Free Agent Rumor - Baseball Wiretap

Indians Re-Sign Giambi To One-Year Deal

Sep 25, 2014 11:02 AM

The Cleveland Indians have re-signed Jason Giambi to a one-year contract.

Giambi received the same Minor League deal, with an invite to Spring Training, that he received last offseason.

"I don't think there's any better way to start our offseason than re-signing Jason," Chris Antonetti said. "He made such a huge impact on our team. He embodies everything we're looking for in our players -- his professionalism, the way he works, the way he prepares for a game, the teammate that he is, the energy he brings to the team and the clubhouse.

"He made an immense impact on our team this year and we're thrilled to continue to have him as part of the organization."

Jordan Bastian/MLB.com

Tags: Cleveland Indians, Free Agent Rumor, Terms Agreement

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Joe Nathan Seeks Multiyear Deal

Sep 16, 2014 8:59 PM

The Texas Rangers hold a 2014 club option on Joe Nathan, who hopes to renegotiate a long-term deal.

Texas has three days to either exercise Nathan's $9 million option for next season or cut him a check for $750,000 as a buyout.

If the club decides to exercise the option, Nathan has the right to void it thanks to finishing at least 55 games in 2013.

"I want at least two years," Nathan said. "The last couple of years, I think I've proven that I'm healthy. I think I've proven to lots of skeptics and critics that I can handle a two-year deal or maybe two and an option."

Richard Durrett/ESPN

Tags: Texas Rangers, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Berkman Has Option Declined By Rangers

Oct 31, 2014 10:28 AM

The Texas Rangers have declined their $12 million club option to retain Lance Berkman.

The Rangers will pay Berkman a $1 million buyout.

Berkman, 37, batted .242 with six home runs and 34 RBIs in 73 games in 2013.

Todd Wills/ESPN

Tags: Texas Rangers, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Indians Release Chris Perez

Oct 31, 2014 6:35 AM

The Cleveland Indians are parting ways with reliever Chris Perez.

Perez was released on Thursday after a season in which he performed poorly, got arrested and surrendered his job in the final week as Cleveland tried to clinch a playoff spot.

Associated Press

Tags: Cleveland Indians, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Mets Will Buyout Santana's 2014 Option

Sep 2, 2014 3:54 PM

The New York Mets plan to buy out Johan Santana's 2014 option within the next couple of days.

However, the club has not completely ruled out bringing back the left-hander on a modest deal.

The Mets will pay Santana a $5.5 million buyout to avoid being responsible for a $25 million option for next season, according to sources.

Adam Rubin/ESPN

Tags: New York Mets, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Saltalamacchia Knows Future Is Cloudy In Boston

Sep 7, 2014 1:53 PM

Jarrod Saltalamacchia realizes that he may have played his final game with the Boston Red Sox.

He will be a free agent this winter and was on the bench for the final three games of the World Series.

"As we're getting closer, obviously, you think about how this could be the last time I wear this uniform, and last time I play here as a home player," Saltalamacchia said prior to Game 6.

"It hits you a little bit. You don't want to leave but at the same time it's one of those things where it's baseball. If it goes in that direction you can't control it. I haven't thought too much of a destination, but it's definitely hit me a few times that this could be the last time."

He added that he wants to remain in Boston for the long term.

"Yeah," he said. "Oh, yeah. I've said that from the beginning, I would love to stay here and make this my home, but you really can't control it."

Joe McDonald/ESPN

Tags: Boston Red Sox, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Tigers Won't Re-Sign Brayan Pena

Sep 29, 2014 11:25 AM

The Detroit Tigers have informed Brayan Pena that he will not be brought back for the 2014 season.

Pena, 31, signed a one-year, $865K deal last winter to be Detroit's backup catcher but ended up playing much more than expected due to Alex Avila's injury problems and struggles at the plate.

Mark Polishuk/MLB Trade Rumors

Tags: Detroit Tigers, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Rangers Will Extend Qualifying Offer To Cruz

Sep 18, 2014 8:31 AM

The Texas Rangers have confirmed that they will extend a qualifying offer to Nelson Cruz.

The 33-year-old would have 12 days to decide whether to accept the $14.1 million for 2014. It's more likely he will reject it in the hopes of signing a multi-year contract.

Cruz missed the final 50 games of the 2013 regular season as he served a suspension for being linked to the South Florida-based Biogenesis clinic.

Richard Durrett/ESPN

Tags: Texas Rangers, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Mets Discussing Davis, Duda With Other Clubs

Sep 18, 2014 7:49 PM

The New York Mets have had preliminary trade talks with clubs about Ike Davis and Lucas Duda.

According to a team source, it is too soon to know which player is more appealing on the trade market.

The Mets are leaning towards choosing Duda over Davis, but remain open to moving whoever brings a higher return.

Andy Martino/New York Daily News

Tags: New York Mets, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Carlos Zambrano To Attempt Another Comeback

Nov 7, 2014 10:50 PM

After failing to make it back to the Major Leagues in 2013, Carlo Zambrano will attempt another comeback.

The right-hander has been starting for Magallanes in the Venezuelan Winter League, with a 4.00 ERA in two starts.

"He's playing winter ball and wants to continue his career," agent Barry Praver said.

Zambrano's last year in the majors was in 2012, when he went 7-10 with a 4.49 ERA for the Miami Marlins.

Paul Sullivan/Chicago Tribune

Tags: Chicago Cubs, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Dodgers Expected To Pursue Masahiro Tanaka
The Dodgers have been unusually open in their interest in signing Masahiro Tanaka.

Steve Dilbeck/Los Angeles Times

Ryan Madson Switches Agents
Ryan Madson has not thrown a pitch in the Major Leagues since 2011.

Jerry Crasnick/ESPN

Agent: Eight Teams Bid On Jose Abreu
The White Sox introduced Jose Abreu on Tuesday morning.

Dan Hayes/CSN Chicago

Youkilis Healthy, Ready For Free Agency Again
Kevin Youkilis will hit the free agent market this winter for the second-straight year.

Anthony McCarron/New York Daily News

Will Lincecum Deal Impact Feldman?
The two-year, $35 million deal Tim Lincecum received from the Giants is expected to have a ripple effect throughout baseball.

Steve Melewski/MASN

White Sox To Announce Jose Abreu Deal
The Cuban received a six-year, $68-million deal from Chicago.

Scott Merkin/MLB.com

Twins Will Sacrifice Pick To Sign Free Agent
It might be a long shot, but Ervin Santana may be an option.

Darren Wolfson/1500 ESPN

Yankees Interested In Oh Seung-Hwan
Korean right-hander Oh Seung-Hwan is drawing attention from Major League teams as the offseason nears.

George A. King III/New York Post

Giants Could Be Surprise Suitor For McCann
The Giants are looking for a left-handed power bat and the market is thin this winter.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Indians Won't Sign Jimenez To Long-Term Deal
The Indians essentially lost any change of signing Ubaldo Jimenez to a long-term deal when the Giants gave Tim Lincecum $35 million.

Paul Hoynes/Cleveland Plain-Dealer

Giants Believe Qualifying Offer Justifies Lincecum's $35M
The Giants agreed to a two-year, $35 million deal with Tim Lincecum earlier this week despite a 4.76 ERA over the past two seasons.

Joel Sherman/New York Post

Dodgers Have Scouted Masahiro Tanaka
Tanaka, who will turn 25 on Nov. 1, most recently pitched for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball.

Mark Saxon/ESPN

A's Will Almost Certainly Let Balfour Leave As Free Agent
Grant Balfour will be a free agent this winter and the Athletics are expected to let the right-hander sign elsewhere.

Jane Lee/MLB.com

Yankees Discussing Pursuit Of Shin-Soo Choo
The Yankees have discussed a number of potential targets during organizational meetings over the past few days.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Giants, Lincecum Agree To Two-Year Deal
The Giants have kept Tim Lincecum from reaching free agency.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Dodgers Reach Deal With Alexander Guerrero
The Dodgers have agreed to a four-year, $28 million deal with Cuban infielder Alexander Guerrero, according to baseball sources.

ESPN

Tigers Haven't Seriously Discussed Trading Scherzer
Dave Dombrowski insists that the Tigers haven't held serious talks about trading presumed Cy Young winner Max Scherzer.

Joel Sherman/New York Post

Lincecum Turned Down Two-Year Offer From Giants
The Giants have discussed a new contract with Tim Lincecum, but he won't agree to anything before he finds out what the open market will bring.

Zach Links/MLB Trade Rumors

As Many As Nine Teams To Target McCann
Brian McCann is a seven-time All-Star.

Jon Heyman/CBS Sports

Yankees Hope To Drop Payroll Below $189M Despite Planned Spree
The Yankees are expected to cut their payroll to $189 million while also spending $300 million this winter on longterm contracts.

Andrew Marchand/ESPN