According to the Toronto Sun's Bob Elliott, a minor leaguer involved in Monday's three-team blockbuster "flunked" his physical. We don't have enough information to speculate on how this might impact the trade. It's not even clear which player might have had an issue or if the problem is enough to nullify the deal. We do now know that both Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay passed. Stay tuned.
Shi Davidi of the Canadian Press reports that RHP Phillippe Aumont passed his physical. Aumount, 20, was bothered by some elbow issues towards the end of the '08 season, but apparently he isn't the one who failed his physical. Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun is reporting that one of the players in the three-way Roy Halladay blockbuster has failed his physical. Stay tuned. ------------------------ so its not him....hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said talks for Blue Jays right-hander Roy Halladay may extend into Thursday. Amaro is hopeful that the trade will be completed on Wednesday, but they may need an extra day to iron out the final details. There's no word whether the delay is connected to Bob Elliott's report that one of the players involved failed his physical, only that "negotiations have been complex because of the number of players and teams involved."
A source close to Adrian Gonzalez told Jorge Arangure of ESPN.com that he thinks the first baseman will be traded to the Red Sox within the next 10 days. It doesn't necessarily mean anything, but this lines up with Ken Rosenthal's report that the Red Sox are "pushing hard" to acquire Gonzalez. If Mike Lowell is sent to Texas, the Red Sox will need to act quickly to address one of their corner infield positions. While Adrian Beltre would be fine at third base, the 27-year-old Gonzalez would add some much-needed thump to the middle of the lineup. He had a .958 OPS and 40 home runs in 2009.
Mariners acquired LHP Cliff Lee from the Phillies from RHPs Phillippe Aumont and Juan Ramirez and OF Tyson Gillies. Jack Zduriencik is going for it. His new 1-2 punch of Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee is immediately the envy of every manager in baseball. Lee was 14-13 with a 3.22 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and six complete games between the Indians and Phillies in 09' and was even better in the postseason, going 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five starts. Lee is making only $9 million in the final year of his contract, and even if he bolts via free agency, the Mariners will receive two draft picks, replenishing the prospects they dealt away. It's a no-lose situation for Seattle. -------------- It seems this portion of the trade is put to bed???
Phillies acquired RHP Roy Halladay and cash considerations from the Blue Jays for RHP Kyle Drabek, OF Michael Taylor and C Travis D'Arnaud. One sign that this is an odd series of moves is when you can say that the Phillies only moderately improved by adding Halladay, but that's precisely what happened here. What the Phillies longed for was security and they'll get it with Halladay. With the Blue Jays kicking in $6 million for 2010, the Phillies will only be responsible for $9.75 million. Also, the Phillies reportedly inked Halladay to three-year, $60 million extension with a vesting option for a fourth year. Granted, Halladay will be 33 years old next May, but with a 2.79 ERA and a major-league leading nine complete games last season, he's showing no signs of slowing down. Halladay is 17-8 with a 3.02 ERA and 1.14 WHIP against the National League in his career. Blue Jays acquired 1B-3B Brett Wallace from the Athletics for OF Michael Taylor. It turns out that an MRI on Wallace's shoulder was the hold-up on the deal, but everything eventually checked out. It's curious that the Athletics would give up on him, but it's probably an acknowledgment that he's bound to play first base or be a designated hitter in the long-term. Wallace, 23, was actually originally drafted by Toronto in 2005, but went to college and signed with the Cardinals after being drafted in the first-round in 2008. Wallace has a .305/.384/.475 line over his first two professional seasons, reaching as high as Triple-A last season. Using Wallace at first base could be one possibility should the Jays trade Lyle Overbay this winter.
Multiple sources informed Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald that the odds of Adrian Gonzalez landing with the Red Sox this winter are "remote." It's not surprising to hear. Gonzalez, 27, is a perfect fit in San Diego, where the lineup lacks power and money is tight. He posted a .958 OPS and 40 home runs in '09 while earning just $3 million. He's only owed $4.75 million in 2010 and carries a bargain $5.5 million club option for 2011.
i dont see how cliff lee wants more than what halladay just signed for...seattle could pay him the same exact deal that halladay got im more interested in signing king felix though
Either way its win/win for Seattle.....sign him to something reasonable or take the two draft picks. in other news.... EPSN.com's Buster Olney reports that IF Jamey Carroll has chosen to join the Dodgers on a two-year deal just under $4 million with incentives. Carroll hit .276/.355/.340 in 93 games with the Indians in 2009. The 35-year old was one of the better utilitymen on the market and figures to step right into Mark Loretta's old role. The right-hander chose the Dodgers over the Athletics, and it's easy to figure out why when you look at each team's
I have been saying this all along. I hate to lose him, but this team is getting younger, and looking for more players to re-build the team and stock the farm system.
I think the Mets are going to end up with Bay. With Boston, Yankees, Mariners and Giants out of the race it just seems like the Mets are the only team in the bidding. I wouldn't give him 5 years but then again I'm not Omar Minaya. While I'd love to have Adrian Gonzalez, I still doubt he gets traded before July of this year. Hopefully Jed Hoyer is seeing how Gonzalez's trade value won't be any higher than it is right now and does move him but again I don't think he will. And yes I hope I'm wrong.
I got Adrian's autograph a couple years ago at Spring Training on my Padre Ball cap, and I wear it all the time. It has faded, but the memory of spring training is there. He is the most down to earth guy you will ever meet. Great people.
Seattle is after Bay as well and he went to college at Gonzaga so his roots are there. I would not however go to the sixth year for Bay, I really dont want to guarantee the fifth one either but I think thats the only way we are getting him and the Mets IMO are desperate to make any kind of splash. The Mets are also keeping tabs on Delgado. They have extended a minor league offer with incentives to Kelvim Escobar and are monitoring the Chien Mien Wang injury. To bad they havent mentioned a word about Sheets or Bedard On the bright side they have supposedly ruled out Piniero, aka someone's fools gold. Additionally, per rotoworld: The Baltimore Sun is reporting that the Orioles have signed 3B Garrett Atkins to a one-year deal, salary unknown. It's a good landing spot for Atkins, who will be handed the starting job and can work to rebuild his value. The 30-year old hig just .226 with nine home runs for the Rockies in 2009, but averaged 25 home runs the previous three seasons. In the span of one day, the Orioles have addressed their two biggest holes. Source: Baltimore Sun Related: Orioles The Yankees are speaking to Nick Johnson about joining the team as designated hitter, reports the New York Posts' George King. Such a move would be curious simply because it would go against what GM Brian Cashman has publicly intended to do with the DH spot: swap it among his veterans to give them days off. Such a move would likely spell the end of Damon in New York, says King, as the team views him as a part-time DH. Source: New York Post Related: Johnny Damon, Yankees According to Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman, Mike Gonzalez is signing a two-year deal worth $12 million, with an additional $4 million in incentives. Gonzalez immediately becomes Baltimore's best bet to open the season as closer. The Type-A free agent will not cost Baltimore its' first-rounder, so Atlanta ends up with no first rounders out of their departed relievers in Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano. This hurts the fantasy value of Jim Johnson, although he might be used in some strategic matchups and vulture saves. Source: Twitter: Jon Heyman Related: Jim Johnson, Orioles
The Mets aren't ready to go to a fifth year for free agent outfielder Jason Bay, reports John Harper of the New York Daily News. "We're not going to bid against ourselves," one Mets person said. It's refreshing news for Mets fans, as Bay is believed to be seeking five or perhaps even six years. General manager Omar Minaya has reportedly discussed the idea of a fifth year, but they aren't yet convinced they will need to improve upon their four-year, $65 million offer. If another team like the Angels get involved, things could change, but the Mets appear to have the clear path to signing him.
According to a Spanish-language website in the Dominican Republic, former Angels reliever Jose Arredondo was stabbed this week. Arredondo's agent is telling state-side news services that the stabbing was not serious. The 25-year-old right-hander was non-tendered by the Angels a few days ago after posting a disappointing 6.00 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 47/23 K/BB in 45 innings of relief this season. He is scheduled to undergo Tommy John surgery in a few weeks and will miss the 2010 season. Wow, that sucks....
Ken Davidoff of Newsday reports that the Yankees and Nick Johnson are "wrapping up" a one-year deal worth $5.5 million. Johnson will serve as the primary designated hitter for the Yankees in 2010, a spot held last year by Hideki Matsui. The 31-year-old Johnson finished with a solid .291/.426/.405 batting line in 2009 with eight homers and 62 RBI in 457 at-bats. It appears Johnny Damon will not be returning to the Bronx. Ehhhhhh, not totally in love with this based on injury history...dude just cant stay healthy...but love him as #2 contact hitter (limited power stroke) but he has to stay in the lineup.....hopefully @ DH he can do that. Much cheaper than Damon or Matsui option for sure....but thats not necessarily a good thing.
The Mets confirmed the signing of reliever Ryota Igarashi to a two-year contract on Thursday. The financials weren't disclosed, but it's believed the deal is worth around $3 million. It's a nice little gamble for the Mets, and I thought Igarashi would get twice as much when he announced he was coming over. The 30-year-old right-hander had a 3.25 ERA in 507 career appearance for the Yakult Swallows. Last season, he finished with a 3.19 ERA and a 44/20 K/BB ratio in 53 2/3 innings. He still throws in the mid-90s in occasion, and it should take major league hitters to adjust to his splitter. Poor command and questions about his ability to throw 70 innings per year caused some teams to shy away, but he has a chance to be a pretty good seventh- and eighth-inning guy if used carefully.
For 500k more they could have had Matsui. Still not sure why the fans are so obsessed about lowering the payroll though, it's almost like they're embarassed by it. It's not against the rules so who cares what it is.
I am not concerned if payroll moves north or south or stays stagnant......FO wants it down, but cant define why. I personally think Matsui or Damon would have been better than Nick Johnson...but what the hell do I know.
Damon is perfect for that team and that ball park, if he's really gone then it's a pretty big loss in my opinion. But that's what happens when you deal with Boras sometimes. I don't blame the Yankees for not giving him a 4 year deal like he wants or over 13 million per season. Johnson is a good ball player but like you said he's always hurt and is a few steps down hitting wise than Matsui or Damon. But between him, CC and Joba he'll do some damage at the buffet table before and after games.
Looks like the Mariners have agreed to trade Carlos Silva to the Cubs for Milton Bradley. Nice move by the M's. Hopefully a straight jacket and a taser is included in the deal with Bradley.
According to the Seattle Times' Larry Stone, the Cubs have agreed to trade Milton Bradley to the Mariners for right-hander Carlos Silva. It'll be interesting to see what kind of money is being exchanged. Silva, who is owed $24 million over the next two years, posted an 8.60 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 30 innings this past season and a 6.46 ERA in 153 1/3 innings the year before. Bradley, owed $21 million, batted a disappointing .257/.378/.397 this season with Chicago but is only one year removed from a career-best .321/.436/.563 batting line. For now, it appears the Mariners and GM Jack Zduriencik have pulled off another excellent deal. According to the Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan, the Cubs will receive $9 million from the Mariners to cover part of Carlos Silva's remaining salary. Silva is owed $24 million over the next two seasons and Mitlon Bradley is owed $21 million, so the Cubs are basically saving $6 million in the deal. Of course, that doesn't make up for the fact that Chicago is getting by far the worse player. Silva posted an 8.60 ERA and 1.70 WHIP in 30 innings this past season and a 6.46 ERA over 153 1/3 innings in 2008. Bradley batted a disappointing .257/.378/.397 in 2009 with Chicago but is only one year removed from a career-best .321/.436/.563 batting line.
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports that the Diamondbacks have made a formal offer to free agent second baseman Kelly Johnson. Johnson became a free agent when he was non-tendered by the Braves last weekend. The 29-year-old hit just .224/.303/.389 with eight home runs and 29 RBI in '09 but had a respectable .795 OPS during his first three years in the major leagues. Piecoro guesses the offer is a one-year deal worth $2 million. The Astros, Nationals and Pirates are also thought to have interest.
Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News has heard that the Cubs are "close to getting a deal done" with free agent outfielder Marlon Byrd. The Cubs saved $6 million when they shipped Milton Bradley to Seattle and now have a vacancy in their outfield. Byrd, 32, batted .283/.329/.479 with 20 homers, 89 RBI and 43 doubles in '09. If he does sign with Chicago, he will be reunited with his former hitting coach, Rudy Jaramillo.
Mike Lowell will undergo surgery on his right thumb, and the trade sending him to the Rangers for Max Ramirez is off. Lowell is only expected to need 6-8 weeks to recover, but Texas has dropped the deal anyway. Perhaps it will be revisited if Lowell proves to be 100 percent in spring training. The Red Sox might be able to find a better deal then anyway, considering that they had to pay $9 million of the $12 million that Lowell was owed in their attempt to move him now. The Red Sox do have to be very disappointed in Lowell, considering that he failed to have the thumb problem addressed at the conclusion of the season.
Dodgers signed utilityman Jamey Carroll to a two-year, $3.85 million contract. The contract also contains up to $525,000 in performance-based incentives for both 2010 and 2011. Carroll, 35, hit .276/.355/.340 in 93 games with the Indians in 2009 and will serve as a utilityman for the Dodgers next season. He carries little-to-no fantasy value, especially in mixed leagues.
Mixed feelings on this. On one hand since the trade fell through that hopefully means no Adrian Beltre. On the other hand, seriously why didn't he get surgery after the season ended?
No I don't think so. Boston was going to eat 9 million of Lowell's 12 million dollar contract so they see that 9 million, and probably the whole 12 million, as a sunk cost already. They wouldn't blink twice if they could get Gonzalez.
I can agree with that, in fact the only casualty would be signing Gonzalez to an extension as the money is tied up in Lowell's contract. A GM would have a tough time paying 9 million for Lowell then signing Gonzalez to an extension for 9 million per yr, 18 million for a first basemen would be a bit steep. Nice thing about AGone, not only does he have a big bat, he is also a Gold Glove winner, he really is a good player.
Oakland is closing on a one year, $5 million deal with OF Coco Crisp, ESPN's Buster Olney reports. A little curious that the Athletics elected to go Crisp over Jack Cust when Cust would have cost about $4 million through the arbitration process. Crisp should provide fantastic defense, but his contribution on offense is anyone's guess. The 30-year old batted .228/.336/.378 in 180 at-bats for Kansas City in 2009 before undergoing surgery in both shoulders.
Hmm...those Cuban defectors tend to be hit or miss, or play well for a short time then fold up their tents and just stop playing.
Lowell is in the final year of his contract so after this year he'll be a FA so if the Sox were to get Gonzalez in a deal I don't think anything would stand in the way of an extension.
good piece.... He's been one of the most bandied-about names this offseason, but Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com thinks it would behoove the Padres to wait until the 2010 non-waiver trade deadline to trade Adrian Gonzalez: By the middle of this season, it should be different. In July, other GMs can't talk about free-agent options. In July, other GMs are under pressure to go for it by getting one more left-handed slugger. In July, other GMs will look at the money remaining on Gonzalez's contract -- at that stage, barely more than $7 million through 2011 -- and say to ownership: "For this guy, for that amount of money, we should make it happen." Owed a modest $4.75 million next season with the bargain of a $5.5 million club option for 2011, the Padres are wise to wait for the right deal in return for their franchise first baseman. According to Morosi, one rival executive doubts new general manager Ned Hoyer would accept an offer of right-handers Clay Buchholz and Daniel Bard if the package didn't also include right-hander Casey Kelly or outfielder Ryan Westmoreland.
