MLB Rumors

A source confirmed to the New York Post that Ben Sheets, 31, would be among a group of second-tier, relatively low-cost starting pitchers the Mets will consider this winter.

The oft-injured Sheets, who last pitched with the Brewers in 2008, has been sidelined since February because of surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his forearm, but he expects to be healthy by spring training.

Free-agent Joel Pineiro, Jason Marquis and Randy Wolf are also in that group.

According to Joe Smith of the St. Petersburg Times , the Rays don't have many holes to fill and don't have much financial flexibility but still plan to be active this winter.

The main areas of concern are adding a reliever/s and working out a catching tandem.

VP Andrew Friedman said the Rays are looking at both right- and left-handed relievers. Whether they acquire one through free agency or trades remains to be seen.

As for catchers, the market isn't that strong so attractive options could come via trade. It also depends on whether the Rays want a starting catcher or a backup.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that besides potential replacements at first base and closer, the Braves want to improve their offense this offseason, preferably with a power hitter.

It could be a a first baseman or an outfielder and have expressed interest in Mark DeRosa, Nationals LF Josh Willingham, OF Mike Cameron and Jermaine Dye.

Bracing for the potential loss of starter Yorvit Torrealba, a Denver Post blog reports the Rockies have expressed preliminary interest in free agent catcher Brian Schneider.

The veteran profiles as a backup at this point his career, and is a left-handed hitter who could complement Chris Iannetta. Iannetta hasn’t been promised the starting job. He’s enjoying a strong offseason, and will enter camp determined to win back his spot. But the Rockies are protecting themselves. GM Dan O’Dowd has had varying degrees of interest in Schneider for several years.

The latest on Marlins' pitcher Josh Johnson from the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel is that the starter won't be sticking around South Florida.

Discussions with the Marlins on a multi-year contract for Johnson went nowhere.  Johnson, the clubs No. 1 starter and premier young arms in the game, wants four guaranteed years but the Marlins only offered three with an option.  Johnson's agent said if they didn't sign his client this offseason, Johnson would elect free agency when eligible after 2011. 

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports Padres GM Jed Hoyer and the agent for Adrian Gonzalez met to discuss the first baseman.

"It was a good meeting," said John Boggs, Gonzalez's agent. "We all know we have a unique situation that won't be resolved quickly. The way we look at it, Adrian is a Padre the next two years unless we're told otherwise."  According to the report, Gonzalez's contract status was not discussed.

Gonzalez is scheduled to become a free agent after the 2011 season, leaving the Padres with three options. 1. Let him play then walk as a free agent, 2. re-negotiate a long-term deal or 3. trade him for prospects. 

Currently, three teams — Boston, Seattle and the Los Angeles Dodgers — are known to have interest in Gonzalez. Hoyer denied trade rumors linking Gonzalez to the Chicago White Sox and New York Mets.

The trade rumors involving Milton Bradley continue with the latest report from Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune :
The Cubs continue trying to find ways to move Milton Bradley in packages that would bring them second baseman Luis Castillo from the Mets. The latest, according to sources, is a three-team deal with the Rangers that would send send the Rangers' No. 1 starter, Kevin Millwood, to New York.

A source with the Cubs believes this proposition has legs, saying, "there's a deal to be made there.'' But the Rangers haven't committed to the return of Bradley, who played in Texas before signing with the Cubs, and would need the Cubs and maybe the Mets to kick in money to pay most of the $21 million remaining on Bradley's contract before doing any deal.

The Denver Post reports the Rockies are initiating discussions on a multiyear contract with Clint Barmes and Garret Atkins is preparing for a trade because the club has no intention of offering him $7 million-plus in salary arbitration.

Texas and Baltimore have mild interest in Atkins, but teams are reluctant to trade for him when they are convinced he will be nontendered and will become a free agent Dec. 12.

 

 

The New York Daily News speculates Andy Pettitte could be the key to how hard the Yankees go after another starter this offseason.

The Yankees may ask the lefty to make a decision more quickly than in years past and if Pettitte does return, as expected, it means there's less pressure to land Jon Lackey. Either way though, the Yankees plan to let the market develop before showering players with lavish offers.

Other tidbits.... multiple sources have indicated that the Yankees would like to bring back Johnny Damon but Hideki Matsui is likely gone.

And, in the New York Post , the Yankees denied reports that right fielder Nick Swisher is available. According to a club official, the switch-hitting Swisher  isn't being shopped. 

Now that any team can negotiate with Jason Bay, the Boston Herald suspects Bay will have substantive discussions with at least a half-dozen teams. The Mets, Cardinals, Giants, Blue Jays, Angels and Mariners all are believed to be interested.

According to the report, the Red Sox and Bay's agent, Joe Urbon, have agreed to keep the lines of communication open in the coming weeks. The club's best offer is believed to be a three-year guaranteed deal. However, Bay reportedly has left a four-year, $60 million proposal on the table.

Bay is believed to be looking for at least a five-year deal worth approximately $17 million per season.

Sources tell the Chicago Tribune the Cubs and left-hander reliever John Grabow have agreed in principle to a two-year deal.

An official announcement will be made when the deal has been finalized.

Dodgers President Dennis Mannion told the LA Times the team isn't planning to pursue free-agent pitcher John Lackey.

As for the Angels, the same report also said owner Arte Moreno confirmed the Angels have no interest in OF Matt Holliday,
would like to bring back Jon Lackey and Chone Figgins and would look into signing OF Jason Bay because of his "great bat and great makeup."

MLB.com reports that a source believes the Nationals are one of several teams who have expressed interest in free agent right-hander John Lackey.

Other competition includes the Angels, Red Sox, Yankees and Mets.

As far as help for the bullpen, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told MLB.com the club is hoping to add to the back of the bullpen.

The Phillies are interested in bringing back right-hander Chan Ho Park and left-hander Scott Eyre, who are free agents. As for targets on the free agent market, Amaro said, "There are some guys out there that I would view as seventh- or eighth-inning guys that are available... There's not oodles of them, but there are some guys out there that -- again, if we feel we get marginally better with any of them, that's the goal."

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch confirms via GM John Mozeliak that the Cardinals' priority signing would shift away from offense if Matt Holliday proves too pricey for the club to retain.

The Cardinals have yet to submit a formal bid to Holliday's agent, Scott Boras, and are unlikely to do so until free agents can begin accepting bids from all clubs.  The Cardinals continue to view Holliday as their offseason priority but have also constructed alternatives with starting pitching, not hitting, as a centerpiece.

"We'll see how the market develops," Mozeliak said. "Is (Jason Bay) a possibility? Sure. But right now it's fair to say he's not one of our top priorities."