Daily Archives: December 9, 2009
Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com believes the Astros have signed free-agent Brandon Lyon to a three-year, $15 million deal.
Lyon was 6–5 with a 2.86 ERA in 65 relief appearances for the Tigers last season, during which he struck out 57 batters and walked 31 through 78 innings pitched.
He earned $4.5 million last season through arbitration.
…it’s a seller’s market… no doubt about it…
…lyon had been negotiating with the Phillies and Yankees as well, from what i understand, and he and they were discussing two-year deals, and then, bam, he signs for three…
The Mets will pick seventh during tomorrow’s Rule 5 Draft, which starts at 9 am, which you can listen to live on MLB.com.
According to Wikipedia, “The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to have them play in the majors.”
If a player is selected in the Major League phase of the Draft, he must be kept on the team’s 25-man roster for the entire season after the draft. If the team no longer wants to carry him, they can put him on waivers, if clears, he must be offered back to the original team.
The Mets one available spot on their 40–man roster.
For a list of possible players who could be selected, check out Jonathan Mayo’s report for MiLB.com.
Jordan Bastian of MLB.com says while it now appears that both the Angels and the Phillies are leading the Roy Halladay sweepstakes, a deal taking place at the winter meetings is unlikely.
According to Bastian, Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos indicated he doesn’t expect to have any moves to announce during the meetings, but “things can change so fast.”
Update, 8:35 pm, by Michael Baron:
According to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com, a Major League source says Roy Halladay might waive his no-trade clause and OK the deal to the Angels.
Update, 7:55 pm, by Michael Baron:
Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun says the Angels have taken the lead in the Halladay sweepstakes, offering Joe Saunders, Erick Aybar, and outfield prospect Peter Bourjos to the Blue Jays for the Toronto ace.
…assuming this is enough, and this does look to be an impressive package, i wonder if doc would approve a trade to the west coast, considering he has stated desire to train in florida…that said, the Angels give him a great chance to win a ring, and besides a big extension, that seems to matter the most to him…
Update, 9:45 pm by Michael Baron:
In a report for Newsday, David Lennon says the agent for John Lackey, Steve Hilliard, told Omar Minaya that geography should not be an issue and that Lackey is open to playing in New York.
Lennon says the Mets focus right now is Lackey, but given the fact that Randy Wolf signed a three year deal, Lackey could command a deal for five years and in excess of the $82.5 million A.J. Burnett signed with the Yankees last winter.
Update, 7:04 pm by Matthew Cerrone:
Ken Davidoff of Newsday says, after meeting with his agent, the Yankees are not a major suitor for free-agent RHP John Lackey.
The Journal-Sentinel says free-agent RHP Ben Sheets is looking to earn $12 million.
ESPN’s Peter Gammons said on air that Sheets is throwing from flat ground, as he continues to his rehab after having major elbow surgery.
…from what i can gather, his agent has been telling any one who will listen that sheets’s elbow will be 100 percent ready for spring training…
According to Gammons, Sheets is likely to sign a deal in January, after he auditions for teams in a few weeks.
That said, Gammons says teams have just as many questions about Sheets’s back as they do about his surgically-repaired elbow.
Sheets missed all of last season recovering from surgery, but was 13-9 with a 3.09 ERA in 198 innings in 2008, helping the Brewers advance to the post season.
Similarly, FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal said on the MLB Network that free-agent RHP Mark Mulder will likely end up signing with the Brewers, reuniting him with Rick Peterson, his pitching for the A’s.
Mulder has not pitched a full season in the Major Leagues since 2005.
In an appearance tonight on SNY’s Mets Hot Stove, MLB Insider Jon Heyman said he feels free-agent OF Matt Holliday will eventually sign with the Mets, because he has a desire to play in New York City.
…like i have said before, it’s time for holliday to be a star, and Scott Boras is going to make it happen for him… and, there is no better place to make that happen than in New York, on the Mets, who just so happen to need a left fielder and well-rounded bat for their lineup…
Updated at 6:12 pm:
Despite trading for OF Curtis Granderson, the Yankees are still a strong player for free-agent OF Matt Holliday, according to Steve Henson from Yahoo! Sports.
“The negotiations between the Rockies and free-agent C Yorvit Torrealba are on hold,” explains Tracy Ringsolby of FoxSports.com, as the two sides appear to be haggling over $1 million.
Updated at 5:43 pm:
The Royals have offered a two-year deal to free-agent C Jason Kendall, reports the Kansas City Star.
Original Post at 2:28 pm:
The Rockies and Torrealba are getting close to agreeing on a two-year deal, says ESPN.com.
John Morosi of FoxSports.com believes the Mets and Nationals continue to pursue free-agent RHP Jason Marquis.
Last month, Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post talked to Marquis, who said feels he is a ‘perfect fit for the Mets.’
… i wonder if the Mets are considering signing free-agent RHP John Lackey and marquis and then trading RHP John Maine to the Brewers for OF Corey Hart, becuase, for better or worse, that would be a shake up to key elements to the team, no doubt…
Updated at 6:56 pm:
Jayson Stark of ESPN.com believes the Phillies also have interest in Marquis.
The Mets have inquired about relievers Ronald Belisario and Cory Wade, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The 28–year-old Belisario was 4–3 with a 2.04 ERA in 69 relief appearances in his rookie season, while striking out 64 batters in 70 innings, during which opponents hit 201 against him.
…he throws hard, that’s his bread and butter… he struggled to find command, he was a starter, bounced around, and he has really settled in and turned heads as a reliever… from what i can gather, teams feel he can be a legit set-up guy… also, he pleaded not guilty to misdemeanor drunken driving charges last summer…
Wade, 26, had a strong rookie season in 2008, going 2–1 with a 2.27 ERA in 55 games; but he struggled last season, allowing 17 runs in 27 innings, then hit the DL with a shoulder injury and finished the year in Triple-A.
Buster Olney of ESPN.com said on air that free-agent Rich Harden signed with the Rangers.
Matt Pignataro from Seven Train to Shea confirmed with a team official that the Rangers have signed Harden.
Updated at 5:37:
According to ESPN Radio in Seattle, Harden and the Mariners are close to agreeing to a pne-year deal.
Original Post at 5:24 pm:
The Rangers have signed Harden to a one-year, $7.5 million deal, with an $11.5 team option for 2011, according to Craig Calcaterra of NBC Sports.
…i had hoped the Mets might sign harden, but, from what i can gather, he wanted to pitch for the Rangers… i have no idea why… but, in any case, i get the impression not many other teams were in contention, short of Mariners and a few others… he had the opportunity to sign with big-market teams, like the Red Sox, and supposedly took a pass…
Meanwhile, the Marlins traded RHP Matt Lindstrom to the Astros, according to Peter Gammons of ESPN.com, who said on air the Marlins will get a minor leaguer and two players to be named later.
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