30 Copyright 2008, CBSSports.com http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/view/8691437 en-us MLB Trade Rumors is a clearinghouse for relevant, legitimate baseball rumors. The site focuses on the hot stove - trades and free agent signings. Rumors typically come from established journalists, and always include a link to the source material. All 30 teams are covered. MLBTR is written and maintained by Tim Dierkes. Mon, 01 Dec 2008 20:08:08 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12023032?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12023032?source=rss_blogs_MLB According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Rockies offered arbitration to Type A free agent Brian Fuentes as expected. Fuentes seems a good bet to sign with a team with an unprotected first-round pick, so the Rockies will grab that and a sand ... Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:59:36 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12023032?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12022981?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12022981?source=rss_blogs_MLB According to the AP, the Blue Jays offered arbitration to A.J. Burnett and declined to offer it to Gregg Zaun. No big surprise here. Burnett's a Type A free agent, so he'll cost a draft pick to sign. Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:59:35 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12022981?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12022605?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12022605?source=rss_blogs_MLB According to a press release, the Royals offered arbitration to second baseman Mark Grudzielanek. This was a somewhat unexpected move, but perhaps the Royals prefer to stick with the middle infield tandem of Grudz and Mike Aviles for '09. Grudzielane ... Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:55:33 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12022605?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12022251?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12022251?source=rss_blogs_MLB According to MLB.com's Matthew Leach, the Cardinals declined to offer arbitration to Russ Springer, Braden Looper, and Jason Isringhausen (as well as their other free agents). The Looper decision comes as a surprise, as he earned only $5.5MM in '08 a ... Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:36:21 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12022251?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12020312?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12020312?source=rss_blogs_MLB According to SI.com's Jon Heyman, the Yankees declined to offer arbitration to Type A free agents Andy Pettitte, Bobby Abreu, and Mike Mussina (and all other free agents). Peter Abraham and Ed Price may have had this on the web earlier; it was close. ... Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:21:42 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12020312?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12019688?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12019688?source=rss_blogs_MLB According to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins offered arbitration to Type B free agent reliever Dennys Reyes. Reyes earned $1MM this year while tossing 46.1 solid innings, so the Twins can't go wrong either way. Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:37:49 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12019688?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12019426?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12019426?source=rss_blogs_MLB Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker passes along a Sanspo report (link in Japanese) that Kevin Mench is nearing a one-year, $2MM deal with the Hanshin Tigers. Mench, 31 in January, wasn't going to find that kind of money in the States after hitting .243/.3 ... Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:21:56 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12019426?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12018138?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12018138?source=rss_blogs_MLB According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the Brewers offered arbitration to C.C. Sabathia (Type A), Ben Sheets (Type A), and Brian Shouse (Type B). They declined to offer arb to Eric Gagne (Type B). ... Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:26:04 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12018138?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12018048?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12018048?source=rss_blogs_MLB ESPN's Jayson Stark has the latest on free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal. Furcal's agent Paul Kinzer doesn't see his client signing before the winter meetings, which kick off next week. ... Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:26:03 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12018048?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017714?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017714?source=rss_blogs_MLB 3:31pm: Ken Rosenthal says it's a one-year, $2MM deal with another $2MM in appearance-based incentives. Hard to find fault in that. ... Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:59:30 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017714?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017713?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017713?source=rss_blogs_MLB 3:31pm: Andrew Baggarly thinks Renteria and the Giants are "gravitating toward each other" now that he won't cost a draft pick. Baggarly believes the Giants might be ready to back off from Furcal over health concerns. ... Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:44:19 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017713?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017353?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017353?source=rss_blogs_MLB According to Larry LaRue of the Tacoma News Tribune, the Mariners offered arbitration to outfielder Raul Ibanez. It was an easy decision, as at least ten clubs have interest in Ibanez and he's certain to decline the arb offer to sign a multiyear deal ... Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:54:15 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017353?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017352?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017352?source=rss_blogs_MLB The deadline for each team's arbitration decisions is 11pm CST tonight. In this post I am gathering up all the rumors about those decisions. I'll add updates throughout the day. Check out MLBTR reader predictions here and here. The San Francisco Chro ... Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:44:15 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017352?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017348?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017348?source=rss_blogs_MLB According to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick, at least four teams are interested in free agent infielder Mark Loretta. Among them: the Phillies, Pirates, Diamondbacks, and Dodgers. The Pirates have talked to Loretta's agent twice. ... Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:44:14 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017348?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017347?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017347?source=rss_blogs_MLB Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has a few Rockies tidbits today... It deserves another mention - Brian Fuentes has scheduled a visit with the Mets. If he signs there, the Rockies will add the Mets' #25 pick to their own #11 pick in the first round w ... Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:41:08 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017347?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017346?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017346?source=rss_blogs_MLB Murray Chass snagged a good quote from Padres GM Kevin Towers regarding the Jake Peavy trade talks: ... Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:41:06 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017346?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017344?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017344?source=rss_blogs_MLB Links for Monday... Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik admitted to have a conversation with Ken Griffey Jr.'s agent, but wouldn't reveal anything else. One of Matthew Cerrone's readers dug up a Primera Hora article saying the Mets have been scouting free ag ... Mon, 01 Dec 2008 16:25:59 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017344?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017340?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017340?source=rss_blogs_MLB According to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Indians decided last week that multiyear deals for Rafael Furcal or Orlando Hudson would be too risky (health concerns). They're likely to switch their focus to finding a closer. ... Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:41:00 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/12017340?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11997748?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11997748?source=rss_blogs_MLB Action this offseason will likely pick up with tomorrow's arbitration deadline, but let's take a look back at the week leading up to it: Early in the week we heard a false rumor that the Giants had signed Edgar Renteria to a two-year, $18MM contract. ... Sun, 30 Nov 2008 18:42:16 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11997748?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11990569?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11990569?source=rss_blogs_MLB John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus has his Sunday article up. Let's go through it: The Angels may be willing to match the Yankees $140MM offer to CC Sabathia. They won't offer 10 years to Mark Teixeira. If they can't land Teixeira, they will consid ... Sun, 30 Nov 2008 14:21:04 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11990569?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11989664?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11989664?source=rss_blogs_MLB Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says when Derek Lowe sat down with his agent, he inquired first about the Boston Red Sox. Says Cafardo, ... Sun, 30 Nov 2008 13:36:28 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11989664?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11987191?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11987191?source=rss_blogs_MLB Lots to cover in the latest from Ken Rosenthal: Jake Peavy to the Cubs is still being explored despite complications: The Cubs are being sold. Ryan Dempster was re-signed for 4 years, $52MM. The Padres are trying to include a third party to net the p ... Sun, 30 Nov 2008 11:30:16 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11987191?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11986891?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11986891?source=rss_blogs_MLB Ken Rosenthal suggests that in this economy some teams may not offer arbitration to Type A free agents to avoid risking a payroll hit. Further, some players may opt to accept the certainty of arbitration over "a volatile free agent period." ... Sun, 30 Nov 2008 11:14:15 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11986891?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11980501?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11980501?source=rss_blogs_MLB According to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, the Royals signed catcher J.R. House to a split contract. House, 29, hit .306/.378/.480 in 454 Triple A at-bats this year. Back in the day, House was considered the Pirates' top prospect before he was dera ... Sat, 29 Nov 2008 23:25:12 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11980501?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11976594?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11976594?source=rss_blogs_MLB According to Jeff Zrebiec and Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles appear to be the third team in the Jake Peavy-Cubs trade talks. Kevin Towers told Tim Brown earlier this week he may have found the third team. ... Sat, 29 Nov 2008 19:47:37 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11976594?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11973349?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11973349?source=rss_blogs_MLB It's a lazy Saturday afternoon, but one gets the feeling there's a major signing or trade lurking right around the corner. In the meantime, here are some odds and ends: Fox Sports' Jeff Moore looks back at the top trades of the past three offseasons. ... Sat, 29 Nov 2008 16:57:44 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11973349?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11969557?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11969557?source=rss_blogs_MLB Links for Saturday... Junichi Tazawa is expected to announce early next week that he will sign with the Red Sox. He turned down offers from the Rangers, Mariners and Braves. The Padres recently offered to talk with Trevor Hoffman, but he hasn't respo ... Sat, 29 Nov 2008 19:47:36 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11969557?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11968942?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11968942?source=rss_blogs_MLB Joe Stiglich of the Contra Costa Times has a few A's rumors: Stiglich spoke with Rafael Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, and heard that it will be the middle of next week at the earliest that Furcal decides where he'd like to sign. It no longer seems lik ... Sat, 29 Nov 2008 14:00:33 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11968942?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11968080?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11968080?source=rss_blogs_MLB The New York Times has sources who say the Mets will look to improve their bullpen through trades before starting more involved discussions with Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes. ... Sat, 29 Nov 2008 18:46:07 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11968080?source=rss_blogs_MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11967660?source=rss_blogs_MLB#comments MLB http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11967660?source=rss_blogs_MLB Brian McTaggart of the Houston Chronicle has the latest on the Astros: Astros GM Ed Wade said that he's had to slow down negotiations with free agent lefty Randy Wolf because he's unsure how much payroll he's working with. Negotiations are on hold at ... Sat, 29 Nov 2008 13:36:50 EST http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/entry/8691437/11967660?source=rss_blogs_MLB 100 http://images.sportsline.com/images/cbsdm/spec/cbssportscom.gif http://mlbtr.blogs.sportsline.com/mcc/blogs/view/8691437 100