Hot Stove Rumors Thread

[ThomasTomasz]

Not much concrete here, but it looks like the White Sox are definitely going to be sellers.

Do the Orioles have a chance to land Gavin Floyd or Carlos Quentin from the Chicago White Sox?

Absolutely. Or maybe not at all. It really depends on whom you ask.

The sides have definitely talked -- and there is no question the Orioles would love to bring Floyd, a Mount St. Joseph alum, back to Baltimore. They also would be a decent fit for outfielder Carlos Quentin, whom the White Sox would consider moving to make room for Dayan Viciedo.
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But there are some conflicting signals coming out of Chicago.
The White Sox traded their closer (Sergio Santos) today for a minor league pitcher (Nestor Molina) who wasn’t even on Baseball America’s Top 30 list in the Toronto Blue Jays’ organization last year.

So that’s a sure sign that the White Sox are in seller mode.

But earlier today, their GM, Kenny Williams, told reporters that although this may be the start of rebuilding, he expects to hold on to his veteran pitchers -- Floyd and John Danks -- because the offers from other teams just aren’t good enough.

Maybe that’s posturing. Maybe that’s his stance.

But the truth is the Orioles don’t have much to give up. The White Sox want to get younger and cheaper, and the Orioles don’t seem to want to unload any of their young pitching except maybe Brad Bergesen, whose name apparently has been floated around the Hilton Anatole.

So they are likely one of the teams that simply haven’t offered enough.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/...-white-sox-20111206,0,2930965.story?track=rss

 

[Obst]

Please Brewers, sign J-Roll to his 5 year deal. I rather have Furcal and Ramirez here.

 

[Swarley]

Red Sox have discussed Scutaro and Lowrie with multiple clubs.

Rangers offer to CJ believed to be around $60 mill for 4 years.

David Ortiz is set to accept arbitration. Will be one year deal with a slight raise on his $12.5 mill salary last season.

Cards have made new offer to Pujols per Bob Nightengale.

Marlins interested in Wandy Rodriguez.

 

[Obst]

One source with knowledge of the situation said to be "on red alert" for a Pujols deal Tuesday night.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

One source with knowledge of the situation said to be "on red alert" for a Pujols deal Tuesday night.

It won't be dragged out for much longer. I heard the Cardinals submitted a new offer to Pujols, and I can bet it is their last offer. I can imagine a deal being announced in the next couple hours, if not sooner.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Not that many of you have an interest in Oriole rumors, but here is MLBTR's latest on the O's, excluding the White Sox interest. Carlos Quinten could be a player that the Orioles are interested in, especially if Kenny Williams has taken Floyd and Danks off the market.

The latest on the Orioles:

The Orioles are talking to the Rangers about re-acquiring Koji Uehara, according to Britt Ghiroli of MLB.com.

A club official told Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun that there's "no chance" the team wants Alfonso Soriano (Twitter link).

The Orioles are telling other clubs that Adam Jones is off limits, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.

Troy Renck of the Denver Post hears that talks between the Orioles and Rockies about Huston Street have "no traction" (Twitter link).

GM Dan Duquette says he has several offers out to free agent position players and pitchers, and adds that the club was in on Kevin Slowey before the Twins sent him to the Rockies, tweets Ghiroli.

The O's have re-signed Brandon Erbe to a minor league contract, tweets MASN's Roch Kubatko.

 

[FedEx227]

Carlos would be a nice fit in Baltimore. I definitely support that deal on the White Sox side as he's a tradeable asset.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Carlos would be a nice fit in Baltimore. I definitely support that deal on the White Sox side as he's a tradeable asset.

Via Baltimore Sun writers' Twitter, White Sox want young pitching, and the Orioles don't want to give up who they have- most likely the White Sox want Arrieta, Britton or Jim Johnson. Doesn't seem like they are going to be a match. Though if the Orioles want someone like Floyd, who is a lock for 200 innings, they've got to give something up.

 

[Leftwich]

If the orioles don't deal Guthrie i'm gonna be pissed. But it looks like Dan Duquette is playing this whole thing slowly.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

If the orioles don't deal Guthrie i'm gonna be pissed. But it looks like Dan Duquette is playing this whole thing slowly.

I don't think he is going to deal Guthrie until July. I don't think he is necessarily playing it slowly, but its the fact that the players that are valuable, he doesn't want to deal. Adam Jones could net the Orioles a top end starter, but they don't want to move him. Wieters I understand not moving. Hardy is locked into an extension and with the lack of quality shortstops, not moving him is a good idea. Besides that, there isn't much that can get you much in a trade.

And if you trade Guthrie before adding another pitcher (or two) who can pitch 200-plus innings, that is going to hurt the bullpen again. The Orioles need to have at least two innings eaters on this team, and that is why I don't see Guthrie being moved.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Mets close to deal with Rauch

The Mets are closing in on a deal with free agent reliever Jon Rauch, according to Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger (via Twitter). Adam Rubin of ESPN New York tweeted earlier that the two sides were making progress and had "good talks."

Earlier today, we had heard that the Mets' search for bullpen help was intensifying, with multiple reports suggesting they could be getting close to an agreement. GM Sandy Alderson also indicated that the club was more likely to sign two moderately-priced relievers rather than one more expensive player. Signing Rauch would likely leave room in the Mets' budget for another addition.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

 

[Goober]

Red Sox have discussed Scutaro and Lowrie with multiple clubs.

If Doug Melvin isn't in on this he seriously needs to be fired.

Trade Corey Hart! Trade Corey Hart! Trade Corey Hart!

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Per Hot Stove on MLB network, he has a third 10 year, $200 million offer from a "mystery" team. Lets see how that plays out

 

[EmpireWF]

USA Today claims a 3rd team is in on Pujols. Any thoughts on the Nats as a possibility?

And the Mets signed Rauch to a 1-year deal although it's not known yet whether he'll close or set-up.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

USA Today claims a 3rd team is in on Pujols. Any thoughts on the Nats as a possibility?

And the Mets signed Rauch to a 1-year deal although it's not known yet whether he'll close or set-up.

I don't think its the Nats. I think it is a negotiating tactic because the agent for Pujols has yet to get the Marlins to budge on the NTC. If the Nats do anything, it will be in regards to pitching.

If I did pick a dark horse, it might be the Orioles. You never know, and Heyman reported at the start of the winter meetings that it was a mandate for the team to sign Fielder. Well, why not step it up a notch? And we know Duquette isn't one to shy away from a big deal like this, and what better way to reinvigorate the fans?

It is doubtful, but I really think the third team is a ploy.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

Giants could close a deal tonight

8:45pm: One of the proposals is believed to be Andres Torres and Ramon Ramirez for Angel Pagan, tweets Baggarly. That would coincide with the two-for-one rumors we heard earlier about the Mets.

The Giants are "far down the road" on two trade proposals and GM Brian Sabean thinks the team may make a move tonight, according to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News (on Twitter). The proposed moves don't involve Jed Lowrie, Carlos Quentin, or Martin Prado, three names that have surfaced in recent trade rumors, adds Baggarly.

With rumors swirling that the Mets are also close to making a deal for a reliever, and the Giants said to be entertaining offers for Ramon Ramirez, it's possible the Mets could be on the other end of one of San Francisco's two proposals. That's my own speculation, however.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

 

[Swarley]

Angels drawing interest in Ervin Santana with possibility of LA getting CJ.

 

[ThomasTomasz]

According to MLBTR, the Mets have added a third reliever, Frank Francisco, to a two year deal. That's four acquired players in a matter of an hour. Looks like the Mets were serious about upgrading their bullpen.

 

[Swarley]

According to a source, Sherman says Cubs are in on Pujols.

 

[Obst]

The Giants and Mets have agreed on a deal that will send Andres Torres and Ramon Ramirez to New York and Angel Pagan to San Francisco