The Major League Baseball Offseason Post

[dunkaroos]

Link to the ad?

 

[proshares]

http:// [h3][/h3]

[h3]Stark: Angels serious with Rodney[/h3]
3:04PM ET

[h5]Fernando Rodney | Tigers[/h5]
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The Los Angeles Angels are in serious discussions with free-agent reliever Fernando Rodney, according to a source familiar with the negotiations, reports ESPN.com's Jayson Stark.

The Angels are looking to supplement their bullpen after learning right-hander Jose Arredondo will miss the entire 2010 season. If Rodney signs with L.A. the Philadelphia Phillies, who showed interest in Rodney earlier this month, would be forced to look elsewhere for relief help.

There have been no indications that the Halos are supplanting Brian Fuentes from the closer's role, so presumably Rodney would set up Fuentes to start the year.

http:// [h3]Rockies to lock up young players?[/h3]
1:57PM ET

[h5]Colorado Rockies[/h5]
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Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki is signed through 2014, right-hander Manny Corpas is locked up for four more years. The Colorado Rockies signed catcher Chris Ianetta to a three-year deal this winter, and Patrick Saunders believes outfielder Carolos Gonzalez should be the next in line.

Gonzalez, Saunders writes, is a ticket-seller who plays with an edge, worthy of a long-term extension some time next year, despite not being eligible for arbitration until after the 2011 season.

Right-hander Ubaldo Jimenez is another core player the club has inked through 2013 at a reasonable price -- a little luck and a few key additions and Colorado could contend in the NL West for several more years.

http:// [h3]Crasnick: Righty to decide soon[/h3]
1:38PM ET

[h5]Justin Duchscherer | Athletics[/h5]
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Free agent pitcher http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4816http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4816Justin Duchscherer has received contract offers from at least three undisclosed clubs and expects to decide where he'll be pitching in 2010 within a week, reports ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.

UPDATE: Dean Kovacevic reports Tuesday that the Pirates have yet to make Duchscherer an offer, eliminating them from the running.

Now that http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4409http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4409Jason Marquis has settled in Washington, that leaves http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4235http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4235Jon Garland, http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4485http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4485Joel Pineiro, Ben Sheets, http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5017http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5017Brett Myers and Duchscherer as the top right-handed starting options left on the market. But some teams view Myers as a reliever, and Pineiro and Garland are reportedly looking for contracts of at least three years in length.

Duchscherer, a two-time All-Star, missed the entire 2009 season in Oakland because of elbow surgery and a recovery from clinical depression. He's looking for a one-year deal to re-establish his market value, and that decision has made him a popular target with teams in search of a starter.

 

[hustleking230560]

@ the Braves trading away Vazquez for Melky.

Vazquez just had an amazing finish down the stretch last year...

 

[briannnnn]

Originally Posted by DeadsetAce

Originally Posted by Stringer Bell 32

Originally Posted by Kiddin Like Jason

I love Brandon League.

met some chick at a bar who grew up in hawaii and used to bang this dude in high school...she told me she had no idea he was a pro baseball player until she went to a red sox blue jays game this past season

You think she's gonna hunt him down and hook up with him again? Or were you gonna put the c-block on an actual MLB player

From the few games I've seen League pitch (you know, with the Yanks and Jays playing 8614 times a year) he was usually pretty good. I think there was onegame I saw where they had him throw three innings and he was solid.

 

[briannnnn]

And I was a little less than enthusiastic about the Vazquez deal when I heard about it. I hope he does better the second time around...

 

[halfwaycrook]

Damn you other Yankees fans weren't happy about this deal?

I had no problem giving up Melky, Javier had a GREAT year last year. And all we had to do was deal Melky.

 

[briannnnn]

^^ Yankee fans tend not to forget when a player does not live up to expectations.

See Carl Pavano

It's all gonna be about what Javy can do *this season*

If he can rack up the innings and strikeouts, he'll really make the Yankee pitching that much stronger.

 

[alleniversonfan01]

Im just hoping that the Yankee's venture into NL pitchers is as much of a failure as ours was last year.

And how clutch Melky was for ya last year im sure adds to why guys arent too amped about the move. But I would say that this move is directly because of usgetting Lackey. They knew they had to atleast try to strengthen their rotation. And just to round out the hate a little more. I am hoping Pettitte startsshowing some damn age. Otherwise the Yankees are gonna keep getting him back with 1 year deals because the guy just doesnt wanna play for anyone else.

 

[halfwaycrook]

I appreciate how clutch he was, but how much better was he going to get?

Brett Gardner is a step down, but nothing we can't cover up.

 

[proshares]

Halladay's ad.

The internal trade deadline

Tuesday, December 22, 2009 | Feedback | Print Entry

In the hours after Alex Anthopoulos was named as general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, he returned to his hotel room in Baltimore and just absorbed all the change in his life, all the tasks that lay ahead. In his first 100 days as GM, he had two major responsibilities on his plate:

1. The possible trade of the Blue Jays' best-known and biggest star, Roy Halladay.
2. His wedding, set for Jan. 2.

The biggest decisions for the wedding had already been made, and Cristina Da Silva, his fiancée, understood that her future husband's days, in the immediate future, would be filled with phone calls and meetings -- and he might be punching away at his BlackBerry through the honeymoon in Hawaii in January, he warned her.

Getty Images

Dealing Roy Halladay proved to be a daunting, but possible task.

It all depended on what Anthopoulos was able to accomplish in the first half of the offseason, and undoubtedly, circumstances had him backed into a corner.

Halladay is regarded as one of the best pitchers and best leaders in the majors and theoretically could fit in with any staff, but as the 32-year-old Anthopoulos discussed the trade possibilities with others on his staff, they acknowledged the layers of impediments in creating a field of bidders.

Because Halladay possessed a full no-trade clause and controlled the process, the Blue Jays had to find teams that had a chance to meet certain criteria: teams that could compete for championships annually; teams that had the best chance of keeping Halladay's family at their Florida home as long as possible; teams that had the kind of prospects around which to build a deal; and -- this was the biggie -- teams that were capable of meeting his asking price as an elite pitcher in the market, of $20 million per year or more. The Mets had the money but not the prospects. The Rays had the prospects, for sure, but not the money. So in another words, the Blue Jays were left to deal with a very small field: the Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies and maybe -- maybe -- the Angels or Dodgers. Not exactly a situation that teems with trade leverage.

As Anthopoulos began the process, he called around to ask executives with other teams about their experience in dealing veteran players moving toward free agency, seeking their advice. On Monday, Anthopoulos wouldn't talk about those conversations specifically, but in recent seasons, other teams have made trades under similar circumstances, with varying degrees of success.

The Rangers swapped Mark Teixeira to Atlanta 15 months before his free agency, and came out with what is now regarded as an extraordinary package that was built around Elvis Andrus; however, Teixeira didn't have a full no-trade clause. The Orioles got Adam Jones, Chris Tillman and others in trading Erik Bedard to Seattle two years before his free agency, but Bedard was much less expensive in his salary than Halladay, and he didn't have a no-trade clause. Two winters ago, the Twins were in almost exactly the same situation with Johan Santana as Anthopoulos found himself in: trying to deal a star pitcher one year away from free agency with a full no-trade clause, with apparently no intent of re-signing. And after the Twins wound up trading Santana to the Mets on the eve of spring training in 2008 for a package built around Carlos Gomez, the perception within the industry is that the Twins probably waited too long to deal the Cy Young Award winner, or that they should've simply kept Santana and tried to win, rather than make a subpar deal.

Armed with that perspective, Anthopoulos asked the teams involved for bids by Dec. 4, two days before executives would begin arriving in Indianapolis for the winter meetings. This way, the Blue Jays' executives would have a couple of days to line up the names on a board, digest them and consider how to push for possible tweaks and adjustments.

Like a lot of his peers, Anthopoulos has come to view the winter meetings partly as an exercise in time-wasting. In a lot of cases, twenty executives and scouts sit in a hotel suite and eat pretzels and M&M's with the television on. Occasionally somebody throws out trade ideas, and occasionally, teams will send their scouts to the lobby to gather information, and always, everybody is waiting for the phone to ring with a call from another team. When actual meetings take place, a lot of the second-tier executives and scouts are asked to leave, just the kind of thing that Anthopoulos found disrespectful.

So a core group of four members of the Toronto front office made the trip and set up meetings with those teams that were under serious consideration. There was one factor working in favor of the Jays: the lobby-fueled rumor mill was saturated with stuff that may or may not have been real. The Red Sox were hot in the pursuit of Halladay, according to one report. The Angels were ready to part with Erick Aybar, indicated another. The Rays would be willing to part with B.J. Upton and others.

Fiction or not, it helped to create the impression that the Halladay market was moving.

Anthopoulos met with the Yankees, the Phillies, others. Names were exchanged. Reportedly, the Yankees were willing to part with catcher Miguel Montero, but not Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain -- and internally, the Yankees had serious doubts about whether they could actually strike an equitable deal with a division rival for Halladay. A Phillies' executive said Thursday morning that the Jays' asking price remained as high as it was before the July 31 trade deadline.

But as the meetings broke up, Anthopoulos and his staff addressed the theoretical question: Is there reason to think that the offers are going to improve from here, or is this the best that the Jays could do, given the circumstances? Executives with other teams scoffed at Halladay's stated intention to veto any trade after the start of spring training, but the Jays' front office took that deadline seriously, and even before Halladay's agent had said it out loud, the Jays had assumed that this would be the case. Halladay is a serious person who isn't prone to melodrama or empty posturing, and while he wanted to win and intended to leave the Jays after the 2010 season, he was comfortable living in Toronto.

The time had come, it seemed to the Jays, to make the decision on Halladay. And what they weighed was the value of the prospects they would get in the dominoes of dealing -- pitcher Kyle Drabek, corner infielder Brett Wallace (who Anthopoulos knew could be acquired from the Athletics for Michael Taylor) and catcher Travis D'Arnaud -- against the value of the draft-pick compensation the Jays would get for Halladay if he stayed with Toronto through the 2010 season. The draft picks would be expensive, because of the signing bonuses involved, and no matter how highly touted the chosen players were, they would have years of development ahead of them, with their futures uncertain.

On the other hand, Drabek is close to major league-ready, and if scouts are correct, he could be good enough to be a No. 2 or No. 3 type starter in the big leagues. Wallace is close to major league-ready as a hitter, and while there are questions about his body, he is known to be a serious student of hitting, someone capable of making adjustments. And rival scouts who are not with the Jays or Phillies say that D'Arnaud, with good tools and body, is expected to be an every-day catcher in the big leagues.

Anthopoulos had the option of waiting, but perhaps at the risk of seeing the Phillies' interest in Halladay dissolve, in the way that the Yankees and Red Sox melted away during the Johan Santana negotiations. So, at about 11 p.m. Saturday, he told Phillies GM Ruben Amaro, "Right now, from a baseball operations point of view, we're good. But ownership has to be on board with this. If we can get ownership approval, we're going to go forward."

The major work of the Jays' offseason is now completed, although there will be more tinkering, with the Jays trying to get young players for their veterans, like Brandon League -- who is being traded for Brandon Morrow -- and Lyle Overbay.

But in 12 days, 157 guests will be on hand for the Anthopoulos-Da Silva wedding; she has taken care of most of the smaller details, as well. And the next day, they will be headed to Hawaii, with the promise of a honeymoon filled more with waves and sand than e-mails and phone calls.

• The League-Morrow trade is the latest example of how Seattle is focused on giving itself the best possible chance to contend for the 2010 title, because right now, Morrow is a project who needs time and work, and League should help the Mariners right away, benefiting from their defense.
[h3]Yankees still dealing?[/h3]
Even after making the trade for Javier Vazquez, the Yankees' hope is still to trim their payroll to something under $200 million; they'll probably look to trade Chad Gaudin and/or Sergio Mitre. But almost all of Yankees' heavy lifting is complete with this deal for Vazquez, who deepens the Yankees' rotation to a big four of CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte and Vazquez; the fifth starter, in all likelihood, will be the right-hander who wins the job in the competition between Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain and Alfredo Aceves.

This will be Vazquez's second time around with the Yankees, of course; the Yankees traded for him before the 2004 season and he was a bust, going 14-10 with a 4.91 ERA. He gave up the memorable grand slam to Johnny Damon in the playoffs that year, then was dealt to Arizona before the next season in the Randy Johnson deal that was pushed through by George Steinbrenner. Throughout that 2004 season, the Yankees thought that his arm angle was lower than what it had been with the Expos, and believed that it affected the quality of his fastball -- and in retrospect, there were questions about whether he was entirely healthy. Either way, he has gone on to have excellent seasons, most recently for the Braves in 2009. He was one of the most dominant starters in the NL this year, going 15-10 with a 2.87 ERA, and 238 strikeouts in 219.1 innings. From the Yankees' perspective, Vazquez could be a short-term buy -- he could head into free agency after next season, with the Yankees recouping draft picks and using his salary spot to pursue a starter in next winter's free agent market.

The first question being asked in rival front offices about the move for the Braves: Will this allow them to set up a big move for a bat, such as Matt Holliday or Jason Bay?

The Yankees' luxury tax bill is about two-thirds of what the Marlins paid out in payroll in 2009, writes Ron Blum, and if you look at the New York's payroll obligations for 2010, the salaries are enormous, when cast against the current landscape:

Alex Rodriguez: $32 million

CC Sabathia: $23 million

Derek Jeter : $21 million

Mark Teixeira: $20 million

A.J. Burnett: $16.5 million

Mariano Rivera: $15 million

Jorge Posada: $13.1 million

Andy Pettitte: $11.75 million

Javier Vazquez: $11.5 million

Robinson Cano: $9 million

Nick Swisher: $6.75 million

Curtis Granderson: $5.5 million

Nick Johnson: $5.5 million

Damaso Marte: $4 million
[h3]Free-agent dollars[/h3]

• 2008-2009: $1,162,507,500
• 2009-2010: $342,900,000 [h3]Moves, deals and decisions[/h3]
  1. Major League Baseball and its umpires are nearing a deal.
  
  2. The Nationals signed Jason Marquis to a two-year deal. From Mark Simon of ESPN Stats & Information: Jason Marquis has won 10-plus games in each of the past six seasons. He's 80-68, but with a 4.49 ERA in that span.
  
  Since 2004, his win total ranks 13th in baseball, but that ERA (4.49) ranks 56th, his opponent OPS ranks 57th and his WHIP ranks 59th.
  
  From Katie Sharp of ESPN Stats & Information: With the Marquis deal included, the Nationals have now spent $22 million on free agents this year. Amazingly, that is already the third-highest total within the data that we have (since 1990) and just the fourth time they have spent more than $10 million … and it's only Dec. 21. For the Nats/Expos franchise, the most ever spent in an offseason was $27.3 million in 2004, then $24.6 million in 2008. The team looks likely to exceed those totals in this offseason.
  
  3. Before his recent arrest, David Freese had a DUI history, writes Jeremy Kohler.
  
  4. Nick Johnson's deal with the Yankees could become official very soon, writes Pete Caldera.
  
  5. The Indians completed the Kelly Shoppach trade.
  
  6. The Rockies should sign Carlos Gonzalez next year, writes Patrick Saunders.
  
  7. The Padres are cutting their prices for beer, food and parking, writes Bill Center.
  
  8. The Padres traded for a catcher.
  [h3]Other stuff[/h3]
  • Roy Halladay took out a full-page ad to thank fans in Toronto.
  
  • Assuming that the Astros would be better off without owner Drayton McLane would be a mistake, writes Richard Justice.
  
  • Chip Caray is back with the Braves.
  
  • Jeff Francoeur has had a busy offseason, writes Carroll Rogers, who mentions that there will soon be talks between the Mets and his representative about a long-term deal.
  
  • The Angels and Dodgers are taking hits this winter.
  
  • Jim Leyland is excited for some new faces next season.
  
  • A Cardinals minor leaguer was suspended.
  
  • Bill Conlin remembers Phillies traveling secretary Eddie Ferenz, who passed away Saturday.
  
  • Lynn Henning will vote for Edgar Martinez.

If "Baywatch" gets cancelled, here's eight options

Wednesday, December 23, 2009 | Feedback | Print Entry

For the Mets, there are already legitimate questions about whether Jason Bay is the right investment for their ballpark. He is a below-average defender who hits for power and Citi Field is a place where deep fly balls and subpar outfielders will suffer.

But as the Bay negotiations drag out, there are growing doubts about whether Bay even wants to play for the Mets, in their grand canyon of a park.

The Mets are aware of all this -- and while they still would like to sign Bay very soon, the team is internally mapping out alternative routes in the event that Bay doesn't embrace their offer.

And those options include adding depth, rather the one big name, like Bay.

There is no perfect Cliff Lee or Roy Halladay solution for the Mets, because rival front offices are not lured by their prospects -- and because the free agent market, in general, is weak. But there are a ton of unsigned free agents, and if you have $15 million to $22 million available in cash at this point, you don't have a lot of competition. You would be like the guy who waits until after Dec. 25 to do your Christmas shopping; the best stuff might be gone, but you will have a lot of choices.

The key, as one major league official mused on Tuesday night, is picking the right players -- using the money the right way. If the Mets come to believe that Bay doesn't want to play for them, they should go the route of the Seattle Mariners and shape their choices according to their ballpark and build some depth. They could consider a series of moves along these lines:

1. Make the move for Orlando Hudson, something that the Mets have been dying to do for two years: Castillo had a surprisingly decent season last year, but Hudson is the better player -- he drives the ball more (50 extra-base hits last year), and he's a better defensive player; he scored significantly better than Castillo in the UZR/150 ratings. He's an energizing force who would be good in the New York clubhouse, and would take pressure off the likes of David Wright and Carlos Beltran in dealing with the New York media. You sign Hudson and then figure out what to do with Castillo, whether it would be eating a significant share of the money owed to him to dump him or simply using him as a part-timer.

2. Sign a low-cost veteran outfielder, like Randy Winn: He can play multiple outfield positions, he still rates very well in his defense -- and this is something you need from your outfielders while playing in a park like Citi Field. The Mariners showed this approach last year with the strong outfield defense they played in Safeco. How much would he cost? Well, the guess here is that Winn doesn't have a lot of options, and maybe he bites if you dangle a one-year deal for something in the range of $2.5 million. He might not hit for power, but he'll play good defense, run the bases well, lend some versatility and experience -- and you keep the flexibility by signing him to a one-year deal. Winn was not a good player for the Giants last season, but he often hit near the top of the San Francisco lineup and more was needed from him that he could provide. With the Mets, he would probably hit at the bottom of the order.

3. Consider a strong two-year offer to Mark DeRosa: There are concerns among teams about whether DeRosa is going to be effective, as he comes back from a wrist injury. But if the Mets are at least somewhat satisfied that he can be a productive player moving forward, they could outbid the market on a DeRosa deal. He could play first base against left-handed pitchers (with Daniel Murphy starting against right-handers), given his .587 slugging percentage and .928 OPS against lefties last year, and DeRosa could start against right-handers according to the needs of the day -- maybe in left field, maybe at third base if David Wright needs a day off, or at second if Hudson or Castillo needed a day off.

4. Make solid one-year offers to the best strike-throwing relief specialists on the market: Bob Howry held right-handed batters to a .231 on-base percentage last year; maybe he would be that kind of guy. Chan Ho Park held right-handers to a .678 OPS, and seems durable; maybe he would be that kind of guy for the Mets.

5. Take a look at Jarrod Washburn: Maybe he's not healthy. Maybe he's not excited about pitching in New York, in the National League. But he is a fly ball pitcher who threw pretty well for the first four months of last season (check out the month to month totals here), and presumably, he would not be expensive on a one-year contract; if he is, you move on to other options.

6. Make a solid two-year offer to Fernando Rodney, to strengthen your group of set-up men: It looks like he could be headed to the Angels or the Phillies, but if the Mets got him, he wouldn't cost a draft pick (unlike Jose Valverde) and the back end of the team's bullpen could become a strength.

7. Make solid one-year offers to the starting pitchers who might be trying to rebuild their market value, whether it be someone like Brett Myers or Vicente Padilla or Jon Garland.

8. If you like Joel Pineiro, make an offer that you're comfortable with: If Pineiro -- the best starting pitcher still unsigned -- wants more than what you're offering, then you move on to other pitchers. There is volume in this current market.

A key in all of these moves is flexibility. If the Mets don't sign Bay, they should look for very short-term obligations, one-year or two-year deals, to keep themselves in position to make bids next winter, when the free agent crop will be better. The advantage for the Mets now is that they still have a good core of players who will presumably have better luck in staying healthy this year -- Johan Santana, David Wright, Jose Reyes, Carlos Beltran and Francisco Rodriguez.

What they do not need is a long-term investment in Bay if he doesn't want to play for him; the last thing the Mets can afford now is to have a reluctant $16 million player. If they don't get an answer soon, they should move on and take advantage of the fact that they're one of the few teams with a nice chunk of change to spend.

The Mets are still silent, writes John Harper. The Bay Watch has hit 13 days, writes Mike Vaccaro. The Mets are near a deal with a pitcher missing an elbow ligament.
[h3]The McCourts[/h3]
Dennis Mannion says the McCourt divorce proceeding has not impacted the team's moves this winter in this Q-and-A with Bill Shaikin.

This statement reminds me of this famous movie scene.
[h3]Vazquez Deal[/h3]
• For the Yankees, Javier Vazquez is the pitcher who got away, writes Tyler Kepner -- and Vazquez considers this a great opportunity. The Yankees and Red Sox are now locked into an arms race, writes Anthony McCarron, who compares the rotations of the rivals here. The Yankees went with their gut on the Vazquez deal, writes Joel Sherman.

Vazquez is a seasoned vet as he returns to the Yankees, writes Ken Davidoff.

Johnny Damon knows he doesn't fit the Yankees' payroll.

Doubts have been raised through the years about whether Javier Vazquez can win a big game -- most notably by Ozzie Guillen -- but nobody can question his durability. He's second in Ks this decade, behind Randy Johnson; he's tied with Mark Buehrle for most 200+ IP seasons since 2000, with 9.

From Katie Sharp of ESPN Research: "Javier Vazquez was one of the best pitchers this is season in getting ahead of hitters in the count, with a first-pitch strike percentage of 67.8% that was the 3rd-best in the majors:"
[table][tr][td]Highest first-pitch strike % (2009)[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Pitcher[/td] [td]First-pitch strike % (min. 400 pitches)[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Roy Halladay[/td] [td]68.4[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Carl Pavano[/td] [td]68.1[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Javier Vazquez[/td] [td]67.8[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Dan Haren[/td] [td]67.0[/td] [/tr][tr][td]Roy Oswalt[/td] [td]66.3[/td] [/tr][/table]
The flip side: Melky had the fifth-lowest OPS among AL OFs in 2009.

Rival executives say that the Braves had worked exhaustively in trying to dump the contract of pitcher Derek Lowe. In the end, they had to swap Vazquez to free up dollars to pursue a hitter, as David O'Brien writes.

Here's the thing: When you looked at the Braves for 2010, they had an area of real strength on their roster -- their starting pitching -- that seemingly separated them from any other team. A weak offense? Perhaps. Some concerns about the bullpen? Yeah, a little. But the Braves had the chance to have dominant starting pitching.

Now, with Vazquez gone, the potential for the Braves' rotation has gone from exceptional to merely pretty good.

I wonder if a better route would have been to keep the rotation intact and then bottom-feed on in the plentiful corner outfield and corner infield market, and hope that the pitching sustains the team's pennant race into July. By then, Jason Heyward will probably be in the big leagues and trade options would be more plentiful.

Down the stretch, Vazquez was throwing the ball as well or better than anybody in the National, pounding the strike zone to get ahead in the count and then finishing off hitters with nasty fastballs. Opponents hit .229 against him in August, .196 in September/October. It's hard to see -- right now, anyway -- how trading a guy that good would make the organization better for what is considered a win-now year, in 2010.

The trade of Vaquez shows that the Braves are more concerned with savings than winning, writes Mark Bradley.

• The Marlins and Red Sox have reportedly made offers for Aroldis Chapman, and his representatives have told clubs they will be sorting through all offers in the days ahead. It figures that Chapman, with the advantage of being able to negotiate with all 30 teams, is going to get more than Stephen Strasburg. But it is evident that there are doubts for some evaluators about what Chapman is now -- and what he might become. Whereas there was almost unanimous feeling that Strasburg was one of the best amateur pitchers ever seen, there is a wide range of opinion on Chapman. According to other teams, the Yankees barely had a presence at the Chapman workout last week. Some talent evaluators wonder whether Chapman will ever fully command his fastball in a way that he can be consistent, and there are questions about whether he will be a starter or a reliever -- and this, of course, would greatly impact his value to particular teams.
[h3]Moves, deals and decisions[/h3]
1. Twins' employees are moving out of the Metrodome this week. Can't wait for the new place to open up; in fact, I can't remember being this excited to see a new park since the first time I went to Camden Yards.

2. Heard this: The Phillies have serious interest in Fernando Rodney, for something in the range of two years and $12 million. They have also maintained contact with the agent for Mike MacDougal, writes Matt Gelb.

3. Matt Capps is set to choose between the Cubs and Nationals, writes Dejan Kovacevic.

4. Heard this: Oakland could bring back Justin Duchscherer into its rotation.

5. Darren Oliver is back for his third stint with the Rangers, writes Anthony Andro.

6. The Nationals finished their deal with Jason Marquis, and now they are closing in on a non-guaranteed deal with Eddie Guardado, writes Chico Harlan.

7. One of the first questions in St. Louis was whether the Yankees' trade on Tuesday would mean that they are now in the market for a pricey bat, and the answer is no; it's been two weeks since the Cardinals made their offer to Matt Holliday, writes Derrick Goold.

8. The Royals signed Brian Anderson, as Sam Mellinger writes.

9. Brandon League was definitely surprised by his trade to Seattle.

10. Brandon Morrow is ready to move on, writes Geoff Baker; he wants to start with the Blue Jays.

11. The Athletics are showing more off-season energy than the Giants, writes Bruce Jenkins.

12. As Garrett Atkins joins the Orioles, he knows he has a lot to prove, writes Jeff Zrebiec.

13. Ex-major leaguer George Lombard was offered a job by the Red Sox, writes Joe McDonald.
[h3]Other stuff[/h3]
• This is how you can get official ballpark mustard. Now they tell me.

• Much is up in the air for Mike Lowell, writes Amalie Benjamin.

• Stephen Strasburg got a nice little gig with Topps.

• In 1926, there was a blockbuster deal that became a gift for the Cardinals.

• This news will stun anyone who played with Raul Mondesi: He is a rising star in politics in the Dominican Republic, writes Kevin Baxter.

• John Romano makes the case for Fred McGriff for the Hall of Fame. He ranks the candidates here.

• Bob Smizik expects Roberto Alomar to get in this year.

•Hal McCoy voted for Barry Larkin, Andre Dawson, Edgar Martinez, Bert Blyleven and others, and did not vote for Mark McGwire, Roberto Alomar and Jack Morris.


http:// [h3][/h3]

[h3]Cost-cutting in Atlanta?[/h3]
8:32AM ET

[h5]Atlanta Braves[/h5]
Top Email


The Braves traded their most effective pitcher of 2009 when Javier Vazquez was unloaded to the Yankees in a deal for outfielder Melky Cabrera.

The speculation in Atlanta already has called into question whether the Braves may no longer have the resources to play with the big boys. Mark Bradley of the Atlanta JC is among those who sees a problem. "Obviously the Braves' salary constraints are worse than we'd been led to believe if they had to make this sort of deal so soon," Bradley writes.

David O'Brien of the AJC says the Braves would have preferred to tarde Derek Lowe instead, but teams balked at taking on the $45 million he is owed the next three years.

http:// [h3]Damon return to Bronx unlikely[/h3]
8:15AM ET

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


Once the Yankees sent Melky Cabrera to the Braves in order to bring back Javier Vazquez, the speculation immediately began as to who will play left field in the Bronx.

The trade seemed to open the door for the Yankees to bring back Johnny Damon, but the New York Daily News reports today that the team is no longer interested in bringing Damon back.

ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reported last week that Damon wanted $13 million a year to stay in New York, his salary on his recently expired contract. Buster adds this morning that the only way Damon could return to the Yankees this season would be to accept a one-year deal for about $5 million.

http:// [h3]Phils talking to MacDougal[/h3]
8:13AM ET

[h5]Mike MacDougal | Nationals[/h5]
Top Email


The Philadelphia Phillies managed to reach the World Series for a second straight season despite a bullpen that had 22 blown saves in 2009.

General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. wants to make sure those solid outings by Roy Halladay in 2010 will not be wasted, so the team is interested in Mike MacDougal, according to today's Philadelphia Inquirer.

MacDougal is no savior, but the former All-Star did manage to save 20 saves for the Nationals last season. The right-hander could be an additional insurance policy behind Brad Lidge.

http:// [h3]Nats close to deal with Guardado[/h3]
7:57AM ET

[h5]Eddie Guardado | Rangers[/h5]
Top Email


The Washington Nationals also closing on a one-year contract with veteran left-handed reliever Eddie Guardado, reports the Washington Times.

While he may no longer be "Everyday Eddie," Guardado did appear in 48 games for Texas last season.

The signing would be part of a major revamping of the Nats' shaky staff that added starter Jason Marquis this week. Washington also is believed to be making a strong pitch for reliever Matt Capps while MLB.com's Bill Ladson said via Twitter that the team is interested in John Smoltz, but only at a reasonable price.

http:// [h3]Capps' chase down to Nats, Cubs[/h3]
7:47AM ET

[h5]Matt Capps | Pirates[/h5]
Top Email


After signing starter Jason Marquis to a two-year deal, the Washington Nationals are making a big push to add reliever Matt Capps to the fold, reports ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.

Agent Paul Kinzer said the Nationals weren't a factor when Capps began considering his options as a free agent. But Washington is now among the leading candidates to sign Capps because of the efforts of general manager Mike Rizzo.

"Mike Rizzo has done an unbelievable job," Kinzer said Monday. "They've really impressed Matt. The Nationals weren't even on the radar when we started, but now Matt is considering them hard."

The Washington Times reports today that Capps has narrowed his choices to the Nationals or Cubs and hopes to make a decision by Christmas.

http:// [h3]Dodgers broke even in 2009[/h3]
7:38AM ET

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


The McCourt divorce saga has called the financial health of the Los Angeles Dodgers into question.

Are the Dodgers on shaky ground? The Los Angeles Times reports today that the Dodgers just about broke even last season, according to a high-ranking baseball source. The Times story says Commissioner Bud Selig "considers the Dodgers no different from many other clubs that have limited spending during these uncertain economic times."

"Our baseball and business decisions have not been impacted by the proceedings," team president Dennis Mannion told the Times.

That's a tough sell for a team whose biggest offseason acquisition to date is utilityman Jamey Carroll.

 

[N41D]

Baseball America's Early Expert's Top 20...

1. Stephen Strasburg, RHP, Washington
2. Jason Heyward, OF, Atlanta
3. Mike Stanton, OF, Florida
4. Desmond Jennings, OF, Tampa Bay
5. Jesus Montero, 1B/DH, New York
6. Brian Matusz, LHP, Baltimore
7. Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Pittsburgh
8. Neftali Feliz, RHP, Texas
9. Buster Posey, C, San Francisco
10. Madison Bumgarner, LHP, San Francisco
11. Carlos Santana, C, Cleveland
12. Justin Smoak, 1B, Texas
13. Domonic Brown, OF, Philadelphia
14. Casey Kelly, RHP, Boston
15. Jeremy Hellickson, RHP, Tampa Bay
16. Kyle Drabek, RHP, Toronto
17. Alcides Escobar, SS, Milwaukee
18. Aaron Hicks, OF, Minnesota
19. Dustin Ackley, OF/1B/2B, Seattle
20. Martin Perez, LHP, Texas

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/12/23/top.prospects/index.htmlShort Bios/Info

 

[john sterling]

Originally Posted by Nowitness41Dirk

Baseball America's Early Expert's Top 20...

1. Stephen Strasburg, RHP, Washington
2. Jason Heyward, OF, Atlanta
3. Mike Stanton, OF, Florida
4. Desmond Jennings, OF, Tampa Bay
5. Jesus Montero, 1B/DH, New York
6. Brian Matusz, LHP, Baltimore
7. Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Pittsburgh
8. Neftali Feliz, RHP, Texas
9. Buster Posey, C, San Francisco
10. Madison Bumgarner, LHP, San Francisco
11. Carlos Santana, C, Cleveland
12. Justin Smoak, 1B, Texas
13. Domonic Brown, OF, Philadelphia
14. Casey Kelly, RHP, Boston
15. Jeremy Hellickson, RHP, Tampa Bay
16. Kyle Drabek, RHP, Toronto
17. Alcides Escobar, SS, Milwaukee
18. Aaron Hicks, OF, Minnesota
19. Dustin Ackley, OF/1B/2B, Seattle
20. Martin Perez, LHP, Texas

Short Bios/

Zeus

Younger than everyone ahead of him.

 

[trillipinotrapstar]

Braves signed Troy Glaus for 1 year.

 

[stringer bell 32]

I'm sorry but Javy Vazquez is going to be DESTORYED at the new Yankees stadium

 

[osh kosh bosh]

Originally Posted by John Sterling

Originally Posted by Nowitness41Dirk

Baseball America's Early Expert's Top 20...

1. Stephen Strasburg, RHP, Washington
2. Jason Heyward, OF, Atlanta
3. Mike Stanton, OF, Florida
4. Desmond Jennings, OF, Tampa Bay
5. Jesus Montero, 1B/DH, New York
6. Brian Matusz, LHP, Baltimore
7. Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Pittsburgh
8. Neftali Feliz, RHP, Texas
9. Buster Posey, C, San Francisco
10. Madison Bumgarner, LHP, San Francisco
11. Carlos Santana, C, Cleveland
12. Justin Smoak, 1B, Texas
13. Domonic Brown, OF, Philadelphia
14. Casey Kelly, RHP, Boston
15. Jeremy Hellickson, RHP, Tampa Bay
16. Kyle Drabek, RHP, Toronto
17. Alcides Escobar, SS, Milwaukee
18. Aaron Hicks, OF, Minnesota
19. Dustin Ackley, OF/1B/2B, Seattle
20. Martin Perez, LHP, Texas

Short Bios/

Zeus

Younger than everyone ahead of him.

Tim Bekham, dude has been left for dead.

This dude is supposed to steal 40 bases a year and play elite d at shortstop?

EDIT: Dude made 43 errors last year in A BALL!

 

[briannnnn]

Originally Posted by Osh Kosh Bosh

Tim Bekham, dude has been left for dead.

This dude is supposed to steal 40 bases a year and play elite d at shortstop?

EDIT: Dude made 43 errors last year in A BALL!

Damn,

Eduardo Nunez (Yankee infielder prospect) committed 33 errors in AA ball.

Fernando Rodney is going to be the closer for the Angels and Matt Capps is on the verge of joining the Nationals (in before J RAIN)

A run-down of minor league transactions is hereon BaseballAmerica.

at Phil Humber fading fast (signed a minor league deal with Kansas City); so much for him being one of the centerpieces in thatMets trade to the Twins for Johan Santana...

 

[651akathepaul]

Yankees got the better deal I think. Vasquez is highly underrated in terms of the production he brings as the 3rd pitcher in the rotation. If you can believeit, he ranks second in this decade is K's behind Randy Johnson. SECOND! That's ahead of tons of great pitchers.




He's also, I believe, one of, if not the only pitcher to have 10 more wins every year this decade. He's just about always shoe-in for 200+ innings aswell. This is exactly what the Yankees needed.

 

[proshares]

http:// [h3][/h3]

[h3]BoSox spending more dough?[/h3]
10:46AM ET

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


There are reports that the Boston Red Sox may extend their budget in order to reconsider signing Jason Bay, who has not accepted nor rejected the 4-year, $65 million offer from the New York Mets, nor has his agent had any more talks with the NL East contender of late.

Michael Silverman wrote Wednesday that the Red Sox maylook to make a run at Matt Holliday, despite having a full outfield at the moment.

With Jacoby Ellsbury flanked by J.D. Drew and Mike Cameron -- and Jeremy Hermida in the mix as well -- a move or two would have to made if Boston decides to get serious about Holliday or make another offer to Bay. Ellsbury or Hermida appear to be the most logical candidates to move with the former's name coming up in trade rumors involving San Diego Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.

http:// [h3]Righty favoring NL club?[/h3]
10:37AM ET

[h5]Justin Duchscherer | Athletics[/h5]
Top Email


Right-hander Justin Duchscherer has narrowed down his choices to three clubs -- one an NL team, according to reports.

One of the suitors is the Oakland A's, writes Susan Slussinger, and the decision should come soon, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick, who was the first to report that Duchscherer was down to three choices.

Schould the A's retain his services, they could begin the 2010 season with a farily formidable starting rotation that includes second-year arms Brett Anderson, Trevor Cahill, Vin Mazzaro and Gio Gonzalez.

http:// [h3]Nats get Capps ... and shot at .500?[/h3]
10:27AM ET

[h5]Matt Capps | Pirates[/h5]
Top Email


We'll leave the guessing to the experts but the Washington Nationals took another step toward respectability Thursday when they officially agreed to terms with right-hander Matt Capps, who is likely to be the teams closer in 2010. It's a one-year deal for Capps, who chose the Nats over the Chicago Cubs.

Brian Bruney likely serves as the main setup man for Capps, in what is shaping up to be a decent relief corps that includes Ron Villone and Garret Mock.

The club signed Jason Marquis Wednesday and could boast a rotation led by Stephen Strasburg. With any luck, Washington may score 800 runs behind Ryan Zimmerman, Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham in the middle of the lineup, and could have a good enough pitching staff to back up such an offense all the way to a .500 record.

http:// [h3]Bucs eyeing a pair?[/h3]
10:25AM ET

[h5]Pittsburgh Pirates[/h5]
Top Email


Since declining to offer Matt Capps arbitration, the Pittsburgh Pirates are scouring the market for his replacement.

Right-handers Octavio Dotel and Kevin Gregg are at the top of the list, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports. Both pitchers are said to be requesting multiyear deals in the same neighborhood as the Fernando Rodney contract --2 years, $11 million -- but the Pirates are likely to stick to a one-year offer for their next closer.

There aren't any obvious in-house candidates but Joel Hanrahan may get the nod should free agency fail to pan out for the club.

http:// [h3]ATL gets Glaus, OF next?[/h3]
10:10AM ET

[h5]Troy Glaus | Cardinals[/h5]
Top Email


Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Atlanta Braves and Troy Glaus have agreed to a one-year deal pending a physical. Glaus will play first base for his new team.

This signing doesn't mean the Braves aren't still looking for outfield help as their starting three if the season started today might be Melky Cabrera, Nate McLouth and either Jordan Schafer or Matt Diaz, none of whom can be expected to provide power.

With the Braves out of the market for a first baseman, clubs such as the Arizona Diamondbacks, San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners could be rewarded with more team-friendly deals for the likes of Adam LaRoche and Russell Branyan, both still free agents looking for more than one year.

http:// [h3]Phils, MacDougal close?[/h3]
10:09AM ET

[h5]Philadelphia Phillies[/h5]
Top Email


Jim Salisbury reported Wednesday that the http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/clubhouse?team=phiPhiladelphia Phillies have agreed to terms with a reliever -- but there's no word yet which lucky free agent has accepted the clubs' offer.

ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reported earlier in the day that http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4234Danys Baez could be the Phillies' target, and http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4634Mike MacDougal's name has also been connected.

MacDougals agent confirmed Thursday that the two sides were amidst talks.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5111Fernando Rodney, an early-winter option for the two-time NL champs, signed a 2-year deal with the Angels Wednesday.

http:// [h3]Where's Delgado going?[/h3]
10:04AM ET

[h5]Carlos Delgado | Mets[/h5]
Top Email


Carlos Delgado's audition to show teams he's healthy has apparently been postponed, reports MLB.com, which may eliminate certain clubs from contention for the veteran.

One of those clubs moving on could be the New York Mets where GM Omar Minaya could choose to spend his money elsewhere. They have the best offer on the table for outfielfer Jason Bay, and are reportedly interested in starting pitching as well.

Other potential landing spots for Delgado include San Francisco, Arizona, Seattle and perhaps a dark-horse suitor in Oakland or the New York Yankees. The Yanks don't currently have a DH and appear to be resisting the multiyear contract requests from Johnny Damon.

[h5]Keith Law[/h5]
'Los can still hit

"When healthy, Delgado was a pretty complete hitter, with power and patience and a good approach against anyone other than tough left-handed pitchers. Questions about lost bat speed were answered in the middle of last year. He's never been more than an adequate first baseman, and the hip injury may mean he's better suited to DH; at 37, he's not likely to play first base much longer in any case. Delgado could choose to reestablish his value by playing winter ball, which would in turn probably mean a January signing. "

http:// [h3]Rodney moves on, Tigers, too[/h3]
10:03AM ET

[h5]Fernando Rodney | Tigers[/h5]
Top Email


Right-hander Fernando Rodney has signed a 2-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels, which leaves the Detroit Tigers with a very young, inexperienced bullpen.

Ryan Perry and Daniel Schlereth could ultimately handle the final two innings for the Tigers, and the Tigers do have hope that Joel Zumaya will have something to offer, but there's a lot of uncertainty in those three.

Jose Valverde, Octavio Dotel and Kevin Gregg could be on Detroit's radar as their markets dry up, but there has been no indication of such interest to date.

 

[briannnnn]

According to Buster Olney's twitter, MarkDeRosa is contemplating a two-yr deal with the SF Giants. Nothing official yet. Also Justin Duchscherer will return to the A's, signing a one year, $5.5million deal.

at this note http://about Matt Capps.

Also, Matt Capps is off the market, having signed with Washington. Capps was kind of the highlight of the non-tenders this winter. He'll get a chance to close for the Nationals, which means an eight-save season isn't out of the question!

 

[rcdp]

DeRosa is about old enough to play for Sabean's Old Men team. D;

 

[DownByLaw]

Originally Posted by TrillipinoTrapstar

Braves signed Troy Glaus for 1 year.

 

[proshares]

Some interesting stuff today:


http:// [h3][/h3]

[h3]Mets, Molina: Room for compromise?[/h3]
11:07AM ET

[h5]Bengie Molina | Giants[/h5]
Top Email


The New York Mets haven't achieved their goal of bringing catcher Bengie Molina into the fold, but the two sides may not be that far apart on one important issue, reports ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick: Length of contract.

The Mets have offered Molina a one-year contract with an option year, reports ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. Molina has been holding firm at three years, but there are indications he might be willing to consider a two-year deal.

Molina has a more impressive portfolio than Pudge Rodriguez, Jason Kendall and Brian Schneider -- all of whom received two-year deals this winter. But with Rod Barajas, Miguel Olivo and other cheaper catching alternatives on the market, no team has been willing to spring for three years for Molina.

The Mets currently have young Josh Thole and veterans Chris Coste and Henry Blanco in their catching mix. They want to upgrade at catcher, but they'll almost certainly take a pass rather than commit to three years on Molina, who turns 36 in July.

http:// [h3]Mets in Holliday chase?[/h3]
9:41AM ET

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


Christmas has come and gone and Matt Holliday has yet to settle on a home for 2010.

Could the Mets be ready to make a late run?Speaking at a weekend event honoring Roberto Clemente, Mets GM Omar Minaya said that Holliday is on his radar.

"We are pursuing Matt Holliday," Minaya told NY Sports Day. "It seems to be easier to make a deal for Jason Bay."

The St. Louis Cardinals and agent Scott Boras continue to play the waiting game. "You do wonder if St. Louis could do a right turn and go after Bay, or if the Cardinals' Plan B involves pitching rather than a big-name slugger," writes ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney in Saturday's blog.

Keep in mind that Boras is in no hurry. When Carlos Beltran was the top free agent on the market a few years ago, Boras did not reach a deal with the New York Mets until January. He appears to have the same plan for Holliday.

"The acquisition of a franchise talent is not about a wristwatch. ... It's about the club recognizing the benefit of having that player and how they'll be dramatically impacted by the loss of that player," said Boras via the Chicago Tribune. "When that realization takes place ... then you have an agreement."

http:// [h3]-backs looking at Valverde?[/h3]
9:39AM ET

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


We noted last week that perhaps the gamble by Jose Valverde isn't going to pay off after all.

The right-hander declined the offer of arbitration from the Houston Astros, and there is no clear market for the closer right now.

Over the weekend, the Arizona Republic reported that the Diamondbacks have been monitoring Valverde's availability. While a deal with Bob Howry may make that less likely, the Republic says the D-backs could have a chance at Valverde since the number of clubs looking for a closer is rather limited.

The D-backs closer, for now, is Chad Qualls, so stay tuned. Arizona might be looking to get Valverde on a one-year deal. At some point that could appeal to Valverde, who could enter free agency again next season.

[h5]Keith Law[/h5]
Valverde not an elite closer

"Valverde has that new-closer smell without actually performing much better than your typical middle reliever. He does have late-game stuff, 93-98 mph on the fastball with a mid-80s splitter with good bottom. His performance was very consistent in his two years with Houston -- good but not great strikeout rates, lots of fly balls and fringy command. His arm is loose, but his arm action is long and he doesn't repeat it well enough to be an elite closer, but he could do the job for a second-division club, or serve as a set-up man/alternate closer for a better team."

http:// [h3]Could Cameron be moved?[/h3]
9:16AM ET

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


The Red Sox signed free agent outfielder Mike Cameron earlier this month, seemingly ending any Boston pursuit of Matt Holliday or Jason Bay.

Might the Red Sox be willing to trade Cameron if Holliday or Bay falls into their lap? Under baseball rules, the Red Sox could not trade Cameron without his permission until June 15. ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney writes in Sunday's blog that Boston would have to be willing to eat some of Cameron's $15 million deal to work out any trade.

http:// [h3]Carmona on the block?[/h3]
9:01AM ET

[h5]Fausto Carmona | Indians[/h5]
Top Email


Fausto Carmona won 19 games for the Indians in 2007, tying CC Sabathia for the club lead.

Carmona has not come close to that level of performance since, and the Tribe is uncertain as to what they can expect from the 26-year-old Dominican right-hander. While the Indians say Carmona is not available, the Boston Globe cites baseball executives who aren't buying it and think the Tribe will have to listen to teams looking for a middle- to back-of-the-rotation starter.

One suggestion on BleacherReport.com says the Marlins might make a pitch for Carmona since the Fish have the prospects to deal.

http:// [h3]Market for Uggla cools?[/h3]
8:41AM ET

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


For weeks, the rumor mill had the San Francisco Giants making a pitch for Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla.

The Miami Herald reported over the weekend that those talks appear to have cooled because of the Giants' reluctance to deal Jonathan Sanchez. The Fish will instead need to re-engage Baltimore, Texas and Atlanta on Uggla talks.

The Atlanta JC reports today that the Braves could be interested in Uggla and might be willing to send recently acquired Melky Cabrera to Florida as part of the deal.

Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post writes today that the Marlins would have to be "blown away" with an offer from Atlanta before they would consider a deal with a division rival.

The Boston Globe reported that the Marlins receive plenty of cash from revenue sharing and baseball's central fund and want to deal Uggla "to keep their profit margin high."

http:// [h3]Could Melky be traded again?[/h3]
8:34AM ET

[h5]Melky Cabrera | Braves[/h5]
Top Email


The talk in Atlanta is whether the Braves could have gotten more from the Yankees in the Javier Vazquez trade than Melky Cabrera and some pitching prospects.

David O'Brien of the Atlanta JC says it is possible Cabrera may not be with the Braves for long. The Braves could trade Cabrera in an attempt to add a slugger such as Florida's Dan Uggla.

The Vazquez deal also netted the Braves 19-year-old right-hander Arodys Vizcaino. O'Brien says the Braves compare Vizcaino to their own top pitching prospect, 18-year-old Julio Teheran.

http:// [h3]Branyan finds glut on market[/h3]
8:11AM ET

[h5]Russell Branyan | Mariners[/h5]
Top Email


Free agent first baseman Russell Branyan wants to cash in on a career year in which which he hit 31 homers for the Seattle Mariners.

A line of suitors has yet to develop, and the Boston Globe says Branyan is falling to victim to a buyer's market since Jack Cust, Adam LaRoche, Jim Thome, and Hank Blalock (among others) are still available. A return to Seattle for Branyan remains a possibility.

http:// [h3]Wright a fit at Fenway?[/h3]
8:02AM ET

[h5]David Wright | Mets[/h5]
Top Email


David Wright saw his home run production take a nosedive in 2009, so Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wonders if the third baseman is no longer a great fit for the Mets because of the spacious dimensions at Citi Field.

Wright hit at least 26 homers for four straight seasons before connecting for just 10 in 2009, the Mets' first at their new home. Wright, however, hit just as many homers on the road as he did at home (five).

Cafardo thinks Wright would be a solid fit for the Red Sox at Fenway Park. Maybe so, but the Mets would need to get a king's ransom from the Sox to even consider trading their most popular player.

http:// [h3]Creative accounting with Bay?[/h3]
7:45AM ET

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


There is some speculation that the Red Sox have not totally closed the door on a bid for Jason Bay. If the free agent were to somehow stay in Boston, it could require some creative accounting.

Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe writes today that if the Red Sox want to keep Bay and avoid paying serious luxury-tax money, they could offer a low base salary with the rest of the contract offered in backloaded option years. Boston has up to $48 million coming off the books after next season due to the expiring contracts of Josh Beckett, Mike Lowell, David Ortiz, Jason Varitek, and Julio Lugo.

Bay has a four-year offer from the New York Mets, but so far has been unwilling to pull the trigger. ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney wonders in Saturday's blog if the Cardinals might pursue Bay if they get tired of waiting for Matt Holliday.

 

[laced up jordans]

Mets, Please Listen:

Holliday > Bay

and NEVER EVER trade your franchise cornerstone player, David Wright

 

[DownByLaw]

If St. Louis doesn't sign Holliday, they can kiss Albert Pujols goodbye after his contract is up, mark my words.

 

[proshares]

If he's not going to put up the power numbers of 4 or the past 5 years and you're not surrounding him with players who can get on base and steal baseswhy not try and trade him? Teams will give grade A prospects for a player like him and it's not like the Mets are guaranteed to contend next season withthis roster that they're putting together.

In Boston's case, if you can get 3 out of Ellsbury, Clay, Westmoreland, Kelly, Kalish, Reddick, Bowden or Rizzo I think you go for it.