Josh Hamilton (Photo: Samara Pearlstein)
No, I’m not in Nashville – Evan wouldn’t pony up the bucks to send me there. But I can still cover the coverage of the Winter Meetings. (All times Central, because Nashville is in the Central Time Zone). Refresh often!
8:15 – I return from the store with donuts. MLB Network on the television, computer tabs open are Twitter, Rotoworld, Boston.com’s Extra Bases and MLB Trade Rumors. Matt Vasgersian, Harold Reynolds and Tim Brown are discussing the possibility of Josh Hamilton to Boston.
8:30 – MLB Network is talking about bats with Chuck Schick of Louisville Slugger (I guess he stopped clerking after law school), so let’s get you up to date. The Rays signed James Loney to a one year $2 million deal. Jason Isringhausen wants to return, as do Rich Harden and Brandon Webb. The Padres may sign Jason Marquis. Alex Rodriguez may need another surgical procedure on his hip.
8:40 – MLB Network talking to Brad Lidge, who decided to retire. Also mentioned the possibility of the Nationals trading Danny Espinosa. They also discussed the Heyman tweet about ARod. I beat MLB Network to the punch about that. No commercials here! Donuts are fresh.
8:48 – Ryan Dempster wants three years but the Brewers want to give him a shorter deal. Mozzarella la, la la la la.
8:51 – The Padres signed Jason Marquis. $3 million for a one year deal.
8:53 – Harold Reynolds debunks the Fat Jeter story. 60 Minutes this is not.
9:01 – Ken Rosenthal talking about the Rangers possibly trading for Justin Upton, signing Mike Napoli, etc. Hamilton is in Nashville to talk face-to-face with clubs. Rosenthal confirmed the ARod story. Yankees will now have to overpay for a replacement.
9:04 – Nick Cafardo says that the Red Sox are “working hard” to sign Mike Napoli.
9:07 – Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times says that eight teams are in on Sean Burnett.
9:10 – Peter Gammons joins on MLB Network now. Zack Greinke looking for a record deal for a pitcher; he’s interviewing the teams (Dodgers, Angels, Nationals) rather than the other way around. Gammons thinks the Dodgers are favorites. 6 years, $25 mil per at minimum, sayeth Gammo.
9:15 – Gammons talking the possibility of Michael Bourn to the Phillies; Yankees not bringing Rafael Soriano back, possibility to the Tigers. Window closing on Tigers. Nationals want to bring back Adam LaRoche, Gammons thinks they will work out a deal. Tampa will most likely deal a pitcher. Kyuji Fujikawa will most likely be the eighth inning guy for the Cubs rather than the closer role he is used to. Gammons talked about a Swedish woman’s rock cover of a Supremes song.
9:20 – Jon Heyman discussed the Jason Marquis signing by the Padres. A James Shields trade from the Rays to the Nationals (for Danny Espinosa plus) is an alternative to a Greinke signing.
9:26 – Geovany Soto’s deal with the Rangers is worth $3 mil, according to Heyman.
9:27 – Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik joins the MLB Network panel. Stays in room mostly taking calls until late at night, when they hit the lobby (read: bars). A lot of work done before you get to the Winter Meetings. Hamilton is “high stakes” for the Mariners, doesn’t want to “chase a dream that doesn’t exist.” Psychological edge for the Mariners to move in the fences at Safeco.
9:37 – ESPN’s Buster Olney says that the Diamondbacks are one of the most active teams; execs think they will trade Justin Upton.
9:40 – Hotel bathroom near MLB Network production facilities will not have hot water today; Harold Reynolds loses it. Harold needs his hot water, damn it! (Vamping while waiting for Dan Duquette.)
9:45 – More vamping while Waiting for Duquette. Harold Reynolds is Vladimir while Matt Vasgersian is Estragon. Talking about Rangers trading for Justin Upton and James Shields. Mike Olt blocked by Adrian Beltre.
9:48 – John Kruk will replace Terry Francona on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. Shoot me. Dan Duquette finally shows up. The option on Mark Reynolds’ contract was too steep, thought he’d get about $14 mil in arbitration. Orioles have other options at first. O’s could use a middle of the lineup bat, but Duquette doesn’t think Hamilton fits in their market. International growth of the game biggest change for Duquette over his Boston tenure.
9:55 – Gordon Edes reports that the Red Sox will sign Mike Napoli today, three year deal.
9:59 – ARod surgery will be on his left hip, not previously injured right hip, says Rosenthal. MLB Network ends its morning coverage. MLB Network announcing Napoli signing (via Phil Rogers).
10:07 – Peter Abraham reporting that the Red Sox gave Napoli more money per year to keep the deal at three years rather than four.
10:17 – Jon Heyman says that Napoli’s deal is three years, $39 million.
10:30 – Rosenthal thinks the Rangers are in on Greinke and Hamilton.
10:41 – Heyman reports that Jason Giambi wants to play in 2013 and that three or four teams are interested in him.
10:43 – Shane Victorino is on the radar of the Red Sox, says Nick Cafardo.
10:46 – The Red Sox also are in on Nick Swisher (Heyman) but out on Adam LaRoche (Jayson Stark).
10:56 – Jon Heyman tweets that Giancarlo Stanton’s agent said that Stanton is still unhappy about the Marlins firesale trade, but would not say if Stanton has requested a trade.
11:04 – Danny Knobler of CBS Sports reports that the Royals have money to spend on pitching, possibly on Anibal Sanchez. I’ll believe that when I see it.
11:10 – Gordo says that Napoli’s physical will be on Wednesday, signing announcement on Friday. Donuts half gone. Third cup of coffee to be poured shortly.
11:12 – WaPo’s Adam Kilgore thinks that the Mariners, Rangers and Nationals are the leaders for Adam LaRoche.
11:17 – Bob Dutton of the KC Star reports that the Royals are “kicking the tires” on Brett Myers. Trying not to editorialize on this item.
11:33 – Vin Scully has taken over the Twitter feed of the Dodgers. Nobody is cooler than Vin. No bah dee.
11:39 – The Orioles are interested in Garrett Jones at first base, says Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
11:47 – News out of Nashville seems to have slowed. Must be a lunch special at the Gaylord Opryland.
11:51- Rosenthal’s sources think that the Phillies and Giants are battling for Angel Pagan. Cody Ross may also be an option for those clubs.
11:53 – The Marlins are interested in Mark DeRosa, says Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
11:59 – Heyman tweets that the Angels think that Zack Greinke will be too expensive, will look at Anibal Sanchez and Kyle Lohse.
12:06 – Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald says that the Indians have joined the Red Sox in the Shane Victorino chase.
12:07 – Pete Abe says that the Athletics may not be able to afford Brandon McCarthy, and that the Red Sox should be “all over that.” I discussed that possibility here.
12:10 – Ken Rosenthal thinks that the Giants and others are also in on Victorino.
12:12 – Pete Abe has gotten lost in the hotel three times. Someone get Pete Abe a Garmin!
12:13 – Heyman speculates that the Astros may be looking at Lance Berkman, Carlos Pena or Travis Hafner at DH.
12:17 – Bob Dutton hears that the Mariners and Orioles are interested in the Royals’ Billy Butler as a DH.
12:18 – The Mets are serious about trading Cy Young winner R.A. Dickey, sayeth Stark. Lauber hears that Victorino is looking for 3/$30 mil., which may be too pricey for the Phillies.
12:36 – Ken Rosenthal reports that the Red Sox are in on Justin Masterson but that the Indians don’t like what the Red Sox are offering.
12:41 – Donuts are gone. Flying on caffeine and sugar. I’d beat Mike Trout down the line right now.
12:59 – The Twins are looking at John Lannan, says Adam Kilgore.
1:00 – The Phillies are looking to acquire Dexter Fowler or Peter Bourjos in a trade, and could be interested in Michael Young if he approves a trade and the Rangers kick in some cash, hears Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.
1:06 – Rob Bradford of WEEI reports that the Red Sox are one of many teams looking at Grady Sizemore. Bradford also hears that Jason Bay may get a major league deal.
1:15 – Heyman says that the Dodgers will pay whatever Greinke demands. Sounds like Zack will be a Dodger. “Not so fast, my friend,” says the Rangers, according to Joel Sherman. It must be the Winter Meetings if Joel Sherman is writing something other than paeans to the Yankees.
1:46 – The Tigers are open to dealing Brennan Boesch and Andy Oliver, per Danny Knobler.
1:54 – Jayson Stark says that the Orioles are “in hard” on Adam LaRoche, according to an exec of another team in on LaRoche.
1:56 – Rob Bradford hears that Nick Swisher may wait for Josh Hamilton to sign before he agrees to a deal.
2:00 – MLB Network is coming back to live coverage. More Harold Reynolds in my life. And there was much rejoicing. (Yay…)
2:02 – Thank goodness, MLB Network is starting out with Brian Kenney, Dan Plesac and John Hart.
2:06 – Ken Rosenthal thinks that the Yankees can fill the ARod void with Eduardo Nunez, and may pursue Eric Chavez, Jeff Keppinger, Marco Scutaro and Stephen Drew (if he’ll play third). Doesn’t think the Rangers will sit still at catcher with Geovany Soto. Rosenthal believes that increased revenue streams from local tv dollars are driving up free agent salaries.
2:09 – Brian Cashman on set talking about the ARod injury. Hard to stop smiling.
2:10 – The Nationals re-signed Zach Duke to a major league deal, according to Amanda Comak of the Washington Times.
2:15 – Jon Heyman on MLB Network now, basically talking about everything he’s been tweeting all day (Greinke, Stanton, etc.). You’ve already seen them here.
2:19 – Jon Morosi says that LaRoche most likely will re-sign with Washington, but they are having a staring contest. Thinks Chase Headley won’t be available to the Yankees.
2:22 – Joel Sherman on MLB Network now: “Yankees Yankees Yankees Yankees. Yankees. Yankees Yankees. Yankees!”
2:29 – Cody Ross just tweeted “Wow.” Intrigue!
2:32 – Ron Gardenhire joins the MLB Network set for some Twins talk. Everyone takes a quick nap.
2:37 – Adam Rubin of ESPN thinks that the Giants, Tigers, Cardinals, Indians and Yankees (along with the Mets) have interest in Scott Hairston. Rubin also believes that the Mets are in on Cesar Izturis, and that Jonathan Niese could be in play.
2:42 – Jon Heyman on MLB Network: Angel Pagan could get a four-year deal from the Phillies. The Giants will offer Marco Scutaro two years but he wants three. Napoli made sense for Boston due to his production at Fenway (in 73 plate appearances, geez!); Salty probably will be traded.
2:45 – Nick Cafardo on MLB Network: Bill James behind the Napoli signing. Uppercut swing tailored for Fenway. Bulk of Napoli’s playing time will be at first base. Phil Rogers thinks that the White Sox will be in on Salty (for pitching) and for someone at third base. Cafardo things that Hamilton would be a game-changer, and repeats the Lester for Wil Myers rumor, Cabrera and Choo too. Gammons up next.
2:49 – Jon Morosi reports that the Yankees are interested in Cody Ross and Scott Hairston for the outfield.
2:51 – Rosenthal hears that the Giants are close to re-signing Angel Pagan.
2:52 – Gammons on MLB Network now. Thinks Napoli can hit 40 homers at Fenway. Not a good 1B, but can catch. Could DH if Papi gets hurt again. Sox need another outfielder and a left-handed bat. Sox haven’t engaged Cody Ross. Sox interested in Swisher and Victorino.
I’m going to call it a day for the live tweeting. If there are any Red Sox signings, we’ll bring them to you.