Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

Doc looks good in return, but will he stay?

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June 30

Foxsports.com

"No one would blame J.P. Ricciardi if he complained. His Blue Jays play in baseball's deepest division, and the Yankees outspend them by more than 2-to-1. He has six pitchers on the disabled list. His highest-paid outfielders, Vernon Wells and Alex Rios, are underperforming. But he was in a good mood Monday afternoon. "I'm lucky," the Toronto general manager said. "Every fifth day, I get to watch Doc." He was referring, of course, to ace Roy Halladay, who was about to make a start of some significance. Halladay hadn't pitched since June 12, when a groin strain halted his outing against the Marlins after three innings. Halladay was facing the Tampa Bay Rays to open this country's most ..."

Ricciardi optimistic about Marcum, uncertain of McGowan

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June 25

MLB.com

"While right-hander Shaun Marcum is recovering well from elbow surgery and could pitch this season, fellow righty Dustin McGowan faces a tougher road ahead as he tries to heal his ailing right shoulder, according to Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi. Before the Jays' Wednesday night tilt with the Reds, Ricciardi updated the status of several of the club's injured starting pitchers. The GM said there still is no timeline for McGowan's return. McGowan underwent surgery to repair a frayed labrum in his right shoulder last May, and his recovery has stalled recently. "Dustin is slow. He's been a slower process," Ricciardi said. "I don't know when he'll come back." When asked if McGowan ..."

Blue Jays should take gamble on Pedro

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June 16

Toronto Star

columnist Richard Griffin

"Time is running out on the Jays in their struggle to remain afloat in the division or wild-card race in the difficult AL East. The muscle twinge to starting ace Roy Halladay's groin demonstrated just how shallow is the club's starting pitching pool. Left-hander Brian Tallet should be a No. 3-4 starter. Instead, entering a key interleague week without Doc, the 31-year-old reliever has become the starting ace. Yikes! Time is running out. The Jays need to step up and gamble on Pedro Martinez. Reports are the 37-year-old right-hander has been working out back home in the Dominican Republic and that several clubs have gone to watch him throw, including the Cubs and the Rays. The Jays should put ..."

Will Jays find gold at No. 20?

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June 9

Toronto Sun

"For the first time in their 33-year history the Blue Jays have the 20th over-all pick in the amateur draft. The three-day, talent re-stocking of 30 franchises begins today with the first three rounds televised by the Major League Networkat 6 p.m. Former Cy Young award winner Pat Hentgen represents the Jays in Secaucus, N.J. After round one, the draft switches to conference call and resumes with Round 4 tomorrow. The process continues Thursday until the 50th and final round. The closest the Jays came to having the 20th pick overall in North America was when they chose shortstop Eddie Zosky of Fresno State 19th overall in 1989 and when they selected lefty John Cerutti of Amherst College ..."

Alex Rios may have talked his way right out of Toronto after profane exchange with fan

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June 7

Toronto Sun

columnist Steve Simmons

"Alex Rios has turned into a $10-million embarrassment for the Toronto Blue Jays. Never mind that he plays the outfield with a not-so-reckless indifference. Never mind that he has taken his five-tool gifts and squandered them with his lack of passion and apathy. Never mind that the hitting numbers aren't anywhere near where they are supposed to be. All that pales when compared with his foolish act of the other night, exchanging swear words with a fan after turning down an autograph request from a kid, at a charity event no less. Available in today's technology for all to see on YouTube. Whether management will see it this way or not, Rios essentially is done as a Blue Jay. Failing on the ..."

Litsch's return date remains in limbo

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June 3

MLB.com

"The curious case of Jesse Litsch has started to baffle the Blue Jays. Six weeks after injuring his right elbow, the pitcher is still complaining of some intermittent soreness, creating a situation where trying to nail down a possible return date is practically impossible. "I couldn't tell you if I had a crystal ball," Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston said. Litsch, who is currently on the 15-day disabled list and rehabbing at the Jays' training facility in Florida, met with renowned arm specialist Dr. James Andrews last week at the surgeon's office in Pensacola, Fla. It marked Litsch's second sit-down with Andrews since the starter injured his arm on April 13 and both meetings produced the ..."

Around the Horn

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June 2

Foxsports.com

"Some Blue Jays players believe the team's biggest needs is a veteran No. 2 starting pitcher to slot behind Roy Halladay. Club officials, however, point out that the Twins have won with young pitching, and they are more apt to pursue a left-handed slugger unless Travis Snider proves to be the answer. The Orioles' Aubrey Huff, Nationals' Nick Johnson and Pirates' Adam LaRoche all could fit for the Jays ... Speaking of the Jays, one scout who has seen them recently believes that manager Cito Gaston should drop Aaron Hill from the No. 2 spot to the middle of the order and bat either Adam Lind or even Alex Rios second. Hill would be a potential 100-RBI man if he hit in the middle of the order. ..."

Phillies' hitting potent, but rotation needs addressing

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May 30

Chicago Tribune

"As was the case in most of the 1980s, this is proving to be a dynasty-free decade in baseball. There wasn't a lot of talk about the Philadelphia Phillies or Tampa Bay Rays being capable of a run after they went to the World Series in October, and the three-tiered playoff system makes for long odds against any except the most dominant teams. Two months in, though, don't count out the Phillies. They are going to be really dangerous if they ever sort out their starting pitching. Charlie Manuel's defending champs had managed to lead the National League East eight days in a row before slipping a half-game behind the Mets entering the weekend. They did this despite a starting rotation with a ..."

Snider skid could spell Triple A trip

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May 20

Toronto Star

"The Jays claim they have not lost patience with the slumping Travis Snider. They insist they have not lost confidence in the left-handed-hitting rookie with tremendous power potential. Nevertheless, the first-place Jays might be on the verge of shipping Snider to the minors, depending on the progress he shows tonight against Red Sox starter Brad Penny at Fenway Park. Talk about pressure. "Two days ago, we spotted something and, of course, he hasn't had a chance to play, so we don't know if it's going to work yet," manager Cito Gaston said. "It's just something in his mechanics that he's doing. Geno (Tenace) is working with him in the cage. I've talked to him about it and hopefully he can ..."

New dirt being dished on Clemens

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April 28

Toronto Star

"With another book coming out alleging Roger Clemens' use of performance-enhancing drugs, the man who engineered the star pitcher's arrival in Toronto is having a difficult time grasping the charges. Blue Jays interim CEO Paul Beeston, who was president of the club at the time, remembers Clemens only as "a tremendous person" and says he had no inkling of possible steroid use. Asked yesterday if he was shocked, Beeston replied, "Yeah, to be honest with you." The book American Icon: The Fall of Roger Clemens and the Rise of Steroids in America's Pastime, was excerpted in Sports Illustrated. It is due to be released next month. Written by the award-winning New York Daily News sports ..."

Podsednik out, Rox in on trades for Gaudin, Hammel

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April 1

Denver Post

"As they say goodbye to a respected veteran, the Rockies are attempting to say hello to a new pitcher, exploring trades for the Cubs' Chad Gaudin and Tampa's Jason Hammel. Dexter Fowler's emergence and a crowded Triple-A outfield conspired to end Scott Podsednik's tenure with the Rockies today. General manager Dan O'Dowd told The Denver Post that the veteran outfielder will be released. "He's a good man, a professional. This is tough," O'Dowd said after leaving the Hi Corbett Field clubhouse. Podsednik spoke to his agent this morning, and is hopeful than a big league opportunity will emerge. Milwaukee, where Podsednik once starred for general manager Doug Melvin, has expressed interest. "I ..."

B.J. Ryan struggling, Gaston looks to Downs

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March 31

Toronto Sun

"With five games go in spring training, Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston continues to monitor closely the progress of bullpen closer B.J. Ryan and once again intimated he would not be averse to using setup man Scott Downs as an interim closer if Ryan keeps struggling. "There's still some concerns about (Ryan)," Gaston said. "He'll proabbly get a couple more chances to pitch down here and we'll just see where he's at then. Our option is Scott Downs." Clearly, that scenario is not what Ryan wants to hear. "I know where I stand but, then again, my say-so doesn't mean a whole lot," Ryan said. "Hopefully we never come to it. It's an uncomfortable question with a lot of uncomfortable answers." ..."

Blue Jays closer may miss season's start

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March 27

Toronto Star

"The Blue Jays are very concerned about bullpen closer B.J. Ryan – concerned with his loss of velocity despite seemingly being 100 per cent healthy. The Jays won't say it, but the possibility exists Ryan could be left behind in Florida when the regular season starts April 6 at the Rogers Centre. "We're going to try and do the right thing," Jays manager Cito Gaston said. "It's like the World Baseball Classic when he realized, `I can't help these guys.' And he was smart enough to stay back. He's the type of guy who, if he feels he can't help, he'd just say, `Maybe you can use somebody else.' He might not say it, but he understands.""

Jays in the hunt for Mississauga's Hill

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March 23

Toronto Sun

"The Blue Jays expect to know within the next few days whether they have landed Mississauga native Shawn Hill, who became a free agent last week when he was released by the Washington Nationals. The 27-year-old righthanded pitcher who underwent reconstructive elbow surgery in 2005, had further surgery last year to remove calcium deposits from the elbow and had pitched just twice before being released. He is believed to be sifting through several offers. "He's a smart kid who's weighing his options," Blue Jays assistant general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. "We like him a lot." If Hill signed with Toronto, he would not be competing immediately for a big-league job but be assigned to ..."

Jays to sign Mississauga native Shawn Hill

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March 22

Toronto Star

"The Jays anticipate a deal with Mississauga's Shawn Hill as soon as he clears release waivers from the Washington Nationals. The 27-year-old pitcher has made just 37 big-league starts since 2004. "We wouldn't be signing him to come in here and make the major-league staff," Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi said. "We'd have to get him up to speed, kind of like (former major-leaguer) Wade Miller (currently in minor-league camp). "We're just trying to get as many arms as we can in here. We know the young kids are going to struggle. ... We're trying to put them in spots they might not be ready for. We get some veteran guys here and they can hold the fort down."

Shortstop long on raw talent

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March 15

Toronto Star

"Ninety minutes before yesterday's 10-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers, a group of reporters peppered Cito Gaston with questions about the team's unsettled shortstop situation. No, he wasn't necessarily looking to jettison incumbent starter John McDonald. Yes, he's considering using Joe Inglett at short sometimes. Yes, he would use Jose Bautista there even though he has never played the position at the major-league level. Just after the media scrum broke, the long-term answer to the club's shortstop problem strode toward the batting cage."

Wells' recovery is on track

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March 8

Toronto Sun

"Vernon Wells has stepped it up a notch in his recovery from a pulled hamstring suffered Feb. 23. Prior to Friday's night game against the Phillies, the centre fielder participated in some running drills in the outfield for the first time. "I'd run 10 yards, jog 10 yards, accelerate for 20 yards, maybe going up to 60 to 70%," Wells said yesterday. "It felt pretty good and the main thing is there's no soreness." So if there aren't any setbacks, when does he anticipate getting into his first game? "I'd say no more than seven to 10 days," Wells replied. BOUNCES BACK LHP Ricky Romero turned in two earlier clunkers but yesterday against the Reds he rebounded by turning in his most solid ..."

Jays eyeing a move

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March 1

Globe and Mail

"Could the Toronto Blue Jays be lying in the weeds waiting to make a player move? I'll say this: I've been told that they have some interest in free-agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera - who has also attracted interest from the Oakland Athletics - but that they need to first clear some payroll, even if it's just a couple of million dollars. That can be accomplished in a couple of ways: 1. The Blue Jays are trying to get out the message that Scott Rolen is healthy and would love the third baseman to have a strong spring in front of scouts. He has two years left on his deal and they would likely have to pick up some payroll to get rid of him, and while they're loathe to do that they are prepared ..."

Is the Halladay over for the Jays?

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February 16

Globe and Mail

"Pitchers and catchers have reported to Dunedin, so let the hand-wringing begin: Can the Toronto Blue Jays keep Roy Halladay around past 2010? The matter seems apropos just days after another Toronto team, the Raptors, pulled off a deal that must have sent mixed signals to its own franchise player whose free-agency clock is running, Chris Bosh. Dumping Jermaine O'Neal's contract for 2009-2010 on the Miami Heat was a nice bit of business. Picking up Marcus Banks's contract and professing a desire to re-sign Shawn Marion, whose contract expires at season's end? Not so much, although Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo might simply be posturing to keep Marion content and motivated on a ..."

Ricciardi 'close' to adding Millar

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February 11

Toronto Sun

"The wooing of Kevin Millar continues, albeit at a snail-like clip. The one-time Boston Red Sox and former Baltimore Orioles infielder/designated hitter, who a week ago was on the verge of signing with the Blue Jays, remains close to putting his name on a Toronto contract. That could happen before Friday, the day when general manager J.P. Ricciardi heads to Dunedin, Fla., to oversee his eighth Jays spring training camp. "We're still talking to him and hopeful of getting things done within the next couple of days," Ricciardi said yesterday from his home in Worcester, Mass. "We're real close. It's just some wording in the contract, last-minute hurdles that you always go through with deals ..."

Jays nearing deal with Millar

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February 5

MLB.com

"The Blue Jays are close to reaching an agreement on a Minor League contract with free-agent first baseman Kevin Millar, according to a report in the New York Post. The deal would include an invitation to attend Spring Training with the big league club. Due to financial limitations, the bulk of the Blue Jays' acquisitions this offseason have come via Minor League deals. In fact, Toronto is the only club in baseball that has not added a free agent with a Major League contract this winter. That doesn't mean that the Jays aren't still looking for help, especially on offense. "We're looking every day to try to bring someone here who can help us," Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said ..."

Left-hander John Parrish likely headed to Baltimore, not Detroit

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February 4

Detroit Free Press

"Left-hander John Parrish, whom the Tigers had pursued as a free agent this off-season, is likely to sign a minor-league contract with Baltimore within the next several days.

The Tigers had been interested in signing Parrish to a minor-league deal with an invitation to big-league camp. Parrish, 31, could have joined the competition to become the second left-hander in Detroit's bullpen, behind Bobby Seay. Tigers officials have seemed less concerned about adding relief help since signing potential closer Brandon Lyon to a one-year, $4.25-million deal last month."

Millar drawing interest from Blue Jays

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February 2

MLB.com

"As this strange offseason of economic uncertainty nears its close and pitchers and catchers prepare to travel to Arizona and Florida for Spring Training's rapidly approaching reporting dates, a significant number of players continue to search for big league jobs. For the Blue Jays, it's an opportunity to keep rummaging through baseball's bargain bin. One veteran still up for grabs is Kevin Millar, and multiple reports have indicated that Toronto has offered the first baseman a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training. Due to financial limitations, the bulk of the Blue Jays' acquisitions this offseason have come via Minor League deals. In fact, Toronto is the only club in ..."

Dealing with A's for Cust might help Jays

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January 23

Toronto Star

columnist Richard Griffin

"The Jays are asking for fan goodwill while they rebuild and we're here with a positive suggestion of a potential trade with the Oakland A's, a deal I believe may already have been discussed behind closed doors. Spring training is 24 days away and the club has already announced to season-ticket holders that it will not be spending additional money on payroll in '09. With 16 players under contract, the Jays' committed payroll this year is $76.38 million (all figures U.S.). They will spend another $9 million for the remaining nine to 11 players (Shaun Marcum out for the year; Dustin McGowan out until May). The plan is to let young players develop and take their lumps. But there are creative ..."

Source: Zaun to sign with O's

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January 14

Sportsnet.ca

"Blue Jays free-agent catcher Gregg Zaun appears to have found a new home. Sources told Rogers Sportsnet that Zaun is close to returning to the Baltimore Orioles. The 37-year-old Blue Jay was drafted by the Orioles in 1989. Zaun recently completed his fifth season in Toronto and was limited to 86 games serving as a back-up to Rod Barajas most of the year. He hit .237 with six home runs and 30 RBI."

Tigers eyeing left-hander reliever John Parrish

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January 12

Detroit Free Press

"The Tigers have maintained contact with the agent for John Parrish in recent weeks, an indication that they are pursuing low-cost upgrades to their bullpen. Parrish, 31, would be a less expensive option than Joe Beimel, who was once thought to be Detroit's top choice among situational left-handers. Beimel's agent, Joe Sroba, said Sunday that he has not heard from the Tigers since the winter meetings ended Dec. 11. Parrish went 1-1 with a 4.04 ERA in 13 appearances (six starts) with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2008. He also pitched in 17 games at Triple-A Syracuse last season and went 10-1 with a 2.97 ERA. The Tigers have been conservative in their spending this winter, partly because of the ..."

Ricciardi hints at interest in Hudson

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December 22

Sportsnet.ca

"The Toronto Blue Jays came away from the winter meetings empty handed, but general manager J.P. Ricciardi is hinting at interest in a trio of high-profile free agents still on the market. In an interview with the Boston Globe, Ricciardi said the Jays are not opposed to signing a free-agent, but they will have to be creative financially in order to do so. "Orlando Hudson is out there. Jason Giambi is out there. We'll have to see who's out there still when the music stops and see who we might be able to get," Ricciardi said. According to the story, Ricciardi was told to cut team payroll by $20 million for 2009 to $85 million. Burnett's departure will save him $12 million."

Sources: A's offer deal to Furcal

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December 15

ESPN.com

"With Rafael Furcal moving closer to making a decision on where to sign, the Oakland Athletics appear to be in the lead to sign the free-agent shortstop, with an offer of four years and $40 million, according to sources. The Los Angeles Dodgers, who declined to offer Furcal arbitration earlier this month, have remained engaged but do not appear to be close to Oakland's proposal. The Kansas City Royals have interest and need but may not have the flexibility to make a deal. The Toronto Blue Jays have had interest -- and need -- in Furcal, but they have dropped out of the bidding entirely."

Shortstops remain available in market

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December 15

MLB.com

"Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin was talking recently about his unwillingness to trade shortstop J.J. Hardy, even though the team has a young and talented shortstop-in-waiting in Alcides Escobar. "That's a premium position ... it's hard to find shortstops," Melvin told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Which is why teams have been scooping up available shortstops this winter and doing so without breaking the bank, as Major League teams have found some bargains during this offseason. All while two of the biggest names left remaining on the free-agent market are shortstops -- Rafael Furcal and Orlando Cabrera, who probably didn't anticipate the Winter Meetings passing without finding a ..."

Burnett reaches agreement with Yanks

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December 12

MLB.com

"A.J. Burnett entered the free-agent market with a "buyer beware" tag and exited it counting the riches the Yankees will provide him over the course of the next five years. Furthering their massive rotation-reconstruction process, the Yankees have apparently won the bidding for Burnett. ESPN.com and SI.com reported late Friday afternoon that the 31-year-old right-hander has agreed to a five-year, $82.5 million deal. Before the deal becomes official, Burnett will need to pass a physical and the two parties will have to iron out some terms of the offer. While luring both CC Sabathia and Burnett to The Bronx in a span of three days, the Yankees have significantly upgraded their starting ..."

Hal thinks he'll land Burnett

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December 12

Newsday

"He said he's thrilled that he'll be paying CC Sabathia a record salary to pitch next season, and Hal Steinbrenner thinks the Yankees will have another new, top-flight pitcher in their starting rotation shortly. Steinbrenner is optimistic that he'll soon add righthander A.J. Burnett to the team's roster and payroll, he said yesterday. The Yankees have made Burnett a five-year, $80-million offer, and they're waiting to hear back from him. The Braves also are in the mix, although it's not clear whether Atlanta added a guaranteed fifth year to its package. "We're interested in him and he's interested in us," Steinbrenner, the Yankees' control person, said of Burnett in a telephone interview ..."

Yank: A.J. Is Burn-ing For Bombers

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December 12

New York Post

"Talking to a Yankee recently, A.J. Burnett informed the player they were going to be teammates. "He wants to come to New York - those words came out of his mouth," the player told The Post last night. "He really wants to play here." From all indications, Burnett will join CC Sabathia at the top of the Yankee rotation, and the deal could be sealed as early as today. The Yankees have offered the right-hander, 32 next month, a five-year contract in the area of $80 million to settle in behind Sabathia as the No. 2 starter in a revamped rotation that houses Chien-Ming Wang and Joba Chamberlain and might still add Ben Sheets or Andy Pettitte. However, Pettitte remains bitter over the Yankees ..."

Sources: Yanks out front to land Burnett

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December 11

Foxsports.com

"CC and A.J.? The chances for the Yankees look good. The Yankees, after reaching a preliminary agreement with free-agent left-hander CC Sabathia, have emerged as the clear front-runner for free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett, according to major-league sources. There were indications Thursday morning that the Braves were preparing a final push for Burnett and that they would guarantee a fifth year on his contract. "I don't think we're done," one team official said. Burnett's representatives were expected to contact interested clubs Thursday, giving them one last chance to beat the Yankees offer of five years and approximately $85 million. The Braves have offered four years and an easily ..."

Dodgers face obstacles in re-signing Rafael Furcal

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December 11

Los Angeles Times

"With third baseman Casey Blake re-signed and negotiations with Manny Ramirez at an impasse, the Dodgers have shifted their focus on retaining Rafael Furcal. But major obstacles have to be cleared if the Dodgers are to re-sign Furcal, who played in only 36 regular-season games this year because of back problems that required surgery. The Dodgers have offered the 31-year-old shortstop an incentive-laden contract that is guaranteed for two years and includes a vesting option for a third, according to sources familiar with the negotiations who were granted anonymity because they weren't authorized to discuss the matter. Furcal is asking for a four-year deal. Furcal's agent, Paul Kinzer, said ..."

Source: Braves make $80M offer to Burnett

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December 10

Foxsports.com

"Talks between the Braves and free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett "progressed through the night," but the Yankees remain a factor in the Burnett discussions, major-league sources say. The Braves are pushing hard to land Burnett, the second-most desirable starter on the market after lefty CC Sabathia, who has a preliminary agreement in place with the Yankees. How hard? The team on Tuesday night made an offer of $80 million over five years, a major-league source told Gerry Fraley. The Yankees have shown interest in every quality free-agent starting pitcher, and could opt for a three- or four-year deal with right- hander Derek Lowe or a shorter deal with Ben Sheets rather than give Burnett ..."

Jays searching for a shortstop

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December 10

Toronto Sun

"The Blue Jays have been shopping the Bellagio lobby for a shortstop. They met with the agent for Rafael Furcal, they have discussed Ty Wigginton and they have looked at Jason Bartlett. Free-agent Furcal, who turned down a four-year offer of between $35 million and $40 million US from the Oakland A's, also is being pursued by the Los Angeles Dodgers. "We wanted to find out what he's looking for, we would have to be real creative," Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said. "If he came in and said he wanted X amount, we couldn't do it ... it would be far-fetched." Ricciardi said the interest from Furcal about playing with the Jays seemed "real," but he conceded "it could be agent ..."

Washington executive says Beeston should stick with Jays

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December 9

Toronto Sun

"Stan Kasten currently holds two titles. 1) President of the Washington Nationals. 2) The PMMNP (Person mentioned most as the next president) to replace outgoing Jays executive Paul Godfrey. Obviously, he can't do both, although at one time he was president of the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Hawks and the Atlanta Thrashers. Kasten's good friend Paul Beeston, the Jays CEO on an interim basis, is making the hire. "You and I both know what needs to happen," Kasten said yesterday morning at the winter meetings. "Paul Beeston has to stay with the Jays. I've said it before and I truly believe that is what's going to happen."

Jays will pocket cash if Burnett bolts

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December 9

Toronto Star

"The thought of a salary freeze was left dangling a week ago by Jays president Paul Beeston at a Toronto writers meeting. If A.J. Burnett declined arbitration would the team be allowed to spend the $12 million (all figures U.S.) coming off the books? Yesterday, in the Jays' first day of winter meetings inaction, GM J.P. Ricciardi confirmed the harsh realities of the new world order. He will not be able to spend the A.J. money, thus effectively reducing team payroll by 10-12 per cent. "Anybody we add, we're going to have to subtract," Ricciardi said, matter of factly. "I don't think we're able to take on a lot of payroll, so if we want to do some things we're going to have to eliminate some ..."

Braves could add to Burnett offer; trade for Ankiel

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December 9

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

"While the Braves would prefer not to turn an option into a guaranteed fifth year in their offer to free-agent pitcher A.J. Burnett, there are indications they would do it if that's what it took to outbid the New York Yankees or other suitors. "You've got to do what you've got to do," manager Bobby Cox said when asked about pitching-needy teams like the Braves having to offer more money and/or longer deals than they'd prefer for free agents who've had health issues. On the first day of baseball's annual winter meetings, there were reports that the Yankees were considering making a four-year, $64 million offer to Burnett. The Braves last week offered him what was believed to be a four-year, ..."

Yankees going full throttle after Burnett

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December 9

MLB.com

"Brian Cashman left the Winter Meetings campus at noon PT on Monday, summoned for a short ride up the Strip by CC Sabathia for a second chat with the Yankees' top pitching target. Even though the general manager took time to engage the left-hander, the club's other business is not on hold. According to reports, the Yankees are also ready to engage in full pursuit of free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett, whose agents arrived Monday at the Bellagio. "I'm willing to move on something if I feel the price is right now, regardless of CC," Cashman said. "I'm trying to find that common ground with the agent and the player. Up until this date, that hasn't happened yet." Sabathia has had since Nov. ..."

Cardinals serious about Burnett

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December 8

Foxsports.com

"A new team has emerged as a serious bidder for free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett, according to major-league sources. That team is believed to be the St. Louis Cardinals, who had interest in Burnett the last time he was a free agent, in 2005. After acquiring shortstop Khalil Greene from the Padres, Cardinals general manager John Mozeliak told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "We're going to focus on pitching." The Cardinals also are looking for a closer on a short-term deal, but Burnett fits their desire for a starter with upside — someone similar to righty Kyle Lohse, 30, whom the team recently re-signed for $41 million over four years. Burnett, who turns 32 on Jan. 3, recently received an ..."

Jays left on bench as 4 'big boys' wait for offers

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December 8

Toronto Star

"The baseball winter meetings commence tomorrow in the adult playground of the Nevada desert and the Jays are approaching this annual horsehide flesh market of trades and free agency like eunuchs at a bordello. Because of the Canadian dollar and the tanking economy, all the Jays can do is watch the action and remember when they once led the way. The uncertainty of A.J. Burnett's contract situation, will he stay or will he go – they offered him arbitration to ensure draft-pick compensation – has tied their hands for the moment. As soon as this afternoon, the deadline day for accepting arbitration, when A.J. tells them to take a hike, removing his old team from the bidding, at least the Jays ..."

Las Vegas dealers

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December 7

Boston Globe

"Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin runs a baseball team in middle America. The economy is tough, yet he waits to hear whether CC Sabathia will accept their $100 million offer or whether he'll have to move on to Plan B. As baseball's winter meetings get underway tomorrow at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Melvin expects there will be a lot of teams in the same boat - going to Plan B or perhaps no plan at all. "Because the market has been slow, it's got a chance to where agents may dominate the meetings trying to get a feel for what they can get," said Melvin. "We all have to be aware of the economy - even the big-market teams, from what I've seen. "We're in a situation where the ..."

Yank plan: check, raise

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December 7

New York Post

"Las Vegas is a city built on the backs of losers. Hall of Fame loser O.J. Simpson will leave it in handcuffs. Rap star Tupac departed in a body bag thanks to being ventilated on The Strip after a fight featuring Mike Tyson, one of the all-time losers. Millions have split with their last dollar left on a green felt table. In a momentary lapse of reason, Major League Baseball decided Vegas would be a good place to hold this upcoming week's Winter Meetings. So, in the middle of casinos that will take future action on its games, rampant prostitution and drug dealers with everything to sell, MLB gathers. Among those clubs are the Yankees, a team that desperately can't leave Vegas a loser. They ..."

Jays left on bench as 4 'big boys' wait for offers

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December 7

Toronto Star

"The baseball winter meetings commence tomorrow in the adult playground of the Nevada desert and the Jays are approaching this annual horsehide flesh market of trades and free agency like eunuchs at a bordello. Because of the Canadian dollar and the tanking economy, all the Jays can do is watch the action and remember when they once led the way. The uncertainty of A.J. Burnett's contract situation, will he stay or will he go – they offered him arbitration to ensure draft-pick compensation – has tied their hands for the moment. As soon as this afternoon, the deadline day for accepting arbitration, when A.J. tells them to take a hike, removing his old team from the bidding, at least the Jays ..."

Burnett headed elsewhere

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December 4

Globe and Mail

"It would appear any hopes the Toronto Blue Jays had of re-signing pitcher A.J. Burnett, which was always tenuous at best, have dimmed to almost non-existent. The 31-year-old is reportedly being courted by the Atlanta Braves to the extent that the National League club is prepared to offer Burnett a five-year deal to become the ace of their staff. After obtaining starter Javier Vazquez in a six-player trade with the Chicago White Sox, the Braves have now set their sights on Burnett, the New York Daily News reported yesterday. Burnett's agent, Darek Braunecker, said last week that his client would be able to sign a five-year deal during baseball's free-agency period, but he would not identify ..."

Braves have an offer for A.J.

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December 3

Globe and Mail

"The slim chance that the Toronto Blue Jays had at re-signing pitcher A.J. Burnett appears to have just got a lot slimmer. According to a story in Wednesday's New York Daily News, the Atlanta Braves are preparing a five-year contract offer to the 31-year-old free agent. No dollar figures were given, but if it is true it would almost certainly take the Blue Jays out of the running for Burnett, who won 18 games for the Jays last season before decided to opt-out of the final two years of his contract."

Blue Jays wise to stay out of Japanese deals

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December 2

Toronto Star

columnist Richard Griffin

"Making not only the Blue Jays but many other major-league teams seemingly look bad, the ultra-aggressive Red Sox are once again trawling for free agents, casting their net into fertile Japanese waters. Two years after securing right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka as the highest-paid first-year player in Japanese free-agent history, the Sox have reportedly made history by signing the first pure Japanese amateur to head straight to North America without a stint in his country's major-league system. Junichi Tazawa, a 22-year-old right-hander, is about to become the third current Japanese player in Red Sox Nation ... with mixed reviews. Pending a physical later this week, he will sign a reported ..."

Decisions, decisions: Arbitration deadline looms

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December 1

MLB.com

"In ordinary offseasons, the deadline for clubs to offer arbitration to their ranked free agents, which this time arrives Monday at midnight ET, has been a rather predictable occasion. With few exceptions, teams not yet able to strike new deals in the roughly four weeks since their players' declaration of free agency would simply decline to make the offer, effectively severing ties and giving up any claims to compensatory Draft picks. These, however, are extraordinary times -- both for baseball and for the overall economy the sport must use at least as a partial guideline. Thus, the decisions made prior to the deadline will dramatically shape the rest of the signing season for the 169 free ..."

Caught in cash squeeze play

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November 30

Toronto Sun

"Black Friday, the biggest shopping day of the year south of the border, was two days ago. While bargain hunters camped outside stores the day after the American Thanksgiving, all remained quiet on the baseball front. The general managers of the 30 teams continued to play phone tag with each other and with agents. but as far as getting players signed, there was nothing. Since the free agent signing period began Nov. 14, just two players have deals -- Canadian Ryan Dempster re-upped as expected with the Chicago Cubs, signing a four-year deal, while reliever Jeremy Affeldt switched teams, leaving the Cincinnati Reds for the San Francisco Giants (two years and $8 million US). That's two ..."

Blue Jays Trade Rumors