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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Friday Hot Stove

With reports of the Yankees close to tying up Robinson Cano with a long term deal, the Twins are doing likewise with Michael Cuddyer and Justin Morneau. Cuddyer inked a 3-year, $24 million deal, and Morneau, the 2006 AL MVP, will get $80 million over 6 years.

The Yankees are close to a minor signing with veteran utility man Chris Woodard.

The A's added Jeff Fiorentino off of waivers from the Reds. The A's are Fiorentino's 3rd team in 3 weeks. The once highly thought of prospect, who's still just 24-yrs old, was released by the Orioles on January 2nd.

Buster Olney says that the Giants and Mariners are the favorites to land veteran 1st Baseman Tony Clark.

The Rocky Mountain News is claiming the Mets are close to signing Livan Hernandez. It would be great to see him as a teammate of his brother, El Duque.

Rod Barajas was supposed to be the Blue Jays starting catcher last year, but free agent talks broke down at the last moment. This time around Barajas has signed on with Toronto as a back up to Greg Zaun. Had Barajas' deal gone through last year, the Jays would have let Zaun go.

The Braves have signed reliever Rafael Soriano to a new 2-yr, $9 million contract. Atlanta decided to buy out Soriano's 1st year of free agency, by paying more than he requested in arbitration.

If the Orioles can't find themselves a closer to replace the injured Chris Ray, Andy MacPhail indicated that Greg Aquino may be the 1st option.

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Friday Hot Stove

Seems like the Twins' beat writers are creating more havoc this winter than those covering the Yankees. Yesterday it was Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune stating the Twins were willing to do a deal with the Mets for 5 prospects, but the Mets were unwilling to include Fernando Martinez.

Mike Francesa, a legend in his own mind, said he spoke to a Mets official, who stated that no talks between the two teams had not included Jose Reyes. The official also felt a deal would be done within 2 weeks, with whichever team it happens.

Obviously all the teams are balking at unloading a bunch of prospects and then giving Santana a huge contract.

The Texas Rangers are said to be close to signing free agent pitcher Jason Jennings to a multi-year deal. Imagine that, the Rangers getting pitching.

The Mariners brought back Chris Reitsma with a minor league deal, and former Yankee Josh Phelps inked a minor league contract with the Cardinals.

The Rays brains are getting together to figure out whether to give the 3rd Base job to Evan Longoria or start out the stud prospect at Triple-A. Hopefully the Rays make better decisions than they have in the past.

Akinori Otsuka is undergoing elbow surgery though it is not known if it is Tommy John surgery. Why did he wait so long?

Tim Wakefield can relax (actually Jason Varitek can relax), the Red Sox have brought back his personal catcher, Doug Mirabelli, with a 1 year deal.

The Mariners have joined the Marlins in showing interest in Luis Gonzalez, especially if the M's decide to deal Adam Jones.

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Friday Hot Stove

It's been a bit since we've taken a look at the non-Yankees hot stove, primarily because NOTHING has been going on, but here we go.

Eric Chavez is pissed and who can blame him. The A's have already dealt their best pitcher, Dan Haren, and their best slugger, Nick Swisher. When asked if he thought the A's would sign Barry Bonds, Chavez's response said it all. "If he's in uniform next year, there's a 90 percent chance it will be with the Oakland A's," Chavez said. "It will be old, broken-down guys, me, [Mark] Kotsay and Barry, and a bunch of 19-year-olds."

Chavez addressed his own future as well. "I told Billy [Beane], 'I know what you're doing, if you want to move me, do what you have to do,'" Chavez said. "It's motivation to get healthy, play well and then see what happens. To be honest, with everything that's going on, there's probably no reason for me to stay around, it doesn't add up with what's happening."

Talk about being desperate for pitching- The Royals have inked Hideo Nomo to a minor league deal. The 39-yr old right-hander has not pitched in the majors since a brief stint with the Rays in 2005. He's also recuperating from elbow surgery.

There's no question that players perform better when there's a contract on the line. Manny Ramirez is no exception. 2008 is the final guaranteed year of his contract, and Peter Gammons reports that Manny has become a workout maniac.

Desperate for pitching, part II - the Cardinals have signed Matt Clement to a 1-yr, incentive laden deal. Clement, who is still recovering from elbow surgery, is guaranteed $1.5 million.

The Rockies are close to signing former Blue Jays' pitcher Josh Towers to a 1-yr, $1.8 million deal.

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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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Weekend Hot Stove

It was revealed that the recent offer made by the Twins to Johann Santana was actually more of a replacement contract, than an extension. So in essence, it was a 4-year, $80 million deal that would keep the Venezuelan in Minny thru 2012. Needless to say the Twins were quickly rebuffed by Santana, who will now be shopped heavily by the Twins. Every team will be hot and heavy for the superstar lefty, with the Yankees, Mets, and Red Sox among those making a heavy push.

A spokesperson close to Santana said the 2-time Cy Young award winner would waive his no-trade clause to play for either the Yankees or Mets, and wasn't concerned about switching leagues. Kat O'Brien of Newsday reports that a source close to the Yankees said they are preparing a "good, strong offer", and believe they have the right combination of players and prospects to get the deal done. Talks should heat up when the winter meetings begin on December 3rd. Source

With Francisco Cordero off to Cincy, the Brewers are in need of a closer. One would most likely be acquired via a trade, rather than signing a free agent such as Eric Gagne. Brian Cashman should be calling up Brewers GM Doug Melvin to deal him Kyle Farnsworth. The Yankees could take a pitcher such as David Bush in return.

Having lost out on their pursuit of Torii Hunter, the White Sox are believed to be in pursuit of their former Chisox centerfielder Aaron Rowand. Rowand was dealt to the Phillies prior to the 2006 season in a trade that brought Jim Thome to the windy city. Rowand had a career best 27 HRs and 89 RBI, with more than half of each total coming in hitter friendly Citizens Bank Park. That being said, Rowand's road splits- .299-10-41 - were not bad. Source

The Angels and Marlins have been going hot and heavy on trade talks for the Fish's Miguel Cabrera. The hold up appears to be the Angels holding out of premier prospect Nick Adenhart. With the recent acquisition of Hunter, the Angels have more outfielders than they know what to do with. The Marlins would not want the heavily priced Gary Matthews Jr., but rookie Reggie Willits would probably be part of a deal. Howie Kendrick's name has been the one thrown around most often and the Angels would probably also include catcher Jeff Mathis, filling another of the Marlins needs. Source

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Friday Hot Stove

The Red Sox have reported offered Mike Lowell a 3 year deal at somewhere between 12 and 15 mill per season. You can bet the Red Sox are pushing hard to get something done before Lowell hits the open market. Source

The Marlins have been discussing Miguel Cabrera with the Angels, and are reportedly insisting that Howie Kendrick be included in any deal. Source

As expected, Jose Guillen turned down his part of his contract option and will be a free agent. One wonders if he'll be on the George Mitchell steroid list.

The Cubs are expected to make a 3 year offer to free agent 2nd Basemen Kaz Matsui. Talk about turning your career around after leaving New York. Source

The Rockies are expected to offer a contract extension to their star, Matt Holliday, somewhere in the neighborhood of 4 years and $60 million. Source

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