Ben Maller's MLB rumors
by FOXSports.com
Cubs still want O's Roberts
The Cubs will continue their pursuit of a speedy leadoff hitter, keeping the Baltimore Orioles' Brian Roberts at the top of their wish list. They also are expected to be players in the free-agent derby for ace left-hander CC Sabathia. -- Chicago Sun-Times
Red Sox could go after Padres Peavy?
If Jake Peavy does indeed become trade bait in San Diego, watch the line form out the door for his services. Peavy, 27, is precisely the type of pitcher the Red Sox covet. And considering the close relationship between GMs Theo Epstein and Kevin Towers, don't rule out the Sox. The Padres would want a Dan Haren-type deal, and the Sox have the chips to do it. -- Boston Globe
ChiSox could add D-Backs Hudson and Halos Figgins?
As for the prospect of adding much-needed speed to the lineup, manager Ozzie Guillen was reluctant to address the topic. "We need speed, but they have to have talent," Guillen said before the Sox beat Tampa Bay 5-3 Sunday to extend their American League Division Series. "I know I would like to see some more speed. But when you talk about speed, you can't talk about nine rabbits. You can't." The Sox plan to return injured Carlos Quentin to the third spot in the batting order. Quentin was not activated for the ALDS but ripped line drives Sunday in pregame batting practice. Designated hitter Jim Thome, right fielder Jermaine Dye and first baseman Paul Konerko all have various forms of no-trade rights, making a total team makeover unlikely. But with third baseman Joe Crede and shortstop Orlando Cabrera destined for free agency, the Sox could feature a new left side of the infield, with Alexei Ramirez moving from second base to shortstop. The Sox could add speed at third and/or second base with players who could hit at the top or bottom of the order. Arizona second baseman Orlando Hudson is a free agent, and speedy and versatile Angels infielder Chone Figgins is arbitration eligible. -- Chicago Tribune
Milwaukee should trade Prince Fielder?
If the Brewers can get pitching for Prince Fielder, they should do it before he grows any larger. His home run against the Phillies was his only hit of the series. It's time to give up on Rickie Weeks. Maybe J.J. Hardy should be moved to third to accommodate Alcides Escobar. These are considerations for the next few months for an offense that cannot move forward as presently constructed. -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Blue Jays not in Gillick's plans
Pat Gillick's name has been mentioned in connection with the vacancy at the top of the Blue Jays foodchain by the departure, at the end of December, of president Paul Godfrey. "That's not going to happen," said Gillick, who was vice-president of baseball operations for the Jays from 1977 through 1994, before moving on to Baltimore, Seattle and, for the past three years, Philadelphia. In his assignments since he left the Blue Jays, Gillick has taken his new teams to the playoffs six times, twice in each city. He says only that he is not planning to go sit in his rocking chair at the end of this contract. "I'm not going to talk about my future plans other than what's directly in front of us and that's to have this team go as far as it can go," he said. -- Toronto Sun
Rays dealing Jackson or Sonnanstine?
For the first time, the Rays have a surplus of starting pitching. All five starters this season are 27 and younger, and they have 2007 overall No. 1 pick David Price. There are three other top prospects all ready to step in. So it seems likely they would make a trade, possibly Edwin Jackson or Andy Sonnanstine, and fill their need for a regular right fielder, or maybe a young catcher. -- News-Herald
Minnesota dealing Delmon Young?
The Twins won't talk about it, but it's expected that Delmon Young, the left fielder they obtained from Tampa Bay before this past season, will be made available on the trade market. -- Star Tribune
Soriano blames flop in postseason on Cubs' make-up
Who is the postseason goat? Should it be divided equally among the players and the manager, the chairman and the Greek priest, or should $137 million outfielder Alfonso Soriano be acknowledged for his 1-for-14 performance? Soriano is likely to hear about it the most over the off-season. "Yeah, it's tough," he said. "We tried, but it just didn't happen. We played all year like a very good team and we expected a little bit more, but it didn't happen." While he didn't pass the buck, Soriano said he believes the Cubs were built for a marathon, not a sprint. "We're a very good team for [162] games, but we don't do nothing after that," he said. "That's the difference. We're not put together for [a short series]." -- Chicago Tribune
Will Sabathia give Brewers a fun-and-contentment discount?
Not long after the Brewers were eliminated, 6-2, by the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday, CC Sabathia was saying that it wasn't all about the money where his future was concerned. "I want to have fun," he said. "I want to be around people I enjoy. This has been one of the better experiences of my life and my career." Reporters took what Sabathia said and ran to the other end of the clubhouse, where principal owner Mark Attanasio stood. Is there hope to bring Sabathia back? "How could you not hope for that," he said. Now, people can hope for a lot of things, but Sabathia might command upwards of $150 million in the free-agent market. Even with revenue sharing and the attendance figures and all the contracts that will go away (Eric Gagné, Ben Sheets and Mike Cameron come immediately to mind), the Brewers could not possibly afford Sabathia unless he decided to take a deep, deep fun-and-contentment discount. -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Rollins still has chance at "prediction" of 100 Phillies' wins
Jimmy Rollins knows how the game works. He knew it last year when he casually labeled the Phillies "the team to beat" in the National League East. And he knew it this year, when he let it slip to reporters that he thought the Phillies would "probably" win 100 games. "That's what so great about these [predictions]," a laughing Rollins said yesterday. "You can always adjust them." Obviously, the Phillies didn't win 100 games during the regular season. But if you really want to get specific, Rollins never said the "regular season" when he made his "prediction" to reporters in the offseason. And after 92 regular-season wins and three National League Division Series wins, the Phillies could reach the century mark by winning the National League Championship Series and winning a game in the World Series. "I was actually thinking about that," Rollins said, adding that "103 would be great." -- Philadelphia Daily News
BoSox dumping Julio Lugo?
Key to Red Sox offseason: Looks like they've committed to Jed Lowrie as their everyday shortstop, so they need to dump Julio Lugo and the $18 million remaining on his contract (two more years). The may dabble in another starting pitcher (A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe?). They may try to add another solid middle reliever, and desperately need a catcher if they can't come to terms with Jason Varitek, a free-agent. Coco Crisp will be trade bait. -- News-Herald
Marlins exec against long-term deals for pitchers
The Marlins have had a ''lot of internal discussions'' about giving long-term contracts to their young pitchers but, ''I'm not in favor of it,'' president David Samson said. ''There's a very high risk/reward,'' with injuries a concern. Fortunately, the Marlins control arbitration-eligible Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco for three more years. -- Miami Herald
ChiSox Contreras will start '09 in bullpen
The White Sox's 2009 roster could feature Clayton Richard in the starting rotation and injured Jose Contreras working as a reliever if he's healthy. Contreras is recovering from a ruptured right Achilles' that could sideline him until May at least. Guillen said Contreras' progress would dictate his role "because I'm not in a hurry." The major reason Guillen can be patient is the ascent of Richard, who started the regular season at Double-A Birmingham but pitched well enough to make the Sox's postseason roster. "I will take a chance with him," Guillen said. "Obviously, he has to show what he can do in spring training.." --Chicago Tribune
Cubs Edmonds could retire?
If Jim Edmonds has proved nothing else this season -- to himself and the Cubs, if not the Cardinals and Padres who sold him short before that -- it's that he can still play at a high level. But whether he wants to do it again next year probably will depend on how he feels once he gets away from one of the stranger-ride seasons of his career, what his family has to say and who wants him back next year during a season in which he'll turn 39. 'But what I also think about right now is that this could be my last game,'' said Edmonds before taking the field as the only center fielder the Cubs have used in October. ''That's the way I approach it. I'm trying to live every moment right now and trying to do everything I can to help this team. But I'm definitely soaking it in right now.'' Clearly, retirement is a possibility for the career .284 hitter with 382 home runs and a World Series ring. The Cubs are expected to leave the door open for Edmonds to return but won't break the bank to keep him off the free-agent market. Whether he returns to Chicago could come down to whether another team goes after him hard, whether a team closer to his Southern California home pursues him or whether he decides to retire. Edmonds said he hasn't talked to the Cubs about next year. ''I'm definitely interested,'' he said. ''But we'll see how it goes. -- Chicago Sun-Times
Brewers want to extend GM Melvin
The only slam-dunk should be GM Doug Melvin's return. He has one more year on his contract, and the Brewers must extend him. "We definitely want to keep Doug Melvin," owner Mark Attanasio said. Melvin is best suited to take what's left and remold the pieces into something sustainable, but what a challenge it's going to be for a small market to keep this going. -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Mets and Yanks to go after CC Sabathia
CC Sabathia smiled when told Mets fans are dreaming of a starting rotation that begins with him and Johan Santana. "That sounds good," the premier free agent pitcher of this winter told The Post. The 28-year-old's season came to a close yesterday when the Brewers lost to the Phillies, 6-2 in Game 4 of the NLDS. He never got the chance to pitch Game 5, instead his final appearance of 2008 coming as a pinch hitter (he struck out). Now he embarks on the free agency trail, where he probably will fetch around $150 million. Both the Mets and Yankees are expected to be players in the Sabathia sweepstakes, but the big left-hander sounds lukewarm about leaving his native California for the East Coast. "I like it there," he said of New York, "but we'll have to see what direction the teams are going and would my family be uncomfortable being on a whole other coast? We'll have to see." -- NY Post
Pirates dealing Sanchez and Wilson?
The Pirates will continue to try to advance their youth movement and will look to trade second baseman Freddy Sanchez and shortstop Jack Wilson, the last two veterans on the roster who seem to have at least some value. -- Morning Journal
Tigers can't afford to go after K-Rod?
Key to Tigers offseason: Pitching, both the rotation and bullpen. Re-signing Freddy Garcia would help the rotation, but the bullpen is a mess, and they probably don't have the funds to seriously pursue Angels free-agent closer Francisco Rodriguez. -- News-Herald
Rafael Furcal is Dodgers difference maker
There is a major difference between the Dodgers who played the Cubs and Phillies during the regular season and the Dodgers who swept the Cubs and will now face the Phillies in the playoffs. Those Dodgers didn't have Rafael Furcal, their leadoff man and, some would say, their heart and soul. He missed all 15 regular-season games against the Cubs and Phillies with a back injury that sidelined him for almost five months. These Dodgers do have Furcal, who is now batting .318 (7for 22) in the seven games he has played since being activated from the 15-day disabled list Sept. 24. But while Furcal is their best table setter, it also is worth noting the Dodgers are 22-16, including the first-round series with the Cubs, when Furcal is in the starting lineup as opposed to 65-62 when he isn't. Not exactly a dramatic difference. -- LA Daily News
Brewers unlikely to pick up Counsell's option
The Brewers hold a 2009 option on Craig Counsell's contract for $3.4 million, with a $400,000 buyout. Counsell, who grew up in Whitefish Bay, did not sound as if he expected that option to be exercised, however. "I'm not putting any expectations on it," Counsell said. "I'm going to play somewhere, I know that. We'll see what happens. They've got some bigger fish to fry than me." -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Pedroia struggling for BoSox
Dustin Pedroia is now 0-for-13 at the plate this series. For a player who finished tied with Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki for the most hits (213) in the majors this season, the performance is sticking out. "It's a tough time to go 0-for-13 or whatever the heck I am," Pedroia said with a sheepish smile after the loss. "I'll battle. Everyone who knows me knows I will. I have to find a way to get on base for these guys." -- Boston Herald
Ozzie Guillen curses out eliminated Cubbies
Ozzie Guillen is no fan of the other team in town. The White Sox manager made that clear as he was leaving the interview room at U.S. Cellular Field last night, after answering a question about carrying the torch for this city now that the Cubs are finished. "Oh, [bleep] the Cubs!" Guillen said to a White Sox employee as the manager exited the interview area. -- NY Post
Ugueth Urbina interviewed from Venezuelan prison
ESPN's E:60 Tuesday interviews ex-MLB All-Star Ugueth Urbina in the Venezuelan prison where he's serving a 14-year sentence for attempted murder. -- USA Today
Twins Liriano to pitch in WBC?
The Twins are likely to allow lefthander Francisco Liriano to pitch in the World Baseball Classic next spring, but not in winter ball. -- Star Tribune
Giambi to Toronto?
The Blue Jays need a DH. Maybe Jason Giambi. They need more starting pitching, a shortstop and a catcher. -- News-Herald
Boras: Manny is loved in LA
Scott Boras asked if he feels the need to defend Manny Ramirez's time in Boston: "My job is to deal with objective standards, and Manny was a tremendous performer for the Red Sox throughout his career. When you talk to people outside of Boston - GMs, scouts - I think the standards applied to Manny are completely different. I certainly understand the fact that Manny wasn't comfortable with Boston. That's the fans' hometown, so they're not going to like to hear that the player wasn't comfortable playing there. You can expect there would be a lot of dissatisfaction pointed toward Manny. My job is to help the player achieve his goals and objectives, and Manny playing in LA is something we helped him achieve. Certainly the LA community views Manny as a franchise player and someone who the Dodgers have never seen in their history." -- Boston Globe
Who Knew?
Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder was 0 for 12 in the NLDS before socking a leadoff homer in the seventh off Joe Blanton. -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Rays could make Balfour closer?
The Rays might be in the market for a closer to replace Troy Percival (though he has a $4 million guarantee for next season), but they might just give the job to Grant Balfour, who has the stuff and the mind-set. They could upgrade offensively and opt for a righthanded power hitter to play right field (if they feel Rocco Baldelli can't). -- Boston Globe
Cubs GM: Manny close to Pujols
Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez continues to add to his resume as the real Mr. October, entering Game 3 with a record 26 home runs in the postseason. ''What an amazing guy,'' Cubs GM Jim Hendry said. ''To me, Albert [Pujols] is the best player in the game. But this guy, with a bat in his hands, is very close.'' -- Chicago Sun-Times
Bradshaw could be Royals hitting coach?
Mike Barnett, without question, was dedicated and hard-working. But it seemed like Royals hitters never connected with him during his short tenure in Kansas City. Barnett had no real success stories in regard to the young Royals' hitters. Replacements? One possibility might be Omaha hitting coach Terry Bradshaw, who is credited with Mark Teahen's stunning turnaround in 2006. And that was a turnaround that faded, for whatever reason, under Barnett, even though Teahen seemed to find some answers at the plate in September. -- KC Star
Lidge hopes Phils give Dodgers a loud Bank
The Phillies hope the noise in Philadelphia continues in the best-of-seven NL Championship Series, when the Phils will have home-field advantage. "That was huge for us," closer Brad Lidge said yesterday after the Phillies clinched the series with a 6-2 victory over the Brewers in Game 4. "We love the fact that we're going to get home-field advantage. That's what we've worked so hard for during the regular season. We've earned it. Everybody has worked their butts off to get it." The Phillies must beat the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLCS to advance to their first World Series since 1993, but they can thank the Dodgers for beating the Chicago Cubs in the division series to give them home-field advantage. The Phils finished the regular season with the second-best record in the league behind the Cubs. -- Philadelphia Inquirer
"Bull Durham" sequel in the works?
The long-awaited sequel to "Bull Durham" is finally getting off the ground. A spy tells us Kevin Costner recently met with director Ron Shelton at Trader Vic's in LA to discuss reprising the role of carousing catcher Crash Davis from the 1988 baseball flick. Tim Robbins and Susan Sarandon are also expected to return as pitcher Nuke LaLoosh and baseball groupie Annie Savoy, who are now married and owners of a Major League team that Costner manages. Kristen Kerr, recently seen on "Dexter," is being eyed as one of Crash's love interests, our insider said. -- NY Post
Big Unit to have big return in Arizona?
By next week, it should become clearer whether Randy Johnson, 45, wants to pitch again and whether the Diamondbacks want him back. He needs five wins for 300 and is coming off an 11-10 year in which he made 30 starts, had a 3.91 ERA, and struck out 173 in 184 innings. Johnson ended the season with a complete-game 2-1 win over the Rockies in which he struck out nine. After three back surgeries, he was healthy all season. His preference would be to return to Arizona, but the D-Backs, who desperately need hitting, might want to use that $10 million someplace else. He'd be a great fourth or fifth starter for a contending team. -- Boston Globe
Who Knew?
The Cubs are now 9-22 in postseason play since 1984. They're 0-6 the last two years. They're 18-50 since they last won a World Series in 1908. -- Chicago Sun-Times
Did You Know?
Phillies general manager Pat Gillick, who is retiring after the season, has taken four teams to their League Championship Series as general manager: the Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, and Phillies. -- Philadelphia Inquirer
Who Knew?
In 10 full big-league seasons, J.D. Drew has managed to play 140 or more games only three times. Jason Kendall appeared in 151 games - including a major league-leading 149 starts as a catcher! -- Boston Globe
Dodgers Manny Ramirez inspires song
Terry Cashman has written a song about Dodgers slugger Manny Ramirez. "Manny Being The Man." could be an instant hit on LA radio. -- NY Daily News
Pigeon interupts ChiSox game with Rays
In the second inning, a pigeon perched in front of home plate with Ken Griffey nearby. Rays catcher Dioner Navarro tried to shoo the bird away. When it refused to move, pitcher Matt Garza approached the bird and got it to move toward the Sox dugout. -- Chicago Tribune
How About That?
Joel Pineiro ended the season 5 for 51 (.098) at the plate with 35 strikeouts. He had three doubles and four RBI. The Royals' Joey Gathright had three doubles in 279 at-bats. -- Boston Globe
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