Thread: 2008-09 MLB Hot Stove

Originally Posted by SabresRule

Forget Sabathia; go after Peavy, Anaheim!

Talk about a stacked rotation!

Come to Papa, Jake!

Heyman's Latest: Sabathia, Burnett, Matsui

By Tim Dierkes

Here's a look at the latest column from
SI.com's Jon Heyman

.

• C.C. Sabathia is the Yankees' top offseason target, and they'll make him an offer beyond Johan Santana's $137.5MM. Heyman also sees the Yanks pursuing A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe, and Oliver Perez (with Ben Sheets a less likely target). Heyman's sources believe the Yanks could even attempt to sign three free agent starters.
• The Yankees aren't counting on Mike Mussina, and may wait on him before considering Andy Pettitte.
• Contradictory note from Heyman: the White Sox have no plans to try to keep Joe Crede or Juan Uribe, but might consider bringing Uribe back as a utility man.
• Heyman dismisses vague rumors about Hideki Matsui trade talks.

Mets Rumors: Wolf, Fuentes, K-Rod, Street, Pedro

By Tim Dierkes

11:37am:
SI.com's Jon Heyman

says the Mets are eyeing Randy Wolf, in addition to Derek Lowe and Oliver Perez.
Heyman adds that some Mets people are concerned about their catching, but others aren't thrilled with the free agent options.
9:20am: All kinds of Mets rumors this morning.

• Let's begin with the closer situation. The Mets are interested in Brian Fuentes, but
  Omar Minaya will not rule out Francisco Rodriguez
  
  
  
  . He makes a great point: contract numbers are tossed around early, but the player often fails to reach that amount.
• Joel Sherman says the Mets also want to speak to the A's about Huston Street. However, his sources say the A's feel they match up better with the Indians, Rockies, and Brewers (all interested parties).
  Rosenthal has
  
  
  Kerry Wood and Joe Beimel in the Mets' sights as well.
  Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog
  
  
  believes J.J. Putz could be a trade target, with interest on the Mariners' side.
• 
  Ken Davidoff explains
  
  
  how the Mets could end up signing K-Rod - the Fuentes market blows up, while Rodriguez settles for less. I'm on board with that.
• The Javier Vazquez rumors were addressed in
  this post
  
  
  . Elsewhere on the starting pitching front -
  Minaya will talk to Pedro Martinez's agent
  
  
  , but he's unlikely to return. Aaron Heilman
  won't be moving to the rotation
  
  
  .
• We've heard about the
  Mets' interest in Raul Ibanez
  
  
  , but Minaya
  does not seem to consider
  
  
  the offense a problem. He even spoke optimistically about a Luis Castillo rebound (though he did not give Castillo a ringing endorsement).

Indians Interested In Blake

By Tim Dierkes


According to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer

, the Indians have expressed interest in bringing third baseman Casey Blake back to Cleveland. Blake stands out in a weak free agent market at the hot corner. The Dodgers are also interested, but they may view other needs as a higher priority. At the least, they should offer him arbitration as a Type B free agent.
Blake's agent anticipates offers ranging from one to three years. Blake brings the added benefit of versatility, as he can play first base and right field as well.
In other Indians news, agent Rick Thurman plans to meet with the Tribe to discuss his clients. He has Brian Fuentes, Trevor Hoffman, and Jason Isringhausen. The Indians almost signed Hoffman a few years ago.

I think the Yankees are starting to realize again that despite having all the big bats in the worlds, you won't go anywhere in October if you don't have pitching.

I've said it from the beginning. Sabathia WILL be a Yankee come 2009.

LaRue's Latest: Manny, Ibanez, Putz

By Tim Dierkes


Larry LaRue of The News Tribune

has several new rumors...

• Scott Boras has floated an asking price for Manny Ramirez that begins at $27MM per year. It seems that the Dodgers may be willing to offer that salary for two years, but Boras wants a significantly longer term.
• The Cubs and Mets expressed interest to Raul Ibanez's agent. Does this mean the Cubs are comfortable with the idea of Ibanez in right field?
• The Tigers crave a closer, and J.J. Putz may be a target. Putz will earn $5MM in '09 with an $8.6MM option for '10.

Originally Posted by BillD1984

Indians Interested In Blake

By Tim Dierkes


According to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer

, the Indians have expressed interest in bringing third baseman Casey Blake back to Cleveland. Blake stands out in a weak free agent market at the hot corner. The Dodgers are also interested, but they may view other needs as a higher priority. At the least, they should offer him arbitration as a Type B free agent.
Blake's agent anticipates offers ranging from one to three years. Blake brings the added benefit of versatility, as he can play first base and right field as well.
In other Indians news, agent Rick Thurman plans to meet with the Tribe to discuss his clients. He has Brian Fuentes, Trevor Hoffman, and Jason Isringhausen. The Indians almost signed Hoffman a few years ago.

Good!

I've always liked Blake, despite the constant criticism here in Cleveland.

Battle For Teixeira

By Tim Dierkes

[ame]http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3681593&name=olney_buster[/ame] gives his take on the Mark Teixeira situation in his blog this morning. Olney believes the Yankees will "bid heavily" on Tex, perhaps $120MM over six years. Teixeira turned down $140MM from the Rangers last year, though that was for eight years.
Ken Davidoff of Newsday

believes that since the Yanks are prioritizing pitching, they'll probably go with cheaper options like Casey Blake or Kevin Millar.
Olney says there's debate about Boston's level of interest in Teixeira - do they truly want him, or are they trying to drive up the price for the Yankees? He suggests a scenario where the Sox sign Teixeira and keep Mike Lowell - Kevin Youkilis goes to left field, Jason Bay to right, and J.D. Drew to center (pushing Jacoby Ellsbury to a utility role and leaving Coco Crisp out of a job).
Meanwhile, the Angels told Francisco Rodriguez's agent that their initial focus this winter is signing Teixeira.
Dylan Hernandez and Mike DiGiovanna

see the Halos in the six-year, $120MM range.

Originally Posted by HD MM

I think the Yankees are starting to realize again that despite having all the big bats in the worlds, you won't go anywhere in October if you don't have pitching.

I've said it from the beginning. Sabathia WILL be a Yankee come 2009.

What happens if Sabathia goes to the YAnkees, the Yankees get into the post season and Sabathia pitches poorly in the post season, the Yankees have seen this happen to him now several times and they are expecting that to change ?

For as good as he's been in the reg. season, he hasn't exactly lit it up in the post season

Jimbo