Hot Stove Rumors Thread

[Guest]

CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox haven't made a long-term contract offer to starter John Danks recently because they were rebuffed after multiple attempts not that long ago, a source told ESPNChicago.com Thursday.

The stalemate has increased the possibility that Danks could be traded, but indications are that the White Sox have not lost faith that a deal could be worked out with their left-hander.

With the possibility that Mark Buehrle will sign elsewhere and the sense that Danks is being aimed toward free agency next winter (he has one more year of arbitration remaining), the White Sox are keen on establishing some roster certainty moving forward.

General manager Kenny Williams said that some of his players have drawn considerable interest from other clubs, and Danks is believed to be high on that list.

Danks could get between $7 million and $8 million on a one-year deal through arbitration this offseason. With Buehrle about to make up to $14 million a season on the free-agent market, a pitcher with Danks' ability and experience at half the price would be considered a steal.

Because it's not a deep free-agent class for starting pitching this offseason, Danks could wind up pulling in an impressive package of players in a trade, including a starting pitcher with tons of upside. By trading Carlos Quentin to free up right field for Dayan Viciedo, the White Sox could land another haul of impressive young talent.

Williams gave indications at the general manager's meetings last month that the White Sox have a tentative plan to go toward youth in some areas, but had not yet committed to a direction for the offseason.

Call it a mini youth movement, though, because Paul Konerko isn't expected to be moved, and Adam Dunn and Alex Rios are just about impossible to move unless the White Sox eat a major portion of their contracts. A.J. Pierzynski is under contract for one more season and has the right to block a trade.

Williams has long valued pitching in both the draft and in trades, but other needs include second base and third base, in case Gordon Beckham and Brent Morel don't develop as planned.

http://espn.go.com/chicago/mlb/story...alks-stalemate

This could very well be an interesting trade market at the winter meetings. The trading market is so much better for starting pitchers than free agency, and quite a few teams are expected to make noise via trade.

[moneyman255]

Quite a bit of Brewers rumors today.

According to Sanspo (Japenese site) the Brewers are going to put a bid in on SS Hiroyuki Nakajima. He has hit .300 with 20+ HR's in Japan the past 4 years and plays a very good SS.

The Brewers are also interested in IF Jerry Hairston Jr, and IF Alex Gonzalez.

The Brewers have also inquired on 3B Aramis Ramierz and I guess it's down to the Angels, Brewers, and one other team.

The Brewers have also told agent Scott Boras that they could potentially go up to 6 years, 120 million on Fielder. Olney said they are very much in the race for Fielder unless a team offers 170+ for 6 years.

[Chrispy]

Marlins Agree To Terms With Heath Bell

The Marlins have agreed to terms with free agent closer Heath Bell, reports ESPN's Jayson Stark. The deal is worth $27MM over three years and it contains a vesting option for a fourth year worth $9MM. The contract is pending Bell passing a physical, which he will take tomorrow in Florida. Bell is represented by ACES.

Bell, 34, has been one of the top closers in baseball over the last three seasons, taking over from Trevor Hoffman as the Padres' stopper and recording a 2.36 ERA with 132 saves and 216 strikeouts in 202 1/3 innings. Bell did record a career-low 7.3 K/9 last season, however, so this deal (like any multiyear deal to a closer in his 30's) certainly carries some risk for Miami, especially since we don't know if their new stadium will be hitter- or pitcher-friendly.

The Padres had an interest in re-signing Bell but only to a two-year contract. Bell was a Type A free agent heading into the offseason, and under the old collective bargaining agreement, the Padres would've been entitled to a first-round compensation pick and the Marlins' second round pick (their first-rounder is protected). Under the new CBA, however, the Padres still get that first round compensation pick but the Marlins don't have to give up a draft pick for Bell. Instead, San Diego will receive the pick in the slot directly in front of the Marlins' second-round selection, so this means the Padres are slated to pick ninth overall in the second round. Miami retains its second round pick and just gets bumped down to the tenth selection of the second round.

Bell could be the first of several big signings by the Marlins, who have linked to such major free agents as Albert Pujols, Jose Reyes, C.J. Wilson and Mark Buehrle this offseason as the club looks to contend in its first season in its new stadium.

It was reported yesterday by Jim Bowden of MLB Network Radio that Bell was close to a deal with an unknown team. The Marlins were known to be Bell's most ardent suitors with the Blue Jays, Angels and Red Sox also mentioned as possible candidates. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports had the details on the amount of the vesting option (Twitter link).

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/12/marlins-agree-to-terms-with-heath-bell.html

[Warner2BruceTD]

So the Angels wanted Ryan Hanigan, but couldn't work anything out with the Reds, who would have resigned Ramon Hernandez had they traded Hanigan. Angels get Ianetta from the Rockies instead, and then the Rockies end up signing Hernandez, who the Reds were no longer interested in resigning once the Angles acquired Iannetta and the Hanigan trade went DOA.

Funny how that all works out and how the dominos fall into place. Had the Reds accepted a deal for Hanigan, Hanigan would have been an Angel, Hernandez would have likely come back to the Reds, and Iannetta would still be a Rockie.

[NAHSTE]

at signing a closer for $9 million a year, especially if your team is far from contention.

[Lanteri]

I don't think I'd classify the Marlins as "far" from contention.

[EmpireWF]

Jon Heyman says the Nationals are going to make a push for CJ Wilson, wanting to make a big splash.

[Leftwich]

Only three years ago Taylor Teagarden was part of a potentially bright catching future for the Texas Rangers.
As of Thursday, like the others, Teagarden is no longer part of the organization.
With two catchers entrenched on the major-league roster and with Teagarden out of options to the minor leagues, the Rangers dealt their former third-round draft pick to Baltimore.
The Rangers received minor-league right-hander Randy Henry and a player to be named for Teagarden, who was likely to be exposed to waivers in spring training so that the Rangers could get him to Triple A Round Rock.
Mike Napoli and Yorvit Torrealba, the Rangers' primary catchers in 2011, are under contract for 2012.
Teagarden's bat could never catch up with his solid defensive skills. The Carrollton Creekview High graduate, who played collegiately at Texas, has just a .220 career batting average in limited action since debuting in 2008 as part of the young catching mix with Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Max Ramirez.
Teagarden, who turns 28 this month, had only 19 hits in 105 at-bats the past two seasons.
Henry, an Oklahoma native who had committed to Texas Tech before injuring his elbow, pitched last season in the Carolina and South Atlantic leagues, where the Rangers field both of their Class A affiliates. Henry, 21, went a combined 4-3 with a 2.22 ERA in 29 games.
"There were a couple of clubs that expressed interest in Teagarden," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "Rather than getting to the end of spring training and having limited options at that point, we wanted to make the best baseball deal we could. It gives Taylor a major-league opportunity he didn't have here, and we add a very interesting young pitcher to our mix in Randy Henry. Quality scouting by our guys to identify him."
Cowboy Santas


Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/2011/12...#ixzz1fOnEQX1T

For anyone who doesn't wanna read that, C Taylor Tegarden was traded from the Rangers to the Orioles for P Randy Henry.

I guess he'll back up Wieters?

[NAHSTE]

I don't think I'd classify the Marlins as "far" from contention.

I don't think it's a good idea to spend $9 million per year on a closer either way.

[Woy]

I don't think it's a good idea to spend $9 million per year on a closer either way.

Jason Motte is making under 500k next season.

[Goober]

I don't think it's a good idea to spend $9 million per year on a closer either way.

Agreed, I'm against any large bullpen contract. It's just to easy to replace those guys. The difference between Heath Bell and whatever homegrown closer you can come up with is a lot less then 8.5 million.


The Dodgers gave Chris Capuano a 2 year/10 million deal. Good for Chris, but what a terrible deal.

[NAHSTE]

Jason Motte is making under 500k next season.

Same with Craig Kimbrel and Jonny Venters.

[Warner2BruceTD]

While I agree in theory in terms of paying closers, the Marlins are in a new stadium, and trying to make statements to other players that they are in the game and ready to spend & win. I don't have an issue with them throwing money around. It's not a Jayson Werth level absurd deal or anything (which was a deal made for similar 'we are on the map now' reasons).

[EmpireWF]

Marlins hoping to sign Reyes before the Winter Meetings.

[Guest]

For anyone who doesn't wanna read that, C Taylor Tegarden was traded from the Rangers to the Orioles for P Randy Henry.

I guess he'll back up Wieters?

We've already cut the two guys with catching experience on the 40 man roster, so that is our backup catcher for next season most likely. There was a mention on ESPN insider about Varitek, but somehow I doubt he would leave the Red Sox for a team like the Orioles.