Mailbag

Time for our first mailbag of the offseason, you can email your questions to baseballrumors@gmail.com.

Rangers eyeing Colon?

Richard Durrett of the Dallas Morning News weighs in on Bartolo Colon. He's of the opinion that if Colon takes an incentive laden contract, that he may be worth the risk.

Respectfully, I don't know if I agree. Colon pitching in one of the biggest hitter's parks in all of baseball wouldn't help the Rangers much, especially if he can't stay healthy.

On the flip side of the coin, if Colon comes back firing bullets and reverts back to his better self, then the Rangers got the best out of him for a cheap deal. I think Colon and Mark Prior are the same boat, they both want to prove they're on the comeback trail, but they're both high risk signings.

Mets interested in Lieber?

According to New York Daily News, the Mets have apparently shown interest in veteran free agent right-hander Jon Lieber.

Lieber's agent, Rex Gary, confirmed that the Mets have contacted him about the right-hander but added "As we sit here today it'd be wrong to suggest something is imminent. There has been a lot of interest in him from other teams. ... But he has absolutely no problem with the idea of pitching in New York. He liked pitching in New York with the Yankees and he likes to win."

MLB Report (Oakland A's)

With all the talk leading up to ace Dan Haren being traded to Arizona, I asked Contra Costa Times' Joe Stiglich about the possibility of Joe Blanton following him out the door.

Baseball-Rumors: Are the A's still shopping Blanton at this point and what teams are involved in those discussions? Also, are the A's asking for multiple prospects in return or are they wanting major league talent?

Joe Stiglich: The A's stay very tight-lipped about everything regarding trades/free agency, etc., so it's tough to gauge. I think they're taking a similar approach that they took with Haren: Set the asking price very high and see if anyone bites. Looking at the thin pitching market, I think the A's feel they've got a very hot commodity in Blanton, and they don't want to give him up unless the package dazzles them. The Mets are a team that seems like a great fit for him, but reportedly those talks have cooled. I would think the A's could ask for at least one ML-ready player -- especially since most of the guys they got for Haren are so young -- but who knows? They seem to really want to stockpile prospects.

Astros sign Villarreal to a 2-year deal

After being acquired from Atlanta in a trade for Josh Anderson last month, the Houston Astros have signed Oscar Villarreal to a 2-year $2.85M deal.

The deal, worth $1 million in 2008 and $1.6 million in 2009, includes a $250,000 signing bonus and a $2 million club option for 2010.

Leyritz arrested for DUI Manslaughter

In a story that has really shocked the baseball world, former major leaguer and Yankee, Jim Leyritz has been arrested for DUI Manslaughter after a fatal car accident early Friday morning.

According to police reports, Leyritz was driving a 2006 Ford Expedition when he collided at an intersection with a 30-year-old female, who was driving a 2000 Mitsubishi Montero. The victim was taken to Broward Medical Center where she was later pronounced dead.

If this isn't an example of why you don't drink and drive, I don't know what is. It's a sad story on both sides because a young woman lost her life and all because someone made a HUGE error in judgement.

Astros sign Darin Erstad

12.27.07 8:46pm PST

Brian McTaggart of the Houston Chronicle gave me his 2 cents on the Astros signing Darin Erstad.

Baseball-Rumors: I like the signing of Darin Erstad, he gives you another veteran on the ballclub and one that brings Gold Gloves in both the outfield and infield. Will he be a full time outfielder or will he also get playing time at 1st?

Brian McTaggart: Well, he'll be a backup and play both. The OF is set with Lee in left, Bourn in center and Pence in right. Loretta, Blum, Ausmus and Erstad give the Astros a pretty good bench.

12.27.07 6:40pm PST

The Houston Astros inked yet another veteran to their ballclub, signing free agent outfielder Darin Erstad to a 1-year deal plus incentives.

With Erstad only being 33, I think he's definetely got something left in the tank. He also brings 2 Gold Gloves in both the outfield (2000, 2002) and infield (2004) as a 1st baseman.

Twins looking to sign Santana?

After all the trade talks between Minnesota, Boston, New York and various other teams, are the Twins now going to call off any trade for Johan Santana and, instead, try to sign him long term?

According to Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press, Twins' President David St. Peter is serious about signing Santana. "That remains our goal, our first choice, and I'm not going to veer from that," St. Peter said. "We are comfortable with that scenario if that's the best thing for the Twins' organization."

Prior to this article Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, a close friend of Santana's, told the New York Daily News that the Twins do not want to let [Santana] go.

Royals sign Miguel Olivo

Did anyone see this coming? The Kansas City Royals have signed free agent catcher Miguel Olivo to a 1-year deal with a mutual option for 2009.

There was ZERO talk about the Royals even being interested in Olivo after being non-tendered by the Marlins. I'm curious if signing Olivo will force current backstop John Buck to step up and grab the starting job and run with it.

Prior signs with the Padres

12.26.07 11:45am PST

ESPN's Buster Olney reports that the deal includes a $1M base salary with incentives that could bring the deal over $3M total.

12.26.07 10:34am PST

According to Ken Rosenthal, Mark Prior has signed a 1-year deal with the San Diego Padres.

The terms of the deal have not been released.

Jason Jennings looking for 2-year deal?

Jason Jennings is still out there on the free agent market, and though I haven't heard his name bantered around that much over the past few weeks, I thought I'd get Houston Chronicle's Brian McTaggart's take on him...

Baseball-Rumors: Any truth to the Astros wanting to bring back Jason Jennings on a 1-year deal, even after the year he had last year?

Brian McTaggart: Yes, there is truth to that. But apparently the Jennings camp wants a two-year deal, and the Astros aren't willing. If no one else gives him that, he could wind up back in Houston.

Marlins sign IF Castillo

According to an AP report, the Florida Marlins have signed former Pirates IF Jose Castillo, though the terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.

Mark Prior Update

12.24.07 3:09pm PST

North County Times' Dan Hayes weighs in on free agent Mark Prior's decision between the Astros and Padres.

Baseball-Rumors: I hear that Prior is deciding between the Astros and Padres at this point. Are the Padres going to lose out on yet another free agent or will Prior take the pitcher's ballpark and less money?

Dan Hayes: I do believe Mark Prior is going to accept the Padres' offer if it comes down to common sense but I haven't been able to get a hold of his agent for the past week. Even if Houston makes an absurd offer, Prior would still have to spend all of his games pitching in a hitter's park. I think that's going to deter him especially because he's looking for a one-year deal and to establish that he's a good pitcher again. If that's his true aim, wouldn't he want to pitch half his games at Petco?

12.23.07 8:50am PST

According to the Houston Chronicle, free agent right-hander Mark Prior has narrowed his choices to the Houston Astros and the San Diego Padres.

Prior is currently a San Diego County resident and has been doing all of his rehab there, both work in the Padres favor at this point.

12.21.07 1:00pm PST

The Rangers, after reviewing Prior's medical records, have pulled out of the bidding, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.The Rangers had been said to be serious contenders for him prior to this.
12.20.07 7:51pm PST

According to Buster Olney, the Padres are the front runners to land former Cub Mark Prior, who is currently a San Diego County resident.The Padres, says Olney, have offered a 1-year deal with a modest base salary that includes incentives to Prior, who could make his decision in the next 24-48 hours.

12.18.07 10:44pm PST

Ken Rosenthal puts his 2 cents in on Mark Prior. He is of the opinion that Prior's logical destination is with the San Diego Padres, not only because of Petco Park being well known as a "pitcher's park" but because he's originally from Southern California.

The problem with that idea is, the acquisition of Edmonds puts the Padres payroll up to $73M, which is only $2M below their ideal payroll of $75M, but I don't think the Padres can ask Prior to take a San Diego discount, especially if he is getting bigger offers from Houston, St. Louis or any other club.

Mike Cameron update

12.24.07 2:44pm PST (Christmas Eve)

First, let me wish all of you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a Great New Year. I hope everyone is enjoying this time with friends and family.

Updating from yesterday. North County Times' Dan Hayes and Union Tribune's Tim Sullivan were nice enough to respond to my questions regarding Mike Cameron.





Baseball-rumors: With the Rangers trading for Josh Hamilton and the Phillies signing both So Taguchi and Geoff Jenkins, are there any teams left with interest in Mike Cameron? Is there any chance that the Padres re-visit talks with him and his agent?





Tim Sullivan: That's a good question. I would think that Cameron will be able to find a spot somewhere -- maybe with a non-contending team. But I'm not convinced the Padres won't add a right-handed bat. It's certainly a question worth floating.





Dan Hayes: I think the Padres would love to have Cameron for center with Edmonds in left. But they're so close to their budget ... I hear it's $75 million and they're around $73 with bonuses ---- I haven't done the math yet ---- so I doubt it's realistic. Cameron would easily command $10 million a year over two years, which is a steal. But unless the Padres unloaded Barrett's $3.5 million contract I couldn't see it happening. They might make a $5 million exception and go up to $80 m, but I don't see them going to $83 or $84 m. Though Edmonds and Cameron would make them a very strong contender in the West.





12.23.07 8:53pm PST





The biggest surprise to me this offseason, Mike Cameron is still yet to be signed. Cameron and his agent had been talking to the San Diego Padres about a 2-year deal few weeks ago, but could not come to an agreement on the dollar amount.



The teams that had been interested, namely the Rangers and Phillies, have both acquired center fielders. The Rangers traded for Reds' center fielder Josh Hamilton, the Phillies signed both Geoff Jenkins and So Taguchi to free agent deals.



At this point, with his options dwindling by the day, could Cameron return to the Padres? It's doubtful, but if he and the Padres are willing to re-negotiate the dollar amount on that 2-year deal previously discussed, maybe there is a chance.

Clemens issues video denial

Roger Clemens, for the first time since being accused of taking HGH, issued a video statement from his personal website. Clemens strongly denied taking HGH or that anyone injected anything into his body.

Clemens will make his first national TV appearance on this subject with CBS' Mike Wallace of "60 Minutes" sometime next year.

On the same subject, San Diego Padres pitcher, and 2007 NL Cy Young Award Winner, Jake Peavy defended Clemens, calling him a "friend and mentor."

Mike Cameron still unsigned

The biggest surprise to me this offseason, Mike Cameron is still yet to be signed. Cameron and his agent had been talking to the San Diego Padres about a 2-year deal few weeks ago, but could not come to an agreement on the dollar amount.

The teams that had been interested, namely the Rangers and Phillies, have both acquired center fielders. The Rangers traded for Reds' center fielder Josh Hamilton, the Phillies signed both Geoff Jenkins and So Taguchi to free agent deals.

At this point, with his options dwindling by the day, could Cameron return to the Padres? It's doubtful, but if he and the Padres are willing to re-negotiate the dollar amount on that 2-year deal previously discussed, maybe there is a chance.

Brewers Notes

The Milwaukee Brewers are in the market for a 3rd baseman, allowing them to move Ryan Braun (2007 NL Rookie of the Year) to Left Field.

Though there aren't many names out there on the free agent market, a guy that I think could help them out is former Astro and Padre Morgan Ensberg. Ensberg still has some pop and is a decent defensive 3rd baseman, putting him into a hitters park isn't the worst idea, and he's a cheap option.

Phillies sign So Taguchi

The Philadelphia Phillies picked up another outfielder on Sunday, signing So Taguchi to a 1-year $1M with an option for 2009.

So the Phillies' outfield looks like this...Pat Burrell, Geoff Jenkins, So Taguchi, Shane Victorino and Jayson Werth. Not the best defensive outfield out there, but does have some offensive pop for sure.

Rangers close to deal with Guardado

T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports that the Texas Rangers are close to a deal with former Mariners and Reds closer Eddie Guardado.

Prior to decide between Houston, San Diego

12.23.07 8:50am PST

According to the Houston Chronicle, free agent right-hander Mark Prior has narrowed his choices to the Houston Astros and the San Diego Padres.

Prior is currently a San Diego County resident and has been doing all of his rehab there, both work in the Padres favor at this point.

12.21.07 1:00pm PST

The Rangers, after reviewing Prior's medical records, have pulled out of the bidding, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.
The Rangers had been said to be serious contenders for him prior to this.

12.20.07 7:51pm PST

According to Buster Olney, the Padres are the front runners to land former Cub Mark Prior, who is currently a San Diego County resident.The Padres, says Olney, have offered a 1-year deal with a modest base salary that includes incentives to Prior, who could make his decision in the next 24-48 hours.

12.18.07 10:44pm PST

Ken Rosenthal puts his 2 cents in on Mark Prior. He is of the opinion that Prior's logical destination is with the San Diego Padres, not only because of Petco Park being well known as a "pitcher's park" but because he's originally from Southern California.

The problem with that idea is, the acquisition of Edmonds puts the Padres payroll up to $73M, which is only $2M below their ideal payroll of $75M, but I don't think the Padres can ask Prior to take a San Diego discount, especially if he is getting bigger offers from Houston, St. Louis or any other club.