March 2008 - Baseball Wiretap

Fuentes' Price Shocks Mets
Free-agent closer Brian Fuentes is reportedly looking for a three-year deal worth $10 to $11 million annually, a price that has shocked the interested Mets.

New York Daily News

K-Rod's Agent Will Wait On Talks
The agent for free-agent closer Francisco Rodriguez won't start discussions with teams until the winter meetings begin in two weeks.

Los Angeles Times

Yankees May Bid Up To Get Sabathia
CC Sabathia could be the beneficiary of a competitive bidding process between the Yankees and Angels.

Newsday

A's Look At Nick Johnson's Medical Records
The A's have examined Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson's medical records, but the clubs have not seriously discussed a trade.

MLB.com

Mets Begin Talks With K-Rod, Fuentes
The Mets initiated talks with free agent closers Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes on Tuesday, according to sources on both ends of the negotiations.

New York Post

Will Yankees Give Burnett Five Years, Overpay Lowe?
If the Yankees aren't able to sign CC Sabathia, they could try to make up for it by offering A.J. Burnett the fifth year he wants or overpaying Derek Lowe.

New York Post

Dodgers Hint That Their Offer Is Manny's Best
Dodgers' owner Frank McCourt hinted Tuesday that the team might be reluctant to sweeten the offer they made Manny Ramirez.

Press Enterprise

Phillies Continue Talking With Moyer
The Phillies continue to talk with free-agent lefthander Jamie Moyer about a new deal, but no agreement has been reached.

Philadelphia Inquirer

Brewers Check In With Sabathia
Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin tried to check in with free-agent pitcher CC Sabathia on Tuesday about the status of his standing offers.

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Report: A's Bring Furcal To Oakland For Negotiations
The Athletics brought free-agent shortstop Rafael Furcal and his wife to Oakland on Tuesday to discuss a possible deal.

Contra Costa Times

Braves Shift Focus To Burnett
The Braves have pulled out of the Jake Peavy sweepstakes and have turned their attention to free-agent pitcher A.J. Burnett.

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Mitchell: Report May Have Caused Less Drug Usage
Former Senator George Mitchell won't change a word of his infamous 'Mitchell Report' on steroid use in baseball and believes that it may have caused less drug usage.

ESPN

Pettitte Talking With Torre About Joining Dodgers
Andy Pettitte has spoken more than once with his former manager Joe Torre about joining the Dodgers.

FoxSports

Mets Prefer To Find Closer Via Free Agency
Omar Minaya, the GM of the New York Mets, began reaching out to the agents for free-agent closers Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes.

SI.com

Piniella: Cubs Are Done Seeking Peavy
Cubs' manager Lou Piniella has confirmed that the team is no longer pursuing Padres pitcher Jake Peavy.

MLB.com

Tazawa Set To Choose Red Sox
Japanese right-hander Junichi Tazawa has reportedly decided to join the Red Sox.

MLB.com

Orioles Discuss Extension With Markakis
The Orioles have had discussions with outfielder Nick Markakis about a contract extension.

Baltimore Sun

Cardinals In Talks With Arthur Rhodes
The Cardinals have reportedly made an offer to free-agent reliever Arthur Rhodes in an effort to bolster their bullpen.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Varitek To Dodgers Or Tigers?
Agent Scott Boras denied a report that the Red Sox have offered free-agent catcher Jason Varitek a contract, which has spurred rumors that he could sign elsewhere.

Boston Herald

Agent: Nine Teams Interested In Griffey
Brian Goldberg, the agent for free-agent outfielder Ken Griffey Jr., claims that nine teams are interested in his client.

Cincinnati Enquirer

Stottlemyre Won't Return As M's Pitching Coach
Mel Stottlemyre will not return as pitching coach of the Mariners next season.

ESPN

Dodgers Interested In Renteria And Cabrera?
The Dodgers have a plan in place if they can't re-sign Rafael Furcal.

Los Angeles Times

A-Rod A Kabbalah School Dropout?
Alex Rodriguez backed out of attending private classes with spiritual leader Eitan Yardeni.

MSNBC

Delmon Young 'Very, Very Much Out There'
Twins left fielder Delmon Young is "very, very much out there," on the trade block according to one rival GM.

FoxSports

New Marlins Stadium To Open In 2012
Plans for a new ballpark for the Marlins are still on but have been pushed back another year.

MLB.com

Mets Receive K-Rod's Medical Reports
The Mets, contrary to published reports, only received the medical charts of free-agent closer Francisco Rodriguez on Monday afternoon.

New York Post

Orioles Join Chase For Burnett
The Orioles have joined five other teams in the race to sign free-agent pitcher A.J. Burnett this offseason.

Toronto Star

Rangers Reportedly Courting Japan's Tazawa
The Texas Rangers are reportedly one of the teams that are courting Japanese right-hander Junichi Tazawa.

Dallas Morning News

Phillies Upbeat After Utley's Surgery
New Philadelphia GM Ruben Amaro Jr. was upbeat after second baseman Chase Utley had surgery on his right hip Monday.

Philadelphia Inquirer

Angels Moving From Teixeira To Sabathia?
The Angels are in discussions with CC Sabathia and could offer him a contract that approaches the $140 million that was offered by the Yankees.

Los Angeles Times