Thread: 2008-09 MLB Hot Stove

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


.

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


.

I thought he was overpaid in Toronto.

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

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."

Originally Posted by SabresRule

I thought he was overpaid in Toronto.

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

I strongly disagree.

Burnett's biggest hurdle has been staying healthy.

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

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

Originally Posted by SabresRule

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

I think it's actually Nov. 15.

Originally Posted by BillD1984

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.

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

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.