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Rogers’ Latest: Royals/Cubs, Peavy, Phillies

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Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune has an interesting piece covering many topics throughout MLB:

  • The Royals are specifically eyeing Sean Marshall and Mike Fontenot as targets while discussing a trade for Mark Teahen with the Chicago Cubs. We’ve heard some conflicting reports recently about whether or not this trade was actually being talked about. Teahen could fill the Cubs’ right field vacancy, but his offensive struggles since moving to the outfield have been well-documented.
  • Houston could still be a dark-horse candidate for Jake Peavy. Roy Oswalt has been telling Peavy the two of them could make Houston contenders together. I can’t see a sensible package coming from Houston without opening new holes, however.
  • The Phillies don’t plan on making any drastic moves, despite Chase Utley and Pedro Feliz undergoing surgery.
  • The Dodgers and Tigers are both interested in Orlando Cabrera.

Orioles Targeting Izturis

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According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles have contacted shortstop Cesar Izturis’ agent to express interest.  Zrebiec believes the 28 year-old defensive whiz tops their list.  Izturis earned $3.05MM this year.

The Orioles have also had trade discussions for Khalil Greene and Bobby Crosby.  The Padres requested Garrett Olson for Greene, and the Orioles passed.

Zrebiec says the Orioles are not interested in Rafael Furcal, Orlando Cabrera, or Edgar Renteria.  If they spend big on a free agent, it’ll be A.J. Burnett or Mark Teixeira.  However, Furcal’s agent Paul Kinzer said yesterday that the O’s are one of six teams to have shown interest in his client.

Heyman’s Latest: Burnett, Lowe, Hudson, Tex

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SI.com’s Jon Heyman has several new blog posts up.  Let’s take a look.

  • The Yankees planned offers in the four-year, $60MM range for A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe, but that’s not sufficient for either pitcher.  Burnett wants five years, and Lowe presumably at least $16MM per year and perhaps five as well.
  • The Indians, Mets, and Yankees are in on Orlando Hudson, who wants a five-year, $50MM deal.  The Dodgers are another possibility.  The New York teams would have to do some shuffling to make room for Hudson.  Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported the Indians’ interest yesterday evening.  The Tribe is also in on Orlando Cabrera, according to Yahoo’s Tim Brown.
  • Heyman says the Angels will make a "fair proposal with a deadline" for Mark Teixeira, with Miguel Cabera’s eight-year, $153MM deal as a baseline.  This echoes recent columns from Ken Rosenthal and Bill Ladson.

Rafael Furcal Rumors: Monday

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8:04pm: Furcal is "shocked and excited" about possible interest from the Braves, though Yunel Escobar would have to be traded first.  Furcal already has a three-year, $39MM offer on the table from an unknown team.  Kinzer says it might be a few weeks before his client signs.

MLB.com’s Chris Haft says the Giants are also considering Orlando Cabrera and Edgar Renteria as shortstop options.  However, those players might cost the Giants their second-round draft pick (Furcal wouldn’t).  The Giants are also still pondering making a play for one of the Big Three free agents, according to Jon Heyman.

1:26pm: Mychael Urban of MLB.com talked to Rafael Furcal’s agent Paul Kinzer this morning.  Kinzer says six teams have contacted him about Furcal since free agency opened Friday.  The A’s have yet to make an offer, but Kinzer’s comments imply that the Giants might have.  Both teams have very strong interest in the 31 year-old shortstop, who could sign before the winter meetings.  When asked about the reported four-year, $40MM demand for Furcal, Kinzer said it was in the ballpark. 

It’s hard to peg the other four suitors, but the Cubs, Blue Jays, and Orioles are possibilities.  The Cardinals and Dodgers may be out, while the Royals, Tigers, and Dodgers may balk at the salary or term.  Presumably the Braves are backing off given the state of the Jake Peavy talks.  Kinzer and Furcal will narrow it down to three teams soon.

Do Angels Have Genuine Interest In Manny?

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Angels owner Arte Moreno had kind words for Manny Ramirez in a recent radio appearance, sparking talk that he could jump in and swipe the slugger from the Dodgers.  However, the general sense is that Moreno just wanted to get people talking about the Angels and perhaps hopes to drive up Ramirez’s price for the Dodgers.

Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times gets a peek at Scott Boras’ binder for Ramirez, which predicts 204 home runs and 684 RBIs over the next six years.  Shaikin quotes Angels GM Tony Reagins saying his priority is elsewhere and the Manny discussion hasn’t taken place, so right now the Dodgers don’t face serious competition.

Shaikin also notes that the Dodgers are more likely to sign Orlando Cabrera to a short-term deal than re-sign Rafael Furcal.

Perrotto’s Latest: Free Agent Predictions

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John Perrotto has his Every Given Sunday column up over at Baseball Prospectus. Perrotto offers a list of some educated guesses as to where some of the top free agents in baseball will land, with some surprises here and there. Let’s take a look:

  • Perrotto lists the Yankees loading up on starting pitching, landing C.C. Sabathia and Derek Lowe, while the Dodgers land Manny Ramirez after doubling their initial offer to four years, $100MM.
  • Perrotto says the Nationals will land Mark Teixeira, as they could be prepared to offer Teixeira – a Maryland native – ten years, $200MM. Turning down that kind of money would certainly be difficult.
  • Perrotto has Adam Dunn landing on the North Side of Chicago and having an adventurous time in right field for the Cubs. According to these predictions, he’ll be joined by Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood – neither of whom are going anywhere.
  • Perrotto feel Andy Pettitte won’t be back with the Yankees, and feels that he will either take a below-market contract from his hometown Astros or retire. He also pegs Mike Mussina to likely retire, but agrees he’ll be back with the Yankees if he does indeed make a run at 300 wins.
  • Other predictions from Perrotto: Raul Ibanez  and Francisco Rodriguez to the Mets, Milton Bradley to Toronto, Orlando Cabrera to Minnesota, Casey Blake back to Cleveland, A.J. Burnett to the Orioles, Brian Fuentes to the Angels, Nick Punto to St. Louis, Randy Johnson to the Angels, Jason Giambi to Oakland, and Orlando Hudson to the Mets.
  • The list of players who will end up back with their current teams: Ben Sheets, Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell, Jamie Moyer, and Jason Varitek, on a two-year $20MM contract, courtesy of Scott Boras.

Tigers Want Short-Term Shortstop

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According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers seek a short-term solution at shortstop.  The Tigers like the idea of using prospect Cale Iorg in 2010.  That means they won’t be signing free agents Orlando Cabrera and Rafael Furcal.  The Tigers view the relief market in the way – they like their long-term options (Ryan Perry, for example).

The Tigers have "mild interest" in Khalil Greene, who is signed through 2009.  They don’t like his $6.5MM price tag, which might mean Jack Wilson is also too pricey.  John McDonald is a more affordable name on the radar (the pitchers certainly wouldn’t mind).

The Tigers have an eye on the Rangers’ catchers, Gerald Laird in particular.  It might be tough to make a deal, as the Tigers don’t have pitching to spare.

Orioles Considering Cabrera, Furcal, Renteria

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According to Roch Kubatko of MASN Online, the Orioles have internally discussed free agent shortstops Orlando Cabrera, Rafael Furcal, and Edgar Renteria.  They’re also considering trade possibilities.  The Orioles’ #5 overall draft pick next year is protected, but they’d have to surrender their second rounder if they sign Cabrera or Renteria.  The market for Furcal will be robust if he doesn’t re-sign with the Dodgers.

Possible names on the trade market: J.J. Hardy, Julio Lugo, Jack Wilson, Khalil Greene, Ronny Cedeno, and Chin-lung Hu.

White Sox Offseason Possibilities

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I did a White Sox Offseason Outlook earlier this month, rattling off available speedy players and also suggesting a Bobby Jenks trade be explored.  Today, Chicago Tribune beat writer Mark Gonzales offers his take on the Sox.

Gonzales sees Juan Uribe and Toby Hall as two players the White Sox hope to re-sign, with Hall at a lower salary than his $2.25MM option.  Orlando Cabrera, Ken Griffey Jr., and Joe Crede will be gone.  Cabrera is good for two draft picks if the Sox offer arbitration and he signs elsewhere.

Gonzales wonders if a Paul Konerko for Chone Figgins trade could take shape, but only if the White Sox add players.  Konerko is owed $24MM for 2009-10, with full no-trade rights. Figgins should earn $5MM+ in ’09 before he hits free agency for the first time.  It may be hard to get the Angels interested – Figgins fits their club, and they’ll try to re-sign Mark Teixeira.  Kendry Morales may be the backup plan at first.

Gonzales sees the Rockies as another potential trade partner for Sox GM Ken Williams, naming Garrett Atkins and Willy Taveras as potential matches. Taveras may be had for a song, but Atkins should require young pitching.

A few free agents to consider: Orlando Hudson, Dennys Reyes, and Alex Cora.

White Sox Looking For Speed

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With their season over, it’s time to round up some White Sox rumors.

  • Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald says GM Kenny Williams wants to add speed to the top and bottom of his order.  Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune hints at the same.
  • The speedy and available: Brian Roberts, Ichiro Suzuki (maybe), Coco Crisp, Nick Punto, Willy Taveras, Jerry Hairston Jr., Juan Pierre, Randy Winn, Bobby Abreu, Luis Castillo, Corey Patterson, Julio Lugo, and Cesar Izturis.
  • Gonzales says Juan Uribe (free agent) and Toby Hall (club option) would like to return.  Ken Griffey Jr. would also be willing to talk.
  • Gonzales ponders a veteran shakeup, wondering if the Sox will look to move players with no-trade clauses such as Paul Konerko, Jim Thome, and Javier Vazquez.  Chris De Luca sees Nick Swisher staying, but no chance of re-signing Orlando Cabrera.
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