Results tagged ‘ mets ’

Roundup: Dodgers swipe Uribe from division rivals

With one week remaining until the start of the usually-hectic Winter Meetings in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., the busy Dodgers made another move, agreeing to terms with Juan Uribe on a three-year deal reportedly worth about $21 million.

With Uribe, the Dodgers swipe a big piece of the Giants’ World Series championship run away from their division rivals and add a much-needed right-handed power bat to the middle of the lineup. Uribe played 103 games at shortstop, 26 at third base and 24 at second while batting .248 with 24 homers and 85 RBIs in 2010 (not including a postseason run that saw him drive in nine runs in 14 games).

In Los Angeles, he figures to start at second base, which will likely lead to the non-tendering of Trade Deadline acquisition Ryan Theriot. Despite dealing with instability up top, the Dodgers had already locked up their rotation by re-signing Ted Lilly and acquiring Jon Garland. 

Here’s more from around the league …

* The Rangers signed catcher Yorvit Torrealba to a two-year
contract. Torrealba, a 10-year veteran who played in 95 games for the
Padres in 2010 — batting .271 with seven homers and 37 RBIs while
starting 89 games — fills a void left by Bengie Molina (likely retired) and Matt Treanor (free agent). The deal, according to MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan, is worth $6.25 million.  

* They also avoided an arbitration hearing with Mark Lowe and agreed on a one-year contract. The deal is worth $1.2 million, plus another $100,000 in incentives.

* A source told ESPNNY.com the Yankees believe Derek Jeter and his agent, Casey Close, need to “drink the reality potion.” The unnamed source told the Web site the Yankees are still not budging from their three-year, $45 million offer, and Jeter still seeks a longer contract between $23 million and $25 million per season. Talks between the two sides did not take place during the holiday weekend and none are currently scheduled, ESPNNY.com added.

* While the Jeter negotiations appear heated, ESPNNY.com added that talks between the Yankees and Mariano Rivera are “progressing much smoother.” Rivera will likely receive a bump from his 2010 salary, probably in the $16-17 million range, but the question remains whether he gets one or two years.

* Free-agent first baseman/outfielder/designated hitter Lance Berkman was originally disappointed the Astros didn’t want him back, but the Texas product told The Houston Chronicle “there’s been a lot of interest” in his services. Berkman specifically named the Cardinals, Cubs, Rockies, Athletics, Pirates and Blue Jays as teams who have been in touch, but added he hasn’t received a formal offer yet. Berkman has said he’d prefer to play in the National League, adding that he’s still capable of serving as an outfielder and first baseman.

* The Astros have talked about the possibility of an extension with right-hander Wandy Rodriguez, general manager Ed Wade told The Houston Chronicle. Rodriguez hits free agency after the 2011 season.    

* The Mets will do their due diligence in shopping shortstop Jose Reyes this winter, but considering his value has never been lower, it would be shocking if they actually went ahead and traded him, MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo writes.

* The Twins have until late December to agree on a contract with Japanese middle infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka, who sounds like someone excited to play in Minnesota. In quotes passed along by The Minneapolis Star Tribune, Nishioka told the Japanese press he has no preference between shortstop and second base and said, “I don’t think that I will give up the idea of going to the Majors because of the amount of money.”

“Minnesota Twins has been contending to the playoff every year,” he added. “To play for the good team is one of my wishes. I am happy that I could advance one step forward.” The Twins won their exclusive-negotiating for Nishioka on Friday and could use him to fill their middle-infield needs.

– Alden Gonzalez 

Roundup: Jeter camp lowers figure?

With the holiday weekend coming to a close, the Hot Stove could heat up quickly heading into the rapidly approaching Winter Meetings. On Saturday, though, it continued to simmer with rumors and speculation surrounding Derek Jeter’s contract negotiations with the Yankees.
While rumors continue to swirl, there has yet to be much confirmed progress. Both sides have previously expressed their desire not to play out negotiations publicly, but prospective figures continue to leak out in the media.
One day after Jeter’s agent, Casey Close made a statement claiming the reports of Jeter’s six-year, $150 million contract request were “simply inaccurate,” the Jeter camp has lowered their price to the neighborhood of five-years, $22-24 million per year, the New York Daily News reported on Saturday citing sources close to the talks. 
In addition to negotiating with Jeter, the Yankees took a step to add some depth to their stable of arms on Saturday. The Bombers have agreed to terms with right-hander Brian Anderson and left-hander Andy Sisco on Minor League deals, according to a FoxSports.com report. According to Ken Rosenthal, both also received invites to the Yanks’ Major League Spring Training camp. 
The Yankees, however, haven’t yet confirmed or commented on the report. 
Anderson, who was recently cut by the Royals, is formerly an outfielder who recently coverted to pitching. Sisco, who pitched in the Giants’ Minor League organization in 2010, is reported to finally be healthy after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2008.  
On the other side of town, Mets reliever Pedro Feliciano is “strongly considering” accepting the club’s offer of arbitration, according to a tweet from Newsday’s Ken Davidoff on Saturday. Feliciano, who has until Tuesday to accept the offer, is a Type-B free agent who is expected to see a raise next season from his $2.9 million salary in 2010. 
Feliciano, 34, has been heavily used in the past three seasons, compiling 92 appearances last season. While there figures to be a host of suitors interested in signing the southpaw, his age combined with the loss of a Draft pick could deter teams from signing him. 
If Feliciano accepts, the Mets will have to offer him a one-year contract at a figure that will likely approach $4 million.
–Bailey Stephens

Omar heading to the desert?

The Wall St. Journal reported Friday that the D-backs have offered former Mets general manager Omar Minaya a job as a special assistant to new GM Kevin Towers, though Minaya is “in no rush to decide” whether or not to accept the offer.

The Mets dismissed Minaya last month and still owe him more than $1 million next season.

–Anthony DiComo (Twitter: @AnthonyDiComo)

Yanks interested in LHP Feliciano

In need of another left-hander in the bullpen, the Yankees are reportedly interested in veteran southpaw Pedro Feliciano, according to the Twitter account of Newsday’s Kevin Davidoff.

Feliciano has led the National League in appearances each of the last three seasons, compiling a 3.44 ERA, a 1.414 WHIP and a 2.23 strikeout-to-walk ratio. For his eight-year career — spent entirely with the Mets — the 34-year-old has limited opposing lefty hitters to .214 batting average (compared to .283 for right-handed hitters).

Quality lefty relievers don’t come cheap in the free-agent market, and the Marlins, Mets, Astros, Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Red Sox, Royals, Twins and Phillies are all teams that went into the offseason looking for lefty-reliever help.

With Damaso Marte being unavailable since the beginning of July, the Yankees really only only had Boone Logan as a left-handed option in the bullpen last year.

– Alden Gonzalez

Red Sox reach out to Boras regarding OF Werth

The Red Sox, to the
surprise of almost no one, have reached out to agent Scott Boras to express
their interest in free-agent outfielder Jayson Werth, ESPNBoston.com reported
on Monday, attributing an unnamed baseball source.

Boras did not
immediately return a phone call from MLB.com.

The exclusive window
for free agents to negotiate with the clubs they finished the previous season
with ended on Sunday, so clubs can now reach out to any free agent.
Negotiations for Werth are expected to be a drawn-out process, considering the
money he’ll land and the track record of the agent representing him.

Werth hit .296 with 27
homers and 85 RBIs in 156 games last season. From 2008-10, he’s hit .279 with
29 homers and 84 RBIs.

Last year, free-agent
outfielder Matt Holliday – a Boras client – inked a seven-year, $120 million
contract with the Cardinals, while Jason Bay signed for four years and $66
million with the Mets. Werth’s price range is predicted to be somewhere in that
range.

– Alden Gonzalez

Roundup: Guillen goes from KC to pennant race

More than two months after acquiring Pat Burrell, the Giants added another power-hitting right-handed bat to help bolster their corner outfield on Friday, when they picked up veteran Jose Guillen from the Royals in exchange for a player to be named later and cash considerations. 

Guillen has played right field when he didn’t DH in Kansas City. If he mans right field in the Bay Area, Aubrey Huff could move over to first base, where Travis Ishikawa has been. Guillen is in the final season of a three-year, $36 million contract. 
Here’s more from around the league … 
* So, how much will the intense heat of Texas factor into Cliff Lee‘s desires to resign with the Rangers as a free agent this offseason? Here’s what he had to say … 
That’s an assumption. Somebody is assuming that. I haven’t thought anything about that. I want to play on a good team. I could care less if it’s 100 degrees or 50 degrees. Weather is something you can’t control.
* The Braves have options on their roster, even though Chipper Jones will miss the rest of the season with an ACL tear. Still, Braves general manager Frank Wren said the Braves will continue to look for alternatives at the hot corner, saying … 
I think we’ll get together with our scouts and with Bobby [Cox] over the next few days and just look at players who have come through the waiver wire and just players who may be available to see if they’re difference-makers for us.
* According to those close to Bobby Valentine, the Mariners job would appeal to the former Rangers and Mets skipper, The Seattle Times wrote. Valentine previously interviewed for the Marlins job, but nothing materialized. 
* Dave Stewart, the agent for Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp, told The Los Angeles Times perhaps the club would be better off dealing his client. Stewart said he would not formally ask for a trade, but he did say this: “I’m almost to the point — and maybe so are the Dodgers — where I’m that this just isn’t going to work. The Dodgers have gaps on this team, and maybe they could fill them by trading Matt. It could be good for the team, and good for the players.
Kemp is owed $6.95 million for 2011 and will then have one more year of arbitration before becoming a free agent. He was impressive in his return to the lineup on Thursday. 
– Alden Gonzalez

Roundup: Lefty power-hitting 1B, anyone?

He isn’t Adam Dunn or Prince Fielder — don’t give up hope on those guys, either, though — but Carlos Delgado is still out there, without a team, and wants to play. Contending teams are reportedly interested. 

According to FOXSports.com, Delgado — he of 473 career home runs and two hip surgeries since May of 2009 — is drawing interest from the White Sox, while the Mariners, Rockies and Red Sox are possible fits. Of those, Seattle would appear to be a longshot, since the 38-year-old would like to sign with a contending team. 
Delgado’s agent, David Sloane, told FOXSports.com his client has received two Minor League offers and would need a couple of weeks in the Minors to get ready. Delgado wants to play for a team in contention and one that will give him regular playing time, the Web site added. 
Here’s more from around the league … 
* Pedro Martinez, who recently relayed his intention to sit out the 2010 season through his agent, was asked on ESPN’s First Take what it would take for him to come back and pitch this season. This is what he said … 
Right now, it’s going to be hard to do, because I’m really enjoying what I’m doing with my family, and I’m really enjoying helping out the community with my foundation. … The time with my family, I think, is priceless. I’m really enjoying it, and so it’s going to take a lot to bring me out of my house, out of my comfort zone, right now. 
In order for the idle Martinez to be on a postseason roster, he must be picked up before Aug. 31. 
* The Royals designated outfielder Jose Guillen for assignment on Thursday. Guillen was in the last year of a three-year, $36 million contract. Now, Kansas City will have 10 days to trade, release or outright Guillen. Teams like the Giants, Rays, White Sox or Red Sox could be interested. 
* An unknown team has claimed Adam Dunn off waivers from the Nationals, which makes it less likely that the first baseman will be traded, according to FOXSports.com. Washington could now either engage in one-on-one negotiations with that club, or can pull him back. 
* The Mets are open to negotiating a contract extension with shortstop Jose Reyes, according to The New York Daily News. Reyes has a club option for 2011 worth $11 million, but New York is reportedly willing to scrap that for a long-term contract. Negotiations likely won’t be finalized until the end of the season, however. 
* Buck Showalter, the Orioles’ new manager, will earn $1.5 million a year each season through 2013, according to the Twitter account of ESPN’s Buster Olney. 
* Now that the non-waiver Trade Deadline has passed, teams have to first put a player on waivers before trading them. Under that, the Phillies acquired a veteran first baseman in Mike Sweeney from the Mariners — for a player to be named later or cash considerations — the Marlins signed infielder Chad Tracy, and the Pirates claimed a couple of righties in Chris Resop and Chan Ho Park. 
– Alden Gonzalez

Report: Mets unsuccessfully tried to deal Ollie

An interesting note this morning out of SI.com, which reported that the Mets attempted to swap much-maligned lefty Oliver Perez to the Cubs for equally-maligned right-hander Carlos Zambrano. The sticking point, according to the report, was the Mets’ insistence that the Cubs also take on the contract of second baseman Luis Castillo.

Though the deal did not happen, the web site also reported that Mets manager Jerry Manuel is refusing to pitch Perez at home in New York. According to SI.com, the Mets again plan on asking Perez to accept a Minor League assignment — something he refused to do earlier this season.

–Anthony DiComo

7/31 Zambrano & no-trade clause

Carlos Zambrano says he would waive his no-trade clause if the Cubs asked. There are reports that the Mets have inquired about the right-hander, who wants to get back in the rotation.

“I want to stay [with the Cubs],” Zambrano said Friday, “but I understand this is a business and whatever the Cubs want me to do — if they think I’m a problem here and they want to move me, it’s sad that I would move if they think I’m the problem,.”

What if Cubs GM Jim Hendry asked Zambrano to waive his no-trade clause?

“If they come to me and say they want to trade me, I would say, ‘Yes,’” Zambrano said. “If they ask me, ‘Hey, we want to trade you,’ I wouldn’t say no. I would say ‘yes’ because obviously when they put something on the table, it’s because they don’t want you or they think there are better players and they need to move you.”

Does Zambrano need a fresh start somewhere else?

“It’s up to me,” he said. “It’s up to me to behave myself to be good on the field to be smart and to change things around.”

However, FoxSports.com reports Saturday that the Mets offer of Perez and Castillo for Zambrano never had a chance and Big Z will not be moved.

– Carrie Muskat

7/31 Cubs: Lilly, Z & Riot updates

It’s decision day for the Cubs. The trading deadline is 2 p.m. MT. FoxSports.com says there are still four teams — the Dodgers, Twins, Tigers and Yankees — who are pursuing Ted Lilly. The lefty prepped on Friday as he normally would for his next start, which would be Monday at Wrigley Field.

“Teddy wants to stay here but he knows the game of baseball and he knows that something could happen,” Cubs manager Lou Piniella said. “It’s good to see they want to stay here. That speaks well.”

Lilly is trying to focus on pitching.

“We’re near the end of July and I only have three wins,” said the lefty, who is 3-8 with a 3.69 ERA. “I really want more than that.

“It doesn’t settle so well,” he said. “I’ve got 18 starts and I’ve got three wins. It’s bothersome. That’s what I’m here for is to go out and try to win.”

There’s also been some interest in Ryan Theriot, whose phone was loaded with messages from people, including his agent, wondering if he was pulled from Friday’s game because a deal had been made. It was simply a double switch. The Denver Post reported the D-backs have talked to the Cubs about a possible Theriot for Kelly Johnson swap.

Less than 24 hours after he was activated from the restricted list, Carlos Zambrano also is getting some action. Big Z told reporters Friday in Denver that he would consider waiving his no trade clause if the Cubs wanted to move him. According to SI.com, the Mets offered Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo for Zambrano but the Cubs said no. Big Z still has a lot of money remaining on his contract ($6.4 million this year; $17.9 million in 2011; $18 million in 2012).

– Carrie Muskat

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