Wheeling and dealing picks up in Vegas
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LAS VEGAS -- Baseball’s winter meetings shifted into overdrive halfway through the second day of the four-day convention with the Mets signing record-setting closer Francisco Rodriguez, the Dodgers reaching deals with infielders Mark Loretta and Casey Blake and the Reds and Orioles swinging a deal that sends catcher Ramon Hernandez from Baltimore to Cincinnati in exchange for utilityman Ryan Freel and minor league infielders Justin Turner and Brandon Waring.
And there are a lot of other deals percolating.
The Cleveland Indians are reportedly close to an agreement on a two-year deal with former Chicago closer Kerry Wood, but the Cubs have apparently hit a snag or two in their efforts to pry Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy away from San Diego. The Padres are asking for a package of major league-ready players in return for Peavy, complicating the trade talks with Chicago. To meet the Padres’ asking price, the Cubs are attempting to involve as many as two other teams in the complicated deal. The Padres had said earlier that if they can’t deal Peavy and his $11 million salary by the end of the week they will probably keep him.
Former Dodger Derek Lowe, meanwhile, was said to be talking to the Yankees and Phillies, along with other teams, with the 35-year-old right-hander said to be seeking a five-year $80-million deal.
The other top right-hander on the free-agent market, A.J. Burnett, is being wooed by the Yankees as well, with New York said to be willing to beat the Braves’ offer of four years and $60-million. Burnett’s agent, Darek Braunecker, will likely wait for the winter’s top free-agent pitcher, CC Sabathia, to sign before committing to any deal. Braunecker said his client is unlikely to sign before the meetings end.
-- Kevin Baxter