MLB Rumors: Brian Fuentes, Rafael Soriano and the Latest Free Agent Buzz
The Major League Baseball free agency period is beginning to wind down. Adrian Beltre has signed with the Texas Rangers, Matt Garza is now a Chicago Cub after a big trade and many teams have wrapped up signing players for the 2011 season.
Other free agents have not been as lucky. Rafael Soriano is still looking for a club, as are Brian Fuentes, Eric Chavez and others. Teams still have openings on their roster for talent, and even as we speak players are being signed to deals. What are the top MLB rumors right now? Is Rafael Soriano close to a deal? Who did the San Diego Padres just sign? Could Jim Thome be on a new team next year?
Jim Thome
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The offseason has been rather quiet for Thome as he nears the 600 home run mark. But now that the Rangers are no longer pursuing Vladimir Guerrero, they are now looking at Thome. Why they are, I'm not sure, as they have Mike Young moving to DH and that's all Thome can be at this stage in his career. You never know with Texas what will happen, we've been learning that this offseason.
Jason Bartlett
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Bartlett was acquired by the Padres weeks earlier, but now it's been reported that he was signed to a contract though 2012, which means that San Diego has locked up their entire infield for at least two years. By making this deal, this means that the wheels are going to turn on the Heath Bell rumors, whether he stays with the Padres another year or gets traded.
Andruw Jones
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Andruw Jones has had a couple bad years, but still had time to turn his career around. This week, two clubs have come forward looking at Jones as a possible player to sign. The first was the New York Yankees, who could add him for depth in the outfield. The second is now the Colorado Rockies.
The Rockies have been looking at Jones for outfield depth, but also would like to see him as possibly replacing Seth Smith or Ryan Spilborghs. He does have a good bat, and if there's anywhere that a bat can be revived it's Colorado.
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Eric Chavez
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It seemed like a long time ago that Chavez was good, or relevant for that matter. He's looking to make his way back on the diamond full-time after being released by the Oakland A's, and it seems like the Los Angeles Dodgers are now giving him a look.
The Dodgers have scheduled Chavez for a workout and look likely to bring him in during spring training. He would primarily be a pinch hitter for the Dodgers, but it's better than nothing. He's a low-risk/high-reward situation, since he used to be very good; if he can find that touch again, he's a great pickup for any team.
Brian Fuentes
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After a very good year with the Los Angeles Angels and Minnesota Twins, Fuentes seems to be a victim of overpricing himself. The Rockies were interested in him, but passed after seeing that he wanted $5 million per year. The Pittsburgh Pirates passed on him for similar reasons.
A possible destination for Fuentes could be, surprisingly enough, the Tampa Bay Rays, who just lost their closer, Rafael Soriano, to free agency.
Luis Castillo
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Luis Castillo makes a rare appearance here, as he has a team already in the New York Mets. However, the Mets are looking to buy out his contract. While he had a very good 2009, he only hit .235 in 83 games in 2010. At 34, Castillo might be done as an everyday player, but I'm sure that a couple teams will be willing to pick up the aging second baseman.
Hideki Okajima
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The Boston Red Sox were also interested in Fuentes. With their re-signing of Okajima, however, that will not happen. Okajima was signed to a one-year deal by the Sox to help build up their bullpen. His skills have declined, but he still has a few years left in him; a 4.50 ERA isn't all that terrible.
Carl Pavano
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Dear Carl Pavano:
Can you just sign with Minnesota already and make it easier on us? I know you want to, you've fit well with Minnesota, and who knows how the Washington Nationals will be next year? Between those two teams the choice looks pretty easy.
Sincerely,
Me.
Manny Ramirez
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We still haven't heard much on the Man-Ram front. The most recent report was from a few days ago, that says the Rays have expressed interest in bringing Ramirez on. At this point in his career, Manny is willing to accept a one-year, incentive-based contract, and I could see some teams giving that a shot, especially the Rays.
Andy Pettitte
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Today on the retire-o-meter, the meter is still at 50-50. If it was any other year, the Yankees might not worry about it so much. But after missing out on Cliff Lee and other top names, the Yankees need to know whether or not Andy Pettitte is pitching sooner rather than later. If he's not, then they have a problem they need to fix quickly.
Albert Pujols
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The rumors that are flying about Albert Pujols are about him, the St. Louis Cardinals, and an extension. The stove is starting to heat up on everything, as all sides know they need to get a deal done before the 2011 offseason. If they don't, then the media fallout of his free agency status will reach, at a minimum, LeBron James-type levels.
There is progress, but when the greatest player in the game today could possibly be a free agent, any contract moves will be looked at closely.
Fred Lewis
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Wouldn't you know it, the Cincinnati Reds decided to make a move this offseason. Earlier today, they signed Fred Lewis, who last played for the Toronto Blue Jays, to a one-year deal. This gives them a left-handed bat in the outfield as well as some depth. The move was in the works for a while, and it looks to be a good one.
Rafael Soriano
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Soriano has been the cream of the free agent crop for a while now, but is still out there without a buyer since most teams either already have a closer or can't afford it. The Angels seem like a possibility, if only because they've missed out on every other marquee free agent.
Kevin Millwood
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There have been few teams looking at Kevin Millwood after he had a bad year with the Baltimore Ravens, but in a weak pitching market he remains a possibility. The Yankees have been rumored to have a small amount of interest in him, and he's durable at least, unlike a better free agent option out there who once played for the Yankees.
Grant Balfour
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Grant Balfour and Joaquin Benoit helped lead a great Tampa Bay relief corps this past year. While Benoit got a contract with the Detroit Tigers quite quickly, Balfour is still waiting. Why is that?
According to a scout, his velocity has dipped over the past year, which would be a red flag for any reliever. The Angels and Pirates look like his best chances, but if the Mets want to improve their relief corps they could take a chance on him.
Edgar Renteria
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While we were on the subject of the Reds adding depth, they also have officially signed Edgar Renteria to a one-year deal. The World Series MVP (and 50 years from now, he'll be the greatest postseason player of all time no one will remember) was hoping to return to San Francisco, but it didn't work out and the Reds now have infield depth that will be valuable in a competitive NL Central.
Jorge Cantu
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Cantu might be the best free agent who seems to be getting absolutely no offers. After he struggled upon joining the Rangers, he seems to be biding his time. The Arizona Diamondbacks expressed interest, but have since backed off. He may end up with a minor league deal in March at the rate he's going.
Vladimir Guerrero
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At this point, Guerrero will be hitting in either Los Angeles for the Angels or in Tampa Bay with the Rays. The Rays are a better fit, but the Angels are closer to winning. A decision will probably be made soon on this front.
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.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
