Rumors for December, 2009
Are the Giants secretly pursuing Matt Holliday?
Posted by: | CommentsAndrew Baggerly of the San Jose Mercury News paraphrases an open court that agent Scott Boras had with the media at the Winter Meetings. In regards to Matt Holliday and the San Francisco Giants on whether the team is interested, Boras says, “That’s my assumption. When you look at the game and you can get a top-seven player at a position … Obviously, the Giants have this window of opportunity in the next four or five years with one of the dominant pitching staffs in the game, if not the most dominant. and they were 29th, I think, in runs scored. (Actually 26th.) If you add a player who can add to the pitching staff as an incredible defensive contributor (while) adding a middle-of-the-order bat capable of 90 RBIs, I’d say he’d be pretty welcome in the Giants’ situation.”
Boras goes on to say, “I understand what teams say publicly and what they say privately. I’m not going to come to you guys and let you know what they really say. There are teams that have interest and don’t want to let anyone to truly know”.
Does this mean that the Giants are secretly making a run for Holliday? There aren’t that many right-handed batters like Holliday that have his pure athleticism, post season experience and the ability to drive in and produce 100 runs.
Boras says that Beltre compares favorably to Bay
Posted by: | CommentsAndrew Baggerly of the San Jose Mercury News had a few quotes from agent Scott Boras who held court at the Winter Meetings. Boras mentioned that free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre has 5 or 6 teams interested in his services and he should command a premium salary because of his defensive ability and his run-producing abilities. He goes on to say that Beltre’s road numbers from 06-08 are on par with Jason Bay’s road numbers from 07-09. (Baggerly confirmed these numbers and stressed that Boras was referring to Safeco’s unfriendliness to right-handed batters).
Beltre’s suitors will continue to grow as teams shift their incumbent third basemen or trade them. Baggerly believes that the Red Sox are the team that are chasing after Beltre by moving Mike Lowell.
The Mariners are interested in re-signing Beltre even though Safeco Park is not friendly to right-handed hitters, and to some degree have deflated Beltre’s statistics. Prospective GM’s know that if they have a right-handed hitter’s park, Beltre’s already good number will be great.
Rich Harden headed to Texas Rangers
Posted by: | CommentsUpdated 2:31pm PST: MLB.com reports that Rich Harden is headed to the Texas Rangers. He is to sign a 1 year deal for $7.5 million with an $11.5 million option.
Buster Olney of ESPN (ESPN Insider) reports that pitcher Rich Harden is on the verge of an agreement with the Seattle Mariners. Terms are not available, but Harden was open to signing a 1-year contract for those teams reluctant to sign him due to his poor health record. Harden was classified in the second tier of free agent pitchers. He was being marketed as a “plan B” towards those teams that are in the hunt for starting pitcher John Lackey or Roy Halladay such as the Yankees and the Red Sox.
Harden, 28, was 9-9 with a 4.09 ERA in 141 innings in 26 games for the Chicago Cubs. He was injured throughout his career with the Oakland Athletics which makes him a high risk in signing him to a long-term deal. You can see his past salary and statistics here.
Derek Lowe wants to stay in Atlanta
Posted by: | CommentsRight-handed pitcher Derek Lowe has indicated his desire to stay with the Atlanta Braves despite his name mentioned in numerous trade rumors.
Jayson Stark of ESPN.com reports that the, “Braves are telling teams they’ll eat $ on Derek Lowe. Optimistic they can move him as an attractive Plan B for teams that don’t sign Lackey”. He goes on to say, “”Braves no longer asking for veteran bats. Would take prospect(s) and presumably use $ saved to sign a free-agent bat”. The Braves are in need of an outfielder and first basemen have been linked to Nick Johnson.
Moving Lowe will be difficult given that he just completed the first year of a 4 year $60 million contract. Lowe, 36, was 15-10 with a 4.67 ERA in 34 games last year with the Braves. You can view his contract and stats here.
Reliever Matt Lindstrom to the Astros for prospects
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 4:34pm PST: USA Today reports that the trade is official. Here’s the deal:
| Team | Acquires |
| Astros | RHP Matt Lindstrom 2 minor league player to be named later |
| Marlins | RHP Robert Bono INF Luis Bryan. |
The Palm Beach Post reports that the Marlin’s right-handed reliever Matt Lindstrom will be dealt to the Houston Astros for prospects. Lindstrom has generated a lot of interest this off season from as many as 10 teams.
Lindstrom had a salary of $410,000 in 2009, and through arbitration he should be able to make at least $1.5 million in 2010. In 2009, Lindstrom was 2-1 with a 5.89 ERA in 54 games. You can review his previous contracts and stats here.
National League Winter Baseball Meetings Review in 60 seconds or less
Posted by: | CommentsIt’s day #3 of the 2009 Winter Baseball Meetings. Here’s a recap of all the rumors you need to know thus far for the National League. Find your favorite below and jump up and down, swear or just sit still.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Completed the 3 team trade with the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers. They acquired 2 starting pitchers in RHP Edwin Jackson (from DET) and RHP Ian Kennedy (from NYY). Interested in first baseman Nick Johnson.
Atlanta Braves: On the verge of trading reliever Rafael Soriano to the Astros or Orioles. Designated Ryan Church for assignment. Shown interest in Mike Cameron and Marlon Byrd.
Chicago Cubs: Milton Bradley may be headed to an AL club (possibly the Tampa Bay Rays, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals or Toronto Blue Jays) in exchange for another high priced contract. A third team may be involved. Interested in pitcher Joel Pineiro. Pineiro wants $10 million or more per season based on Randy Wolf’s contract. Shown interest in Mike Cameron and Marlon Byrd.
Cincinatti Reds: Interested in second baseman Jamey Carroll.
Colorado Rockies: The Denver Post reports that the Rockies are on the verge of signing Yorvit Torrealba, to a 2 year contract worth $5-5.5 million. Steve Henson of Yahoo Tweets that the Rockies are interested in re-signing Jason Marquis at a reduced rate.
Florida Marlins: The Marlins may trade starting pitcher Josh Johnson to the Texas Rangers. The Rangers have offered prospects Justin Smoak and Neftali Feliz in exchange for Johnson.
Houston Astros: Have been rumored to be in trade talks with the Braves for pitcher Rafael Soriano. Were trying to re-sign LaTroy Hawkins before he signed with the Milwaukee Brewers. Seems unlikely that Miguel Tejada will return to the Astros. Instead they are looking at signing third baseman Pedro Feliz.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Pursuing reliever Luis Ayala for a minor league contract. They are still in the running for pitcher Roy Halladay.
Milwaukee Brewers: Signed Randy Wolf to a 3 year $29.75 million contract. Signed relief pitcher LaTroy Hawkins to a 2 year deal pending a physical.
New York Mets: They are close to signing catcher Bengie Molina, but only want to offer a 2 year deal while Molina wants a 3 year deal. Continuing to pursue pitcher John Lackey. Like the other teams, they do not want to open the $100+ million gateway with Lackey. Interested in pitcher Darren Oliver. Interested in pitcher Joel Pineiro. Pineiro wants $10 million or more per season based on Randy Wolf’s contract. Shown interest in Mike Cameron and Marlon Byrd.
Philadelphia Phillies: Signed pinch hitter Ross Gload to a 2 year deal. Shopping starting pitcher Joe Blanton to free up payroll to spend on a free agent or enter Roy Halladay lottery.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Interested in re-signing pitcher Matt Capps. Not interested in bringing back Brian Giles. Seriously pursuing shortstop Bobby Crosby.
San Diego Padres: Spoke with the Giants regarding a trade for third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff, but the Padres wanted more than Fred Lewis and Kevin Frandsen in return. Talks with starting pitcher Kevin Correia may be breaking down and he’ll be non-tendered by Saturday’s deadline. The Padres want to sign Correia to a hometown discount. Released right handed pitcher Eulogio De La Cruz.
San Francisco Giants: Giants top priorities are a veteran catcher that will sign a 1-year contract and a solid first baseman. They have been rumored to be going after catchers Brad Ausmus, Yorvit Torrealba, Jason Kendall and Miguel Olivo. The Giant’s may go after a free agent first basemen in Nick Johnson, Mark DeRosa or Adam LaRoche or infielders Juan Uribe or Adrian Beltre. They spoke with the Padres regarding a trade for third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff, but the Padres wanted more than Fred Lewis and Kevin Frandsen in return. Shown interest in Mike Cameron and Marlon Byrd.
St. Louis Cardinals: Continuing to pursue Matt Holliday, but in doing so they may be losing the opportunity to sign free agents such as Mark DeRosa. May be interested in signing Miguel Tejada.
Washington Nationals: Interested in pitcher Joel Pineiro. Pineiro wants $10 million or more per season based on Randy Wolf’s contract. Signed Jerry Owens to a minor league contract.
Kevin Millwood to Orioles for Chris Ray and cash
Posted by: | CommentsUpdated 12:12 PST: Ken Rosenthal of Sports Illustrated Tweets that the Rangers will pay $3M of Millwood’s $12M salary in deal with O’s.
According to the Baltimore Sun, the Baltimore Orioles have a tentative agreement with the Rangers to acquire starting pitcher Kevin Millwood for pitcher Chris Ray and an undisclosed amount of cash. This rumor surfaced early on Monday and should be completed by the end of today. The Mets were also in the running for Millwood. Here’s how the trade breaks down:
| Team | Acquires |
| Orioles | RHP Kevin Millwood |
| Rangers | RHP Chris Ray Cash |
Ray was 0-4 with a 7.27 ERA in 43 1/3 innings with the Orioles in 2009 while pulling in a $850,000 salary. Millwood, a Scott Boras client, was 13-10 in 31 games with a 3.67 ERA over 198 2/3 innings with the Rangers in 2009. Millwood had a salary of $11 million in 2009 and has a base salary of $12 million in 2010.
Brewers sign pitcher Randy Wolf to 3-year $29 million deal
Posted by: | CommentsUpdate 12:16pm PST: The final number is $29.75 million over 3 years according to Ken Rosenthal of SI.com.
Ken Rosenthal of SI.com tweeted that the Milwaukee Brewers and pitcher Randy Wolf have agreed to a 3-year $29 million deal. Wolf had a 11-7 record with a 3.23 ERA with the Dodgers in 2009.
The Brewers made their offer based on Atlanta’s 3-year $28 million contract with pitcher Tim Hudson in November. They went with a big dollar contract with Wolf right off the bat as others pursued top free agent pitcher John Lackey.
Yankees to trade prospect Jesus Montero for Roy Halladay?
Posted by: | CommentsOne rumor that ESPN.com has circulated includes prospect Jesus Montero for pitcher Roy Halladay. Keith Law goes on to say that a Jesus Montero-only deal for Halladay is not likely to a fellow AL East team. If the Yankees were motivated to get Halladay, they would need to add at least a Phil Hughes and Zach McAllister.
One hangup, especially with the Los Angeles Angels, is that many teams would want Halladay to sign a long-term deal before they send a package full of prospects to the Blue Jays. There isn’t any interest in a 1 year rental of Halladay this early.
