1:40pm

Update on the Giants deal with Edgar Renteria

Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle adds some new information to the Renteria’s 2-year deal with the Giants.  It includes a $9.5MM option for 2011 as well as a $500K buyout.  He can also void the option and take the buyout if he’s traded during the length of the contract.

1:19pm

Update on Khalil Greene trade to St. Louis

It wasn’t known at first what players were being sent to San Diego in a deal that sent shortstop Khalil Greene to the Cardinals but MLB.com’s Corey Brock is reporting that right-hander Mark Worrell will be one of the players going to San Diego.  The other player will be named at a later date.

Worrell went 3-3 with a 2.15 ERA in 58.2 IP with the Memphis Redbirds in 2008.

Nationals interested in Royals’ Greinke

According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, the Nationals are apparently interested in trading for Royals’ starter Zach Greinke.  Royals’ GM Dayton Moore had interest in outfielder Jeff Francoeur at one time but that interest may not be as strong as it once was.

12:26pm

Jack Wilson not dealt to Tigers

Contrary to an earlier report, the Tigers have not acquired Pirates’ shortstop Jack Wilson.  Dejan Kovecevic talked to Pirates President Frank Connelly who said the Tigers did make an offer but there was no deal agreed to.  Besides that, Wilson and his agent would have to approve a trade to Detroit and they haven’t had anything brought to them for approval.

Rosenthal’s latest:

Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports:

- The Yankees and Dodgers could rekindle talks at the Winter Meetings regarding Robinson Cano.  It’s been said that the Yankees are asking for outfielder Matt Kemp.

- The Cubs have been talking daily to the Padres about Jake Peavy but Rosenthal doesn’t believe that the Orioles are the third team involved in the trade.

- The A’s are the front runner to land free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal but are also targetting veteran left-hander Randy Johnson.

- Rosenthal confirms the Phillies did make an offer to Derek Lowe, but says it’s a backup option if they can’t sign Jaime Moyer.  If they aren’t able to retain Moyer, look for the Dodgers to show interest.

 

11:28am

Braves confirm offer for Burnett

Atlanta Braves’ GM Fran Wren confirmed that they have an offer on the table for free agent right-hander A.J. Burnett.  The deal is apparently for 4 years and $15MM annually with a 5th year option.  I can’t imagine that Burnett is gonna jump at the deal, but we’ll see.

11:15am

Giants’ deal with Renteria complete

The San Francisco Giants and free agent shortstop Edgar Renteria have finalized a 2-year $18.5MM deal according to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.

Tigers acquire Jack Wilson

The Tigers have completed a trade from Pittsburgh that will send shortstop Jack Wilson to Detroit.  It’s not known what the Pirates are getting in return.

10:36am

Buster Olney has a blog out this morning…here’s just a few things he’s covered thus far.

- Could Manny Ramirez and his agent, Scott Boras, accept the Dodgers offer of arbitration?

- The Cubs could be considering Adam Dunn and may be willing to sacrifice defense for his offensive production.

- The Cubs and Padres have “a basic framework in place” that would send Jake Peavy to Chicago in a deal that is apparently centered around Josh Vitters but any finalization of a deal would have to wait until the sale of the team is complete. 

NOTE: Keep your eye on the Angels, the Padres and Angels have dealt with each other before and Peavy would definitely love the chance to stay in Southern California.  There hasn’t been much talk about the Angels getting involved, but noone saw them coming when they landed Torii Hunter either.

- The Atlanta Braves may push right-hander A.J. Burnett for an answer before C.C. Sabathia signs.  Though, the Braves know if C.C. signs first, Burnett won’t be as cheap.

- Olney believes Rafael Furcal will sign with Oakland

9:22am

Derek Lowe receives offers from 2 teams

According to Tom Massarotti of the Boston Herald, Derek Lowe has received contract offers from two teams, one of which is the Philadelphia Phillies but the other is NOT from the Red Sox or Yankees.  However, in the same article, Yankees’ GM Brian Cashman has flown to California to meet with Scott Boras, the agent for Lowe which could lead to an offer for the free agent right-hander.

8:52am

Yankees update

The New York Yankees are confident they are the only serious suitor for the services of C.C. Sabathia as there is still a $40MM gap between their offer and the offer from the Milwaukee Brewers.  If the Yankees do end up inking Sabathia, they will probably turn their focus to Derek Lowe and Andy Pettitte instead of Mark Teixiera and Manny Ramirez.

The Yankees are also willing to give a 5th year vesting option to right-hander A.J. Burnett, but the Braves should land him if they are in fact willing to give Burnett a full 5-year deal as was reported earlier. 

Andy Pettitte has made it known that he will not take a pay cut from his $16MM he received in 2008.  The Yankees have made a 1-year $10MM offer.

Mariners make Putz available, sign Branyan

The Seattle Mariners have apparently made their closer J.J. Putz available and they’re already getting interest from the NY Mets who are expected to talk to Seattle about Putz during the Winter Meetings that get underway on Monday.

The Mariners signed 33-year old outfielder Russell Branyan to a 1-year deal, though the terms of the deal aren’t known.  He’s a good backup option as long as he doesn’t face left-handers.

Red Sox looking at bench additions

The Boston Red Sox are looking to add to their bench and could be interested in names like Willie Bloomquist, Jay Payton and Mark Loretta.

6:38am

Padres deal Khalil Greene to St. Louis

The Padres have dealt long time shortstop Khalil Greene to the St. Louis Cardinals.  The Padres will get two relief prospects back in the deal which will clear $6.5MM from the Padres’ payroll.  Could it improve the chances of retaining Jake Peavy?

Giants ink Renteria

In a deal that was reportedly “close” yesterday was completed late last night.  Edgar Renteria took the physical with the Giants and should be announced at a press conference soon.  The Giants had been in negotiations with Rafael Furcal, but they weren’t sold on giving the 4-year deal he and his agent were asking for. 

This is a solid move for the Giants and one that should give them a definite improvement both offensively and defensively.

Braves close to a deal with Dave Ross

The Atlanta Braves are close to a 2-year $3.5MM deal with catcher Dave Ross.  He should bring an improvement to a backup catching roll that struggled for the Braves in 2007, hitting a combined .114 (13-for-114) with just 2 HR’s.

The Braves sure aren’t wasting any time improving their ballclub from 2007, already making a trade for starter Javier Vazquez and possibly working on a 5-year contract offer for right-hander A.J. Burnett.

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