Dec 30 2008
MLB Talks and Rumors of the Day
Buster Olney is now reporting that the Mets and Dodgers likely will not negotiate a trade between Andruw Jones unles Luis Castillo can be involved, as well as the Dodgers paying most of Jones salary. He puts the chances of the Mets even trading Castillo at 50-50. I doubt they will be able to move his 18 million in salary after his dismal year last year and also his injuries and loss of speed.
The Rays right now are not doing anything drastic in the hitters market, although they are eyeing Jason Giambi, Bobby Abreu, or Garrett Anderson. However, they did sign Matt Joyce to play right field so someone would displace him or be the DH.
Ned Colletti has said that Manny Ramirez is number one on the teams radar. They have not talked to Scott Boras since the Texeira signing. The Dodgers rescinded their original offer of 2 years @ 45 million over a month ago. If Manny does not sign in LA, he might have a problem finding work unless he lessens his price. Also, the Dodgers fallback plan if they can’t sign Manny are either Adam Dunn or Bobby Abreu. Both would be cheaper than Manny but the production would be drastically less. The Dodgers are also looking at Jon Garland and Randy Wolf as replacements for the 6 FA pitchers they lost last year.
The Red Sox have attempted to get back former SS prospect, Hanley Ramirez. Ramirez was traded back in 2004 after the Marlins won the world series for Josh Beckett. It was one of those deals that both teams have benefited from. The Marlins gaining a potential MVP and 5 tool star SS, while the Red Sox got an ace starter who they rode to the 2007 World Series last year. The trade talks fell through when the Marlins inquired about both Clay Buccholz and Jacoby Ellsbury. I would have done the trade in a second if it were those 2 for Hanley. Hanley gives them a SS who would overthrow Jeter in the All Star ballots easily, and they would still have Michael Bowden as well as Justin Masterson to fall back on for pitching. The deal would not have been good for my Yankees.
Chris Snyder has just gotten an extension from the Diamondbacks, for 3 years 14.25 million with an option for a 4th year.
