| Randy Wolf, P, Houston Astros | Thursday 11/1, 10:39 PM CT |
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| The Dodgers declined Randy Wolf's $9 million option on Thursday, instead choosing to pay a $500,000 buyout, according to the Dodgers website. Wolf made just 16 starts in 2007 due to shoulder issues. He underwent surgery in September, but he's expected to be ready for spring training. Wolf still has plenty of talent, and while there is certainly risk here, he could wind up being one of the better bargains this offseason. |
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| The Giants are thought to be one of the team's that will pursue Alex Rodriguez this winter. However, GM Brian Sabean indicated the club's chances of acquiring the All-Star would be "a reach," according to the AP. "I don't even know that they know what their expectations are," Sabean said of A-Rod and agent Scott Boras. "You have to do due diligence. I think that's the best way to put it: kick the tires on anything, including him. In baseball, almost anything is possible. How probable something like that would be would be a reach for me for the reasons you said. It can literally hamstring what you want to do for quite a while." The Giants do need to add some pop to their lineup after the departure of Barry Bonds, but bringing in A-Rod may not be the wisest investment - although, let's be honest, spending $30 million per year on one player won't be a wise investment for any team. |
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| The Padres declined their $3.25 million option on Rob Mackowiak Thursday, according to the AP. Mackowiak, who was acquired from the White Sox at the trade deadline, batted .196 in 28 games for San Diego. |
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| Joel Zumaya, P, Detroit Tigers | Thursday 11/1, 1:44 PM CT |
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| Those hoping the Tigers would hand Joel Zumaya the closer job in 2008 will have to wait. The team announced Thursday that the right-hander underwent surgery Wednesday to repair the AC joint in his right shoulder, according to the Tigers website. Zumaya will rest for six weeks before beginning a rehab program. The Tigers are hopeful he'll be ready to return to action around the All-Star break next year, but nothing is set in stone. This news likely means the club will make a stronger push to bring back Todd Jones, who is now a free agent. |
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| Kris Benson, P, Philadelphia Phillies | Thursday 11/1, 11:28 AM CT |
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| The Orioles declined their $7.5 million option on Kris Benson Thursday, making him a free agent, according to the AP. The O's paid him a $500,000 buyout. Benson did not pitch at all in 2007 as he recovered from labrum surgery. Some team will take a flyer on him with a short-term, incentive-based deal, but you can ignore him for fantasy purposes. |
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| Bobby Abreu, RF, New York Yankees | Thursday 11/1, 11:20 AM CT |
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| It's still looking likely that the Yankees will exercise Bobby Abreu's $16 million option, which must be done by Friday, according to the New York Daily News. That said, the concern about being too overloaded with left-handed hitters has also caused some internal debate on the issue. |
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| Joe Crede, 3B, Chicago White Sox | Thursday 11/1, 11:18 AM CT |
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| With Alex Rodriguez out of the picture in New York, the Yankees have had preliminary discussions about Joe Crede, who is coming off back surgery, according to the New York Daily News. Should the Sox choose to deal Crede, Josh Fields would take over the full-time job at third base, although Fields has also been working out in left field, so trading Crede may not be a necessity. |
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| While the Yankees have been slow in trying to work out a new deal with Jorge Posada, the Mets are preparing to make the catcher their No. 1 offseason priority, according to the New York Daily News. It's believed the Yankees have discussed offering Posada a three-year contract worth $40 million, but that may not be enough, especially if the Mets come over the top. |
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| Cameron Maybin hasn't played in the Arizona Fall League in more than a week due to a slight left shoulder strain, and it's unclear if he'll be able to return at all, according to the Detroit Free Press. On the bright side, an MRI exam on the shoulder revealed he doesn't need surgery, so this doesn't appear to be that serious of an issue. |
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| Matt Mantei hasn't pitched in the big league since July 2005, but he's determined to make a comeback, and he wants to do so with his hometown team, the Tigers, according to the Detroit Free Press. "I'm ready," Mantei said Wednesday from his home in Stevensville. "I told my agent, 'I want to play for the Tigers and nobody else.'" Mantei was at spring training with the Tigers in 2006, but he suffered an oblique injury in March and asked for his release. He said he'd be willing to begin the season at Triple-A Toledo if that's what the Tigers needed him to do. |
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| Torii Hunter, CF, Los Angeles Angels | Thursday 11/1, 10:59 AM CT |
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| The White Sox plan to meet with free agent Torii Hunter next week, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. Hunter reportedly told a person close to the situation this week he was "receptive" to the idea of playing for the Pale Hose. Should the Sox be unable to lure Hunter to Chicago, Aaron Rowand could be their backup plan. |
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| The Rangers inked Joaquin Benoit to a two-year, $6 million deal on Wednesday evening, according to the Dallas Morning News. "It's something I really wanted to get done," Benoit said by phone from the Dominican Republic. "This really means a lot to me to know that they want me. I'm excited to be here." Benoit has indicated he'd like a chance to close in 2008, but that will depend on the status of Akinori Otsuka, who dealt with many arm issues this year, and how the team wants to use C.J. Wilson. |
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| The Reds have declined their option on Eddie Guardado, but there is a chance he could still end up back in Cincinnati. "We're keeping the dialogue open with Eddie and his agent," general manager Wayne Krivsky said in the Cincinnati Enquirer. Guardado has said he'd consider returning, but that he'd also look into going to a club nearer to his California home. |
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| Justin Duchscherer, who continues to recover from hip surgery, could get an opportunity to win a starting job next spring, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "Health provided," GM Billy Beane said. "It's something Justin has always wanted to do." Duchscherer has made just five big-league starts - the last coming in 2003 - but he was primarily a starter in the minor leagues, so it's reasonable to think he could handle the transition. |
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| Freddy Garcia filed for free agency Wednesday. Garcia was a monumental disappointment with the Phillies, winning just one game and holding a 5.90 ERA in 11 starts before undergoing should surgery in August. He's not expected to be ready to pitch until sometime after the All-Star break, and it certainly seems possible he may not pitch at all next year. The Phillies have already confirmed that they will not bring him back. |
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| Eric Chavez, 3B, Oakland Athletics | Thursday 11/1, 10:42 AM CT |
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| Eric Chavez, who is recovering from back surgery, will get clearance to begin physical therapy on Monday, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The feeling seems to be that Chavez will be ready when next season begins, but that's obviously a big question mark. The third baseman may not be worth the risk on draft day next year. |
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| Shannon Stewart has already filed for free agency, but GM Billy Beane has been in contact with agent Greg Genske, and both sides are looking to explore the possibility of bringing the outfielder back to Oakland, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "Shannon had a very positive experience with Oakland and is open to the possibility of coming back, and the A's have expressed interest, too," Genske said. Stewart has indicated he'd like to be closer to his home in Florida, but it remains to be seen just how much weight that will have in his final decision. |
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| The Tigers could pursue Curt Schilling this offseason, but that will happen only if Kenny Rogers decides not to return, according to the Detroit News. The Tigers were one of the 13 teams Schilling said he'd be willing to pitch for in 2008. The team wants a veteran starter to help lead their young rotation, and if Rogers doesn't return, Schilling would certainly fit the bill. |
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| The Red Sox designated Royce Clayton for assignment Wednesday, according to the Boston Herald. He batted .246 in 195 at-bats with Boston and Toronto in 2007. Clayton is nothing more than a role player at this point in his career, and there's no reason to pay him any attention in fantasy. |
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