The A’s say the trade price for right-hander Dan Haren will be no less than the price for lefty Johan Santana. While Santana is only a year away from free agency, Haren is under contract for $4 million in 2008 and $5.5 million in ’09, and his deal includes a $6.75 million club option for ’10. Haren tied Jake Peavy for the major-league lead with 28 quality starts last season. Santana had 21.
The Orioles, meanwhile, are driving an equally hard bargain for lefty Erik Bedard, a pitcher coveted by the Mets and other clubs. Bedard is two years away from free agency, and has succeeded against AL East competition while pitching his home games at hitter-friendly Camden Yards. However, his durability remains in question. He has yet to pitch 200 innings in a season, and exceeded 30 starts only once, in 2006.
The Blue Jays, dormant for the most part at these meetings, are attempting to sign both right fielder Alex Rios and second baseman Aaron Hill to contract extensions. Rios, 26, is three years away from free agency. Hill, 25, is four years away. Team president Paul Godfrey told the Globe and Mail’s Jeff Blair that “sooner or later we’d like to bring in a big-name Canadian player,” but they probably would have a better chance at the Pirates’ Jason Bay than the Orioles’ Bedard. It is doubtful the Orioles would trade Bedard to another AL East club.
Rival clubs continue to inquire about Rangers third baseman Hank Blalock. The Rangers are not looking to move Blalock, but the team eventually could move shortstop Michael Young to third base to make room for prospect Elvis Andrus. Blalock, signed for $5.95 million next season with a $6.2 million club option for 2009, would make sense for the Cardinals, if they trade Rolen, as well as the Phillies and Dodgers.
The White Sox-Diamondbacks trade amounts to the White Sox gambling that outfielder Carlos Quentin will return to form after shoulder surgery and the Diamondbacks gambling that first baseman Chris Carter will develop into a major slugger. Quentin underwent surgery in October but is expected to be ready by the start of spring training. Carter, 20, hit 25 home runs at Class A last season, and right-handed power hitters are difficult to find.
The Phillies are one of the teams interested in free-agent right-hander Kris Benson, who is expected to throw for teams in Phoenix around Dec. 17. Benson, 33, underwent surgery last March to repair a partially torn rotator cuff. The Orioles declined the $7.5 million option on his contract, preferring to pay him a $500,000 buyout instead.
The Royals’ preliminary agreement with Jose Guillen on a three-year, $36 million contract might not preclude them from making a run at another free-agent outfielder, Andruw Jones. The Royals also are bidding for Japanese free-agent right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, whose price has risen above $40 million for four years. They presumably could redirect that money toward Jones, but probably could sign him only if he agreed to a shorter deal.
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The Indians, drawing numerous inquiries on left-hander Cliff Lee, still are undecided about whether they would move him. Lefties such as Lee, Willis and the Giants’ Noah Lowry could be attractive alternatives for teams that are unable to get in on Johan Santana and Erik Bedard.
The Pirates are aggressively shopping Nate McLouth, who is a popular target for teams looking for left-handed hitters and/or center fielders. McLouth could be a lesser option for the Cubs if they fail to land Kosuke Fukudome, and the Padres, Phillies and Braves also are expressing varying degrees of interest. Guillen’s deal with the Royals virtually ensures that free-agent center fielder Aaron Rowand will move beyond the Phillies’ price range.