The Off-Season Rumor Thread

[BuckFoston]

Since there are so many rumors flying around out there I figure we might as well make one rumor thread for the teams that don't have many fans of this board...for example:Rays, Royals, Rangers etc. etc. Heres a couple of rumors...

The Royals continue to view Carlos Silva as the best free-agent alternative to Kuroda but appear unwilling to meet Silva's price of four years for $40 million or more. "If we don't sign what we believe is an impact pitcher," general manager Dayton Moore said, "we might be better off just creating as much flexibility as we can in our payroll going forward." Glass confirmed the Royals are willing to consider a veteran recovering from injuries on an incentive-based deal. -- KC Star

The Mariners remain in the running for Baltimore lefty Erik Bedard, but the Orioles could try to extort extra talent out of the Seattle minor league system with the realization of just how badly the Mariners need to upgrade their starting rotation. -- Seattle P-I

Newly acquired Tigers left-hander Dontrelle Willis would like to sign a long-term deal with the team this off-season, his agent said Tuesday night. "Detroit pays fair-market value for guys, and guys are happy playing there," Matt Sosnick said Tuesday. "He's really excited about going there." In one sense, this winter would be an optimal time to sign Willis long-term, because his value has dropped after his worst big-league season. Willis, 25, is scheduled to become a free agent after 2009. "If we make a long-term deal now, Detroit's risk is that he's got to pitch well, and our risk is if he pitches really well – because after (2008) he's only one year from free agency," Sosnick said. -- Detroit Free Press

It's unclear what the Phillies' next move at third base might be. They could stick with Wes Helms and Greg Dobbs. Or they could look elsewhere. Free agent Pedro Feliz remains available, although it's unclear if the Phillies have any interest. -- Philadelphia Inquirer

Bait-and-switch. That would seem to be, in baseball terms, what the Giants are trying to accomplish with the Jays in encouraging trade talks of Alex Rios for Tim Lincecum. Leave Lincecum's name on the table for now, then change the offer slightly later. Last week, at the winter meetings in Nashville, Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi said he felt like he was under house arrest at the sprawling, self-enclosed Opryland Hotel. Giants GM Brian Sabean obviously believed he could take advantage of the Jays by offering to take all-star outfielder Rios off their hands to replace free-agent Barry Bonds for one of the Giants' better starting pitchers, letting them believe it's Lincecum. No matter which of their top three, it would not be a good Jays deal. -- Toronto Star

source:foxsports

[missionhockey21]

Just use this for insignificant rumors. Anything important will be lost in the shuffle here and I know folks would like to discuss the big rumors with credibility, even if it's the 'Rays.'

[BuckFoston]

Thats kind of what I was thinking...Will do though.

[BuckFoston]

Astros general manager Ed Wade said Thursday the club has contacted the agent for righthander Mark Prior, who became a free agent when the Chicago Cubs chose to non-tender his contract Wednesday night. Prior, the second overall pick in the 2001 draft, has seen his once-promising career slowed by multiple injuries. -- Houston Chronicle

The Rays appear close to signing veteran outfielder Cliff Floyd, but the deal is not yet done. Floyd would fill the Rays' need for a lefty-swinging platoon partner for Jonny Gomes and Rocco Baldelli in the right field and designated hitter slots. The 15-year major-league veteran hit .284 and had a .373 on-base percentage in 108 games for the Cubs last season. -- Tampa Tribune

A team source said yesterday that the Phils could be interested in righthander Akinori Otsuka, who was not offered a contract by the Texas Rangers before Wednesday night's deadline. Otsuka, 35, has 39 saves and 2.44 ERA over his 4 years in the majors. He opened the 2007 season as the Rangers' closer after tallying 32 saves with a 2.11 ERA in '06. But he wound up on the disabled list in mid-July and missed the second half of the season with right forearm inflammation. Rangers officials reported that he's had good rehab reports this winter. -- Philadelphia Daily News

source:foxsports