The Friday Night Rumor Mill–Winter Meetings Aftermath

Not to sound like an old curmudgeon (or a young one), but let’s get one thing straight on the recent trade talk between the Giants and Yankees. The Giants are not sending Matt Cain or Tim Lincecum to the Bronx for Hideki Matsui. If the Giants are hesitant on giving up either one of their prized right-handers for Alex Rios, they’re certainly not going to part with one of them for the 34-year-old “Godzilla.” The Giants, however, are willing to offer a package of veteran left-hander Noah Lowry and lefty reliever Jonathan Sanchez, an intriguing offer to say the least. Lowry would give the Yankees’ staff some much needed balance (Andy Pettitte is currently their only established southpaw), a back-of-the-rotation starter who could relieve some of the innings burden from Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, and Ian Kennedy. As for Sanchez, he’s a live-armed left-hander who struck out over a man per inning and could compete for a set-up role in what is now a wide-open Yankee bullpen… In the meantime, Matsui would slide into left field at Pac Bell Park, playing alongside Randy Winn and some other outfielder to be named later (perhaps Rajai Davis). Of course, all of this is contingent upon Matsui waving his no trade clause to go to San Francisco. It is likely that he would, in part because San Francisco has such a strong Asian American population…
The Yankees have also made a one-year contract offer to free agent reliever LaTroy Hawkins. Their interest in Hawkins isn’t surprising; they tried to sign him in the winter of 2003-04, when he left the Twins as a free agent. The 35-year-old Hawkins pitched well for the Rockies this year after struggling during stops in Chicago, Baltimore, and San Francisco. If the Yankees sign Hawkins, they may back off efforts to re-sign workhorse Luis Vizcaino…

The Rangers, having been rebuffed in efforts to sign Torii Hunter, are making a strong push for free agent Aaron Rowand. The Rangers have a long list of needs, from center field to leadership to starting pitching. Rowand, who plays as hard as Pete Rose but without the same personality problems, would help in two of those areas. The White Sox and Phillies remain the other contenders for Rowand, who is continuing to seek a five-year contract…

The Rockies appear to be zeroing in on a new second baseman. They’re negotiating with Tad Iguchi as a replacement for Kaz Matsui. The Rockies are also trying to clear Jamey Carroll from their 40-man roster. They offered Carroll to the Indians for Josh Barfield earlier in the week, only to have that proposal rejected—not surprisingly. They still might trade Carroll to Cleveland, but probably for a mid-level minor leaguer…

Prior to being included in that blockbuster between the Marlins and Tigers, Dontrelle Willis was almost ticketed for Cincinnati. The would-be trade would have sent “D-Train” to the Reds for outfielder Josh Hamilton, who would have filled Florida’s center field hole. (That honor now goes to Cameron Maybin, acquired as part of the Willis-Cabrera deal.) Willis could still be traded again. The Mets continue to check in with the Tigers regarding a deal of two or three prospects for the amiable left-hander.