Youkilis To Enter 2009 Without Extension
Adam Kilgore of the Boston Globe is reporting that Boston Red Sox first baseman Kevin Youkilis will not complete any long-term extension with the club before the start of the 2009 season, this according to Youkilis’ agent.
The post also states that Youkilis will play for the United States in the World Baseball Classic.
Mench Completes Deal With Japanese Team
MLBTR reported this was going to happen, and now it has. Kevin Mench will be playing for the Hanshin Tigers in 2009.
The deal is for one year and is worth $1.8MM. Mench, 30, played in the outfield for the Blue Jays last season. He hit .243/.321/.357 in 131 plate appearances for Toronto.
Red Sox Scout Saltalamacchia
Texas Rangers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia is playing winter ball, and the Boston Red Sox have apparently kept tabs.
According to Boston Globe reporter Nick Cafardo, Red Sox special assistant Allard Baird recently scouted Salty. Cafardo added that Saltalamacchia’s defense didn’t look solid on that particular night, though. Cafardo also notes that other scouts who have seen the catcher in winter ball thought his defensive skills were up to par.
Derek Lowe Rumors: Wednesday
Boston.com, the Boston Globe Web site, is reporting with a background source that Derek Lowe is close to a deal with the New York Mets. The post indicates the deal could be three to four years in the neighborhood of $15MM/season.
The N.Y. Daily News and N.Y. Post each have related stories to the Mets’ interest in Derek Lowe.
John Harper’s Daily News story indicates a deal could be reached between Christmas and New Year’s.
Ben Shpigel of the N.Y. Times writes that if the Mets sign Lowe, they might need to thank the Yankees.
Cardinals Practice Patience
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that the St. Louis Cardinals are taking a patient approach to the free agent market. Cardinals management is being cautious after making offers early in the offseason that didn’t receive much response.
That status stands for free agent closer Brian Fuentes, who had an offer from the Cardinals before the franchise pulled it. Goold notes that the Los Angeles Angels have become suitors for Fuentes.
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Yankees Moving On From Pettitte?
Peter Abraham of the LoHud Journal suggests the Yankees may be ready to move on from Andy Pettitte. He says that unless they’re able to trade an outfielder such as Nick Swisher or Hideki Matsui, they may prefer not to pony up the $10MM for Pettitte.
No Bids For Koji Mitsui
Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker has the info – all 30 teams chose not to bid on recently posted lefty reliever Koji Mitsui. Newman suggests he could now be released, which would lower the cost for an MLB club. Mitsui put up a 7.50 ERA in 24 innings this year.
Chris Snyder Extension In The Works
According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks are nearing a three-year extension with catcher Chris Snyder. The deal would buy out his last two arbitration years (2009-10), his first of free agency (2011) and include a 2012 option for another free agent year. Piecoro believes Snyder will be guaranteed $14MM and could earn $20MM if the option is exercised. Snyder apparently just has to complete a physical for the deal to be complete.
Snyder, 28 in February, hit .237/.348/.452 in 404 plate appearances this year while throwing out 29% of attempted basestealers. Piecoro says D’Backs pitchers like working with him.
Will Ohman Rumors
Lefty reliever Will Ohman wants a two-year deal, and the market for him is picking up. So far in reports the Mets, Indians, Orioles, Rockies, Cardinals, and Braves have been linked to him. Marc Topkin adds the Rays to the mix in a report today.
Ohman, 31, held lefties to a .200/.257/.314 line this year. He earned $1.6MM.