We’ll be officially opening up The Mill tomorrow as the BP crew hits the ground and treks our way around the cavernous Opryland hotel. On the night before the official start of the Winter Meetings, there’s some buzz already seeping out from the only hotel with its own zip code.
The Yankees are going to have to offer more than what they have on the table. The team thought putting Phil Hughes on the table was enough, but the Twins aren’t selling Johan Santana for anything less than three major league-ready prospects. The Red Sox offer is also short, leaving some wiggle room for other teams–the Mariners?–to make a run. Seattle could offer an attractive package, but Jeff Clement, a catcher, isn’t that interesting to a team with Joe Mauer already locked in.
Dan Haren is everyone’s Plan B, but he’s going to cost nearly as much. With new Twins GM Bill Smith holding the line on Santana, Billy Beane and the A’s could end up making the deal by simply being willing to make the deal.
Aaron Rowand has been “really close” for about a week, says one source. So why hasn’t he signed? “Fluid market,” says one AL exec. “Rowand and Andruw Jones are kind of on hold until we all figure out Kosuke Fukudome and whether Coco Crisp will be dealt.” None of them get Torii Hunter money, but maybe Gary Matthews Jr money.
Kyle Lohse is this year’s Ted Lilly. Everyone will fight for him, then complain that they’re fighting over him. That said, no one thinks he’ll be signed during the Meetings. “Too many offers, and the market for pitching has been all focused on trades.”
Miguel Cabrera? “You’ve got to be kidding me,” says the AL exec. “The Marlins must be advised by Chuck Lamar on the art of the deal. You can’t ever say you won’t deal with someone, but no one likes picking up the phone from them right now.”
Who’s the surprise player? According to five different independent sources, it’s the Orioles. “They’re buyers and sellers, plus this is probably the one time when Andy MacPhail will have a free hand to make these kinds of decisions.” Others mentioned are the Royals, Astros, and Giants.
Don’t expect any early deals. There’s nothing that close right now, and the teams will stay away from announcing anything close to the Hall of Fame Veterans Committee results, assuming they have some.
You’ll get more from Kevin, Joe, John, and myself starting tomorrow. If I can find my room, that is. If you see a flare over the Steakhouse, I’m lost.
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