Thread: 2008-09 MLB Hot Stove

Tigers Rumors: Pudge, Varitek, Lugo, Thames

By Tim Dierkes [November 7 at 11:55am CST]


Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press

doles out the latest Tigers rumors.

• How will the Tigers resolve their catching situation? GM Dave Dombrowski calls an Ivan Rodriguez reunion a longshot, and Scott Boras is asking the moon for Jason Varitek. The Tigers may not have the goods to swing a trade for Gerald Laird. Morosi likes the idea of Henry Blanco, but says the Tigers have yet to contact his agent. Check out the other free agent options
  here
  
  
  
  .
• Morosi considers a bad contract swap for Julio Lugo a viable option for the Tigers. He notes that Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson have similar commitments. Lugo for Robertson does seem reasonable for both sides.
• Morosi believes the Tigers match up well with the Reds, who are looking for a power-hitting outfielder. Magglio Ordonez is the marquee name, but Morosi likes the fit with Marcus Thames.

Red Sox Rumors: Crisp, Lugo, Burnett, Baldelli

By Tim Dierkes [November 7 at 12:11pm CST]


Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe

has the latest on the Red Sox.

• GM Theo Epstein says there's one deal he might be able to do before the winter meetings, possibly involving Coco Crisp or Julio Lugo. The free agent market for center fielders and shortstops is weak this year.
• Cafardo doesn't believe the Sox are in on C.C. Sabathia or A.J. Burnett, and he says they're unsure about Derek Lowe. However, [ame="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3687699&name=olney_buster"]Moved Temporarily[/ame] "there is an expectation within other quarters of the AL East that the Red Sox will get in on the Burnett bidding." Cafardo does see Boston adding a starter of some kind, possibly a Japanese free agent.
• Catchers on Epstein's radar to varying degrees: Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Taylor Teagarden, Jeff Clement, Bengie Molina, and Ivan Rodriguez.
• Cafardo says the Red Sox are "more than intrigued" by Rocco Baldelli, who could fill their fourth outfielder role if and when Mark Kotsay leaves.
• 
  Tony Massarotti
  
  
  
  discusses Mark Teixeira in-depth at his blog.

Reds Rumors: Pitching, Greene, Hairston

By Tim Dierkes [November 7 at 11:16am CST]
Here's the latest from
John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer

.

• GM Walt Jocketty said he will not be trading young pitching for a quick fix. Still, you have to think Homer Bailey is available in the right deal for another young player.
• Despite
  an earlier report to the contrary
  
  
  
  , the Reds are not interested in San Diego shortstop Khalil Greene. If Jocketty is to acquire a shortstop, it'll be a pre-arbitration player. The Reds are shaky at shortstop - Alex Gonzalez is penciled in for next year, but he missed all of '08 with a compression fracture in his knee.
• The Reds like young backstop Ryan Hanigan, but they are still in the market for catchers. Fay says Jocketty chatted with the Rangers regarding their surplus, though
  a recent report
  
  
  didn't have Cincinnati in the mix.
  Joel Sherman seems to indicate
  
  
  the Reds have interest in the Mets' Brian Schneider.
• Jocketty made progress toward re-signing Jerry Hairston Jr. (also
  on Philly's radar
  
  
  ), and he plans to talk to the agents for David Weathers, Jeremy Affeldt, and Mike Lincoln this week.

Four Teams Eyeing Chad Cordero

By Tim Dierkes [November 7 at 11:01am CST]


According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson

, the Angels, Mets, Rangers, and Tigers have asked to look at Chad Cordero's medical records. The Nationals are not in the mix. Cordero, 26, had shoulder surgery in July.
Ladson says Cordero's first choice is the Angels, as he's from Anaheim. After that would come the Mets due to the Omar Minaya connection from Montreal.

Phils, Cards Battle For Holliday

By Tim Dierkes


According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post

, the Phillies and Cardinals are the top suitors for Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday.
The Phillies discussed Holliday and Brian Fuentes with the Rockies during the season. The Rockies have an eye on Carlos Carrasco, J.A. Happ, and Shane Victorino.
Todd Zolecki believes

Jayson Werth could be in the mix.

The Cardinals have been aggressive


, and Ryan Ludwick is their bargaining chip. Joe Strauss says the Cardinals would like to try to sign Holliday to an extension, but may not have the leverage to require a window. The Cards would like to get something done soon. Ludwick alone seems a pretty solid return for Holliday, since the Rockies would have him for three years. Strauss adds that the Mets are also in the running for Holliday.

Bill, what do you think of the idea of Cano possibly joining the Dodgers?

Originally Posted by BillD1984

Mets Revamping The Bullpen

By Tim Dierkes [November 7 at 1:11pm CST]
The Mets' primary focus this winter is to completely revamp their bullpen.
Ken Davidoff

and
Joel Sherman

outline Plan A: free agents. Names in the mix: Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, Kerry Wood, Joe Beimel, Juan Cruz, and Chad Cordero. Sherman figures the Mets are in a good position because most of the other big-market teams aren't looking for a closer.
Plan B: trades. The Mets
have already discussed


Bobby Jenks with the White Sox. J.J. Putz, Huston Street, and Kevin Gregg are the other names. It all depends on how much young talent Omar Minaya wants to sacrifice.
As a corollary to Plan B, the Mets want to ship out Pedro Feliciano, Aaron Heilman, and Scott Schoeneweis. They hope to clear payroll and/or bring in other relievers in these trades. Davidoff says Heilman has plenty of admirers.
Another note from Sherman - the Mets "could be interested" in Jason Varitek if the price comes down but Varitek doesn't re-sign with Boston. In another article,
Davidoff lays out


Plans A, B, and C for both the Mets and Yankees.

The Mets interested in Varitek? Please no. He looks totally shot. I do like Bobby Jenks and as far as Feliciano, Heliman and Schoeneweis, don't let the door hit you on the rear end on the way out.

Originally Posted by SabresRule

Bill, what do you think of the idea of Cano possibly joining the Dodgers?

I think that's a good fit.

Like KCK said, he's very close with Torre.

Originally Posted by Mets82

The Mets interested in Varitek? Please no. He looks totally shot. I do like Bobby Jenks and as far as Feliciano, Heliman and Schoeneweis, don't let the door hit you on the rear end on the way out.

Mets,

Any of Jenks, Putz or Street would look good in the Mets bullpen.