Now that the meetings have ended in Nashville we are getting to the point in the MLB offseason when things start to fall into place. Of course nothing is really going to happen until Zach Greinke and Josh Hamilton set the market for lesser free agents still available at specific positions.
On that note, let's take a look at some of the news and rumors floating around the world of baseball right now.
The Los Angeles Angels appear ready to move on from Greinke as it appears the bidding war for the pitcher is down to the Texas Rangers and Los Angeles Dodgers. It's hard to fathom Texas being able to win this battle against a Dodgers organization that appears to be willing to "win" at all cost. However, it is important to note that California has an income tax, while the state of Texas doesn't. It also doesn't hurt that Greinke's wife is a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader. We all know that money is just one thing that free agents take into account.
If the Dodgers are unable to work out a deal with Greinke, it is being reported that they will look into R.A. Dickey and Anibal Sanchez. Meanwhile, the Angels appear somewhat set in terms of their rotation after acquiring Tommy Hunter and Joe Blanton earlier in the offseason. They can easily peg Garrett Richards into the No. 5 spot if all else fails.
Things are getting interesting as they relate to Hamilton. On Thursday it was reported by various outlets that the Seattle Mariners were close on a six-year contract with the former AL MVP. Those reports have since been proven immature. Meanwhile the New York Yankees are apparently ready to enter a bidding war that currently consists of the aforementioned Mariners as well as the Texas Rangers. Heck, even the Boston Red Sox appear to be kicking around the idea of bringing Hamilton in. After all, they did meet with him in Nashville during the week.
One team that has the money, but refuses to show much interest is the Philadelphia Phillies. They are said to be wary of the veteran outfielder. MLB Network's Kevin Millar suggested that the talk of a three-year contract is partly based on Hamilton's previous substance abuse problem. That hasn't gotten a lot of play, but definitely does seem to make a lot of sense. All things equal, there is no reason why Hamilton wouldn't receive a five-year offer at about $20-$25 million per.
Free agent Johnny Damon is open to playing baseball in 2013, but hasn't ruled out retirement. The 39 year-old former All-Star played in 64 games and hit just .222 for the Cleveland Indians last season. He might have to settle for a minor league contract and invite to spring training at this point.
The Red Sox, continuing an attempt to remake their roster in free agency, are reportedly interested in free agent starter Kyle Lohse. ESPN is reporting that they will only entertain the option if Lohse is willing to take a three-year contract. One would think that Boston wouldn't be comfortable going into the season with its rotation as it currently stands. This makes me believe they're going to go out there and either trade for or sign one of the top remaining starters on the market.
It seems that some Oakland Athletics fans and players are upset that they didn't make a serious effort to re-sign Brandon McCarthy, who got $15 million over two years with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Do they not realize that about $8 million a year for a pitcher that has started 65 games over the last five seasons doesn't make sense for a small market team? When healthy, McCarthy is a top of the rotation pitcher. The issue is that he hasn't been able to stay healthy.
Michael Young, who has been a part of trade talks in each of the last three offseasons, is on his way out of Texas. Sources have confirmed that the former All-Star has waived his no-trade clause and is headed to the Philadelphia Eagles. Considering that everyone knew Young was bait, I am surprised how much Rangers' GM Jon Daniels received in return.
They received reliever Josh Lindblom, who tallied 27 strikeout in 23 innings last season for Philadelphia. He is only 25 and remains under team control for the forseeable future. They also acquired righty reliever Lisalverto Bonilla. The youngster was dominating in Philadelphia's farm system. He tallied 64 strikouts in just 46 innings between Clearwater (A) and Reading (AA).
Ryan Dempster has turned down two pretty solid contact offers thus far. The Kansas City Royals offered him two years at $13 million per, while Boston offered him slightly less. According to various reports, Dempster will take the first three-year contract offered his way. While some think the Milwaukee Brewers are an under-the-radar option, I wouldn't count the Dodgers out of this one, even if they're able to land Greinke.
It looks like the Cleveland Indians should be able to sign New York Yankees' outfielder Nick Swisher. Jon Heyman is reporting that they're in talks on a four-year deal worth $50 million. If that's true, I highly doubt Swisher looks elsewhere.
Former Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox third baseman Kevin Youkilis is currently deciding on a one-year, $12 million offer from the New York Yankees and a two-year, $18 million offer from the Cleveland Indians. While it would make sense for someone his age to take a longer-term contract with more guaranteed, reports seem to indicate that Youkilis will probably choose the Yankees.