Thread: 2008-09 MLB Hot Stove

Originally Posted by BillD1984

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.

I would love to see Holliday in Philly. Only trouble is I don't want to lose Victorino or Werth. I would make a terrible GM. I want everything for nothing. Uh oh almost snuck in a political statement there.

Originally Posted by geonaz

I would love to see Holliday in Philly. Only trouble is I don't want to lose Victorino or Werth. I would make a terrible GM. I want everything for nothing. Uh oh almost snuck in a political statement there.

LOL!!!

I heard that the Cardinals are possible candidates to trade for Matt Holliday.

How scary would St. Louis be with Pujols AND Holliday?

Indians Rumors: Shoppach, Roberts, Street

By Tim Dierkes


Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer

discusses the Indians' offseason needs.

• With Victor Martinez, Kelly Shoppach, Carlos Santana, and others, the Indians have a surplus of catching (and mad guitar skills). The Red Sox, Marlins, Reds, and Tigers are known to be in the market, so maybe the Indians can deal a catcher to fill another need. Those other needs: an infielder, a late inning reliever, and a starter.
• Hoynes believes the Indians will fall short of meeting the demands of free agents Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, and Rafael Furcal.
• Hoynes implies the asking price for one year of Brian Roberts is Fausto Carmona and Asdrubal Cabrera. That won't work for the Tribe; they are looking to add a starter. They might have the same problem if they try to acquire Garrett Atkins.
• As we've heard, the Indians are in on Huston Street.
• Hoynes tosses out a couple of possible free agent bargains that may come with the necessary price break: Joe Crede and Jason Isringhausen.

Yankees Rumors: Sabathia, Pettitte, Mussina

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [November 8 at 10:09am CST]

Some new Yankees rumors surfaced at Joe Torre's charity event in New York last night.

• Derek Jeter
  talked to C.C. Sabathia
  
  
  
  about what it's like to play for the Yankees but says he's not "trying to sell anyone on New York."
• 
  According to Newsday's Kat O'Brien
  
  
  
  , Andy Pettitte isn't looking for a long-term deal. He's waiting to hear from the Yankees, who know that "one year's fine" for Pettitte. Brian Cashman said this week
  he's looking to bring Pettitte back
  
  
  , and that was before Pettitte said he was looking for a one-year deal.
• 
  Peter Abraham has news
  
  
  on Mike Mussina. Mussina told Joe Girardi at the end of the season that he expected to retire.

Odds And Ends: Guerrero, Blue Jays, Reds

By Ben Nicholson-Smith

Links for Saturday...

• 
  J.P. Ricciardi has begun
  
  
  
  "exploring other things" in case the Jays can't bring back A.J. Burnett.
• The Angels
  aren't discussing
  
  
  
  a contract extension with Vladimir Guerrero yet.
• Edinson Volquez and Johnny Cueto are
  off-limits
  
  
  according to Walk Jocketty.
• The White Sox
  are interested in
  
  
  a 19-year-old Cuban third base prospect, Dayan Viciedo. Ken Williams, who has a history of acquiring Cuban players, may have the inside track on signing Viciedo.
• 
  The Astros signed
  
  
  a young international player of their own, Chia-Jen Lo. They announced Friday that they signed the 22-year-old Taiwanese righty to a minor league contract.
• 
  The Rockies added
  
  
  a 16-year-old Venezuelan pitcher, Alving Mejias.

Braves expected to pursue Burnett and Dempster

Posted on: November 10, 2008 4:06 pm

The
Braves

still believe they have the best offer out there for
Jake Peavy

, even as some people in baseball believe that the
Cubs

are the favorites to land the San Diego right-hander. But even as they try for Peavy, the Braves are also making plans to go after other starting pitchers.
That includes free-agent right-handers
A.J. Burnett


and
Ryan Dempster


, according to sources.
Burnett, who opted out of his contract with the
Blue Jays


, is expected to have many suitors. The
Yankees


, who have more money to spend than anyone else, are sure to be involved.
Dempster is believed to favor a return to the Cubs, who would like to keep their 17-game winner.
But the Braves are serious about upgrading their rotation, as general manager Frank Wren told my colleague Scott Miller at last week's GM meetings in California.
"We need a couple of starters," Wren said. "Maybe even more than that. I'd like to beef up our rotation. That's the area we've been known for."
Wren wouldn't talk specifics, but people who have talked to the Braves say that only
CC Sabathia


is definitely out of their price range. The Braves aren't interested in Ben Sheets, but sources said they will talk about any other free-agent starters.

Atlanta still has some work to do to catch up with the Philles, Marlins, and Mets.

What are their needs in the free-agent department?

Originally Posted by SabresRule

Atlanta still has some work to do to catch up with the Philles, Marlins, and Mets.

Agreed. The NL East is turning into a monster division.

What are their needs in the free-agent department?

IMO, their biggest need is starting pitching.

When was the last time THAT was said about the Braves??