Marlins a possible destination for Pedro?

Free agent pitcher Pedro Martinez is believed to be in the beginning stages of negotiating a contract with the Marlins, according to ESPNdeportes.com. The Web site said the Marlins have spoken to Martinez's agent, and the two sides could meet next week.

Royals, Bloomquist have two-year deal

Infielder Willie Bloomquist have reached an contract with Royals believed to be worth about $3 million for the two years, MLB.com learned on Friday.

Bloomquist is expected to compete for the Royals' second base job with Alberto Callaspo, who finished last season as the regular at that spot.

Braves, Kawakami reach agreement

As MLB.com reported Friday night, Kawakami is expected to arrive in the United States on Sunday and prepare to finalize this deal with the completion of his physical on Monday. The Braves could make an official announcement on Monday or Tuesday.

Kenshin Kawakami is scheduled to undergo a physical in Atlanta on Monday. If all goes well, the Japanese right-hander will become the newest addition to Braves general manager Frank Wren's rotation-reconstruction project.

O's Close to Signing Zaun

According to the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles are close to signing free-agent Gregg Zaun to a one-year contract.

Unless another team enters the picture, the Orioles appear to have an open track to signing the veteran catcher by early next week.

Garciaparra's next stop in Philly?

In need of a right-handed hitter off the bench and some insurance for Pedro Feliz and Chase Utley -- with both coming off offseason surgery -- the Phillies have expressed interest in veteran infielder Nomar Garciaparra, FOXSports.com is reporting.

Red Sox sign Saito to one-year deal

The Red Sox continue to stay busy this offseason. On Saturday, they signed reliever Takashi Saito to a one-year contract with a club option for 2010, according to FOXSports.com. A Major League source confirmed the report.

Saito is the fourth player Boston signed this week. The team signed pitchers John Smoltz and Brad Penny and outfielder Rocco Baldelli. Like the trio, Saito is considered a low-risk, high-reward gamble. Last season, Saito missed a lot of time with a sprained ligament in his right elbow.

Red Sox Sign Mark Kotsay

According to Sean McAdam and Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald, the Red Sox reached an agreement with outfielder Mark Kotsay on a one-year deal worth $1.5MM plus incentives. Kotsay will back up Kevin Youkilis at first base and complement Rocco Baldelli as an extra outfielder.
Kotsay was one of few viable options at center field among free agents this year, but he still could not find a regular job.

Hoffman, Brewers close in on deal

The Brewers are nearing a deal to sign free-agent closer Trevor Hoffman, a baseball source close to the negotiations told MLB.com in the wee hours on Thursday morning.

The Brewers are nearing a deal to sign free-agent closer Trevor Hoffman, a baseball source close to the negotiations told MLB.com in the wee hours on Thursday morning.

John Smoltz to the Red Sox?

As of last night, sources indicated that Smoltz was leaning toward Boston's offer which was said to be somewhere in the vicinity of $5.5 million guaranteed with the opportunity to earn a few million in incentives which could hike the salary up to $10 million. The Sox and Smoltz have been talking since before the Winter Meetings. The Sox do not anticipate that Smoltz will be ready until later in May, but one of the incentives being discussed would be a roster bonus if he's with the team by June 1.

Red Sox Close To Signing Baldelli

Peter Gammons is reporting that the Red Sox are close to signing Rocco Baldelli, with an announcement expected Thursday night.

It is expected to be announced at the Boston Baseball Writers Dinner, where Baldelli will be honored. The Boston Baseball Writers Dinner is scheduled for Thursday evening. Baldelli will be in attendance to receive the Tony Conigliaro award.

Pirates or Red Sox

Marc Topkin of the St. Pete Times says Rocco Baldelli could be close to signing, saying "there were indications Wednesday that a deal could be completed very soon." It is not clear whether this is based on reading other reports or if he has inside information. Topkin does write that a return to the Rays "doesn't seem likely" noting that the Rays have very limited funds available after signing Pat Burrell.

It seems that Red Sox or the Pirates are the top two teams to land Rocco Baldelli.

Baldelli is a New England area fan favorite and is known for his outstanding speed and throwing ability.

If Baldelli sings with the Sox he will be a the final outfielders.

With the Pirates he will be a starter.

Yankees Sidney Ponson to the Red Sox

Sox had reporting to make an offer for him.
Texas Rangers cut him and he Signed to a minor league contract with the Yankees, now he had declared free agency
He is 32

Ponson had a 8-5 record in 2008 and a 5.04 ERA
He coud compeat for the final starting job for the Sox.

Outher teams interest are the Athletics, Pirates and Diamondbacks

Jason Giambi is returning To A's

Mike Puma of the New York Post says the deal is for one-year at $4.5MM with a $5MM club option ($1MM buyout) for 2010. The physical is scheduled for tomorrow.

Jerry Hairston Returning To Reds

Jerry Hairston is returning to the Reds on a one-year deal says Mark Sheldon on MLB.com's hot stove blog.

Alex Gonzalez is not expected to be ready for 2009, so Hairston will be the starting shortstop in Cincinnati.

Red Sox going after John Smoltz?

John Smoltz remains the Red Sox top target, essentially filling the role of Bartolo Colon last season as a veteran coming off an arm injury who could provide quality innings by May or June. Smoltz has been on vacation, but the 1996 NL Cy Young Award winner is expected to narrow his choices in the next week to 10 days. The Sox have been told they are still among the contenders, but many in the game question whether Smoltz will end a 21-year association with the Atlanta Braves.






Boston Herald

Jarrod Saltalamacchia and a Minor Leaguer for Clay Buchholz

Rangers Joaquin Arias and Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Taylor Teagarden for Red Sox Clay Buchholz


No News on if it will happen
But there is talk with Red Sox and Rangers

Cubs Trade With Rockies

The Cubs continued their offseason restructuring on Tuesday, sending pitcher Jason Marquis to the Colorado Rockies in exchange for reliever Luis Vizcaino.

The latest News

If they can afford it, the Rays would like to sign Gabe Kapler.
The Orioles, Red Sox, and A's are interested in Gregg Zaun.
Perhaps because of the cool market for his services, Orlando Cabrera is willing to play second base. The Yankees did not have interest.

Indians Sign Carl Pavano

Financial terms were not disclosed. Sources told ESPN.com that the deal was worth $1.5 million plus incentives. Pavano can earn an additional $5.3 million based on starts and innings pitched.

Giants have not yet made offer to Manny

The Giants have inquired about free-agent outfielder Manny Ramirez, although no contract offer had been made as of Friday, club sources told the San Jose Mercury News. Reports of the Giants offering Ramirez, 36, a four-year deal were not correct, the sources added...



The Buzz
Boston.com

Twins owner Pohlad passes away at 93

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Oliver Perez?

The slow start to this year's free agent shopping season has left some quality players lingering on the market longer than usual. Derek Lowe can't seem to find a suitor worthy of him while guys like Adam Dunn and Bobby Abreu are being treated like lepers. And the man of eternal left-handed potential, Oliver Perez, is waiting and waiting for someone to show some serious interest. Kevin Kernan of the New York Post has noticed the lack of activity and suggests that the Yankees sign him up to fill out the back end of their rotation.

Some outher teams he can end up with are the Red Sox, Rangers, Braves and Nationals.

Pat Burrell to the Rays

Buster Olney agrees with Rosenthal. He writes that Burrell has agreed in principle to a two-year $16MM deal with the Rays pending a physical.

Cubs signed Milton Bradley

According to ESPN Radio's Bruce Levine, the Cubs signed Milton Bradley to a three-year, $30MM contract "with some options in the deal." Bradley, 31 in April, had a monster .321/.436/.563 line this year for the Rangers, but he spent only 165 innings in the field. This is the first multiyear deal of his career. If he stays healthy, the switch-hitter will give the Cubs balance in the middle of their order.

Gavin Floyd For Brian Roberts

Right-hander Gavin Floyd would be sent over from Chicago. The White Sox reportedly want to make it a straight-up swap, but the Orioles, predictably, are asking for more. Floyd, 25, went 17-8 last season with a 3.84 ERA and actually grew up in the Baltimore area.

The Orioles should demand second baseman Chris Getz, who spent most of last season with the White Sox' Triple-A affiliate in Charlotte. The 25-year-old hit .302 with 11 homers and 52 RBI in 111 games in '08.

Lowe Rejected Offer

Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog passes on some comments made tonight by Jon Heyman on the MLB Network's Hot Stove Live.

According to Heyman, Derek Lowe rejected the Mets' three year $36MM offer because he hopes to sign a deal worth $16MM per season.

The Phillies and Braves are the Mets' biggest competitors for Lowe.

The Red Sox and a mystery team are also involved.

Later on in the show, Mets GM Omar Minaya confirmed interest in Lowe, Randy Wolf and others. Cerrone notes that Minaya did not mention Oliver Perez.

Mariners-Yankees Talking Trade?

I’m a bit late on this one, but apparently Peter Gammons was on ESPN Radio Christmas morning reporting that the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners have been in trade talks regarding Yankee DH/LF Hideki Matsui and Mariner LHSP Erik Bedard. Since this was on radio there is no “official” link, but it has become a hot topic across the internet so I’ll assume that Gammons did indeed report this.
Almost two months ago there was a rumor published by Yahoo’s Tim Brown that had Seattle potentially ending up with Matsui in a three team trade, though Ryan Rowland-Smith supposedly the the LHSP in Seattle’s outbox. Perhaps Seattle is genuinely interested in Matsui?

Or maybe the Yankees are just aggressively shopping him to any

team that might have a fit?

Manny Ramirez will sign...

Giants had made a 3 Year Offer to Manny Ramirez with a 4 year club option.

The Giants have signed Randy Johnson, Edgar Renteria, Jeremy Affeldt and Bobby Howry this offseason.

Dodgers Rework Andruw Jones Deal

Buster Olney's sources tell him that Jones will receive the $15MM he's owed in 2009 over the next six seasons, without interest. Apparently the Dodgers are likely to call the Braves, Red Sox, Reds and Mets about potential trades. One source familiar with the discussions said it's virtually certain that the Mets and Red Sox won't be interested.