Daily Archives: December 8, 2008
In a report for FoxSports.com, Ken Rosenthal says the Mets are unlikely to pay top dollar for a starting pitcher.
Instead, writes Rosenthal, free-agent 
RHP Jon Garland is on the team’s radar, ‘and would fit the back of their rotation.’
Last week, in the Daily News, John Harper said the Mets had interest in Garland as well, while also trading for a fifth starter to compete with Jon Niese in spring training.
…as i have said, garland would actually be a really good fit for the Mets, while trading for a back-end pitcher like Edwin Jackson to compete with niese…
Speaking of starting pitchers…
ESPN’s Peter Gammons says talks between the Braves and A.J. Burnett are progressing well.
…as i wrote this morning, the buzz from Vegas suggests burnett likes the idea of pitching in Atlanta, and could end up signing only a four-year deal…
Tonight, on Baseball Tonight, ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian said he still believes CC Sabathia will eventually sign with the Yankees, while hoping that the Angels, Dodgers and Giants make an offer.
That said, according to MLB.com, Dodgers GM Ned Colletti recently told reporters it is ‘possible’ his team ‘enters the mix.’
Tonight at 7 pm, SNY will air a special Winter Meetings Edition of Mets Hot Stove, including guest appearances by Jon Heyman of SI.com, as well as other reporters from the Bellagio in Las Vegas.
ESPN 2 will also feature a Baseball Tonight Hot Stove Special today at 5 pm EDT, with Buster Olney and others live from Vegas.
Also, if you’re at your computer later today, consider checking out the following online radio shows:
Paul Greco of Gotham Sports Radio will check in from the Winter Meetings, joined by Mark Healey, at 8 pm.
Live at 9 pm, Mike Silva and Howard Megdal will recap the day, along with Joey DeMayo and Jim Baumbach, among others, on New York Baseball Digest.
Lastly, at 10 pm, Joe McDonald files live reports from the Winter Meetings on Pro Baseball Central, with co-host Steve Keane.
…there is more and more buzz from Vegas suggesting Jermaine Dye will not be traded, though people keep speculating on whether a deal with the Reds is in place, etc…
Meanwhile, the Cubs prefer Bobby Abreu and Raul Ibanez over Adam Dunn, according to Jayson Stark at ESPN.com.
…also, from what i can tell, they’re not alone…i’m starting to think the only people who like dunn are baseball fans in front of computers…which is sad…
The Yankees and Dodgers may once again 
talk about swapping of Robinson Cano and Matt Kemp, according to FoxSports.com.
…from what i can gather, the Dodgers will want a pitching prospect, in addition to cano, in a deal for kemp…
The Phillies have contacted the Twins about OF Delmon Young, according to the Philadelphia Daily News, who speculates such a deal would need to include top SS prospect Jason Donald.
…if you’re liking young, stop…i have been told a few times already that the Mets do not have what it takes to pull off such a deal…and i’m not the Phillies do either, frankly…
Tagged Raul Ibanez |Padres GM Kevin Towers told reporters that 
while 15 teams have contacted him about Jake Peavy, he is only in talks with the Cubs.
Towers also said he is likely to keep Peavy for 2009, if he’s unable to make a trade by the end of this week.
Towers said he looking for three or four major-league ready prospects, which is why, in a recent on-air report for ESPN News, Peter Gammons said the Cubs and Padres continue to seek a third team to help facilitate a deal.
Meanwhile, according to Jayson Stark, at ESPN.com, there has been little interest in Cubs RHP Jason Marquis.
Last week, the Chicago Sun-Times said the Cubs could look to trade Marquis while eating up to $4 million of his roughly $10 million salary.
Lastly, the Cardinals are very interested in A.J. Burnett, reports Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com.
Earlier today, in a report for the Star-Ledger, Dan Graziano reported the Mets and Blue Jays discussed B.J. Ryan on Sunday night.
However, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, “The Blue Jays have not talked to the Mets about Ryan, and their intention is to keep him as their closer.”
…ok, then…thank you for playing…
Yesterday, the Dayton Daily News reported OF Jermaine Dye had been traded from the White Sox to the Reds for RHP Homer Bailey.
According to the report, the deal is done and will be announced later the week.
Later in the night, though, Reds GM Walt Jocketty categorically denied the report, according to MLB.com, as did a source in the Chicago Tribune.
However, today at MLB.com, Jonathon Mayo writes, “don’t be shocked if Homer does get dealt at some point. Some folks have said there’s some truth to the Dye-for-Bailey rumor.
Yesterday, Buster Olney described rumors of Dye being traded as ‘overblown,’ in a report for ESPN.com.
Today, also at ESPN.com, Jayson Stark quotes an NL executive as saying, “I’m hearing more and more that he’s the next in line,” with the Braves, Reds and Royals showing interest.
According to Stark, “Some Mets rumors have floated, even though adding an outfielder is deep on their priorities list.”
The Mets offered Francisco Rodriguez a three-year deal, with a fourth-year option, according to the New York Post and SI.com.
However, the Mets are not optimistic Rodriguez will be quick to accept, writes Glenn Fraley in a post to FoxSports.com
What’s more, Fraley quotes a club official as saying, “All of these agents think there is more (money) out there (for Rodriguez). They’re going to be in for a shock.”
n a recent on-air report for ESPN News, Peter Gammons says 
representatives for Mark Teixeira will meet again with the Angels this week, while hoping the Yankees and Red Sox get in to the bidding.
By the way, ESPN 2 will feature a Baseball Tonight Hot Stove Special today at 5 pm EDT.
…the talk from Vegas still seems to be that teixeira will need at least until the Holidays to lock in a new contract, i.e., Scott Boras has yet to create a market deep enough to get the deal he is promising to his client…
The Cubs are not looking to trade 2B Mike Fontenot, according to the Dayton Daily News, though Ronny Cedeno is available.
…sorry, ted…i know you are disappointed…
The D’Backs are seeking a second baseman or a pitcher in a deal for C Miguel Montero or Chris Snyder, according to Boston Radio WEEI, who believe the Red Sox, Reds, Marlins and Astros are all in the market for a catcher.
Speaking of catchers, the O’s are looking to swap out C Ramon Hernandez, and his one-year, $8 million contract, for a similar contract, for a utility player who can handle the infield and outfield, reports Roch Kubatko on his blog for MASN.
…if the Sox lose Jason Varitek, i wonder if Julio Lugo would make sense for Baltimore, with ramon going to Boston…
Tagged Ramon Hernandez |According to eyewitness, Francisco Rodriguez, Greg_Maddux_Photo_thumb.jpg)
Trevor Hoffman, Nick Punto and CC Sabathia, among other players, have all been seen walking through the lobby in the Bellagio.
…apparently, it’s a lot easier to convince your client to meet prospective buyers when the gathering is in a Las Vegas casino…go figure…
Also, Greg Maddux, his entire family and his agent, Scott Boras, are currently at a table in the media room, where he will officially announce his retirement.
…if maddux ever walked in front of me, i would boo him…i would…i dislike him more than the Philly Phanatic…
According to Jayson Stark, at ESPN.com, the Phillies and free-agent LHP Jamie Moyer are still having issues in working out a new contract, leaving the pitcher to contact other teams.
Meanwhile, in a recent on-air report for ESPN News, ESPN.com’s Peter Gammons said representatives for A.J. Burnett will meet with the Braves this week in Las Vegas, in hopes of quickly working on an agreement.
…the buzz from Vegas suggests burnett likes the idea of pitching in Atlanta, and could end up signing a four-year deal, despite rumors that he requires a fifth guaranteed season…that, plus no other teams appears willing to give it to him…
That said, according to FoxSports.com, Burnett reached out to Carl Pavano to get his take on playing for the Yankees.
Also, Gammons reports the Padres and Cubs continue to seek a third team to help facilitate sending Jake Peavy to Chicago.
By the way, ESPN 2 will feature a Baseball Tonight Hot Stove Special today at 5 pm EDT.
According to Buster Olney, per ESPN News, talks between Yankees GM Brian Cashman and CC Sabathia went ‘great.’
Lastly, unlike in years past, free-agent LHP Randy Wolf is open to signing with any team, not just teams on the West Coast, reports Ken Rosenthal at FoxSports.com.
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