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Luis Vizcaino

Marquis For Vizcaino Deal Close

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7:28pm: Ken Rosenthal confirms what most people are saying–that this deal is close, but not yet official.

7:11pm: Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald calls the deal "possible, but not done yet." Additionally, says Miles, the deal is apparently "more in the Rockies’ hands than the Cubs’ right now."

Gordon Wittenmyer of the Sun-Times says a deal is "close," and suggests a Milton Bradley signing may be the next move for the Cubs.

6:20pm: This story has been confirmed by Troy Renck of the Denver Post. 

While the deal likely won’t be official until next week, it looks like the Cubs will be paying $1MM of Marquis’ salary in 2009. That makes a net reduction of roughly $5MM in payroll for the Cubs.

4:44pm: According to ESPN’s Steve Phillips, the Cubs and Rockies are close to a swap of starter Jason Marquis for reliever Luis Vizcaino (saw it scroll across the screen on ESPN2).  Marquis is set to earn $9.875MM in ’09, while Vizcaino will make $3.5MM plus a $4MM option for 2010 with a $500K buyout.

Marquis, 30, tossed 167 innings of 4.53 ball in 2008.  He did roughly the same in ’07.  Vizcaino, 34, posted a 5.28 ERA in 46 innings.  He dealt with a strained shoulder and later expressed concerns that he didn’t pitch enough.  His velocity was up from ’07 and he whiffed more than a batter per inning, but he was done in by walks and home runs.  Vizcaino added a DUI to his resume in October.

Marquis Unlikely For Rockies

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6:47pm: Troy Renck says the Rockies told the Cubs they didn’t have room in the budget for Marquis.  The Rox may attempt to acquire a starter via trade, using Huston Street and Luis Vizcaino as chips.

Other notes from Renck: the Padres and Rangers have interest in free agent outfielder Cory Sullivan.  And interest in Willy Taveras is minimal given Friday’s non-tender deadline.

5:13pm: According to MLB.com’s Thomas Harding, the Rockies have internally discussed the possibility of acquiring Cubs’ starter Jason Marquis.  However, Marquis isn’t exactly the front-rotation type they seek.  Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald heard from Cubs people that "nothing of substance is getting done" on the Marquis-Rockies front.

Odds and Ends: Giles, Chacon, Durbin

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Here are today’s random rumor tidbits.

  • The Rox are interested in Marcus Giles for their second base opening.  Giles was awful last year, they should just try something internal.  Other Rockies notes: contracts with Kip Wells and Luis Vizcaino aren’t quite finalized, and they may ink Victor Zambrano to a minor league deal.  UPDATE: Wells, plus Mark Redman, are done deals.
  • The Pirates still have their eye on Shawn Chacon and Chad Durbin.  That”ll put butts in the seats.  Also, Jake of Bucco Blog weighs in on a new Pirates hire.
  • Speaking of Durbin, did he comment on this blog and suggest he’s headed to the NL?  I’m not sure.
  • Drays Bay talked to Gerry Hunsicker.  Seth Speaks talked to Pat Neshek.
  • New prize added to our Hot Stove Hysteria contest – three months free of Scout.com access.
  • Things are mostly quiet with the Brewers, but this Tom Haudricourt blog post notes tepid discussions for Scott Rolen, Hank Blalock, and Andre Ethier.

Luis Vizcaino Signs With Rockies

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UPDATE, 12-14-07 at 10:16pm: Tracy Ringolsby reported (several hours ago actually) that the Rockies have an agreement with the Viz.

UPDATE, 12-14-07 at 9:41pm: Here we go…MLB.com’s Thomas Harding says Vizcaino is close with the Rox.

UPDATE, 12-14-07 at 3:21pm: Definitely not the Brewers, we know that much.

UPDATE, 12-14-07 at 2:30pm: Readers are emailing in that WFAN is reporting the Rockies signed Vizcaino.

FROM 12-14-07 at 2:11pm:

Per Peter Abraham, Luis Vizcaino signed somewhere in the NL.  Brewers, Rockies?  Not sure yet.  The URL string, though, says Milwaukee.  The deal was for two years and $7MM despite the talk about Vizcaino looking for Linebrink money.

Vizcaino Close With Bucs, Rox

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Ken Rosenthal is reporting that Luis Vizcaino is close to signing a multi-year deal with either the Pirates or the Rockies. The righty reliever rejected arbitration the Yankees offer of arbitration.

I’m not quite sure why the Pirates are looking to sign a middle reliever to a multi-year deal. He makes far more sense for the Rox, who figure to contend next year. They’re looking to replace LaTroy Hawkins, and could probably get similar production from The Viz.

After posting ERAs under 4.00 from 2004 through 2006, Vizcaino topped that threshold this year. While he was solid for three months of the season, he was absolutely atrocious for the other three.

–Joe

Rockies Close On Kip Wells, Pursuing Vizcaino

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According to Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News, the Rockies are "working toward finalizing a deal" with Kip Wells.  Ringolsby says Wells could give the Rockies flexibility, acting as the fifth starter or a reliever as needed.  I imagine he’s looking for $3MM or so one a one-year deal.

Ringolsby adds that the Rockies are targeting Luis Vizcaino and seem willing to go to two years on him.  Vizcaino’s agent, Bean Stringfellow, indicated recently that the Viz was looking for three or four. 

Rockies Still Looking For Relief

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With LaTroy Hawkins out of the picture, the Rockies have turned their attention to Shawn Chacon, Luis Vizcaino, and Kip Wells.

The Rockies could offer Chacon familiarity and a one-year deal.  They wouldn’t offer him a chance to start, which he might get elsewhere.  It’s been said he seeks three years.  Matthew Cerrone says the Mets, Tigers, Astros, and Brewers have expressed interest in the 30 year-old.

Vizcaino is looking for Linebrink money, which doesn’t seem like something the Rox would do.  Well is trying to reinvent himself as a setup man, and a one-year, $2.5MM deal could be an interesting bargain play.

Yankees Sign LaTroy Hawkins

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UPDATE, 12-10-07 at 8:41am: It’s a done deal, pending a physical.  Having watched LaTroy implode firsthand as the Cubs’ closer, I’m skeptical as to whether he can succeed in New York.  But the risk is low.

FROM 12-9-07 at 3:27pm:

Ken Rosenthal reports that the Yankees are close with LaTroy Hawkins on a one-year deal worth $3.75 million. If this proves true, the Yankees will have beat out the Rockies and Rangers for Hawkins. The signing comes as rather strange, being a one-year deal for a soon-to-be 35-year-old.

After a couple of stellar years with the Twins and the Cubs, Hawkins has been average in terms of ERA. He had a decent season last year, posting a 3.42 ERA in 55.1 innings, though he struck out only a batter every other inning, give or take. He did keep his walks low.

Apparently, the Yankees liked the idea of Hawkins on a one-year deal, rather than Luis Vizcaino for three or four. Vizcaino had a solid three months for the Yankees in 2007, but also had three months where he got beat around pretty bad.

After missing out on Hawkins, the Rockies are reportedly looking at Vizcaino.

–Joe

Yankees Bullpen Situation

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It’s well-known the Yankees want to improve their bullpen.  There’s been talk of converting young minor league starters into relief for 2008.  Otherwise, who’s on the radar?

  • A reliever could be acquired for Hideki Matsui – Tyler Kepner suggests Jonathan Sanchez or Kevin Correia.  Brad Hennessey is another possibility.
  • Kepner says the Yanks checked in on LaTroy Hawkins, Ron Mahay, and Trever Miller but haven’t made offers.  However, Mark Feinsand says the Yanks are talking to Hawkins about a one-year deal worth between $3.25-3.5MM.
  • Luis Vizcaino is probably out of the picture.  George King adds Jeremy Affeldt to the list of free agents the Yanks are checking out.
  • Peter Abraham says the Yanks are competing with the Royals for Mahay and that it might take three years, $9MM.  Pete Caldera recently said Mahay wants three years and $12MM though.  Bob Dutton notes that it’s Mahay’s agents pushing the Royals; they have little interest.
  • Rob Biertempfel says the Yankees and Astros have interest in acquiring Damaso Marte from the Bucs.  George King says John Grabow interests the Yanks as well.

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