Rumors for December, 2009
Cardinals offer Holliday $128 million 8-year contract?
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals have offered free agent outfielder Matt Holliday an 8-year contract that is worth “around $16 million a season”. This would equal to a total package that is approximately $128 million. St. Louis Cardinal’s General Manager John Mozeliak said, “He’s (Holliday is) still a player we like very much and hope to retain”. Sources familiar with Holliday feel like he can make a decision by Christmas.
This contract offer to Holliday is much larger than the seven-year, $100 million contract that Albert Pujols signed in 2003. Agent Scott Boras has been known to add provisions within his star client’s contract such a no-trade clause (something that Holliday wants) and an opt-out clause that will allow a player to get out of the contract after a set number of years. A no-trade clause can maximize an opt-out leverage since it may bully a team into a corner in the event the player wants to renegotiate their contract. If the team decides to not pay into the player’s demands, the player can pack up their bags and leave once their opt-out time vests. The team getting nothing in return.
Outfielder Mike Cameron in serious talks with Red Sox
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 21:09: Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com reports that Cameron has agreed to a 2-year deal in the range of $15.5 million pending a physical. The signing of Cameron indicates that Boston has walked away from Matt Holliday and Jason Bay.
The Red Sox have had a busy Monday. Let’s see what they’ve done so far:
- They made an offer to Cuben phenom pitcher Aroldis Chapman.
- They discussed a trade with the Padres for Adrian Gonzalez.
- That’s in addition to being turned down by Jason Bay over the weekend.
Oh yeah… They also signed pitcher John Lackey.
The latest rumor from Boston according to Ken Rosenthal’s Tweet is that Mike Cameron and the Red Sox are in serious negotiations on a two-year deal. It is unknown whether he’ll play center field or left field.
Over the last week, several teams have indicated their interest in Cameron, including the Yankees, Braves, Cubs, Mets and Giants. Cameron played center field for the Brewers last season and made $10 million while hitting 24 home runs, driving in 70 RBIs and hitting .250. You can see his complete statistics here.
Breaking News: SI's Jon Heyman reports 3-way trade agreed with Halladay and Lee
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 12/15/09 08:22 PST: Ken Rosenthal Tweets that the Roy Halladay extension is three-years in the $60 million range with a chance for a fourth year either guaranteed or vesting option, but this is all under discussion. ESPN.com reports that Halladay is currently taking a physical in Philadelphia.
| Team | Acquires | Source |
| Phillies | P Roy Halladay (from Blue Jays) OF Tyson Gillies (from Mariners) RHP Phillpe Aumont (from Mariners) RHP Juan Ramirez (from Mariners) $6 million cash (from Blue Jays) |
Source: ESPN.com
Source: FoxSports.com |
| Mariners | P Cliff Lee (from Phillies) | Source: FoxSports.com |
| Blue Jays | C Travis d’Arnaud (from Phillies) OF Michael Taylor (from Phillies) RHP Kyle Drabek (from Phillies) |
Source: ESPN.com |
20:52 PST: Right now the 3-way trade involving Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee is not finalized, but it’s close. All sorts of prospect names are being tossed around, but it seems that Domonic Brown, the Phillies top position prospect is off the table. Even ESPN is contradicting themselves between their telecast and website. This is the latest that I’ve been able to piece together based on the website and their interview with reporter Jayson Stark.
| Team | Acquires | Source |
| Phillies | P Roy Halladay (pending a signed extension beyond his 2010 contract) (from Blue Jays) OF Tyson Gillies (from Mariners) RHP Phillpe Aumont (from Mariners) |
Source: ESPN.com Source: FoxSports.com |
| Mariners | P Cliff Lee (from Phillies) | Source: FoxSports.com |
| Blue Jays | C Travis d’Arnaud (from Phillies) OF Michael Taylor (from Phillies) RHP Kyle Drabek or LHP J.A. Happ (from Phillies) |
Source: ESPN.com |
17:26 PST: Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com Tweets that the prospects involved could be Philipe Aumont, Michael Saunders, Carlos Triunfel of the Mariners and Domonic Brown, Kyle Drabek, Michael Taylor and Travis d’Arnaud of the Phillies. Obviously, not all of these prospects will be traded. Just a note, the Blue Jays were very interested in pitcher Kyle Drabek at the July trade deadline, but the Phillies deemed him untouchable at the time. I wonder if the Phillies’ attitude is “win now” and therefore are taking one last shot at the World Series and mortgaging their future for the present.
15:59 PST: Jon Heyman of SI.com Tweets that Seattle’s Michael Sunders is in the deal (destination unknown). Seattle’s RHP Brandon Morrow may stay put.
15:47 PST: According to ESPN.com, Halladay would agree to a three-year contract extension through 2013, with a vesting option that could lengthen the deal by another year or two. Halladay will be guaranteed a salary in the neighborhood of $60 million plus the $15.75 million he is already contracted for in 2010. You can see his current contract details here.
| Team | Acquires | Source |
| Phillies | P Roy Halladay (from Blue Jays) Cash to cover Halladay’s contract next season (from Blue Jays) 2 prospects (from Mariners) |
Source: ESPN.com
Source: FoxSports.com |
| Mariners | P Cliff Lee (from Phillies) | Source: FoxSports.com |
| Blue Jays | RHP Phillpe Aumont (from Mariners) C Travis d’Arnaud (from Phillies) Possibly OF Michael Taylor (from Phillies) Possibly OF Domonic Brown (from Phillies but unlikely) |
Source: ESPN.com |
14:47PST: Revised trade scenario (see above)
14:09 PST: Revised trade scenario (see above)
13:15 PST: Revised trade scenario (see above)
13:10 PST: According to the Philly Zone, Roy Halladay and his agent have checked into a Philadelphia-area hotel. The only way that a trade with Halladay and the Phillies would occur is if he will sign a contract extension with the club. Halladay has a no trade clause and will most likely waive it if he has a long term deal in place. FoxSports reports that, “as of shortly after 3 p.m. Monday — the commissioner’s office had not yet granted the Phillies permission to discuss an extension with Halladay”.
13:00 PST: Jon Heyman of SI Tweets that there’s a 3-way trade agreed to with pitcher Roy Halladay going to to the Philadelphia Phillies, Cliff Lee going to the Seattle Mariners. The Phillies are trying to lock up Halladay now.
Angels in serious talks with Hideki Matsui
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 12/16 10:32am PST: It’s official. See it here.
Update 16:23 PST: Tyler Kepner, New York Times beat writer for the New York Yankees, reports that Hideki Matsui and the Los Angeles Angels have agreed to a one-year contract. Luckily for Matsui, the Angels will be in New York for the Yankee’s home opener and ring ceremony on April 13.
Update 16:09 PST: Ken Davidoff of Newsday Tweets that Hideki Matsui’s agent, Arn Tellum, says “I can confirm that we are in serious discussions with the Angels”.
ESPN.com reports that the Los Angeles Angels are in serious talks with free agent designated hitter Hideki Matsui. Buster Olney Tweets that the offer with the Angels is 1 year for about $6.5 million. A sharp discount from the $13 million he made with the Yankees in 2009.
Matsui was open to a 1 year deal to remain with the Yankees, but it seems that Yankees have prioritized getting free agent outfielder Johnny Damon back. MLBSecrets thought that the Yankees may be using Damon and Matsui to drive each other’s asking price down, but that plan may backfire if Matsui decides to sign with the Angels.
Matsui, 36 on Opening Day 2010, is coming off a 4 year, $52 million contract. Matsui had a “Godzilla” year in 2009 with 28 home runs and 90 RBI’s and a World Series MVP. You can see the rest of Matsui’s stats here. If the Angels sign Matsui, it would mean last year’s designated hitter, Vladimir Guerrero would not be back. It has been rumored that the Rangers have been interested in Guerrero.
Red Sox make offer to Cuban LHP Aroldis Chapman
Posted by: | CommentsESPN.com reports that highly coveted Cuban left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman has an offer on the table from the Boston Red Sox for $15.5 million. Chapman’s agent, Randy Hendricks, told teams that they are not accepting offers at this point. On Tuesday, the Cuban defector is scheduled to throw for teams at a workout in Houston.
Melissa Segura of SI.com reported in November that the Tigers, Orioles, Red Sox, White Sox, Cubs, Yankees, Mets, Athletics and Cardinals have expressed interest in the pitcher.
The 6′ 4″ Chapman defected from the Cuban national team on July 1, during a tournament in the Netherlands. His fastball has been clocked at 102 MPH at the World Baseball Classic in 2009. It is believed that Chapman will command more than the $32 million that the Yankees paid for Jose Contreras in 2002.
Craig Counsell agrees to $2.1 million deal with Brewers
Posted by: | CommentsESPN.com confirms that free agent Craig Counsell has agreed to a $2.1 million 1 year deal with the Milwaukee Brewers. In addition to his base salary, he can earn up to $500,000 in performance bonuses: $50,000 each for 50, 75, 90 and 110 games, and $100,000 each for 125 games and 75 and 100 starts.
Counsell, 39, his .285, hit 4 home runs and drove in 39 RBI’s in 127 games last season with the Brewers. You can read his statistical history here.
Cubs interested in closer Matt Capps
Posted by: | CommentsThe Pittsburgh Pirates surprisingly decided to non-tender closer Matt Capps and that has the Chicago Cubs among many teams interested in him. According to Chicago Breaking Sports News, Capps could fill in late inning relief help for the Cubs as a right-handed setup man.
Capps, 26, the Pirate’s closer for the last 3 seasons had 27 saves last season with 5.80 ERA while making $2.3 million. He’s arbitration-eligible and he should expect a significant raise.
Yankees interested in Sheets and Duchscherer
Posted by: | CommentsYahoo Sports reports that the Yankees are interested in free agent pitchers Ben Sheets. and Ryan Duchscherer. Both pitchers sat out the 2009 season due to the injuries.
Several teams have already reported interest in Sheets this off season including the Rangers, Mets, Yankees and Cubs. He was 13-9 with a 3.09 ERA in 198 1/3 innings for the Brewers in 2008. Sheet is reportedly looking for $11 or $12 million. He suffered a torn flexor tendon in his elbow and was forced to sit out 2009.
Duchscherer’s agent reported at least a “dozen teams” have inquired on Duchscherer’s service for 2010. Yahoo Sports says, “The word is that the agent is allowing teams to talk to Duchscherer’s therapist to be sure he’s ready to get back into the bigs.” The pitcher had elbow surgery and suffers from clinical depression. Duchscherer was 10-8 in 22 games with a 2.54 ERA in 2008 with the Oakland Athletics. You can see his complete statistics here.
Yankees and Reds interested in Brian Giles
Posted by: | CommentsBuster Olney reports that a handful of teams want to give outfielder Brian Giles a chance in 2010. Among those teams are the Reds and Yankees. Giles batted .191 for the San Diego Padres in an injury shorted 2009 season, .100 points lower than his career average of .291. You can see his entire career statistics here.
