Rumors for December, 2010
Henry Blanco Rumors: Diamondbacks are close to deal with Blanco
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Free agent catcher Henry Blanco is close to signing a one-year deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to a source close to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. Gilbert says the deal is believed to be worth around $1 million and may include a mutual option for 2012.
Leonard Ojeda of Diario Meridiano recently reported that Blanco could reach an agreement with the Diamondbacks soon.
“Although there’s nothing official, I think that by the beginning of next week the transaction will be official,” said Blanco. “I’m happy because I would be with fellow country man Gerardo Parra and Melvin Mora. I think it’s going to be a very good year, and I expect to get far away because that’s what you look for; to play good baseball.”
The 39-year old Venezuelan played with the New York Mets last season, where he hit .215/.271/.300 with 2 HR and 8 RBI’s. The Diamondbacks are in a market for an experienced catcher to backup Miguel Montero.
Baltimore Orioles and RHP Kevin Gregg close to two-year deal
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According to a source close to ESPNBoston.com’s Joe McDonald reports that Kevin Gregg and the Baltimore Orioles are close to signing a two-year, $12 million deal.
Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun was the first to report the possibility of a deal last week. Zrebiec said at the time the Orioles had made a two-year offer worth between $8 to $10 million Gregg at the weeks Winter Meetings.
Besides the Orioles, the Los Angeles Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Rays and other teams have expressed interest in Gregg.
The 32-year-old right-hander was 2-6 with 37 saves and a 3.51 ERA in 63 appearances last season with the Toronto Blue Jays. Gregg was paid $2.75 million this season. Gregg had team options for 2011 and 2012 (worth $4.5 million and $4.25 million respectively), but the Jays declined both options early in November.
Ian Desmond wants to remain with the Washington Nationals
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Could Nationals shortstop Ian Desmond be used as trade bait to lure right-handed pitchers Zack Greinke or Matt Garza to Washington? Despite the trade rumors, Desmond has made it known that he wants to stay with the Nats, according to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson.
“I guess it’s good that other teams are interested in me, but I hope the Nationals keep me,” Desmond said. “I have been with them my whole career. I hope they like me enough to not trade me. But as long as I have a jersey, I’ll be OK. I really don’t care who I play for. I would love to stay with the Nationals, though.”
The Nats are looking for a starting pitcher and they have been rumored to going after Garza from the Tampa Bay Rays and Greinke from the Kansas City Royals. Should they land one of the pitchers, it’s likely that Desmond and/or starter Jordan Zimmermann would be apart of the trade.
San Francisco Giants still waiting on Edgar Renteria
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The last we heard, Edgar Renteria was close to a decision, but he was leaning towards a return to the San Francisco Giants. One day later, there’s no decision, according to MLB.com’s Chris Haft.
Haft says neither the Giants or Renteria’s chief agent, Barry Meister, would comment.
Last week, the Giants offered Renteria a contract believed to be in the $1 million range to be the team’s utility infielder next year. He’s previously said that he would like to return to the Giants.
Renteria said San Francisco and three other teams were possibilities for 2011, but he didn’t give details. Haft says that Renteria is weighing competing offers from the Florida Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals.
The Giants declined their $10.5 million team option in early November. Renteria was paid a $500,000 buyout at the time.
Gary Sheffield talking to Tampa Bay Rays about comeback?
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Free agent outfielder/designated hitter Gary Sheffield made it public last week at the Winter Meetings that he wanted to continue his career, and he wanted to do so with the Tampa Bay Rays.
At the time he hoped to have a sit down with the club. His wish came true when later in the week he had dinner with Rays’ manager Joe Maddon, according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times.
“I had a meeting with the Rays, and they’re going to get back to me, and it’s out there now that they’re talking to me and hopefully something comes about. I wanted to play last year, and the Nationals made a pitch all off-season. The Giants, the Rangers, all these teams was coming after me, but then all of a sudden, oh and the Diamondbacks, and so when it all came down to it, it was about situations came up where they’d sign another player and then all of a sudden when I was getting ready to sign somewhere else, the player turned down a deal somewhere else and he became an Arizona Diamondback and at the last minute, you know, obviously he’s younger, so they went that route. I got a call on the 18th of April and asked me to come play every day right field without no Spring Training and I was like, ‘No, I’m not going to do that.’ I have to have time to have Spring Training just like everybody else.”
Topkin added later in the evening that the dinner between Maddon and Sheffield was more of a get-to-know-you type of situation.
“Very informative, but that’s it,” Maddon said. “I wanted to get to know him better. Down the road it could help us.”
The 42-year-old Sheffield last played for the New York Mets in 2009 where he hit .276/.372/.451 with 10 home runs and 43 runs driven while playing 100 games.
Cliff Lee to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies
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Left-handed free agent pitcher Cliff Lee has informed the Texas Rangers that he is taking a deal from the Philadelphia Phillies, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. Lee left millions on the table in order to sign with the Phillies rather than return to the Texas Rangers or go with the New York Yankees. Both teams were offering longer and higher value contracts.
Jerry Crasnick of ESPN says that Lee will be in Philadelphia on Wednesday for his physical and the deal could be announced later in the day.
A source close to Yahoo Sports’ Tim Brown says that the Rangers were the highest bidder with a final offer for six-years plus a vesting option at $23 million per year for a total of $161 million, but much of it was deferred. Jerry Crasnick of ESPN says the Yankees final offer was $132 million over six years ($22 million per season), plus a $16 million player option for a total of $148 million. Crasnick later adds that Lee will get a $120 million guaranteed from the Phillies, and Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated says that Lee will receive a partial no-trade clause. A source close to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports adds that Lee will get a $12.5 million buyout after the fifth year or he can go with a $27.5 million vesting option in the sixth year. The maximum value of the deal is $135 million.
Heyman adds that Lee’s vest option for 2016 is activated with Lee pitching 200 innings in 2015 or 400 combined between 2014 and 2015.
Until today, it was believed that it was a two-team race between the Rangers and Yankees. Rangers GM, Jon Daniels said (via FOXSports Jon Paul Morosi):
“It’s disappointing, but we knew this was a possibility. We still like our club, and expect to improve it further. It’s hard to argue with his decision. They went to a spot they like. They have a chance to win. And they left money on the table. How many players can say that? We’ll move on now.”
Two sources within the Yankees organization told ESPNNewYork.com that it was clear to them by Sunday that if Lee hadn’t already accepted their offer, he probably never would. One member of the Yankees front office recommended pulling the offer from the table. The team is expected to have a press conference regarding the Lee decision later on Tuesday.
In order to free up money to afford Lee, the Phillies are shopping pitcher Joe Blanton, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.
Lee returns to the team that he spent the latter half of 2009. He helped them reach the World Series in a losing effort to the Yankees.
Pittsburgh Pirates officially sign Matt Diaz to a two-year contract
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The Pittsburgh Pirates have officially signed Matt Diaz a two-year contract according to Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com. In Langosch’s blog, she breaks down Diaz’s contract:
– Guaranteed $4.25 million
– Signing bonus: $250,000
– 2011 base salary: $2 million
– 2012 base salary: $2 million
– Plate appearanceincentives: $25,000 for 300 plate appearances; another $25,000 for 325 plate appearances; another $25,000 for 350 plate appearances; another $25,000 for 375 plate appearances; another $25,000 for 400 plate appearances
– Award incentives: $150,000 for MVP Award ($100,000 for second; $75,000 for third); $25,000 if World Series MVP; $25,000 if League Championship Series MVP; $25,000 if Division Series MVP; $25,000 for Gold Glove Award; $25,000 for All-Star appearance; $50,000 for Silver Slugger Award
– Club cannot offer salary arbitration to Diaz after the 2012 season if he is a Type A free agent.
Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com was the first to report that Diaz agreed to a two-year contract with the Pirates last week. During the hours that led up to Diaz’s signing, he had as many as ten suitors that were interested in the right-handed slugger.
The teams that were interested included the Seattle Mariners, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks. It was reported earlier that the Diamondbacks made an offer to Diaz but he was less than thrilled with the offer.
Carl Pavano Rumors: Nationals, Twins, Brewers and others in on Pavano
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Right-handed pitcher Carl Pavano is one of the hotter free agent now that Cliff Lee has decided to setup shop in Philadelphia. It wouldn’t be surprising if new teams come out of the wood works to go after Pavano. So keep up with the Pavano rumors for Tuesday here (newest rumors on top):
– Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel says that the Brewers remain in the hunt for Pavano. GM Doug Melvin was coy today when asked about the team’s interest.
– Ben Goessling of MASN says that Pavno is attracting interest from the Nationals, Twins and Brewers and he figures to have other teams in on him.
“Once the top guy falls, the rest of the market starts to pick up,” said Pavano’s agent, Tom O’Connell. “We’re not going to put a timetable on it. We’ve been in a good position all winter, we continue to be in a good position, and we’re going to focus on our opportunities.”
– Pavano is still exploring his options, but the other suitors are pessimistic and think he’s going back to Minnesota. (Jerry Crasnick, ESPN)
Red Sox unlikely to offer a three-year contract for a reliever
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Relievers Scott Downs and Joaquin Benoit have set the upper end of the market for middle relievers this winter by signing three-year deals. According to a source close to Alex Speir of WEEI.comthe Red Sox are not likely to offer a three-year deal to any relief pitcher.
Speir says that Boston would only go to such lengths to sign a pitcher whom the club deemed to be one of the best in the game.
Although there are several options on the market for relievers, the most attractive option is Rafael Soriano. Soriano will probably seek a closer-type contract, and the Red Sox will not likely offer him that kind of contract, since they have Jonathan Papelbon for 2011 and likely Daniel Bard for beyond.
The Red Sox have made Jesse Crain, Matt Guerrier and Brian Fuentesas their primary targets. If they want to land at least one of them, they will probably have to commit to a multi-year contract. Boston was interested in Downs prior to him signing with the Angels, but they backed off because they didn’t want to commit three-years to a 34-year old reliever.
Relievers Scot Downs and Joaquin Benoithave set the upper end of the market for middle relievers this winter by signing three-year deals. According to a source close to Alex Speir of WEEI.com the Red Sox are not likely to offer three-year deal to any releaver. Speir says that Boston would only go to such lengths to sign a pitcher whom the club deemed to be one of the best in the game. Although there are several options in the market for relievers, the most attractive is Rafael Soriano. Soriano will probably seek a closer-type contract, and the Red Sox will not likely offer him that kind of contract, they have Jonathan Papelbon for 2011 and likely Daniel Bard for beyond.
The RedSox have set Jesse Crain, Matt Guerrier and Brian Fuentesas their primary targets, but if they want to land at least one of them they will probaly have to commit to a contract for more than two year. Boston was interested in Downs but they backed off because they didn't want to commit three years to a 34-year old reliever.
Rich Harden Rumors: Athletics and Harden have talked
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According to sources close to Troy E. Renck of The Denver Post, Rich Harden will sign with the Oakland Athletics. Renck is confirming his sources. Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle says the A’s and Hardan have talked, but it appears that Harden might have better offers elsewhere.
The right-handed pitcher drew interest from Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays, Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers and the Colorado Rockies last week at the Winter Meetings.
Harden, 28, was 5-5 with 5.58 ERA in 20 appearances for the Rangers this season. He does have a career 3.63 ERA which is why teams are probably showing interest in the pitcher. He made $7.5 million on a one-year contract with Texas.
