Daily Archives: December 9, 2008
Andrew Baggerly of the Mercury News believes that CC Sabathia has rejected the Yankees six-year offer, though he admits to this being an unconfirmed report.
According to Baggerly, while the Brewers are considered the front runners, “the Giants had discussions with Sabathia’s camp last night, and they expect to have face-to-face meetings with the left-hander in San Francisco after the winter meetings.”
Meanwhile, in a post to the Los Angeles Times, Tony Jackson describes the Giants as ‘supremely confident that they are going to sign Sabathia.’
…the buzz in baseball for quite some time now has been that sabathia was eyeing the Dodgers or Giants the entire time…it appears he may get his wish…
At the same time, suddenly, the Yankees are being more aggressive in their pursuit of Derek Lowe and A.J. Burnett, reports Joel Sherman on his blog for the New York Post.
Update, 5:40 PM:
According to ESPN’s Baseball Tonight, the Yankees deny reports that Sabathia rejected their offer.
Speaking of starting pitchers…
Jon Heyman of SI.com believes ‘the Phillies and Yankees are two most prominent contenders for star free-agent pitcher Derek Lowe, who seeks at least a five-year deal for about $80 million.’
In a report for FoxSports.com, Ken Rosenthal says he would not be surprised to see Burnett get a five-year, $100 million deal from the Yankees.
According to Peter Gammons on ESPN’s Baseball Tonight, the Braves are still the front runners to sign Burnett, and could eventually guarantee him the fifth year.
Lastly, some reports suggest the Cubs are close to trading for Jake Peavy, while others suggest they are not – for details, check out MLB Trade Rumors.
Update, 4:37 PM:
To watch SI.com’s Jon Heyman speak with SNY’s Matt Yalloff about the deal between the Mets and Rodriguez, click here.
Update, 4:06 PM:
The Mets have announced that Minaya will speak to reporters in a more formal setting at 6 pm EDT.
Update, 4:04 PM:
Minaya told reporters that the deal with Francisco Rodriguez is not done, ‘until it is signed, sealed and delivered.’
That said, I have been told by people connected to the team that the deal is done – all that remains is a physical.
Update, 3:48 PM:
In an impromptu discussion from the hotel lobby, Minaya told reporters the deal is not ‘completely done,’ and that discussions are still ‘on-going,’ according to a text message to MetsBlog from Joe Hamrahi of Baseball Digest Daily.
…naturally he is going to say this…
…GMs do not give an inch until every i is dotted, every t is crossed, and the physical is complete…
That said, according to Hamrahi, Minaya’s body language indicates the deal is done.
Update, 3:46 PM:
“The deal includes a $14 million vesting option for a fourth year that would raise the total value of the contract to $51 million,” reports Ken Rosenthal at FoxSports.com.
According to Rosenthal, the option kicks in if Rodriguez pitches a certain number of innings in either the third year of the deal or in a combination of years two and three.
Update, 3:45 PM:
Minaya is in the lobby of the Bellagio, smiling and speaking with various reporters, including ESPN’s Peter Gammons.
Original, 3:24 PM:
According to Ted Berg at SNY, “The Mets have agreed to terms with reliever Francisco Rodriguez on a three-year contract worth $37 million, pending a physical.”
…from what i understand, there may also be a fourth-year option, which will vest following a certain number of appearances…
As I wrote earlier today, the Mets and Rodriguez agreed in principle yesterday evening. However, they would meet again this afternoon to finalize the contract, after which Rodriguez will need to conduct a physical.
…the buzz in New York suggests the team will make an official announcement either later tonight or tomorrow morning, and hopes to hold a quick press conference in Las Vegas tomorrow…however, rodriguez may need to travel to New York for a physical, so i am not sure how all of this will work…
…by the way, the term being used in baseball, for the way Omar Minaya handled negotiations, is The Reverse Boras…
“The Rockies continue to be interested in Aaron Heilman, even if it does not involve a Huston Street trade,” writes Joel Sherman at his blog for the New York Post.
Meanwhile, according to Jayson Stark at ESPN.com, “The Mets and Cubs have 
discussed a trade that would send pitcher Jason Marquis to New York for Heilman. But chances of that deal happening appeared slim Tuesday.”
On Sunday, three days ago in the Star-Ledger, Dan Graziano said the Mets passed on such a trade, ‘because they were trying to use Heilman in other deals.’
From what I can gather, teams are interested in Heilman.
However, so far, the word in Vegas suggests the Mets are asking too much in return.
In reality, the Mets are probably holding steady, positioning their chips, and will inevitably ship Heilman to a new city.
I believe their first choice is to trade Heilman to the Rockies for Street – but, from what I can gather, the two sides continue to haggle over additional players.
That said, from what I have been told, though the Mets and Rockies have not had substantive talks in Las Vegas, both sides are still aware of one another’s needs – though Sherman’s report could suggest otherwise.
Speaking of relief pitchers…
“The Indians appear to be close to signing closer Kerry Wood to a two-year contract,” reports MLB.com.
According to eyewitnesses, Jerry Manuel has been spotted in the lobby of the Bellagio in Las Vegas.
Manuel is expected to speak with reporters today at 7 pm EDT.
…if SNY wants to create compelling content, they should follow manuel around vegas for 24 hours…something tells me that would be pretty entertaining…
…ladies on the bus, gangstas on the field, gentlemen…
“The Giants intend to meet with free-agent left-hander CC Sabathia,” reports Ken Rosenthal at FoxSports.com.
Meanwhile, the Red Sox sat down with Sabathia yesterday to talk about the structure of a deal, says Jon Heyman at SI.com.
Meanwhile, WFAN’s Mike Francesca, a.k.a., ‘the biggest Yankee fan,’ is on air during his popular drive-time radio show, freaking out about Sabathia.
Basically, Francesa believes Sabathia is embarrassing the Yankees, by taking so long to accept their six-year, $140 million deal.
“Shut up,” Francesa is saying, “Enough already, why does this guy need to be sold on the Yankees.”
According to Francesa, “Sabathia is not Johan Santana,” the Yankees should give up at this point and move on.
He has received several phone calls from listeners who feel the same with, with one saying, “He should be honored to be on the Yankees. If he doesn’t get it, then go home.”
…it’s just so funny…Yankee fans just can’t believe a professional baseball player would consider signing with another team, let alone for less money…i love it…
To listen live to WFAN from your computer, click here.
According to the Baltimore Sun, the O’s have been in contact with Jon Garland.
The Los Angeles Times wrote yesterday that Garland is seeking a two– or three-year deal, and three teams are showing interest in him.
Yesterday, at FoxSports.com, Ken Rosenthal said Garland is on Omar Minaya’s radar, since the team does not want to spend top dollar for a starting pitcher.
Speaking of starting pitchers…
Kris Benson is at the Bellagio in Las Vegas, and the Blue Jays, Indians and Dodgers have expressed interest in him, writes Roch Kubatko for MASN.
The Cardinals are not interested in A.J. Burnett, despite published reports, explains the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Instead, the report says, “The Cardinals remain interested only in short-term relationships with starting pitchers, including Oliver Perez, Andy Pettitte and Brad Penny, among others.”
Lastly, “If the Cubs obtain Jake Peavy, then Jason Marquis or Rich Harden will become trade bait,” reports the Boston Globe.
Tagged Oliver Perez |
This afternoon on SNY, SI.com’s Jon Heyman said, ‘the Mets are very close to signing Francisco Rodriguez.’
To view Heyman’s three-minute phone interview with SNY, click here.
From what I can gather, Mets GM Omar Minaya and Rodriguez were seen getting coffee together in the lobby of the Bellagio earlier today.
Basically, as far as I can tell, the two sides agreed in principle yesterday evening on a three-year deal. The group will meet again this afternoon to finalize the contract, after which Rodriguez will need to conduct a physical.
My guess is that news will occur later tonight, with some sort of official announcement being made tomorrow morning.
…speaking of Starbucks, this new Espresso Truffle drink is ridiculously good…i usually stick to straight coffee, or espesso, or an intravenous supply of caffeine, but the addition of Semi-Sweet Hot Chocolate is quite good…ok, back to baseball…
According to WFAN’s Sweeny Murti, the Braves are in serious discussions with the White Sox about bringing Jermaine Dye back to Atlanta, where he began his career 12 years ago.
Jayson Stark of ESPN.com believes the Rays 
and Twins are discussing a deal that could send Delmon Young back to Tampa, with either Andy Sonnanstine or Edwin Jackson heading to Minnesota.
Last month, in a report for the New York Post, Joel Sherman said the Mets and Rays had been in talks regarding Sonnanstine and Jackson, since Tampa has shown interest in Aaron Heilman.
Speaking of outfielders…
“The Phillies, Mets and Cubs appear to have separated themselves from the pack of teams pursuing outfielder Raul Ibanez,” writes Jayson Stark at ESPN.com.
Stark also reports that Scott Boras met with the Dodgers yesterday to discuss bringing free-agent OF Manny Ramirez back to Los Angeles. However, Stark says, ‘The Dodgers did not put their two-year, $45-million contract offer back on the table.’
…the buzz in Vegas seems to be that boras has every intention of making manny the last player to sign a contract this off-season, in an effort to focus a market for his services…
Accoridng to the Boston Globe, “Milton Bradley is in intense discussions with the Cubs.”
Tagged Raul Ibanez |According to Tim Brown, at Yahoo!, “The Texas Rangers are quietly shopping shortstop Michael Young, said an AL executive.”
…the buzz from Vegas suggests the Mets and Yankees, among others, have already checked in on young…however, both teams would need to first move their current second baseman…
According to Jon Heyman at SI.com, “The Rangers are not shopping Young, but they are willing to listen to overtures on just about anyone.”
Heyman reports the Mets, Angels, Dodgers and Royals among teams who have expressed interest in Young, who will earn $80 million over the next five seasons.
Brown reports the Rangers are seeking young pitching in any deal for Young, who is batting .300 with a .346 OBP in eight seasons.
In case you’re thinking it…
According to Ken Rosenthal, at FoxSports.com, “When the Mets asked the Rangers about Luis Castillo for Vicente Padilla they were told, ‘No thank you.’
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