New Year Hot Stove

It's a new year and time for the first hot stove report of the new year. It also means nearly two months have gone by since players filed for free agency and there are still big names to be had. Manny Ramirez, Adam Dunn, Derek Lowe, Bobby Abreu, Trevor Hoffman, and Ken Griffey Jr. are just some of the players still looking for work.

Needless to say Lowe was not impressed by the Mets' 3-year, $36 mill offer.

Crosstown
Last off-season, Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts had to listen to continuous rumors about his pending departure to the Chicago Cubs. Now MASN (Mid-Atlantic Sports Network) reports that Orioles are talking to the Chicago White Sox about Roberts' availability. Gavin Floyd's name has been mentioned, though we don't understand trading a 17-game winner when winning is all about pitching.

Don't Let the Door Hit You....
Jon Heyman is reporting that the Dodgers and outfielder Andruw Jones are working to restructure the Curacao native's deal to allow them to move him to another team. Jones would be agreeing to defer half of the $20 million remaining on his contract. Seems like everyone except Ned Colletti knew the Dodgers should give Jones his contract. The restructure would also free up money to help try to resign Manny Ramirez.

Top Cat
Tony Clark has agreed to a 1-year, $800,000 deal that will keep him in Arizona, his baseball home since 2005.

Giants Among Men
The Giants were reportedly quietly looking into signing Manny Ramirez, but then shot down those rumors (or was that a ploy?). Now, according to Heyman, they're taking a look at the medical records of White Sox 3rd baseman Joe Crede to possibly fill their hot corner needs. It's been all downhill for the Giants since they signed Barry Zito. Bonds Karma perhaps?

Please Don't Follow me, Joe
Scott Proctor has escaped the clutches of Joe Torre for the second time, agreeing to a one year deal with the Marlins. Proctor had been non-tendered by the Dodgers.

Moor or Less
Former player Jeff Moorad can now add former Diamondbacks head honcho to his resume. Moorad resigned in order to pursue purchasing the Padres.

No Kidding?
Twins' catcher Joe Mauer has undergone minor kidney surgery (is there such a thing?) to remove an obstruction. The Minneapolis-Star Tribune reports that the situation is not serious and Mauer will be ready for Spring Training.

Old News
In case you missed it, the Angels got themselves a new closer the other day, free agent pitcher Brian Fuentes. To replace K-Rod, Fuentes was given a 2-year, $17.5 million deal. If things don't work out, Fuentes could be moved into a set up role with Scot Shields or Jose Arredondo assuming the closing duties.

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Vegas Update - Day 4 - 11:30 AM EST

Jason Varitek may just be a Boston Red Sox again after all. The Boston Herald is reporting that Varitek's agent Scott Boras has had in depth discussions with Boston regarding a 2-year deal. Money will be the biggest issue here as Varitek, looking for Jorge Posada like money, is coming off a horrid offensive season.

With Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz no longer available, the Cardinals are making closer Brian Fuentes their top priority.

Ramon Vazquez has been holding out for a 2 year deal and it looks like he'll get his wish. The downside is that it means playing for the Pirates.

The Diamondbacks have inked infielder Felipe Lopez to a one year deal.

The Dodgers have reportedly made a 2 year offer to retain the services of Rafael Furcal.

The Royals agreed to a 2 year, $9.5 million deal with former Yankee, Kyle Farnsworth.

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Vegas Update - Day 1 - 1:15 EST

Jon Heyman of SI believes the Brewers are willing to offer CC Sabathia a 6-year, $120 million contract that offers an opt out option after 2 years.

Dave Lennon of Newsday says that Mets GM Omar Minaya has meetings set up for today with free agent closers Brian Fuentes and Trevor Hoffman. The Mets are believed to have already made an offer to K-Rod. Dan Graziano of the Ledger also reported that the Mets spoke to the Blue Jays about B.J. Ryan.

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports that the Astros are willing to listen to offers for shortstop Miguel Tejada. The Twins, Dodgers, Angels, and Giants would be interested. K-Ros also reports that Yankees and Dodgers are talking Robinson Cano-Matt Kemp as they have in the past. We're against dealing Cano right now.

The St. Pete Times says the two Florida teams may be working a deal. The Rays would send Andy Sonnanstine or Edwin Jackson and Jason Bartlett to the Marlins for Jeremy Hermida.

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Who Goes Next?

Who goes next in the 2008 Trade-athon? Mark Teixeira, Matt Holliday, Manny Ramirez, Jarrod Washburn, Derek Lowe.

If the Braves deal Teixeira, ESPN's Buster Olney said that the Diamondbacks would be the likely destination. However, AZ is balking, for now, at the asking price of Connor Jackson.

The Providence Journal reported that the Red Sox front office has already spoken to the Mets, Diamondbacks, Phillies, and Dodgers about Man-Ram.

The Rockies have been fielding calls for Brian Fuentes, whose price will probably have to come down since Damaso Marte went relatively cheap.

The Twins are looking to strengthen their bullpen and may be interested, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, in bringing back LaTroy Hawkins. The Yankees DFA'ed Hawkins on Saturday.

Newsday is reporting that the Mets have shown the most interest in Mariners outfielder Raul Ibanez.

According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Dodgers are the primary suitors for Jack Wilson.

The Giants have reportedly been scouting Hank Blalock. The question is, "why?"

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Hump Day Rumors - 7/23 Edition

Things are starting to heat up as we get closer to the July 31st trade deadline. Locally the Yankees are taking a look at Seattle's Jarrod Washburn, Pirates' lefties Damaso Marte and John Grabow, the Reds' Bronson Arroyo (yech), and the Rockies' Brian Fuentes. The Denver Post reports that a team source said the Rockies have asked for Rays Double-A starter Wade Hendrickson, the Yankees' Ian Kennedy, the Red Sox's Clay Buchholz or Mets minor-leaguer Jon Niese. The Yankees have even talked about the Jays A.J. Burnett.

The Post's George King reports that the Yankees have also sent a scout to watch the Dodgers' Derek Lowe, who becomes a free agent after this season. The Yankees are also looking at hitters Jason Bay, Xavier Nady, and others.

Many of the decisions regarding the Yankees plans will be made this Thursday when the front office meets in Tampa. According to the Daily News' Mark Feinsand, the Yankees will be going for it.

The meeting will include co-chairmen Hank and Hal Steinbrenner, president Randy Levine, general manager Brian Cashman, special adviser Gene Michael, pro scouting director Billy Eppler and senior VP Felix Lopez. Manager Joe Girardi isn't expected to be at the meeting, but he is expected to have some input.

A source with knowledge of the situation said that the Steinbrenner brothers have been pleased with the team's recent play, so they want to show the players that they are committed to winning this year by making moves to bolster the roster.

"They're ready to do whatever they need to do at the deadline," the source said. "They want to make a run this year."

A couple of minor trades did go through yesterday. For some reason the Houston Astros acquired left-hander Randy Wolf from the San Diego Padres for minor league Chad Reineke. Perhaps the Astros will look to re-deal Wolf since they aren't coming close to sniffing a playoff spot.

The Diamondbacks strengthened their bullpen by getting setup man/part-time closer Jon Rauch from the Washington Nationals for infielder Emilio Bonifacio. The Dbacks now have two of the tallest players in baseball in Rauch and Randy Johnson.

Okay, enough fact, back to rumor. The Cardinals, according to the St. Louis Post Dispatch are looking for a left-hander. They've expressed interest in Orioles All-Star closer George Sherrill, who has 29 saves and a 3.83 ERA, Rangers set up man Eddie Guardado. The Brewers are said to be eyeing Sherrill as well.

According to the Baltimore Sun, the Brewers are close to signing former Orioles outfielder Jay Gibbons to a minor league contract. The oft-injured outfielder couldn't find a major league job after being named in the Mitchell Report last Fall. He's been playing this season for the Long Island Ducks in the Atlantic League.


UPDATE 3:15 PM EDT

Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports is reporting that the Yankees are looking for an offensive upgrade at catcher with Jorge Posada not expected to be able to play the position the remainder of the season. The Yankees have reportedly contacted the Texas Rangers about Gerald Laird and the Kansas City Royals about Miguel Olivo.

The Rangers are looking for young pitching in return for Laird, who is signed through 2010. The Royals are working hard to move Olivo, who would come at a lower asking price.

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Fuentes Would Love to Wear the Pinstripes

Front office personnel, managers, etc. can't talk about players from other teams, but Colorado's Brian Fuentes is talking about where he would like to go. With the Yankees and Mets being two of the many rumored destinations, Fuentes recently spoke at length with Mets closer Billy Wagner about the possibility of playing in the Big Apple. And Fuentes made one thing clear- he'd prefer to play for the Yankees.

"I've never played in Yankee Stadium," he told The Post. "I have no preference, but putting on the pinstripes New York Yankees would be something special by itself."

Fuentes would definitely be a welcome addition to a bullpen that has been sorely lacking a quality left-hander for some time.

Source: NY Post

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