Friday Hot Stove

We need to crank up the heat on the stove a little. It's not December yet, and we're already freezing our butts off. One guy who better get used to colder weather is Cuban defector Dayan Viciedo. The 19-yr old, rated as the top teen talent in Cuba, has signed a deal with the Chicago White Sox for a reported $11 million over four years.

Viciedo could have company in the US soon...players (pitcher) Yadel Marti and (outfielder) Yasser Gomez have been kicked off the Havana Industriales, the top team in Cuba, for what has been described as committing a "grave act".

Here's the latest from SI's Jon Heyman:

Trying to avoid a big free agent deal for K-Rod and apparently not enthused by Brian Fuentes, the Mets are exploring a deal for a closer. Bobby Jenks, J.J. Putz, and Huston Street have been mentioned. But most teams are looking at the Mets top prospects, including Fernando Martinez, whom the Mets refused to deal for Johan Santana.

The Yankees are looking into signing Derek Lowe, but are getting big competition from Lowe's former employers in Boston.

The Red Sox and Tigers have discussed a Julio Lugo for Dontrelle Willis deal.

Predictions are that the Angels will make a BIG offer to keep Mark Teixeira- somewhere in the neighborhood of 8 years and $160 million.

The Royals are looking to deal oft-troubled right fielder Jose Guillen.

The Indians are showing interest in free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson. Both Asdrubel Cabrera and Josh Barfield flopped there last year. Other sources indicate the Giants have high interest in Hudson.

According to the Toronto Sun, the Blue Jays have reportedly made a 5-year offer to retain the services of A.J. Burnett.

The Boston Herald says that big money is not scaring off the Red Sox from offering Teixeira a huge deal, one that would pay him for than Manny Ramirez received when he signed in Beantown.

You don't hear this often, according to the NY Post, Mets second baseman Luis Castillo has asked the team NOT to trade him.

The Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles are interested in infielder Cesar Izturis.

The Cardinals have signed free agent lefty reliever Trever Miller to a 2-year deal. That per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Casey Blake may find a new home in Minnesota according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The third baseman, who was dealt from the Indians to the Dodgers at this past season's trade deadline, has had extensive talks with the Twins front office.

Rafael Furcal reportedly won't settle for less than a four year deal. Keep dreamin' Raffy.

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Around the Horn - 4/12

Jake Peavy wasn't lights out like he was in his first two starts, but the Padres right-hander picked up his third win in San Diego's 7-5 victory over the Dodgers. LA has lost 4 in a row.

Nelson Figueroa hadn't won a major league game since 2004, but that's all changed now. The newest Met retired the first 14 batters he faced en route to a 4-2 win over the Brewers. Jose Reyes finally stole his first base, but had to leave the game with hamstring tightness.

Albert Pujols homered and drove in 4 runs in the Cardinals 8-2 thumping of the Giants. The Cards off to an 8-3 start while the Giants had their 4 game winning streak snapped.

Tim Hudson tossed 8 innings of 3-hit ball and the Braves sent the Nationals to their 8th straight defeat, 3-0. Yuniel Escobar hit his 2nd home run.

Jason Bay's home run was the lone run in the Pirates 1-0 win over the Reds.

Eric Byrnes, Orlando Hudson, and Justin Upton each homered in the Diamondbacks 8-2 win over the Rockies. Brandon Webb gave up 4 hits in 8 innings to improve to 3-0.

Pat Burrell homered and drove in 3, and Brett Myers went 8 innings in the Phillies 5-3 win over the Cubs.

The Marlins hit 6 home runs, including a pair by Jeremy Hermedia in their 10-6 win over the Astros. With the loss, Roy Oswalt dropped to 0-3 with a 9.00 ERA.

The Indians have to be wondering what's up with C.C. Sabathia. Injury? Contract on his mind? Whatever the answer, Sabathia is now 0-2, 11.57 after the A's pounded him en route to a 9-7 win. Joe Blanton picked up his first win for the A's.

The Tigers won their second game, 5-2 over the White Sox. Dontrelle Willis had to leave after only 2 batters when he fell after delivering a pitch. The early diagnosis was a hyper extended knee and he'll be going for an MRI.

The Rays rallied from a 5-2 deficit to hand the Orioles their third straight defeat, 10-5. Carlos Pena homered twice and drove in 6 runs. The winning pitcher? Al Reyes. Double tasered in the morning, winner at night.

Lyle Overbay drove in 3 runs and Vernon Wells (.341) added a pair of RBI in the Blue Jays 8-5 win over the Rangers. Josh Hamilton had 4 RBI for Texas.

Livan Hernandez improved to 3-0, combing with Jesse Crain and Joe Nathan on a 5-0 blanking of the Royals. Justin Morneau homered off of Gil Meche, who dropped to 0-2, 7.13.

Raul Ibanez hit a pair of home runs off of Jered Weaver in the Mariners 8-5 win over the Angels. Felix Hernandez allowed his first earned runs of the season in picking up the win.

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The Rotations - AL Central

Tigers

Guaranteed Spots: Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson, Dontrelle Willis, Kenny Rogers, Jeremy Bonderman

The final spot in the rotation will belong to Jeremy Bonderman, though it might have not been a given if the Tigers had some competition for Bonderman. The right-hander wore down at the end of last season going 1-8, 8.23 over his final 10 starts. That was after a 10-1, 3.53 start.

The Tigers gave up prospect Andrew Miller as part of the Miguel Cabrera-Willis deal, but Willis should have an immediate impact on the rotation.

Verlander is the stud/workhorse of the rotation. Robertson just got himself a new deal will give the Tigers many solid starts. Kenny Rogers is 43 and must prove he can stay healthy. The Tigers can plug in Zach Miner for some spot starts.

The Tigers staff could be anywhere from very good to good enough.

Indians

Guaranteed Spots: C.C. Sabthia, Fausto Carmona, Jake Westbrook, Paul Byrd

Sabathia had to be keeping a close eye on the Johan Santana contract negotiations, and although GM Mark Shapiro said he would not trade his big left-hander before the season is over, anything is possible.

Carmona went from closer bust in ’06 to 19 wins as a start last season. He showed poise during the first round playoff win against the Yankees in the ALDS.

Westbrook is what he is. He’ll lose nearly as many games as he wins, but he should give you 200 innings. Byrd was busted for HGH use, and then made lame excuses for it. How that will impact his 2008 season remains to be seen. A guy with no great stuff, Byrd has managed to win 97 big league games.

The final spot in the rotation is up for grabs. Cliff Lee was 5-8, 6.29 in an injury plagued season. The left-hander won 32 games the prior 2 years and has the inside track for the final spot.

Jeremy Sowers was 7-4, 3.57 in 14 rookie starts in ’06, but was awful (1-6, 6.42) in 13 starts last year. Adam Miller has been highly touted since being drafted out of high school in 2003. He spent the full season at Triple-A last year (5-4, 4.82, 68 Ks in 65.1 IP) and, if healthy, should compete for the last spot.

Twins

Guaranteed Spots: Scott Baker

With Johan Santana, Carlos Silva and Matt Garza gone, the starting rotation is wide open for the Twins. Scott Baker went 9-9, 4.26 and threw 143.2 innings, to bounce back from a terrible 2006 season, to be the only guaranteed spot. Boof Bonser (8-12, 5.10) would be next on that list.

Francisco Liriano missed last season with Tommy John surgery, but says he ready for spring training. That doesn’t mean he’ll be ready to pitch at the major league level when teams break camp.

Kevin Slowey showed some of his promise in 13 appearances, 11 as a starter (4-1, 4.72) for the Twins, and a stellar 10-5, 1.89 mark at Triple-A.

Of the prospects acquired for Santana, only Phil Humber has a shot at making the rotation during the grapefruit league. GM Bill Smith may still be looking to add a veteran presence before the team heads to Minnesota.

Update - 4:40 pm 2/12 - The Twins have agreed to terms with free agent Livan Hernandez on 1-year, $5 million deal. Hernandez can earn another $2 million in incentives.

Royals

Guaranteed Spots: Gil Meche, Brian Bannister, Zack Greinke

Meche showed last year that he was well worth the big contract the Royals gave him prior to the 2007 season.

The Mets had to be kicking themselves for dealing Bannister for hard throwing, wild reliever, Armando Burgoix. Bannister put up very good numbers, 12-9, 3.87, in holding batters to a .249 average of 165 innings (27 starts).

Greinke started to blossom last season into the pitcher the Royals had always expected him to be. After starting the season in the rotation, Greinke was moved to the bullpen where he excelled. The Royals moved him back into the rotation late in the season and his promise continued. Overall he put together a fine season (7-7, 3.69), including a 2.42 ERA in the 2^nd half.

Brett Tomko (4-12, 5.55) was pretty much guaranteed the 4^th spot by new manager Trey Hillman, despite the fact that Tomko, in a word, stinks.

Hillman would like to have one left-hander added to that mix and either Jorge De la Rosa (8-12, 5.82) or John Bale (1-1, 4.05, 42K’s in 40 innings of relief) could fit the bill.

Kyle Davies (3-7, 6.66) continued his struggles after being acquired from the Braves and will probably start the season in Triple-A unless he puts together a big spring.

Ranking the Rotations

1. Tigers
2. Indians
3. Twins
4. Royals

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Friday Hot Stove

One more day until it's officially Winter, but here is the latest from the hot stove.

Buster Olney says that the Padres are the front-runners to land Mark Prior. As we mentioned yesterday, Prior is from the San Diego area.

Now that the Tigers have signed Dontrelle Willis to an extension, GM Dave Dombrowski would like to do the same for slugger Miguel Cabrera.

Carlos Silva's 4-year deal with the Mariners turned out to be for $12 mill per year. What are these people thinking? If Silva is getting that, shouldn't Santana get at least double?

We all remember the controversy back in '04 when Doug Mientkiewicz refused to give up the baseball from the World Series' final out. This year, the Red Sox' Jason Varitek had the ball. Then said he gave it to Jon Papelbon, who didn't know where the ball was (perhaps they're passing it around like the Stanley Cup). Now word comes from Papelbon that his dog at the ball.

Cubbies fans are not happy with the possibility of Wrigley Field's naming rights being sold. Technically, you are already a gum.

According to the Seattle Times, the Mariners and Reds are the front-runners to land the O's Erik Bedard.

The Rockies have signed Kip Wells and Mark Redman to shore up their pitching staff.

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Whatchu talkin' 'bout Willis?

Earlier reports of the Tigers and Dontrelle Willis making good progress on a contract extension were not just rumors. The recently acquired lefty agreed to a 3-year, $29 million deal, with incentives that could push the value above $30 million in total.

Willis had to have realized his value is not what it once was. And though he could certainly re-establish his value, another bad season would have meant a possibly big hit to his value on the free agent market after the '09 season.

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Thursday Hot Stove

The Phillies have dropped out of the running for free agent pitcher Kyle Lohse, but have agreed to terms with free agent outfielder Geoff Jenkins. Jenkins, who spent the first 10 years of his career in Milwaukee, is expecting to get a 2-year, $13 million deal.

As expected, the Mariners and Carlos Silva have agreed to a reported, 4-year, $44 million deal, pending a physical.

Yankees fans can breathe a sigh of relief. 36-year old, 1-year wonder, Ron Mahay has agreed to a 2-year, $8 million deal with the Royals.

The Rockies are looking into free agents Marcus Giles and Todd Walker for their vacant 2nd Base job.

The Padres have inked Jeff DaVanon and Robert Fick to minor league deals.

The Tigers and Dontrelle Willis have made some progress in discussing a long term deal.

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Breaking News: Tigers Snare Cabrera, Willis

The Detroit Tigers have acquired Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from the Florida Marlins for 6 prospects, including Cameron Maybin and Andrew Miller. Catcher Mike Rabelo is thought to be another of the players.

Source

WWBD? That's what would Bowie (Kuhn) do? Back in the day we can't see a deal like this being allowed. But for all of Bud Selig's talk, deals like this still go through.

Update 7:30 pm EST- The remaining prospects are Dallas Trahern, Eulogio De La Cruz and Burke Badenhop. Source

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