The Rangers are making a major push for free-agent left-hander Barry Zito, major league sources say, and continue to negotiate with free-agent right-hander Vicente Padilla.

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Zito, 28, could end up with a six-year, $102 million deal, a $17 million average that no team, including the Mets, likely would match.

 

Padilla, 29, is expected to command a three-year deal in the $30 million to $33 range, though it's possible he could get a fourth year, especially if he bolts for another club.

 

The Rangers' rotation suddenly would look formidable if they signed both Zito and Padilla to go with free-agent right-hander Kevin Millwood.

 

Right-hander Robinson Tejeda likely would be the fifth starter, leaving one opening for a prospect such as left-hander John Danks or righty Eric Hurley.

 

At that point, the Rangers still would need a center fielder; free agent Kenny Lofton is one target, and the team has discussed a trade for the Mariners' Jeremy Reed.

 

The Rangers are also considering signing free agent Mike Piazza as a DH, a move that would become more likely if the A's made a strong push for Barry Bonds.

 

 

The Red Sox and Dodgers met late Sunday night to talk about Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez, but the Dodgers believe that a trade is a "longshot," according to major-league sources.

 

The Dodgers claim a deal for Manny Ramirez is a "longshot." (Stephen Dunn / Getty Images)

 

The timing of the discussion made sense; by convening at the outset of the winter meetings, the Dodgers figured to get an early gauge on whether a Ramirez trade would be feasible.

 

If the Dodgers do not acquire Ramirez, they figure to make strong bids for free-agent right-hander Jason Schmidt and outfielder Luis Gonzalez.

 

 

The Pirates have inquired about Braves first baseman Adam LaRoche, but are unlikely to part with the pitcher the Braves covet most, left-handed closer Mike Gonzalez.

If the Braves traded LaRoche, they most likely would go with Scott Thorman at first base next season.

 

 

The Marlins intend to pursue a trade for Devil Rays center fielder Rocco Baldelli, and they've got enough young pitching to make an enticing offer.

 

The Phillies still could add another starting pitcher, a move that would give them the flexibility to trade right-hander Jon Lieber, who has one year and $7.5 million left on his contract.

 

When assessing player acquisitions, many teams consider park factor, a calculation that compares the rate of stats in a club's home park to the rate of stats on the road.

The effects of Chase Field in Arizona last season are particularly noteworthy ? it went from a good hitter's park to an even better one.

 

For example, in acquiring right-hander Claudio Vargas from the Diamondbacks, the Brewers partly discounted that he allowed 27 homers last season, including 14 at home in 80 1/3 innings. Chase was the best home-run park in the majors; Milwaukee's Miller Park ranked 14th.

 

 

Luis Gonzalez's stats might be inflated in Arizona. (Jeff Gross / Getty Images)

 

Gonzalez is another interesting case.

 

Gonzalez had a slightly higher on-base/slugging percentage in 2005 than in '06, but his decline appears more precipitous when considering the impact of Chase. When adjusted for park factor, his OPS was 12 percent above the league average in '05, 3 percent below average in '06.

 

The Dodgers, Cardinals and Orioles are pursuing Gonzalez.

 

 

The Padres surprised rival clubs by offering salary arbitration to six free agents, including right-hander Chan Ho Park and outfielder Ryan Klesko.

The offers, however, were made with the condition that the players would not accept, according to a source with knowledge of the team's thinking.

 

The Padres, then, protected their rights to draft-pick compensation, a move that was immediately rewarded when free-agent outfielder Dave Roberts signed with the Giants.

 

For losing Roberts, a Type A free agent, the Padres will gain a second-round choice plus a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds.

 

The offers to left-hander Klesko, Park and left-hander Alan Embree, meanwhile, won't discourage other teams from signing those players; all are Type B free agents who would not cost their new teams draft picks. The Padres, however, would gain sandwich picks if they signed with other clubs.

 

Teams might resist signing infielder Todd Walker, a Type A free agent, knowing they would forfeit a draft pick. But the Padres probably don't mind shrinking Walker's market; they might want to keep him as their second baseman.

 

Left-hander David Wells, the final player to whom the Padres offered arbitration, also is a Type A free agent. The Padres stand the best chance of signing Wells if he returns next season; rival clubs probably won't want to lose a draft pick to sign a 43-year-old pitcher with a history of injuries.

 

 

Cubs outfielder Jacque Jones, guaranteed $4 million next season and $5 million in '08, is yet another example of a player who appeared to be overpaid in free agency last winter, and now looks reasonably priced.

The Cubs could end up trading Jones, especially if they sign Julio Lugo to play center field. Under that scenario, they probably would play Matt Murton in left and Alfonso Soriano in right, buying more time for top prospect Felix Pie.

 

Then again, if the Cubs traded Jones, they would need to replace his left-handed bat at a time when they're already looking for another left-handed hitter to complement Soriano, Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez.

 

Pie, 21, is a left-handed hitter.

 

 

The Nationals, embarking upon a rebuilding program, are busy collecting draft picks. They gained another one when they offered arbitration to outfielder Jose Guillen, anticipating that he was close to signing with the Mariners.

Including the two picks they will receive from Soriano signing with the Cubs, the Nats will have their own first-round pick ? the sixth overall selection ? plus two sandwich picks and two second rounders.

 

 

Rival general managers are skeptical of the Padres' claim that they plan to play Terrmel Sledge in left. The Padres are one of the teams interested in Barry Bonds, but ultimately they could sign a lesser free agent or make a trade for someone like the Brewers' Geoff Jenkins.

 

Admin O'Brien, the agent for free-agent left-hander Ted Lilly, says he plans to meet with Yankees GM Brian Cashman in Orlando.

The Yankees retain interest in Lilly even though they won the negotiating rights to Japanese left-hander Kei Igawa, who ultimately could end up in the bullpen.

 

The Cubs and Blue Jays also are vying for Lilly, and the Giants, Mariners and Rangers have expressed interest.

 

Ken Rosenthal is FOXSports.com's senior baseball writer.

 

 

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sure just depends on what is the price. His value keeps going up from the overpays but does does our youngins.

Do it.

 

If we're going to continue to play poor, we're working against the clock with Miggy and Dontrelle, at some point, Beinfest just needs to go for it. Can't waste 2007.

"doing it" for the wrong price would be an easy way to waste 2007.

 

Filling in one hole won't make us a better team if it puts a new hole in the rotation and one in the lineup.

"doing it" for the wrong price would be an easy way to waste 2007.

 

Filling in one hole won't make us a better team if it puts a new hole in the rotation and one in the lineup.

This team has more than enough depth to make up for trading someone like Ricky Nolasco for Rocco Baldelli.

 

 

 

Great pitching and defense wins you championships but if you don't have enough offense, the pitching and defense won't be enough, unless you are the Padres of course.

I could see a Rocco website filled with Chuck Norris facts already.

Go to this link:

 

How Tampa Bay Fans View Marlins starters and prospects

 

This is exhibit A why it's so hard to deal with the Rays. Believe me I understand 100% the fans don't make the trades but this is indicative of what the expectations are of the Devil Rays fan base that they are catering to. Someone made the comment the other day about how Baldelli is idolized there, and this is representative of their inflated view of what he's worth.

 

To give you a preview, Josh Johnson isn't good enough, it's either Olsen or Dontrelle or there's no deal...lolol. And our minor league system, well they have four or five prospects who are defintely better than anyone in our minor league system.

 

Yes, I'm picking up on some of the extreme posts but overall you see what the front office is dealing with in trying to placate their fans. The further we stay away from dealing with the Rays the better.

all fans are extreme

Go to this link:

 

How Tampa Bay Fans View Marlins starters and prospects

 

This is exhibit A why it's so hard to deal with the Rays. Believe me I understand 100% the fans don't make the trades but this is indicative of what the expectations are of the Devil Rays fan base that they are catering to. Someone made the comment the other day about how Baldelli is idolized there, and this is representative of their inflated view of what he's worth.

 

To give you a preview, Josh Johnson isn't good enough, it's either Olsen or Dontrelle or there's no deal...lolol. And our minor league system, well they have four or five prospects who are defintely better than anyone in our minor league system.

 

Yes, I'm picking up on some of the extreme posts but overall you see what the front office is dealing with in trying to placate their fans. The further we stay away from dealing with the Rays the better.

 

Oh come on now...front offices don't care about placating fans that much, especially down here. The front office will do what they view to be in the best interests of the team, letting fans run the team gets you the 2001-2004 Mets.

Perhaps I need to write "this is sarcasm" disclaimer before these types of posts.

 

I personally found it hilarious.

This team has more than enough depth to make up for trading someone like Ricky Nolasco for Rocco Baldelli.

 

Great pitching and defense wins you championships but if you don't have enough offense, the pitching and defense won't be enough, unless you are the Padres of course.

There is zero chance of a 1-1 trade for Nolasco - Baldelli. BTW, the purpose of trading for Baldelli (or any CF for that matter) would be to improve CF defensively, and any offense would be a bonus. And we don't (or shouldn't) need to sacrfiice our rotation to do it.

no it's not...if that was the point we'd trade for reed/taveras or just start Reed. Baldelli is the full package...to think we're trading him for defense is funny though

god i hope we dont trade for rocco...the reason we played leaps and bounds over our abiltiies last year was because we managed to stay fairly healthy...dont trade for guys with bad injury pasts

I'd trade Johnson for Baldelli 1 for 1...

 

And the majority of Marlins fans thank the lord that you're not our GM.

no it's not...if that was the point we'd trade for reed/taveras or just start Reed. Baldelli is the full package...to think we're trading him for defense is funny though

We were trying to make a deal for Taveras for quite some time (And I bet the FO would still take him if Houston wouldn't ask too much), and we did try playing Eric Reed until he became an unbareable black hole in the lineup w/ a sub 200 AVG. There is a reasonable limitation on the offensive expectations, but it's not the main focus. If it wasn't about defense we would've been platooning Borchard (vs RHP) w/ Cody (vs LHP), scoring an OPS around 800 with 23 HRs, etc etc. Defense is an issue in our park. Sure, we would like to get an Andruw Jones who can do it all, but defense is the bigger concern in CF for our team. Our offense was fine last season despite Hermida underperforming, Jacobs underperforming, and minimal offensive contributions from CF. If the first two are healthy and do well, the offense will be better than fine.

 

& I agree with Ultimopain on the last statement there. Thank God.

I'd trade Johnson for Baldelli 1 for 1...

 

But I don't think it'd get it done, it would be close though.

 

Agreed on both counts.

I'd trade Johnson for Baldelli 1 for 1...

 

But I don't think it'd get it done, it would be close though.

 

Agreed on both counts.

yessir

You guys would seriously trade JJ for Baldelli, no questions about it?

 

Considering Baldelli's injury history, I think that would be a stupid trade. Sure, we have great depth with our pitching, but imo you'd have to trade a package of prospects rather than a 'sure thing' like JJ... you can't underestimate the value of established, young starting pitching. If a package of Nolasco and Petit and another low arm wouldn't get it done, which it probably wouldn't, then it's not worth giving up what we'd have to.

You guys would seriously trade JJ for Baldelli, no questions about it?

 

Considering Baldelli's injury history, I think that would be a stupid trade. Sure, we have great depth with our pitching, but imo you'd have to trade a package of prospects rather than a 'sure thing' like JJ... you can't underestimate the value of established, young starting pitching. If a package of Nolasco and Petit and another low arm wouldn't get it done, which it probably wouldn't, then it's not worth giving up what we'd have to.

 

Only fools build a position of strength and then refuse to deal from it to address an area of weakness.

 

Not calling you a fool at all, but rather the premise that "we can't deal pitching" to be foolish. That, and JJ's ceiling isn't that high relative to the other guys here and the plethora of guys coming.

I'd trade Johnson for Baldelli 1 for 1...

 

And the majority of Marlins fans thank the lord that you're not our GM.

That's because the majority of Marlins fans are lobbying for Cliff Floyd to be our starting centerfielder.

Wow, I didn't think you could come up with something even more retarded to say. That was a suggestion from some random Joe Schmoe who's letter was answered in the mailbag. It's never even been discussed (or at least supported by anyone) on this board. So HTF do you come to the conclusion that the majority of Marlins Fans want Floyd?

 

Giving up one of the best pitchers in the league and our stopper last season for a guy who last season wasn't healthy enough to play 95 games makes no sense at all.

The Marlins NEED Rocco Baldelli! he is the best available option and unlike the Matt Kemp's and Chris Young's of the market, Baldelli has significant major league experience and is relatively cheap with a contract that has him making $26 million through 2011. The Devil Rays would be really enticed by a package of Ricky Nolasco, Sergio Mitre and another prospect or two.

 

P.S. What does it matter what D-Ray's fans think about our pitchers? It's only what their management thinks and they were scouting Nolasco and Mitre and really liked what they saw from those pitchers.

The Devil Rays would be really enticed by a package of Ricky Nolasco, Sergio Mitre and another prospect or two.

If only that were true...

Like I have written in the past, I think it would be foolish to trade Willis, Olsen, JJ or Anibal this year. Next year is a different story. I have serious concerns about Anibal and Olsen next year as it stands with the substantial jump in IP they made last season. And opinions differ on JJ's ceiling relative to the stable of arms the Marlins have. Even if totally healthy, I see Johnson putting up better numbers than both Olsen and Anibal in 2007.

 

But here is something completely different as far as a Rocco trade goes ? package Miguel Olivo with Nolasco and Jacobs in a trade to the D'Rays for Baldelli, Dioner Navarro and Edwin Jackson.

 

The pros and cons of trading Nolasco and Jacobs have been discussed ad nauseum, so I won't get into that. As far as trading Olivo goes, I see this as selling while his stock is high. As far as Navarro and Jackson go, both of their stocks have fallen substainally since their days of being top prospects. Navarro showed some regression at the plate last season and is, I believe, out of options. Also, opinions seem to differ on his defensive capabilities. While the Marlins would be taking a chance on Navarro considering his performance at the plate with the D'Rays last season, this switch hitting catcher is still only 22 years old. While not necessarily the Marlins catcher of the future, I think this is a gamble that the Marlins might want to look into taking. With Jackson, a former top SP prospect, could turn into a decent reliever for the Marlins if Kranitz can help improve his command.

wish chris young or matt kemp was on the market

PBC I'm with you on Josh Johnson, he showed me an awful lot last season. I wouldn't move him, Anibal, or Olsen unless it's absolutely necessary.

 

If Dontrelle becomes too expensive in another year or two, you've still got 3 solid pitchers to anchor the rotation. (plus whoever else can make the jump)