Thursday Hot Stove

The St. Louis Cardinals have categorically denied their part in story, reported last night by 7Sports in Boston, linking them to a 4 year contract offer to Mike Lowell. With Scott Rolen still under contract for 3 years, it really makes no sense for the Cards, even if they were to trade Rolen. Source

Mariano Rivera isn't the only closer looking for a 4 year deal. Brewers' closer Francisco Cordero is said to be seeking a 4 year deal in the neighborhood of $43 million. Source

Kenny Rogers has put out feelers to his old team, the Texas Rangers, about returning. But Rangers owner Tom Hicks has stated that Rogers can only come back if he first publicly apologizes for his actions during the 2005 sesason. Rogers grabbed much notoriety for shoving a Rangers' camera man. Source

Yorvit Torrealba has been one of the hot names this off-season as teams look to solidify the catching position. Torrealba isn't much of a hitter, but has a solid defensive presence. The Mets are among those interested. If the Rockies lose their man, they are reportedly going to go after Jason Kendall and Michael Barrett. Source

Jake Peavy, expected to win the NL Cy Young award later today, has already been the subject of trade rumors, but Pad's CEO Sandy Alderson said an extension is not out of the question. Source

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Thursday's Trade Rumors

Sources say that talks have heated up between the Braves and Rangers about Mark Teixeira. (I'm personally rooting against any deal with the NL since it would severely damage my fantasy team for next year.) The Braves would be using Jarrod Saltalamacchia as the main chip to get him. The Braves are also interested in Eric Gagne and Ron Mahay. The Dodgers are still going after Tex with Gagne and Joaquin Benoit also of interest. The Angels are also said to be upping their offer, which would include Casey Kotchman, in an attempt to get Teixeira. Source

The Yankees are said to be shopping Johnny Damon, but teams are turned off by the $26 million remaining on his contract. Source A source close to the Rangers said the Yankees have no shot at Teixeira because none of their top pitching prospects are available. Source
The Tigers are reportedly interested in Kyle Farnsworth. How much of Farnsworth's salary is covered by the Yankees could make a deal happen. Source

With the trade deadline five days away, some Rockies prospects are getting the once-over. The Detroit Tigers have sent scouts to Colorado Springs to look at Triple-A first baseman Joe Koshansky and third baseman Ian Stewart.

Reports continue to surface in Boston that the Red Sox are still interested in Todd Helton. However, Helton, who has a no-trade clause in his contract, told The Denver Post during the off-season that he probably would reject any midseason trade. With the Rockies still in the hunt in the NL West, a Helton trade seems highly unlikely. Source

The Mets continue to look for a set up man and a 2nd Baseman and have targeted the Nationals' Chad Cordero and Ronnie Belliard. Source

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Thursday's Rumorfest and Some Facts

Apparently no one told the Seattle Mariners that they would be calling up Adam Jones to be the every day right fielder. Word came out earlier in the week that Jones would be up, Jose Guillen would move to left, Raul Ibanez to DH, and Jose Vidro to the bench. Except the M's have no plans to do that right now. "I haven't heard anything about Jones coming up," manager John McLaren said. "I haven't heard anything about it at all."

The Mets have fired hitting coach Rick Down. This guy just takes a beating in the Big Apple, having been fired 3 times combined between the Mets and Yankees. Rickey Henderson has been added as a full-time coach, but there's no official word as to his exact position (playing in the clubhouse card games?).

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the A's are ready to scrap their plans to have Mike Piazza back behind the plate because the preparation is taking too long. The A's would then likely try to deal Piazza.

The New York Post is reporting that the Mets will recall Lastings Milledge this week and install him as the every day left fielder for the time being.

Roy Oswalt has told the Houston Astros that he would waive his no-trade clause if moving him would be in the best interest of the team. You can bet there will be a big time bidding war for Oswalt's services. Source.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported yesterday that the Indians and DH Travis Hafner have agreed on a 4 year contract extension worth $57 million.

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Thursday's "Rumours"

No rumor on this one- the Angels, after failing to make a deal, the Angels have DFA'ed Shea Hillenbrand. That gives the team 10 days to get something done or see Hillenbrand walk away. Now for the rumor- According to Newsday, the Yankees are involved again in talks with the Angels.

The Minnesota Twins are the latest team to tell the Chicago Cubs, "um, no" to acquiring (or in this case, reacquiring) Jacques Jones. The Marlins balked about an earlier deal as well because the Cubs aren't willing to pick up enough of Jones's salary.

Talks between the Mets and White Sox have intesified concerning Jose Contreras. Although Contreras would rather stay put, the Chicago Daily Herald reports that Contreras is willing to waive his no-trade clause.

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