," Lee said via the Seattle Times. "All I've ever seen was from the visiting side. Until I feel out my teammates, the chemistry of the team and how the organization is run ... I'm going into it with an open mind. I'm going to go there and be me."

The M's seem confident they can sell Lee on Seattle. If not, it will be an expensive one-year rental.

http:// [h3]Damon done in NY?[/h3]
9:51AM ET

[h5]Johnny Damon | Yankees[/h5]
Top Email


With Nick Johnson on the verge of signing with the Yankees, Johnny Damon's tenure in pinstripes appears to be over.

ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reported that Damon wants $13 million a year, his salary on his recently expired contract, and has indicated to the Yankees that he doesn't even want them making an offer if they're going to propose less than that. As a result, there has been very little progress between the sides.

The New York Daily News reports today that the only way Damon could stay in New York would be for him to agree on a two-year deal for about $18 million. One possible landing spot for Damon would be San Francisco, although the Daily News says the Giants are unlikely to give him the three-year offer he covets.

http:// [h3]DeRosa tired of waiting[/h3]
9:32AM ET

[h5]Mark DeRosa | Cardinals[/h5]
Top Email


Free agent Mark DeRosa appears to be tired of waiting for the St. Louis Cardinals and would like to make a decision soon.

"We have had continuous dialogue with the Cardinals and with other ballclubs about Mark. Waiting on the Cardinals is not going to stop him from signing a deal," DeRosa's agent, Keith Grunewald, told the Post-Dispatch.

The Cardinals view DeRosa as a possible alternative to Matt Holliday. Those talks with Scott Boras continue to drag on and DeRosa's patience may be wearing thin.

http:// [h3]Should Valverde have stayed in Houston?[/h3]
9:14AM ET

[h5]Jose Valverde | Astros[/h5]
Top Email


Has free agent closer Jose Valverde passed on what might be his most lucrative offer of the postseason?

ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney writes in today's blog that "there are very few closer positions open now -- in Detroit, Florida and perhaps Washington, all teams that are not necessarily inclined to spend big dollars on a closer -- and there may be no opportunities for him to make in salary what he might've made had he accepted arbitration from Houston last week."

Mike Gonzalez may have set the market for relievers by agreeing to a two-year, $12 million deal with Baltimore earlier this week.

http:// [h3]Cubs still shopping Bradley[/h3]
8:57AM ET

[h5]Milton Bradley | Cubs[/h5]
Top Email


It's one week until Christmas, and the Chicago Cubs are still searching for a new home for Milton Bradley.

According to FoxSports.com, the Rays, Rangers and Mariners remain interested in Bradley, but no deal is close.

Various reports claimed the the Cubs' most likely trading partner for the volatile outfielder is the Rays, but Tampa Bay shows no signs of budging on a deal involving Pat Burrell.

Count Cubs broadcaster Ron Santo among those who thinks Bradley will be traded. "I definitely believe that Milton Bradley is going to be moved, and there's going to be other moves," Santo said Thursday on ESPN 1000. "There's no doubt in my mind."

http:// [h3]Agent: Don't tie Holliday to Albert[/h3]
8:40AM ET

[h5]Albert Pujols | Cardinals[/h5]
Top Email


Agent Scott Boras told the St. Louis Cardinals last week that they needed to re-sign Matt Holliday because of the protection the free agent outfielder provides to Albert Pujols in the lineup.

Pujols' lead agent, Dan Lozano, in effect warned Boras to leave his client out of the current free agent talks. Lozano told Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch that the likelihood of his client negotiating a contract extension with the Cardinals is not linked to Holliday.

"We've made it clear on numerous occasions that the most important thing to Albert is that the Cardinals are committed to putting a competitive, contending club on the field. That's it," Lozano said.

Pujols is signed through 2011 and so far has declined to enter any talks on an extension.

http:// [h3]Halladay option year not guaranteed[/h3]
8:19AM ET

[h5]Roy Halladay | Phillies[/h5]
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The blockbuster deal that brought Roy Halladay to Philadelphia was contingent on the former Cy Young Award winner signing a contract extension with the Phillies.

Halladay agreed to a three-year, $60 million deal, but a reported $20 million option for 2014 is no guarantee. The Philly Daily News reports today that the option year will be vested only if Halladay pitches a combined 415 innings in 2012 and 2013, including at least 225 innings in 2013.

That makes the deal even better for the Phils, who now have some financial protection should Halladay, who will be 37 in 2014, start to break down physically.

http:// [h3]Lowell deal in jeopardy?[/h3]
8:02AM ET

[h5]Mike Lowell | Red Sox[/h5]
Top Email


The winter meetings ended with the http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=bosBoston Red Sox reportedly reaching a preliminary deal to send former World Series MVP http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3972Mike Lowell to the http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=texTexas Rangers for catcher/first baseman http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=29162Max Ramirez.

A week has passed, so has the deal hit a snag?

The Providence Journal reports that the deal that was once close to 80 percent complete now has only a 50/50 chance of getting done. The Rangers are concerned with Lowell's right thumb that reportedly may need surgery.

If the deal falls apart, that could cause a problem for the Red Sox, who may be looking to move Kevin Youkilis to third base.

http:// [h3]Holliday deal unlikely by Christmas[/h3]
7:49AM ET

[h5]Matt Holliday | Cardinals[/h5]
Top Email


There is sentiment within the Cardinals organization that it is not competing with a lot of teams -- if any -- for the services of http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5940Matt Holliday, so St. Louis plans to stand by their stance of a five-year offer, reports ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.

Agent Scott Boras obviously thinks there is a larger market for his client, so this whole process could take a while. An MLB.com report says it seems increasingly unlikely Holliday will have a deal in place by Christmas.

A surpise team popped up Thursday when Olney reported that the Orioles engaged in talks on Holliday a few weeks ago, but were not comfortable with the financial parameters.

The Baltimore Sun reports today that the Orioles have "have no expectations whatsoever" of Holliday joining them next season.

Could the Mets be getting in on Holliday? Olney reported Wednesday that the Mets are monitoring the Holliday negotiations, but are not actively involved, and it could be that the Holliday talks are out of their price range.

Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch wrote earlier this week that the Cardinals have tweaked the offer made by general manager John Mozeliak to agent Scott Boras at the end of the winter meetings. The deal is worth around $16 million a season and the Cardinals have attempted to address Boras' displeasure with the proposal's average value by adding years to the deal.

[h5]Rob Neyer[/h5]
Too much for Holliday

"Hmmm, let's see here ... eight years, roughly $130 million (so far), an opt-out clause and 'full no-trade protection' ... Gee, there's no way this won't work out beautifully for the club, huh? ... Holliday is an excellent baseball player. He is not the player everyone saw playing for the Cardinals last August and September. He is not the player whose batting line in those months was exactly as good as Albert Pujols'. In fairness, I do believe the Cardinals know that Holliday isn't as good as Pujols. But if these figures being bandied about are correct, it seems they think Holliday is nearly as good as Pujols."

[h1]Newest Mariner Cliff Lee says he was shocked by trade from Phillies[/h1]
Cliff Lee says he doesn't like to negotiate contract extensions during the season but says, "I'll go in with an open mind and do everything I can to help them win."

By Geoff Baker

Seattle Times staff reporter

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Cliff Lee is a new Mariner.

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Signing a long-term deal with the Mariners is the last thing new pitcher Cliff Lee has on his mind these days.

Only a few days ago, Lee believed he was about to sign a long-term pact with the Philadelphia Phillies. That club had made an initial offer to Lee about a week earlier and the pitcher said Thursday his side had made a counterproposal on the day the Phillies decided to trade him to Seattle for three minor-leaguers.

In other words, while Lee says he's coming here with an open mind and will give the city and team a chance, he's still somewhat shocked.

"At first I didn't believe it because I had thought we were working out an extension with the Phillies and I would spend the rest of my career there," he told reporters on a conference call Thursday. "That's what I was thinking. It goes to show that this is a business and you never know what is going to happen until you have a full no-trade clause."

Lee had figured he'd be enjoying a week of leisure ahead of the Christmas holidays.

He'd gone deer hunting on his property in Arkansas on Monday when his wife, Kristen, phoned to tell him rumors of the pending trade were all over the place. At that point, Lee had his agent call the Phillies.

"They kind of downplayed it," he said. "I thought for sure it was rumors."

But the next day, as Lee was going hunting again, this time along the Mississippi River, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. phoned to tell him he had, in fact, been dealt.

Lee spent Wednesday getting his thoughts together. He left Thursday for Puerto Rico on a planned vacation and finally spoke to reporters after landing there.

"I'm looking forward to helping the Mariners win and doing my job every time I take the mound," Lee said. "But my initial reaction was disbelief and shock. But after that set in, looking at the Mariners team and what they've got, I like what they've got."

Lee mentioned that Safeco Field was more pitcher-friendly than Citizens Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia. He also said having defensive-oriented players like Ichiro, Franklin Gutierrez, Chone Figgins and Jack Wilson behind him is something any pitcher would be happy about.

But Lee wants to play alongside those teammates and get to know Seattle before he thinks about a long-term extension.

"I don't know what Seattle has to offer," he said. "All I've ever seen was from the visiting side. Until I feel out my teammates, the chemistry of the team and how the organization is run ... I'm going into it with an open mind. I'm going to go there and be me."

Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik had stressed Wednesday the need to sell players on the city and showing them "the great story" of what's going on here. This should be a big test of Zduriencik's ability to do just that, because Lee says he's traditionally been opposed to negotiating contract extensions during the season.

"Fundamentally I'm opposed to that because that can become a distraction and it ends up being about me instead of winning," he said. "I'm a little bit opposed to that, but this is a different situation."

It is indeed, because Lee will have only a short time to get to know his teammates before the season starts. After the season, he'll be weeks away from free agency and even he admits that "generally, the closer a player gets to free agency, that's when they become less likely to sign."

He'd had the same reservations last summer when he was traded to Philadelphia by the Cleveland Indians.

"You never know until you're around those guys everyday, what they have to offer," he said. "And they [the Phillies] were the real deal."

It remains to be seen whether the Mariners can be the same. Certainly, a rotation fronted by Lee and Felix Hernandez is a solid building block toward contention.

The Mariners saw one of their potential hitting targets go elsewhere on Thursday as Nick Johnson was reported to have agreed to a one-year deal with the Yankees worth about $5.5 million.

But the Mariners remain linked to a number of high profile bats, including Jason Bay, Johnny Damon and Adrian Gonzalez, as well as numerous lower profile hitters in both the trade and free-agent markets.

Zduriencik has said he's still out to improve the team. And Lee insists he'll give his new club a fair chance to show what it's got.

"I've got to," he said. "There's no other option ... I'm not going to sit here and be bitter about it. I'm a little disappointed because of what we had going there with the Phillies. It's a new chapter. I've got to go to the Mariners and got to go there and make the best of it. It's the same type feeling I had when I got traded from Cleveland to Philadelphia.

"We're not going to know until time plays itself out. I'll go in with an open mind and do everything I can to help them win."

 

[Sinner]

I don't follow the NL, but what is Milton Bradley all about (other than occasionally miscounting the outs and having temper tantrums)? What kind of aplayer are we looking at and is that what the M's need? Don Wak is all about discipline (they only had one guy thrown out last season ~ Ichi), so isBradley really worth the trouble???

 

[john sterling]

Nowitness or Osh:
Would Philly have been better off just letting Lee walk and take the picks or were those prospects worth it?

 

[o fenomeno]

Originally Posted by SinnerP

I don't follow the NL, but what is Milton Bradley all about (other than occasionally miscounting the outs and having temper tantrums)? What kind of a player are we looking at and is that what the M's need? Don Wak is all about discipline (they only had one guy thrown out last season ~ Ichi), so is Bradley really worth the trouble???

i think bradley will be okay. atleast i hope. dude had problems last year and he had a no nonsense disciplinarian in lou pinella. he'll have a chance toreinvent himself on a new team in a new city, and i definitely think he is eager to prove his worth for that contract.

 

[Sinner]

The Cubbies musta been pretty desperate totrade MB...

Sea Times on Silva ~ "He went 4-15, 6.46 in 2008, and was 1-3, 8.60 in eight games in '09, spending most of the year on the disabled list."

*Fingers crossed*

 

[DownByLaw]

Originally Posted by o fenomeno

i think bradley will be okay. atleast i hope. dude had problems last year and he had a no nonsense disciplinarian in lou pinella. he'll have a chance to reinvent himself on a new team in a new city, and i definitely think he is eager to prove his worth for that contract.

They say that in every single city this cancer goes to.