November 11, 200322 yr WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Alex Rodriguez Rangers Red Sox Orioles? Angels? Yankees? Nov. 11 - Newsday is reporting the Rangers, Red Sox and Angels have discussed a possible blockbuster three-team trade that would send Rodriguez to Boston, Red Sox shortstop Nomar Garciaparra to Anaheim and Angels shortstop David Eckstein and a few pitchers to Texas. Texas would rid itself of A-Rod's contract, which with seven years and $189 million remaining has become an albatross. Boston would get arguably the game's best player and avoid having to worry about re-signing both Garciaparra and Pedro Martinez while still paying Manny Ramirez his albatross of a contract. And Anaheim would get a significant upgrade at shortstop. However, A-Rod's contract includes a no-trade clause, so he'd have to approve any deal, and the Rangers likely would have to agree to cover a portion of his salary. Even the Red Sox couldn't afford to pay both Rodriguez and Ramirez, so something would have to give. And while previous reports listed Boston, Anaheim, Baltimore and the Yankees as teams A-Rod might agree to play for, those same reports indicated the Rangers don't want to eat any of his contract, and Scott Boras, Rodriguez's agent, won't restructure the deal to facilitate a trade. THE TEAM CANDIDATES THE SKINNY Red Sox Manager T.Francona G.Hoffman J.Maddon Nov. 10 - The Red Sox will interview Angels bench coach Joe Maddon this week at the GM meetings in Phoenix, according to the Orange County Register. Earlier, Angels pitching coach Bud Black declined to interview for the position. Oakland A's bench coach Terry Francona and Dodgers third-base coach Glenn Hoffman, an infielder with the Red Sox from 1980-87 already have interviewed. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Andy Pettitte Yankees Yankees Astros Red Sox Nov. 10 - The Astros and Red Sox are among the teams expected to try and pry Pettitte from the Yankees in free agency. Astros GM Gary Hunsicker has said, "I can't imagine there's any team in baseball that wouldn't want to have Andy Pettitte pitching in their rotation. We certainly intend to look into the issue and explore things." The Red Sox, too, are expected to pursue Pettitte, but reports say re-signing the lefthander is New York's top offseason priority. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Ivan Rodriguez Marlins Marlins Orioles Nov. 10 - Florida plans to make an offer this week to retain Rodriguez, reports the Palm Beach Post, but team officials haven't received a final budget projection from ownership yet and aren't certain of their chances of keeping their MVP. Scott Boras, Rodriguez's agent, has mocked the idea of a "hometown discount," and reports have circulated that the 32-year-old catcher will seek a five-year, $50 million contract. He made $10 million on a one-year deal with the Marlins last season, with $7 million of that deferred and still unpaid. Florida is said to be pondering a two-year offer as a starting point. Baltimore, which made a strong push to sign Rodriguez last offseason, is said to be interested again, but reports say the Orioles are more likely to target a second-tier catcher than possibly overpay for Pudge. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Richie Sexson Brewers Diamondbacks Dodgers Nov. 10 - Brewers GM Doug Melvin told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel he hasn't been ordered to trade Sexson or outfielder Geoff Jenkins, but the reality is the team likely cannot afford to keep both players and still remain under its projected salary budget for 2004. The paper reports the D-Backs have dangled a package for Sexson that could include three or more players from among a group that includes infielder Junior Spivey, first baseman Lyle Overbay, outfielder Danny Bautista, pitchers John Patterson and Oscar Villarreal and catcher Chad Moeller. Sexson is scheduled to make $8.6 million next season, then become a free agent. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY A.J. Pierzynski Twins Padres Nov. 10 - The Twins are facing a big-time budget crunch and need to trim payroll to have a shot at re-signing guys like Eddie Guardado, LaTroy Hawkins and Shannon Stewart. With Joe Mauer waiting in the wings, there is speculation the Twins could elect to trade Pierzynski, who is eligible for arbitration and will earn a significant raise over the $365,000 he earned last season. If Minnesota does elect to shop Pierzynski, San Diego will be among those interested. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Curt Schilling Diamondbacks Yankees Phillies Nov. 10 - Despite reports that Yankees' owner George Steinbrenner has directed his staff to make a run at Schilling, the D-Backs right-hander says he would "probably not" waive his no-trade clause and approve such a deal. Instead, he likes the idea of becoming a free agent after this, the final season on his current contract. "As a free agent, you go and sign where you want to go," Schilling said. Previously, reports indicated the Phillies might pursue a trade for Schilling. The Delaware County Times reported in early October that Phillies GM Ed Wade has hinted he would be OK with trading prospects for an accomplished veteran, and the paper floated the names Chase Utley and Brandon Duckworth as possible trade candidates. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY David Wells Yankees Yankees Padres Nov. 10 - The Padres are the popular early pick as Wells' destination, and San Diego might be interested. "We're looking for a veteran arm and David could be a good option," Padres' GM Kevin Towers said. Wells is a San Diego native. Of course, the possibility remains that the Yankees will re-sign Wells. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Freddy Garcia Mariners Red Sox Nov. 10 - Reports at the July 31 trading deadline had the Red Sox offering Trot Nixon to the Mariners for Garcia, and the Boston Herald reports that deal might be under consideration again. In July, Seattle reportedly wanted Bill Mueller instead of Nixon, and the Red Sox declined. Now, though, the Ms might reconsider Nixon. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Vladimir Guerrero Expos Orioles Yankees Nov. 10 - Now that they have a manager in Lee Mazzilli, the Orioles are turning their attention to the free-agent market, and the Baltimore Sun reports their primary target will be Guerrero rather than an ace pitcher. The Yankees are expected to make a run at the Expos' rightfielder, as well, although there have long been questions about Guererro's ability to handle, or interest in dealing with, the New York spotlight. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Kazuo Matsui Seibu Lions Orioles Mets Mariners Dodgers Angels? Nov. 10 - While a number of reports indicate the Mariners are all but certain to land Matsui, the Orioles also plan to make a serious bid for the player thought to be the next Japanese sensation. The Mets, meanwhile, hope to be able to convince Matsui to switch to second base and team with young shortstop Jose Reyes to anchor the middle infield. Matsui has decided to take a shot at playing in the U.S., telling the Seibu Lions he's going to test free agency in the U.S. The seven-time Japanese All-Star batted .305 with 33 homers and 84 RBI this season. Who is Kazuo Matsui? WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Luis Castillo Marlins Marlins Yankees Mets Nov. 10 - Told the Yankees were targeting Castillo, Marlins' president David Samson told the Palm Beach Post the team was "putting together an offer for Luis, and we think it is an offer that will be reasonable and good. I can't control what other teams do. Now if it looks like someone is going to sign Luis to three years for $10 million a year, congratulations. That's great for him." Castillo earned $4.85 million last season, and the bidding for his services could very easily price the Marlins out of the market. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Robin Ventura Dodgers Rockies Pirates Nov. 10 - The Rockies are expected to pursue Ventura or Vinny Castilla to play third base, according to the Rocky Mountain News, but will delay signing either player until after Dec. 7. That's the deadline for teams to offer arbitration to their eligible free agents, and Colorado wants to avoid having to surrender compensatory draft picks for signing a Type A free agent. Pittsburgh is another possible suitor. The Pirates are in the market for both a first baseman and third baseman, and Ventura would offer them the flexibility of being able to play both positions. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Preston Wilson Rockies Mets Nov. 10 - The Mets are believed to be interested in acquiring Wilson, whom the Rockies acknowledged last week they would make available under the right circumstances, according to the Denver Post. Wilson hit 36 home runs and drove in 141 runs last season, his first in Colorado, and the Mets are seeking a center fielder. However, the Rockies indicated they would have to be overwhelmed by an offer in order to deal Wilson, and it's unclear if New York would have enough to offer in return. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Rafael Palmeiro Rangers Yankees Nov. 10 - Reports out of New York indicate the Yankees could be targeting Palmeiro to serve as a DH and back-up to Jason Giambi at first base in the event the team winds up trading Nick Johnson for pitching. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Reggie Sanders Pirates Devil Rays Nov. 10 - Sanders is not likely to re-sign with the Pirates after completing his one-year contract with 31 homers and 87 RBI in 130 games, according to the Beaver County Times. But the Devil Rays have been mentioned as a possibly Sanders suitor ever since they declared their intention not to pursue a marquee outfielder like Gary Sheffield. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY J.T. Snow Giants Pirates Nov. 10 - Cut loose by the Giants, who declined to pick up his $6.5 million option, Snow might find a home in Pittsburgh. The Beaver County Times reports the Pirates have begun investigating what interest the 35-year-old first baseman might have in coming to Pittsburgh. WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY Joe Randa Royals Royals Pirates Nov. 10 - The Pirates are also said to be exploring the feasibility of bringing Randa to Pittsburgh. The Royals have said they don't plan to offer the third baseman arbitration, but they intend to try to re-sign him. The 33-year-old Randa, spent the 1997 season with the Pirates.
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