Saturday, December 29, 2007
Mailbag
Rangers eyeing Colon?
Friday, December 28, 2007
Mets interested in Lieber?
MLB Report (Oakland A's)
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
Leyritz arrested for DUI Manslaughter
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.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
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
Twins looking to sign Santana?
Royals sign Miguel Olivo
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
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
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Jason Jennings looking for 2-year deal?
Marlins sign IF Castillo
Monday, December 24, 2007
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
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Mike Cameron still unsigned
Brewers Notes
Phillies sign So Taguchi
Rangers close to deal with Guardado
Prior to decide between Houston, San Diego
The Rangers had been said to be serious contenders for him prior to this.