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Wednesday MLB winter meetings blog
MLB Hot Stove
Ken Rosenthal and our MLB crew have you covered. Check out all the news and notes from the hot stove.
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11:54 p.m. — BoSox close with Teixeira?
The Red Sox are making progress in their quest to sign free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, according to a major-league source.
"Headway was being made earlier today," one source said.
A rival general manager whose plans could be affected by the Red Sox's addition of Teixeira also indicated that a deal was getting closer.
Teixeira is the Red Sox's No. 1 offseason target. They view him as the perfect fit for the middle of their order.
Teixeira is seeking a 10-year contract for at least $20 million per season. The Red Sox preference would be to sign him to a deal between six and eight years.
UPDATED 11:25 — Yanks can have one, not both
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| The Yanks are after A.J. Burnett, too. (Nick Laham / Getty Images) |
The Yankees will not sign both A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe, according to a major-league source. They can sign one of the aformentioned pitchers, and Andy Pettitte or another free-agent pitcher. They've also spoken to Ben Sheets.
The Yankees have increased their offer to Burnett to include a fifth year, according to a major-league source. That development was first reported by ESPN.com.
A source told Gerry Fraley earlier Wednesday that Burnett, who is seeking a five-year deal, has an $80 million offer from the Braves. He presumably would want more from the Yankees.
The Yankees are "progressing" in their discussions with Lowe, according to a major-league source. Another source, however, says reports that the team is close with Lowe are overblown.
Lowe is expected to receive a deal for between three and five years with an average of around $17 million per year.
UPDATED 11:12 p.m. — Done deal: Putz to Mets
The Mets have acquired a setup man for new closer Francisco Rodriguez — and that setup man is another closer from the American League West.
J.J. Putz is headed to New York in a three-team trade with the Mariners and Indians, according to major-league sources.
Under terms of the deal, the Mets get Putz, outfielder Jeremy Reed and reliever Sean Green from Seattle. The Mariners receive reliever Aaron Heilman, outfielder Endy Chavez, first baseman Mike Carp, and minor leaguers Maikel Cleto, Jason Vargas and Ezequiel Carrera from the Mets. They also get Franklin Gutierrez from the Indians and minor leaguers. The Indians get reliever Joe Smith from the Mets and infielder Luis Valbuena from Seattle.
From the Mets' perspective, the deal is Heilman and Smith for Putz. Chavez and Reed are simply an exchange of backup outfielders; Smith and Green are an exchange of right-handed groundball specialists.
10:42 p.m. — Dodgers could give Manny more years
The Dodgers have had internal discussions about extending their contract offer to Manny Ramirez to three years. Los Angeles made Ramirez a two-year offer early in the offseason but it was dismissed by agent Scott Boras.
Ramirez has expanded his offseason workouts at Athletes Performance Institute, from two months last year to three this winter. -- Ed Price
9:32 p.m. — Source: Tigers to aqcuire Edwin Jackson
The Detroit Tigers are set to acquire right-hander Edwin Jackson from the Tampa Bay Rays for outfielder Matt Joyce, according to a major-league source.
Tampa Bay, with David Price on the way, had a surplus of starting pitching. Jackson, 25, was 14-11 this year with a 4.25 ERA.
In exchange the Rays get a 24-year-old, left-handed-hitting corner outfielder who hit 12 homers in 242 at-bats. -- Ed Price
6:56 p.m. — Phils looking to deal Eaton
Philadelphia is trying to give away underachieving right-hander Adam Eaton.\
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| The Cards are hot after Brian Fuentes. (Doug Pensinger / Getty Images) |
The Phillies will deal Eaton to any team that will take on $1 million of the $9 million he is due for the final guaranteed season of a three-year contract. The Phillies want nothing in return.
Eaton was 4-8 with a 5.80 ERA this season and spent part of the year in the minors. The Phillies did not include him on the postseason roster. --Gerry Fraley
UPDATED 6:51 p.m. — Latest on Fuentes
Free-agent left-hander Brian Fuentes appears headed for a three-year, $33 million contract, major-league sources say, but the question is which club will give it to him.
The Cardinals might rather trade for someone more inexpensive, and the Brewers and Tigers also would figure to pass on that large of an investment in a closer.
That would leave the Angels, who likely would draw criticism if they paid Fuentes, 33, only $4 million less than the Mets awarded Francisco Rodriguez, 26, over three years.
Fuentes is less accomplished than Rodriguez, and the Angels would forfeit a first-round draft pick if they signed him. They could have kept Rodriguez without losing the pick.
Then again, Angels manager Mike Scioscia has always liked Fuentes, and the Angels tried to acquire him from the Rockies at the July 31 non-waiver deadline.
5:05 p.m. — Mets' trade offer shot down
The Mets, seeking a setup man for new closer Francisco Rodriguez, were rebuffed in their attempt to trade right Aaron Heilman to the Rockies for righty Huston Street.
Heilman has drawn interest from more than a dozen clubs. The Mets turned down the Cubs' offer of righty Jason Marquis. It seems inevitable, however, that the Mets will find a match.
Street, too, has drawn interest from numerous clubs. The Rockies have yet to receive a tempting offer.
5:00 p.m. — Astros shopping Wigginton
While the Astros are having trouble finding a taker for Miguel Tejada, they are also shopping Ty Wigginton as part of their effort to pare salary, and the most interest right now is from Arizona.
Wigginton, who played third base in Houston but played second a fair amount in 2004 and 2006-07, would replace free agent Orlando Hudson at second for the Diamondbacks.
The Dodgers had interest in Wigginton before re-signing Casey Blake, and Cleveland briefly considered him before deciding against it. Teams have told Houston they will consider Tejada if other options fall through. --Ed Price
4:28 p.m. — Source: Braves prepared to lose Smoltz
The Braves are prepared to lose right-hander John Smoltz as a free agent if another team offers him a significant guarantee on a one-year deal, according to a source with knowledge of the team's thinking.
Smoltz, 41, has undergone five arm surgeries — four on his elbow, one on his shoulder last June. The Braves believe that his medical history warrants a contract with a low base salary and the chance to earn more through performance-based incentives.
Smoltz's agents are circulating his medical records and recent video of him throwing off a mound to teams gathered at the winter meetings.
Smoltz was an All-Star in his last full season — in 2007 — in which he went 14-8 with a 3.11 ERA in 205 2/3 innings pitched.
2:55 p.m. — Rangers ask about Sheffield
Texas has contacted Detroit about the availability of outfielder-designated hitter Gary Sheffield.
The Rangers need a middle-of-the-lineup bat to replace Milton Bradley, headed out of town as a free agent. Sheffield carries risks. He is 40 years old and has been troubled by shoulder problems in recent seasons. Sheffield last had a 30-homer, 100-RBI season in 2005. --Gerry Fraley
2:17 p.m. — Angels face obstacle in Teixeira pursuit
Mark Teixeira: 2008 stats
The Angels continue to face an uphill fight in their quest to retain free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira.
Teixeira, according to two major-league sources, would prefer to be on the east coast for family reasons.
Three east-coast teams — the Red Sox, Nationals and Orioles — are pursuing Teixeira. And the Red Sox believe that the Nats and O's are pushing hard to bring Teixeira back to the Maryland area.
Teixeira is a native of Severna Park, Md., a suburb of Baltimore. His wife, Georgia, is from the Atlanta area.
If the Angels lose Teixeira, it could prompt them to make a run at free-agent left fielder Manny Ramirez.
Without Teixeira or Ramirez, the team could face an offensive crisis both short- and long-term.
Right fielder Vladimir Guerrero will be a free agent after next season, and the Angels might not want to award him a long-term contract at age 33. --Ken Rosenthal and Ed Price
UPDATED 1:25 p.m. — Source: Burnett gets new offer
A source told Gerry Fraley that the Braves made an offer to A.J. Burnett late Tuesday of $80 million over five years.
Talks between the Braves and the free-agent right-hander "progressed through the night," with the Yankees still a factor in the discussions, major-league sources told Ken Rosenthal.
The Braves are pushing hard to land Burnett, the second-most desirable starter on the market after lefty CC Sabathia, who has a preliminary agreement with the Yankees.
The Yankees have shown interest in every quality free-agent starting pitcher, and could opt for a three- or four-year deal with right- hander Derek Lowe or a shorter deal with Ben Sheets rather than give Burnett the five-year contract he is seeking. Full Story...
1:23 p.m. — Exec: 'No upside' to opt-out
One rival executive points out there is "no upside" to giving a player an opt-out clause such as the Yankees are doing for CC Sabathia.
If he performs well, Sabathia will likely exercise the opt-out after the third year and become a free agent. If he does not perform well or is injured, the Yankees are on the hook for the rest of his contract.
It is the situation the Blue Jays faced with A.J. Burnett, who opted out of his current deal after three years.
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| The White Sox are still in talks with the Reds about Jermaine Dye. (Jamie Squire / Getty Images) |
1:11 p.m. — ChiSox, Reds still talking Dye
The Jermaine Dye-to-the-Reds discussions continue at a "moderate" level, but for the moment the White Sox continue to plan on Dye being their Opening Day right fielder, according to a major-league source.
A deal for Dye was indeed close before Thanksgiving, the source said, with the White Sox expected to receive right-hander Homer Bailey and perhaps another prospect in return.
The trade, however, stalled in part due to questions about how much the White Sox would pay of Dye's $11.5 million salary next season. The amount they paid would have affected the quality of the second prospect in the deal.
Now, the Reds simply might wait to determine whether they can sign a free-agent outfielder such as Bobby Abreu or Pat Burrell at a comparable salary without giving up any players in a trade.
Neither Abreu nor Burrell was offered salary arbitration by their former clubs, so neither would cost the Reds a draft pick.
1:00 p.m. — Orioles close with Izturis
The Orioles, who have been seeking a shortstop since trading Miguel Tejada to the Astros last winter, are close to a two-year agreement with free agent Cesar Izturis, according to major-league sources.
The deal is pending a physical, which is set for Thursday.
Izturis, 28, spent last season with the Cardinals, batting .263 with a .319 on-base percentage and one home run in 414 at-bats.
The Orioles, however, value him for his defense. Izturis ranked fourth among all regular shortstops last season in the plus-minus defensive system employed by Bill James Online. --Ken Rosenthal and Ed Price
UPDATED 12:58 p.m. — More Sabathia contract details
Top of the heap
 CC Sabathia would become the highest paid pitcher in MLB if he signs the reported 7-year, $161M deal with the Yanks. |
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--Unofficial figures; deferrals not included |
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Free-agent left-hander CC Sabathia, who reached preliminary agreement on terms with the Yankees on a seven-year contract worth approximately $161 million earlier Wednesday according to a major-league source, will have an out built into the contract.
Sabathia will receive an opt-out clause after three years, which was a prerequisite for him to sign with any team, not just the Yankees, according to a source. The deal is all cash and will include no deferrals.
Such a clause would give Sabathia the chance for another monster payday in free agency at age 31 — and provides him with an escape if he finds the New York experience unappealing.
The contract has an average annual value of $23 million. Johan Santana's previous record deal for a pitcher — six years, $137.5 million — had an average annual value of approximately $20.5 million after accounting for deferrals.
The contract is the fourth-largest overall in major-league history, behind Alex Rodriguez's two free-agent contracts and Manny Ramirez's original deal with the Red Sox.
The deal will be officially completed after Sabathia passes a physical and the remaining language issues are resolved. Full story...
12:43 p.m. — Mets eyeing Pierre?
Imagine Jose Reyes and Juan Pierre combining for 140 stolen bases at the top of the Mets' batting order.
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| The Mets may have interest in dealing for Juan Pierre. (Harry How / Getty Images) |
The idea is a longshot, but the Mets have shown interest in trading for Pierre, the Dodgers' forgotten outfielder.
To move Pierre, the Dodgers would need to assume a large chunk of his remaining salary — $10 million in 2009, $10 million in 2010 and $8.5 million in '11.
The Mets' preference in left field is for a right-handed hitter, and Pierre hits from the left side. Where he ranks on the team's list of possibilities is not known.
The Dodgers, meanwhile, are reluctant to move Pierre before knowing whether they will keep free-agent left fielder Manny Ramirez.
They also are reluctant to move Pierre because they have no idea what they will get out of Andruw Jones, who appeared in only 75 games last season due to a knee injury and batted .158.
If Jones proves incapable of playing every day, the Dodgers again will use Matt Kemp in center. And if Ramirez does not return under that scenario, Pierre could end up playing left field.
Some teams also have expressed interest in Jones, a move that would require the Dodgers to pay nearly all of his remaining salary — $17.1 million next season with a $5 million deferred payment in 2010.
12:03 p.m. — Brewers not planning fire sale
The Brewers, on the verge of losing free-agent left-hander CC Sabathia, do not plan to tear down their roster and trade players such as first baseman Prince Fielder and shortstop J.J. Hardy, general manager Doug Melvin said Wednesday morning.
"We'll make good baseball deals if they're out there," Melvin told FOXSports.com, "But our players are too talented and too young (to move). If you're trading guys in their first or second year of arbitration, you can't really build like that.
"We've got four players who were All-Stars in their first four years — Fielder, Hardy, (Corey) Hart and (Ryan Braun). They're talented players. We've got two good young pitchers — (Yovani) Gallardo and (Manny) Parra. We'll have to scramble for pitching a bit now." Full story...
11:51 a.m. — Official: Rockies, Embree agree
Colorado has reached an agreement with free-agent left-hander Alan Embree on a two-year deal, a club official said.
Embree, who will pitch next season at age 39, brings a durable arm to the Rockies' bullpen. He has made more than 60 appearances annually since 1999. --Gerry Fraley
3:00 a.m. — Cubs trying to fit Peavy in budget
The Cubs could make the deal for Peavy at any moment and fit him into their 2009 budget as long as they trimmed payroll in other areas, sources say.
One way to do that would be by trading right-hander Jason Marquis and possibly infielder/outfielder Mark DeRosa, then acquiring an inexpensive left-handed hitting outfielder.
General manager Jim Hendry, however, is reluctant to absorb the $63 million remaining on Peavy's contract through 2012 without some type of approval from whoever the new owner might be.
Such approval should not be impossible to obtain; the Cubs evidently had it when they awarded Hendry a four-year contract extension in October.
Thus, a trade still could happen before the completion of the sale, or even the identification of the new owner.
Padres general manager Kevin Towers sounded confident Tuesday that the discussions were moving forward.
The Cubs still need to move Marquis and are reluctant to move DeRosa to the Phillies, the third team in the discussions. But they would not allow their affection for DeRosa prevent them from getting Peavy
2:35 a.m. — Pirates looking to trade SS Wilson
Pittsburgh believes it will soon be able to trade veteran shortstop Jack Wilson. Kansas City, Oakland and the Los Angeles Dodgers are among a group of teams looking for a front-line shortstop. The Pirates want prospects in return to stock what is a thin minor-league system. --Gerry Fraley
12:01 a.m. — Source: BoSox meet with Teixeira's agent
According to a major-league source, Red Sox officials Tuesday night met with agent Scott Boras — presumably their first face-to-face talks on free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, whom Boston sees as a very good fit. Discussions with Boras could also include pitcher Derek Lowe. --Ed Price
Complete news and notes: Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday
Ken Rosenthal is FOXSports.com's senior baseball writer. Gerry Fraley writes baseball for FOXSports.com. Ed Price covers the Yankees for the Newark Star-Ledger.
Member Comments
i hate to see the braves let smoltz go but he is way past his prime and his best days are defintely behind...i'd love to see him retire with atlanta but his health is way to risky to take a chance on anything but a 1 year incentive deal....maddoux is retiring, glavine is probabley too, and it wouldn't surprise me to see smoltz go.....the braves are attempting to reload but it is gonna' be extremly hard to replace that kind of pitching they had in the 90s....
BulletJones12/11/2008 9:10:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
"Their bullpen is their achilles heel. Maybe they could eat a lot of his contract and trade Lowell to a team that has some surplus proven inning eating relievers."<br /><br />they added Ramirez from KC to a bullpen that already has Okijima, del Carmen, and Masterson, not to mention Paps closing. Barring injury, the bullpen will be fine this year. The option exists to add a 4th starter, or, if it becomes the better option, another bullpen arm while moving Masterson back to the rotation. Also, Bowden should be ready for a mid-season call-up if he isn't traded.<br /><br />The Sox sign Texiera and they'll be fine, the other issues are minor.
yankeefreeOctober12/11/2008 8:57:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I'm with you, cigarzhar. I've been keeping an eye on ESPN because they're updating more often than Rosenthal.
ACMilan2212/11/2008 7:59:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Whether the Sox sign Tex or not, I hope they address their mid relief corp. Their bullpen is their achilles heel. Maybe they could eat a lot of his contract and trade Lowell to a team that has some surplus proven inning eating relievers.
BeagleDog12/11/2008 7:58:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I'm with you, cigarzhar, I've been keeping an eye on ESPN. They're updating more often than Rosenthal.
ACMilan2212/11/2008 7:55:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
dagreenmonster<br />HOW COME THE YANKS WIN THE SEASON SERIES WITH THE SOX ALMOST EVERY YEAR ?? THEN THEY CODDLED MANNY FOR HOW MANY YEARS AND LOST HIM--WHAT THE HELL, MAN. ISN'T THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT SEES THEM AS LOSERS--LOL ??
spook612/11/2008 7:54:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Rosenthall must be sleeping as he misses the latest stories all the other sites have. Yankees back in hunt for Tex...Yanks trade for Cameron....Yanks offer 5 years to Burnett...
cigarzhar12/11/2008 7:43:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
I have to laugh at Kenny Rosenthal. All he ever says is Teixeira is an east coast guy so no way the Angels will keep him. I have news for you bub. It isn't about location. It's about money. Maybe the Angels won't re-sign Teixeira but if they don't it will be because they didn't give him a big enough offer. Everyone said Sabathia is a California guy. New York is as far from California as you can get in this country in the baseball world and that's where Sabathia went. Why? Because the Yankees overpaid him.<br /><br />So knock off your pathetic stories about this team won't get this player or that player because of location. It's getting old. And boring. Major League Baseball is about one thing and one thing only. Money.
BrianC623412/11/2008 7:41:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Before we go much further, I want to thank the Yankees, Red Sox and all the other high paying clubs that will end up paying the luxury tax to support the Nutting family investment. If it were not for you the Pirates would be another monney losing professional club. As it is, the Nuttings will again reap the benefit of your generosity. The fans don't even have to show up and the club makes money.
Bennyboy_712/11/2008 7:18:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
So the Buccos are trying to dump payroll again by "trading" Wilson. Somethings never change. Perhaps we can find a SS in Somalia
Bennyboy_712/11/2008 7:11:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Rosenthal needs to update a little bit quicker. ESPN has news of a Cabrera/Cameron trade. They were also much quicker to mention the Yankees offer to Burnett (bad idea). Get with the program Rosenthal!
ACMilan2212/11/2008 7:01:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Good luck to all the big spenders in baseball.When will they realize that all pro players are good at what they do in general.It is the chemistry,management and coaching that leads a pro team to a championship.To much emphasis placed on how much a guy makes.Thinking that more money will make their 'superstar players"happier is a misconception.If you can't keep the whole Team happy and coach them properly then you are swimming on a beautiful beach with an anchor tied to your foot.Pro sports will perish in ten years or less anyway when prices are so ridiculous there will be no one in the stands that make under a hundred thousand dollars a year.Those that do go won't be able to afford to eat or drink a twelve dollar sandwich or eight dollar 16 ounce soda or beer.It is really a sad thing to watch as greed of players continues to ruin the pro sports scene.
rwb815812/11/2008 7:01:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Keep your crap out of here.<br />This is a sports blog, not a site for golddiggers
jmo195612/11/2008 6:45:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Sabathia has a 1.20 ERA against Boston in the recent years. I'd say that's a little to be worried about. <br /><br />Wins are sometimes a distorted stat, and I never much pay attention to it. Look at Peavy. 6th in the MLB in ERA last year, but had more losses than wins. Wins also depend on the team backing you up. ERA, not nearly as much.
amnigo12/11/2008 6:35:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
The Yanks should go after Burrnet and Smoltz Smoltzy could be a good mid rel or set up guy for Rivera. He still has some gas left in the tank. And the Yanks are where old pitchers go to die.
TEC2512/11/2008 6:25:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
once again - the Yankees jack the salary issue<br /><br />overpaid and underperform <br /><br />gonna ignore MLB and wait for Williamsport
cantstandit212/11/2008 6:01:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Man I feel for you Steeler PSU - I was a Pirates fan growing up but I couldn't take it any longer. I live in Phoenix so when we got the Dbacks I had to change to the home team. I still like to think back to late 70's, I even used to have glasses like Kent Tekulve.
Jeff131312/11/2008 5:54:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Thursday 5:35a.m. - Pirates fire sale?<br /><br />Pittsburgh decides to trade everyone who makes over $600,000 this year. Oh wait that's everyone except their triple A squad.<br /><br />Oh well another losing season.
STEELERS_PSU_112/11/2008 5:39:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
Not to mention we will have a full season with no Manny distractions. Im also not worried about what CC can do to the sox, he only wins one third of his games against us
dagreenmonster12/11/2008 1:39:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
The marlins? Who cares? I cant believe someone posted about that team, they have the worst fans in the game! But I guess its good they have at least one real fan, but I wouldnt count on your prospects so much, a lot of teams have some really good prospects...Like the twins, and the reds, and the red sox! Lowe is solid, he has never been on the disabled list, and dont expect him to go anytime soon, hes a sinker ball pitcher, but he is best for the NL, he was up and down for the sox and he will be the same with another al east team. CC is a top notch pitcher, but his numbers are bloated from pitching in the weak al cent, and then the nl. If he makes it in NY, he will be in the HOF, but there would have been no if about it if he would have stayed in the NL. The sox still have the best team, they have put together a roster full of guys who play old school baseball...Im sure Pete Rose loves the way Youk, Bay, Drew, Jacoby, and the little pony play...And like I said, they are loaded with prospects, especially at short. They have a better pen than NY, and Becket and Dice K are better 2 and 3 pitchers than anything the Yankees have right now. CC will make the Yankees rotation better than the sox when it comes to their ace, but that might not last long...Lester could proove to be better this season. I see Youk and Dustin staying strong, Bay will have a big time season(contract year), and a healthy Ortiz will have 40 homers with the protection of texiera
dagreenmonster12/11/2008 1:36:00 AM(Report inappropriate content)
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