Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Diamondbacks could have interest in Kevin Youkilis if the Red Sox made him available.
With Will Middlebrooks cooling off, it remains to be seen whether the Sox would consider trading Youkilis, who is slated to return from the DL Tuesday. The Reds and Giants could also have interest in the veteran infielder if he's placed on the trading block.
According to Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com, the Nationals and Angels have had preliminary discussions about a trade that would send Peter Bourjos to Washington.
It's not clear how far along they are in talks, but the Angels have a surplus of outfielders and the Nationals have been looking for a center fielder for a long time. The Angels would like a relief pitcher in return, but the Nationals would be more comfortable parting with one once Drew Storen (elbow) returns from the disabled list. They may also be in the market for a catcher now that Chris Iannetta will miss 6-8 weeks following wrist surgery. The Royals, Diamondbacks and Blue Jays also have checked on the availability of Bourjos.
Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers was pleased with what he saw from Vladimir Guerrero during Monday's workout, but he said the team has "got to see if it makes sense or not."
"He’s still got the good hitting hands," Towers said. "He’s in decent shape. We hit him a few fly balls. He probably took 30 or 40 swings for us. Launched 15 to 20 balls out. Not bad. But we’ve got to see if it makes sense or not." Towers added that if they did sign Vlad, it would likely be only a temporary move, as he won't be needed once Chris Young returns, which should be fairly soon.
Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com hears that Vladimir Guerrero "looked pretty good" in his recent workout with the Diamondbacks.
Heyman thinks there "could be an opportunity for him" with the Diamondbacks, though he would likely have to accept a role as a right-handed bat off the bench and backup outfielder. The 37-year-old batted just .290/.317/.416 with 13 homers, 63 RBI and a career-low .733 OPS last season with Baltimore.
The Diamondbacks will workout Vladimir Guerrero in the Dominican Republic this week.
Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers revealed the information on Sunday's television broadcast. Arizona would presumably use Vlad as pinch-hitter and backup outfielder. He registered a .733 OPS, 13 home runs and 63 RBI in 145 games last season for the Orioles. At this point, he seems likely to sign for the veteran minimum.
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Athletics are expected to have some interest in the recently released Brandon Inge.
It appears that Inge won't have trouble finding a job, as the Orioles and Twins are also reportedly interested in the veteran, and Steve Gilbert of MLB.com thinks the D'Backs could have interest, as well. Inge has batted just .100/.100/.300 this season after a .197/.265/.283 line last year, but he does still play good defense at third base and can fill in at second base, catcher and the outfield, as well.
Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that Ivan Rodriguez has fielded inquiries from a few teams, including the Diamondbacks.
The Diamondbacks are known to be in the market for some catching depth, so it could be a decent match. Rodriguez is seeking a chance for "real playing time," but it seems unlikely he'll get it at this point. The 40-year-old batted .218/.281/.323 with two home runs and 19 RBI over 137 plate appearances last season and threw out 52 percent (13-for-25) of attempted basestealers.
Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that the Cardinals are "actively shopping" right-hander Kyle McClellan.
The Cards want to sign veteran Roy Oswalt and are trying to clear payroll space in order to make it happen. Strauss lists the Orioles, Padres and Diamondbacks as having interest in McClellan, who avoided arbitration with the club by agreeing to a $2.5 million contract earlier this month. He could be used as a starter or a reliever with his new team.
Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports that free agent right-hander Bartolo Colon has reached a deal with an unknown team.
Heyman isn't sure who the deal is with, but he knows it's not the Yankees or Diamondbacks. It was reported Saturday that the A's were in negotiations with him, so they're probably the best bet. Colon faded down the stretch in 2011 but still had a very nice year, holding a 4.00 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 164 1/3 innings.
ESPN's Buster Olney reports the Athletics are in negotiations with free agent right-hander Bartolo Colon.
Colon, 38, resurrected his career this past season but faded badly down the stretch and is not expected to re-sign with the Yankees following their recent trade for Michael Pineda. ESPN.com's Jason Stark reported on Friday that the Diamondbacks are also believed to be interested in bringing him in as their fifth starter.
Jayson Stark of ESPN.com reports that the Diamondbacks are showing interest in free agent right-hander Bartolo Colon.
The D'Backs are looking for someone to fill out the back-end of their rotation, as they evidently don't think Wade Miley is ready. Colon faded down the stretch in 2011 but still had a very nice year, holding a 4.00 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 164 1/3 innings. He's not a great bet to repeat those numbers, but the 39-year-old wouldn't be bad rotation filler.
Jason Kubel's new two-year contract with the Diamondbacks is worth $7.5 million annually and carries a $7.5 million mutual option for the 2014 season.
Kubel will make $7.5 million in 2012 and $7.5 million in 2013, and the mutual option is accompanied by a $1 million buyout. So he's guaranteed $16 million in all. The 29-year-old former Twin is expected to serve as the Diamondbacks' primary left fielder next season.
Mon, Dec 19, 2011 01:51:00 PM
The Diamondbacks had an offer out to Hiroki Kuorda for "10 days to two weeks" but got no response.
Arizona has since moved on, trading for A's starter Trevor Cahill last week and signing free agent outfielder Jason Kubel to a two-year, $15 million contract on Monday morning. Kuorda's intentions at this point are a mystery. He could simply decide to return to his native Japan.
Mon, Dec 19, 2011 01:14:00 PM
The Diamondbacks are likely out of the running for free agent right-hander Hiroki Kuroda.
Arizona expressed serious interest in Kuroda earlier this month, but the small-market club just wrapped up a two-year, $15 million contract with outfielder Jason Kubel and it's doubtful there's enough room in the budget for another major splash. Kuroda, 36, is thought to be seeking a deal worth between $12-13 million annually. He may ultimately head back to his native Japan if he can't find it.
Mon, Dec 19, 2011 10:01:00 AM
FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Diamondbacks have signed Jason Kubel to a two-year deal.
According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, the two-year contract is worth $15 million and also carries an option for 2014. Kubel drew only mild free agent interest this winter after batting .273/.332/.434 with 12 homers and 58 RBI over 401 plate appearances in 2011 for the Twins. He's expected to see regular playing time in left field for the Snakes next season, pushing Gerardo Parra to the role of fourth outfielder.
Mon, Dec 19, 2011 08:46:00 AM
According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Diamondbacks are "still interested" in Hiroki Kuroda.
Kuroda's willingness to go to Arizona is unclear at the moment, but the Snakes will do their best to convince him it's a comfortable pace to call home. If the 36-year-old righty doesn't buy the pitch, or doesn't like the free agent offers that he's getting, he could head back to his native Japan.
Wed, Dec 14, 2011 06:32:00 PM
According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, the Diamondbacks one-year deal with veteran reliever Takashi Saito is worth $1.75 million.
It's a very reasonable investment by the Snakes. The Brewers were hoping to re-sign Saito but may have run out of payroll space. Saito, who turns 42 in February, posted a 2.02 ERA and 23/9 K/BB ratio over 26 2/3 innings this past season. He'll set-up for J.J. Putz in 2012. He's posted ERAs of 2.07, 1.40, 2.49, 2.43, 2.83, and 2.02, respectively, over the past six seasons.
Tue, Dec 13, 2011 01:56:00 PM
According to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, the Diamondbacks have agreed to terms with veteran reliever Takashi Saito.
The Brewers were hoping to re-sign him, but he apparently found a better offer in Arizona. Saito, who turns 42 in February, posted a 2.03 ERA and 23/9 K/BB ratio over 26 2/3 innings this past season. He'll set-up for J.J. Putz in 2012.
Mon, Dec 12, 2011 05:42:00 PM
According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Diamondbacks have acquired right-hander Trevor Cahill and left-hander Craig Breslow from the Athletics.
Oakland will receive prospect right-hander Jarrod Parker, outfielder Collin Cowgill and a third player in return. That third player better be pretty good, because this is somewhat of a disappointing haul for someone who is locked up at a very reasonable rate through 2017. Cahill, who turns 24 in March, has a 3.91 ERA over his first 96 big-league starts. He should fit quite nicely behind Daniel Hudson and Ian Kennedy in Arizona's rotation.
Fri, Dec 9, 2011 06:50:00 PM
According to Steve Gilbert and Jane Lee of MLB.com, the Diamondbacks are on the verge of acquiring right-hander Trevor Cahill and left-hander Craig Breslow from the Athletics.
Confirming a previous report by Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, Gilbert and Lee hear that the Athletics would receive prospect right-hander Jarrod Parker and outfielder Collin Cowgill in return. Oakland may also receive a third player, which makes sense as this haul is pretty underwhelming at the moment. It sounds like this deal could go down at any moment, so stay tuned.
Fri, Dec 9, 2011 06:33:00 PM
