MLB Hot Stove for Tuesday 12/23/08 - jpup's Blog

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MLB Hot Stove for Tuesday 12/23/08

Posted on December 23, 2008 at 10:28 AM.

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Welcome to my blog everyone. I hope this is the first of many to be posted here on OS. Today I am going to take a look at the Hot Stove rumblings from around Major League Baseball.

-Mark Teixeira (1B)

The latest on the saga that is free agent Mark Teixeira is that the Washington Nationals have upped their offer for the first baseman to somewhere in the vicinity of 8 years and $184 million. The Nationals are said to be willing to give the slugger a 9 or 10 year deal if need be. The LA Angels dropped out of the running last weekend as did the Red Sox last week (if you believe the stories). Don't count the Yankees or the Red Sox out until the ink dries.

Likely Team: Washington Nationals

-Manny Ramirez (LF, DH)

Despite reports on Sunday Night, the Yankees have not offered Manny Ramirez a 3 year deal of $75 million according to Tuesday's New York Post.

"We don't have any offers out there on anybody," Cashman said yesterday. The GM offered that statement while denying a published report in the Dominican Republic that said the Yankees had offered Ramirez a three-year contract worth $75 million. An AL executive said it is unlikely Scott Boras, who represents both Teixeira and Ramirez, will get anything done with the latter until the former signs a contract.

I expect the New York Yankees to be the only serious bidder for Ramirez and for him to get 2 years and about $48 million. That could include an option for the 3rd year.

Likely Team: New York Yankees

My prediction for the other top names on the market:

-Derek Lowe (SP) I expect the Boston Red Sox to sign Lowe to a 3 year deal especially if they are really out of the Teixera bidding. I believe the Red Sox would be wise to leave Kevin Youkilis at 1st base and Mike Lowell at 3rd. They have plenty of offense, even in that division. A lot of folks forget that they did get left fielder Jason Bay to replace Manny Ramirez. I love Bay's game and would expect Boston to extend him in the next few months. Lowe is the most reliable arm on the market even though he's in his mid 30s. The Toronto Blue Jays are also said to have interest in him.

Likely Team: Boston Red Sox

-Adam Dunn (LF, DH, 1B) As of this morning, it appears that the Washington Nationals are the only serious bidder for the slugger. I don't expect them to get him give the fact they are still in on Mark Teixeira. The Chicago Cubs are said to be Dunn's first choice (not a mutual thing), but I expect him to head west to the LA Angels.

Likely Team: LA Angels

-Milton Bradley (LF, DH) Bradley had a career year in 2008 with an OPS of .999, but he still missed a significant amount of time for the Texas Rangers. The Cubs are said to be in on him, but playing right field might be a tough task for Bradley. Other teams that I have heard rumors regarding Bradley include Tampa Bay, but I can't see the Rays wanting to mix in Milton with that young club. Jason Giambi is more likely for Tampa. It's tough to speculate on Bradley because Ramirez, and Dunn possibly, need to get a deal done first.

Likely Team: Toronto Blue Jays

-Bobby Abreu (OF, DH) Likely Team: Oakland A's
-Ben Sheets (SP) Likely Team: St. Louis Cardinals
-Pat Burrell (LF, DH) Likely Team: Cincinnati Reds
-Orlando Hudson (2B) Likely Team: New York Mets
-Jason Giambi (DH) Likely Team: Tampa Bay Rays

Keep in mind that all of the above are guesses of mine based on rumors and fit for a club. I have more later and try to break down where the Cincinnati Reds have been this off season and what lies ahead for them this winter. Don't forget that the MLB Network will debut on January 1.

Merry Christmas.