Free agency begins tonight at midnight! Things should get interesting right off the bat! (no pun intended).
2008-09 MLB Hot Stove
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Dodgers could sweeten deal to Manny
From ESPN Insider.....
The Dodgers' initial offer to [ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=2974"]Manny Ramirez Stats, News, Photos - Los Angeles Dodgers - ESPN[/ame] includes a club option for a third year that could increase the value of the contract to $60 million, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times.
The offer stands until Thursday, the final day of the Dodgers' exclusive negotiating window with Ramirez, but indications are that their pursuit of the outfielder will extend beyond then. Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras, has made it clear that the proposed deal isn't long enough.
Exactly how far Dodgers owner Frank McCourt would go to re-sign Ramirez remains uncertain. One team source said McCourt is open to improving the offer by guaranteeing the third year of the contract.
The option for 2011 in the initial offer is worth $22.5 million and can be bought out for $7.5M. Ramirez would earn $15 million next season and $22.5M in 2010.
Meanwhile, according to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants would not rule out the possibility of making a serious run at Ramirez.
"Player payroll is going to depend on two things," Giants managing partner William Neukom said. "First of all (is) the best thinking of our baseball guys. What does that optimal 2009-and-beyond roster look like? How do you build that roster? That's going to have a price tag to it. The other major influence is, what can we afford?"
From ESPN Insider.....
The Dodgers' initial offer to [ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=2974"]Manny Ramirez Stats, News, Photos - Los Angeles Dodgers - ESPN[/ame] includes a club option for a third year that could increase the value of the contract to $60 million, according to a report in the Los Angeles Times.
The offer stands until Thursday, the final day of the Dodgers' exclusive negotiating window with Ramirez, but indications are that their pursuit of the outfielder will extend beyond then. Ramirez's agent, Scott Boras, has made it clear that the proposed deal isn't long enough.
Exactly how far Dodgers owner Frank McCourt would go to re-sign Ramirez remains uncertain. One team source said McCourt is open to improving the offer by guaranteeing the third year of the contract.
The option for 2011 in the initial offer is worth $22.5 million and can be bought out for $7.5M. Ramirez would earn $15 million next season and $22.5M in 2010.
Meanwhile, according to a report in the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants would not rule out the possibility of making a serious run at Ramirez.
"Player payroll is going to depend on two things," Giants managing partner William Neukom said. "First of all (is) the best thinking of our baseball guys. What does that optimal 2009-and-beyond roster look like? How do you build that roster? That's going to have a price tag to it. The other major influence is, what can we afford?"
Agent: K-Rod, Mets good fit
The Mets bullpen was a mess last season. [ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5357"]Francisco Rodriguez Stats, News, Photos - New York Mets - ESPN[/ame], who set the single-season saves record this past season with the Angels, is available. Seems like a perfit fit, says K-Rod's agent. "(There are three to four teams in the running) besides the Mets," Paul Kinzer, Rodriguez's agent, said in a radio interview on WFAN in New York, which was then reported in the New York Post. "It's a good fit because he likes pitching in the big games on the big stage and you definitely have that in New York. I think it's a good fit for everybody. We have some other teams involved, but we are intrigued by that fit."
The Mets bullpen was a mess last season. [ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5357"]Francisco Rodriguez Stats, News, Photos - New York Mets - ESPN[/ame], who set the single-season saves record this past season with the Angels, is available. Seems like a perfit fit, says K-Rod's agent. "(There are three to four teams in the running) besides the Mets," Paul Kinzer, Rodriguez's agent, said in a radio interview on WFAN in New York, which was then reported in the New York Post. "It's a good fit because he likes pitching in the big games on the big stage and you definitely have that in New York. I think it's a good fit for everybody. We have some other teams involved, but we are intrigued by that fit."
Indians interested in Hoffman
The Indians, in search of a closer, could puruse [ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=2817"]Trevor Hoffman Stats, News, Photos - Milwaukee Brewers - ESPN[/ame] now that the Padres pulled their offer to the all-time saves leader off the table, the Cleveland Plain-Dealer reported. "When negotiations between Trevor Hoffman and the Padres didn't work out, he became an alternative for us," Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro said. The Indians are also expected to look into the availability of [ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6175"]Huston Street Stats, News, Photos - Colorado Rockies - ESPN[/ame] once Street is officially dealt to Colorado as part of the deal that will send [ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5940"]Matt Holliday Stats, News, Photos - St. Louis Cardinals - ESPN[/ame] to Oakland.
The Indians, in search of a closer, could puruse [ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=2817"]Trevor Hoffman Stats, News, Photos - Milwaukee Brewers - ESPN[/ame] now that the Padres pulled their offer to the all-time saves leader off the table, the Cleveland Plain-Dealer reported. "When negotiations between Trevor Hoffman and the Padres didn't work out, he became an alternative for us," Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro said. The Indians are also expected to look into the availability of [ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6175"]Huston Street Stats, News, Photos - Colorado Rockies - ESPN[/ame] once Street is officially dealt to Colorado as part of the deal that will send [ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5940"]Matt Holliday Stats, News, Photos - St. Louis Cardinals - ESPN[/ame] to Oakland.
Cleveland offered Hoff $11 million just last year. Just a few days ago, the Padres withdrew a $4 million offer.
Do I think that we should offer him a five-year deal? No chance. But now that we know what his own team is offering (or in this case, not offering), it would be a huge gaffe to not capitalize on this.
Once again , Of course the agent is going to say he's a good fit, he's trying to sell him to them
That said, they may be a good fit, but for an agent to say that is a no brainer.
Jimbo
He's what, 42 ?
Offer him, a 2 year contract then.
3 if you feel lucky
Just turned 41 last month.
Fingers crossed my Tribe has a surprise waiting for me when I wake up in the morning.
Detroit went out and got a big reliever (Troy Percival) a few years back, then he got injured and didn't amount to much .....
Thats leads to precident that they could do something like that again
Jimbo
CHICAGO -- The Cubs most likely have said goodbye to Kerry Wood.
On Thursday, the team traded Minor League pitcher Jose Ceda to the Florida Marlins for reliever Kevin Gregg, but also gave notice that they are not expected to re-sign Wood, who is a free agent.
"I don't think we could do for [Wood] right now what he deserves and what he'll get by going elsewhere," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said.
As Gregg arrives, Wood likely to depart | MLB.com: News
On Thursday, the team traded Minor League pitcher Jose Ceda to the Florida Marlins for reliever Kevin Gregg, but also gave notice that they are not expected to re-sign Wood, who is a free agent.
"I don't think we could do for [Wood] right now what he deserves and what he'll get by going elsewhere," Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said.
As Gregg arrives, Wood likely to depart | MLB.com: News
Yanks To Make Early Offer To Sabathia
By Tim Dierkes [November 14 at 10:27am CST]
FRIDAY: [ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3702206&name=olney_buster"]Moved Temporarily[/ame] says this initial Yankees offer will be in the $140-142MM range. By the way, the Giants have already touched base with Sabathia's agents.
THURSDAY: According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Yankees will "aggressively extend a proposal" to C.C. Sabathia tomorrow. He believes the Yankees will go to "a financial region that no other franchise would even consider" to lure the ace. Sherman's guess is an initial bid in the six-year, $150MM range (and that may not be the final offer).
If the Yankees are successful in signing Sabathia, they hope to add A.J. Burnett or Derek Lowe next.
By Tim Dierkes [November 14 at 10:27am CST]
FRIDAY: [ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3702206&name=olney_buster"]Moved Temporarily[/ame] says this initial Yankees offer will be in the $140-142MM range. By the way, the Giants have already touched base with Sabathia's agents.
THURSDAY: According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Yankees will "aggressively extend a proposal" to C.C. Sabathia tomorrow. He believes the Yankees will go to "a financial region that no other franchise would even consider" to lure the ace. Sherman's guess is an initial bid in the six-year, $150MM range (and that may not be the final offer).
If the Yankees are successful in signing Sabathia, they hope to add A.J. Burnett or Derek Lowe next.
Do Angels Have Genuine Interest In Manny?
By Tim Dierkes [November 14 at 9:47am CST]
Angels owner Arte Moreno had kind words for Manny Ramirez in a recent radio appearance, sparking talk that he could jump in and swipe the slugger from the Dodgers. However, the general sense is that Moreno just wanted to get people talking about the Angels and perhaps hopes to drive up Ramirez's price for the Dodgers.
Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times gets a peek at Scott Boras' binder for Ramirez, which predicts 204 home runs and 684 RBIs over the next six years. Shaikin quotes Angels GM Tony Reagins saying his priority is elsewhere and the Manny discussion hasn't taken place, so right now the Dodgers don't face serious competition.
Shaikin also notes that the Dodgers are more likely to sign Orlando Cabrera to a short-term deal than re-sign Rafael Furcal.
By Tim Dierkes [November 14 at 9:47am CST]
Angels owner Arte Moreno had kind words for Manny Ramirez in a recent radio appearance, sparking talk that he could jump in and swipe the slugger from the Dodgers. However, the general sense is that Moreno just wanted to get people talking about the Angels and perhaps hopes to drive up Ramirez's price for the Dodgers.
Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times gets a peek at Scott Boras' binder for Ramirez, which predicts 204 home runs and 684 RBIs over the next six years. Shaikin quotes Angels GM Tony Reagins saying his priority is elsewhere and the Manny discussion hasn't taken place, so right now the Dodgers don't face serious competition.
Shaikin also notes that the Dodgers are more likely to sign Orlando Cabrera to a short-term deal than re-sign Rafael Furcal.
Dodgers Interested In Randy Johnson
By Tim Dierkes [November 14 at 9:19am CST]
We learned yesterday that the Diamondbacks offered Randy Johnson around $2-3MM, while he would've settled for $8MM. Now he's on the open market, and could be a bargain on a one-year deal. The Angels are not interested, but MLB.com's Ken Gurnick says Johnson is high on the Dodgers' list. This would be a fine way for Ned Colletti to kick off his offseason.
By Tim Dierkes [November 14 at 9:19am CST]
We learned yesterday that the Diamondbacks offered Randy Johnson around $2-3MM, while he would've settled for $8MM. Now he's on the open market, and could be a bargain on a one-year deal. The Angels are not interested, but MLB.com's Ken Gurnick says Johnson is high on the Dodgers' list. This would be a fine way for Ned Colletti to kick off his offseason.
Personally, I think all these star players should be traded to small market teams, then allow better players from the small markets to go to big money teams. That way players like Jason Bay can show they are just as good when given the opportunity.
