Bleacher Report - Articles by Ken Rosenthal

Long Teixeira Discussions Play into Boras' Hands

Ken Rosenthal — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 18:19:55 -0500

A friend of mine in baseball sent me a text message Saturday that said, "What's Teixeira's problem?" As in, "What's taking him so long?"

The answer actually is quite simple.

As one general manager told me a week ago, "Scott hasn't gotten the number he wants yet."

Scott, of course, is Scott Boras, Mark Teixeira's agent and everyone's favorite December villain.

Boras knows that no one will remember when Teixeira signs his free-agent contract. But they surely will remember the dollar amount.

So, the Scott Boras Continuing Education Program — an annual rite of the baseball offseason — continues for the ill-informed.

Not for Teixeira, who is a card-carrying member of Boras' information army, as dedicated and well-versed in contract minutiae as A-Rod, the agent's original dollar freak.

No, Boras' "education" is for the owners in the Teixeira sweepstakes. Most have never bid for a player at this level. And Boras is more than happy to explain to them how Teixeira will transform not just their baseball team, but also their baseball business.

That likely is where the breakdown occurred Thursday between Boras and Red Sox owner John Henry. In Boras' mind, Henry still doesn't get it. And if Henry needs a bit longer to experience his epiphany, Boras is more than happy to wait.

In the meantime, the agent continues to speak with other interested clubs, controlling the pace of the discussions, holding, holding, holding the ball.

This isn't December 2006, when Boras had to sign right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka by a fixed deadline and only could negotiate with the Red Sox.

This is free agency, ladies and gentlemen. Different rules. Boras' rules. Henry can huff and puff and try to call Boras' bluff. But the agent is in control.

The Angels, a team known for acting quickly in free agency, have yet to pull out of the Teixeira discussions, indicating that they retain a certain level of confidence in their chances. The Yankees, at the very least, are lurking on the periphery.

Then there are the Nationals and Orioles, the teams closest to Teixeira's hometown, the Baltimore suburb of Severna Park, Md.

Boras no doubt is citing the 2006 Tigers as an example for those two sorry franchises. The Tigers averaged 101.5 losses between '02 and '05, but reached the '06 World Series thanks in part to their purchases of three Boras clients — catcher Ivan Rodriguez, right fielder Magglio Ordonez and left-hander Kenny Rogers.

Neither the Nationals nor Orioles seem capable of duplicating such a run, even with Teixeira. But both teams are starting to develop young talent, with the Orioles perhaps a touch ahead of the Nats. The addition of Teixeira, 28, would give either a reason to dream.

Of course, to get Teixeira, the Nationals or Orioles would need to satisfy Boras' desire for "pull" value — a premium for "pulling" either franchise out of its respective misery. The Nationals seem more inclined to make such a sacrifice, which could be why Henry is effectively daring Boras to go to D.C.

Henry knows that Teixeira prefers to return east rather than stay west with the Angels. He knows — or at least hopes — that the Yankees are not a serious player. And he knows that, even though the Orioles likely view Teixeira as a homegrown heir to Cal Ripken Jr., they are unlikely to be his $200 million sugar daddy.

But Boras knows a few things, too.

The Red Sox, after carrying a $133 million Opening Day payroll last season, have less than $100 million in commitments for '09. True, they also need a catcher, a fourth outfielder and maybe another starting pitcher. But they possess stunning payroll flexibility.

As for the economy, the Red Sox cannot seriously use it as an excuse for losing their top free-agent target, even after freezing ticket prices for 2009.

The value of the franchise has soared. Attendance and TV ratings are certain to remain strong. You don't exactly see the Yankees operating like General Motors. While the Red Sox lack the advantage of a new park, they are not to be confused with the Kansas City Royals or any other financially challenged club.

Teixeira, then, amounts to a test case for Henry — or at least, that is how Boras might view it. J.D. Drew's five-year, $70 million deal is the biggest contract that Henry has awarded as Red Sox owner. Teixeira might cost nearly three times that much, but the team's baseball people want him — need him to build a powerhouse offense in the post-Manny era.

The Red Sox would counter that no one player is worth such outrageous money, but they've already offered Teixeira the biggest contract in club history — and they're not alone in the bidding. Boras surely is engaging every interested owner the same way he is engaging Henry.

"Arte Moreno, you saw how Teixeira transformed the Angels' offense after the team acquired him last summer. You lose him, you might lose the edge you've built over the Dodgers in southern California."

"Hal Steinbrenner, my goodness, here's your chance to bury the Red Sox. Sign Tex, you improve offensively and defensively — and you keep him away from your biggest rival for the next decade."

Nationals owner Ted Lerner and Orioles owner Peter Angelos are getting the "Be like Mike (Ilitch)" pitch, up close and personal. Laugh if you must at the Scott Boras Continuing Education Program, but it's almost Christmas and none of these teams has bowed out of the negotiations. Evidently, the agent is doing something right.

The most logical outcome — still — is that Henry will cough up the extra $20 million or $25 million necessary to bring Teixeira to Boston. Henry just needs to get used to the idea, as distasteful as it would be for him to concede even an inch to his new personal tutor, Scott Boras.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

Click here to read more of Ken's columns.

Teixeira Will Get His Payday, but Is He Really Worth It?

Ken Rosenthal — Sat, 20 Dec 2008 05:21:46 -0500

Mark Teixeira doesn't hit like Barry Bonds, Albert Pujols or Manny Ramirez. But any day now, he will sign a free-agent contract that all three of them will envy.

Whether Teixeira joins the Red Sox or another club is an open question. Whether he merits $180 million over eight years — or whatever the final number will be — is another subject of debate.

For now, though, we're in the familiar Scott Boras Staredown Phase, in which an ardent suitor attempts to call the legendary agent's bluff.

The Sox are experienced at this game.

Boras stuck it to them in Dec. 2005, when Johnny Damon signed with the Yankees without giving the Red Sox a chance to match New York's offer, according to Sox owner John Henry.

The Sox struck back in Dec. 2006, when team officials flew to Boras' home turf in Southern California and forced him to accept a take-it-or-leave it proposal for Daisuke Matsuzaka.

The shenanigans resumed Thursday night. First, news broke that Sox officials were meeting with Boras in Texas. But at 10:45 p.m. ET, Henry issued a sad lament to selected reporters via e-mail.

"We met with Mr. Teixeira and were very much impressed with him," Henry said. "After hearing about his other offers, however, it seems clear that we are not going to be a factor."

Cue the violins. And check back in an hour.

Wherever Teixeira ends up, and Boston is still the best guess, his deal is certain to exceed the eight-year, $160 million deal that Ramirez signed with the Red Sox in 2000 — a deal that included $31 million in deferred payments, significantly reducing its present-day value.

Then the question will become: Is "Tex" worth it?

Aside from the obvious, "No player is" — especially in the middle of a worldwide economic crisis — the answer is indeed arguable.

Among active players, Teixeira ranks only 19th in adjusted OPS — his rate above the league average expressed as a percentage.

Pujols is first in that statistic, Ramirez third and A-Rod tied for sixth. Teixeira is just behind David Ortiz, just ahead of Jason Bay and J.D. Drew. Nothing spectacular.

To view Teixeira in simpler terms, he never has finished higher than seventh in the MVP balloting — seventh!

Why, then, is he the most intensely pursued free agent that Boras has ever had?

- Age. Teixeira turns 29 in April, so his best years might be ahead of him. In each of the past two seasons, he produced a career-high adjusted OPS.

- Durability. It's easy to trust a player who averages 151 games per season, as Teixiera.

- Switch-hitting prowess. Chipper Jones, Lance Berkman and Teixeira are the three best switch-hitters among active players.

- Defense. A two-time Gold Glove winner, Teixeira is a difference-maker at first base.

- Personality. Pleasant and boring, which, in the post-Manny era, will serve him well in Boston.

That is, if he goes to Boston.

Even with Teixeira, the Red Sox still would need to figure out their catching, find a fourth outfielder and trade third baseman Mike Lowell, who has gone from World Series MVP to surgically repaired afterthought in a matter of 14 months.

Lowell signed a three-year contract last off-season, but the Red Sox possess the resources to adjust when their deals become obsolete — or, when in the case of a player such as shortstop Julio Lugo, they turn into outright mistakes.

The Teixeira deal will be a head-scratcher, no matter which team gives it to him. But a lot of unfortunate things would need to happen for it to be a mistake.

Braves: Back to Square One

Rafael Furcal held unique appeal for the Braves. His leadoff skills, club officials believed, would have transformed the team's offense.

Now, with Furcal headed to the Dodgers, the Braves could acquire another second baseman if they still intend to move Kelly Johnson to left field or include him a trade.

That plan, however, no longer is as attractive.

Brian Roberts is the same type of offensive player as Furcal, but it remains doubtful the Orioles will trade him, even though his contract negotiations are at a standstill.

As for free agents, no player on the open market — not David Eckstein, not Mark Grudzielanek, not even Orlando Hudson — would have the same impact as Furcal.

Hudson is a dynamic player, but not a leadoff man. Eckstein's .351 career on-base percentage is only one point lower than Furcal's, but he no longer is a stolen-base threat.

No, the Braves wanted Furcal and only Furcal. Without him, they're back where they started, looking for a quality starting pitcher and run-producing outfielder.

The Braves are not seriously interested in free-agent right-hander Derek Lowe, and Wren's pledge to avoid further negotiations with Furcal's agents seemingly would eliminate lefty Randy Wolf.

Raffy didn't like the thought of switching to 2B. (Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images)

Japanese right-hander Kenshin Kawakami remains a possibility, though some teams fear that he wants the same deal that the Dodgers gave Hiroki Kuroda last season — three years, $35.3 million.

Righties Ben Sheets and Jon Garland and lefties Oliver Perez and Andy Pettitte are among the other free-agent starters still available. The Braves' preference for a young pitcher with upside points to a trade as more likely.

Furcal's side responds

The Braves' desire to possibly move Furcal to second base was "the most important" factor in his decision to remain with the Dodgers, according to a statement issued Thursday night by his lead agent, Arn Tellem.

The majority of Tellem's statement concerned the Braves' criticisms about the way the negotiations were conducted.

The statement said, in part:

With regard to the negotiations between the Atlanta Braves and Rafael Furcal, the essential facts are clear and cannot be disputed.

- There was never an agreement reached between Rafael Furcal and the Atlanta Braves.

- In fact, the Braves were fully aware that Furcal was not prepared to make a decision but had requested an opportunity to sleep on it, before deciding.

- Moreover, the Baseball rules which all agents and teams operate under are clear that no deal exists between a player and a team unless and until: (i) there is a signed and executed player agreement or; (ii) the Player's Union and the Commissioner' office have otherwise confirmed the deal. Neither occurred here.

- Furcal ultimately decided to accept the Dodgers' offer, taking into consideration a number of factors, the most important of which was his desire to continue playing shortstop and not make the position change to second base that the Braves were requiring.

- Losing out on an All-Star player like Furcal is always disappointing, and we understand the Braves' frustration with the outcome of this negotiation, but it does not change in any way the fact that we conducted ourselves with integrity and complied with all rules of major league baseball throughout this process.

- We hope that once emotions have subsided, the Braves will act in a manner consistent with not only their obligations under the Collective Bargaining Agreement and The National Labor Relations Act, but also the best interests of the franchise. In short, we would not want this incident to color their better judgment.

Going, going ... not gone

The A's have placed shortstop Bobby Crosby on outright waivers, major-league sources say, enabling a rival club to claim him and assume his entire $5.25 million salary.

Bobby Crosby just might remain with the A's. (Christian Petersen / Getty Images)

The Royals and Blue Jays still are trying to upgrade at short, but neither is likely to claim Crosby, whose .645 on-base/slugging percentage last season was the third lowest in the majors.

It's telling that the A's are willing to lose Crosby for nothing without an obvious internal or external replacement. But if Crosby clears waivers, which expire at 1 p.m. ET Friday, he is virtually certain to stay with the A's.

There is zero incentive for the A's to send him to the minors; Crosby, as a player with five-plus years of major-league service, could reject the assignment, become a free agent and still collect his entire salary.

The White Sox went through a similar situation with reliever Mike MacDougal last month, but McDougal — as a player with four-plus years of service — could not block his removal from the 40-man roster.

No team took MacDougal in the Rule 5 draft, so he stands to earn $3 million next season working toward a possible return to the White Sox at Class AAA.

Mariners: In need of a bat

Please, no more talk about how Endy Chavez, Franklin Gutierrez and Ichiro could give the Mariners the most formidable defensive outfield in the game.

That outfield would have almost zero punch, and Jack Zduriencik, the team's new GM, freely admits, "We'd like to get a legitimate power hitter, if possible."

Zduriencik says he has made "some contact" with the agents for free-agent sluggers. But the Mariners, like many teams, are waiting for bargains to develop.

The M's preference, Zduriencik says, is for a left-handed hitter. Adam Dunn, Bobby Abreu, Garret Anderson, Jason Giambi and — of course — Ken Griffey Jr. all fit that description.

"Our eyes and ears are open, that's for sure," Zduriencik says.

Around the horn

Asked if Jake Peavy wants out of San Diego, his agent, Barry Axelrod, said, "I wouldn't say it in that way. The Padres have communicated with us. We have an understanding of what their situation is. I don't think it's pleasant for anyone — for the team, for Jake, for anyone. But we recognize it for what it is. They've been open about it. We understand they have to do what they have to do to make the ballclub better — if that's possible in the current situation."

The Indians still want to add an infielder with upside, but ultimately could go for a veteran free agent such as Mark Grudzielanek or Craig Counsell. Club officials would need to decide whether either would be a significant enough upgrade over what they have — Josh Barfield, Jamie Carroll and Luis Valbuena competing at second, with the potential to move Asdrubal Cabrera to short and Jhonny Peralta to third ...

Gary Sheffield to the Rangers makes baseball sense — the Rangers are too left-handed and the Tigers too right-handed. Problem is, the Rangers are short on money, making it particularly unwise for them to invest in a 40-year designated hitter who will earn $14 million next season. If the Tigers are motivated to move Sheffield — as it appears they are — they will need to include a significant amount of money ...

The Rockies are debating whether to sign free-agent right-hander Tim Redding or trade for Cubs righty Jason Marquis. Redding, 30, tied for the team lead with 182 innings last season, though he posted a 4.95 ERA. The Nationals non-tendered him because they did not want to pay him $3 million to $3.5 million in arbitration. Marquis, also 30, is owed $9.875 million next season, but the Cubs are willing to assume a significant portion of his salary ...

Left-hander Randy Wolf's asking price is believed to be $30 million for three years. The Astros are believed to have offered him between $22 million and $24 million before pulling their proposal due to economic reasons. The Dodger appear a perfect fit for Wolf, but their experience with righty Jason Schmidt might make them gun-shy to give big dollars to another starting pitcher with a lengthy injury history.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

Click here to read more of Ken's columns.

White Sox Staying True to Youth Movement

Ken Rosenthal — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 12:58:50 -0500

After the White Sox traded Nick Swisher in mid-November, I wrote, "Ken Williams is up to something. ... I don't buy for a second that the 2009 White Sox will go young at three positions — second base, third base and center field."

More than a month later, right-hander Javier Vazquez also is gone and right fielder Jermaine Dye could follow. Williams will not rule out signing a veteran free agent if bargains develop. But he continues to emphasize his commitment to youth.

"I've got a lot of confidence in our younger guys," Williams told FOXSports.com Friday. "They've earned the opportunity. I'm first going to look that way. That said, if the opportunity presents itself, that obviously makes us better and we can afford, then we'll travel down that road. We're not there yet."

Will they get there? Maybe in January, when the market will still be cluttered with players looking for jobs. But for now, the White Sox are not even pursuing free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson, a player who seemingly would be a perfect fit.

Instead, the Sox will use some combination of Chris Getz, Brent Lillibridge and Jayson Nix at second. Gordon Beckham, the eighth overall pick out of the University of Georgia in last year's draft, could be the long-term answer.

"I love Orlando," Williams said. "But we've got Chris Getz. We've got Brent Lillibridge. And we've got Gordon Beckham coming up behind both of them. It doesn't make any sense for us."

Perhaps the White Sox intended to be aggressive in the market, and their plans shifted because of the reeling economy. Williams, however, says the team is merely following its plan.

"What we've done this year seems to have caught people by surprise. But it's nothing more than a continuation," Williams said. "Is it different than two years ago when we got (Gavin) Floyd and (John) Danks? Is it different than last year when we got (Alexei) Ramirez and (Carlos) Quentin?

"It wasn't so long ago that, at least in Chicago, we were perceived as a team that was getting a little long in the tooth. We've taken some steps not only to infuse some youth and remain competitive, but also to set up ourselves in a nice way going forward."

A year ago at this time, the White Sox had no idea whether Ramirez and Quentin would contribute, much less become Rookie of the Year and MVP candidates, respectively. The player to watch next season is third baseman Dayan Viciedo, the 19-year-old Cuban defector who recently agreed to a four-year, $10 million contract.

"This young man is special," Williams said. "As I've said, I'm very high on Josh Fields at third base. But at 19 years old, this young man, Viciedo, the sky's the limit on him.

"I prefer our guys to come in with a little less hype. Chicago is weighty enough without coming in with increased expectations. All I will say is this: He's got a chance to help us in some capacity in ('09). And he definitely has a chance to be part of our core and in the middle of our lineup in (2010)."

Mets pursuing Redding

The Mets, trying to create additional options for their rotation, are attempting to sign free-agent right-hander Tim Redding, major-league sources say.

The Rockies and Orioles also are talking to Redding, sources say, and the Rangers represent an additional option.

Redding, 30, is seeking a two-year contract.

The Mets are trying to sign a more prominent free-agent starter such as righty Derek Lowe or lefty Oliver Perez, but Redding could fit in the back of their rotation.

The Rockies discussed a trade for Redding at the winter meetings, but would be reluctant to sign him for more than one year, according to a source with knowledge of the team's thinking.

Redding spent the past two seasons with the Nationals, going 10-11 with a 4.95 ERA in 2008 and tying for the team lead with 182 innings.

The Nationals declined to offer him a contract last week, unwilling to pay him what he projected to earn in salary arbitration — between $3 million and $3.5 million.

Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey and John Maine are the Mets' top three returning starters. Maine, however, did not pitch after Aug. 23 last season because of a bone spur in his right shoulder.

A pitcher such as Lowe or Perez could be the No. 2 starter behind Santana, with Redding and rookie left-hander Jon Niese conceivably competing for the fifth spot.

The Rockies like Redding, but they are exploring a wide range of options, including a trade for Cubs right-hander Jason Marquis and the signing of free-agent righty Braden Looper.

Around the Horn

The return of free-agent left-hander Andy Pettitte to the Yankees is "virtually inevitable," according to a source with knowledge of the pitcher's intentions. While a deal is not imminent, it is believed that the two sides will eventually come to an agreement. The signing of Pettitte would likely end the Yankees' pursuit of other free-agent pitchers, namely right-handers Derek Lowe and Ben Sheets.

The Dodgers are considering free-agent right-handers Trevor Hoffman and Juan Cruz for the back of their bullpen, and lefties Randy Johnson, Randy Wolf and righty Jon Garland as possible starters. The signing of Cruz, who was offered arbitration by the Diamondbacks, would force the Dodgers to surrender a first-round pick to a division rival. However, the Dodgers will gain multiple high picks if they lose Lowe and outfielder Manny Ramirez as free agents. ...

As the Cardinals await word from free-agent closer Brian Fuentes, they will continue to explore other possibilities. Left-handed setup types — from Joe Beimel to Dennys Reyes, Will Ohman to Brian Shouse — remain in ample supply. "It's an unpredictable market, hard to figure out," Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak says. "Being patient is not a bad strategy." ...

Just in case you're wondering, the Brewers — and not the Blue Jays — will get the Yankees' first-round draft pick in next year's draft. Both teams lost Type A free agents to the Yankees, and the Blue Jays finished with a worse record than the Brewers. However, the compensation order is determined by Elias player rankings. CC Sabathia was ranked higher than A.J. Burnett; the Brewers, according to the system, suffered the greater loss. ...

The Braves kicked around a variety of possibilities to make the Rafael Furcal signing work, and not all involved trading Kelly Johnson or moving him to left field. Under one scenario, the Braves would have traded Casey Kotchman for an outfielder, keeping Furcal at short, moving Yunel Escobar to third base and shifting Chipper Jones to first.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

Click here to read more of Ken's columns.

Once Mark Teixeira Signs, Others Likely to Get Deals Fast

Ken Rosenthal — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 18:34:50 -0500

Here's an example of how one player—in this case, Mark Teixeira—can hold up the entire free-agent market:

The Angels likely will move on free-agent closer Brian Fuentes if they lose Teixeira. The Cardinals, who also want Fuentes, must wait; the Angels are his No. 1 choice.

If the Cardinals fail to get Fuentes, they could go for a more expensive starting pitcher. Or, they could sign a less expensive starter such as Japanese right-hander Kenshin Kawakami and less expensive reliever such as lefty Will Ohman.

And that's just one thread of the pitching market—a market of which Teixeira is not even a part. His impact on the hitting market, obviously, is even greater.

The Angels will need a bat if they fail to keep Teixeira—they're interested in Manny Ramirez, Milton Bradley and others. The Yankees could be after the same group of players if they lose Teixeira, and they're also dabbling with free agents such as second baseman Orlando Hudson.

The Cubs and Rays want Bradley, but can not get him until he exhausts his options with the Angels and Yankees. The rest of the free-agent hitters—Bobby Abreu, Pat Burrell, Adam Dunn, Jason Giambi, et al—are in the same holding pattern.

"Once Tex signs, it will be fast and furious," one agent says.

Just messing with you

The Yankees seem disinclined to sign Teixeira if his price soars to the $180 million to $200 million range.

Funny time for them to find religion, don't you think?

The Yanks could deal a blow to Boston by signing Tex. ( / Getty Images)

The Yankees, in the opinion of one rival general manager, should be pursuing Teixeira as aggressively as they did left-hander CC Sabathia.

"Teixeira is the only great player the Red Sox are after," the GM says. "If the Yankees get Sabathia and Teixeira, the Red Sox can't counter that. There's nothing they can do."

Manny Ramirez, ahem, obviously is not an option for the Red Sox. Free-agent righty Derek Lowe would be a nice addition, but the Sox still would need more offense.

Ramirez is gone. David Ortiz might never be the same. The Red Sox could pursue Bobby Abreu or Adam Dunn or wait for A's left fielder Matt Holliday to become a free agent next offseason. But none of those players is as big a difference-maker as Teixeira offensively or defensively.

As I wrote in my last column, the Yankees project that their 2009 payroll will be lower than it was last season even with the additions of Sabathia and free-agent righty A.J. Burnett. The signing of Teixeira almost certainly would push it higher. But why should a team that bid against itself for the best pitcher on the market suddenly turn passive with the best all-around player?

The Yankees needed pitching, they got pitching. It makes no sense for them to stop at the Red Sox's No. 1 target, a switch-hitter who could pair with Alex Rodriguez to form a devastating middle of the order for the better part of the next decade.

Ramirez would be a reasonable alternative to Teixeira, just as he would be for the Angels. But Teixeira, 28, is eight years younger than Ramirez, a defensive asset and let's face it, less of a threat to A-Rod's psyche. The Material Boy might freak out at the sight of Ramirez and spend the rest of his 10-year contract trying to hit every pitch nine miles.

Surely, the Yankees and every other bidder understand that $160 million for eight years is merely the baseline for Teixeira—the Tigers gave Miguel Cabrera $152.3 million over eight before he was a free agent, and Teixeira rejected $140 million for eight from the Rangers in 2007.

Teixeira, 28, is three years older than Cabrera. His career OPS is nearly identical, his defense far superior. His agent, Scott Boras, says that none of his previous free-agent clients, including A-Rod, were in this much demand.

If the Yankees want to draw a line, they should draw it with paying Andy Pettitte $10 million to be their fifth starter or Mike Cameron $10 million to be their center fielder.

Not with Teixeira, for crying out loud.

The A's McAfee Blues

Upon learning that free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal was deciding between the Dodgers and Braves, one prominent agent expressed sympathy for A's general manager Billy Beane and assistant GM David Forst, saying that they face an uphill fight trying to attract free agents to Oakland.

Furcal ended up choosing the Dodgers on Wednesday.

The A's rarely are major players in free agency, but the agent said that the poor working conditions and occasionally unruly crowd behavior at McAfee Coliseum are turnoffs for his clients.

"Many players are uncertain about the atmosphere," the agent said. "They're not as comfortable going to work there or having their families attend games there on a regular basis."

In 2012, the A's are scheduled to move into Cisco Field, which will be located approximately 20 miles south of McAfee in Fremont, Calif.

"That will help them recruit players," the agent said. "Billy and David are as good as anyone in the business. The new park will level the playing field for them and allow them to excel."

Royals wanted Raffy

Rafael Furcal didn't like the idea of McAfee Coliseum. (Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images)

The Blue Jays and Royals were unable to bid competitively for Furcal—a particular blow to the Royals, who envisioned Furcal and Coco Crisp at the top of their order, potentially helping the team contend in a weakened AL Central.

Rene Francisco, a special assistant to Royals general manager Dayton Moore, was the scout who originally signed Furcal for the Braves. Furcal also is close with Moore, who was in the Braves' front office during the player's first tenure with the club.

The Royals conceivably could have moved outfielder Jose Guillen to clear salary for Furcal, but club officials value Guillen's power. The team, expecting a payroll jump from $58 million to $72 million, just could not find a way to fit Furcal into its budget.

O's Markakis: Think Utley

The Orioles, trying to sign Nick Markakis long-term, surely want to avoid giving their right fielder the deal that the Phillies awarded second baseman Chase Utley prior to the 2007 season—seven years, $85 million.

But the comparison between the two is valid.

Markakis, 25, is eligible for salary arbitration for the first time, the same service level that Utley was at entering '07. He is two years younger than Utley was then, yet his offensive percentages are surprisingly close.

Utley had a batting average/on-base/slugging line of .290/.362/.509 entering his first year of arbitration, while Markakis is at .299/.375/.476. Utley holds more value as an up-the-middle defender, but Markakis is considered one of the top defensive right fielders in the game.

The Utley deal might be a stretch for Markakis; Utley sealed his long-term deal in '06 by producing a 35-game hitting streak along with 32 home runs, 102 RBIs and 131 runs scored.

Then again, Markakis will be a free agent at 28 if he continues on one-year contracts, a thought that surely frightens the Orioles.

Around the Horn

The Angels could get in the mix for Fuentes. (Doug Pensinger / Getty Images)

Free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson, recovering from surgery to repair a dislocated bone in his left wrist, has been cleared by his surgeon to resume all baseball activities without restriction. Hudson, who had already begun hitting, now can work on his fielding as well, according to the report his agents received from Dr. Donald Sheridan...

Status quo in the Brian Fuentes negotiations. The Cardinals are pushing hard for Fuentes, but the pitcher's agents might prefer to wait for the outcome of the Teixeira sweepstakes. If the Angels lose Teixeira, they might be more inclined to sign Fuentes. The Brewers also remain interested...

After losing Furcal, the A's plan to wait for free-agent bargains that might develop. Some executives believe that the reeling economy could force teams to adjust revenue projections and roll back payrolls as the offseason continues. Such a development would benefit teams that are willing to be patient...

The Phillies almost certainly are out on free-agent right-hander Derek Lowe now that they've signed free-agent outfielder Raul Ibanez, left-hander Jamie Moyer and righty Chan Ho Park. The Red Sox and Mets remain possibilities for Lowe, and the Yankees conceivably could re-enter the picture if they fail to re-sign free-agent lefty Andy Pettitte, though team officials downplay that possibility...

As of early Tuesday, the Mike Cameron deal between the Brewers and Yankees had a "better chance of not happening than happening," according to one source with knowledge of the discussions. Rather than pay even a percentage of left-hander Kei Igawa's remaining contract, the Brewers might prefer to spend on free-agent pitchers...

The Braves were actively trying to trade second baseman Kelly Johnson for an outfielder even before they closed in on Furcal. Earlier this offseason, they discussed sending Johnson to the Cardinals for outfielder Ryan Ludwick. More recently, they dangled Johnson for Corey Hart, but the Brewers had no interest...

Free-agent left-hander Randy Wolf is drawing significant attention after going 6-2 with a 3.57 ERA down the stretch for the Astros, but buyer beware: As one interested GM notes, the oft-injured Wolf made more than 30 starts last season for the first time since 2003.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

Click here to read more of Ken's columns.

Sources: Rafael Furcal Picks Dodgers over Braves

Ken Rosenthal — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:22:06 -0500

Rafael Furcal has finally made up his mind. He's going back to Hollywood.

Furcal, the top free-agent shortstop on the open market this year, has decided to sign with the Dodgers, major-league sources said.

On Monday night, the Braves were under the distinct impression that they had a deal with Furcal. On Tuesday, the Dodgers re-entered the discussions, and by Wednesday afternoon the Dodgers and Furcal were hammering out the terms of an agreement, sources said.

The Braves on Wednesday were informed that Furcal would not accept their deal.

"When people deal with you in this manner, they lose credibility," Braves GM Frank Wren said. "You don't forget these things."

According to Wren, this is how the situation played out:

Wren reached agreement on the terms of a contract with Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, on Monday night, pending the approval of Furcal.
Between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET Monday night, Wren spoke with Kinzer three or four times, negotiating the dollar amount, the years and terms of the vesting option, and other contractual details.
Wren and Kinzer spoke again around midnight Monday night. Kinzer told Wren that he had not yet heard back from Furcal, but that Furcal was excited and that "we're good."
On Tuesday morning, Wren woke up to a voicemail from Kinzer telling him to put a term sheet (the standard baseball term for an official contract offer) together.
Wren went into his office in Atlanta, put the term sheet together and signed it.
Shortly thereafter, Kinzer began "backpedaling," saying he promised the Dodgers he would talk to them.

Atlanta, according to sources, offered Furcal a three-year deal worth approximately $30 million, and included a vesting option for a fourth year that would have pushed the potential value of the deal to approximately $40 million.

The Dodgers, meanwhile, had been reluctant to re-sign Furcal long-term due to medical concerns. On Tuesday, however, they suddenly showed interest in extending their offer beyond two guaranteed years.

Furcal's reasons for choosing the Dodgers over the Braves are unclear. But he will remain at shortstop with the Dodgers; the Braves, depending upon the outcome of other moves, might have moved him to second base.

The A's are believed to have made the high offer for Furcal—four years guaranteed in the $40 million range, according to major-league sources.

Furcal, 31, left the Braves for the Dodgers after the 2005 season, signing a three-year, $39 million free-agent contract.

For the Braves, the loss of Furcal represents their third major setback of the offseason.

The first came when they failed to reach a trade agreement for Padres right-hander Jake Peavy after weeks of negotiations.

The second occurred when they were outbid for free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett, who signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract with the Yankees.

Furcal was less important to the Braves than either of those starting pitchers, but his addition would have created opportunities for the team to trade shortstop Yunel Escobar or second baseman Kelly Johnson for either outfield help or pitching.

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Signing Mark Teixeira Would Help Yankees Derail Red Sox's Plans

Ken Rosenthal — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 04:51:14 -0500

The Yankees seem disinclined to sign free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira if his price soars to the $180 million to $200 million range.

Funny time for them to find religion, don't you think?

The Yankees, in the opinion of one rival general manager, should be pursuing Teixeira as aggressively as they did left-hander CC Sabathia.

"Teixeira is the only great player the Red Sox are after," the GM says. "If the Yankees get Sabathia and Teixeira, the Red Sox can't counter that. There's nothing they can do."

Manny Ramirez, ahem, obviously is not an option for the Red Sox. Free-agent righty Derek Lowe would be a nice addition, but the Sox still would need more offense.

If the Yankees want to draw a line, they should draw it with paying Andy Pettitte $10 million to be their fifth starter or Mike Cameron $10 million to be their center fielder.

Not with Teixeira, for crying out loud.

The A's McAfee Blues

Upon learning that free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal was headed to the Braves, one prominent agent expressed sympathy for A's general manager Billy Beane and assistant GM David Forst, saying that they face an uphill fight trying to attract free agents to Oakland.

The A's rarely are major players in free agency, but the agent said that the poor working conditions and occasionally unruly crowd behavior at McAfee Coliseum are turnoffs for his clients.

"Many players are uncertain about the atmosphere," the agent said. "They're not as comfortable going to work there or having their families attend games there on a regular basis."

In 2012, the A's are scheduled to move into Cisco Field, which will be located approximately 20 miles south of McAfee in Fremont, Calif.

"That will help them recruit players," the agent said. "Billy and David are as good as anyone in the business. The new park will level the playing field for them and allow them to excel."

Royals wanted Raffy

Rafael Furcal didn't like the idea of McAfee Coliseum. (Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images)

O's Markakis: Think Utley

But the comparison between the two is valid.

The Utley deal might be a stretch for Markakis; Utley sealed his long-term deal in '06 by producing a 35-game hitting streak along with 32 home runs, 102 RBI and 131 runs scored.

Then again, Markakis will be a free agent at 28 if he continues on one-year contracts, a thought that surely frightens the Orioles.

Around the Horn

The Angels could get in the mix for Fuentes.(Doug Pensinger / Getty Images)

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Mike Scioscia Could See Manny Ramirez in Angels Uniform

Ken Rosenthal — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 04:59:59 -0500

Rarely is Manny Ramirez called an Angel. But to hear Angels manager Mike Scioscia tell it, the idea is not as far-fetched as many believe.

Scioscia, appearing Monday with Roger Lodge and Dave Smith on AM 830 KLAA, heartily endorsed the idea of the Angels signing Ramirez as a free agent.

The remarks by Scioscia were the second public indication that the team could be bracing for the loss of free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira.

The first indication came when the Angels announced Saturday they had offered Teixeira an eight-year contract. No other team pursuing Teixeira has made such a proclamation; it serves no useful purpose in negotiations, other than to tell fans, "We've taken our best shot."

Now here was Scioscia, replying to a question from Lodge on the Angels' radio affiliate about whether Ramirez was a "Mike Scioscia guy."

"I don't know how some of these things get started," Scioscia said. "Our staff has been together for 10 years here. Really, we've had maybe one well-documented thing with Jose Guillen and that's it. I don't think we demand anything from our players that any other organization, any other manager, doesn't demand from their players.

"Manny Ramirez is a guy...as long as he's practicing the game hard, playing it hard and producing, and is understanding of the team concept—which from everything I've heard from guys he's played with, he is; he's a guy who works very, very hard at what he does—he'd be a fit on a lot of clubs, including our own.

"I don't think it's anything like that that is going to keep Manny from being considered to play for our club. It's certainly length of contract, resources, things like that—(things) that would affect any other player."

Smith then asked Scioscia, "So, you're all for it if things can be worked out?

"Absolutely," Scioscia responded. "Talent like Manny's is real. He's a winner. Whether it happens or not remains to be seen. But we would not rule him out. We have discussions obviously on character and makeup. We would not rule Manny out.

"When he's motivated—and he showed that in the last part of the season—this guy is one of the best talents in the game."

Finally, Lodge asked if the Angels would consult Red Sox manager Terry Francona for a background check on Ramirez.

Scioscia responded, "Already been done."

Abreu: Right player, wrong price?

Bobby Abreu has produced six straight 100-RBI seasons, averaged 159 games the past eight years and built a .405 career on-base percentage.

Why, then, isn't he getting more play on the free-agent market?

Evidently, his price is too high.

Abreu, who turns 35 on March 11, is looking for a three-year, $48 million contract, one executive says. He earned $16 million last season with the Yankees, who declined to offer him arbitration.

It's understandable that Abreu wants a multi-year deal without a paycut from his 2008 salary. His problem is that the market is flooded with left-handed hitting outfield/DH types.

Raul Ibanez signed a three-year, $31.5 million contract with the Phillies. Adam Dunn, Garret Anderson, Jason Giambi and Ken Griffey Jr. remain free agents, as does switch-hitter Milton Bradley.

Abreu ranked 34th among major-league right fielders last season according to the plus-minus ratings on Bill James Online. However, his baserunning is superior to the hitters left on the market, one executive says.

Griffey Watch

While the Mariners' top executives favor bringing back Griffey, they're leaving the decision to new general manager Jack Zduriencik—a strong indication that upper management will meddle less than it did in the past.

Griffey, 39, represents an attractive fallback position for a team that does not want to pay big dollars for a free-agent bat. He had 30 homers, 93 RBIs and an .868 OPS in 2007, only to regress last season due to injury; his left knee was drained three times and required arthroscopic surgery in October.

Money is less of a concern for Griffey than it is for most free agents. His previous contract with the Reds included $57.5 million in deferred payments at 4 percent interest. Those payments begin in 2009 and last until 2024.

Mets on 'Tek? Maybe

After fixing their bullpen, The Mets are focused on securing another starting pitcher, preferably free-agent lefty Oliver Perez.

The team, though, also could seek to improve its pitching by signing free-agent catcher Jason Varitek.

Club officials are divided on how strongly to pursue Varitek, sources say. Some view him as a potential difference-maker for their pitching staff; others are alarmed by his .220 batting average last season.

For the Mets to land Varitek, they would need to move catcher Brian Schneider—who is guaranteed $4.9 million next season. Such a move should not be a problem; several teams are interested in Schneider.

The Mets, though, would need to decide whether the additional cost for Varitek would be prudent. Varitek, 36, wants a multi-year deal.

Some executives remain convinced that agent Scott Boras will require any team that signs Teixeira to also take Varitek; Boras rejected the Red Sox's offer of arbitration for Varitek, one exec says, only because he knew he could get a package deal.

Late-night calls

Mike Powers, the agent for right-hander Daniel Cabrera, said he received calls from five clubs on the pitcher between midnight and 12:30 Saturday. Cabrera, 27, became a free agent at midnight after the Orioles declined to offer him a contract.

Powers said he has heard from more than 10 clubs on Cabrera and received two offers. Numerous major-league scouts are expected to be in attendance Tuesday night when Cabrera pitches in the Dominican winter league.

Cabrera's velocity dropped from the 96 to 99 mph range to 88 to 91 in September, one scout says, raising concerns that he might be injured. Powers, however, said that his client is fine.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

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Sources: Furcal Spurns A's $40M for Braves' $30M

Ken Rosenthal — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 04:50:43 -0500

The Braves have scored a major offseason upset, luring free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal back to Atlanta.

In a stunning turnaround, Furcal spurned the A's for a three-year deal with the Braves worth approximately $30 million, according to major-league sources.

The deal, which will require Furcal to pass a physical, includes a vesting option for a fourth year that likely will push the potential value to $40 million.

"They're in deep," Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, told FOXSports.com on Monday night, before a decision had been reached. "He's seriously considering it."

The A's are believed to have made the high offer for Furcal — four years guaranteed in the $40 million range, according to major-league sources.

The Braves, however, made a late, rapid push for Furcal, who owns homes in Atlanta and Los Angeles and preferred to rejoin the Braves or stay with the Dodgers.

One rival executive said Monday night, "he will do whatever he can not to go to Oakland," citing Furcal's preference to be with one of his prior teams.

Furcal, 31, left the Braves for the Dodgers after the 2005 season, signing a three-year, $39 million free-agent contract.

His return to Atlanta gives the Braves stunning flexibility in their middle infield, perhaps enabling them to revive their trade talks for Padres right-hander Jake Peavy.

Furcal could switch to second base, a position he has played in winter ball, if the Braves move Kelly Johnson to left field or trade Johnson for an outfielder or pitching help.

Or, Furcal could remain at shortstop if the Braves trade Yunel Escobar, either as part of a Peavy package or in a separate deal.

The availability of Peavy, however, is unclear, and Braves officials have not even discussed him in recent weeks, one source said.

"We are no longer actively pursuing any trade for Jake, which is not to say someone won't approach us," Padres president Sandy Alderson told the San Diego Union-Tribune on Monday.

"We said from the very beginning . . . that we would not make a trade unless it made baseball sense."

The Braves began the offseason intent on landing two quality starting pitchers. They acquired right-hander Javier Vazquez from the White Sox, but failed in attempts to land Peavy and sign free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett.

The addition of Furcal could lead the Braves to continue their pursuits of less prominent free-agent pitchers such as left-hander Randy Wolf and Japanese right-hander Kenshin Kawakami. But it also would give them the option to explore bigger deals.

Kinzer said last week that the A's, Dodgers, Blue Jays and Royals were the four finalists for Furcal. The Blue Jays and Royals, however, fell out of the running due to economic reasons, according to major-league sources. The Dodgers apparently were not willing to offer Furcal more than two years.

Orlando Cabrera would become the top shortstop on the free-agent market if the Braves complete their deal with Furcal, becoming a prime candidate for the Dodgers.

Other options for the Dodgers would include re-signing Angel Berroa, a lesser free agent, or trading for the Pirates' Jack Wilson.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

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Sources: A's Up Offer, Look Like Leaders for Furcal

Ken Rosenthal — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 06:01:16 -0500

From every indication, the A's are the front-runner to sign free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal.

The A's have improved their initial four-year offer to Furcal, according to major-league sources.

Furcal, 31, does not appear to have another four-year proposal, though negotiations are fluid and subject to change.

Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, said last week that the A's, Dodgers, Blue Jays and Royals were the four finalists for his client. Other teams, however, could be in the mix.

The Dodgers will not offer Furcal four years and maybe not even three, sources say. The Jays are unable to compete economically. The Royals might need to trade outfielder Jose Guillen to clear payroll.

Guillen, 32, is owed $24 million over the next two seasons, but Royals officials say that moving him would be counter-productive because the team needs his power.

The A's initial four-year offer to Furcal was believed to be for between $35 million and $40 million. The Dodgers and other clubs have been reluctant to offer him four years due to his injury history.

If Furcal signs with the A's, the Dodgers could turn to free-agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera or re-sign free agent Angel Berroa, a lesser player. They also could revive trade talks for the Pirates' Jack Wilson.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

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Yanks Shedding Salaries to Go After More Players

Ken Rosenthal — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 17:39:11 -0500

Scream all you want about the Yankees' spending. Club officials continue to say that the team's projected payroll will be lower than it was last season.

Consider the list of players coming off the Yankees' 2008 roster — and the players who could or will take their approximate salary slots in 2009. See table:

Roster changes

2008	2009
Jason Giambi, $23.4M	CC Sabathia
Bobby Abreu, $16M	A.J. Burnett
Mike Mussina, $11M	Mike Cameron
Kyle Farnsworth, $5.9M	Nick Swisher

The Yankees also are shedding Carl Pavano's $11 million salary and trying to re-sign Andy Pettitte or add another pitcher for less than the $16 million that Pettitte earned in '08.

So, general manager Brian Cashman could have one big move left even if he added a Cameron — and even after re-signing lefty reliever Damaso Marte for $12 million over three years and accounting for salary increases to other players.

That move might not be for Mark Teixeira, though the Yankees probably could fit him into their 2009 payroll if they structured his contract creatively. More likely, they will go for a lesser bat, maybe even Abreu at a discounted rate.

The Yankees were criticized a year ago for failing to obtain left-hander Johan Santana, but in hindsight their plan makes sense.

Rather than trade young assets such as Phil Hughes for Santana, they simply waited for Sabathia — who beat Santana for the 2007 American League Cy Young Award and outpitched him in the NL last season.

Long-term contracts for pitchers are always risks, and both Sabathia and Burnett are coming off heavy workloads in '08. But Burnett, who turns 32 on Jan. 3, will be the oldest of the Yankees' top four starters.

Meanwhile, the Yankees still have Hughes, who eventually could figure into their rotation. They used Jeff Marquez, another pitcher in the Santana discussions, to help land Marte and Xavier Nady. And Cabrera, who also would have gone to the Twins for Santana, ultimately could bring them Cameron.

WWTD: What will Teixeira do?

Like Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira is considered an ideal Scott Boras client, one who understands the value of a landmark contract and follows baseball economics closely.

The parallel is intriguing: A-Rod went for top dollar when he signed his 10-year, $252 million contract with the Rangers in 2000. Teixeira might do the same and accept a monster bid from the lowly Nationals.

The difference is, A-Rod did not have a successful team such as the Red Sox as a reasonable if less lucrative alternative in free agency.

Boras always has insisted that at least one other team made a strong run at A-Rod, but the consensus within the industry is that the Braves made the second-highest bid and did not come within $100 million.

The Nats will not outbid the Red Sox by that amount for Teixeira. The Yankees are at least on the periphery. And the Angels announced Friday that they have made Teixeira an eight-year offer, perhaps to demonstrate the seriousness of their intentions at a time when their chances appear to be diminishing.

The Nats have offered Teixeira $160 million for eight years, according to The Washington Post. The Red Sox might not be at eight years and might not be at $20 million per season. The Yankees' interest could be sincere or it could be a ruse by the team and/or Boras.

As one general manager said, "There is a lot of bluffing going on trying to get the Red Sox to go higher."

WWDD: What will the Dodgers do?

The question applies not only to Manny Ramirez, but also to Rafael Furcal. The A's are again offering Furcal a four-year deal, the Blue Jays and Royals continue to show interest and the Dodgers are ... where exactly?

Lying in wait.

The Dodgers obviously do not want to give Furcal a three- or four-year contract unless the deal includes provisions that protect them against injury. To some degree, they're daring Furcal to leave for a lesser club.

The A's, for example, will be a longshot to win the AL West no matter how the Angels' off-season evolves. If the A's trade Matt Holliday before July 31 — or, more likely, lose him as a free agent — Furcal might be stuck with a weaker club. Meanwhile, neither the Royals nor Blue Jays figure to contend next season.

One agent says it is obvious that Furcal wants to remain with the Dodgers; otherwise, he already would have accepted the A's offer. If the Dodgers lose Furcal, their other options would include free agents Orlando Cabrera and Angel Berroa and a trade for the Pirates' Jack Wilson.

J.J. almost an Indian

The Indians attempted to trade for J.J. Putz, but the Mariners wanted a highly regarded prospect in addition to outfielder Franklin Gutierrez.

Instead, Gutierrez went to the Mets, who spun him to the M's in a three-team, 12-player deal that brought Putz to New York and reliever Joe Smith and infielder Luis Valbuena to Cleveland.

Smith will join Kerry Wood in a revamped Indians' bullpen that still includes left-hander Rafael Perez and righties Jensen Lewis and Rafael Betancourt. Valbuena, the Indians believe, has the potential to be an everyday second baseman; one club official likens his swing to "Robinson Cano lite."

As for the Mariners, some rival executives believe the team received more quantity than quality in their seven-player return for Putz, outfielder Jeremy Reed, reliever Sean Green and Valbuena.

Another exec, however, says Gutierrez, first-base prospect Mike Carp and right-hander Aaron Heilman alone are a fair exchange for Putz, who has two years left on his contract and is coming off an injury-marred season.

The most intriguing prospect that the Mariners acquired from the Mets was Single-A right-hander Maikel Cleto, 19, a scout's favorite who throws up to 98 mph.

Bradley's choice ... or is it?

The Cubs and Rays are the teams in strongest pursuit of free-agent outfielder Milton Bradley, who also is drawing interest from the Reds, Angels and the Nationals, a team that never met an outfielder it didn't like.

For Bradley, the choice appears simple. The Rays' Joe Maddon almost certainly would be a better manager for him than the Cubs' impatient Lou Piniella, and staying in the American League would allow him to protect his oft-injured body by serving as a DH.

With the Rays, Bradley could bat cleanup between Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria, offer above-average defense in right field and fit well on a young, high-energy team.

The question is whether the Rays will meet Bradley's price.

The glut of outfielders and DHs on the trade and free-agent markets will allow the Rays to be choosy. If Bradley proves too expensive, they can simply turn to another free agent from a group that includes Abreu, Jason Giambi, Garrett Anderson and Pat Burrell.

Wiggin' out

Third baseman Ty Wigginton probably was the most surprising name on the list of players who became free agents Friday when their teams declined to offer them contracts.

Wigginton, 31, hit 23 homers in 386 at-bats with an .876 OPS for the Astros last season. He projected to earn as much as $6 million in salary arbitration, and the Astros could not trade him.

Four teams called immediately on Wigginton — the Twins would be an obvious fit, and so might the Giants.

Other clubs, though, are wary.

Wigginton had a 1.081 OPS at home last season and a .696 OPS on the road. He also is a below-average defender, so a team such as the Indians probably would pass.

The Indians would not want Jhonny Peralta and Wigginton manning the left side of their infield with so many sinker-ballers on their staff. Peralta could shift to third base if the team acquires a second baseman or shortstop; he is playing third in the Dominican Republic.

Around the horn

Agents point to three recent free-agent contracts as proof that the market is healthy: Edgar Renteria, two years, $18.5 million, Giants; Kyle Farnsworth, two years, $9.25 million, Royals; and Nick Punto, two years, $8.5 million, Twins. None of those clubs is a high-revenue franchise. None of those players will be anything close to underpaid ...

To replace Wigginton, the Astros likely will need to find a veteran to share time with Geoff Blum. Chris Johnson, the team's third baseman of the future, needs more time to develop; he produced only a .539 OPS in 107 plate appearances after his promotion to Triple-A last season ...

Free-agent infielder/outfielder Jerry Hairston is drawing interest from three American League clubs as well as the Reds, according to a major-league source. The Mariners likely are one of the teams in the mix. Hairston, 32, plays six positions and was a favorite of new M's manager Don Wakamatsu when both were with the Rangers.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

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Sources: Yanks, Burnett Reach 5-Year, $82.5M Deal

Ken Rosenthal — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:08:12 -0500

CC and A.J.?

The Yankees are getting both.

Free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett has reached a preliminary agreement with the Yankees on a five-year, $82.5 million contract, according to major-league sources, joining lefty CC Sabathia in the team's revamped rotation.

The deal is pending Burnett's physical.

Sabathia agreed to a seven-year, $161 million contract earlier this week, making the combined total of the Yankees' two latest pitching investments $243.5 million. Sabathia, however, has the right to cancel his deal after three years.

The Braves were the other team making a strong run at Burnett, but evidently could not match the Yankees' offer.

The best news for Yankees fans? Burnett is 5-0 with a 2.56 ERA in eight career starts against the Red Sox.

The signing of Burnett means that the Yankees will drop their pursuit of right-hander Derek Lowe, who could end up with Boston.

Meanwhile, the Yankees have given lefty Andy Pettitte a take-it-or leave-it one-year, $10 million offer to remain with the club, according to the New York Post. If Pettitte declines, the Yankees likely will pursue a pitcher at a comparable price on the open market. They have had discussions with righty Ben Sheets.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

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Source: Red Sox Getting Closer to Teixeira Deal

Ken Rosenthal — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 19:17:18 -0500

The Red Sox are making progress in their quest to sign free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, according to a major-league source.

"Headway was being made earlier today," one source said.

A rival general manager whose plans could be affected by the Red Sox's addition of Teixeira also indicated that a deal was getting closer.

Teixeira is the Red Sox's No. 1 offseason target. They view him as the perfect fit for the middle of their order.

Teixeira is seeking a 10-year contract for at least $20 million per season. The Red Sox preference would be to sign him to a deal between six and eight years.

With CC Sabathia taken, Teixeira is now the biggest prize on the free-agent market. He hit 33 home runs and had 121 RBIs as a member of the Braves and Angels last season. Teixeira has never hit less than 26 homers in his six major-league seasons.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

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Source: Sabathia, Yanks Agree to Terms on Big Deal

Ken Rosenthal — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 04:44:08 -0500

LAS VEGAS - The deal is a whopper.

Free-agent left-hander CC Sabathia has reached preliminary agreement on terms with the Yankees on a seven-year contract worth approximately $161 million, according to a major-league source.

The contract is the largest ever awarded to a starting pitcher and the fourth-largest in major-league history, behind Alex Rodriguez's two free-agent contracts and Manny Ramirez's original deal with the Red Sox.

Sabathia, 28, agreed to the deal late Tuesday night after Yankees general manager Brian Cashman flew to San Francisco to meet with him, his agents, and his wife, Amber.

The deal will be officially completed after Sabathia passes a physical and the remaining language issues are resolved.

Sabathia is expected to receive an opt-out clause after three years, which was a prerequisite for him to sign with any team, not just the Yankees, according to a source.

Such a clause would give Sabathia the chance for another monster payday in free agency at age 31 — and provides him with an escape if he finds the New York experience unappealing.

It was the third meeting in three days between Sabathia and the Yankees. The first two discussions occurred in Las Vegas at the winter meetings. Sabathia is a native of Vallejo, Ca., in the Bay Area.

The Yankees' first offer to Sabathia was for six years, $140 million. They added the seventh year to further distance themselves from the Brewers and other clubs interested in Sabathia.

The Brewers made the only other known offer to Sabathia — five years, $100 million with deferrals. But the Giants, Angels and Red Sox all showed varying degrees of interest in signing the pitcher.

News of an agreement between Sabathia and the Yankees was first reported by the New York Post.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com. Click here to read live updates all day Wednesday from Las Vegas.

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Sources: Cardinals Serious About A.J. Burnett

Ken Rosenthal — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 06:15:44 -0500

LAS VEGAS—A new team has emerged as a serious bidder for free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett, according to major-league sources. That team is believed to be the St. Louis Cardinals, who had interest in Burnett the last time he was a free agent, in 2005.

After acquiring shortstop Khalil Greene from the Padres, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "We're going to focus on pitching." The Cardinals also are looking for a closer on a short-term deal, but Burnett fits their desire for a starter with upside—someone similar to righty Kyle Lohse, 30, whom the team recently re-signed for $41 million over four years.

Burnett, who turns 32 on Jan. 3, recently received an offer from the Braves, believed to be $60 million over four years with a vesting option for a fifth year. He is seeking a five-year, fully guaranteed deal, and the Yankees, Red Sox and Orioles are among the other teams that have shown interest in signing him.

Whether the Cardinals are willing to commit to Burnett at such a level is not clear. The team earlier this week received an encouraging report on righty Chris Carpenter, who is recovering from a nerve condition in his right shoulder. The Cardinals' other starters are Lohse, Adam Wainwright and Todd Wellemeyer. The addition of Burnett and return of Carpenter would give them one of the best rotations in the National League.

Burnett, a native of Arkansas, now lives in Monkton, Md. His preference is to play for a city that either borders on the Mississippi River or is east of it, and St. Louis would qualify. Something else that would work in the Cardinals' favor: Burnett hit it off with manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan before signing with the Blue Jays in 2005.

Wherever Burnett goes, he isn't likely to choose his next team at the winter meetings. He likely will wait on free-agent left-hander CC Sabathia, knowing that if the Yankees lose Sabathia, their urgency (desperation?) will only increase. Sabathia, too, is unlikely to make a decision at the meetings.

CC: The Milwaukee Compromise?

The Brewers remain an option for Sabathia if he fails to receive an acceptable offer from a West Coast team and is unwilling to play for the Yankees or Red Sox. But the Brewers have not decided to increase their five-year, $100 million offer to six years, sources say, and will not even consider it until they meet with Sabathia face-to-face.

Such a sitdown is expected to occur at these meetings, and Sabathia might end up asking most of the questions. He will want to know how the Brewers intend to replace righty Ben Sheets, who declined the club's offer of arbitration. He will want to know how the team plans to fill its void at closer. And he will want to know if two of his friends, center fielder Mike Cameron and first baseman Prince Fielder, will be traded.

The Brewers are not committed on finding a set closer. They will not part with a top prospect such as shortstop Alcides Escobar in a trade for the Mariners' J.J. Putz or the White Sox's Bobby Jenks, and they expect that the two top free agents, Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes, will rise out of their price range. Their ultimate target could be another free agent, Kerry Wood.

Reds welcome back Weathers—sort of

Any team that offers salary arbitration to a free agent must be prepared for the player to accept.

The Reds, however, might have preferred right-hander David Weathers, a Type B free agent, to reject their offer, enabling them to receive a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds.

Weathers, 39, instead accepted arbitration, making him a signed player for next season on a one-year, nonguaranteed contract. The Reds, who are unlikely to offer him a two-year contract, likely will end up paying him a higher salary than they would desire.

Weathers' reported salary last season was $2.75 million, but he actually earned $3.3 million, thanks to $550,000 in incentives from 2007 that rolled into his 2008 base. Thus, he could command a salary in the $4 million range in arbitration—not an ideal number for a pitcher of modest accomplishment who turns 40 next September.

AROUND THE HORN

There's a reason that the Phillies are struggling to re-sign left-hander Jamie Moyer, who went 16-7 with a 3.71 ERA and pitched 196 1/3 innings last season. Moyer, 46, wants a two-year deal for more than $20 million, according to a major-league source. The Phillies probably would be willing to pay him $10 million for one year, but don't want to guarantee two. Moyer earned a total of $7 million last season, including performance bonuses...

Right-hander Jon Garland, who declined arbitration from the Angels, is on the Mets' radar. The Mets are unlikely to pay top dollar for a starter after investing in a closer, and Garland would fit the back of their rotation. Johan Santana, John Maine, Mike Pelfrey and Jon Niese are the Mets' current projected starters. Garland, 29, has averaged 205 innings over the past seven seasons and likely would benefit from a move to the National League....

The Mariners are finally listening to offers for Putz; they called one team to gauge the level of interest, saying other clubs have "stepped up." The Mets, Indians and Cardinals are among the teams believed to be interested in Putz, who could be next season's Brad Lidge, benefiting from a change in teams. Putz, who will earn $5 million in 2009 with an $8.6 million club option for '10, is affordable enough for the Mets to acquire in addition to one of the top free-agent closers....

The Cubs are interested in free-agent infielder Rich Aurilia as a backup at first and third base, but only if they part with shortstop Ronny Cedeno or second baseman Mike Fontenot in a trade. The team's pursuit of Padres right-hander Jake Peavy remains in a holding pattern, unchanged. The Cubs would need approval from their still-unidentifed new owner before taking on the rest of Peavy's contract, which will pay him $63 million over the next four years....

The Nationals are indeed open to adding a center fielder, but club officials aren't terribly enamored of the Rockies' Willy Taveras, contrary to what I wrote in an earlier report. Taveras, a right-handed hitter, had only a .308 on-base percentage last season. The Nats' top four outfielders all are right-handed. If they acquired a left-handed hitting center fielder, they would need to trade one of those players—Josh Willingham, Lastings Milledge, Austin Kearns or Elijah Dukes....

The Diamondbacks declined to offer arbitration to free-agent outfielder Adam Dunn, fearing that he would accept and bust their budget. The team, however, will receive two high draft picks for free-agent reliever Juan Cruz as well as a sandwich pick for reliever Brandon Lyon. While the D-backs initially planned on receiving picks for Dunn when they acquired him from the Reds, they never anticipated that they eventually would get two for Cruz, whom they acquired from the A's for Brad Halsey in the spring of 2006. Halsey missed all of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery....

Ed Price contributed to this report.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

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Hard to Imagine Teixeira in D.C., No Matter the Price

Ken Rosenthal — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 10:40:01 -0500

I can see it now: Mark Teixeira standing on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, agent Scott Boras at his side, conducting his introductory news conference after signing a 10-year, $200 million free-agent contract with the Washington Nationals.

Actually, I can't see it, not when Teixeira has better options — specifically, the Angels, Red Sox and Yankees. But I also remember the 2000 winter meetings, when Alex Rodriguez signed a monster deal with the Texas Rangers, a team that finished 71-91 the previous season.

Boras has met at length with the Nationals' owner, Ted Lerner, and by now Teixeira presumably has, too. Lerner, who made his fortune in real estate development, presided over the Nats' embarrassing inaugural season at Nationals Park and has drawn criticism from current and former employees for his slow embrace of common baseball business practices. Boras, however, sees Lerner and his son, Mark, as sleeping giants in the industry.

"The Lerner family has made it clear that they're going to move forward with the franchise, put their mark on it," Boras says. "They've put great focus on developing the infrastructure of the franchise. They're a family that, with everything they go into, they expect it to be done at a very high level. They intend to be aggressive on many fronts in baseball.

"Certainly, when you have a new family involved in baseball, you have to look at the business practices in their areas of success to really know them. They've certain taken the time to make sure people like myself know who they are and what their plan is. And they have a very good idea what their plan is for the future."

OK, but would Teixeira truly sign with the Nationals, a team that might be several years away from contention? Boras does not rank the chances of teams that are interested in his clients. But if Mr. Teixeira went to Washington, he would be heavily criticized — as A-Rod was in 2000 — for simply selling himself to the highest bidder. And some would view Ted Lerner, fairly or not, as just another soft touch for Boras, an updated version of Tom Hicks.

One other thing: Teixeria's signing with the Nationals would spark a fan revolt in his hometown of Baltimore, where fans would demand to know why the Orioles lost him to an equally downtrodden franchise just 45 miles to the south.

Closer Roulette

The Indians are laying in wait if the market for free-agent closers collapses — a distinct possibility if the Mets acquire the Mariners' J.J. Putz in a trade.

The Mariners still have not signaled that they will move Putz, and the Mets are preparing simultaneous offers to the three top free agents — Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes and Kerry Wood — according to ESPN.com.

The Mets employed a similar strategy in 2005, making simultaneous offers to two free-agent catchers, Ramon Hernandez and Bengie Molina. When neither jumped, they traded for Paul LoDuca.

The Indians can't spend at the Mets' level, but could become a player for Fuentes if his price dropped to say, two years, $20 million or three years, $24 million — an unlikely scenario, given that the Angels are interested in Fuentes as a replacement for Rodriguez. Trevor Hoffman is another free-agent possibility for the Indians; they nearly signed him in '05.

The Brewers could spend bigger dollars for a closer, but only after they gain clarity on their two free-agent starters, left-hander CC Sabathia and righty Ben Sheets. Signing both — a distinct longshot — would take them out of the closer's market and likely force them to trade first baseman Prince Fielder.

Around the horn

The Mets are desperate to move second baseman Luis Castillo to create a spot for free agent Orlando Hudson. The only way to do it would be to exchange Castillo's contract for another of similar value, but lots of luck. When the Mets asked the Rangers about a Castillo-for-Vicente Padilla — a swap that would require the Rangers to move Ian Kinsler to left field — they were told, "No thank you." ...

Nationals GM Jim Bowden, forever on the prowl for fast, athletic outfielders, has shown interest in Rockies center fielder Willy Taveras. The acquisition of Taveras would enable the Nats to move Lastings Milledge to an outfield corner and/or lead to another trade. The Nationals already are set with Josh Willingham in left and Austin Kearns in right, with Elijah Dukes in reserve ...

Why the Angels need to retain Teixeira: They averaged 4.53 runs per game before acquiring him on July 29, 19th in the majors and ninth in the American League, according to STATS LLC. After his arrival, they averaged 5.09 runs per game, ninth in the majors though still only eighth in the AL ...

While the Rockies' preference is to keep Garrett Atkins, the Twins, Giants and Dodgers are in the market for a power-hitting third baseman, and the Phillies and Angels also could emerge as suitors. Chase Utley has long lobbied Phillies officials to acquire Atkins, his former UCLA teammate, but the team's current third baseman, Pedro Feliz, is coming off lower-back surgery surgery and owed a combined $5.5 million in 2009 salary and a 2010 buyout ...

The Marlins are getting multiple hits not only on infielder Jorge Cantu, but also second baseman Dan Uggla. The team is not eager to trade either, but if the Giants indeed want to trade lefty Jonathan Sanchez for Cantu, the Fish would jump. Cantu, coming off a 29-homer, 95-RBI season, could open at first base for the Marlins next season, allowing top prospect Gaby Sanchez more time to develop. The Dodgers are another team that could pursue Cantu ...

Right-handed hitting outfielders are in relatively scant supply on the trade market. The White Sox's Jermaine Dye is the most attractive, followed by the Brewers' Mike Cameron, Tigers' Marcus Thames and Rangers' Marlon Byrd. Cameron, signed for $10 million next season, still could end up with the Yankees, perhaps reuniting with Sabathia, his good friend and former Brewers teammate. The Red Sox are in the market for a right-handed hitting reserve outfielder, but Cameron surely would prefer to play regularly, and his salary probably disqualifies him from that role.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

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Sabathia to Red Sox Isn't Far-Fetched

Ken Rosenthal — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 14:56:25 -0500

Hardly anyone outside the Red Sox organization believes the team is serious about CC Sabathia, and even some inside the organization are skeptical.

Those doubts are well-founded: The Red Sox generally refrain from giving pitchers long-term contracts. They also relish mucking up the Yankees' pursuits, and Sabathia is the Yankees' No. 1 priority.

The Sox's plan to meet with Sabathia at the winter meetings, first reported by ESPN.com, might be just another case of Yankee Panky.

But think about it: Why wouldn't the Sox want CC?

Sabathia, 28, not only is the best pitcher in this year's free-agent market, but also might be the best for years to come.

The Red Sox do not need him as badly as they need first baseman Mark Teixeira, not with Manny Ramirez gone and David Ortiz possibly past his prime.

However, Teixeira is hardly certain to land in Boston, and Sox general manager Theo Epstein excels at shifting course quickly. Like the Angels, the other favorites for Teixeira, Epstein likely views Sabathia as an attractive Plan B — particularly if Teixeira, 28, insists upon a 10-year deal.

Sabathia, a native of Vallejo, Calif., would prefer to join a team in California, but if the Angels sign Teixeira, such an option might not be available. He conceivably could return to the Brewers, but his willingness to at least consider the Red Sox is intriguing. It's not as if Sabathia needs the Sox to jack up his price; the Yankees' first offer, $140 million, would be a record for a starting pitcher.

Both Teixeira and Sabathia fit the Sox's preference for younger free agents, but Epstein almost certainly would not go to six years on Sabathia, which is what the Yankees offered. Yet, the Sox gave right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka a six-year deal at 26. And they've shown interest in another free-agent right-hander, A.J. Burnett, who is looking for five.

"There will be pitchers signed to free-agent deals who go on and are worth every penny and more, dominate for years to come," Epstein told the Boston media this week. "We're interested in a lot of those pitchers, but we have an approach and we'll probably stick with it."

Fair enough, especially considering the long-term health concerns surrounding both Sabathia and Burnett — and every other living, breathing starting pitcher, for that matter.

Burnett's injury history is well-documented; Sabathia has been far more durable. Still, Sabathia underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee at the end of the '06 season. Some rival executives wonder if his 290-pound frame will lead to further breakdowns. And several teams were disturbed by his workload last season with the Indians and especially the Brewers, who pitched him on short rest in each of his final four starts.

But ask Josh Beckett, Jonathan Papelbon and Jon Lester — the Red Sox rank among the game's best at designing pitching regimens and keeping pitchers healthy. What's more, the Red Sox could use an innings-eating ace to help reduce the pressure on their younger pitchers.

Matsuzaka is not that guy, at least not yet. Beckett, even in his healthiest seasons, barely clears 200 innings. Lester stands a good chance of becoming a workhorse, if he isn't already. But Lester is not yet 25, and the Red Sox want to keep his pitch counts and innings totals within reason.

Enter Sabathia.

Beckett is two years away from free agency, or maybe even one if the Sox decline his option for 2010. Future free-agent markets, meanwhile, will offer little in the way of solutions.

The Angels' John Lackey will be the top free-agent starter available next offseason, assuming that teams exercise club options for several other top pitchers (including Beckett).

The Blue Jays' Roy Halladay and Diamondbacks' Brandon Webb could become free agents after the 2010 season, but both have shown at least some desire to remain with their present clubs. Both also could be traded to high-revenue teams that could sign them to contract extensions before they hit the open market.

The Giants' Matt Cain, Tigers' Justin Verlander and Yankees' Chien-Ming Wang loom as the top free-agent pitchers in '11. The Cubs' Carlos Zambrano, Phillies' Cole Hamels and Astros' Roy Oswalt all could be free agents in '12. But by then, Barack Obama will either have been re-elected or voted out of office.

Do I think the Red Sox will land Sabathia? No. The Yankees' $140 million proposal is only their first offer, and the Red Sox are unlikely to go to such extremes. Still, this is not Johan Santana all over again. The Sox hemmed and hawed over Santana, but ultimately were unwilling to acquire him for premium young talent and sign him to a record contract. In this case, the only cost is the contract, plus a first-round draft pick.

The best guess is that the Red Sox will end up with Teixeira and sign free-agent right-hander Derek Lowe, 35, to a short-term, high-dollar deal. But free agency is full of surprises, and the Red Sox are strong enough financially to assume greater risks, knowing they can cover mistakes.

Sabathia is not someone to be ignored.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

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A's out of Running for SS Furcal

Ken Rosenthal — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 09:30:38 -0500

The A's abruptly pulled out of the Rafael Furcal sweepstakes Friday after the free-agent shortstop rejected their four-year contract offer.

Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, told FOXSports.com that Furcal declined the A's proposal, which was believed to be in the range of $35 million to $40 million.

The A's had given Furcal a Saturday deadline to accept their offer, according to major-league sources. When Furcal rejected the deal, team officials informed Kinzer they would move on to other pursuits.

Kinzer said the "door is definitely open" to further discussions, but the A's will revisit Furcal only if he is willing to accept a lesser deal, sources said.

For now, the A's plan to keep Bobby Crosby at shortstop, pursue free-agent left-hander Randy Johnson and consider free-agent hitters such as Adam Dunn, Pat Burrell and Jason Giambi.

"They needed some freedom to make the moves they needed to — that's fine," Kinzer said.

Kinzer said he continues to talk with the Dodgers about re-signing Furcal, and plans to meet again with the A's and other interested clubs at the winter meetings in Las Vegas.

The A's granted Furcal's request for a four-year contract, but their offer represented a pay cut from his $13 million average salary with the Dodgers.

No other club is believed to have given Furcal a four-year proposal, but Kinzer said length of contract is only one consideration.

"That isn't a deal-breaker," Kinzer said. "There are a lot of other things that go into it."

The Giants talked to Furcal before signing free agent Edgar Renteria on Thursday to a two-year, $18.5 million contract.

It is not known which other clubs are pursuing Furcal, who underwent back surgery last season and missed more than four months before rejoining the Dodgers in late September.

Furcal, 31, could expand his market if he were willing to move to second base, a position he has played extensively in winter ball. The Mets and Yankees, for example, could pursue second basemen if they trade their current starters at that position. But even then, they might prefer free agent Orlando Hudson.

Furcal, a switch-hitting leadoff man, played in only 36 games for the Dodgers last season, batting .357 with a .439 on-base percentage and .573 slugging percentage.

He is a career .286 hitter with a .352 OBP.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

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CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett in No Hurry to Make Decisions

Ken Rosenthal — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 04:50:54 -0500

Everyone relax.

CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett, the top two free-agent starting pitchers, are in no hurry to sign new contracts.

The Yankees are waiting to hear back on their $140 million bid for Sabathia, the most money ever offered a starting pitcher.

The Braves are pushing hard for Burnett, trying to make a pre-emptive strike that would keep him away from the Yankees.

Both situations need to play out a bit longer.

Burnett no doubt wants to hold off the Braves, knowing the Yankees' interest in him only would increase if they lost Sabathia.

Sabathia also stands to benefit by waiting-he likely would emerge as the Angels' No. 1 target if the team failed to keep free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira.

The Yankees, though, still loom as the favorites for Sabathia. Their general manager, Brian Cashman, plans to meet face-to-face with Sabathia in Las Vegas, the site of baseball's winter meetings, in the next week.

Teixeira, meanwhile, continues to be a target of the Nationals, whose owner, Ted Lerner, has spent extensive time with the player's agent, Scott Boras, according to major-league sources.

Boras also represents another free agent drawing widespread interest, right-hander Derek Lowe.

"If CC signs with the Yankees, it will set off a chain reaction," one agent predicts. "If CC goes to the Yanks and A.J. goes to the Braves, there will be a war for Texeira and Lowe, which is exactly what Scott wants. And the Red Sox are coming away with someone."

The Cubs' next priority

With the Cubs' pursuit of Padres right-hander Jake Peavy on hold, the team first wants to acquire a left-handed hitting outfielder, either through free agency or trade.

Once that happens, the Cubs' roster would be virtually complete. The addition of Peavy, if general manager Jim Hendry pulled it off, would be a bonus.

The problem is finding the right bat.

The trade market is thin. The Padres' Brian Giles would fit nicely, but has a full no-trade clause. The Cardinals would not trade Rick Ankiel to their biggest rival. The Marlins' Jeremy Hermida is available, but less than proven.

The Royals are keeping David DeJesus and probably will not move Mark Teahen. The Giants would not trade Randy Winn unless they signed Manny Ramirez or another slugger, a notion that general manager Brian Sabean seemed to dismiss on Thursday.

That leaves free agents.

Adam Dunn is out-Dunn in right and Alfonso Soriano in left would compromise the Cubs too much defensively. Bobby Abreu plays right, but one GM describes him as "brutal" in the field. Raul Ibanez has made only 10 starts in right since 2002, but — like another free agent, Ken Griffey Jr.-played for Lou Piniella in Seattle.

If the Cubs signed a lesser defender, they could replace him with Reed Johnson or Kosuke Fukudome in the late innings. Of course, if that were their plan, they might not want to pay their new right fielder big money.

One more thought, perhaps the most intriguing thought: Milton Bradley. The Cubs would need to be convinced that Bradley, a switch-hitter, could stay healthy for 140 games. And they would need to be confident that Piniella and Bradley could co-exist comfortably.

As for Peavy, the Cubs can not move on him until their new owner is identified. They then will need approval from the new owner to obtain Peavy, who is owed $63 million over the next four years.

The Cubs could clear some money by trading right-hander Jason Marquis and assuming a chunk of his $9.875 million salary, either in the Peavy deal or a separate trade.

Around the Horn

The Red Sox offered salary arbitration to right-hander Paul Byrd knowing that he wants to pitch for a team close to his home in Atlanta. Byrd, 38, is virtually certain to decline the offer. If he can't pitch for the Braves, he could attempt to sign with one of the Florida teams, the Marlins or Rays, or one of the mid-Atlantic teams, the Orioles or Nationals ...

Officials from two teams interested in Mariners closer J.J. Putz say that the M's have yet to decide whether they will move him. Closers generally are less valuable to non-contenders, but the Mariners do not necessarily see themselves as a rebuilding-type club. Putz, who turns 32 on Feb. 22, remains very affordable; he is signed for $5 million next season with an $8.6 million club option for 2010 ...

The Giants' signing of free-agent shortstop Edgar Renteria to a two- year, $18.5 million contract was widely panned in industry circles. "Where was he even getting two times six?" one GM asked. Fair question — and if Renteria had signed for $12 million, the Giants would have had $6.5 million more to offer Sabathia ...

The chances of free-agent right-hander Jon Garland accepting the Angels' offer of salary arbitration are "less than 50-50," according to a source with knowledge of the situation. Many in the industry believe that Garland will command a multi-year deal, even though his 4.90 ERA last season was his highest in seven full seasons as a starter. Garland, 29, has averaged 205 innings per season in that span ...

The Dodgers are not actively pursuing Jack Wilson, Craig Wilson, Preston Wilson, Enrique Wilson or any other player named Wilson. They spoke to the Pirates about Jack Wilson earlier this offseason, but as reported here earlier, the talks broke down about how much money the Pirates would include in the deal and the third player they would receive along with shortstop Chin-Lung Hu and outfielder Delwyn Young. The Tigers are making a more serious push for Wilson ...

The Royals are not necessarily planning on using Mike Jacobs at first base next season. Ideally, the team wants Mark Teahen to win the job full-time; Jacobs then could platoon with Billy Butler at designated hitter. Jacobs, recently acquired from the Marlins, ranked a dismal 35th among qualifying major-league first basemen in the plus-minus defensive ratings last season, according to Bill James Online ...

Phillies minor-league shortstop Jason Donald is drawing significant trade interest after posting an .889 OPS at Class AA last season and putting up big numbers in the Arizona Fall League. Donald, 24, is backed up behind Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins and second baseman Chase Utley, but the Phillies might need Donald to open the season at second with Utley coming off surgery on his right hip.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

Click here to read more of Ken's columns.

A's Still After Furcal, but May Chase Big Unit Too

Ken Rosenthal — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:02:52 -0500

The A's remain the front-runner to sign free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal, but that might not be their last major off-season move.

Picture Randy Johnson in the green and gold, winning his 300th game in an Oakland uniform.

The idea is not as bizarre as it might sound.

The A's are targeting Johnson to be their fifth starter, major-league sources say, figuring he would give their rotation a veteran presence while commanding only a one-year deal.

At the moment, the A's top four starters are Justin Duchscherer, Dana Eveland, Gio Gonzalez and Sean Gallagher. None of them threw as many innings last season as Johnson did for the Diamondbacks — 184.

Johnson, who is only five victories short of 300, could boost attendance as he approached that milestone. With Johnson, Furcal and left fielder Matt Holliday, the A's would gain not only star power, but also the chance to contend.

Don't look for free-agent designated hitter Jason Giambi to join that group. Rather than bring him back, the A's might prefer to take a chance on a trade for Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson, who missed most of last season with a right-wrist injury.

Phils: Waiting on Moyer, pursuing Lowe

The Phillies can't figure out why free-agent left-hander Jamie Moyer is proving so difficult to re-sign. Hence, they're exploring other options -- most notably, free-agent right-hander Derek Lowe.

The only way the Phillies would sign Lowe is if they lost Moyer. They have discussed Lowe with his agent, Scott Boras, "pretty extensively," according to a source familiar with the club's intentions. The Boston Globe reported on Thursday that the Phillies already have made Lowe an offer.

Moyer, who went 16-7 with a 3.71 ERA in 196 1/3 innings in the regular season, then won Game 3 of the World Series, might simply be exploring a relatively thin free-agent market for left-handed starters. After CC Sabathia, the top lefties available are Oliver Perez, Andy Pettitte, Randy Wolf and Randy Johnson.

The Yankees, faced with the possible loss of Pettitte, are monitoring all of those pitchers except Johnson, who had a rocky run with them in 2005 and '06. The Dodgers have shown interest in Pettitte, and conceivably could turn to others in the above group, including Moyer.

Lowe, 35, obviously would command a far bigger deal than Moyer, 45, forcing the Phillies to structure his contract creatively — and likely pursue an inexpensive replacement for free-agent left fielder Pat Burrell.

Ten Phillies are eligible for salary arbitration, and their combined raises likely will total between $25 million and $35 million. Thus, one year of Moyer — even at an increase from his $5.25 million average salary — would be more affordable than say, a three-year, $42 million contract for Lowe. The Phillies also have spoken to Darek Braunecker, the agent for free-agent righty A.J. Burnett, but Burnett's price figures to be even higher than Lowe's.

The Phillies did not offer salary arbitration to Moyer, preferring to stay flexible in their off-season maneuvering. They would not receive a high draft pick if they lost Moyer as a free agent. They would lose one if they signed Lowe or Burnett.

THE BRAVES' NEXT STEP

The Braves, while not yet ready to make Burnett a five-year offer, are not ruling out the possibility. They prefer Burnett to Lowe, and not simply because Burnett, 31, is three-and-a-half years younger. Burnett, club officials believe, has gained maturity, benefiting from the influence of Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay.

A front three of Burnett, Jair Jurrjens and Javier Vazquez would help the Braves in two ways, making them more competitive next season while also enabling them to better develop their next wave of young starting pitchers, beginning with Charlie Morton, Jo-Jo Reyes and Tommy Hanson. Vazquez is a 200-inning horse, and Burnett can be — when healthy.

Contrary to what I wrote in an earlier report, the Braves — for the moment — have minimal interest in Adam Dunn and the rest of the free-agent hitters. Raul Ibanez, who probably would be the team's No. 1 choice, might rise out of the club's price range.

One way for the Braves to add a bat would be to trade second baseman Kelly Johnson, who continues to draw strong interest from rival clubs. Martin Prado could replace Johnson, and the Braves recently added another second baseman, Diory Hernandez, to their 40-man roster.

Around the horn

One possibility I failed to mention when discussing the Dodgers' infield in a recent column: A trade for Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano. The teams are expected to renew their talks about Cano at the winter meetings, and the Yankees again figure to ask for outfielder Matt Kemp. Cano, however, is red-hot in winter ball, and the Yankees will value him as the offensive machine he was in 2006 and '07, not the player who slumped in '08 ...

The Cubs continue to speak daily with the Padres about a trade for right-hander Jake Peavy, according to a source with knowledge of the discussions. The teams still might need to involve a third team, the source said, but that team — at least for the moment — is not the Orioles. The possibility of the Orioles entering the talks surfaced when The Baltimore Sunreported about the team's renewed interest in outfielder Felix Pie and the Padres' continued interest in Orioles left-hander Garrett Olson ...

Don't be surprised if the Royals make a run at free-agent reliever Kyle Farnsworth. The Royals want to add a hard-throwing, right-handed setup type after trading Ramon Ramirez for Coco Crisp and Leo Nunez for Mike Jacobs. Farnsworth, 32, performed well for the Braves when Royals GM Dayton Moore was with Atlanta in 2005, and Royals pitching coach Bob McClure works well with power relievers ...

So, how good is Tyler Flowers, the Class A catcher whom the Braves sent to the White Sox in the Vazquez deal? His offensive potential is not in question, and pitchers like throwing to him. But at 6-foot-4, 245 pounds, Flowers might just be too big to be a long-term catcher. The White Sox, of course, will have the option of using him at DH.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

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Dodgers Are Worrying About Infield First

Ken Rosenthal — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:10:49 -0500

The Dodgers are trying to sort out their infield before they address their starting pitching.

The solution remains elusive.

Re-signing Casey Blake would solidify third base and enable the Dodgers to keep Blake DeWitt at second, leaving shortstop as the team's remaining infield question.

However, if the Dodgers lose Blake, they would put DeWitt back at third, creating an opening at second. Signing free agent Orlando Hudson would be one option, but the Dodgers more likely would pursue an inexpensive veteran such as Mark Loretta, Ray Durham or Mark Grudzielanek.

At that point, the Dodgers still would need a shortstop. They've maintained contact with Paul Kinzer, the agent for free agent Rafael Furcal, but they're not going to sign Edgar Renteria, who is headed to the Giants, or Orlando Cabrera, in whom they have little interest.

Trade talks for the Pirates' Jack Wilson, meanwhile, remain stalled.

The Dodgers could go with a combination of Angel Berroa, Chin-Lung Hu and eventually Ivan DeJesus Jr. at short, but such a defensive emphasis would make sense only if they found enough offense at other positions. Which is why they need Blake. And — ahem — either Manny Ramirez or a replacement such as Adam Dunn in left field.

Ramirez appears a longshot; Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti hasn't spoken to Scott Boras about the slugger in nearly a month. The Dodgers instead could load up on pitching, but from every indication, they also are not a player for free-agent left-hander CC Sabathia.

More starting pitchers are available than infielders, which is why the Dodgers are focusing on the infield first. They eventually could target lesser free-agent starters such as Randy Johnson and Randy Wolf. And if they lose Ramirez, Blake and right-hander Derek Lowe, they could end up with six of the top 50 picks in next year's draft, with minimal contractual commitments for 2010 and '11.

The question, though, remains: What about '09?

The Manny Market

Manny Ramirez, who earned $20 million last season, probably would command at least $25 million on a one-year deal if he accepted the Dodgers' offer of arbitration.

The Dodgers would rejoice over such a development-it would mark the second time they've gotten ridiculously lucky with Ramirez, the first being when they acquired him last July 31.

But does anyone seriously think Ramirez and his agent, Scott Boras, will decide by the Sunday deadline that a lucrative multi-year deal is out of reach?

Such a move would be a concession by Boras that the faltering economy is inhibiting the free-agent market-a premise that the agent has disputed since the start of the offseason.

Ramirez, who wants at least a four-year contract, wouldn't be happy if he returned to the Dodgers on a one-year deal. And an unhappy Manny would be a problem for both Boras and the Dodgers.

This article originally published in FOXSports.com.

Click here to read more of Ken's columns.

Market Shaping Up for Adam Dunn

Ken Rosenthal — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 18:27:01 -0500

The market for free-agent outfielder Adam Dunn is starting to take shape.

The Braves, Mariners and Nationals are among the teams interested in Dunn, major-league sources say, and his list of suitors could grow quickly.

Dunn, 29, also represents a fallback position for the Dodgers if they lose Manny Ramirez and the Angels if they lose Mark Teixeira.

The Yankees, too, could emerge as an option if they strike out on the top free-agent starting pitchers.

The Diamondbacks declined to offer Dunn salary arbitration, so any team that signs him will not lose a high draft pick.

The Braves' focus remains starting pitching, but they also need a left fielder, and Dunn or Raul Ibanez could make sense depending upon their respective prices.

The addition of right-hander Javier Vazquez will cost the Braves $11.5 million in each of the next two seasons, and the signing of free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett would make the team less likely to spend big on a hitter.

CC's sleeping Giants

The Giants, one of the more active teams in free agency, still loom as a darkhorse for the top pitching prize, left-hander CC Sabathia.

The Giants have signed left-handed reliever Jeremy Affeldt. They continue to talk with free-agent shortstop Edgar Renteria. The additions of Sabathia and one more hitter could make them quite formidable in the NL West.

The obvious question is whether the Giants could afford Sabathia, even if he gave them a hometown discount (Sabathia is from Vallejo, Ca., near Oakland). Barry Zito is signed through 2013 at an average of $18 million per season. Sabathia figures to cost at least $22 million per season on a six-year deal.

Renteria, 33, also is drawing interest from the Cardinals and Dodgers, prompting one general manager to ask, "Am I missing something?" Well, Renteria had an .827 OPS after the All-Star Game after posting only a .627 OPS before it. His defense, however, remains a major concern. Renteria excels at going up the middle, but is among the worst in the game fielding balls in the hole.

Et tu, Brew Crew?

Teams looking for a SS should check in with the Brewers about JJ Hardy. (Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)

The Brewers are not out of the Sabathia sweepstakes, either, but they will need to increase their offer to six years to stand a serious chance. Sabathia enjoyed playing in Milwaukee, and the Brewers could remain a contender if they successfully reconstruct their bullpen.

Right-hander Ben Sheets is likely to decline the team's offer of salary arbitration, according to a major-league source, but right-hander Yovani Gallardo will be healthy from the start of the season and the team could trade shortstop J.J. Hardy for an established No. 2 or No. 3 starter.

Hardy, who is two years away from free agency, would be worth that price. Not only is he a top defender, but he also ranked second among major-league shortstops in homers, fourth in slugging percentage and eighth in on-base percentage last season.

Think of how much better the Twins would be if they acquired Hardy for one of their young starting pitchers and signed free agent Casey Blake to play third base.

The Manny market

Manny Ramirez, who earned $20 million last season, probably would command at least $25 million on a one-year deal if he accepted the Dodgers' offer of arbitration.

The Dodgers would rejoice over such a development — it would mark the second time they've gotten ridiculously lucky with Ramirez, the first being when they acquired him last July 31.

But does anyone seriously think Ramirez and his agent, Scott Boras, will decide by the Sunday deadline that a lucrative multi-year deal is out of reach?

Such a move would be a concession by Boras that the faltering economy is inhibiting the free-agent market — a premise that the agent has disputed since the start of the offseason.Ramirez, who wants at least a four-year contract, wouldn't be happy if he returned to the Dodgers on a one-year deal. And an unhappy Manny would be a problem for both Boras and the Dodgers.

Take It, 'TEC

Another Boras client, Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek, is a strong candidate to accept arbitration. In fact, it would be an upset if Varitek rejected the team's offer and the chance to earn about $10 million on a one-year deal.

Varitek, 36, simply isn't in position to land the four-year, $52.4 million, free-agent contract that the Yankees awarded catcher Jorge Posada last offseason.

The economy, of course, is one reason, but Posada also was coming off a career year. Varitek batted .220 last season, and there is no obvious fit for him with a contending team.

The Tigers seem disinclined to pay a catcher big money. The Dodgers, who already have Russell Martin, are trying to fill too many holes.

Any team that signs Varitek also would lose a high draft pick — something that would be difficult to justify for a 36-year-old catcher in offensive decline.

Risky business for White Sox

Free-agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera had a tumultuous season with the White Sox, sparring with manager Ozzie Guillen and right fielder Jermaine Dye.

Why, then, would he want to return?

Money.

The White Sox offered Cabrera arbitration to ensure that they would receive two high draft picks as compensation if he signed with another club.

Cabrera, though, could choose to accept the White Sox's offer, knowing he likely would receive a raise from his $9 million salary last season.

He then could go back into the free-agent market next winter, when the economy might be stronger — and the free-agent class at shortstop will be thinner.

The flaw in that scenario is that Cabrera would not start for the White Sox next season.

The White Sox already have decided to move Alexei Ramirez from second base to short. Cabrera might prefer to leave a team that doesn't want him.

Then again, he also could return and request a trade. By offering arbitration, the White Sox diminished Cabrera's value in the free-agent market, forcing any team that signs him to lose a high pick.

Around the horn

Add the Yankees to the list of teams interested in free-agent outfielder Rocco Baldelli. The Rays, Red Sox and Phillies also are pursuing Baldelli, who came back from a rare neuromuscular disease with the Rays last season. Baldelli, 26, could serve the Yankees as a right-handed hitting alternative to Hideki Matsui in the DH spot, and also play outfield against certain left-handed pitchers ...

Rather than pursue an older pitcher such as Randy Johnson, the Cardinals would like to add a younger starter with upside — someone similar to right-hander Kyle Lohse. Left-hander Oliver Perez, 27, is one free agent who fits that description. The Cardinals also are not ruling out a pursuit of a closer such as Brian Fuentes or Kerry Wood if the glut of closers starts to produce free-agent bargains ...

The Reds offered free-agent reliever David Weathers arbitration, a move that could spark discussions of a two-year deal. Weathers, 39, has averaged nearly 71 appearances per season over the last 10 years. He made $2.75 million last season, and his one-year salary in arbitration could rise above $4 million ...

In addition to Dunn, the Mariners also like free-agent left fielder Pat Burrell as a possible replacement for Raul Ibanez, who is virtually certain to decline the team's offer of arbitration. Like Dunn, Burrell was not offered arbitration, making him more attractive to a rebuilding team such as the Mariners, which could sign him without losing a draft pick. Burrell also is on the radar of the Angels and Giants.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

Click here to read more of Ken's columns.

Ibanez More Intense Than Most About Training

Ken Rosenthal — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 07:14:11 -0500

Did you hear the one about Raul Ibanez and the hyperbaric chamber?

"The first thing people say is, 'Oh, you mean like Michael Jackson?'" Ibanez says, chuckling. "I'm not afraid of that stigma."

Ibanez isn't afraid of anything that will make him a better baseball player, which is one reason he is a coveted free agent six months shy of his 37th birthday.

The hyperbaric chamber, he says, oxygenates his red-blood cells, aiding him in recovery. But the chamber is just one aspect of his training, and not a very large aspect at that.

You name it, Ibanez is doing it-joint alignment, muscle activation, active-release techniques, even Brazilian jiujitsu. He speaks with conviction about trying to reach his "genetic threshold," or physical peak. He even keeps three hitting advisors-former major leaguers Edgar Martinez, Chili Davis and Kevin Seitzer-on speed dial.

Ibanez, an outfielder and first baseman who spent the past five seasons with the Mariners, certainly isn't the only player seeking new ways to improve his training. He is, however, more curious and intense than most.

To the average person, his techniques might sound like weird science. Ibanez responds, "If you Google all this stuff, it's real science." And with baseball now testing for performance-enhancing drugs, such avenues of training become that much more important.

"My entire life, I always thought that there's a better way," Ibanez says. "I never think I have all the answers. I always stay open-minded. I have this theory-you never know where the next bit of information is going to come from that will take you to a whole different level.

"You never know-a kid on your son's Little League team might say something to you and you'll have an epiphany. I always try to have my eyes and ears open. There's a lot more to being the best you can be than just strapping it up and going out there."

***

Ibanez, who lives in Miami, says he was first introduced to the hyperbaric chamber by one of his trainers, Pete Bommarito, a partner at Perfect Competition Athletic Development in Davie, Fla.

Bommarito had his prospective NFL players using the chamber for recovery. Ibanez noticed the results, then had a company send him one for a trial run during spring training.

After three days, Ibanez informed the company that he wanted to purchase the chamber, which cost him $18,800. He used it last season after long flights back to Seattle and in the mornings after he drove his children to school. He would stay inside for 60 to 90 minutes, practicing visualization techniques to pass the time.

"For me, the proof is in the pudding," Ibanez says. "It's not cheap. I'm not like a flashy, spendy guy. For me to make an investment like this, I have to be 100 percent convinced that it works. I've never walked past this thing and said, 'Man, that was stupid.' And I've done that with other things."

Ibanez is a late bloomer, a player who twice was designated for assignment by the Royals in 2001, the season in which he turned 29. His past three seasons with the Mariners were his most consistent. Playing his home games at pitcher-friendly Safeco Field, Ibanez did not bat lower than .289 or higher than .293. His on-base percentage ranged from .351 to .358, his slugging percentage from .479 to .516.

Bommarito, whose list of baseball clients also includes Manny Ramirez, Magglio Ordonez and Miguel Cabrera, began working with Ibanez in '04. Ibanez had missed time with a hamstring injury that season, and feared that he soon might be reduced to a designated hitter. He interviewed Bommarito about his training techniques, asking pointed questions.

"He has an overall understanding of what it is we're doing, of how to train like this," Bommarito says. "That's very important to the process. Players aren't trained in exercise science, biomechanics, all the things we're trained in. If an athlete truly understands what he is going through, what I'm trying to accomplish, how we're reshaping his body, it makes the training more efficient."

During the offseason, Ibanez works with Bommarito three and sometimes four days a week, performing a series of vigorous exercises that help keep his body aligned, reducing the risk of injury.

"I call them the sucky-good exercises," Ibanez says. "They're good for you. But they completely suck."

Ibanez also is a regular at South Miami Sports Performance, where he makes weekly visits to a physical therapist and strength coach. He also finds time for two or three sessions of mixed martial arts per week at SMSP, and works with a stretch coach once a week at another facility. The martial arts training taught Ibanez how to better fall and roll in the outfield, and helps him with his flexibility.

For Ibanez, each trainer has a purpose, as does each workout. When he first visited Bommarito, he couldn't run with 100 percent effort due to his hamstring injury. Bommarito performed active-release therapy, a patented massage technique that treats problems with muscle tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves.

The next day, Ibanez ran at full speed, with no pain. The next season, he played in all 162 games.

***

Ibanez, who is not known for his speed, jokes that his running form still is not pretty. Hitting, not running, is his forte. But he is not above asking for guidance when he is in the middle of a batting slump.

Ibanez will call Martinez, his former teammate with the Mariners. He also will call Davis and Seitzer, whom he met earlier in his career. Neither was ever his teammate. Both became sounding boards and friends.

"They're all gracious enough to take my calls," Ibanez says. "I'll call 'em and say, 'Hey, did you watch that game?' A lot of times they'll say, 'No.' And I'll say, 'Good, I don't have to be embarrassed.'"

Seitzer, recently named the Royals' hitting coach, first connected with Ibanez in 2001. At the time, Seitzer was retired and operating a baseball school in Kansas City with former Royals teammate Mike MacFarlane. Ibanez, after twice getting demoted by the Royals, needed help.

As Seitzer recalls, Ibanez had the mindset of a power hitter. Seitzer suggested a complete overhaul, urging Ibanez to hit for a higher average, produce a higher OBP and cut down on his strikeouts, figuring that his power would come.

"Little did I know that he not only would buy into it, he sold out to the 'nth' degree," Seitzer says. "That is what set him on the path to who he is today."

Seitzer, in his new position with the Royals, no longer will be able to counsel Ibanez, who will be playing for a rival team. Ibanez, Seitzer jokes, should pay him back by signing a one-year deal with the Royals for $5 million. Seitzer knows he is dreaming; Ibanez is likely to command a three-year contract worth at least $10 million per season on the open market.

Not bad for a former 36th-round draft pick who became a major-league regular only after turning 30.

"Edgar (Martinez) is one of the guys I called when I turned 35," Ibanez says. "I said, 'Edgar, what is the deal with everyone talking about turning 35? I don't feel anything. I feel great.'

"In Edgar's super-wise way, he said, 'The guys who hit 35 and decline are the ones who don't work as hard as we do.' He said, 'To me, major-league prime is 34 to 38. That's when I put up my best years.'"

"I happen to be turning 37. I don't know if he looked at the media guide and said, 'I'll make this guy feel good.' But I thought, 'This guy rocks.'"

Ibanez, naturally, is trying to follow suit. Call him on his cell phone, and you hear the theme from "Rocky." He might be working out. He might be practicing martial arts. He might be laying in his hyperbaric chamber, visualizing a game-winning hit in September.

The music is his personal soundtrack. Ibanez never stops.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

Click here to read more of Ken's columns.

Looming Arbitration May Force Everybody's Hands

Ken Rosenthal — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 17:27:16 -0500

Monday, the deadline for teams to offer salary arbitration to their respective free agents, could offer the first true glimpse of how much the economic crisis is affecting the way clubs do business.

In a better economy, most teams would not hesitate to offer a one-year deal through arbitration to attractive Type A free agents. Some teams would want such players back on one-year deals, even at arbitration-inflated salaries. Other teams, knowing that the players likely would depart for multiyear contracts, would offer arbitration to ensure that they received draft-pick compensation in return.

In most cases, little has changed. The Brewers, for example, are certain to offer arbitration to left-hander CC Sabathia, knowing they have nothing to lose and high draft picks to gain. The Yankees, on the other hand, do not figure to extend such an offer to lefty Andy Pettitte. If they wanted to give Pettitte a one-year contract with an increase from his $16 million salary, they would have done it by now.

Other decisions, however, are less clear-cut. Multiyear offers for some free agents are not as probable as they were in previous offseasons. And while teams remain eager to collect draft picks, the economy might discourage them from offering arbitration and risking a payroll hit.

Certain players, too, are in a different position than in the past. Those who are offered arbitration Monday must decide by midnight Saturday whether to commit to their previous teams for another season.

In a slow-developing, potentially weak market, some players will be tempted to do just that, preferring the certainty of a one-year deal to the uncertainty of a volatile free-agent period.

A look at three of the closer calls:

Adam Dunn

The Diamondbacks traded three players for Dunn on Aug. 11, figuring they would get two youngsters back in the draft after he left as a free agent. At the time, few doubted that the team would offer Dunn arbitration — and few doubted that he would reject it and seek greater riches elsewhere.

Dunn, the only major leaguer to hit 40 or more homers in each of the past five seasons, still appears likely to command a sizable multiyear deal, most likely from an American League club.

But the D-backs, who recently cut 31 employees from an admittedly bloated front office and parted with Randy Johnson over financial differences, might be unwilling to risk that Dunn would return at a salary of $15 million to $16 million.

Then again, if the D-backs made the offer, it's doubtful that Dunn and his agents would determine by midnight Saturday that a multiyear contract was beyond their reach. What's more, the D-backs always could trade Dunn if he accepted their offer. In that sense, he would be an asset on a one-year deal; the Nationals, among other teams, would jump.

Kerry Wood

The Cubs aren't keen on keeping Kerry Wood. (Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images)

The Cubs traded for reliever Kevin Gregg because they were unwilling to sign Wood long-term, believing he would land a lucrative contract as a free agent. But now the trade and free-agent markets are flooded with closers, and Wood is not certain to receive such a deal.

The Cubs want Carlos Marmol to close. They do not want Wood back, even for one year, at a salary of $9 million to $10 million. Their greater priorities are finding a left-handed hitting outfielder and another starting pitcher, either through a trade for Padres righty Jake Peavy or the signing of a free agent such as Johnson.

Wood said after the Cubs announced his departure that he would have returned on a one-year deal, even though his agents never raised that possibility, according to a major-league source. If he accepted arbitration, the Cubs could try to trade him to a team such as the Rangers, who might embrace Wood on a one-year commitment.

Contracts secured through arbitration are not guaranteed, so the Cubs also could release Wood in spring training and pay only a fraction of his salary. But, to avoid a grievance by the players union, they would need to demonstrate that every one of their other relievers was superior to Wood. Not likely.

Ben Sheets

At first glance, offering Sheets arbitration appears to be a no-brainer. The Brewers need starting pitching. They are secure enough financially to make Sabathia a $100 million offer. And they already figure to get extra draft picks if, as expected, Sabathia signs with another club.

Why, then, would the Brewers waver? Well, Sheets might command $13 million to $14 million in arbitration. Such a salary would be reasonable for a pitcher of Sheets' quality if the Brewers were confident of his health. But while Sheets worked 198 1/3 innings last season — his most since 2004 — he pitched only 4 1/3 regular-season innings after Sept. 11 because of an elbow problem and was not available in the Division Series.

Sheets' agent, Casey Close, says that Sheets had no structural damage in the elbow, and simply needed time to rest and heal. But the Brewers might not want to repeat the poor $10 million investment they made in reliever Eric Gagne last season. Their big offer to Sabathia, GM Doug Melvin has said, was a special case.

If the Brewers fail to offer Sheets arbitration, it will be a clear indication that club officials are concerned about his ability to stay healthy in 2009. And remember, the Brewers know Sheets better than any other team.

Peavy update No. 473

The Padres continue to discuss a trade of Peavy to the Cubs, but obstacles remain.

Moving Jake Peavy is becoming harder and harder.(Jim McIsaac / Getty Images)

First, the Cubs are in the process of being sold; offers from their four remaining bidders are due by Monday. The Cubs already have re-signed free-agent right-hander Ryan Dempster for $52 million over four years. They almost certainly would need the blessing of a new owner to take on Peavy, who is owed $63 million over the next four seasons — and might ask for even more money to waive his no-trade clause.

The teams, meanwhile, are not close to a trade agreement. Padres general manager Kevin Towers is trying to involve a third club so he could get the package of players he desires. The Cubs almost certainly will need to move right-hander Jason Marquis, who is earning $9.875 million next season, to clear both payroll and a rotation spot for Peavy.

The Padres could take Marquis, with the Cubs including enough money in the deal to reduce his salary to say, $7 million. Or, they could spin Marquis and the cash from the Cubs to another club. The Rockies, Reds and Giants have shown varying degrees of interest in Marquis, according to a major-league source.

Another possibility is that the Padres could spin one or two of the prospects that they receive from the Cubs. A team might value a player such as outfielder Felix Pie more than the Padres do; the Orioles are again talking with the Cubs about Pie, according to The Baltimore Sun, and could emerge as the third team in the deal.

Jack Wilson update No. 2

A few days ago, I reported that the Dodgers backed off their pursuit of shortstop Jack Wilson after the Pirates asked for shortstop Chin-Lung Hu, outfielder Delwyn Young and a third player.

Well, there's a reason the Pirates asked for a third player, according to a major-league source. The Dodgers wanted the Pirates to include cash that would help defray Wilson's $7.25 million salary next season and $8.4 million club option or $600,000 buyout for 2010.

The Pirates did not rule out the idea, but wanted an additional prospect for their money, a player whom they essentially would "buy" from the Dodgers. The better the prospect, the greater the amount the Pirates would pay.

The negotiations apparently broke down over this aspect of the deal. The Dodgers believe that Wilson isn't strong enough offensively to justify his $7.25 million salary; hence, their desire for that number to be reduced. The Pirates want more for Wilson and cash than Hu and Young.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

Click here to read more of Ken's columns.

Scott Boras Holds All The Cards In This Free Agent Market

Ken Rosenthal — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 09:59:09 -0500

Here's my theory: Scott Boras wants Mark Teixeira in Boston.

Teixeira, a native of Maryland, would be happy to go back East, happy to accept whatever ridiculous deal the Red Sox gave him.

That way, both the Angels and Yankees would remain options for Manny Ramirez, Boras' other major free-agent slugger.

The Angels could sign free-agent left-hander CC Sabathia with the money they had slotted for Teixeira. They also could add Ramirez to fill Garret Anderson's slot and protect them against the possible departure of Vladimir Guerrero as a free agent after next season.

Sabathia, who is represented by the Legacy Sports Group, might cost $150 million over six years, Ramirez $90 million over three. But the additions of both would give the Angels utter control of the Los Angeles market, and make them the favorites to win the World Series.

Teixeira to Boston, Sabathia and Ramirez to the Angels. The Yankees would freak out if all that transpired, and yet another Boras client — free-agent right-hander Derek Lowe — would be the immediate beneficiary.

Oh, and don't forget Boras' free-agent catcher, Jason Varitek, who could return to Boston to join Teixeira, his friend and fellow Georgia Tech alum, with Boras posing between them at the news conference.

See how all this works?

If you think Boras lacks the vision to formulate such a grandiose plan, then you haven't been paying attention for oh, about the past 20 years. Boras not only reads the market better than most agents, he reads it better than most clubs.

And when he holds this many prominent pieces, he is fully capable of manipulating the process to his advantage.

Obviously, things could go awry, particularly with Ramirez, whose market remains unclear.

The Yankees simply might decide to sign Sabathia at any cost, particularly when they figure out that the Angels' interest is sincere and that the Giants might be serious players for CC, too.

If the Yankees indeed land Sabathia, they could add Lowe or A.J. Burnett as their second major free-agent piece and address their offense through lesser signings or trades.

The Angels seem hotter for Ramirez, but owner Arte Moreno might have just wanted to tweak the Dodgers when he said, "At the end of the day, you want people who can hit, and he may be one of top right-handed hitters ever."

Ramirez sure doesn't seem like Mike Scioscia's type of player; Raul Ibanez or Adam Dunn might be a better fit. But if Moreno wants Ramirez, Scioscia and the rest of the Angels' baseball people will have no choice but to fall in line.

One thing is certain: Ramirez would be easier to counsel (read: babysit) if he remained with a team close to Boras' headquarters in Newport Beach, Ca. Teixeira, on the other hand, requires no adult supervision, which is yet another reason why Boras might prefer him in Boston.

The Red Sox clearly want Teixeira, but the Angels will wait on him for only so long. At some point, the Angels might simply determine that their chances are better with Sabathia, whose preference is to be on the West Coast.

You'll notice I haven't mentioned the Dodgers, the only team that is known to have made a contract proposal offer to Ramirez. The Dodgers also should be a favorite for Sabathia, offering him — like the Giants — the chance not only to play on the West Coast, but also the National League.

Well, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday, Dodgers president Jamie McCourt wondered aloud about whether it would be "a little weird" to sign big-money free agents while the nation's economy is reeling.

McCourt also said that the free-agent game would be more tolerable if the players' contracts were not guaranteed — an antiquated point of view that is certain to draw ridicule, no matter how much clubs wish it were true.

McCourt's husband, owner Frank McCourt, indicated that the club will not raise its offer to Ramirez. The Dodgers have given no indication they will be a serious player for Sabathia. No wonder agents are again questioning the Dodgers' willingness to spend big.

The Dodgers still could sign a lesser free-agent bat, trade for Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano and piece together their pitching. But now is not the time for a high-revenue team to fret over baseball economics, not when Sabathia is there for the taking and Boras is ready to play ball.

The game is about to start.

The dominos are about to fall.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

Click here to read more of Ken's columns.

Sources: Pettitte Talks with Torre About Dodgers

Ken Rosenthal — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:38:20 -0500

Mike Mussina has retired, and the Yankees could lose Andy Pettitte, too.

Don't believe it?

Pettitte, 36, has spoken more than once with his former manager, Joe Torre, about joining the Dodgers, according to major-league sources.

And, lest anyone forget, Pettitte has a history of changing teams as a free agent when he does not feel completely wanted.

Go back to 2003, when the Yankees dragged out their negotiations with Pettitte, only to lose him to the Astros despite making a significantly higher last-minute offer.

Or, go back to 2006, when the Astros would not budge off their one-year proposal to Pettitte, only to see the Yankees grab him by offering a higher salary and the option to return for a second year.

Pettitte lacks the leverage he had in either of those negotiations. Not only is he older, but he also posted a 5.35 ERA after the All-Star Game last season.

His first choice is to stay with the Yankees. The Yankees say they want him back. But at the moment, the Yankees are focused on the top free-agent starting pitchers — CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe.

For Pettitte, the Dodgers would represent a viable alternative. So could a team such as the Cardinals, who also might want Pettitte on a one-year deal.

While Pettitte's hometown Astros are in dire need of starting pitching, owner Drayton McLane still might be peeved about the pitcher's departure in '06. Pettitte's return to Houston, one source says, is "highly unlikely."

The Astros are trying to re-sign free-agent left-hander Randy Wolf. Right-hander Ben Sheets and lefties Mike Hampton and Randy Johnson are among the other starting pitchers on their radar.

However, the team needs to shed payroll and likely will explore trades for players such as third baseman Ty Wigginton, closer Jose Valverde and shortstop Miguel Tejada, sources say.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

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Sources: Dodgers Seek Pirates Shortstop, Balk at Price

Ken Rosenthal — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:29:14 -0500

The Dodgers, seeking a possible replacement for free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal, balked at the Pirates' asking price for shortstop Jack Wilson during recent trade talks, according to major-league sources.

The Pirates, who are discussing Wilson with several teams, wanted Dodgers shortstop Chin-Lung Hu, outfielder Delwyn Young and a third young player, sources say.

The teams spoke as recently as Monday, according to one source, but currently are at an impasse. The Dodgers first tried to obtain Wilson in early July, when Furcal was recovering from back surgery. It was then that the Pirates expressed their initial interest in Hu.

Wilson, signed for $7.25 million next season with an $8.4 million club option for 2010, would fit for the Dodgers as a short-term bridge to the organization's top shortstop prospect, Ivan DeJesus Jr.

The Dodgers, however, are not willing to pay a high price in prospects or dollars for Wilson, who is a below-average offensive player.

On the free-agent front, they are showing mild interest in free-agent shortstop Edgar Renteria but not Orlando Cabrera, believing that Cabrera would require too long a contract, sources say.

In addition to shortstop, the Dodgers are trying to fill holes at third base and left field, as well as in their starting rotation and bullpen. They could open next season with Angel Berroa and Hu at short, with DeJesus possibly joining the club at mid-season.

The Tigers also are showing interest in Wilson, but can not offer a major-league ready shortstop at the level of Hu, a gifted defender who has batted only .193 in his 145 major-league at-bats.

Furcal appears headed to the A's, Giants or an unidentified third club. The Dodgers are balking at giving him a four-year deal, and so far have made only an inquiry on Renteria.

Cabrera is drawing interest from four clubs, while Renteria continues to talk with the Giants and other teams. The Cardinals, Orioles, Tigers, Indians and Blue Jays are among the other clubs with possible or definite needs at short.

Wilson, who turns 32 on Dec. 29, is not a worthy offensive replacement for Furcal — his career on-base percentage is .312 while his career slugging mark is .375. His defense, however, remains strong.

The Dodgers, operating on a number of fronts, have made a bid to retain free-agent outfielder Manny Ramirez, continue to talk with free-agent third baseman Casey Blake and are expected to make a run at free-agent left-hander CC Sabathia.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

Click here to read more of Ken's columns.

Braves Join List of Suitors for Righty Burnett

Ken Rosenthal — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 04:41:36 -0500

Add the Braves to the list of teams showing interest in free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett.

In a perfect world, the Braves would add two top-of-the-rotation starters, then slot righty Jair Jurrjens as their No. 3.

"They've shown no reservations acknowledging that they need that guy going forward, especially if (John) Smoltz and (Tom) Glavine aren't back," Burnett's agent, Darek Braunecker, said Monday.

"They see the significance long-term of having a guy who can be at the top of the rotation and have the desire and capability of leading a staff. They've communicated that to me better than any club."

Of course, "communicating" and "signing" are two different things, particularly with the Yankees, Blue Jays, Red Sox and Orioles expressing varying degrees of interest in Burnett.

To get Burnett, a team almost certainly will need to sign him for five years. The Braves haven't awarded a five-year deal to a pitcher since signing Greg Maddux to an extension of that length in August 1997.

Then again, Padres right-hander Jake Peavy likely would require a minimum five-year investment if the Braves ever acquired him in a trade. Peavy, who is owed $59 million over the next four years, almost certainly would want his $22 million club option for 2013 guaranteed and possibly an extension to waive his no-trade clause.

Burnett, 31, is four years older than Peavy, but could end up in the same five-year, $80 million range. Some teams will balk at that length of contract, knowing that Burnett has exceeded 166 innings only twice in the past six seasons. Giving Burnett five years would be out of character for the Braves, and the Red Sox, too.

For now, the Braves are intrigued by their addition of left-handed reliever Erik O'Flaherty, whom they claimed on waivers from the Mariners last week. O'Flaherty, 23, did not pitch after June because of a back injury, but the Braves consider him a potential sleeper.

The team's bullpen, in fact, could emerge as a strength — the Braves will either re-sign or replace Will Ohman as their main situational left-hander, and lefty Mike Gonzalez and righties Rafael Soriano and Peter Moylan could form an imposing late-inning trio.

Moylan, recovering from Tommy John surgery, should be ready early in the season, if not Opening Day.

Hell's bells, Hollywood style?

Imagine "Hell's Bells" blaring at Dodger Stadium to herald the entrance of Trevor Hoffman in the bottom of the ninth inning.

The idea of the Dodgers signing Hoffman makes a lot of sense.

The Dodgers have so many holes, they might be unable to spend heavily if they replace closer Takashi Saito, who will be 39 next season and coming off an elbow injury.

Hoffman, 41, could serve as a one-year mentor for setup man Jonathan Broxton, who is still only 24. Staying in the NL West almost certainly would appeal to Hoffman. So would the chance to stick it his former team, the Padres.

The Red Sox's potential logjam

The Red Sox seem to believe that they will find a taker for third baseman Mike Lowell if they sign free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira.

Lowell could be a candidate for Frank McCourt's Los Angeles Red Sox if the Dodgers failed to re-sign free agent Casey Blake.

Other rival executives, however, are skeptical that the Red Sox could move Lowell quickly.

Lowell, who turns 35 on Feb. 24, is coming off hip surgery and guaranteed $24 million over the next two seasons.

The Red Sox are confident he will be fine, but one general manager countered, "I don't think anybody will take a chance on Mike Lowell until you see him play next spring."

The blueprint for a Lowell trade might be last winter's Scott-Rolen-for-Troy Glaus deal, in which the Cardinals and Jays exchanged high-priced, physically questionable third basemen.

Finding a match for Lowell might be more difficult. To further complicate matters, the Red Sox also are trying to work a salary exchange with shortstop Julio Lugo, who is less productive than Lowell and owed $18 million over the next two seasons.

As for trading designated hitter David Ortiz, good luck. Ortiz, as a player with 10 years of major-league service, five with the same team, has the right to veto any deal. Plus, as a designated hitter, his market would consist only of American League teams.

To Dye for?

The White Sox are asking teams for a young starting pitcher plus additional players for right fielder Jermaine Dye. The Mets, Rays and Phillies are among the teams balking at such a price.

Dye, earning $11.5 million in the final year of his contract, amounts to a one-season rental. He can block trades to six clubs, most of which are in the northeast, according to a major-league source.

One potentially interested executive said his team was concerned that Dye batted only .210 with runners in scoring position and two outs last season — 36 points below the American League average.

The Rays: Laying in wait

The Rays are one team that could pounce if the prices of free-agent hitters plummet.

The club's best-case scenario is to add a DH who could play nearly every day, plus a right-handed hitting platoon partner for Gabe Gross in right field.

The market offers several intriguing options.

Milton Bradley, Adam Dunn, Pat Burrell, Jason Giambi and even Manny Ramirez are among the free-agent DH types. But the only way any of them would appeal to the Rays is if they failed to generate strong multi-year interest and suddenly became bargains.

Such a development is not out of the question: The state of the economy, the number of sluggers available and the desire of many clubs to become younger, more athletic and better defensively all could work to the Rays' advantage.

Ranger roulette

The Rangers are open to moving right-hander Kevin Millwood and/or righty Vicente Padilla, but it's not as if they're itching to make a deal.

Millwood, soon to be 34, and Padilla, 31, will provide valuable innings for a young rotation. They also should be motivated entering contract years.

The last time Millwood was on the verge of free agency, he won the 2005 American League ERA title for the Indians. Padilla fared nearly as well in his last salary drive, earning 15 wins and pitching 200 innings for the Rangers in '06.

Teams such as the Mets and Braves are not currently interested in either pitcher; Millwood will earn $11 million next season, Padilla $12 million. However, the demand for both could increase once free- agent pitchers start changing teams.

Millwood, coming off consecutive years with 5.00-plus ERAs, has lost 15 pounds since the end of the season. He needs to work 180 innings next season to guarantee his $12 million option for '10.

Around the horn

The Angels continue to keep their options as they await the outcome of the Mark Teixeira negotiations. CC Sabathia remains Plan B, but if the Angels fail to land him, they could turn back to Francisco Rodriguez or pursue the No. 2 closer on the free-agent market, lefty Brian Fuentes. Free-agent left fielder Pat Burrell also is on the Angels' radar, but would only be an alternative if the team struck out with Teixeria and Manny Ramirez ...

The Brewers are another possibility for Fuentes, but GM Doug Melvin points out that both the Brewers and Rays won 90 games last season without a closer who earned 30 saves. Melvin might simply choose to wait out the market and load up on less expensive setup types — particularly after getting a poor return on his $10 million investment in Eric Gagne last season ...

The Mets, in search of starting pitching as well as a closer, aren't enamored with the White Sox's Javier Vazquez, who lasted only one season with the Yankees. Rays right-hander Andy Sonnanstine, a strike thrower and dogged competitor, represents a more desirable target, but the Rays are forever reluctant to trade pitching. The Mets are intent on adding players who can handle New York ...

It's a given that the Yankees will offer salary arbitration to free- agent outfielder Bobby Abreu, even if it means paying him between $18 million and $20 million to be their No. 3 hitter for one more season.

Abreu, who turns 35 on March 11, would accept the Yankees' offer only if it appeared he would not receive the multi-year deal he wanted from another club. In this economy, that's no guarantee.

Twins left fielder Delmon Young is "very, very much out there," according to one rival GM. Young, a right-handed hitter, would make particular sense for the Phillies, but the Twins will need to be careful in any trade discussions. Getting poor value for Young would only compound their mistake in acquiring him as part of a six-player trade in which they sent shortstop Jason Bartlett and right-hander Matt Garza to the Rays ...

The Diamondbacks, facing the losses of free-agent relievers Juan Cruz and Brandon Lyon, would benefit from the short-term addition of Trevor Hoffman or Kerry Wood, but lack the payroll flexibility necessary to sign either closer. Instead, the D-Backs are likely to stick with their affordable late-inning trio of Chad Qualls, Jon Rauch and Tony Pena, who will combine to make less than what Hoffman or Wood likely will command in 2009 — Hoffman for one year, Wood on a multi-year deal.

The Rockies, at least for the moment, seem content to keep third baseman Garrett Atkins and the three players they acquired in the Matt Holliday trade — left-hander Greg Smith, outfielder Carlos Gonzalez and reliever Huston Street. The team is looking for a left-handed reliever; free agent Alan Embree is one possibility.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

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Caution Surrounds Baseball During Free Agency

Ken Rosenthal — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 16:16:01 -0500

The Yankees were not embarrassed to offer free-agent left-hander CC Sabathia $140 million in the middle of an economic crisis.

Sabathia should not be embarrassed to accept such an offer, or an even larger one after other teams start bidding.

Free agents get paid what the market will bear. Major League Baseball generated a record $6.5 billion in revenues last season. Obviously, next season could be worse, but at this point no one knows for sure.

The Yankees are not cutting ticket prices as they move into the new Yankee Stadium. Neither are the Angels, another potential Sabathia bidder, nor the Dodgers, who will charge $90 for many seats in their new spring-training home in Glendale, Ariz., according to research by bizofbaseball.com.

Why should Sabathia — or any other elite free agent — sacrifice?

The harsh economy is affecting the free-agent market, but any top player who signs a lesser contract might find himself undervalued once conditions improve — which they presumably (hopefully?) would over the course of a long-term deal.

There is one issue, and one issue only, in the Sabathia negotiations — whether the Angels, Dodgers and Giants can come close enough to the Yankees' final offer for Sabathia to justify him moving to the West Coast.

The Brewers offered Sabathia $100 million for five years, so any of the interested West Coast clubs also would need to significantly trump that proposal to become a serious player.

Union pressure? Please. Clubs often portray union officials as evil boogeymen, whispering, "raise the bar, raise the bar" in players' ears. Such concerns are overstated. Sabathia is not under union hypnosis; he will make the decision that is best for him.

One way or another, he figures to beat Johan Santana's record deal for a pitcher — six years, $137.5 million in actual dollars, or $123.1 million in present-day value according to the union's calculations, which include deferrals.

The union's bigger problem, by far, will be the second-tier free agents who already were getting squeezed. Teams now might take even more of a hard-line position with such players, again forcing them to scramble for jobs.

Several general managers mentioned to me last week that they plan to wait out the market, believing that bargains will develop. As for major signings, it's still early. But one prominent agent says the market is indeed moving more slowly than usual.

"Everyone is afraid to make a decision," the agent says. "Agents are afraid to do a deal now and then see the market explode for their premier players. General managers are afraid to do a deal with the chance that the market will collapse."

Meanwhile, agent Scott Boras — the representative for several top free agents, including Mark Teixeira, Manny Ramirez and Derek Lowe — finds it ludicrous that anyone would confuse MLB with GM or any other struggling company.

At the request of commissioner Bud Selig, owners received an update on the economy last week from Paul Volcker, the former chairman of the Federal Reserve. But as Boras points out, many of the game's revenues are fixed.

Baseball maintains long-term contracts with corporate sponsors, and local and national TV and radio networks. Continued growth on the Internet, the launch of the MLB Network and the World Baseball Classic should generate additional revenue next season.

The big concern, though, is attendance.

"I'm not sure the agents watch TV," one general manager says. "The people getting laid off are the people who are going to be buying tickets from us."

Well, winning is the best way to boost attendance — and Sabathia, at least in the early years of his contract, could transform his next team the same way he helped transform the Brewers last season.

Think of Sabathia at the top of the Yankees' rotation, reducing the burden on Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and even Chien-Ming Wang.

Think of him doing the same for the Dodgers' Chad Billingsley, Clayton Kershaw and James McDonald — or even the Giants' Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Barry Zito.

The Angels, if they fail to retain free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, could sign Sabathia and then trade Ervin Santana or Joe Saunders for an impact hitter such as Rockies third baseman Garrett Atkins.

Sabathia will get his money, as will Teixeira and other top free agents. Free-agent contracts in the hundreds of millions will look all the more outrageous at a time when so many Americans losing jobs. Yet, baseball economics rarely bear any resemblance to the real-world economics, in good times or bad.

It's not embarrassing. It's just the way it is.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

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Giants, A's Leading Furcal Sweepstakes

Ken Rosenthal — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 19:16:13 -0500

The Rafael Furcal sweepstakes, accelerating at a rapid pace, appears to be shaping up as a Bay Area showdown between the A's and Giants.

"It's moving pretty fast," Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti told FOXSports.com on Friday. "I don't know if we're going to be in it or not."

The Dodgers want to retain Furcal, who is a favorite of manager Joe Torre, but might be reluctant to meet the player's desire for a four-year contract.

A team's willingness to offer Furcal a fourth year likely will be the difference-maker in the negotiations, major-league sources say.

When the Dodgers signed Furcal prior to the 2006 season, they gave him three years and $39 million. He is 31 now, and coming off back surgery.

Both the A's and Giants were satisfied by what they saw in Furcal's medical records, sources say.

Both teams also might want to move sooner rather than later on Furcal, fearing that a delay could draw the Braves and Cubs into the negotiations.

The Braves would pursue Furcal only if they traded shortstop Yunel Escobar to the Padres in a package for right-hander Jake Peavy; those talks currently are dormant, but many in the industry expect them to revive.

The Cubs, too, are interested in Furcal, but after re-signing free-agent right-hander Ryan Dempster to a four-year, $52 million contract, they probably could not invest heavily in another player until after the team is sold. Bidders have until Dec. 1 to submit offers, Major League Baseball officials said this week.

The A's, lacking a long-term internal solution at shortstop, would use Furcal as their leadoff man in a revamped offense anchored by their newest trade acquisition, left fielder Matt Holliday.

The Giants' projected shortstop, Emmanuel Burris, 23, could move to second base if the team signed Furcal. The Giants also are negotiating with another free-agent shortstop, Edgar Renteria, according to MLB.com — and competing with the rival Dodgers for perhaps the biggest free-agent prize, left-hander CC Sabathia.

If the Dodgers lost Furcal, they could turn their attention to Renteria or Orlando Cabrera, the latter of whom they discussed acquiring in a trade last summer.

The team also is trying to re-sign left fielder Manny Ramirez and third baseman Casey Blake, and is expected to make an offer for Sabathia shortly.

A Jack of many trades?

The Pirates, talking about shortstop Jack Wilson with several clubs, are trying to acquire catcher Matt Treanor from the Marlins, then spin both players to the Tigers, according to one major-league source.

But that possibility, first reported by Bucco Blog, was dismissed by another source as "inaccurate" and having "no foundation."

The Pirates want appropriate value for Wilson, not financial relief. Wilson, who turns 32 on Dec. 29, will earn $7.25 million next season plus an $8.4 million club option or $600,000 buyout for 2010.

The Tigers, seeking a shortstop to replace departing free agent Edgar Renteria, have long had interest in Wilson. Treanor, 32, could help fill their catching void, but almost certainly in a backup role.

Five years for A.J.? Not likely from Jays

Though Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi did not rule out offering a five-year deal to free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett, another source with knowledge of the team's thinking says he "can't imagine" the Jays making such a proposal.

As for trading right-hander Roy Halladay, forget it — at least for now.

Halladay, 31, possesses a full no-trade clause, and he is signed for $14.25 million next season and $15.75 million in 2010.

The Jays would not even entertain trading Halladay until after they made a full effort to sign him to an extension — something that would happen quickly if they kept Burnett.

Pirates' McLouth: An interesting catch

Some viewed Pirates center fielder Nate McLouth as a dubious choice for a Gold Glove; McLouth's minus-40 rating according to the plus-minus ratings on Bill James Online was the worst of any player in baseball.

However, according to the final Gold Glove balloting, obtained by FOXSports.com, McLouth received 41 votes from the National League managers and coaches — more than any player in the league. The Angels' Torii Hunter led the AL with 66 votes.

The closest races were AL pitcher, in which Mike Mussina edged Kenny Rogers, 24-22; and AL shortstop, in which Michael Young edged Orlando Cabrera, 29-26.

So, how did McLouth fare so miserably in one of the most advanced defensive metrics, yet garner such respect from the managers and coaches who voted? More than likely, they were impressed by McLouth's aggressive style and knack for making spectacular catches.

John Dewan, the creator of the plus-minus system and author of "The Fielding Bible," wrote in a recent blog entry that McLouth is above-average in his ability to prevent base-runners from advancing on hits and his ability to make plays "above and beyond the ordinary." But in covering ground, Dewan said, McLouth struggles "big time."

Mulder: Coming along

Free-agent left-hander Mark Mulder, rehabilitating from a pair of shoulder operations, is making significant progress in his recovery, according to his agent, Gregg Clifton.

After the Cardinals bought Mulder out for $1.5 million, he began working with two new personal trainers, one of whom is Paul Hospenthal, a longtime acquaintance of Mulder's who is the husband of race-car driver Danica Patrick.

Clifton said that Mulder's shoulder is fine, but that he is just now starting to build "functional strength" — in other words, the muscles that will enable him to pitch successfully again.

Mulder, 31, will not begin throwing until December, but could prove a reasonable one-year risk for a team in need of starting pitching.

Around the horn

Here are four possible trading partners for the Red Sox if they sign free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira and need to move third baseman Mike Lowell: The Dodgers, who could lose Casey Blake in free agency; the White Sox, who currently project the unproven Josh Fields at third base; the Tigers, who could move Brandon Inge back to catcher; and the Brewers, who would need to trade third baseman Bill Hall. The Red Sox would need to be creative. Lowell, who turns 35 on Feb. 24, is expected to make a full recovery from hip surgery, but is owed $25 million over the next two seasons ...

Free-agent outfielder Luis Gonzalez plans to play again next season, according to Clifton, his agent. When contacted Friday, Clifton said, "He's in the gym right now." Gonzalez, 41, is four doubles shy of 600, and needs only 28 to tie Hank Aaron for 10th on the all-time list; he is five away from Barry Bonds, seven away from Cal Ripken. Gonzalez hit 26 doubles in 341 at-bats for the Marlins last season. ...

Would you trade for a pitcher who has averaged 13 wins, 192 innings and a 4.59 ERA in the National League over the past five seasons? Say hello to Cubs right-hander Jason Marquis, who will be entering the final year of his contract, valued at $9.875 million. That number likely would scare off many clubs, but Marquis would become more attractive if the Cubs included enough cash to bring another team's obligation down to say, $7 million. ...

The Phillies are confident that second baseman Chase Utley will not be out until June after undergoing surgery on his right hip. "If you know Chase, he'll be ready for Opening Day," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "I'm concerned, but not that concerned. I have all the confidence in the world that he'll be back. If it's a couple of weeks into the season, then it is what it is." ...

The White Sox aren't ruling out that their newest Cuban signee, 19-year-old slugger Dayan Viciedo, could contribute next season, possibly at third base. But they will allow Viciedo to develop at his own pace, just as they did with Alexei Ramirez, who finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year balloting at age 26 last season.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

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Where Will Teixeira Mark His Turf?

Ken Rosenthal — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 11:56:17 -0500

While the Angels and Red Sox still appear the favorites for free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, the Nationals remain a major player, the Yankees can not be discounted and other teams remain involved.

Teixeira's agent, Scott Boras, is in deep economic discussions with interested clubs, according to a major-league source. Teixeira is almost certain to sign before Boras' other major free-agent slugger, Manny Ramirez.

It still appears doubtful that Teixeira will choose the Nationals or even his hometown Orioles when he has better options. But another Boras client, Alex Rodriguez, stunned the baseball world by joining the then-lowly Rangers as a free agent after the 2000 season.

Teixeira, 28, could justify signing with the Nationals by saying he wanted to be the face of an emerging franchise in the nation's capital. He could rationalize signing with the Orioles by saying he wanted to spark their revival at a time when the team finally is starting to develop young talent.

Once Teixeira signs, the markets for Ramirez and other free-agent sluggers such as Adam Dunn, Pat Burrell and Bobby Abreu should become clearer.

Just think: If Ramirez signs with the Yankees, he can torture the Red Sox. If he signs with the Giants, he can torture the Dodgers.

The Royals: Pros and Cons

Those who like the Royals' first two offseason moves say the team operated shrewdly by trading two relievers for two everyday players.

Those who question the Royals say that the additions of first baseman Mike Jacobs and center fielder Coco Crisp do not meet the team's stated goal of improving on-base percentage — and that both players quickly could prove too expensive.

Jacobs, 28, is expected to earn as much as $3.5 million next season in his first year of arbitration. Crisp, 29, is under contract for $5.75 million in 2009 and the Royals hold an $8 million option on him for '10.

"(Jacobs') cost has now exceeded his worth, and Coco is getting very close," one rival executive says. "That's not great for a team with limited money."

Then again, Jacobs and Crisp probably will combine to earn less than Raul Ibanez, a free agent the Royals were considering to play first base. Also, Crisp was acquired for Ramon Ramirez, who was acquired for Jorge De La Rosa, who was acquired for Tony Graffanino. That's progress.

Jacobs, coming off a 32-homer, .299 OBP season, should at least give the Royals power at first base, where they were next-to-last in the AL in home runs last season.

Crisp will enable them to move David DeJesus to move to left field, improving their defense, and spot Mark Teahen at the infield and outfield corners, improving their depth.

Most of the Royals' starters are flyball pitchers, making outfield defense critical. And while Teahen now looks like the odd man out, the Royals say just the opposite. Their preference is to use him frequently, the better to keep their regulars fresh.

Relievers Leo Nunez and Ramon Ramirez will need to be replaced, but general manager Dayton Moore comes from the Braves, a team that frequently turns over its bullpen. The Royals believe their farm system is deep enough to replenish their bullpen, and they also will consider modest free-agent additions.

Ibanez: Ready to cash in

Ibanez, coming off a two-year, $11 million contract with the Mariners, has been undervalued for virtually his entire career.

That is about to change.

Ibanez, 36, is drawing significant interest from a number of clubs, and compares favorably to the other free-agent sluggers in at least two categories.

His 338 RBIs over the past three seasons are more than the totals posted by Teixeira (336), Ramirez (311), Dunn (298) and Pat Burrell (278). Ryan Howard led the majors during that time with 431 RBIs.

Sabermetricians generally dismiss "counting" stats such as RBIs, but Ibanez played for sub-.500 Mariners teams in two of those seasons, and his home games were at pitcher-friendly Safeco Field.

Ibanez also batted .331 with runners in scoring position during that three-year period, tied with Teixeira and ahead of Ramirez (.317), Burrell (.237) and Dunn (.234). Mike Young led the majors with a .359 average over that span, according to STATS LLC.

Is Ibanez better than Ramirez or Teixeira? Of course not. He's also five years older than Burrell and seven years older than Dunn, and hits for less power.

Still, teams love Ibanez's professionalism, and one general manager predicts he will receive a three-year deal for between $8 million and $12 million per season.

The Mets' ninth-inning call

The Mets, the only high-revenue team in urgent need of a closer, are more likely to choose between free agents Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes than trade for the White Sox's Bobby Jenks, Mariners' J.J. Putz or Rockies' Huston Street.

Rodriguez, 26, is almost seven years younger than Fuentes, yet far more established as a ninth-inning performer. The Mets, however, will base their decision partly on how the market for each pitcher develops.

No team will pay Rodriguez $75 million for five years; perhaps no team should. But K-Rod has earned a major-league leading 194 saves since becoming a full-time closer in 2005. Trevor Hoffman is next with 161.

While teams fret over Rodriguez's declining strikeout rate, his increased use of a changeup should help him stay effective. While teams cite his violent delivery, he has been on the disabled list only once, with a strained right forearm in 2005.

Fuentes had a better strikeout rate and better strikeout-to-walk ratio than Rodriguez last season. He also seems to possess the moxie to succeed in any environment, including New York.

However, Fuentes has never closed in a pennant race or the postseason; he lost his job to Manny Corpas when the Rockies reached the World Series in 2007. Rodriguez, on the other hand, has pitched in the postseason five times, albeit with mixed results the last two years.

Boras: No seven-year deal for Lowe

Scott Boras, the agent for free-agent right-hander Derek Lowe, strongly disputed an item from earlier this week that quoted executives from two teams as saying he was seeking a "Barry Zito-type" contract for Lowe.

Boras made it clear on Thursday that he has not asked clubs for those terms — seven years, $126 million. Zito signed that contract before the season in which he turned 29. Lowe turns 36 on June 1.

"I have not talked to any team about a seven-year, Barry Zito contract for Derek Lowe," Boras said. "This is a classic case of baseball executives reporting information that isn't factual and not giving their names and standing behind it."

Both executives spoke on condition of anonymity.

Around the Horn

The Rangers have sold the rights to right-hander Kameron Loe to the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan, and Loe has agreed to a contract with the Hawks in the two-year, $2 million range. Loe, 27, wants to be a starter, and the Hawks will give him that opportunity. He split time between the majors and minors last season, going 3-5 with a 5.59 ERA in 26 games at Class AAA and 1-0 with a 3.23 ERA in 14 relief ...

No doubt the Mets would love to sign free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson, but here's the problem: They already will be paying two managers, two pitching coaches and two closers next season. The only way for them to purge second baseman Luis Castillo would be to include most of his remaining salary in a trade, so they effectively would be paying two second basemen as well ...

The Astros, exploring ways to reduce payroll, could try to move shortstop Miguel Tejada, who has one year and $13 million left on his contract. Tejada can be shopped as either a shortstop or third baseman, but he had only a .314 on-base percentage last season and three home runs after the All-Star break. Closer Jose Valverde is another trade candidate — he likely will make $9 million in arbitration—but the glut of closers will reduce the demand for him in his final season before free agency ...

Left-hander Trever Miller, on the verge of signing a two-year, free- agent contract with the Cardinals, allowed the fourth lowest percentage of inherited runners to score last season (minimum 30 inherited runners). The rankings: J.P. Howell, 11.4 percent; Jason Frasor, 12.5 percent; Jonathan Papelbon, 13.3 percent; Miller, 16.2 percent ...

Free-agent shortstop Adam Everett could be a low-cost option for several clubs; the Tigers, in particular, would make sense. Tigers third-base coach Gene Lamont knows Everett from their days together with the Astros, and the Tigers are strong enough offensively to carry a light-hitting shortstop.

This article originally published on FOXSports.com.

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