Ichiro is a marketing dream for any team

Mets Visit Wagner

November 4, 2005 -- The Mets cannot offer Billy Wagner a contract yet, but they are doing just about everything else they can do right now to show the star closer their interest.

The latest step in Wagner's recruitment came on Wednesday, when several Met executives traveled to Virginia to meet with Wagner at his home, according to a person familiar with the meeting.

 

The meeting included Mets GM Omar Minaya, as well as assistant GM John Ricco and special assistant Tony Bernazard. Wagner was there with his wife and his agent, Bean Stringfellow. The meeting was introductory and lasted several hours.

 

With their aggressive recruiting so far of Wagner, the Mets apparently are trying to follow the same strategy they used last offseason with Carlos Beltran. Last winter, the Mets called Beltran's agent every day for over a month. They also met with Beltran in Puerto Rico. Eventually, Beltran signed.

 

 

http://www.nypost.com/sports/mets/30679.htm

Reds hire dent

 

Updated: Nov. 4, 2005, 4:58 PM ET

Reds name Dent bench coachAssociated Press

 

 

CINCINNATI -- Bucky Dent was hired Friday as bench coach of the Cincinnati Reds, making him the top assistant to close friend Jerry Narron.

 

Dent, 53, worked with Narron for seven years as a Texas coach before he returned to managing in the minors. Dent managed Kansas City's Triple-A Omaha club in 2002 and the New York Yankees' Triple-A team in Columbus for the last three seasons.

 

"I've been with the Yankees a long time and worked with some really good people, but I felt that this was an opportunity to get back to the big leagues," Dent said during a telephone interview.

 

In addition to hiring Dent, the Reds renewed the contracts of hitting coach Chris Chambliss, bullpen coach Tom Hume, pitching coach Vern Ruhle, third base coach Mark Berry, first base coach John Moses and bullpen catcher Mike Stefanski.

 

Narron was the bench coach for Dave Miley, who was fired last June when the Reds were headed for their fifth straight losing season. Narron took over on an interim basis, then in the final week of the season received a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2007.

 

Dent went 36-53 as the Yankees manager during parts of the 1989-90 seasons. He was third base coach for St. Louis from 1991-94 before joining the Rangers staff.

 

"I felt it would be a real good fit to go someplace and be with him," Dent said. "We spent seven years together talking baseball in the Rangers organization. I really enjoyed it."

Wagner Could Be a Met in Days

http://www.newsday.com/sports/printedition...ny-sports-print

 

The Mets are ready to beat any offer for Billy Wagner. And with the Phillies already preparing contingency plans in case they lose their free-agent closer, there is a sense that the whole process will be wrapped up quickly. It could be completed in a matter of days after the exclusive window for teams to negotiate with their own free agents closes Thursday.

 

The Phillies have until that time to lock up Wagner before any other team can talk salary figures with him, but he has stated his desire to test the market. With as many as 16 teams seeking a closer, Wagner, a lefthander who hits 100 mph on the radar gun, can set the terms.

 

One person familiar with the situation said Friday that Wagner could push for as many as four years, at a minimum of $10 million per year. Wagner has the benefit of supply-and-demand in his favor, but there are few clubs that will push that envelope. Count the Mets among them.

The Tigers have already contacted AJ Burnett. Will more than likely offer something when the chance arises...don't know if he is serious about Detroit though.

With the Mets set to throw a bunch of money at Billy Wagner, the Phillies have been in contact with free agents B.J. Ryan, Bob Wickman, Tom Gordon and Bob Howry.

Ugueth Urbina is unlikely to return, so the Phillies would look outside the organization if they needed to replace Wagner. They're still hopeful they'll be able to keep him. Nov. 6 - 1:18 pm et

Rotoworld says Yankees contacted Brian Giles' agent... I can't see them not resigning Matsui

Rotoworld says Yankees contacted Brian Giles' agent... I can't see them not resigning Matsui

 

That would be nuts of them, unless Sheffield really is on the block.

 

But I wouldnt be sad to see Matsui go, I feared that guy more then anyone in your lineup not named Gary last year.

Reds decline options on Aurillia, Ortiz

 

http://frontier.cincinnati.com/blogs/spring/

 

The Reds and Rich Aurilia have mutually agreed to decline his $2 million option for 2006. The Reds have also declined their $4.55 million option on Ramon Ortiz, though he remains arbitration-eligible. Barring something completely unforeseen, I imagine they'll non-tender Ortiz by December.

 

I also saw it on ESPNEWS.

 

 

Should be interesting to see what we do with both of spots. At 2B do we give Freel the job, do we sign a FA, or do we see if Bergolla is ready for the job?

 

And Homer is going to be in MLB camp next year, he may take Ortiz's spot.

 

I do not agree or disagree with the Aurillia move if we feel Bergolla is ready, but I would not rely on Freel because it seems that he can't stay healthy. The Ortiz move was ovbious.

 

Hopefully Richie comes back home

 

I thought you wanted the Giants to improve?

Aurilia>>>>> Deivi Cruz, and that's who he'd be replacing

Jocketty expects activity earlier

 

 

 

When Major League Baseball's general managers convene today at the Hyatt Grand Champions Resort in Indians Wells, Calif., Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty is expected to be among those looking to serve as a catalyst rather than waiting to react.

 

In need of at least one starting outfielder, a bullpen makeover, a regular second baseman and even a tweak of the starting rotation, Jocketty intends to meet with numerous members of his fraternity to gauge the climate.

 

Jocketty predicted Sunday that transactions "will happen earlier" this year because of a relatively thin crop of free agents. With outfielder Reggie Sanders, second baseman Mark Grudzielanek and former 22-game winner Matt Morris no longer under control and few free agent alternatives to replace them, the Cardinals and numerous others probably will be more aggressive earlier in the process.

 

"Most trades are driven by the free agent market, but since this isn't a strong market, I think we'll see things happening sooner than in the past couple years," Jocketty projected before trying to calm any raging expectations. "I don't see anything happening in the next couple weeks. We're making contacts. This will be a good week to see what's available."

 

The Cardinals are among those teams interested in the availability of Los Angeles Angels outfielders Steve Finley and Darin Erstad in addition to the Cincinnati Reds' Austin Kearns and Adam Dunn.

 

Accompanied at the meetings by assistant GM John Mozeliak and vice president for player personnel Jerry Walker, Jocketty also confirmed the club's interest in free agents Brian Giles and Jacque Jones.

 

Jocketty and Giles' agent, Joe Bick, have spoken since the filing period began; however, a club may not make a formal offer to free agents other than its own until Thursday. A lefthanded-hitting right fielder who has averaged 100 RBIs the last seven seasons, Giles, 35, represents a natural replacement for Admin Walker. Giles also promises to be one of the market's most expensive position players at a juncture when general partner Bill DeWitt Jr. has pledged to maintain payroll at its current level, about $90 million.

 

"There is interest from both parties. He's interested in our club, and we're interested in him," Jocketty said. "The question is what it's going to cost. I'm not sure where that is yet."

 

[More in URL]

 

My Thoughts:

Brian Giles :deal

Jacque Jones :mischief

Austin Kearns :no

Adam Dunn :evil

Steve Finley :fyou

Darin Erstad :headscratch

 

And I'd also like to see Grudzielanek back for one or two more years. Nothing more.

AJ Burnett:

Agent Darek Braunecker told ESPN Insider Jerry Crasnick that A.J. Burnett is looking for a five-year contract. Braunecker and his partner, Mark Rodgers, plan to travel to the general managers' meetings in Indian Wells, Calif., next week to meet with prospective suitors.

 

Burnett went 0-4 with a 5.93 ERA in September on the way to a 12-12 finish with Florida this past season, but interest remains high in a weak market for free-agent starters. "I can tell you, 70 percent of the teams in baseball have contacted us about A.J.," Braunecker said. "It's certainly nice to be him right now."

 

Burnett came away impressed after a visit to Toronto, during which he met with Blue Jays officials and ace starter Roy Halladay. Former Jays pitcher Pat Hentgen even drove up from Michigan to help with the recruiting effort. But Braunecker said the process is "wide open," and it's too early to label Toronto the frontrunner.

 

Burnett plans to visit selected cities where there's an interest -- Seattle, for instance. But he expects to take a more low-key approach to free-agency than former teammate Carl Pavano, who parlayed a nationwide tour into a four-year, $40 million deal with the Yankees last winter.

Brian Giles

There's been speculation that Giles, a California native, wants to stay on the West Coast, but agent Joe Bick said the outfielder's main objective is signing with a team that has a chance to be a postseason contender for the duration of his next contract.

 

"We have said if the right deal can be done with the Padres, Brian would like to stay there," Bick told ESPN.com Insider Jerry Crasnick. "But at this point in time there's nothing to make us believe that's the case."

 

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that the Padres offered Giles a three-year deal for more than $21 million. Bick said the dollar figure was higher than the newspaper's report, but added that the Padres rescinded their offer a few days after the World Series.

 

Giles has made 646 career starts in left field, 402 in right field and 300 in center. His ability to play center field makes him a potential fit for both the Red Sox and Yankees. But many baseball people think the frontrunner is St. Louis, which tried to trade for him this season and has a pressing need for a left-handed hitting outfielder with the pending retirement of Admin Walker.

Source: ESPN Insider

Steve Finley :fyou

Darin Erstad :headscratch

 

 

That sure would make my day if we could dump Finley and Erstad on the Cardinals though they both only have 1 year left on their contracts..........

:arms

 

Then we could trade for Delgado or sign Konerko for 1B and play Figgins in CF.

Manny To Mets Talks Back On?

The Mets not only have interest in trading for Manny Ramirez, they also believe that the Red Sox outfielder has interest in playing for them.

 

Recent reports have suggested that Ramirez does not want to play in New York and prefers to play for Anaheim, Arizona or Cleveland. A baseball source, however, said yesterday that the Mets have received indication that reports of Ramirez not wanting to play too close to his hometown may have been a smokescreen aimed at diverting attention from the Mets? pursuit. Ramirez does have veto rights over any deal, so his consent is key.

 

The Red Sox and Mets spoke at the trading deadline this past July about both a two- and three-team deal, the third team being the Devil Rays. Now, the Mets are believed to be ready to deal directly with the Sox.

 

The centerpiece of the deal, coming from the Mets? side, would be center fielder Mike Cameron and two of the following three prospects: outfielder Lastings Milledge and right-handers Aaron Heilman and Yusmeiro Petit.

 

The Red Sox have not indicated whether they wish to trade Ramirez, but word leaked out last month that he had told owner John Henry that he wanted to be traded or else he would not report to spring training.

 

A trade for Cameron would certainly seem to rule out a return for Red Sox free agent center fielder Johnny Damon. Cameron will make $6 million next season, with the Mets holding a club option worth $7 million, or a $500,000 buyout, in 2007.

 

Ramirez is owed close to $60 million over the next three seasons.

 

If this particular trade with the Mets were to materialize, the Red Sox would still have to find a cleanup hitter to try to replace Ramirez? prodigious production.

 

Ramirez batted .292 last season with 45 home runs and 144 RBI in 152 games. He was second in the league in RBI behind teammate David Ortiz.

 

Cameron batted .273 with 12 homers and 39 RBI in only 76 games last year. He missed a good part of the season after a horrific outfield collision.

http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view...rticleid=111103

 

From Gordon Edes Blog:

I think you can pretty much cross Anaheim off Manny's list.

 

I just learned in the last couple of minutes that the Angels are under the assumption that Manny doesn't want to DH, and neither does Garret Anderson, so where do you play him?

 

I'm telling you right now, one of Manny's better friends on the team told me after the World Series that he thinks Manny is staying. The new GM will have to sort that one out.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/reds...as/extra_bases/

Yankees decline option on Martinez

 

 

By MIKE FITZPATRICK

AP Baseball Writer

 

 

NEW YORK ? (AP) ? The Yankees let Tino Martinez go Tuesday, declining their $3 million option on the popular first baseman.

 

Martinez returned to New York this year and hit .241 in part-time duty with 17 home runs and 49 RBIs. He was a staple in the Yankees' lineup from 1996-01, helping the team to four World Series championships and five AL pennants with his clutch hitting and reliable defense.

 

Always a fan favorite at Yankee Stadium, he was brought back to provide insurance at first base for slugger Jason Giambi, who was coming off a 2004 season wrecked by illness and injury. And Martinez did his job, going on an early home run tear while Giambi was still struggling, a big reason the Yankees were able to recover from an 11-19 start to win their eighth consecutive AL East title.

 

But Giambi, now healthy, found his stroke as the summer wore on, pushing Martinez to the bench most games. Often used as a defensive replacement, the two-time All-Star finished with 303 at-bats in 131 games.

 

Martinez, who will turn 38 next month, went 0-for-8 in the first round of the playoffs against the Los Angeles Angels, and the Yankees were eliminated in five games.

 

He is a .271 career hitter with 339 homers and 1,271 RBIs in 16 major league seasons.

 

Martinez gets a $250,000 buyout and becomes a free agent. His salary was $2.75 million last season.

Tigers will make pitch for Morris

"It will probably be Cardinals right-hander Matt Morris. The Tigers could reasonably expect to sign him for two years at $10 million to $12 million. They might also consider trading for Arizona right-hander Javier Vazquez, who wants a change of venue, and whose contract ($24 million through 2007) would be something of a wash if Pudge Rodriguez were part of the deal." [More]

 

Jays unlikely to land Giles

"The Jays have an interest in outfielder Brian Giles when teams are allowed to make offers free-agents on Friday, however, St. Louis Cardinals seem a likely destination." [More]

 

Cards free agents play waiting game

"The Cards have sights set on Brian Giles and are trolling for both bullpen booster shots and trades, though reliever Ray King said Tuesday he would like to remain a Cardinal, easing off his comments that expressed a wish to be traded. "Hopefully, I am back in St. Louis," King said Tuesday. "I talked to my agent, I talked to Walt and it's just like this - I plan to get ready, drop a few lbs. (pounds) and on Feb. 14 or Feb. 15 hopefully I'll be heading to Jupiter. I never went to Walt and said I wanted to be out of there. Walt understands. He told my agent they weren't looking to trade me". "The feel I get from the Cardinals is they have interest in Matt," Axelrod said. There are a lot of reasons for him to stay there - family considerations, he's been very successful in St. Louis - lots of reasons to stay. The issue for us is will there be a team or two that come in and knock our socks off with an offer? Is it that something we can then talk about with the Cardinals?" [More]

Theo and Ripken to the Nats?

 

http://www.dcexaminer.com/articles/2...01_coljdub.txt

 

 

Quote:

WILLIAMS: Local owners, Theo and Cal, oh my

 

Wednesday, November 9, 2005 1:24 AM EST

Jim Williams

Examiner Coumnist

 

It appears the Nats will have local ownership after all and two well-known names could be headed to D.C. to take over the baseball side of things.

 

Sources close to both Major League Baseball and Wall Street have confirmed the ownership bid of Jeffery Smulyan is in trouble. It?s not because he lacks money or support inside MLB. Rather, Smulyan has been unable to win key friends in D.C.

 

 

Smulyan?s public push for the team had him in Washington more often then some members of Congress. But he failed to convince key local government members he is the right guy to own the Nationals.

 

That puts the Fred Malek/Jeffery Zients group back in front, though the quiet but impressive Lerner family group has made up a great deal of ground in the last three weeks. Some baseball insiders are saying the Lerners have passed Smulyan and are gaining ground on Malek/Zients. The Lerner family is low-key but powerful, just what MLB owners love.

 

 

 

Speculation persists as to who will run the team once the sale is consummated. Well, it looks very likely that former Red Sox architect Theo Epstein will become the next general manager. The odds-on favorite to be team president? Some guy named Cal Ripken.

 

Sources inside baseball with knowledge of the two remaining local ownership groups claim both have been in touch with Epstein and Ripken. However, it?s not a package deal. It just seems to be working out that they will be together in D.C.

 

Having Ripken as team president would be a huge help in the cable deal as a spokesman for Comcast. The fact he is loved in D.C., combined with his ability to market the team, makes him a must hire. The Malek/Zients and the Lerner family groups both know Ripken is the perfect choice for that position.

 

 

 

This past Sunday, newspapers in both Boston and New York reported that there is an 85 percent or better chance the team of Epstein and Ripken will be part of the Nationals new front office.

 

But where does that leave incumbent Nats General Manager Jim Bowden, who recently signed a six-month contract extension? He is considered a real contender for the open GM jobs with the Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers.

 

My how things have changed.

 

If MLB would have sold the team at the All-Star break it is likely that Malek/Zients would have won the battle for the Nationals.

 

Then we heard Labor Day was going to be the sale date. If so, the winner would have been Jeff Smulyan.

 

Now we are looking for the sale to happen this month. Some say it is a dead heat between Malek/Zients and the Lerner family.

 

Whichever group wins has a lingering issue to tackle. You may recall the Mid-Atlantic Sports Network?

 

Well, there is still no deal with Comcast, no meetings are scheduled and MASN?s only programming is Nationals baseball. So the first items of business for the new owners are to jumpstart the cable deal while expanding the radio network.

 

We still want our Nats TV.

Meet me in St. Louis: Alfonso or Bret?

"Boone, 36, met with the general managers of the Cardinals and Royals, two teams that need second basemen. The Cardinals, progressing slowly in their negotiations with free agent Mark Grudzielanek, also have talked to the Rangers about a possible deal for second baseman Alfonso Soriano. The Cubs' signing of free-agent Neifi Perez to a two-year, $5 million contract is one reason the Cardinals are at an impasse with Grudzielanek, who is superior to Perez offensively." [More]

Who are they wanting to give up for Soriano?

Who are they wanting to give up for Soriano?

 

 

That's a good question.. I havent heard anything of the speculation, just know that the Cards have talked to Texas about Alfonso (And I've heard this from a person other than Rosenthal!).. All I know is it would probably have to include Reyes :thumbdown

Who are they wanting to give up for Soriano?

 

 

That's a good question.. I havent heard anything of the speculation, just know that the Cards have talked to Texas about Alfonso (And I've heard this from a person other than Rosenthal!).. All I know is it would probably have to include Reyes :thumbdown

 

texas goals are :

 

Pitching

Pitching

Pitching

Salary Relief

Pitching

Lyle Overbay

Brewers GM Doug Melvin said there was a "good level of interest" in Overbay among other clubs at the GM meetings in Indian Wells, Calif.

 

The Brewers have the luxury of fielding offers for Overbay, who hit .276 with 19 homers and 72 RBI this season, now that top prospect Prince Fielder is closing in on a big-league job. But Melvin told ESPN.com Insider Jerry Crasnick that the Brewers aren't averse to having Fielder begin next season in Triple-A ball.

 

"There have been some pretty interesting proposals (for Overbay)," Melvin said, "but nothing to take me over the edge yet. I think there's a high percentage of chance that he'll be back with us."

Nomar

The Dodgers planned to speak to Arn Tellem, the agent for shortstop Nomar Garciaparra, before the end of the GM meetings, the Los Angeles Times reports. Garciaparra is unlikely to return to the Cubs in 2006 but would be willing to play third base for the Dodgers.

 

Both of those are ESPN Insider articles, also the White ox have offered Konerko a 13 million dollar a year for 4 years deal....... :plain

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/spor...712_mari10.html

 

"The Mariners have made their first official contact with the agent for Japanese catcher Kenji Jojima, and a visit to Seattle by Jojima appears likely..."

 

"Jojima, 29, has been an All-Star for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, averaging .299 with 30 homers and 100 runs batted in the past seven seasons. He was recently awarded his seventh consecutive Gold Glove award."

 

"...the Mariners are among a half-dozen clubs to express interest in Jojima"

Who are they wanting to give up for Soriano?

 

 

That's a good question.. I havent heard anything of the speculation, just know that the Cards have talked to Texas about Alfonso (And I've heard this from a person other than Rosenthal!).. All I know is it would probably have to include Reyes :thumbdown

 

I could see Marquis/Reyes/Bo Hart? for Soriano, and then the Cards signing someone like Aaron Sele to take the final rotation spot.

According to one executive, the Phillies discussed a trade that would have sent rightfielder Bobby Abreu to the Toronto Blue Jays for centerfielder Vernon Wells. The Jays, who are looking for a corner outfielder, turned thumbs down on the proposed deal because Abreu is owed at least $31 million over the next two seasons.

 

Philadelphia Inquirer

According to one executive, the Phillies discussed a trade that would have sent rightfielder Bobby Abreu to the Toronto Blue Jays for centerfielder Vernon Wells. The Jays, who are looking for a corner outfielder, turned thumbs down on the proposed deal because Abreu is owed at least $31 million over the next two seasons.

 

Philadelphia Inquirer

 

That sounds like a move that makes sense. Well is not quite the hitter Abreu is, but he makes up for some of that with his D, combine that with unloading Abreu's salary, it makes sense for both teams.