| Randy Choate, P, Milwaukee Brewers | Wednesday 11/14, 1:50 PM CT |
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| The Brewers signed Randy Choate to a one-year contract on Wednesday, according to the AP. Choate spent most of the 2007 season in Triple-A Tucson, holding a 2.98 ERA in 55 relief appearances. He's nothing but a below-average middle reliever with no fantasy value. |
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| Greg Norton, LF, Atlanta Braves | Wednesday 11/14, 1:23 PM CT |
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| Tampa Bay declined its option on Greg Norton Wednesday, making him a free agent, according to the AP. Norton hit .243 with a .358 OBP in 75 games in 2007, and he isn't likely to be anything more than a role player wherever he ends up. |
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| Al Reyes, P, New York Mets | Wednesday 11/14, 1:22 PM CT |
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| The Rays exercised their 2008 option on Al Reyes Wednesday, according to the AP. Reyes converted 26-of-30 save chances in 2007, holding a 4.90 ERA and a 10.4 K/9 rate in the process. As things stand now, Reyes is in line to serve as Tampa's closer in 2008. However, if the club brings in another bullpen arm - possibly Troy Percival - this winter, it's at least possible the team will move Reyes back into a setup role. |
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| The Rockies could still bring back free agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba, but if Torrealba goes elsewhere, Michael Barrett is a guy the Rox would be interested in. "It's still early, but Michael has expressed interest in the Rockies," Barrett's agent, Matt Kramer told the Denver Post. Barrett had a down 2007 season, but he would be a very intriguing fantasy option at Coors Field. |
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| Mark Mulder, P, St. Louis Cardinals | Wednesday 11/14, 11:40 AM CT |
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| The Cardinals are expecting Mark Mulder, who had a second shoulder surgery in September, to be ready to pitch at the beginning of the season. "Right now we are looking at Mulder as a full-time contributor to the rotation," GM John Mozeliak said in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "Still, it's better to be prepared for any possibility. Hopefully, we'll have even more to go on in the near future." Mozeliak said the team is interested in free agent starters Carlos Silva and Kyle Lohse. |
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| Scott Rolen, 3B, Toronto Blue Jays | Wednesday 11/14, 11:27 AM CT |
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| The Cardinals have confirmed what has been speculated for weeks now: Third baseman Scott Rolen is available. "What I tried to articulate is how steadfastly we feel about not just giving him away," GM John Mozeliak said in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "Can I envision Scott being part of the 2008 Cardinals? Yes. But could there be a scenario in which something else happens? We're finding that out." The frayed relationship between Rolen and manager Tony La Russa is thought to be irreparable at this point, and that is the main reason why the four-time All-Star and seven-time Gold Glove winner could be moved. However, with his big contract, shoulder woes and poor 2007 season, there probably won't be a long line of teams looking to take Rolen off the Cards' hands. |
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| The Brewers would love to bring back free agent closer Francisco Cordero, but he could end up out of their price range. Cordero is said to be looking for at least $40 million over four years. "You have a 'choking point' with every player," said GM Doug Melvin in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "We'll be as competitive as we can be." |
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| Ryan Zimmerman underwent a follow-up procedure Tuesday to clear a hematoma that resulted from last week's surgery on his left wrist. The surgery evacuated a small blood clot that was causing compression within Zimmerman's carpal tunnel, according to the Washington Post. The procedure isn't expected to impact Zimmerman's preparation for spring training. |
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| They recently just moved Brett Myers back to the rotation, but the Phillies are still looking for another starter. Bartolo Colon is one guy that interests them. Former Phillie Randy Wolf is another. "We had conversations about both players," assistant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Both Colon and Wolf are tremendous injury risks, but they also have more upside than most of the other available free agents. |
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| Miguel Cabrera's waistline has expanded noticeably in recent seasons, but the slugger intends on being in much better shape by spring training next year. "This winter, I'm really going to work on my physical condition in order to be in the best shape possible for spring training," Cabrera said in the Miami Herald. "I've been at it for four weeks now at a gym that specializes in professional athletes, and I'll be there until the spring. I'll keep at it in order to get to spring training in the best shape possible, to have the best season possible for the team I end up on." Obviously Cabrera is aware that he is on the trading block, and the LA Times reports that the Dodgers and Angels are the frontrunners to land him. That said, it's unclear if this is because the two teams have been pursuing Cabrera the hardest, or if it's simply because they have the best crops of young talent. Any deal with the Dodgers would likely include three or four of Clayton Kershaw, Chad Billingsley, James Loney, Matt Kemp and James Loney. A deal with the Angels would focus around Howie Kendrick, Brandon Wood and Nick Adenhart. |
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| The Rays are one of several teams that is heavily pursuing Troy Percival this winter, according to the Tampa Tribune. The club may even be considered one of the frontrunners, considering Percival's close relationship with manager Joe Maddon. Should Percival sign with Tampa, he could potentially be used in the closer role, depending on what the team chooses to do with Al Reyes, whose team option is expected to be picked up today. |
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| Perhaps Alex Rodriguez's days in the Bronx aren't over after all. The New York Daily News reports that A-Rod and the Yankees have been discussing a deal over the past couple of days. The catch, however, is that Scott Boras isn't involved. "We will not negotiate with Scott Boras," a Yankees source said. "He cannot be in the room." Apparently, the Yankees are looking to sign the slugger to a below-market contract that would make up for the $21 million from the Rangers that was lost when A-Rod opted out of his contract. Rodriguez is expected to be meeting with Hank and Hal Steinbrenner directly. It's not surprising that the Yanks have realized they're simply not as good without Rodriguez, but it still seems to be a longshot that he would sign a below-market deal. |
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| He is still a long ways away, but Mike Hampton appears to be on track to return to the Braves rotation in 2008. Hampton, who hasn't pitched since 2005 due to a pair of elbow surgeries, threw a bullpen session at Peoria [Ariz.] Stadium Tuesday for Braves GM Frank Wren, manager Bobby Cox and pitching coach Roger McDowell. "He threw the ball well — threw great, felt great," Wren said in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Braves are hoping Hampton can fill the No. 4 spot in their rotation behind John Smoltz, Tim Hudson and Tom Glavine, who is expected to return to the club. |
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| Mike Lowell, 3B, Boston Red Sox | Wednesday 11/14, 10:37 AM CT |
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| Mike Lowell is seeking a four-year contract, and the Red Sox have yet to offer anything more than three years. What complicates things even further is that the Yankees and Phillies are expected to come over the top with their offers, according to the Boston Herald. The Marlins shot down Boston's initial offer for Miguel Cabrera, but if Lowell signs elsewhere, perhaps the Sox will look at Cabrera (or Alex Rodriguez) more seriously. |
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| CC Sabathia, P, Milwaukee Brewers | Wednesday 11/14, 8:14 AM CT |
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| C.C. Sabathia captured the AL Cy Young Award Tuesday, finishing comfortably ahead of Josh Beckett and John Lackey. Sabathia worked 40 1/3 more innings than Beckett during the regular season, which may have been what really swayed the voters. |
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