Tigers After Tazawa, Closer

According to John Morosi, the Tigers are considering a run for free agent pitcher Junichi Tazawa. The list keeps growing for Tazawa, 22, who reportedly has a fastball that tops at 97 mph. The Tigers are not sure if they will make a serious run at Tazawa, but expect them to talk with his agents. The Red Sox, Mets, Phillies, Rangers, Cubs, Mariners, and Dodgers are among several other teams that are reportedly pursuing Tazawa, so he is likely in for a big deal. At this point, it is hard to say where he could go, but you have to expect that the teams with a Japanese presence would be favored over other teams. With that said, the Red Sox, Dodgers, Cubs, and Mariners probably match up the best.

The Tigers also plan to pursue a closer, and may be forced to trade prospects Matt Joyce or Jeff Larish to bring one in. The Tigers will likely contact JJ Putz and Huston Street before looking to the free agent market, but don't be surprised if they sign Chad Cordero or Jason Isringhausen as well. 

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Cardinals Make Offer For Holliday

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Cardinals offered Ryan Ludwick, Skip Schumaker, and Mitchell Boggs to the Rockies for Matt Holliday. I can't see why the Rockies wouldn't take this deal. Not only do they get an outfielder who could hit 30 homeruns, but they get two solid players who could start with the Rockies. Holliday, who hit 25 homeruns, would likely see his numbers drop somewhat playing in St. Louis. At the same time though, they could go up batting behind Albert Pujols. This deal will probably help both teams, but the Rockies would definitly have the edge intially.

The Rockies will probably counter, but a deal will probably happen within the next week or so.

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Will The Jays Be This Year's Mariners?

Will the Jays, desperate for pitching, swing for the fences and break the bank for a free agent pitcher? Last offseason, the Mariners dished out 48 million dollars to Carlos Silva, who set a career high in ERA (6.46). It is hard to sell Toronto to a pitcher when several top market teams are pursuing the same guys. The Blue Jays have contacted A.J. Burnett, Ryan Dempster, Derek Lowe, and Ben Sheets, but all four of those guys have also been contacted by the Yankees, among other teams. Right now, their best bet is A.J. Burnett, who, from what I am hearing, is leaning towards returning to Toronto. 

If Burnett leaves, the Jays will need to sign a pitcher quick so they have some leverage in negotiations with position players like Rafael Furcal or Jason Giambi. After Burnett, their best bet is Ryan Dempster, who is from Canada. Dempster has told the Cubs he would like to hear what other teams have to offer, which would suggest he would go to the highest bidder. Dempster was the "X-factor" for the Cubs this season and he is in for a big raise. However, he tripled the amount of innings he pitched in as well as had ridiculously high pitch counts consistently. Making a long term investment might not be the best idea for the Jays.

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White Sox Front Runners For Viciedo

Supposedly the next Babe Ruth (of Cuba, that is) has successfully defected from Cuba and is a free agent. Dayan Viciedo, 19, is the best Cuban position player since Omar Linares, who lead the Cuban national team. His agent, Jaime Torres, says there is a lot of interest in Viciedo, and that they would like to get him signed sooner rather than later. With that said, the White Sox are the perceived front-runners. Not only is Viciedo friends with Alexei Ramirez, but they share the same agent. If signed by the White Sox, Viciedo would probably start in the majors right away, making Chicago an even more desirable place for him. The White Sox are probably up for that, considering Ramirez is up for Rookie of the Year after hitting .290 with 21 HR. Scouts believe Viciedo could hit 30-40 homeruns, so the asking price could be rather high. I suspect a five year deal worth between 1-3 million dollars would get it done. 

The Red Sox, Athletics, Indians, Mariners, and Dodgers, among others, have all reportedly expressed interest. 

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Brewers Hire Randolph

The Brewers have hired former Mets manager Willie Randolph to be Ken Macha's bench coach, according to FOXSports.com. "We are very pleased to add Willie to the organization as he brings recent National League expertise and success to our coaching staff" general manager Doug Melvin said. "His reputation as a player is a quality that will be valuable in his teaching and coaching of our talented young team. Willie is a professional both on and off the field." Prior to managing the Mets, Willie Randolph was the Yankees third base coach and apart of four World Series teams. This is not his first time with the Brewers, having played with them in 1991 and hitting .327 with 0 HR in 124 games.

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Perez to Brewers?

If the Brewers fail to sign CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets, they will target Oliver Perez, industry sources believe. The Brewers do expect a counter offer from Sabathia, but it will likely be closer to seven years around 22-24 million dollars. The Yankees appear to be the only team willing to go that long and for that price, but don't be surprised if the Brewers break the bank with Sabathia. The Brewers future success really rests with Sabathia, who personally carried them into the postseason. Yes, they have several young pitchers, but there is no guarantee win every fifth day. 

The Red Sox should be a model for the Brewers. While they have the money to pursue CC Sabathia, they plan to go after A.J. Burnett instead while pursuing other needs as well. If the Brewers are willing to invest at least twenty-million dollars on one player, why not spread that around? If they went out and signed Oliver Perez, they could also pursue Jon Garland, fortifying the bottom end of their rotation. Not only that, but they would have money to sign Joe Crede, who could take over at third base. Realistically, that would cost them around 25 million dollars, but it is three rather healthy (and young) players instead of one, overweight player with questions about the strength of his shoulder following the end of this season. 

While my scenario is highly unlikely, the Brewers would be smart to go after under the radar guys who are going to produce big. 

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Cubs Have Two Offers Ready?

According to one NL executive, the Cubs are considering preparing two offers for Peavy, one that would include Jeff Samardzija and one with Josh Vitters. The Cubs don't have the deepest farm system, but a deal around either two of those players would get it done. Personally, I think the Cubs would be smart to hold on to Vitters and package four or five players together for Peavy. Players like Wellington Castillo, Donnie Veal, Ryan Flaherty, and Tyler Colvin, along with Randy Wells or Angel Guzman would definitely get the Padres wheels turning, which could force a deal. 

The Chicago Sun-Times points out that this deal has nearly taken the Cubs out of the Brian Roberts sweepstakes, something that the Cubs pursued very hard last offseason. While Peavy is a lot better investment than Roberts, the Cubs need to determine if they need Peavy or if they just want Peavy.

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Mets May Pursue Putz

According to the New York Post, if the Mets fail to bring in one of their closer targets, they will target Mariners closer JJ Putz, who may be made available this offseason. Putz went 6-5 with 15 saves in 47 games this season, but is one of the best closers in the game if put on a team that would put up solid win totals. Putz, 31, will make five million in 2009 with a club option for 2010, so he is very affordable. The Mariners will likely hold on to Putz because they expect some of their struggling pitchers to have better years next year. If five wins go the other way for Washburn, Silva, and Hernandez, it would give them seventy-five wins. They will need a reliable closer like Putz to be able to put those games away. 

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Diamondbacks Looking For Replacement

The Diamondbacks are looking to fill the hole at second base and have targeted several different players, including the Braves' Kelly Johnson. After putting together two solid seasons, the Braves have received several calls concerning him. While the Diamondbacks don't believe they can acquire him, they do think they can acquire Cardinals second baseman Adam Kennedy or Cubs second baseman Mike Fontenot. Fontenot is a great prospect who needs an opportunity, and could find one with the Cubs. In 119 games (243 AB), he hit .305 with 9 HR and played a solid second. While the Cubs may try to work him into the starting lineup more in 2009, they might be able to get something some in return.

Other guys the Diamondbacks could pursue include Rickie Weeks, Luis Castillo, and Placido Polanco, among others.

UPDATE: The Diamondbacks have reportedly held preliminary discussions with free agent infielder Mark Loretta. Loretta would be a great pick up by the Diamondbacks because of his versatility, but also because of his veteran presence on the field.

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Twins Eye Blake

According to the Boston Herald, the Twins are targeting third baseman Casey Blake to take over at third in 2009. Blake hit .274 with 21 HR in 152 games with the Indians and Dodgers, but hit .289 in 94 games prior to joining the Dodgers. Blake reportedly prefers playing for small market teams, so he could be enticed by the possibility of playing for a very good team in front of a small venue. Blake is probably looking at a two year deal worth 5-8 million dollars, something the Twins can definitely afford to take on. Nothing will happen between Blake and the Twins before Garrett Atkins is traded, only because the Twins have expressed some interest in him.  

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Quick Hits: Cano, Manny, Cuddyer, Street, Atkins

*The New York Post has an item on Robinson Cano going to the Dodgers with Russell Martin or Matt Kemp being eyed by the Yankees.
*The Dodgers two-year, $45 million offer to Manny Ramirez is not going to cut it, so says his agent, Scott Boras, according to an anoymous source.
*Outfielder Michael Cuddyer, sidelined for part of last season and then losing his starting spot to youngsters is being eyed by the Rockies for his ability to produce runs and his leadership in the clubhouse. He could be part of a deal that would send 3B Garrett Atkins to Minnesota.

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Cubs Sale on Shaky Footing

According to a report in the Chicago Sun-Times, Mark Cuban has "zero chance" of acquring the Cubs. This is not because Sam Zell doesn't like him or that the financial crisis has diminished his resources. The report is that Bud Selig would never approve the deal. At the same time, the Wall Street Journal is saying that the Tribune, that being Zell is considering keeping a 50% stake in the team. With the credit crunch and a lessening of the team's value from a once speculated $1 billion, prospective buyers are going to be asked to submit new proposals.

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