Boras Expects Ordonez To Stay

By Tim Dierkes

8:04pm: Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press quotes Scott Boras as saying it's highly unlikely Ordonez will be traded. Ordonez can block trades to all but ten teams.
1:10pm: Jon Paul Morosi talked to Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski, who says there will not be a significant difference in payroll this year. I calculated they'd be over $120MM with the current group, leaving roughly $14MM to spend this winter barring other moves. The needs: catcher, shortstop, bullpen.
Dombrowski will need to be creative, and trading for an affordable closer makes sense. The Tigers are rumored to be in on Khalil Greene as a possible shortstop solution. The catcher market is bleak, so don't expect much there.
As far as trading Magglio Ordonez, Morosi says the Tigers may consider it if they can fill multiple holes with a trade.

A.J. Burnett Opts Out

By Tim Dierkes

4:28pm: According to Ken Rosenthal, Burnett has officially opted out of the remaining two years and $24MM on his deal. The Blue Jays remain in the mix. If he leaves, they'll at least end up with two draft picks.
10:22am: What's the deal with A.J. Burnett? We were supposed to have an opt-out decision yesterday before the GM meetings began. Ken Davidoff talked to Burnett's agent, Darek Braunecker. Apparently Braunecker will meet with the Jays today to see if they'll make a "knock your socks off" offer to keep Burnett off the market. Cathal Kelly of the Toronto Star says the Jays will have to look at other free agent starters if Burnett leaves.
Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald does not see the Red Sox in on Burnett or C.C. Sabathia, based on Theo Epstein's comments. The Yankees are expected to be major players.

__________________
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" - Vince Lombardi

I thought he was overpaid in Toronto.

He's a decent pitcher, but he's not a stud pitcher.

__________________
"I made up my mind, but I made it up both ways." Casey Stengel

With Dempster's return in question, Cubs look at Peavy

Getty Images


The original plan was for the Chicago Cubs to try and find a left-handed-hitting outfielder. Now with it becoming more clean that right-hander Ryan Dempster will not sign quickly, starting pitching is taking on more importance. It appears the Cubs have taken a renewed interest in former Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy. The Cubs have exclusive rights to negotiate with Dempster until Nov. 14, and then he will be free to listen to all offers. That could be bad news for the Cubs, who would like Dempster back but may not be ready to offer as many years or as much money in this pitching-thin free agent market.
Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, speaking on the opening day of the GM meetings, would only say, "We've made it no secret we'd like to keep Ryan."
As for Peavy, who has four years and at least $63 million left on his contract with San Diego, three teams are in the running now that the Padres have announced they would trade him for the right mix of young players. The teams are believed to be the Dodgers, Braves and Cubs, although it is doubtful Peavy would be traded within the West Division.
That leaves the Cubs and Braves. And one scout said the Cubs "don't have the talent it would take."

__________________
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" - Vince Lombardi

I strongly disagree.

Burnett's biggest hurdle has been staying healthy.

BUT when he is healthy, he's a bonafide stud!

__________________
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" - Vince Lombardi

When is the earliest a free-agent can sign- December 1?

__________________
"I made up my mind, but I made it up both ways." Casey Stengel

I think it's actually Nov. 15.

__________________
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" - Vince Lombardi

I hope the Tigers PASS on the Greene deal....
Just what they need, another SS that can't hit his weight and is medeocure in the field.
I'm hoping they go for Furcal from LA.

Jimbo

__________________
Go Detroit Tigers !!!

2 HR20-700's
1 H20-100
AU-9 Slimline dish

Supposedly, the Reds are looking into acquiring Kahlil Greene. What the ???

Greene is a player with limited skills and an Adam Dunn attitude. He's terrible.

__________________
Here's to another 100 years!

Mets Prioritize Pitching

By Tim Dierkes

10:03am: More Mets chatter from Joel Sherman of the New York Post. He says the Mets and Rays have had preliminary discussions about Edwin Jackson and Andy Sonnanstine. The Rays have some interest in Aaron Heilman, though the Mets would need to give more.
Sherman believes the Mets' interest in Ibanez is minor, and Carlos Delgado or Ryan Church would have to be dealt first.
9:45am: The Mets are prioritizing pitching this winter, based on articles by Mike Puma of the New York Post, Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, and Ken Davidoff of Newsday. Let's dig in!

• Puma says the Mets have Scott Boras clients Oliver Perez and Derek Lowe on the radar. Perez offers the benefit of familiarity, though he's not likely to sign quickly. Ken Rosenthal says the Mets would probably do $12MM a year for Perez, but Boras will want more. Rubin notes that Lowe is doubly attractive to the Mets for his closing experience.
• Rubin lists the Rockies, Cardinals, Cubs, and D'Backs as potential trade destinations for Aaron Heilman. The Rays have also been connected to Heilman.
• Davidoff mentions Omar Minaya's Javier Vazquez connection. ESPN's Keith Law says the Vazquez to the Mets rumor "appears to have originated in the Chicago camp, and the White Sox are keen to move him."
• ESPN's Buster Olney says the Mets inquired on Rays pitcher Edwin Jackson.
• Davidoff also points out the Mets' interest in Raul Ibanez despite their emphasis on pitching. The Royals and Cubs are also in on Ibanez so far.

__________________
"If winning isn't everything, then why do they keep score?" - Vince Lombardi