A.J. Burnett Rumors: Wednesday
Let’s talk about free agent starter A.J. Burnett, who expects to receive multiple five-year offers (according to Keith Law).
- Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says the Red Sox will explore signing Burnett, but aren’t likely to exceed three years.
- The Blue Jays never made a formal offer to Burnett, but J.P. Ricciardi seems optimistic about their chances.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Tex, Furcal, Johnson, Lofton
Here’s a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- If they are to sign Mark Teixeira, the Angels would like to do it quickly. However, it’s Scott Boras’ custom to let the market develop until late December or so. It’s possible the Angels change gears on November 14th. There are other big names to pursue, though none fit as perfectly as Tex.
- Rosenthal’s worst case scenario for the Yankees: C.C. Sabathia goes to a West Coast team while A.J. Burnett re-signs with Toronto. The Jays truly are in the mix for Burnett. ESPN’s Keith Law says Burnett expects to receive multiple five-year offers.
- The Orioles plan to make serious offers to Teixeira and Burnett. Still, both are considered long shots for Baltimore. Another note: the Orioles were one of the teams the Yankees outbid for Sergio Mitre.
- The Dodgers are considered "a good bet" to re-sign Rafael Furcal. The Giants have their eye on him if he hits the open market.
- About ten teams have inquired on Braves second baseman Kelly Johnson. We had a Cardinals rumor yesterday.
- The Rangers figure to trade one or two of their catchers, with Gerald Laird a strong candidate to be traded. The Red Sox and Marlins are looking for catching, though the Rangers are wary of Florida’s Scott Olsen.
- Rosenthal wonders if Brandon Webb could leave the D’Backs after the 2010 season.
- Kenny Lofton wants to play in 2009.
Heyman’s Latest: Holliday, Bradley, Hudson
SI.com’s Jon Heyman reports from the GM meetings…
- Matt Holliday showed up at the GM meetings to talk to Scott Boras, sparking trade speculation by reporters.
- The Rangers failed to reach an agreement with Milton Bradley, and he’ll seek a four-year deal worth more than $10MM per. Good luck with that.
- Heyman says the Nationals are interested in Mark Teixeira and Matt Holliday, which MLB.com’s Bill Ladson first reported yesterday. It does not seem that the Nats have the goods to acquire Holliday. Heyman adds A.J. Burnett as a possibility, though Ken Rosenthal said to scratch them from the running this morning. Adam Dunn is a more realistic name for the Nats.
- The Angels haven’t ruled out signing Teixeira and C.C. Sabathia, though it’d be tough to fit both in the payroll.
- The Yankees are eyeing Orlando Hudson, and could even ask him to play center field. Nick Piecoro figures this would require an absurd offer from the Yanks.
A.J. Burnett Opts Out
4:28pm: According to Ken Rosenthal, Burnett has officially opted out of the remaining two years and $24MM on his deal. The Blue Jays remain in the mix. If he leaves, they’ll at least end up with two draft picks.
10:22am: What’s the deal with A.J. Burnett? We were supposed to have an opt-out decision yesterday before the GM meetings began. Ken Davidoff talked to Burnett’s agent, Darek Braunecker. Apparently Braunecker will meet with the Jays today to see if they’ll make a "knock your socks off" offer to keep Burnett off the market. Cathal Kelly of the Toronto Star says the Jays will have to look at other free agent starters if Burnett leaves.
Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald does not see the Red Sox in on Burnett or C.C. Sabathia, based on Theo Epstein’s comments. The Yankees are expected to be major players.
Heyman’s Latest: Sabathia, Burnett, Matsui
Here’s a look at the latest column from SI.com’s Jon Heyman.
- C.C. Sabathia is the Yankees’ top offseason target, and they’ll make him an offer beyond Johan Santana‘s $137.5MM. Heyman also sees the Yanks pursuing A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe, and Oliver Perez (with Ben Sheets a less likely target). Heyman’s sources believe the Yanks could even attempt to sign three free agent starters.
- The Yankees aren’t counting on Mike Mussina, and may wait on him before considering Andy Pettitte.
- Contradictory note from Heyman: the White Sox have no plans to try to keep Joe Crede or Juan Uribe, but might consider bringing Uribe back as a utility man.
- Heyman dismisses vague rumors about Hideki Matsui trade talks.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Fielder, Beimel, Eckstein
Ken Rosenthal is on the scene at the GM meetings, and as usual has all kinds of new info.
- The Brewers are unlikely to trade Prince Fielder, and reluctant to trade J.J. Hardy or Alcides Escobar. It’d be smart to retain those three players.
- Rosenthal still likes the Braves as the favorite for Jake Peavy, but wonders if the Cubs or another team could incorporate a third team to get it done.
- The Cubs will need to spend much of their available money on pitching, which may leave little payroll room for an outfielder like Bobby Abreu. They could backload contracts and move some of Jason Marquis‘ salary though.
- The Mets are interested in lefty reliever Joe Beimel, as well as usual suspects Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, and Kerry Wood. They also like Raul Ibanez.
- The Cardinals could move forward with a Ryan Ludwick/Colby Rasmus/Rick Ankiel outfield, or trade one of them. Ankiel, entering his contract year, seems most likely to go if Rasmus is ready.
- David Eckstein is marketing himself as a second baseman for 2009.
- Don’t look for the Phillies to move Shane Victorino in a Matt Holliday deal.
- The Cardinals and Nationals are not contenders for A.J. Burnett. Still no word on Burnett’s opt-out.
- The Marlins may wait until some of the top free agent starters sign before shopping Scott Olsen.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Peavy, Burnett, Sabathia
Let’s take a look at the latest column from Ken Rosenthal at FOX Sports.
- Don’t look for a Jake Peavy trade this week at the GM meetings, as the Padres haven’t found a match with Peavy’s five preferred teams.
- A.J. Burnett‘s agent should announce his client’s decision to opt out today. Rosenthal notes Burnett’s preference to sign near his Maryland home, with the Yankees and Red Sox as the most realistic possibilities.
- Rosenthal believes the Brewers offered C.C. Sabathia $100MM over five years (rather than four). The Brewers can say they tried, but no one expects Sabathia to settle so far below his market value. Also, the Brewers will decide today on Mike Cameron‘s $10MM option.
- The Phillies’ areas of uncertainty: GM, left field, fifth starter.
Burnett Decision Due Monday Before GM Meetings
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick talked to A.J. Burnett‘s agent Darek Braunecker, who says his client will make his opt-out decision prior to the start of Monday’s GM meetings. We all know Burnett is opting out, of course.
Crasnick believes Burnett and Derek Lowe will seek salaries of at least $16MM per year. He names the Yankees, Mets, Rangers, Red Sox, Orioles and Nationals as potential suitors for Burnett. The Blue Jays will remain in the mix as well.
Orioles May Explore Free Agent Market
Steve Melewski of MASN Online recently spoke to Orioles president Andy MacPhail about the possibility of spending money in free agency. MacPhail is open to a possible big dollar contract, but he leans toward youth:
Whatever the player and the investment, they have to fit into the strategy of what it is we are trying to achieve as an organization. The likelihood of us signing someone who is 35 is not great. If they are younger and can be helpful to us and their career will be longer with us that just a short-term fix, that’s a whole different story.
MacPhail said he wouldn’t rule out any player, but it’s fair to dismiss the recent Manny Ramirez rumor. The Orioles may look to sign Mark Teixeira or A.J. Burnett, who both have local ties. Tex will be 29 in April, and Burnett will be 32 in January.
Burnett Would Consider Yankees
George King of the New York Post talked to A.J. Burnett‘s agent Darek Braunecker, who said Burnett will "see if the Yankees are interested" if he chooses to opt out of his deal. It always makes sense to keep the Yankees involved.
When we last checked in on the Burnett situation Friday, we were confused by J.P. Ricciardi’s characterization of the talks. Jeff Blair believes the Blue Jays are willing to do a three-year, $48MM contract. Talking to Murray Chass recently, Braunecker downplayed his client’s injury history.