Results tagged ‘ Marlins ’

Cards to meet with Team Pujols

Everyone has arrived in Dallas and it’s time to get down to business. That means, among other things, that the Cardinals will be meeting with Albert Pujols’ agent, Dan Lozano, on Monday afternoon. An industry source confirmed the scheduled meeting.

It’s unclear whether an offer will be tendered at this point, and in fact it’s not entirely clear whether any offer is currently on the table from the Cardinals to their signature player. The club offered a nine-year deal before Spring Training, and it is believed that no improvement upon that offer has been tendered since the season ended, but it’s not even certain that the original offer is still good.

The market for Pujols may gain clarity this week. The Marlins reportedly still intend to pursue the slugger despite significant expenditures on Jose Reyes and Heath Bell, and other clubs will have the opportunity either to make their interest known or to make it clear they are standing on the sidelines.

Cardinals principal owner Bill DeWitt Jr. told reporters on Monday morning that the club still hopes to sign Pujols.

“Obviously we’re going to make every effort to sign Albert and we hope we can make it happen,” DeWitt said. “This week seems to be the week that a lot of these things develop. We should know where we stand and if we don’t have a firm answer.”

–Matthew Leach

Bell headed to Marlins … who closes for the Padres?

The Padres finally got the clarity to the Heath Bell situation that they needed/wanted late Thursday, when reports came out that Bell had agreed to a three-year, $27 million deal with the Marlins.

Bell had until Dec. 7 to accept or decline the Padres arbitration offer (or, of course, sign elsewhere). That he has done so (though not officially) before the Winter Meetings could help the Padres in their pursuit of …

You guessed it, a closer. Not just a closer to replace Bell, but the Padres would love to find an eighth-inning specialist to set-up their to-be-named closer.

Look for the Padres to acquire relief help instead of spending big in free agency. They don’t want to — and with a projected payroll of around $53-55 million — get stuck with a long, hefty contract.

The Padres were linked to A’s closer Andrew Bailey on Friday, though the A’s want offense in return. The Padres don’t have much to move, unless they part with third baseman Chase Headley and/or outfielder Kyle Blanks, who could be moved in the right deal.

Stayed tuned, things could get interesting.

– Corey Brock

 

Yankees asked about Marlins’ Nolasco

The Yankees inquired about the Florida Marlins’ Ricky Nolasco, according to a tweet by Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman, but were told that the right-hander is not available. The Marlins are looking to hold on to their starting pitching in part to help build anticipation for the opening of their new stadium next year.

The Yankees would like to upgrade a starting rotation that has A.J. Burnett, Phil Hughes, Bartolo Colon and Freddy Garcia following ace CC Sabathia, if possible, and are also interested in left-handed relief help behind Boone Logan.

- Bryan Hoch

Marlins sign Wise, Thurston, 2 others

The Marlins have added some potential depth, signing outfielder Dewayne Wise, utility man Joe Thurston, catcher Clint Sammons and corner infielder Jamie D’Antona to Minor League contracts, MLB.com confirmed through a source on Wednesday. 
The role of lefty pinch-hitter for the Marlins has been in question heading into the 2011 season, but Wise and Thurston both hit from the left side, have Major League experience and could fill that role if they make the big league club. Catcher John Baker, recovering from Tommy John surgery, has also been considered an option for that role until he can start throwing again. 
Wise also has significant experience at center field and could potentially serve as insurance for Chris Coghlan, who’s expected to make the move to center field in 2011, following knee surgery. 
– Alden Gonzalez, Joe Frisaro  

Roundup: O-Dog (fittingly) headed to PETCO

It turns out Orlando Hudson may be team-less no more.

Hudson broke the news himself on MLB Network Radio that his next destination is San Diego, and FOXSports.com reported that the Padres and the free-agent second baseman agreed to terms on a two-year, $11.5 million contract.

Hudson — a two-time All-Star joining his fourth team in four years — will fill the role played last year by David Eckstein, who’s a free agent and said recently that the Padres have not contacted him about a return.

Here’s more from around the league …

* The Yankees, according to multiple reports, have agreed on a two-year contract with veteran reliever Pedro Feliciano. Feliciano, the former Met who has led the Majors in appearances each of the last three seasons, joins Boone Logan to give the Yanks two lefties in the bullpen.

* Reigning World Series MVP Edgar Renteria was none-too-thrilled with the $1 million offer the Giants tendered him this offseason. “That offer from the Giants was a lack of respect,” Renteria told ESPNdeportes.com. “A total disrespect.” Renteria has previously stated he’d like to finish his career with the Marlins or Cardinals. 

* The Astros reached an agreement with the versatile Bill Hall to be their starting second baseman, sources told MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart. According to FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal, the two sides agreed on a one-year contract worth about about $3 million and with a mutual option for 2012. 

* A couple of notable deals have been made official: The Cubs’ with Kerry Wood, and the Tigers’ with Magglio Ordonez.   

– Alden Gonzalez  

Roundup: Reds locking up their players

The Reds haven’t brought in much outside help this offseason, but they’ve still been among the busiest teams in baseball. Their mission is keeping guys in-house. The club had already inked starter Bronson Arroyo to a three-year, $35 million extension. Then, late Thursday night, the club agreed on a six-year, $51 million contract with Jay Bruce, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon.

Now, they’re apparently turning their attention to Joey Votto and Johnny Cueto.

The Reds have been wanting to sign Votto, the reigning National League MVP, to some sort of extension, but ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick believes it won’t be for the six years that Bruce got. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Reds have also had preliminary discussions with Cueto about a long-term deal.

Here’s more from around the league on Friday …

* All was quiet on the Cliff Lee front as of Friday afternoon. The Rangers on Thursday presented Lee with a wide array of complex offers, and now, they wait. The Yankees had recently upped their proposal to seven years, but good friend CC Sabathia will give Lee his space, too. Is the ballyhooed left-hander agonizing over his decision right now? C.J. Wilson doesn’t think so. He thinks Lee is deer hunting.

* Young, non-tendered catcher Russell Martin could be close to making his decision. The Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays have been reported to have serious interest, with New York taking “an aggressive approach,” ESPN.com’s Buster Olney wrote via Twitter. He is said to be deciding between those three American League East teams.

* The Orioles made potential closer Kevin Gregg a two-year offer worth $8 to $10 million, according to the Baltimore Sun. Gregg seems to be negotiating with several teams right now. The question is whether the O’s would give him a chance to be their ninth-inning man.

* A few signings made today: The Royals got Melky Cabrera to be their center fielder; the Orioles resigned veteran infielder Cesar Izturis; the Brewers picked up catcher Wil Nieves; and the Braves officially signed lefty reliever George Sherrill.

* According to Olney, Jorge Cantu is one of the first basemen “seriously being considered” by the Diamondbacks. Cantu was a solid run-producer in the middle of the Marlins’ lineup the last two-plus years, but struggled while playing sparingly with the Rangers towards the end of the 2010 season.

– Alden Gonzalez 

Roundup: Winter Meetings Day 2

While Day 2 of the Winter Meetings brought the continuation of talks for some big free agents like Cliff Lee and Carl Crawford, it also surfaced the names of other players such as Delwyn Young and Ronny Paulino.
Here’s a rundown of the day’s bigger rumors and speculation. 
- The Rays and Orioles have been discussing a trade, possibly involving Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett for outfielder/first baseman Nolan Reimold. While the talks are serious, the names involved vary and nothing is imminent, according to MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli. The Rays are interested in more than Reimold, according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersberg Times. 
- The Nationals are continuing their aggressive offseason on Day 2 of the Meetings. Tuesday morning brought rumors from all corners that Washington was making a hard charge for Lee, possibly offer a seven-year deal. While other reports have contradicted that, a baseball source told MLB.com’s Bill Ladson that “The Nationals are not out of it by any means.” 
Several afternoon reports, including one Twitter report from SI.com’s Jon Heyman indicated that while there was a seven-year market for Cliff Lee, it wasn’t the Nationals. By all accounts on the Yankees side,  the club isn’t willing to go to a seventh year. 
- Free agent left-hander Mark Hendrickson is drawing some interest from the Rays and Mariners, FoxSports.com’s Jon Paul Morosi tweeted on Tuesday. He added that the Orioles have kept tabs as well on the pitcher, whose value now is primarily as a reliever. 
- Add the Orioles to the list of teams who have talked to the Braves about Japanese pitcher Kenshin Kawakami, according to the Baltimore Sun. But Baltimore isn’t likely to pick up Kawakami from Atlanta, as the Braves are looking for outfield help, a baseball source told Dan Connolly of the Sun. 
-Left-hander Dennys Reyes could decide on a team within the next 48 hours, Morosi tweeted on Tuesday. The Phillies, Marlins, Mariners and Athletics have all been known to have interest. 
-Several teams are interested in utility man Delwyn Young, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel tweeted. The Brewers, Marlins and Phillies are all talking to Young, who played second base, third base and right field last season. The 28-year-old elected free agency after being designated by the Pirates before the non-tender deadline. 
-After Monday’s news that the Royals were asking a very high price for Zack Greinke, it appears that teams are upping their offers for the ace, Ed Price of Yahoo Sports tweeted. While the Blue Jays and Rangers have been known to have serious interest in Greinke, the Nationals also recently inquired about him, CBSSports.com reported.
-Infielder Jorge Cantu has multiple teams interested, including the Padres, Mariners and D-backs, tweeted Yahoo Sports’ Tim Brown. The 29-year-old split last season between the Marlins and Rangers, hitting .256. 
- The Mets are having serious discussions with reliever D.J. Carrasco, according to an ESPN New York.com report. The report characterizes the negotiations to bring the right-hander to New York as “fruitful.”
-While it’s just discussion at this point and considered quite unlikely, the Red Sox are at least talking internally about a potential Carlos Beltran trade, ESPN New York reported. Boston would consider the outfielder a last option if their other outfield pursuits fall part, Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweeted. 
- The Mets are seemingly looking for a catcher to back up Josh Thole as on Tuesday morning ESPN New York reported the Mets were “closing in” on free agent Ronny Paulino. Other reports, including a tweet from Sherman, indicated the club was still talking to several backstops, but Paulino was one of them.
–Bailey Stephens

Roundup: Marlins agree to terms with Vazquez

The Marlins dominated Sunday’s relatively quiet Hot Stove, agreeing to terms on a one-year deal with veteran right-hander Javier Vazquez.
The deal, which is pending a physical, will give Florida the quality veteran starting pitcher they desired this offseason. Vazquez, 34, has pitched more than 200 innings nine times in his career evidencing a durability the Marlins were after.
Vazquez is plenty familiar with the National League East, where he nearly won a Cy Young Award with Atlanta in 2009. His 2010 season with the Yankees, however, wasn’t nearly as smooth as he compiled a 10-10 record to go with a 5.32 ERA. 
The Puerto Rico native was offered arbitration by the Yankees last week, meaning that once the deal becomes official the Yankees will earn a sandwich-round pick for the Type B free agent.
Elsewhere in the NL East, the Nats remain “strong candidates” to land free agent pitcher Brandon Webb this offseason, MLB.com’s Bill Ladson reported Sunday. 
Talks between the two aren’t supposed to heat up until the Winter Meetings, which are a little over a week away. The Nats have been clear about their desire for an established starter to lead their young staff and Webb has apparently hit their radar.
Over in the American League, the Red Sox are also interested in acquiring some pitching depth of their own, as Boston has shown interest in free agent reliever Matt Guerrier according to WEEI.com. 
Guerrier, 32, registered a 3.17 ERA in 2010 for the Twins. The seven-year veteran would have qualified as a Type A free agent, but the Twins did not offer Guerrier arbitration, meaning that potential suitors would not have to forfeit a Draft pick to sign him. 
Meanwhile, the Yankees are still negotiating with their free agent captain Derek Jeter. While both parties have said they would prefer not to play things out publicly, figures have continued to leak out over the last several days. 
Recently, the Yankees reportedly made an initial offer of three years, $45 million to keep their captain in pinstripes.
Last week, reports indicated that Jeter’s camp had requested a six-year deal somewhere in the neighborhood of $150 million, a figure which Jeter’s agent Casey Close called “simply inaccurate” in a response on Friday.
The Bombers are prepared to ramp up the first offer to some extent but Jeter will have to take a pay cut, SI.com reported on Sunday. The Yankees reportedly aren’t willing to pay Jeter the yearly equivalent of his just-completed contract that netted him about $21 million last season.
Pursuit of one of the Yankees other coveted free agents, left-hander Cliff Lee, is reportedly expected to ramp up heading into the Winter Meetings. While the Rangers are still expected to join the Yanks as major players for Lee, the Rangers are discussing backup plans internally, according to the Boston Globe. 
One such plan, reportedly discussed by the club, involves moving Neftali Feliz into the starting rotation and signing another closer, like Rafael Soriano.
–Bailey Stephens

D-Train heads to Cincinnati

Still hoping for another shot at being a productive pitcher in the big leagues, Dontrelle Willis — one of the best young lefties in the game for a four-year stretch with the Marlins — signed a Minor League contract with the Reds on Monday.

Willis’ deal includes an invitation to Spring Training. And because of the depth in Cincinnati’s starting rotation, the long-time starter is going to try to pitch out of the bullpen, even though he’s only made three relief appearances in his big league career.

From 2003-06, Willis went a combined 58-39 with a 3.44 ERA and averaged 32 starts per year. But from 2007-10, he went 13-24 with a 5.81 ERA while averaging just 16 starts a year and striking out only 22 more batters than he walked.

In December 2007, Willis was given a three-year, $29 million contract, but the final year of that deal proved to be the tipping point. That season, the 28-year-old was designated for assignment by the Tigers on May 30, dealt to the Diamondbacks for Billy Buckner two days later, released by Arizona on July 6 and signed by the Giants to a Minor League contract on July 14.

With the Tigers and D-backs, Willis posted a 5.62 ERA while walking 56 and striking out 47 in 15 games (13 starts).

– Alden Gonzalez   

Roundup: Marlins’ Rodriguez met with Vazquez

In the early going of the Hot Stove season, the Marlins and free agent pitcher Javier Vazquez had been talked about as a potential fit. On Saturday, the Marlins confirmed their interest in Vazquez publicly when manager Edwin Rodriguez said on the Marlins Insider Radio Show that he had met with Vazquez in Puerto Rico prior to the show. Rodriguez is said to be very familiar with Vazquez, having known the right-hander since he was a teenager. Vazquez earned $11.5 million with the Yankees in 2010 and it isn’t known how much of a bargain he might be for next season. Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post reported that Vazquez is said to be seeking a three-year, $33 million deal. That’d seem to indicate that the veteran isn’t expecting much of a pay cut. 

Beyond Vazquez, let’s take a look at some other talk around the league:
- The Orioles enjoyed a productive trip to the GM meetings, MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli reported on Saturday. The club continues to have talks with Koji Uehara, Ty Wigginton and Cesar Izturis. The O’s remain focused on their goal of bringing in a power bat for one of the corner infield spots, a player like Adrian Beltre or a Paul Konerko. Who they acquire to fill this role will likely determine the status of Wigginton and Izturis, according to Ghiroli. 
- Don’t be surprised if the Phillies bring in a veteran pitcher to compete for the fifth spot in the rotation against Kyle Kendrick and Vance Worley, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer suggested on Saturday. Kendrick was mostly inconsistent in the role in 2010. Gelb suggests Zach Duke, who was left off the Pirates 40-man roster on Friday, could be the type of established pitcher the Phils are looking for. 
- Stay tuned to MLB.com for all the Hot Stove action. 
– Bailey Stephens
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