MLB Winter Meeting Player Rumers
MLB winter meetings started Monday in Las Vegas with CC
Sabathia, Francisco Rodriguez and Jake Peavy among the big names making
headlines. Check out the news and notes from Ken Rosenthal, Gerry Fraley
and Ed Price. (All times ET)
Tuesday news and notes
10:19 p.m. — CC also spent time with BoSox
The Red Sox met with free-agent left-hander CC Sabathia
and his agents on Monday, but sources familiar with the club's thinking
downplayed the Sox's interest, saying general manager Theo Epstein is only
doing his "due diligence."
The Sox were described by another source as "warming
up in the bullpen" for free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett, but the
team remains focused on signing free-agent first baseman Mark Teixeira and
opposed to awarding lengthy contracts to starting pitchers.
The question is whether the Sox's interest in Sabathia
and/or Burnett would grow if Teixeira signed with another club. The Yankees
remain interested in both of those pitchers and others. Both the Red Sox
and Yankees routinely show interest in virtually all of the major free agents.
9:56 p.m. — Bradley seeking new home?
Milton Bradley is on the move again.
A Texas official said the club does not expect to re-sign
Bradley, who hit .321 with 22 homers and 77 RBIs this season. The official
said Tampa Bay and Kansas City are the leading candidates to become Bradley's
seventh team since opening day 2001. Tampa Bay, which had a luncheon meeting
with Bradley, is considered the favorite.
Tampa Bay would use Bradley primarily as a designated
hitter. Cliff Floyd, who will not return, was the Rays' most-used DH this
season. He hit .267 with 11 homers and 38 RBIs for 283 at-bats in t the
role. Bradley also met with the Cubs on Monday, but the Royals say they
are not interested. --Gerry Fraley and Ken Rosenthal
9:49 p.m. — Indians look at potential closers
The Indians met on Monday with the agents for free-agent
closer Kerry Wood. The team also met with other agents and remains interested
in Trevor Hoffman and Brian Fuentes as potential closers.
