It's the Day Before TGIF Hot Stove

As we move closer to next week's winter meetings, things are starting to move a little bit. Here's a quick run down.

The Braves and White Sox have officially announced the Javier Vazquez deal. As expected, the White Sox will receiving shortstop Brent Lillibridge, but Jo-Jo Reyes is not included as was originally speculated. Chicago instead will get prospects- third baseman Jon Gilmore, catcher Tyler Flowers, and left-handed pitcher Santos Rodriguez. In addition to Vazquez, Atlanta picks up reliever Boone Logan.


The Shortstops are on the Move

The Padres sent Khalil Greene to the Cardinals yesterday in exchange for two minor league pitchers who have yet to be named.

Dan Graziano reports that the Tigers have acquired shortstop Jack Wilson from the Pirates. No word yet on who is going to Pittbsurgh. Both the Tigers and Wilson's agent have denied there's a deal in place.

The Giants have NOW agreed to a 2-year deal with Edgar Renteria. It comes about a month after it was originally reported and then denied.


Screw Tradition

The Red Sox are expected to hold a news conference today to announce the signing of Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa to a 3-year, $4 million deal. That according to the Boston Herald.


Burnett the Candle at Both Ends

Braves GM Frank Wren has confirmed that Atlanta has made a contract offer to free agent pitcher A.J. Burnett. Rumors have it that it's a 5-year deal, but the Atlanta Constitution speculates it's a 4-year, $60 million offer.


Rumors

The Associated Press reported that the Giants and Marlins are talking a Jonathan Sanchez for Jorge Cantu swap. Cantu's value is high again after having a bounce back 2008 season.

Casey Blake says the Twins or Dodgers can have him if they add a guaranteed third year to any new deal.


Other Signings

The Red Sox have given newly minted AL MVP Dustin Pedroia a brand spanking new 6-year, $40.5 million contract.

The Giants have finalized a deal with reliever Bob Howry, who was most recently with the Cubs. The Giants are also said to be preparing a $100 million plus offer for CC Sabathia.

Share

Saturday in the Park Hot Stove

Paid by the pound?

While CC Sabathia counts the days until he signs a mega-deal, the Daily News' Anthony McCarron warns about taking on bloated contracts (i.e. Kevin Brown). Meanwhile a source says the Yankees are willing to increase their offer should the Angels or any other team match or top the Yankees current offer to the left-hander.
Blue Jays fans shouldn't get too excited. The (Toronto) Star says that if the Blue Jays don't re-sign A.J. Burnett, they won't necessarily spend the money, earmarked for him, elsewhere.

The Red Sox continue to tinker with their bullpen. They picked up Wes Littleton from the Rangers on Friday for two players to be named or cash. The Sox meanwhile should announce the signing of Japanese amateur Junichi Tazawa in the coming week. Tazawa called the Rangers, Mariners, and Braves to let them know he was rejecting their offers.

Reliever Mike Koplove was signed by the Phillies on Friday. Meantime, Alan Embree is getting some feelers from the Rockies.

The Cubs are the latest team to try to obtain Jake Peavy, despite Lou Piniella's statement that their pitching was set.

Share

Tuesday Hot Stove

Don't Do as I Say
We could use an umbrella to keep the rain off the stove. The Red Sox could use a swift kick in the ass. We don't want to hear any more garbage out of Boston about how the Yankees did this or did that. First it was complaining about how much money the Yankees spent and then the Red Sox started doling out huge deals. Now comes word the Red Sox are about to sign Japanese amateur Junichi Tazawa, violating an age old verbal agreement that the Major Leagues would not raid the Japanese amateurs.

The Yankees may have been looking into a deal as well, but publicly Brian Cashman stated it was a mistake for teams to take such an approach. The fall out from all this of course is that Japanese leagues could disrupt the US amateur draft by making huge offers to US college and high school kids.

Bing Stays Healthier
If the A's can reel in Rafael Furcal, they'll look to deal oft-injured, underachieving shortstop Bobby Crosby. The A's are said to be willing to pick up a good chunk of Crosby's $5.25 million salary.

You Can Never Have Too Many
Left-handers that is. The Cardinals are still finalizing a deal with reliever Trever Miller and have now made an offer to fellow free agent Arthur Rhodes. The Yankees will be disappointed to see him out of the AL.

Making a Pitch
The LA Times reports that the Angels have shifted focus from re-signing Mark Teixeira to addressing pitching needs. Translation - CC Sabathia.

You'll Look Great in Black and Orange
That may be one of the pitches the Orioles make towards free agent pitcher A.J. Burnett now that Baltimore is in the mix.

The Man with the X-Ray Eyes
The Mets have received the X-Rays from Francisco Rodriguez's medical records as they decide whether or not to spend big money on a closer.

Stot Unemployed
With a new manager in Seattle, pitching coach Mel Stottelmyre, still one of our favorites from those old bad Yankees teams, is out of a job. Stot worked one season on the M's staff. Perhaps something will open up with Joe Torre in LA.

UPDATE 5:00 PM
Rockies Try Not to Laugh at Mets
The Rockies have reportedly turned down a deal that would have sent Aaron Heilman to Colorado for Huston Street. Street isn't what he once was or what anyone thought he would be, but he's still a lot better than Heilman.

Share

Monday Hot Stove

When the A's traded for Matt Holliday it raised more than a few eyebrows. Now we're really wondering what Billy Beane is up to. He's reportedly offered free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal, a 4-year, $48 million deal. Furcal told "El Caribe" that he received an offer to play second base for the Mets and will be mulling that over as well.

WEEI in Boston reports that the Red Sox have offered their long time catcher Jason Varitek a 1-year deal. Varitek's agent Scott Boras wants Jorge Posada type money, but Varitek was nothing less than awful at the plate in his walk year.

The NY Times reported last week that Japanese baseball officials are upset at the pursuit of 22-yr old amateur pitcher, Junichi Tazawa. Japanese pros have to play 9 seasons before having the opportunity to pitch abroad. Some MLB teams and Tazawa are trying to skirt the system. That includes Boston, which has reportedly made an offer to Tazawa.

According to MLB.com, rumors have resurfaced of a Mark Teahen to the Cubs trade. The Royals are reportedly interested in second baseman Mike Fontenot and pitcher Sean Marshall.

The East Valley Tribune reports that the Diamondbacks have made a 1-year offer to free agent infielder Ramon Vazquez. Vazquez hit .290 with 40 RBI in 300 at-bats for the Rangers this season, taking advantage of injuries to Hank Blalock and others.

Despite rumors the contrary, the Randy Youngman of the Orange County Register does not believe that Mark Teixeira will return to the Angels next season. Teixeira told ESPN's Erin Andrews he wants a new deal, wherever it is, by Christmas. Youngman's thoughts are based on a gut feeling. Probably just gas.

Derek Lowe is reportedly seeking a 5-year contract worth $75-$80 million. We hope the Yankees aren't dumb enough to even come close to that level with any offer.

Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley slipped and fell on ice at his home in Pennsylvania, breaking his leg. He's expected to make a full recovery by Spring Training.

Share