MLB Rumors: Where Will Cliff Lee, Adrian Beltre and the Valuable Free Agents Go?
In what has already been a very busy and interesting offseason, there are still many talented free agents available, such as one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, Cliff Lee.
Some players have decided to remain with their same team, like Derek Jeter, Jorge de la Rosa and Mariano Rivera, while others opted for a change of scenery, such as Carl Crawford, Jason Werth and Adam Dunn.
With the free-agent list beginning to decrease, many teams will now be getting into some serious bidding wars in the attempt to sign some of the most dynamic players in baseball.
Read on to find out the latest rumors surrounding the players of the 2011 MLB Free Agent Class.
Rafael Soriano, Closer
1 of 6
2010 MLB Team
Tampa Bay Rays
Rumored MLB Teams Interested
Los Angeles Angels pf Anaheim
Arizona Diamondbacks
Toronto Blue Jays
The Angels seem to be the favorite for Rafael Soriano, for the time being, with their bullpen being one of the prime reasons they were kept out of the postseason last year for the first time since 2006.
But, after losing Crawford, who knows if the Rays will allow another superstar to escape? Soriano compiled 45 saves with a 1.73 ERA for the Tampa Bay Rays last season.
Vladimir Guerrero, DH
2 of 6
2010 MLB Team
Texas Rangers
Rumored MLB Teams Interested
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Oakland Athletics
Texas Rangers
Seattle Mariners
The San Francisco Chronicle reported on Wednesday that Vladimir Guerrero "is now willing to talk to all four AL West teams about a one-year contract with an option." Guerrero was quite productive last season, recording 178 hits, 29 home runs, and 115 RBI with a .300 batting average.
Andre Beltre, Third Base
3 of 6
2010 MLB Team
Boston Red Sox
Rumored MLB Teams Interested
Boston Red Sox
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Oakland Athletics
After signing Carl Crawford to a seven-year, $142 million contract, it is unclear what the Red Sox will offer Beltre, or if they even decide to make an offer. But one thing is certain, the Angels are interested in Adrian Beltre, and it seems like Adrian likes L.A.
Scott Boras, Beltre's agent, told The Los Angeles Times during the winter meetings that, "Obviously Adrian has a home in Los Angeles and he's played in L.A., he's very comfortable in the marketplace." With Crawford already being signed, Adrian Beltre is among the top targets in their seemingly endless list of desires this offseason.
.png?w=256)
Carl Pavano, Pitcher
4 of 6
2010 MLB Team
Minnesota Twins
Rumored MLB Teams Interested
Milwaukee Brewers
Washington Nationals
Minnesota Twins
Once Cliff Lee is signed, Carl Pavano will be the talk of free agency until a team finally scoops him up. It is unlikely that the Minnesota Twins will let him leave, but the Milwaukee Brewers and Washington Nationals have shown increased interest in the ace of late. Although there have been no reports of such news, keep in mind that the Yankees could go after Pavano if their deal with Cliff Lee is to fall through.
Hideki Matsui, OF
5 of 6
2010 MLB Team
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Rumored MLB Teams Interested
Oakland Athletics
Seattle Mariners
Baltimore Orioles
Hideki Matsui played well in his first season with the Angels, hitting 21 home runs and 84 RBI, with a batting average of .274 and an on-base percentage of .361. Matsui's agent, Arn Tellem, told The San Francisco Chronicle that his client's priorities are playing time and the quality of the organization.
If the Angels decide not to bring Vladimir Guerrero back to Los Angeles for another run, than Matsui may just remain a Halo.
Cliff Lee, Starting Pitcher
6 of 6
2010 MLB Team
Texas Rangers
The Top Rumored Teams Interested
Texas Rangers
New York Yankees
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
It was announced earlier this morning that the New York Yankees have added a seventh year on to his contract offer in an attempt to quickly sign the 2008 AL Cy Young Award Winner. With many moves already being made, the Yankees want to secure Cliff Lee before he is no longer available.
On Texas' end, ESPN's Richard Durrett reported that the Rangers are sending another group of associates to persuade Cliff Lee to remain with the organization that came only three games short of winning the World Series last season.
.png?w=480)
