Hot Stove Truth & Rumors: Jan. 3, 2005

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 and Rumors. check out the other sports, click here.

Green reportedly will be taking his home-run trot to Arizona. Jeff Gross/Getty Images • Pete McEntegart: The 10 Spot -- Mon., Jan. 3 • Orange Bowl scene: Speaking out of context • Truth & Rumors: Shawn Green to Diamondbacks? • Phil Taylor: The crystal ball for 2005 says ... • Chris Ballard: Sports resolutions for this year • Lang Whitaker: Seattle RB comes up a yard short • More Blogs: Bradley | Markazi | McAllister | Bechtel Click here for Today's Sign of the Apocalypse, Game to Watch, Leading Off gallery and much more!

The Dodgers have agreed in principle to trade Shawn Green to the Diamondbacks for two players, the paperwork for which is expected to be submitted to commissioner Bud Selig's office today. The trade could be related to, but does not depend upon, Arizona's intention to deal Randy Johnson to the Yankees. If that trade is completed -- Johnson for pitchers Javier Vazquez and Brad Halsey and catching prospect Dioner Navarro -- the Dodgers would receive Navarro and a pitching prospect for Green. If it is not, it is believed the Dodgers would receive a young catcher -- either Koyie Hill, their former prospect, or Chris Snyder -- and the same pitching prospect, as yet unknown. The Dodgers are expected to offset some of Green's $16-million salary as well.
 -- Los Angeles Times

Word is, Green didn't exactly hit it off with manager Jim Tracy.
 -- Newsday

Derek Lowe, formerly of Boston, is the top free-agent pitcher available, a fact that has dramatically inflated Lowe's price, probably to the point the Dodgers can't afford him. That could change if the Dodgers ship Green to Arizona. The proposed trade also includes $8 million going from the Dodgers to the Diamondbacks to cover half of Green's salary, but it still would free up at least $8 million.
 -- Los Angeles Daily News

The long-awaited Johnson trade, permutations of which have been discussed for more than six months, is expected to be submitted to Selig today. Vazquez has a slew of interested suitors, including Baltimore, Philadelphia, Detroit, Texas and the White Sox.
 -- New York Daily News

Vazquez is no dummy. According to research done by the White Sox, Vazquez wants to stay in the NL once he officially becomes property of the Diamondbacks.
 -- Chicago Tribune

No one gave Mets GM Omar Minaya much of a chance to land Pedro Martinez, and many still are giving him the same odds of getting Carlos Beltran's signature on a free-agent contract. Minaya is expected to talk with agent Scott Boras today, and if all goes well, the team's plan calls for a recruiting visit with Beltran as early as tomorrow in Puerto Rico. Boras would like nothing better than to get the Mets and Yankees in a bidding contest this week, especially since the Astros either must re-sign Beltran by Saturday or relinquish his negotiating rights until May1.
 -- New York Daily News

Despite some reports that have Houston's bid for Beltran at $96 million over six years, the offer on the table from Drayton McLane and rookie GM Tim Purpura is five years, $70 million with a sixth-year option that includes a $5 million buyout. That's $75 million guaranteed -- a whopping $125 million less than Boras dreamed of after Beltran's monster postseason.
 -- Chicago Tribune

Cubs GM Jim Hendry can't answer this question: Why would Beltran reject the Astros' final contract offer this week and leave Texas for the wild, wild wackiness of Wrigleyville? On this topic, Hendry is as mum as Sammy Sosa. The Cubs have been quiet outsiders in the process, despite Boras' annual offseason attempt to characterize every team as a breathless stalker of his clients. Hendry and Boras discussed Beltran last Thursday, but the Astros still are considered the favorites to sign him by week's end.
 -- Chicago Sun-Times

Without Beltran, Hendry will turn his attention to another outfielder. The leading candidate now appears to be 35-year-old Jeromy Burnitz.
 -- South Arlington Daily Herald

Hendry is too competitive to watch a 27-year-old guy with all of Beltran's game-changing skills stay in the Cubs' division without even putting up a fight. Without the Yankees stepping in to offer an extra $50 million, just because they're the Yankees, the Astros' offer might be enough to keep him. But Hendry should step in with a guaranteed sixth year (maybe even with an option for a seventh) and a total package of $90 million. Then Beltran at least would have a decision to make. There was a rumor making the rounds in the playoffs that Beltran's wife was not welcomed by the Houston wives. For whatever reason, Beltran's old associates in Kansas City have been speculating consistently he's going to wind up with the Cubs.
 -- Chicago Tribune

Free agency isn't treating Carlos Delgado the way he expected. Word is Delgado was insulted by the Mets' opening offer of $30 million for three years. The Mets were expecting a counteroffer, but Delgado's people wanted the Mets to bid again right away. That's not happening, not with Beltran still on the board. Some folks still think the Mets have the inside track for Delgado. He isn't necessarily enamored of Baltimore, Boston probably won't bid unless it can unload Doug Mientkiewicz and Kevin Millar, and Texas is interested only at a discount.
 -- Newsday

The New Year arrived with Rockies free agents Steve Reed, Shawn Estes and Burnitz unsigned. Reed would like to stay in the NL West, which would keep him close to his family and Denver-area home. Given his consistent track record and the need teams have for bullpen help, it seems likely he will have his choice of Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. The Mets and Kansas City also have shown interest.
  -- Rocky Mountain News

As Braves GM John Schuerholz checks out possible trade partners, Cincinnati is an option. Giving up on moving Austin Kearns to third base, the Reds have an outfield surplus.
 -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Rockies are exploring the possibility of trading for Red Sox reliever Byung-Hyun Kim and signing veteran Robb Nen to a minor-league contract. While Anaheim has expressed interest in Nen, the Rockies are the only team willing to give him a shot to close games, health permitting.
 -- Denver Post

Unless Charles Johnson is traded to Tampa Bay, the Rockies must remove a player from their 40-man roster when the Dustin Mohr and Desi Relaford signings become official today. Johnson won't be released.
 -- Denver Post

The Devil Rays are still interested in Tony Batista (though it may take a multiyear deal) and Alex Gonzalez as potential third basemen, are still talking to Danny Bautista about an outfield job and may continue talks with Mark Grudzielanek while considering Alex Cora and/or Miguel Cairo at second base.
 -- St. Petersburg Times

The Pirates will use next season to further evaluate pitcher Oliver Perez before making a long-term commitment, GM Dave Littlefield said. Littlefield acknowledged that the approach is risky. If he were to take the team to arbitration, the panel could award him a contract based on the market value for a pitcher of his caliber. And, in a market where Kris Benson, Matt Clement and Eric Milton are getting $7 million salaries, that figure could prove to be imposing for the low-spending Pirates. Even if Perez prefers to negotiate rather than pursue arbitration, he would have the hammer of arbitration to hold over the Pirates.
 -- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Former Braves pitcher John Rocker is auditioning for scouts in the Venezuelan league. He's not getting many outs at this point.
 -- Chicago Tribune

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