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Hot Stove Truth & Rumors: Dec. 13, 2004Posted: Monday December 13, 2004 10:14AM; Updated: Monday December 13, 2004 4:15PM  
 Baseball's Hot Stove is heating up with a flurry of rumors and gossip. To keep you up-to-date, we've created a special edition of Hot Stove Truth & Rumors. To check out the other sports, click here.
Agent Scott Boras said that more than one of his high-profile clients is almost ready to sign. Two of them, pitcher Derek Lowe and outfielder J.D. Drew, interest the Tigers. "Yes, I think I'll have some signings to announce (Monday)," Boras said. That could mean pitcher Kevin Millwood has made up his mind. The Nationals approached the Cubs about trading for Sammy Sosa. The reason Washington GM Jim Bowden asked about a deal is because the Cubs are willing to pick up a significant portion of Sosa's contract. Washington would want the Cubs to pick up nearly all of it. Translation: "Don't bet on it." The Cubs continued to explore the possibility of trading Sosa, with GM Jim Hendry fielding inquiries Sunday from a few more teams. He said he had now spoken to "five or six clubs" about Sosa, though the level of interest and the identities of the teams remained unknown. The most likely tire-kickers are Seattle, Baltimore, the Yankees, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Arizona. The Mets are more interested in signing Richie Sexson, Carlos Delgado or former Cub Moises Alou, who still is seeking a two-year deal while the Mets are interested in only one. The Mets are out of the Richie Sexson sweepstakes. Sexson was set to sign with Seattle. Moises' father, Giants manager Felipe Alou, said he had not heard of any interest in his son from Giants management. Get ready for the latest round of Randy Johnson-to-the-Yankees talk. The Diamondbacks are ready to return to the trade table with the Yankees after the Bombers broke off talks on Dec. 1 when they believed the Diamondbacks' demands were far too excessive. The Diamondbacks, with their suddenly new-found resources that netted Troy Glaus and Russ Ortiz for a combined $78 million in the last couple of days, had hoped to convince Johnson they were restoring themselves to contender status. But the Big Unit is still intent on being traded to the Yankees. After it was widely reported the Dodgers had reached agreement with Oakland on a three-player trade that would have brought veteran right-hander Tim Hudson to Los Angeles, Dodgers GM Paul DePodesta said reports the Hudson deal was done were "overblown," that the clubs had not even reached the point of an official trade proposal and that the reported two players the Dodgers would send to the A's -- pitcher Edwin Jackson and infielder Antonio Perez -- was inaccurate. But neither DePodesta nor A's GM Billy Beane would rule out the possibility that Hudson could wind up with the Dodgers. The Dodgers are having second thoughts about making the deal without having the opportunity to negotiate with Hudson on a new deal. The Orioles jumped right back into the Hudson market, meeting with Beane. The Orioles did not increase their offer of starting pitcher Erik Bedard and two other prospects but still were hopeful of making a deal. The Yankees, Red Sox and Cardinals are said to be involved in talks for Hudson. The Red Sox would rather have Tim Hudson than Pedro Martinez. A Yankee official said he was pessimistic about the team's chances to acquire Hudson, but that they wouldn't stop trying until he was dealt elsewhere. Beane continued to float the resumes of Hudson and left-handers Mark Mulder and Barry Zito. In one of many schemes, he gave Toronto its pick of the three in exchange for low-cost, high-yield outfielder Vernon Wells and was turned down. While it looks like Pedro Martinez could be heading back to Boston, the Mets have a backup plan in Dodger pitcher Odalis Perez. Pedro Martinez has indicated he wants to decide by today whether to re-sign with the Red Sox or bolt to the Mets Agent Fernando Cuza was still talking with the Mets and Yankees, and perhaps other teams, such as the Padres, about Martinez, moves aimed at getting the Red Sox, whose latest offer is $38 million for three years, to commit to a fourth year. The Dodgers no longer are in the hunt for free-agent third baseman Corey Koskie, who appears on the verge of signing with Toronto, meaning the pressure to re-sign Adrian Beltre probably will intensify. With Koskie arriving in Toronto, the Jays have looked into trading third baseman Eric Hinske and pitcher Miguel Batista to the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Carlos Lee, who would then be moved to first base. But any deal hinges upon the White Sox being satisfied that Hinske could be a capable third baseman for them, since they want to move their backup at the position, Joe Crede, to Toronto as well. DePodesta held his most productive meeting yet with Boras regarding Beltre, stopping just short of making a formal offer. Wanting to free up money to sign Edgar Renteria and Carlos Delgado, Boston offered World Series MVP Manny Ramirez to the Mets for Cliff Floyd. They were rebuffed, and the deal is highly unlikely to be revisited, because of the salary owed to Ramirez. The Mets and Red Sox had previously talked about a Kaz Matsui and Mike Piazza deal for Ramirez and first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz. While Mets GM Omar Minaya said he has no intention of trading second baseman Matsui, he and his staff held talks with the Rangers about acquiring second baseman Alfonso Soriano. The Mariners and Tigers are also interested in Renteria and are willing to go to five years on their offers. The uncertainty surrounding Pedro Martinez and Jason Varitek has prevented the Sox from intensifying their pursuit of Renteria. It is believed the Sox met with Orlando Cabrera's representatives but discovered the shortstop's agents are still determined to let Renteria sign first to establish the market at the position. Cabrera's agents, meanwhile, have talked to several teams, including the Angels and Giants. Carlos Guillen made the AL All-Star team this season -- as a shortstop. Renteria made the NL All-Star team this season -- as a shortstop. Could both of them start for the Tigers' infield next season? The Mets made Carlos Delgado a multiyear offer, but there's serious interest in Delgado from at least four other teams -- Seattle, Baltimore, Boston and the Yankees. So the Mets' chances of landing Delgado are unlikely unless they're willing to outbid the other teams by a significant margin. The Braves were part of the rumor mill Sunday at the baseball winter meetings. They were mentioned in talks that ranged from the sensational (Sammy Sosa) to the more practical (Kevin Millwood). Yankee fans shouldn't be looking for Carlos Beltran under their Christmas tree. While the switch-hitting center fielder is likely to land in The Bronx, it won't happen until next month. Hendry maintained the Cubs are still in the picture. in the Beltran sweepstakes. If it becomes a two-horse race between the Cubs and the Astros -- Beltran's current employer -- the Cubs likely will have the edge. If it comes down to the Cubs and the Yankees, Beltran probably will wind up in New York and J.D. Drew could become Plan B. The Astros remain in the thick of the negotiations for Beltran. Boston outfielder Dave Roberts and San Diego outfielder Jay Payton may ultimately be traded for each other, but they have been discussed as potential trade options for the Astros. Yanks GM Brian Cashman met with Eric Milton's agent, Casey Close, yesterday morning and the sides are still discussing a three-year deal. Jaret Wright's three-year, $21 million deal is still being delayed as Yankee officials review results of the righty's exam. Negotiations for free-agent pitcher Matt Clement were in a holding pattern, but Angels GM Bill Stoneman said he was "just as optimistic" as he was Saturday about landing the Cub right-hander. The Angels are also on the verge of signing reliever Esteban Yan to a two-year contract for about $3 million. The Angels, Dodgers, Cleveland, Arizona and possibly St. Louis are believed to be in contention for Clement. While the Rangers have explored a variety of ways to fill the DH spot -- from Delgado to Tino Martinez to Jose Valentin or even a platoon featuring left-handed hitting David Dellucci and possibly Joe Randa -- they haven't progressed to the point of making any formal offers. With left-handers Shawn Estes and Odalis Perez looking for contracts in the $6 million to $9 million range, the Rangers might have to settle on either Aaron Sele or Pedro Astacio if they want to add a veteran pitcher to their staff this winter. The Brewers search for a right-handed-hitting corner outfielder is not going as well. The Brewers had no luck with the Giants, who covet center fielder Scott Podsednik. The White Sox also have considerable interest in Podsednik and are in the market for second-base help, also. Thus, the Brewers might be able to package Podsednik and Keith Ginter in a deal to get a right-handed hitter with pop, a commodity in which Chicago is deep (Joe Borchard, Joe Crede, Carlos Lee, Aaron Rowand, Frank Thomas, Jermaine Dye). The Pirates' search for a veteran catcher has shifted to Kansas City's Benito Santiago. Talks aimed at acquiring Charles Johnson of the Rockies were termed "dead" by one Colorado official. The White Sox are interested in Los Angeles second baseman Alex Cora if the Dodgers can't trade him and decide not to offer him a contract. The Giants have reached an understanding on a three-year deal with free-agent catcher Mike Matheny, which would be finalized if he passes a physical. This means the likely departure of A.J. Pierzynski, either in a trade or as a non-tendered free agent, Given his age, his potential at the plate and his left-handed bat, some teams -- among them, the Dodgers -- are certain to be interested in Pierzynski. The Phillies seem to have something cooking in a potential trade, possibly with San Francisco, that would end Marlon Byrd's up-and-down tenure with the Phillies. The Phillies are looking for bullpen help and bench players. The Diamondbacks are expected to sign infielder Craig Counsell. A Braves official was heard discussing the possibility of a take-it-or-leave-it offer for former Brave Kevin Millwood, possibly a one-year deal for no more than $5 million. To check out Truth & Rumors in other sports, click here. |
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