June 2010 - Baseball Wiretap

Free-agent outfielder Johnny Damon turned down a one-year, $6 million offer from the Yankees as recently as last week. Sports Illustrated reported the offer, half of which would have been deferred with no interest. "We're always open to New York," Damon said on WFAN Friday. "But I think right now we also have to be open to whatever offer comes out now. Because I know [the Yankees] have a full roster right now, [but] I never say never anymore." The Giants, Braves and Athletics have shown some level of interest in Damon this offseason, but none have come close to signing him.

Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder is in no hurry to discuss a contract extension with the team. Fielder wants to stay in Milwaukee for as long as he can, but feels no urgency. "I came up here and I love it here, so I want to stay here as long as possible," Fielder said Sunday. "I'm here for two more years anyway, so I'm just trying to see what happens then and all the other stuff hopefully will work out." Fielder, who has one year left on his contract, hit .299 with 46 homers and tied for the major league lead with 141 RBIs last season.

Melvin Mora has agreed to a one-year, $1.275 million deal with the Rockies, according to multiple reports. Mora will be a right-handed hitting utility player for Colorado in the 2010 season. The Orioles declined their $8 million option on Mora in October, making him a free agent.

The Nationals are close to a deal with free-agent infielder Orlando Hudson, according to Tim Kurkjian of ESPN The Magazine. The contract would be for $3 million with incentives that could bring its value up to $4 million, according to the report.

Having lost out on Orlando Cabrera, the Rockies have turned their attention towards free-agent infielder Melvin Mora. Cabrera agreed to a one-year deal with the Reds on Sunday morning.

Joba Chamberlain wants to be in the starting rotation for the Yankees next season. Chamberlain told the New York Post on Saturday night that he will arrive in Tampa next week with his eyes set on being a starting pitcher in 2010. "I'm going to go in and understand a lot of guys are fighting for that spot," Chamberlain said. "Nothing is guaranteed." Chamberlain's main competition for the spot with be Phil Hughes, who excelled as a reliever in 2009.

The Giants and closer Brian Wilson have agreed to a one-year, $4.4 million deal, according to sources. Wilson, who earned $480,000 in 2009, was third in the league with 38 saves last year. "We're very proud of Brian, from the beginning when he was drafted to developing in our system," Giants vice president of baseball operations Bobby Evans said. "He's done a great job and become such a meaningful part of our organization. He's been an important part of this ballclub."

The Dodgers are looking at four players to assume the role of fourth outfielder. Los Angeles is considering Garret Anderson, Brian Giles, Gabe Gross and Reed Johnson, according to sources. The Dodgers opened up a spot in the outfield when they traded Juan Pierre to the White Sox last month.

Twins first baseman Justin Morneau will help carry the Olympic torch leading up to the Vancouver Games. Morneau grew up just outside of Vancouver and grew up a die-hard hockey fan. He says the honor is "something that's once in a lifetime."

The Athletics are targeting free-agent outfielder Gabe Gross, major-league sources told FOX Sports. Gross, 30, has been with the Rays for the better part of the last two seasons. Oakland would likely use Gross as a reserve, leaving open the option of signing Johnny Damon as well.