June 2012 - Baseball Wiretap

Cano Won't Give Yankees Discount, Willing To Sign Elsewhere
Robinson Cano said that he would "love" to remain a Yankee for life, he also added: "I know this is a business ... It’s up to them."

New York Daily News

Yankees Concerned About Pierzynski's Defense
New York considers A.J. Pierzynski only an average defender, but they may be in the market for an established catcher after Russell Martin signed with Pittsburgh.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports (via Twitter)

Ludwick Gets $15M From Cincinnati
The contract agreement that Ryan Ludwick reached with the Reds on Friday is worth $15 million over two years, according to a source.

Jerry Crasnick/ESPN

Dodgers To Sign Greinke
The contract will reportedly be worth $145 million over six years.

Jayson Stark/ESPN (via Twitter)

A-Rod To Have Surgery In January, 'Fully Committed' To Return
It's expected that Alex Rodriguez could be sidelined until the All-Star break.

Associated Press

Rangers Trade Michael Young To Phillies
The Rangers have sent veteran Michael Young to the Phillies for pitchers Josh Lindblom and Lisalverto Bonilla.

ESPN.com

Reds, Ludwick Reach Terms On New Deal
Ryan Ludwick had declined a mutual $5 million option for 2013.

Dayn Perry/CBS Sports

Ortiz Happy To Be Free Of Valentine In Boston
David Ortiz seemed to be as close to an ally as Bobby Valentine had on the roster until the then-manager questioned the slugger's desire to play.

Scott Lauber/Boston Herald

Pedro 'Open' To Future Job With Red Sox
It may not be long before Pedro Martinez rejoins the Red Sox in some capacity.

Scott Lauber/Boston Herald

Rockies Have Been Asked About Carlos Gonzalez
Quite a few teams inquired with the Rockies about Carlos Gonzalez at the winter meetings in Nashville.

Jayson Stark/ESPN (via Twitter)

Mets Valuing Dickey More In Trade Than Extension Talks
The Mets aren't making much progress on a contract extension with R.A. Dickey, who is set to make $5 million in 2013 coming off a Cy Young season.

Tom Verducci/Sports Illustrated

Did Rafael Soriano Make A Mistake By Opting Out?
Rafael Soriano opted out of his contract with the Yankees after the season. He would have made $14 million in 2013 had he remained with the team.

Tom Verducci/Sports Illustrated

Report: Phillies Rejected Ellsbury-For-Lee Offer
The Red Sox made a few moves at the winter meetings, signing Mike Napoli and Shane Victorino, but they could have made even more headlines in Nashville.

Gordon Edes/ESPN

Dodgers Have Until Sunday Afternoon To Sign Ryu
The Dodgers only have until Sunday afternoon to meet their deadline to sign Korean free agent Ryu Hyun-jin.

Jerry Crasnick/ESPN

Dempster Turns Down $25M From Red Sox
The Red Sox made a two-year, $25 million offer to Ryan Dempster, but the pitcher and his agent rejected it, according to a source.

Gordon Edes/ESPN

A's Lose Brandon McCarthy To D-Backs
A Phoenix radio station is reporting that free agent pitcher Brandon McCarthy has agreed to a two-year, $15.5M deal with the Diamondbacks.

San Jose Mercury News

Gardner, Yankees Avoid Arbitration With One-Year Deal
Brett Gardner was arbitration-eligible for the second time and earned $2.8 million in 2012.

Bryan Hoch/MLB.com

Bourn Looking For $17M Annually
Michael Bourn is looking for $17 million a year if B.J. Upton got $15 million annually from the Braves.

Jeff Passan/Yahoo! Sports

Tigers Reportedly Targeting Closer In Trade
The Tigers are reportedly targeting a "reliever capable of closing" in a trade.

Brian Manzullo/Detroit Free-Press

Braves, Indians, Mariners, Phillies Inquire About Dee Gordon
Seattle would keep Dee Gordon in the infield, but Atlanta, Cleveland and Seattle would all apparently move him to the outfield.

Jayson Stark/ESPN (via Twitter)

Reds, Rockies Discussing Fowler
Colorado discussed Dexter Fowler with Philadelphia, but those talks never got serious and the Phillies opted to trade for Ben Revere.

Troy Renck/Denver Post (via Twitter)

Average Salary Hits Record $3.2M
Major League Baseball's average salary increased 3.8 percent this year to a record $3.2 million.

Associated Press

Sources: Mariners Serious About Hamilton
Seattle has discussed three-year deals with Josh Hamilton in the range of $20 million to $25 million per season, according to Major League sources.

Ken Rosenthal/FOX Sports

Yankees Inquired About Dickey, But Deal Unlikely
A trade between the two New York teams appears unlikely as the Rangers are thought to be the most likely trade destination should the Mets decide to go down that path.

Andy Martino/New York Daily News

Indians, Yankees Battling For Youkilis
New York has offered him a one-year, $12 million deal, while Cleveland has a two-year contract worth between $16 million and $18 million on the table.

George A. King III/New York Post

Source: LaRoche Unlikely To Get More Than Two-Year Deal
The Nationals want to re-sign LaRoche and the belief has been that he wants to return to Washington as well.

William Ladson/MLB.com (via Twitter)

Yankees Open To Dealing Granderson, Hughes, Nova
The Yankees have holes in their roster, but they also want to minimize future payroll obligations.

Andrew Marchand/ESPN (via Twitter)

Greinke May Prefer Rangers, May Not Chase Money
Zack Greinke once turned down $100 million from the Nationals to remain on a two-year deal with the Brewers.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Hamilton Holding Out For Longer Contract
The Rangers and Josh Hamilton were rumored to be nearing a four-year, $108 million deal this week, but Hamilton wants at least six years.

Jayson Stark/ESPN

Sources: Dodgers Confused, Frustrated By Greinke Talks
Heading into the winter meetings the belief was that the Dodgers were the favorite to sign Zack Greinke, but that is no longer the case.

Jayson Stark/ESPN