Off Season Info

I thought I would start a thread for off season rumors and goings on.

From ESPN Insider:

Oct 25 - Gary Sheffield was told Wednesday that the Yankees will pick up his $13 million option for next season, according to a newspaper report.
Sheffield said he was hoping to test the free-agent market and get another three-year contract, USA Today said in a story on its Web site.

It's possible the Yankees are positioning themselves to trade Sheffield, as several teams are reportedly interested in a player of his type. The New York Daily News reported Wednesday that at least a half-dozen teams -- the Angels, Orioles, Cubs, Giants, Astros and Rangers -- are in the market for a power-hitting corner outfielder, and that doesn't include the Red Sox and Mets, who could also use the help.

Andruw Jones
Braves The $20M man?
Oct 25 - Andruw Jones wants lots of money in the future. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, agent Scott Boras has indicated that Jones' next deal will dwarf his six-year, $75 million contract. Boras might ask for more than $20 million annually for Jones in a multi-year deal.
Jones worked out his last contract with assistance from his father, leaving Boras out of the negotiations. But Jones has assured Boras he'll let the agent negotiate his next deal, and Boras is going to make sure it's a big one. He considers Jones at the top of the list of potential free agents a year from now.



Carlos Delgado
Mets Option play
Oct 25 - According to The New York Daily News, Carlos Delgado is still playing hardball with the Mets. Delgado has the right to demand a trade and has declined to rule one out, though he's likely just pushing the Mets to guarantee a 2009 option. Delgado is owed $30.5 million over the next two seasons, and the Marlins (his former team) will pay the Mets $6 million of that sum.
"We've got to figure out where we're going, how do we fit, what are we trying to do, before we make a decision. Simple as that," Delgado told the newspaper.

Asked about the importance of the Mets picking up the option, he said: "Would you like your boss to give you another year?"



Craig Biggio
Astros Houston, we have a problem?
Oct 25 - According to The New York Post, Biggio is expected to bridge what is currently a financial gap and re-sign with the Astros. However, agent Barry Axelrod said that if matters cannot be worked out fairly, Biggio would seek the 70 hits he needs to reach 3,000 somewhere else.
"He said to me that if they don't value me enough and I have to go to St. Louis, Chicago or New York to play on a winner and hit milestones, then I will do it," Axelrod told the newspaper.


Rich Aurilia
Reds Big Apple dreams
Oct 25 - Rich Aurilia isn't sure he'll exercise his part of a $2 million mutual option with the Reds and may opt for free agency, The New York Post reports. Cincinnati will still be a player for him, but the Staten Island native could be of interest to both New York teams.
"Rich wants to play for a contender and wants to, if possible, play just one position," his agent, Barry Axelrod, told the newspaper. "Both New York teams qualify for what he is looking for."

The Mets need a second baseman, and GM Omar Minaya signed Aurilia to his first pro contract. The Yankees need a first baseman to make Jason Giambi a full-time DH.



Washington Class Act a
Oct 25 - Braves hitting coach Terry Pendleton took himself out of consideration for the Nationals' managing job, the Washington Post reports. Former Marlins skipper Joe Girardi also has pulled his name from consideration.
Mets third base coach Manny Acta may now become prominent in the Nationals' plans. He has interviewed for the openings in Texas and San Francisco as well.
In other words he is waiting around and will takie the Atlanta job comes open

Freddy Garcia
White Sox Yankees? A Bronx tale?
Oct 24 - With the Yankees seeking starting pitching, the White Sox are expected to trade right-hander Freddy Garcia to make room for Brandon McCarthy in their rotation, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Garcia told the Sun-Times in August that the Yanks are one of the organizations he would like to play for if he is moved.
But nothing is set in stone, according to Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen. "Our first focus is pitching," he told the newspaper.


Sheffield for Garcia?

 

Angels focus on Ramirez
Nov 3 - ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reports that Ramirez is the No. 1 offseason priority for the Angels.
Ramirez, 28, is coming off a season in which he hit .291 with 38 home runs, 119 RBI and a .561 slugging percentage that ranked second among all major-league third basemen.

He is expected to draw one of the biggest contracts among free-agent position players and could be too rich for the Cubs.

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WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Mike Mussina
Yankees Mets? Moose with the Mets?
Nov 3 - According to the New York Post, Mussina would be open to joining the cross-town Mets when he's expected to become a free agent in the next two weeks.
The Yankees are likely to decline Mussina's $17 million option by the Nov. 15 deadline, which would make the veteran right-hander a free agent. Instead, the Yankees are expected to pay Mussina's $1.5 million buyout and then discuss a new contract.

Mussina, who turns 38 next month, was 15-7 with a 3.51 ERA in 2006.
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WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Gary Sheffield
Yankees Indians?
Phillies?
Rangers?
Giants?
Astros?
Angels?
Cubs?
Orioles? Is Tribe a trade partner?
Nov 3 - The New York Post reports that the Indians have called the Yankees regarding Sheffield's availability.
The Yankees are likely to pick up Sheffield's $13 million option Monday with the intention of trading him.

Earlier, officials with the Phillies and Cubs denied their teams were interested in Sheffield, the Newark Star-Ledger reported.

The Astros are believed to have some interest in Sheffield, but they have a reputation for being gun-shy on trades and may have interest in free-agent outfielder Carlos Lee instead.
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WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Mark Mulder
Cardinals Cardinals?
Orioles? Mulling a Mulder return
Nov 3 - According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals are interested in Mulder returning to the team for a third season.
GM Walt Jocketty said the Cardinals may be interested in offering the free-agent left-hander something different than the one-year, incentive-laden deals he's bound to receive.

Hindered by an impingement in his shoulder, Mulder, 29, finished with a 6-7 record and a 7.14 ERA in 2006. He had surgery on Sept. 12 to repair a partial tear in his rotator cuff. He is not expected to be ready before opening day in 2007.

The Orioles are also reportedly interested in Mulder.
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WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Pat Burrell
Phillies Giants? Welcoming a Giant move
Nov 3 - Representatives for Burrell told the Philadelphia Daily News that he would waive his full no-trade clause for a deal that would send him to San Francisco.
The left fielder, who previously said he would accept deals to New York and Boston, would also welcome a move back to first base, the position he played in 2000.

In return, the Giants might want the Phillies to take closer Armando Benitez, who carries a $7.6 million price tag for next season and is suffering from bursitis in one knee and arthritis in the other.

Burrell's no-trade clause and big contract have been huge obstacles for the Phillies. He's owed $27 million over the next two seasons. Burrell, 30, hit .258 with 29 home runs and 95 RBI in 2006, but struggled mightily in the clutch.
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WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Gary Matthews Jr.
Rangers Mariners?
Giants?
Angels?
Cubs?
White Sox? Giants going after Matthews?
Nov 3 - The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that the Giants are going to make a major push for Matthews.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Matthews' agent says the Angels are "extremely interested" in the free-agent center fielder. And apparently, the feelings are mutual.

Agent Scott Leventhal met with Angels GM Bill Stoneman on Tuesday at an Arizona Fall League game, where Stoneman made it known he will aggressively pursue Matthews, who had a breakout season in 2006 hitting leadoff for the Rangers (.313 BA, .371 OBP, 102 runs).

"Gary was very excited," Leventhal told the Times. "Bill wanted to know if Gary is interested in playing for the Angels, and he is. He has them high on his list."

Leventhal told the Chicago Tribune that Matthews, 32, is also attracted to the Cubs and the White Sox. Other teams expressing interest in Matthews include the Dodgers, Orioles, Astros and Rockies.

Re-signing Matthews is considered a top priority for the Rangers, who reportedly offered him a two-year deal. Matthews, however, is expected to land a three- or four-year deal worth at least $6 million a year.
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WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Texas A bench-mark decision?
Nov 3 - Sources have told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that bench coach Don Wakamatsu is the favorite to be named the Rangers' next manager. The decision could come as early as Monday.
Wakamatsu was the fifth candidate to interview for the Rangers' job. The Rangers have also interviewed Nippon Ham Fighters manager Trey Hillman, A's third-base coach Ron Washington, Phillies minor-league manager John Russell and Mets third-base coach Manny Acta.

Only Wakamatsu and Hillman have met with owner Tom Hicks during the interview process, according to the Star-Telegram.

According to the Dallas Morning News, GM Jon Daniels is confident that the club will choose one of the five current candidates.
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WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Mark DeRosa
Rangers Phillies?
Cubs? DeRosa drawing attention
Nov 3 - According to ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney, Phillies GM Pat Gillick met with DeRosa as he considers his third-base options.
Also, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that DeRosa may be the leading candidate to play second base for the Cubs.

DeRosa, 31, had a career year for the Rangers in 2006, hitting .296 with 13 home runs, 74 RBI and a .357 OBP. He split time mostly between right field, second base and third base.
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Thursday, November 2
WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Daisuke Matsuzaka
Yankees?
Mets?
Red Sox?
Dodgers?
Cubs?
Rangers?
Cubs? Let the bidding begin
Nov 2 - When the Seibu Lions post Matsuzaka, the teams expected to bid for the Japanese right-hander are the following: the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Cubs, Rangers and Dodgers.
The Seattle Times reported that the Mariners were not going to submit a bid, which is likely to reach $20 million to $30 million.

Once Matsuzaka is posted, major-league teams have four days to bid on the pitcher. After that, the Lions will have four days to either accept or reject the offer from the highest bidder. Once a bid is accepted, the major-league team has 30 days to negotiate a deal with Matsuzaka, whose agent is Scott Boras.

Matsuzaka, 26, was 17-5 with a 2.13 ERA for the Lions in 2006 and was the MVP of the World Baseball Classic, which Japan won in March.
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WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Akinori Iwamura
Padres?
Red Sox?
Indians?
Phillies?
Phils, others interested in Iwamura
Nov 2 - According to the Philadelphia Daily News, the Phillies have considerable interest in third baseman Akinori Iwamura, whose team -- the Yakult Swallows -- is expected to post him.
Iwamura, 27, is a left-handed hitter who batted .311 with 32 home runs, 77 RBI and a .389 OBP in 2006. Along with the Phillies, other teams expected to bid for Iwamura are the Indians, Red Sox and Padres.

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WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Barry Bonds
Giants Giants Agent: Teams showing interest
Nov 2 - Bonds' agent told the San Jose Mercury News on Wednesday that he has spoken to several teams about Bonds. Although he wouldn't name the clubs, agent Jeff Borris said at least one team was from the National League, and it wasn't the Giants.
"Teams are interested in him," Borris said.

According to the Mercury News, sources expect the market for Bonds to develop slowly. Two AL teams, for instance, could revisit Bonds as an option if other offseason plans fail.

Bonds, 42, is 22 home runs short of Hank Aaron's all-time major-league record of 755.
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WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Tom Glavine
Mets No movement with Mets
Nov 2 - Glavine's agent denied a published report Wednesday that the pitcher is closing in on a two-year, $25 million contract with the Mets.
Agent Gregg Clifton disputed a report in the New York Daily News that said Glavine is in "deep discussions" on a deal that would keep him in a Mets uniform for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Clifton said there have been no negotiations since Glavine spoke to chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon about a possible return at the end of the team's season two weeks ago.

"There has been no dialogue to date," Clifton told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. "No conversations with the Mets have commenced whatsoever in any way, shape or form regarding Tom's option or the team's option -- or an alternative somewhere between the two."

Glavine has a $7.5 million option for 2007, while the Mets have an option for $14 million. Since it appears that neither side will exercise its option, Glavine and the team are trying to reach a mutual agreement before the free agency filing period on Nov. 11.

 

Oh and it's official. My Phillies and Al Rowland, the one decent thing good out of the Thome to White Sox trade, and the Phils agreed to part ways.


Rumor has Pat Burrell going to either Seattle for Beltre or Orioles for Tejada

Phillies will pay off some of his money left owed him on the 2 years left of deal

 

Sheffield is a goner
Nov 9 - The Yankees are looking to unload Gary Sheffield after picking up his $13 million option, and he's not happy about it. "I did nothing but produce for the Yankees my first two seasons in New York, but now it looks like I'm gone," Sheffield told The New York Times. "You can call it business, you can call it personal. I say it's both."
According to The New York Post, two different major-league officials believe Sheffield will end up with the Cubs or A's.

The New York Daily News reported that seven teams have inquired about Sheffield -- the Tigers, Astros, Indians, Rangers, Padres, Orioles and Cubs.

Newsday reported that Sheffield's agent, Rufus Williams, recently gave the Yankees a list of teams that Sheffield preferred if he were to be traded. Williams declined to list the teams, but the Chicago Tribune reported that the Cubs and White Sox are on Sheffield's list, along with the Tigers and Padres. Sheffield has a strong affinity for Tigers manager Jim Leyland, who managed him in Florida, and has talked about returning to San Diego, where he played earlier in his career.

Sheffield wants to return to the Yankees, but that's unlikely since the Yankees now have Bobby Abreu in right field.

 

Shef traded to Tigers for 3 pitchers. Thank God.

 

I know. If the Phils get Tejada for Burrell I would be tempted to go to Philly and kiss the GMs feet. Burrell had like the third highest on base percentage in the NL but for whatever reason the Phillies want him gone. The Phils really want Shane Victorino in the lineup and based upon Rowland not coming back I hope they keep Burrell. Besides if they got Tejada where would he play? Rollins played great last year? They definately want an upgrade at 3rd over Abraham Nunez and Rich Aurillas name has been mentioned

We'll see

 

Yankees looking at Shea Hilldebrand, Astros make their pitch, and Nomar stays at home

Carlos Lee
Rangers Astros Astros make pitch to Lee
Nov 17 - In the hunt for a slugger, the Astros made a multiyear offer Carlos Lee, The Houston Chronicle reports.
Lee, who hit .300 with 37 homers and 116 RBI for the Brewers and Rangers last season, could command as much as $15 million per year.


Nomar Garciaparra
Dodgers Dodgers? Nomar likely staying in L.A.
Nov 17 - Nomar Garciaparra is expected to agree to a multiyear contract to remain with the Dodgers, The Los Angeles Times reports.
Garciaparra also was pursued by the Padres, who wanted him to play second base.

Shea Hillenbrand
Giants Yankees? Shea at The Stadium?
Nov 17 - The Yankees, in need of a right-handed hitting first baseman, have Shea Hillenbrand's name high on their list, the New York Post reports.
Nomar Garciparra, another option, is believed to be returning to the Dodgers.

 

The Phillies accepted a deal last year that would have traded Burrell for Rodrigo Lopez, but he vetoed it. I don't know where you heard the rumor that they might trade him for Beltre or Tejada, but it's so ridiculous that you should never listen to that source ever again.