I'll be sitting here in front of my computer all day updating this thread with any relevant news from the winter meetings. We had over a foot of snow over-night here in western Wisconsin, so I ain't goin' anywhere. Please feel free to continue to create Fanshots of any specific deals or rumors, but this thread will be a "clearinghouse" for Twitter feeds, MLB Trade Rumor posts, ESPN Rumor Central notes, and various other winter meeting stuff.
(All times are pacific)
8:45pm
ESPN's Jason Stark has this posted as part of a Roy Halladay trade article:
The Toronto Sun reported Wednesday that the Angels offered Saunders, Aybar and outfield prospect Peter Bourjos for Halladay during these meetings. All three were believed to be on the Blue Jays' wish list last July, by the way. So the makings for a deal are there. But the Angels also have said that if Halladay won't sign an extension, they're probably not making this trade. So even if all the other pieces fit together, the extension piece might not.
8:38pm
AOL's Ed Price tweeted, "#BlueJays prefer minor-league prospects for Roy Halladay, rather than big-league players". Not really sure where he gets that information, but if that's the case, the Angels might not be able to pull off a deal for Halladay.
7:52pm
"Ton of teams on Kelvim Escobar. Shoulder in good shape, may pitch game or two in winter ball", says Ken Rosenthal (via Twitter)
7:16pm
MLB.com's Jordon Bastian tweets, "Since Halladay is eligible for FA next winter, a Major League source said he might waive his no-trade to OK a deal to the Angels for 2010." Sounds like Halladay is looking forward to free agency (or it's a ploy to negotiate for a larger extension from the Angels).
6:54pm
"Rangers, as has been reported, are indeed looking at Lowell as right-handed DH, backup 1B.....But Boston would have to eat a ton of dough.", tweets Gordon Edes.
5:08pm
According to the Toronto Sun, the Angels have made an offer for Roy Halladay:
The Angels took the lead amongst interested teams in the hunt for Halladay by offering:
- Lefty Joe Saunders, 28, who was 16-7 with a 4.60 earned run average in 31 starts. Saunders, available for trade since the Angels acquired lefty Scott Kazmir, walked 64 and struck out 101 in 186 innings. Saunders earned $475,000 this season and is eligible for salary arbitration.
- Shortstop Erick Aybar, 26 next month. He hit .312 with five homers and 58 RBIs in 137 games with the Angels. He stole 14 bases with a .353 on-base percentage. Aybar earned $473,000 and is eligible for salary arbitration.
- Speedy centre fielder Peter Bourjos, 23 in March, had six homers and 51 RBIs in 110 games at Double-A Arkansas. Bourjos, the son of former Jays scout Chris Bourjos, who helped sign Halladay, hit 16 doubles, 14 triples and was 32-for-44 stealing bases.
Both Saunders and Aybar would be under the Jays’ control for three years before they hit free agency.
4:16pm
In a new article from Lyle Spencer of MLB.com about the Angels and Jason Bay, "I have not reached out personally to him, but he has been in internal discussions that we've had as an organization," Scioscia said. "I think there are some more pressing needs that we have right now than the talent that Jason can bring. He's an extraordinary talent, but we definitely have to look for some balance in some areas. That might not make Jason a great fit for our club."
Bay -- who delivered 36 homers and 119 RBIs for the Red Sox this season and is a .341 career postseason hitter with a .634 slugging percentage in 11 games -- would command a major financial commitment that the Angels seem more inclined to make in the pitching department.
"He is an option," Angels general manager Tony Reagins said of Bay, who reportedly turned down a four-year, $60 million Boston offer. "I think Mike was right on"
4:10pm
Ken Davidoff of Newsday says via twitter, "Yankees met with John Lackey's agent, but doesn't appear they'll be a bona fide suitor."
3:52pm
Astros aquire Matt Lindstrom, "The Astros have reached a deal to acquire Matt Lindstrom from the Marlins. He is flying to Houston for a physical, sources told ESPN's Peter Gammons. The deal, pending physicals, will send Lindstrom to the Houston in exchange for two minor leaguers and the Astros' first pick in Thursday's Rule 5 draft, sources told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. (LINK)
3:26pm
Mike Scioscia to be on MLB Network's Hot Stove show in a few minutes.
2:10pm
ESPN's Buster Olney is saying: Sources say that Rich Harden is on the verge of an agreement. It was not immediately known which team signed him, but he has been heavily involved in negotiations with the Mariners.
UPDATE: Rich Harden to Texas. One year, $7.5 million with an $11.5 million option. (Craig Calcaterra via Twitter)
UPDATE II: Matthew from Lookout Landing has an interesting article comparing Rich Harden and John Lackey (LINK)
And my internet is kinda working...for now.
12:06pm
Looks like Texas has found a trading partner in Baltimore, "The Orioles have a tentative agreement in place on a trade that would send reliever Chris Ray to the Texas Rangers for veteran starter Kevin Millwood and some cash, according to multiple team sources." (Baltimore Sun)
Also, LaTroy Hawkins signs 2-year deal with Brewers for $7.5 mil pending physical (his agent's twitter)
I have a crappy internet connection, probably because of all the snow. Frustrating!
11:16am
Ken Rosenthal: "Angels, O's no longer pursuing R. Soriano. Astros and others still in."
11:04am
"Rich Harden willing to sign a one-year deal with a lot of incentives", tweets FoxSports' Jon Morosi. UPDATE: The Angels are not involved, the source indicated.
10:57am
Twitter went dead for a while and then this from Big League Stew, "If you're wondering why there's been no news lately, it might be because all the writers just had their annual lunch with all the managers." Oh, and it finally stopped snowing in Wisconsin (15"+).
10:04am
Here's a scenario...Brandon Wood gets traded to Toronto in a deal for Halladay, ESPN's Jason Stark tweets "Red Sox have 2 or 3 teams they could trade Mike Lowell to right now if they take 'similar' contract back." Would Boston take a CF whose name rhymes with "smamatthews"? Thoughts?
09:42am
Say what?? Is this legitimate? "The markets for free agents Marlon Byrd and Mike Cameron continue running parallel to one another. One major league source pointed out Wednesday morning that many of the same teams are interested in both players: The Braves, Angels, Cubs, Yankees, Mariners, Mets and Giants have checked on each of them." (FoxSports)
09:34am
Gary Sheffield says "Hey!" (Boston.com)
09:26am
Yahoo!'s Tim Brown (via Twitter): Early interest for Pineiro: Yanks, Mets, Nats, Cubs, O's, Angels (depending on which way Lackey goes)...
06:38am
Ken Rosenthal via Twitter, "Add Angels to list of teams on R. Soriano. Astros, Orioles also involved. Soriano's permission required - could effectively pick team."
06:21am
The New York Mets think they can land John Lackey (New York Daily News).
06:04am
Baseballprojection.com has a good list of free agents, updated with each signing. Here's the link.
05:23am
Red Sox interested in Darren Oliver (ESPN).
04:53am
Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos is "engaging in three- and four-team discussions, apparently trying to collect as many assets as he can for Halladay." (FoxSports.com). The LA Times speculate shortstop Erick Aybar may be included in a deal for Halladay. (LA TIMES)
04:47am
Cubs are working on a deal to send Milton Bradley to an A.L. "mystery team" (MLBTR). Could the Angels be that mystery team? Is Matthews Jr moving to Chicago?
04:35am
Here's a short video of what the winter meeting look like: MLB.com
Is Texas willing to deal their two top prospects for pitching? ESPN RC has this story:
ESPNDallas.com's Richard Durrett reported Tuesday night that the Texas Rangers have offered top prospects Justin Smoak and Neftali Feliz to Florida for right-hander Josh Johnson.