Winter Meetings--Day Four Update

As the winter meetings grind to a conclusion, the hot rumor of the day has the Yankees and Giants talking trade. San Francisco approached New York about Hideki Matsui as a potential replacement for Barry Bonds in left field. The Giants may be willing to give up two pitchers for "Godzilla": left-hander Noah Lowry and righty reliever Jonathan Sanchez. The Yankees will listen to any offer than includes Lowry, whom New York has liked for a couple of years now. With Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, and Ian Kennedy all expected to log fewer than 200 innings, the Yankees could use a veteran to soak up some of the missing frames. They also like the idea of having a second left-hander for their rotation, what with half their games at Yankee Stadium. Matsui, who is coming off knee surgery that should help his mobility in 2008, is expendable since the Yankees have decided to move Johnny Damon to left field. If Matsui is traded, Jason Giambi would be asked to serve as the left-handed DH, perhaps in a platoon with Shelly “The Forearm” Duncan…
The Yankees may be close to a deal with the Pirates for one of their left-handed relievers. The Yanks prefer Damaso Marte, who can be murder on lefties, but might settle for John Grabow. It will probably take a B-level prospect (maybe Jeff Marquez?) to get Marte, maybe a C-level minor leaguer (Chase Wright?) for Grabow. Stay tuned on that one…

Sources in Houston are reporting that the Astros are closing in on a 3-for-1 deal with the Orioles. The trade would send Miguel Tejada to Houston for a package of Adam Everett, Chris Burke, and a minor league pitcher, possibly Troy Patton. I find it hard to believe that the Orioles would settle for such a measly package in return for their cleanup hitter. Everett can’t hit and Burke fits best as a utility infielder, while Patton has a chance to be something good. If that’s the best the Orioles can come up with for Tejada, they’d be better off waiting for a better trade down the road…

Now that Miguel Cabrera is a Tiger, the Marlins have approached the Phillies about reacquiring Wes Helms. Helms was a productive player for the Marlins two years ago, but bombed in Philadelphia. He’s a poor defensive third baseman who doesn’t figure to improve, but might be able to bounce back as a hitter and would probably feel more comfortable in a smaller media market than Philadelphia… The Phillies, who also need a third baseman despite their proclamation that they can live with a platoon of Helms and Greg Dobbs, have supposedly told the Tigers they’re not interested in Brandon Inge. That’s hard to figure, given Inge’s exceptional defensive skills and potentially potent right-handed bat taking aim at the short fences at Citizens Bank Park. Inge would also offer versatility, since he’s played the outfield in past years…

The Padres have re-emerged as finalists in the sweepstakes for Japanese import Kosuke Fukudome. The Cubs are still believed to be the favorites, with the Royals also taking part in the bidding. Fukudome will likely garner a multi-year contract paying him $15 million per season…

Again, for those who would like to send me an e-mail, the address is bmark@telenet.net.