Randy Johnson Rumors

Below is a list of starting pitchers that are eligible for free agency for the 2010 season, their age, current team, current contract and whether the player falls into a Type A or Type B free agent compensation status.

Free agent catchers
Free agent first basemen
Free agent second basemen
Free agent third basemen
Free agent shortstops
Free agent left fielders
Free agent center fielders
Free agent right fielders
Free agent middle relievers
Free agent closers

Brandon Backe, 32, Astros - 09:$1.55M
Miguel Batista, 39, Mariners - 07:$5.5M, 08:$9M, 09:$9M
Erik Bedard, 31, Mariners - 09:$7.75M (Type B)
Kris Benson, 34, Rangers - 09:$750K
Daniel Cabrera, 29, Diamondbacks - 09:$2.6M
Chris Capuano, 31, Brewers - 09:minor league contract
Aroldis Chapman, 22, No Team - No professional contracts
Bartolo Colon, 37, White Sox - 09:$1M
Jose Contreras, 38, Rockies - 07:$9M, 08:$10M, 09:$10M
Doug Davis, 34, Diamondbacks - 07:$5.5M, 08:$7.75M, 09:$8.75M (Type B)
Justin Duchscherer, 32, Athletics - (Type B)
Adam Eaton, 32, Rockies - 07:$6.875M, 08:$7.635M, 09:$8.5M, 10:$9M mutual option ($0.5M buyout)
Josh Fogg, 33, Rockies - 09:minor league contract
Jon Garland, 30, Dodgers - 09:$6.25M, 10:$10M mutual option ($2.5M buyout if club declines, $1M buyout if player declines) (Type B)
Tom Glavine, 44, Braves - 09:$1M
Mike Hampton, 37, Astros - 09:$2M
Rich Harden, 28, Cubs - 05:$0.5M, 06:$1M, 07:$2M 08:$4.5M, 09:$7M (Type B)
Mark Hendrickson, 36, Orioles - 09:$1.5M
Livan Hernandez, 35, Nationals - 09:minor league contract
Shawn Hill, 29, Nationals - 09:$775K
Jason Jennings, 31, Rangers - 09:$800K
Randy Johnson, 46, Giants - 09:$8M (Type B)
John Lackey, 31, Angels - 06:$3.01M, 07:$5.5M, 08:$7M, 09:$9M (Type A)
Cliff Lee, 31, Phillies - 06:$0.75M, 07:$2.75M, 08:$3.75M, 09:$5.75M, 10:$8M club option ($1M buyout) (Type A)
Braden Looper, 35, Brewers - 09:$4.75M, 10:$6.5M option ($1M buyout) (Type B)
Rodrigo Lopez, 34, Phillies - 09:minor league contract
Jason Marquis, 31, Rockies - 07:$4.75M, 08:$6.375M, 09:$9.875M (Type B)
Brett Myers, 29, Phillies - 07:$5M, 08:$8.5M, 09:$12M
Vicente Padilla, 32, Dodgers - 07:$9M, 08:$11M, 09:$12M (Type B)
Carl Pavano, 34, Twins - 09:$1.5M (Type B)
Brad Penny, 32, Giants - 09:$5M
Odalis Perez, 33, Nationals - 09:$850K
Andy Pettitte, 38, Yankees - 09:$5.5M (Type B)
Joel Pineiro, 31, Cardinals - 08:$5M, 09:$7.5M (Type B)
Sidney Ponson, 33, Royals - 09:$600K
Mark Prior, 28, Padres - 09:minor league contract
Horacio Ramirez, 30, Nationals - 09:$1.8M
Jason Schmidt, 37, Dodgers - 07:$12.5M, 08:$12M, 09:$12M
Ben Sheets, 31, No Team - 05:$4.5M, 06:$8.5M, 07:$10M, 08:$11M
John Smoltz, 43, Cardinals - 09:$400K
Brett Tomko, 37, Athletics - 09:minor league contract
Tim Wakefield, 43, Red Sox - 09:$4M, 10:$4M club option (Type B)
Jarrod Washburn, 35, Tigers - 06:$7.45M, 07:$9.85M, 08:$9.85M, 09:$10.35M
Todd Wellemeyer, 31, Cardinals - 09:$4.05M
Kip Wells, 33, Reds - 09:$500K
Randy Wolf, 33, Dodgers - 09:$5M (Type A)

Yesterday brought word that the Blue Jays are willing to listen to offers for ace Roy Halladay. Today there's plenty of reaction and speculation.  Let's take a look.

• An intial report has the Phillies as the "leaders" for Halladay, but that is likely only based on their obvious interest in acquiring a pitcher...any pitcher.  What can the Phillies really offer the Blue Jays?  Shortstop Jason Donald is considered their best prospect and after that they have a few 50-100 range ranked prospects, but not the haul that the Jays are likely looking for.
• Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated notes that the Jays were interested in Donald last year. 
• Heyman speculates about how impressive the Giants roster would be if Halladay were added.  That would give them four former Cy Young award winners AND Matt Cain.  Certainly Barry Zito and Randy Johnson are not the same pitchers, but they're pretty good for #4 and #5 pitchers. 
• While the White Sox would not trade Gordon Beckham for Jake Peavy Heyman says they'd consider moving the prospect for Halladay.  I don't entirely understand this unless they actually like that Halladay is only signed through 2010 while Peavy is under contract through 2013.
• The Cardinals seem unlikely to have the prospects to get a trade for Halladay done.
• Phillies general manager Rubin Amaro Jr. said that the Phillies do have the financial flexibility to add an ace pitcher like Halladay. 
• Joel Sherman of The New York Post confirms the sentiment that the Phillies are in the lead for Halladay and notes that the Rangers and Cardinals could be players as well (as we indicated yesterday).  
• In his discussion with Sherman Blue Jays general manager JP Riccardi noted that discussions with other teams has been very preliminary and while they're always interested in teams' best prospect, if they got a shortstop out of the deal, that would be preferable.  However, Halladay does have a no trade clause and has already provided Riccardi with a list of teams that he is not interested in playing for.  The Jays are able to afford Halladay for 2010 if they need to, so Riccardi is trying to give the impression that they are not desperate to move their star pitcher.  He does not, however, think they'd be able to resign him after 2010. 
• Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein has given no indication that the team is interested in acquiring Halladay.  That's a bit of a misnomer.  I'm sure they're very interested, but just not for the price tag that it will realistically take to get him.
• Lyle Weber of mlb.com throws out major leaguers Erick Aybar, Joe Saunders or Ervin Santana and minor leaguers Brandon Wood, Sean O'Sullivan and Jordan Walden as possible pieces to group together in a package offer for Halladay.  It seems unlikely that the Jays would be interested in Aybar or Saunders, but Santana could get their attention along with Wood.

• The Mets and pitcher John Maine have avoided arbitration.
• Kevin Millar is not expected to get a contract offer from the Baltimore Orioles.
• Japanese free agent Ken Takahashi has narrowed down his choices to four teams.
• Russ Springer has signed with the As for $3.3M for 2009 plus $300K in incentives.
• Ken Rosenthal examines the possibility that top free agents like Ben Sheets, Orlando Hudson and Orlando Cabrera could hold off on signing a deal until after the season starts in order to up their value.
• Pitcher Josh Fogg is leaning towards signing with the Rockies. There is also word that the Rockies have passed on Braden Looper.
• Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic examines the decision by the Diamondbacks to sign Jon Garland over Randy Johnson.
• The Mariners appear interested in Bobby Abreu, but would probably have to make some changes to afford him. There is also word here on the Mariners signing of Mike Sweeney.

Earlier we gave you Yahoo! Sports Tim Brown's winter meetings preview of the NL teams.  Now, let's look at the AL teams:

• The Red Sox are quite involved in talks for big free agent names like Mark Teixeira, Derek Lowe and AJ Burnett but perhaps the most interesting question is how they handle Jason Varitek or his replacement.
• There seems to be a hierarchy of the Yankees off season moves: 1) sign CC Sabathia 2) sign Teixeira 3) sign Lowe or Burnett 4) sign Manny Ramirez as the worst case scenario.
• The Blue Jays are out of the running for Burnett, but could still consider Brad Penny, Paul Byrd, Randy Johnson, Oliver Perez, Pedro Martinez and Ben Sheets are all possibilities. 
• The off season priority list for the Indians reads as 1) closer 2) closer and 3) closer.  Possibilities include: Trevor Hoffman, Jason Isringhausen, Huston Street or JJ Putz.
• Trading for Gerald Laird filled the Tigers hole at catcher, but they're still interested in a closer and could be a dark horse for Rafael Furcal or trade for Jack Wilson.
• Teixeira will dictate the Angels off season.  If he signs with the Angels, that's likely it.  If not, they'll take Francisco Rodriguez back for the right price or look at Sabathia. 
• As Jayson Stark told us a few weeks ago, the Rangers off season priorities are pitching, pitching and more pitching.  They'll look at Penny, Randy and Freddy Garcia.

Let's take a look at Ken Rosenthal's latest column:

• The As are considered the leading team to sign Rafael Furcal.
• Randy Johnson and Nick Johnson are two other veterans the As are looking to add.  Jason Giambi does not appear to be a preference.
• The Phillies reported offer to Derek Lowe seems to be a back up plan if the team can not bring back Jaime Moyer.  Interestingly, the Dodgers are considered to be interested in Moyer.
• Speaking of back up plans, the Yankees have expressed interest in Oliver Perez and Randy Wolf who would seem to be back up plans if the team can not sign CC Sabathia and/or AJ Burnett and/or Lowe.
• The Braves have left the possibility of five guaranteed years open for Burnett.
• The Braves alleged interest in Adam Dunn seems to be low at best.  Raul Ibanez is another option, but signing him will be expensive as well.  The team is more likely to try and trade Kelly Johnson for outfield help.
• It's just Rosenthal's speculation, but he believes that trade talks between the Yankees and Dodgers about a Robinson Cano for Matt Kemp trade will rekindle next week.
• The Cubs continue to speak frequently with the Padres about trying to get a deal for Jake Peavy done.  Previously reported rumors about the Orioles being the third team involved in trade talks have died down.
• The Royals might consider trying to sign Kyle Farnsworth.

Ken Rosenthal covers a lot in his latest article:

• Rosenthal talks about the interesting effect the "poor economy" could have on teams offering arbitration to players.  In short, many teams may not offer arbitration for fear that a player may accept arbitration rather than risk the potentially volatile free agent market.
• Adam Dunn from the Diamondbacks is a good example of Rosenthal's posit.  Certainly the Diamondbacks anticipated that, after trading three players for Dunn, he would net them two draft picks in the 2009 draft after he likely declined arbitration.  The Diamondbacks have already declined Randy Johnson because of his salary demands and recently laid off 30+ employees.  Are they willing to risk having Dunn on their payroll for $15M-$16M?  Even if the unlikely happens and Dunn accepts arbitration, his one year contract would be quite the trade chip for the Diamondbacks.
• Kerry Wood was looking for a long term deal at the beginning of free agency and the Cubs were not interested.  It has now become apparent that the market for closers is flooded with free agents and trade possibilities and Wood's value has decreased.  The Cubs have already said they are not interested in having Woody back at $9M-$10M a season, even though Wood said he would accept such an offer.  If the Cubs offered Wood arbitration, it's possible he could accept leaving the Cubs stuck with him.  However, if they don't offer arbitration, they lose the two draft picks if Wood signs elsewhere.
• The questionable health of Ben Sheets may make the Brewers hesitate to offer the oft-injured pitcher arbitration for fear of being stuck with a $13M-$14M salary for 2009.
• The complications of Jake Peavy-to-the-Cubs are many (the team is being sold, Ryan Dempster was recently resigned, a third team is needed, and if a trade were consummated, Jason Marquis would need to go somewhere and trade talks for David DeJesus have stalled with Kansas City) but the two teams are still trying to negotiate a deal.  As a possible solution to the Marquis problem, Rosenthal suggests that the Padres may be willing to take Marquis if the Cubs pay $3M of his $9M 2009 salary.  For a team trying to cut salary, that doesn't make sense to me.
• The Dodgers offered Chin-Lung Hu and Delwyn Young for Jack Wilson, the Pirates asked for more and now the Dodgers are rumored to no longer be interested in the shortstop.  The Dodgers were concerned with Wilson's $7.25M salary for 2009 and $8.4M club option for 2010 with a $600K buyout and asked the Pirates to chip in some money.  The Pirates agreed, but only for better prospects and the deal broke down.

The Cubs signed Ryan Dempster yesterday, but there's still plenty going on in Chicago. 

• The Cubs could possibly trade Jason Marquis and the almost $10M he is owed in 2009 writes Joel Sherman.
• Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reviews the Cubs options for a left handed hitter.
• There have been very informal discussions between the Cubs and Rafael Furcal's agent, reports Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.
• Sullivan also notes that the Cubs are still involved in trade talks for Jake Peavy and in discussions for Randy Johnson.
• Padres general manager Kevin Towers noted that the only credible trade partner right now is the Cubs. 

We'll keep this as a running feature on the right hand side of the page and try to add a few teams every day.

Arizona Diamondbacks

Orlando Hudson: $10M, Diamondbacks, Mets, White Sox, Indians, Angels, Cubs, Cardinals, Reds, Yankees
Adam Dunn: $15M, Diamondbacks, Phillies, Mets, Braves, Astros, Brewers, Giants
Randy Johnson: $10M, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Angels, Giants
Juan Cruz: $3M, Diamondbacks, Red Sox, Tigers, Mets, Rangers, Indians, Rockies
Brandon Lyon: $4M, Diamondbacks, Tigers, Mets, Rangers, Indians, Cardinals, Rockies
David Eckstein: $4M, Diamondbacks, Indians, Mets, White Sox, Angels, Cardinals
Tony Clark: less than $1M

Let's look through John Perotto's Every Given Sunday column:

• The Braves, Yankees and Dodgers seem to be in the lead in the Jake Peavy sweepstakes and Perotto expects that Peavy will be traded before the winter meetings.  The Yankees are rumored to be willing to include Phil Hughes while the Braves are including Yunel Escobar in their offer.
• Randy Johnson is rumored to be strongly considering a moved back to his home state of California to play for the Dodgers or Angels.
• Perotta also thinks that the Yankees will make strong plays for CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, Derek Lowe and Mark Teixeira.

Let's take a spin around baseball:

• Nick Piecoro examines Randy Johnson's future with the Diamondbacks and in baseball. Five wins away from 300 and after a 30 start 2008 season in which the lefty was pretty good, it seems likely he'll play somewhere.
• Doug Melvin is close to signing an extension to remain with the Brewers. That would squash any Melvin-to-Seattle rumors that had surfaced earlier in the week.
• There is talk of bringing Greg Maddux back to the Padres in a player-coach role.
• The As look to add some offense this off season.
• There are two different reports (here and here) that Jim Hendry is close to signing an extension with the Cubs.