Winter Meetings Recap
LAS VEGAS – The four-day MLB Winter Meetings have come and gone with two of the most sought-after free agents, C.C. Sabathia and Francisco Rodriguez, signing with the Yankees and Mets respectively.
Sabathia, a 6’7” lefthander, gives the Bronx Bombers the ace they’ve been looking for. The Yankees sealed the deal by increasing their offer to $161 million over seven years and adding an opt-out clause after the third year. That provides Sabathia with a chance to leave if things don’t work out in New York and, more likely, a chance to extend the deal for more money in 2012.
Meanwhile, the Mets, owners of one of the major’s worst bullpens in 2008, added free agent closer Francisco “K-Rod” Rodriguez. The Amazins inked Rodriguez to a three-year deal worth about $37 million with a vesting option for a fourth year. Mets GM Omar Minaya didn’t stop there. On Wednesday, he traded Aaron Heilman, Joe Smith, Endy Chavez and three prospects in a three-team deal for Seattle Mariners closer J.J. Putz. Putz and Rodriguez give the Mets a lethal back end of the bullpen.
Some of the more notable names that didn’t sign include sluggers Mark Teixeira and Manny Ramirez and pitchers Derek Lowe and A.J. Burnett.
The market for Ramirez is remarkably low. The Dodgers, his former team, don’t seem inclined to offer any more than the two-year deal they have on the table. Ramirez is seeking at least four years and preferably five. Latest word is that the Los Angeles Angels may make a two-year offer worth about $50 million if they lose Teixeira.
Teixeira, on the other hand, has several suitors. The Washington Nationals have reportedly offered $180 million over eight years while the Baltimore Orioles and Angels have offered lucrative five-year contracts. Still, most experts believe “Big Tex” is heading for Fenway Park and the Boston Red Sox. No word on a firm offer from Boston is available, but the team has been in contact with Teixeira’s agent, Scott Boras.
AJ Burnett, a hard-throwing but often injured righthander, has offers on the table from the Yankees and the Atlanta Braves. Both deals are for five years and around $85 million. Look for Burnett to be signed to a deal in the next couple days, with the Yankees as the frontrunner.
Lowe has now become the hottest commodity among pitchers with at least five teams – including the Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Phillies and Braves – looking into signing him. Lowe is known for his durability and excellent sinking fastball.
Other free agents on the market include Adam Dunn, Raul Ibanez, Randy Wolf and Rafael Furcal.
Dunn, who averages 40 home runs and 180 strikeouts a year, has drawn interest from just a couple teams. Many believe the Washington Nationals will make a strong push to add the slugger to their roster.
Furcal has several teams vying for his services, including the Oakland A’s, Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves.
Ibanez has been linked the Mets, Phillies and Angels, while Wolf has yet to receive any firm offers.
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