Tag: MLB rumors (Page 8 of 11)

      Yankees optimistic about acquiring Burnett

      December 12, 2008 /

      Hal Steinbrenner says he’s optimistic about the Yankees’ chances of landing free agent pitcher A.J. Burnett.

      Steinbrenner is optimistic that he’ll soon add righthander A.J. Burnett to the team’s roster and payroll, he said yesterday. The Yankees have made Burnett a five-year, $80-million offer, and they’re waiting to hear back from him. The Braves also are in the mix, although it’s not clear whether Atlanta added a guaranteed fifth year to its package.

      “We’re interested in him and he’s interested in us,” Steinbrenner, the Yankees’ control person, said of Burnett in a telephone interview with Newsday. “Obviously, New York has a lot to offer, and playing for the Yankees is just a great thing.”

      Steinbrenner said he is “optimistic” about Burnett, though he qualified that by saying: “I’m always optimistic.”

      Well considering Steinbrenner has the ability to hand out $100 million contracts like they were Pez candy, why wouldn’t he always be optimistic? Landing Burnett and CC Sabathia in the same offseason would obviously go a long way in the Yankees’ plan to rebuild their starting rotation. And considering Burnett is already familiar with the division and league, his chances of being a free agent bust should be minimal.

      Fantasy Baseball, MLB

      Manny Ramirez threatens to retire

      December 12, 2008 /

      Upset that the offers aren’t pouring in for his services, free agent outfielder Manny Ramirez has apparently told friends that he’s willing to retire if he doesn’t get a deal soon.

      Manny RamirezNow, the truth is that Ramirez is highly unlikely to retire. But his dissatisfaction speaks to the lack of buzz that his free agency has generated, despite (or maybe because of?) his outstanding two-month stay with the Dodgers, which followed a highly contentious split with the Red Sox.

      The Dodgers offered Ramirez two years and $45 million and then pulled the offer once open free agency began. The Yankees have some interest in Ramirez but are unlikely to pursue him if they land another big starting pitcher – with A.J. Burnett the most likely target – in addition to CC Sabathia.

      The Nationals have been viewed as a potential landing site for Ramirez, yet for now, Washington is trying to acquire highly popular free agent Mark Teixeira.

      Ramirez told a friend that he spends most of his time working out, watching cartoons and playing video games. He’d much rather be speaking to his agent Scott Boras about high-stakes negotiations.

      Come on, Manny – buck up little guy. You’re 36, aren’t the best outfielder in the world and on top of that, you’re a freaking coconut. Every team would love to have your bat, but clubs aren’t going to rush to hand you a mega contract without thinking it over a few hundred times.

      This situation is the equivalent to a kid who’s upset that he’s not getting enough attention at his birthday party so he threatens to run away. Then all of the parents get together, make an effort to make him the center of attention and soon enough, the kid is back to playing with his friends.

      Fantasy Baseball, MLB

      Red Sox, Mark Teixeira getting closer to a deal?

      December 11, 2008 /

      According to FOX Sports.com’s Ken Rosenthal, the Boston Red Sox are inching closer to signing free agent Mark Teixeira.

      The Red Sox are making progress in their quest to sign free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, according to a major-league source.

      “Headway was being made earlier today,” one source said.

      A rival general manager whose plans could be affected by the Red Sox’s addition of Teixeira also indicated that a deal was getting closer.

      Teixeira is the Red Sox’s No. 1 offseason target. They view him as the perfect fit for the middle of their order.

      Teixeira is seeking a 10-year contract for at least $20 million per season. The Red Sox preference would be to sign him to a deal between six and eight years.

      With CC Sabathia taken, Teixeira is now the biggest prize on the free-agent market. He hit 33 home runs and had 121 RBIs as a member of the Braves and Angels last season. Teixeira has never hit less than 26 homers in his six major-league seasons.

      This would be a fantastic move for the Red Sox because they not only get a quality hitter, but a young quality hitter for the middle of their lineup. He might not have Manny Ramirez’s pop, but again, he’s younger and comes with less baggage.

      Conversely, this would be a huge blow for the Angels, who have made Teixeira their number one offseason target. The Orioles and Nationals have also shown interest in the first basemen, although it appears that the only real suitors for his services are the BoSox and Halos.

      Fantasy Baseball, MLB

      Dodgers offer Furcal 2-year deal to stay

      December 11, 2008 /

      The Los Angeles Dodgers have officially offered shortstop Rafael Furcal an incentive-laden two-year contract. Furcal, however, is seeking a four-year deal.

      Rafael FurcalThe Dodgers have offered the 31-year-old shortstop an incentive-laden contract that is guaranteed for two years and includes a vesting option for a third, according to sources familiar with the negotiations who were granted anonymity because they weren’t authorized to discuss the matter. Furcal is asking for a four-year deal.

      Furcal’s agent, Paul Kinzer, said Wednesday that the Dodgers are one of four finalists to sign his client. Kinzer said the other three — Oakland, Toronto and Kansas City — also have offers on the table and that Oakland’s is for four years.

      Kinzer says he expects Furcal to be signed by Christmas.

      Furcal can guarantee the third year of the contract with the Dodgers by accumulating a certain number of at-bats in the first two years, sources said.

      Considering Furcal is coming off an injury-riddled season, the Dodgers were wise to protect themselves with an incentive-laden deal. This is the second time L.A. has offered a quality free agent just a two-year deal (the first was Manny Ramirez), which again, is smart. They might not land either player because other teams will come to the table with more years, but at least they’re trying to protect themselves from getting burned on ridiculous guaranteed contracts that could kill their spending in the future.

      Fantasy Baseball, MLB

      Nobody wants Manny Ramirez?

      December 10, 2008 /

      Now that CC Sabathia is set to become a Yankee, the attention will start to turn to finding Manny Ramirez a home. According to YAHOO! Sports, there’s no market for Manny at this point.

      Manny RamirezThe Dodger offer, the only known offer, is for $45 million over two years.

      “Was for $45 million over two years,” one Dodgers executive corrected.

      It’s off the table, along with the third-year option that, if exercised, would have brought the contract’s worth to $60 million.

      The Dodgers are still in on Ramirez. Their offer could be reheated and reserved. But, they could in the coming days or weeks re-sign Furcal and find themselves up to their credit lines in Sabathia, and quickly turn away. So, what of the others out there?

      The Angels? Teixeira comes first, Sabathia second. Manny?

      “It’s not a likely scenario,” Angels GM Tony Reagins said. “We think there are opportunities we see that are more important at this time.”

      The Red Sox? Please.

      The Yankees? Sabathia first, then Burnett and Lowe, then more pitching, then Teixeira, then Manny. GM Brian Cashman believes nearly all the problems of recent seasons can be fixed on the mound. They could eventually turn to Manny, but it sounds like a distant priority.

      The Mets? GM Omar Minaya loves Manny. But he’s just added Francisco Rodriguez and he needs at least one starting pitcher and his owner is cutting payroll, not adding, say, $75 million over three years.

      I thought for sure that the Yankees would lose out on Sabathia and turn their attention to Manny, but obviously it’s a long shot that Ramirez winds up in the Bronx now. A potential sleeper candidate could be the San Francisco Giants. They’ve got plenty of pitching both at the big league level and in the minors, yet absolutely nothing in terms of bats. (Unless you consider Randy Winn, Bengie Molina and Aaron Rowand has heavy hitters.)

      Buuuuuuuuuut, I don’t know if the Giants will come up with the money. And compared to their needs in the infield, the Giants need another outfielder like Barry Bonds needs another federal charge filed against him. But if no market is established for Manny in the upcoming weeks, maybe the G-Men will make a move and finally get a true cleanup hitter back in the lineup.

      Fantasy Baseball, MLB

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