| Newsbreakers |
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| The Yankees recently signed Nick Swisher but GM Brian Cashman said he is yet to rule out any free agents, including Mark Teixeira, according to the NY Daily News. |
Our View: The team is focusing on adding talent to their rotation, but is still looking to add a big run-producing bat, which could be Teixeira. |
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| It has been reported several times that the Nationals have interest in signing free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira, according to the Washington Post. Some people around the first baseman say that he is also interested in the Nationals. |
Our View: There are several teams that are pursuing Teixeira. Whoever lands the power hitter will have to fork over a large chunk of change. |
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| Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe predicts the Red Sox to make Mark Teixeira the largest contract offer in the history of the franchise. |
Our View: This is a bold prediction, but you cannot deny the fact that the Red Sox will stop at nothing to acquire a player they want, just like the rival Yankees. David Ortiz said several times that he would like to bat alongside another "30 homer guy" in the lineup, and adding Teixeira would satisfy his wish. |
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| Brandon Wood was cut from the Dominican winter-ball club due to poor play, according to the LA Times. |
Our View: Wood was once considered one of the Angels' top prospects, but only hit .200 over 150 at-bats with the big-league club in 2008, with 43 strikeouts. He didn't display much power either with only five homers. |
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| The Yankees talked to Mark Teixeira's agent (Scott Boras) despite trading for Nick Swisher, according to Newsday. |
Our View: Teixeira could be an option if the Yankees fail to land one of the top pitchers on their list, such as CC Sabathia or AJ Burnett. |
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| The Orioles have contacted Mark Teixeira's agent (Scott Boras), according to the Baltimore Sun. There was no offer made, but Boras will get back to the Orioles when he is ready to talk specifics. |
Our View: The Orioles don't look to be a contender in the very strong AL East, but Teixeira is Maryland-born, which will help a bit in the Orioles' bid to sign him. |
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| Francisco Rodriguez is yet to receive an offer from any club because the Angels have not released his medical reports, according to the NY Daily News. |
Our View: The Mets are among the clubs waiting for his medical reports before making an offer. The Mets are doing the same regarding Brian Fuentes. |
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| The agent for Francisco Rodriguez, Kinzer, said the rumors of his client being in New York for a physical and impending deal with the Mets were "total B.S.", according to the New York Post. |
Our View: The rumors came from El Universal, a Venezuelan newspaper. The Mets still seem like the most logical destination for K-Rod, just not in the immediate future. |
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| Free agent closer Francisco Rodriguez has traveled to New York to undergo a physical, which is the final step before signing a contract with the Mets, according to El Universal. |
Our View: Should the contract come to fruition, it would certainly not be a surprise, as the Mets have the need for a closer and the financial wherewithal to sign K-Rod. |
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| According to the New York Post, some believe that Francisco Rodriguez will have to accept a four-year contract instead of his desired five years, $75 million. |
Our View: He will certainly get a large sum of money either way. |
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| Mark Teixeira could get an offer between 7-10 years for more than $20 million a year, according to the Boston Globe. |
Our View: Teixeira is likely to be the most sought after free agent this offseason, with the Red Sox, Yankees, and Angels all planning to go after him hard. There's a chance that more of a surprise team like the Giants could enter the picture too, but the big three are probably more likely to bring him in. |
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| The Giants are interested in prized free agent first baseman Mark Teixeira and have talked to his agent, but it is unknown if the club made him an offer, according to the SF Chronicle. Giants' director of player personnel Bobby Evans said, "We're willing to go after the best talent we can."
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Our View: The Giants likely wouldn't be able to sign Rafael Furcal or any of the other top free agent shortstops if they land Teixeira. |
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| Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports indicated that the Angels could wait a week to 10 days before making Mark Teixeira a "knockout offer" with a deadline. |
Our View: The Angels do not want agent Scott Boras shopping around their offer to the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, and Nationals, hence driving up the price for the elite first baseman.
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| GM Tony Reagins denies the report that the team has sealed the door on negotiations for Francisco Rodriguez, according to the LA Times. Reagins said, "There are scenarios where we'd consider bringing Frankie back and scenarios that do not include Frankie. Nothing has changed from what we've discussed with him."
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Our View: So Angels' fans can still hold out hope that the record-setting closer could remain with the club. |
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| The Mets are interested in elite reliever Francisco Rodriguez, but are working the market in hope his price tag will drop, according to Newsday. |
Our View: The Mets still like Brian Fuentes, as well as several of the other available closers on the market. K-Rod will be the most expensive to lock up even if his price drops, especially after nailing down a MLB-record 62 saves in 2008. |
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| The Red Sox are set at first base with Kevin Youkilis, but Mark Teixeira could still be an option for the team as David Ortiz said several times that he would like to bat alongside another "30 homer guy" in the lineup, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Youkilis could move to third base, but the team has Mike Lowell under contract for another two years. Lowell is coming off hip surgery, so his market value would take a hit if the team tried to trade him. Still, Teixeira shouldn't be ruled out for Boston. |
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| Mark Teixeira is a top target of the Orioles, according to the Baltimore Sun. The Orioles have money to spend and GM Andy MacPhail said he will be "kicking the tires of some top available free agents" over the next few days and weeks. AJ Burnett is also high on MacPhail's list. |
Our View: The Orioles need help in their starting rotation, at shortstop, and in the middle of their lineup. They covet a run producer at first base, and Teixeira is the best available in free agency. |
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| Juan Rivera is believed to be among the Phillies' options to replace Pat Burrell in the outfield if he does not return, according to MLBblogs.com. Jerry Hairston Jr. and Rocco Baldelli are also possibilities. |
Our View: Rivera would be a potential sleeper for 2009 if he landed in Philadelphia. He would get regular playing time as Burrell's replacement, and could tap his power potential while playing his home games at launching pad Citizens Bank Ballpark. |
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| Mark Teixeira is not likely to land with the Yankees after the club acquired outfielder/first baseman Nick Swisher from the White Sox, according to the NY Post. |
Our View: The Yankees top priority remains to sign a top pitcher, with their first choice being CC Sabathia. Teixeira was more of a backup plan in case their effort to add pitching was unsuccessful, and signing Swisher pushed Teixeira further down their list. |
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| The Detroit Tigers are interested in signing left-handed reliever Darren Oliver, according to the Detroit Free-Press. |
Our View: Oliver is 38 years old, but has been an effective hurler against left-handed hitters for the Angels for two seasons. |
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| Newsday reports the Angels owner Arte Moreno is ready to move on from the Francisco Rodriguez-era. "I think as a whole, we’re probably turning the page on this one. I think that we as an organization made this decision. And I’m not one of these ‘never, never’ people. I’m saying, I think as a whole, it’s important to turn the page and move forward, and get prepared to do some of the other things we want to do." |
Our View: The Angels have Scot Shields and Jose Arredondo to man the back of the bullpen and it's expected that the Angels will try to spend their money on CC Sabathia while staying in the mix on Mark Teixeira. |
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| Francisco Rodriguez's agent (Paul Kinzer) commented that the Mets would be a good fit for his client, according to the NY Post. |
Our View: There are no other big market teams believed to be looking for a closer other than the Mets, and K-Rod is believed to require a four-year deal, in the $15 million range annually. Kinzer also noted that there are three or four other teams also in the running for K-Rod. |
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| The Angels will reportedly wait to make a bid on Mark Teixeira and won't take action during their exclusive negotiation period, according to the LA Times. |
Our View: The Angels do not want agent Scott Boras shopping around their offer to the Yankees, Red Sox, Orioles, and Nationals, hence driving up the price for the elite first baseman. |
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| Free agent Juan Rivera would be playing for a top contender if he re-signs with the Angels, but may opt to play elsewhere with the chance of being a regular starter, according to MLB.com. |
Our View: Rivera has solid power potential, as he hit 12 homers over 89 games with the Angels in 2008, and could potentially rank as a favorable sleeper for 2009 if he leaves the Angels for a team that plays in a more hitter-friendly ballpark. |
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| Jordan Walden was named the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheims' Minor League Organizational Player of the Year, according to MLB.com. Walden led all Angels minor leaguers with a 2.76 ERA and 141 K including an impressive 2.18 ERA in 18 starts in the Midwest League. |
Our View: Walden has yet to throw a pitch above High-A ball, so he isn't someone to pen any fantasy hopes on for the 2009 season. In 220.2 minor league innings the soon to be 21 year old owns a 2.86 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP. |
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| If the Angels acquire third baseman Garrett Atkins from the Rockies, Chone Figgins may be moved to left field to replace Garret Anderson. |
Our View: Figgins has proved to be extremely versatile for the Angels in years past, and his speed may be a plus in the outfield for the Angels. |
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| Francisco Rodriguez will not return to the Angels, according to the Orange County Register. It has been reported that owner Art Moreno has already decided against bringing him back. |
Our View: K-Rod is a much riskier investment than Mark Teixeira for the amount of money both players will command, as is the case with most pitchers. Teixeira was the biggest impact bat the Angels had during their short post-season life, so it would be ill-advised to let him get away. |
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| Mark Teixeira's agent Scott Boras is reported as saying that his client has too many teams interested for him to negotiate with all of them, according to the Cleveland Plain Dealer. |
Our View: Teixeira will bring a larger contract than any of Boras' other clients this offseason, and it would be surprising to see a deal before December with so many interested clubs. |
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| Kendry Morales had a home run and a double in the DWL on Friday. He is now 9-for-23 with four home runs this winter. |
Our View: Morales is probably ready for a full-time job, but there is not much space in the Angels offense. Should the team fail to re-sign Mark Teixeira, they could turn to Morales at first base. |
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| The Los Angeles Angels will not start negotiations with slugger Vladimir Guerrero on a long-term contract extension, according to the L.A. Times. "I think both sides have to be in a comfortable range as far as what an extension may or may not entail. We're a ways away," said GM Tony Reagins. |
Our View: Guerrero, whose $15 million option the team picked up last week, had knee surgery in October. He is still a very good fantasy option, though it would not be shocking to see his numbers go down a tick, as his batting average and at-bats have decreased for three consecutive seasons. |
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| Francisco Rodriguez's agent spoke on the radio on Thursday and said that his client might be willing to sign for less than the 5-year, $75 million deal that has been floated out there as his starting point, according to ESPN. "I don't have anything drawn," agent Paul Kinzer said. "The market will take us there." |
Our View: No matter what he ends up signing for, K-rod will be a rich man when he inks the deal. This news could be a smoke screen meant to merely lure additional teams into the fray to drive up his asking price even higher, and don't fool yourself into thinking he is going to sign a 2-year deal for $20, that just isn't going to happen. |
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| Torii Hunter was awarded his eighth straight Gold Glove on Thursday, according to MLB.com. Ichiro Suzuki also picked up his eighth straight trophy as well with Grady Sizemore rounding out the outfield with his second award. |
Our View: Hunter makes the spectacular plays, Ichiro makes all the plays, and Sizemore ranges to the gaps to make diving plays. If any team ever had this trio in the outfield their pitching staff might see their ERA drop by a half a run as not many balls would hit the outfield grass. |
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| Francisco Rodriguez is unlikely to sign with the Tigers, according to the Detroit Free Press. The Tigers don't want to increase payroll, which was around $134 million for 2008. This would take them out of the running for other big name closers like Kerry Wood and Brian Fuentes as well. |
Our View: K-Rod still has plenty of suitors, from the Mets to the team he's been with his entire career, the Angels. After saving a major league record 62 games last season, his contract will have to be substantial. |
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| A conflict could be brewing between the Angels and Mark Teixeira, according to the . Teixeira's agent, Scott Boras, would like to let the market for Teixeira develop while the Angels would like to get a deal done quickly so they can move on to other priorities. |
Our View: This matches Boras' style. He always seems to negotiate contracts for his highest profile clients first, and then moves down tier by tier. Boras' top client this offseason is likely going to be Manny Ramirez, and Boras and the Dodgers have already been talking. |
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| All-Star closer Francisco Rodriguez has filed for free agency, according to The Sports Network. |
Our View: K-Rod will likely command a substantial contract after arguably the single greatest season by a reliever. Rodriguez, 26, recorded a single-season record 62 saves for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim a season ago with a 2.24 earned-run average. He finished with seven blown saves in 76 appearances. |
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