NotJon : (you might find this interesting)

Ervin Santana has been traded from the Angels to the Royals.

Compensation isn't really clear yet... but I kind of like this for all parties. Ervin gets to go to the weakest division in baseball, the AL Central, the Royals get a pitcher who can be filthy at times, albeit rarely, and the Angels free up roster space/salary they would have spent on him.

Oldschool41 :

It's worth noting Mariano Rivera COULD be back. It's not a sure thing, but it's not like they just lost their only closer.

Rafael Soriano will probably end up with a Detroit or something. Don't know really. Closers and the like can really go legit anywhere.

Robertson will not, or at least should not be the closer. Great set up man, horrible closer. Any inning but the 9th.

Joba is an interesting option... but somehow I doubt he gets the chance to close. He doesn't have Soriano's or Rivera's stuff. Or close to it!

And I'm assuming you are talking about Aardsma, which is less likely than Joba... he's an ok 7th inning guy, but I don't see him as a closer. Not anymore anyway.

Honestly, I think Rivera is back. If not... maybe they try to muscle in on Joakim Soria, another closer who had his option declined. The rumors are the Royals are already renegotiating.

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Update on Santana to Royals. Royals are sending minor league lefty Brandon Sisk to the Angels, for Santana and 1 million dollars to pay for part of his contract.

I think the Angels got a steal all things considered. Sisk looks like a good potential piece.

Oldschool41 :

I don't think it's really "news", since we could fill a book with information about teams trying to move players or resign them.

That said, Haren is an interesting case.

The argument for trading for Haren is that they would (obviously) exercise the contract, in hopes that he is good enough to be worth a qualifying offer next season. The way the new CBA is set up, if you offer a player a qualifying offer (This year it is 13.3MM, but will probably hike up as the average MLB salary raises) and they sign elsewhere, you get draft picks.

So basically they are looking to trade Haren and potential prospects for salary relief and a potential piece of greater value than the player from the Ervin Santana deal.

Dan Haren has a club option for 15.5 million dollars next season. (3.5 million dollar buyout)

What scares me is that MY team, the Red Sox, are actually linked to Haren. We have the financial flexibility to do so... but I don't like the idea of giving the Angels anything for a guy they are trying hard to get rid of just to sign Grienke. If I were the Red Sox GM, I'd look at Anibal Sanchez or Edwin Jackson, since they won't cost us potentially valuable pieces to acquire.

Obviously, it's being done for the sole purpose of bringing back Grienke, and having money for some more pieces, to build around Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, and Mark Trumbo.

Oldschool41 :

I never said we couldn't include rumors in here. The first post is a few rumors in one.

I just didn't think that particular one had much news involved. Figured it was fairly obvious to anyone paying attention to the offseason lol.

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Speaking of rumors... the Red Sox and David Ortiz are closing in on a two year deal. Should be done withing the next 24-48 hours, depending on who you ask. They were pretty far apart earlier, so it's nice to see some progress being made.

My understanding is that 2 years is a given, and money is the entirety of the issue.

Ortiz wants 15 million per season, and I think the Red Sox are trying to sell him on 10-12 per season instead.

They'll probably compromise somewhere around 13/14 Million a year, but it should be noted there is almost no chance he signs elsewhere right now.

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Also, Scott Boras is looking for a 4 year deal for his client, Rafael Soriano, which means he's probably not coming back to the Yankees unless Rivera announces his retirement in the next few days. I don't see Soriano taking set up man money when he can get closer money elsewhere.

I think the Tigers are a landing point for him.

legacyme3 : I can't see Ortiz in another uniform. That would be weird if he were to leave, but like you said, it doesn't look that way. But in the Detroit instance, I don't think we will go for Soriano. The GM has said that we have some possible closers, but I guess we didn't think that Prince would come here either. I think that Soriano is too expensive for the Tigers, because they will try to keep Sanchez, and could be in the running for Hamilton. In other news, the Indians have not taken the option for Travis Halfner, so he's now on the free market.

Talks between the Red Sox and Angels seem to be picking up for Dan Haren... and it's freaking me out.

There was a rumor the Angels would try packaging Vernon Wells with Haren to us... but man, am I glad that was just that... A rumor. I am ok with Haren, but Vernon Wells is basically a 21 million dollar replacement player. No thank you.

Edit - I had a spam spasm.

legacyme3 : Late but sure, why not. I like the deal for both teams. Ervin's about a #3 starter which the Royals could use. Plus, it's not like they have anyone in the way. I still don't understand why the Angels are so eager to ship out Dan. He's at least a #2 starter. It's not like he relies on velocity to be successful. I just don't get it. I hope he surprises the doubters next year, regardless of where he is.

legacyme3 : Should mention that the Cubs are in talks to try and get Haren. Hopefully that brightens your day.

Also news on the Rangers part. They offered Josh Hamiliton a 1-year; 13.3 Million dollar qualifiying offer. They didn't make a qualifying offer for Mike Napoli.

Finally Mark McGwire is considering leaving his job as the Cardinals hitting coach, for a similar position in the Dodgers.

Oldschool41 :

Heard it earlier, and while it's nice someone else is actually interested, I won't feel better till I know we aren't giving away anything.

Red Sox made qualifying offer for Ortiz... so I'm happy. Now even if he has the audacity to leave, we'll at least get something back.

Oldschool41 :

Thank god. Now I can stop hearing about us trading away one of our prospects for a guy who'll jet in a year.

Crap. The Dan Haren trade is off.

Crap Crap Crap Crap Crap.

Edit - Oh good, now he's a free agent. Go after him now Red Sox!

Mariano coming back means Rafael Soriano definitely won't be back in New York. Meaning he's singing elsewhere and the Yankees are getting draft picks.

Nick Swisher will turn down the offer, and likely sign elsewhere. Yankees have to get more financially flexible. More draft picks.

Kuroda could be back... but if he leaves, more draft picks.

I don't get the trade between the Blue Jays and Indians. They basically traded John Farrel and Yan Gomes for a mediocre reliever who has benefitted from a lot of lucky breaks. His BABIP reflects that.

Bartolo Colon signing... meh.