Rockies Close to Re-signing Torrealba and Herges

 
According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Rockies could announce the signings of catcher Yorvit Torrealba and relief pitcher Matt Herges as soon as Thursday.  Both players played solid roles in getting the Rockies to their 1st World Series apperance in franchise history, where they were ultimately swept by the Boston Red Sox. 
Torrealba [...]

Percival to the Devil Rays?

 
This one comes courtesy of Buster Olney. Troy Percival, who had a nice year last season with St.Louis (1.80 ERA in 40 IP), is working on a deal with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. As Buster Olney reports, one should expect the D-Rays would be promising Percival the closer’s role next season. Terms to a [...]

D-Train to the D-Backs?

Nick Piecoro of azcentral.com reports that the Arizona Diamondbacks may look to acquire Dontrelle Willis later this offseason.
Piecoro points out that a primary D’Backs need is a starter to slot in behind ace Brandon Webb.   And although the club has plenty of young stars to acquire Johan Santana, Erik Bedard or Dan Haren, they most likely will not [...]

Mets Get a Pitcher – No Big Deal

 
According to WFAN 660 AM, the Mets have acquired Brian Stokes from the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations.
Last year, Stokes was 2-7 in 59 appearances with a 7.07 ERA.

Rays and Twins Complete Trade

The Star Tribune is reporting that the Twins are close to acquiring Delmon Young for Matt Garza. These two seem to be the principles in the deal, although, the deal is rumored to include 6 players.
The rest of the deal breaks down as follows: Jason Bartlett and Juan Rincon (steroid cheat) to the Rays and SS Brendan [...]

CBS Rumors and News: Rowand, Headley, Hunter, Wood

We mentioned the Peavy rumor, but CBS Sportstline also had some other good rumblings today:

Sportsline expects the Phillies to be “aggressive” in trying to keep Aaron Rowand.  If true, this would be another lie by the Philly brass, who claimed to only be in on free agent pitchers this offseason, but was then exposed as [...]

Rumor: Peavy is Available for Right Price

 
According to CBS Sportsline, “rival clubs say that San Diego GM Kevin Towers is discussing Cy Young winner Jake Peavy in trade talks this winter, though the feeling is that it’s just to gauge interest as the Padres attempt to work an extension with Peavy. “  Sportsline speculates that the Padres may look to fill [...]

Yankees Have Interest in Rowand?

 
If the Yankees’ management deals Melky Cabrera this off-season, they have informed the agent of free agent center fielder Aaron Rowand that they would indeed be interested, as per The Newark Star Ledger.
If Melky is sent packing in a deal that would bring back Johan Santana, and the Yankees pushed for a defensive upgrade in [...]

Cardinals Shortstop Rumors: Tejada, Wilson?

 
We touched on the Cards need for starting pitching  help yesterday.  Now let’s discuss the hole they have at shortstop.  Let’s examine the options:

The incumbent is David Eckstein.  But “The Pest” may have fleeced himself by saying that he wants Julio Lugo/Rafael Furcal money.   Lugo fleeced the Red Sox last winter for $36M over 4 years, and Furcal [...]

ID’ing a Fleece in the Making – Izturis

Here at Fleece Factor, we not only report on a rumored fleece, an old fleece or a recently made fleece….we are in the business of detecting a potential fleece as well.
In Marc Tompkin’s piece in the St. Petersburg Times, we might have caught a glimpse of Cesar Izturis gift wrapping a fleece that will soon be placed [...]

Garza to Seattle?; Bedard to the Mets?; and Jason Bay

We touched on the main news from Ken Rosenthal today – that being the Joe Nathan rumors.  But Rosenthal also had some other good tidbits.  Let’s take a look.

According to Rosenthal, “Matt Garza remains the young pitcher the Twins are most likely to move.”  Rosenthal mentions the Mariners as a potential partner with centerfield stud prospect [...]

Minaya and Beane…can they finally make a deal?

   
Will the Mets get that long-coveted SP? David Lennon of Newsday thinks it might happen.
Seems like the Mets have all but bowed out of the Johan sweepstakes – admitting to themselves and their fans that they just don’t have the chips. So, let’s turn our attention to Oakland for the usual suspects of Haren and Blanton.
Minaya and [...]

Joe Nathan Rumors: Brewers, Cubs, Red Sox?

Ken Rosenthal reports this morning that if the Twins trade Johan Santana, look for them to also move closer Joe Nathan this winter.   The logic fits.   If Minnesota loses Santana in addition to Torii Hunter, they may be better off long term by dealing Nathan now and moving ahead with the youngsters they acquire for the [...]

Great Moments In Fleece History: The Scott Kazmir Trade

If you’re a fan of the New York Mets, don’t read any further.
On July 30, 2004, the New York Mets dealt top pitching prospect Scott Kazmir and pitcher Joselo Diaz to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for starting pitcher Victor Zambrano and relief pitcher Bartolome Fortunato. The Mets found themselves 6 games out of a [...]