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.

Rockies finalize 2-year deal with Vizcaino

12.21.07 5:25pm PST

The Rockies and reliever Luis Vizcaino have finalized a 2-year $7.5M deal.

12.14.07 9:08pm PST

Tracy Ringolsby makes it official, Vizcaino has signed with the Rockies.

12.13.05 9:08pm PST

The Colorado Rockies and Pittsburgh Pirates both had interest in former Yankee reliever Luis Vizcaino, but according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates have been told that they are out of the running for his services.

Knowing that information, it looks like the Rockies will land the right-handed reliever.

White Sox sign Cuban Alexei Ramirez

According to Enrique Rojas of ESPNdeportes.com, the Chicago White Sox have signed Cuban defector Alexei Ramirez to a 4-year deal pending the outcome of his physical.

Rangers acquire Josh Hamilton

According to the Dallas Morning News, the Texas Rangers sent young pitchers Edison Volquez and minor league pitcher Danny Herrera to the Cincinnati Reds for young, and talented, center fielder Josh Hamilton.

Kapler un-retires, signs with Brewers

Gabe Kapler had called it a career until the Milwaukee Brewers came calling. Kapler will sign a 1-year deal with the Brewers, though the details of the contract have not been released.

Rangers out of bidding for Mark Prior

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.

Phillies in or out on Lohse?

This morning, reading Ben Maller's MLB Rumors from Fox Sports, I came across two different articles on the bidding for pitcher Kyle Lohse.





The first one, from Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press, says Lohse is pondering a 4-year $40M offer from Philadelphia Phillies. Contrary to that report, George King of the NY Post says the Phillies have backed out of the running.





In the George King article, Phillies assistant GM, Ruben Amaro, says "We talked to his agent Scott Boras a few times and from all indications it looked like it would take four years. We let him know that we wouldn't go higher than three. He indicated he could get four, and we bowed out gracefully"


I guess we'll get the real story in a few days.

Furcal recovering in native Dominican Republic

After an ankle injury in Colorado ended his season, Dodgers shortstop Rafael Furcal headed back his native Dominican Republic. Not only to play winter ball, but to spend time with his young son and wife.

If you haven't read this article by Kevin Baxter of the LA Times, take a few minutes, it's actually a good read.

Mariners finalize 4-year deal with Silva

12.20.07 7:55pm PST

The Seattle Mariners, according to an AP report on Thursday, finalized the 4-year $48M contract for free agent right-hander Carlos Silva.

12.19.07 8:24pm PST

According to Jim Street of MLB.com, the Mariners have signed Carlos Silva to a 4-year $44M deal pending the outcome of Silva's physical.

12.18.07 10:12pm PST

Tim Booth of Yahoo! Sports checks in, the Mariners are apparently closing in on a deal with Silva.

12.18.07 1:09pm PST

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Seattle Mariners are in "serious talks" with free agent Carlos Silva and have apparently offered a 4-year $44M deal.

Padres front-runners for Mark Prior

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.

Rockies sign Wells, Redman

12.20.07 11:10am PST

The Rockies put the finishing touches on 1-year deals with right-hander Kip Wells and left-hander Mark Redman.

Wells' deal is a 1-year $3.1M, with an additional $1.5M in incentives. The details of Mark Redman's deal have not been released.

12.12.07 10:08pm PST

The Rockies finalized a 1-year $3M deal with Kip Wells according to Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post.

12.12.07 7:54am PST

Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News reports the Colorado Rockies are close to a 1-year deal with free agent right-hander Kip Wells.

Willis signs 3-year extension

12.20.07 11:01am PST

Dontrelle Willis and the Detroit Tigers have come to an agreement on a 3-year $29M deal according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.

12.20.07 7:45am PST

Not even a month removed from the Winter Meetings, new Tiger Dontrelle Willis is in negotiations for a contract extension with Detroit.

The extension is rumored to be 3-years and in the neighborhood of $25M - $30M.

Brewers interested in Lofton?

According to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick, the Brewers could be looking into acquiring Kenny Lofton if they are able to move Bill Hall to 3rd and Ryan Braun to left field.