MLB 2005-2006 Offseason Thread

[Joey Slugs]

Wednesday, December 14
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Nomar Garciaparra Cubs	Astros Yankees Dodgers? Indians?	Four-team race for Nomar Dec 14 - Nomar Garciaparra's agent, Arn Tellem, said Wednesday that Garciaparra hopes to make a decision on his next destination "by the end of the week," and might decide as early as Thursday, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports. Garciaparra, who is testing free agency for the second straight winter, is "zeroing in on four teams," Tellem said. The Yankees, Indians and Astros are known to be three of them. The Dodgers could be the fourth. The Yankees view him as a guy who could bounce between first base and DH. The Indians want him to play right field. In Houston, he has been told he would play left field. The Dodgers are still interested in him at first base, left field or possibly both. It's believed Garciaparra is willing to take a one-year deal for between $6 million and $8 million, plus incentives.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Mark Grudzielanek Cardinals	Royals? Mets? Red Sox? Rangers?	Royal welcome Dec 14 - The Royals are closing in on a contract with second baseman Mark Grudzielanek, reports ESPN.com Insider Jerry Crasnick. "It's not a done deal yet," said Kansas City general manager Allard Baird. "But we're looking to upgrade our defense and help our pitching staff. And the mental toughness of the players is important, too." The Royals are also working to sign free agent Doug Mientkiewicz and revamp the entire right side of their infield. Grudzielanek hit .294 in 137 games with St. Louis last year and combined with shortstop David Eckstein to help the Cardinals turn a major-league-leading 196 double plays.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Javier Vazquez White Sox	White Sox Cardinals Mets? Tigers Nationals	Vazquez to White Sox Dec 14 - The White Sox have traded for starter Javier Vazquez, ESPN.com Insider Jerry Crasnick reports. The Diamondbacks will send Vazquez and cash to Chicago for pitchers Orlando Hernandez and Luis Vizcaino, and outfield prospect Chris Young. The deal is contingent on the players passing physical exams and the commissioner's approval.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Rondell White Tigers	Astros	White visits Houston Dec 14 - The Astros confirmed Tuesday that they recently met with outfielder Rondell White at Minute Maid Park, The Houston Chronicle reports. "He was in town, and we had a very good discussion with him, and we'll see where that leaves us," Astros owner Drayton McLane told the newspaper.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Joe Randa Padres		Hot corner help for Bucs Dec 14 - Now that the Pirates have lost out on Bill Mueller, they plan to turn their attention to Joe Randa, ESPN Insider Jerry Crasnick reports. The Pirates view Randa as a reasonably priced, dependable veteran who will help bring some stability to a young lineup. The team would like to play current third baseman Freddy Sanchez in more of a utility role.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Frank Thomas White Sox	Athletics? Twins? Angels?	Worried about the Hurt Dec 14 - The Orioles have not made first baseman/DH Frank Thomas an offer because they're unsure about his health, The Baltimore Sun reports. The Twins and A's also have expressed interest in the right-handed slugger.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Sidney Ponson Orioles	Phillies? Rangers? Cardinals?	Suitors for Ponson Dec 14 - According to the Baltimore Sun, the Cardinals, Rangers and Phillies are reportedly interested in Sidney Ponson, whose contract was terminated by the Orioles in August after his third arrest for drunken driving. The Rangers have coveted Ponson before. They nearly signed him to a deal when he was a free agent before the 2004 season, but Ponson instead returned to the O's.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Kris Benson Mets	Giants? Nationals? Tigers? Cardinals? Rangers	To deal or not to deal? Dec 14 - The Mets will continue to listen to trade offers for Kris Benson, The New York Post reports. The Diamondbacks and Royals no longer are interested, but the Rangers, Giants, Cardinals, Nationals and Tigers might be. Benson wants to remain a Met. "I understand the business and the rumors and [Mets GM Omar Minaya's] desire to put together a winning team," Benson told the newspaper. "I hope I'm part of it." Last week, Anna Benson, the right-hander's wife, phoned Mets COO Jeff Wilpon to address any misunderstandings after her recent incendiary comments. She also made a personal plea to Wilpon to keep her husband in New York.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Scott Hatteberg Athletics	Orioles?	Baltimore calling? Dec 14 - The Orioles are looking for a good defensive first baseman who could split time with Javy Lopez, and Scott Hatteberg's name has been discussed, the Baltimore Sun reports.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Julian Tavarez Cardinals	Mets? Yankees?	New York, New York Dec 14 - The Mets are interested in Julian Tavarez, the New York Daily News reports. While Tavarez could command a four-year contract, a Mets insider said the team has not yet made a four-year offer. "The market for these guys is three or four years," agent Scott Boras told the newspaper. "I don't think there's any question. All the teams that are interested are in that range." Tavarez had lunch with Yankees GM Brian Cashman on Monday in Washington Heights. Yankee sources said the team will not go beyond three years on Tavarez.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Octavio Dotel Athletics	Cardinals? Yankees? Dodgers? Twins? Mets? Astros? Rangers?	Dotel in NY? Dec 14 - The Yankees have shown interest in Dotel, Julian Tavarez and Rudy Seanez, sources told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark, and one source said they are "very high" on Dotel, but they understand he is not likely to be ready by Opening Day. Dotel had Tommy John surgery June 6 and won't rush his rehab just to be ready for Opening Day. "This recovery process will take at least a year," Dotel told La Caribe, "and I don't want to do anything to interrupt it." According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Cardinals GM Walt Jocketty is seeking more bullpen help, concentrating for the moment on right-handers Dotel and Braden Looper, both of whom had arm surgery this year. Dotel already has received multiple offers. Earlier this winter, he named four interested teams -- the Astros, Mets, Twins and Dodgers.
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Chicago		Long-term pitch Dec 14 - Two White Sox starters, right-handers Jon Garland and Jose Contreras, will be eligible for free agency after next season, but GM Ken Williams doesn't want to wait until then to have their futures decided, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. "I don't have any desire to break up the rotation," said Williams, who has discussed long-term deals with the agents for both players. "That said, both Jose and Jon will be given the opportunity to stay beyond 2006. Should either rebuff that opportunity and decide to test the market, I'll respect that and move forward with our own agenda. That quest for impact players will never stop." Williams said Garland and Contreras "will know when it's time to get serious" in contract talks, but he added, "It's getting to be about that time. Especially with an exploding pitching market that is nonsensical, our first priority is compromise. We'd fortify [the pitching staff] before doing anything else. "We're not looking to break up anything. We're looking to add to it and get better for a long period."
WHO	INTERESTED	THE SKINNY
Doug Mientkiewicz Mets	Royals	Defensive specialist Dec 14 - The Royals are attempting to sign 30-year-old Gold Glove first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz. "He's got a lot of teams interested," GM Allard Baird told The Kansas City Star. "But, yes, we have definite interest."