Dodgers' offer to Manny might exceed $25 million per year
The Padres have not spoken with the Angels regarding Peavy. As for the Yankees, Towers told their GM Brian Cashman that he's got other priorities right now.
"I told him right now I need to stay focused on the NL clubs," Towers said. "If I'm not able to get a deal done with one of those clubs, I'll circle back to him."
Joe Maddon
The big days keep coming for Tampa Bay: The Rays' manager is getting married Saturday. Maddon stopped by the meetings to visit with Rays GM Andrew Friedman -- and because he lives only 40 minutes away, in Brea.
The spoils of being a World Series participant already are evident: Maddon was recognized in an out-of-the-way sushi restaurant in Brea since he's been home, something that never happened to him before.
But Maddon says he'll really know the Rays have arrived if he sees Tampa Bay clothing -- especially, say, a cap -- on his honeymoon. He and his soon-to-be-bride, Jaye, are honeymooning in Italy, the Czech Republic and Germany.
"I'm hoping to be recognized in Italy," Maddon said, grinning. "That will indicate the Tampa Bay Rays have arrived. My main objective is to see Rays gear. And I shall take a picture."
The ultimate, someone said, would be to snap a photo of a Rays cap sitting atop the head of Michelangelo's David, in Florence.
"Can I swing that?" Maddon wondered.
And look out -- he was serious.
Short hops
• Yankees GM Brian Cashman said clubs are inquiring about pitcher Phil Hughes. "He must be doing something right, despite his '08 season," Cashman said.
• That thunderous sound you're about to hear will be the Yankees opening their wallet. They will be all over the free-agent board this winter. They're expected to make bids on CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, possibly Derek Lowe, and maybe Manny Ramirez or Mark Teixeira. Pitching remains a priority for them -- the biggest priority -- even assuming they re-sign Andy Pettitte.
• Regarding his strategy, whether he'll identify a clear No. 1 pitching priority on the free-agent market such as Sabathia and concentrate on him first, or whether he'll cast a wide net and pursue many pitching fronts at once, Cashman said: "I'll go after them all and see who comes after us. We're going to be on the board on pitchers and position players. We're going to show a lot of love and see who loves us back."
• Cleveland is looking for an infielder -- it can be a second baseman, shortstop or third baseman. The most likely scenario has the Indians signing a second baseman -- say, Orlando Hudson -- and then moving Asdrubal Cabrera to shortstop and Jhonny Peralta to third.
• Atlanta is after pitching, pitching and more pitching. The Braves still make as much sense as anybody in the Jake Peavy talks, though GM Frank Wren refused to address any specific talks. "We need a couple of starters, and maybe even a couple of more than that," he said. "I'd like to beef up our starting rotation. Especially because that's the area we've been known for."
• The Braves hope to bring Mike Hampton back and have had several discussions with him already. They have not extended a formal offer but have "invited" him to return and have discussed general parameters.
• Among the clients agent Scott Boras is selling is catcher Jason Varitek, whose future with Boston is in question. Of course, the agent made Varitek sound essential: "I think it's been successful for everybody. We've seen how difficult it is to achieve what the Red Sox have achieved. They've won two world championships (with Varitek), they've played in the ALCS four times. You look back at the franchise's success since he's been there. You look back in 1986 and if you could say, 'Look, you're going to have to wait, but in the mid-2000s you're going to get this,' I think every Red Sox fan would say, 'We'll finish last for a few years to get to that point.' It's been extraordinary."
• More Boras, on pitcher Derek Lowe: "He's the Dennis Eckersley of our generation because of his ability to save games and do things. He's probably the best bet (among free-agent pitchers) for postseason success. You're going to get a durable player. ... Teams always say, 'I'm willing to pay more for durability and postseason success.' And he's the best in the market at that."
• Among the items on the agenda Wednesday: Discussions centering on eliminating the silly coin flips that determine home-field advantage in the event of a one-game playoff heading into postseason. The GMs discussed a couple of different options for awarding home-field advantage: Head-to-head record and intra-divisional records. Some favored, say, if the Yankees and Boston play a one-game playoff, home-field being determined on how they did against each other. Other GMs favored awarding home field to whichever of those clubs would have the better record against other AL East opponents. No decisions yet, further discussions are expected at the winter meetings.
• Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon says don't look for phenom David Price to be in the closer's role next year. He's expected to open in the rotation, which could allow GM Andrew Friedman the luxury of trading Andy Sonnanstine or Edwin Jackson to strengthen his club elsewhere. The Rays need a right-fielder.
• If Rocco Baldelli's health won't allow him to play every day next season, he sure would make a nice extra outfielder and bat off the bench in Boston. He's from New England originally and his family lives in Rhode Island.
• The World Champions and staff changes: It isn't often that you see the club winning the World Series making changes to its coaching staff, but the Phillies did fire third-base coach Steve Smith following some controversial sendings of runners home earlier last season and an apparent falling out with manager Charlie Manuel. Don't be surprised if the Phillies add former Cleveland coach Luis Isaac, who goes way back with Manuel, to their staff as a replacement.
• Padres GM Kevin Towers said he expects the Petco Park fence -- probably in right-field -- to be moved in within the next couple of years.
