• The Washington Nationals are prowling around for a big-time slugger, most notably beginning the process of courting first baseman Mark Teixeira. But they've also expressed serious interest in slugger Adam Dunn, which makes sense -- Washington GM Jim Bowden ran the Reds at the time that Cincinnati drafted and developed Dunn. If the Nationals wind up dangling the largest offer to Dunn, in a winter in which the corner outfield market prices are depressed, he will have an interesting decision. If Dunn signs with the Nationals, for at least the first season or two he might find himself in a similar situation to what he experienced in Cincinnati -- a player among a few stars on a team that figures to struggle. Does he embrace that chance, or will he prefer a place where he has a better chance to win, such as with Tampa Bay, for less money? We'll see.
• There have been reports that the White Sox are trying to move
Jermaine Dye, but sources indicate that is overblown. The stark reality right now is that this is not a good climate for the White Sox to make a good deal involving Dye. He is set to make $11.5 million next year, with a $1 million buyout on an option for 2010, and the White Sox presumably would want decent return for the slugger. But if a team actually wanted a corner outfielder, they could simply offer a contract to a Bobby Abreu or a Dunn, rather than swap prospects to Chicago.
The White Sox have some
depth from which to deal, writes Mark Gonzales.
• Some sources don't expect Orlando Cabrera to accept the arbitration offer with the White Sox, even in the depressed shortstop market. Chicago is fully committed to playing
Alexei Ramirez at shortstop, and Cabrera has been made aware of that. Even if he could get the most money by taking arbitration, he figures to be leery of remaining in a situation where he might not necessarily play very much -- and at this stage in his career, the best thing for him might be to go and play some place, such as with the Baltimore Orioles.
• Best wishes to Phil Itzoe, the Orioles' longtime traveling secretary, who is recovering from health trouble.
• The
Twins are looking for help other than
Casey Blake. Heard earlier this week that a Plan B might develop into something built around
Garrett Atkins, with the Rockies searching for pitching in return.
•
Rafael Furcal's last contract request to the Athletics, before the deal fell apart: four years, $52 million.
• The Cubs and White Sox are
both looking for leadoff hitters, writes Chris De Luca. A
good leadoff man equals wins, writes Phil Rogers.
A lefty bat is a priority for the Cubs, writes Gordon Wittenmyer.
• The Orioles' rotation
leaves them spinning, writes Jeff Zrebiec.
• The Reds are looking
to wheel and deal, writes John Fay.
• The Jays
are on the outside looking in as the big boys consider offers, writes Richard Griffin.
•
Three youngsters represent hope for the Detroit bullpen, writes Jon Paul Morosi.
• The winter meetings
might be filled with deals, writes Jim Salisbury.
•
Evan Meek might inherit a job with the Pirates, writes Dejan Kovacevic.
Jack Wilson is not the only Bucco
on the trade market, writes John Perotto.
• The Tigers are
looking for ways to improve within the confines of their budget.
• The
Royals have no reason to gamble this week in Vegas, writes Bob Dutton.
• The Dodgers
might be busy at the winter meetings, writes Tony Jackson.
• The
Mariners are looking to boost their power, writes Geoff Baker.
• The
Bay area teams want to win, writes John Shea.
• The D-Backs'
payroll will dictate their actions, writes Nick Piecoro. They're
unlikely to make waves, writes Jack Magruder.
• The Rockies are
likely to stand pat at the meetings, writes Patrick Saunders.
•
John Smoltz is
ahead of schedule and throwing, writes David O'Brien.
• The Rays have
several options for improving the offense, writes Marc Topkin. Suddenly, St. Pete is a place
where players want to go, writes Marc Lancaster.
• The Rangers might make deals
that look like payroll cuts, writes Evan Grant.
• The Marlins
won't be pursuing big-name talent at the meetings.
• The Cardinals
are looking for pitching.
Jake Peavy? Hmmmm … You do wonder if they could jump into the thing; they certainly have a match in many respects.
•
Ron Santo may get his Hall of Fame wish.
Buster Olney
