Kendall, Brewers Talking Deal

 
Jason Kendall, 33, is discussing a contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, hoping to get a deal done in the near future. According to Tom Haudricourt, a Jason Kendall signing spells the end of Johnny Estrada in Milwaukee.  Kendall had a whopping .261 on-base percentage with a .542 OPS with the A’s before his trade later in the [...]

White Sox Make Push For Hunter, Rangers too?

The White Sox are working on a deal to bring gold glove center fielder Torii Hunter to Chicago. Hunter would join Paul Konerko, recently acquired Orlando Cabrera, Jim Thome, and Jermaine Dye to form a potent offense. According to The Chicago Sun Times, Hunter could be signed within the week.
Update: Torii Hunter’s camp has denied reports out [...]

Matsui to sign with Astros?

According to the Richard Justice, the Houston Astros appear to be closing in on 2B Kaz Matsui. The Astros had been reportedly targeting Luis Castillo (who has signed a 4-year deal with the NY Mets), but they have since turned  their attention to Matsui. Matsui was a key player on the NL Champion Colorado Rockies. [...]

Brave New World?

 
Well, not exactly.  This past weekend, the Atlanta-Journal Constutution reported that Chipper Jones is expected to sign a contract extension with the Atlanta Braves within the next year, which will likely may him a Brave for life. 
Chipper Jones is now 35 years of age, and will make a relatively small $11M next season, and has [...]

A Look Back: Barry Zito, Year 1

Two Words: FRIGGIN FLEECE!
Last winter, Barry Zito signed a 7 year contract with the San Francisco Giants worth $126 million, with an 8th year option worth $16 million. In his first year with the Giants, he went 11-13 while posting a 4.53 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. And yes, this was in the National League. He [...]

Orioles Discussing Bedard with Dodgers

 As per Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports, the Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers are discussing a deal centering around Orioles starter Erik Bedard.   The return package to Baltimore is unclear but Brown believes that 23 year old outfielder Matt Kemp would be the centerpiece.
The Dodgers have also been rumored to be in on Florida [...]

Great Moments in Fleece History: The Jeff Bagwell Trade

Time for a new feature at MLB Fleece Factor, called  Great Moments in Fleece History.   Here, we will celebrate the truly historic fleeces.  You know, the ones that make or break a GM’s career, and give us good fodder for years.  Hall of Fame Fleeces, if you will.   The infamous Jeff Bagwell Trade will kick it [...]

Fleece for Sale in the Bronx?

 
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Yankees are the favorites to sign lefty reliever Ron Mahay, who almost everyone considers to be the best available lefty on the market.  Mahay finished last season with the Atlanta Braves, after being sent over in a trade from Texas.  The Yankees are sorely in need of a lefty for the [...]

The Ripple Effect of the Lowell and Garland Transactions

 
As noted here on MLB Fleece Factor, there have been two significant transactions today:  Mike Lowell re-upping with the Red Sox for 3 years and $37.5M; and Jon Garland being traded to the Angels for shortstop Orlando Cabrera.  Both of these transactions might have an immediate ripple effect on perhaps the biggest story of the hot stove season:  [...]

White Sox ship Garland to LAA for Cabrera

 In a trade just moments ago, the Chicago White Sox sent SP Jon Garland to Anaheim for SS Orlando Cabrera.
Interesting…..
Kinda makes you scratch your head for both sides here. Chicago just brought back Uribe to play SS, but could move him to 2B now, which would shore up that infield. Anaheim has little to no offense aside from Vlad [...]

Lone Star Gagne?

 
 The two most likely suitors for Eric Gagne continue to be Houston or Texas (Detroit might be a darkhorse).  This sets up a potentially interesting fleece situation. Gagne would likely sign for a decent closer’s salary, which is in the 8 million range, which would be near a fair deal.
The fleece could take place come July [...]

Matt Clement: Who is interested?

 
Matt Clement, 33, is coming off two injury plagued seasons, as he has made a combined 12 starts in the past two seasons (all in 2006), yet he figures to have no shortage of suitors this winter. With the lack of SP available in the FA market this winter, there figures to be a number [...]

Torii Hunter Update

 Free Agent center fielder Torii Hunter is interested in the Los Angeles Dodgers and is scheduled to dine with the Texas Rangers.
Said Hunter of the Dodgers: “The Dodgers are definitely near the top….With Joe Torre there, things have got to change. He’s bringing his history with them. I’m telling you, they’re going to start winning.”  (Credit [...]

Royals Close to Signing Reliever Yabuta

Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Royals “are close to signing” Japanese right handed reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta.   Contract details are unconfirmed but speculated to be for two years with a possible third year option.   
In 63 innings last year for the Chiba Lotte Marines, Yabuta went 4-6 with 4 saves and a 2.73 era.  He struck out [...]

Olney: Sox, Lowell Close in on Deal

 
Update: The deal is said to be worth $37.5 million over 3 years. It is close to being finalized.
ESPN’s Buster Olney is reporting that the Boston Red Sox and Mike Lowell are “closing in on” a 3 year deal to keep the World Series MVP in Boston.   Earlier reports had the deal worth anywhere between [...]