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• An early look at the Jarrod Saltalamacchia market

  November 10, 2012 by JonPaulMorosi

  The Boston Red Sox weren’t expected to sign a catcher this offseason but reached agreement Saturday on a two-year, $6.2 million contract with David Ross, as first reported by Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com.

  Now that they’ve done it, the logic is apparent: The Red Sox can trade their most experienced (and most expensive) catcher, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, possibly to obtain the first baseman they covet.

  In fact, an official with another club said Saturday that the Red Sox are willing to consider offers for Saltalamacchia, who hit a career-high 25 home runs last season but batted only .222 in part because of a high strikeout rate. If Boston general manager Ben Cherington trades Saltalamacchia, the Red Sox will use a combination of Ross and 25-year-old Ryan Lavarnway behind the plate.

  The signing of Ross was a savvy move at a time when free-agent catchers are in short supply, particularly relative to the number of clubs looking to upgrade at the position. In Saltalamacchia, the Red Sox now have a highly-marketable trade chip. The Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays and Houston Astros are known to be in the catching marketplace. (Of course, it’s doubtful the Red Sox would send Saltalamacchia to a division rival like the Yankees or Rays.)

  The Chicago Cubs, led by the executive (Theo Epstein) who brought Saltalamacchia to Boston, are looking for a long-term catcher. But it is not clear if they have interest in a veteran like Saltalamacchia, given how early they are in a lengthy rebuild.

  The Red Sox have incentive to look for a first baseman via trade, because options via free agency are limited after Adam LaRoche. Or if they trade Saltalamacchia, the Red Sox could sign Mike Napoli — who is primarily a catcher — with the idea that he would play a lot of games at first base.

  — Jon Paul Morosi

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• Assorted notes from the GM meetings

  November 08, 2012 by KenRosenthal

  INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Assorted notes from the baseball general managers' meetings:

  • I already can hear the New York Mets’ spin on right-hander R.A. Dickey now — the tried and true “Greedy Ballplayer” theory.

  Dickey, the Mets will say, wanted too much in a contract extension, so the team traded him rather than get suckered into a bad deal.

  Such a portrayal simply would not be accurate.

  The Mets, sources say, have shown little actual interest in negotiating with Dickey, who is under contract for next season at $5 million.

  Instead, they’re discussing him in trades at the GM meetings. If they get the right deal, they will just move on.

  Trading Dickey, 38, probably is the right thing for the Mets to do, considering all of their holes. But the Mets intend to pin this on Dickey, they first need to make him a substantial offer.

  That, sources say, has not happened.

  • The Yankees are out of the Justin Upton sweepstakes, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Even if they wanted to be “in,” they would lack the necessary talent to entice the Diamondbacks in a trade.

  Several rival executives view the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays as the teams most interested in Upton, but the Rays would need free-agent center fielder B.J. Upton to reject their qualifying offer before they make any move — they could not afford the salaries of both Uptons. B.J., though, is attracting strong interest, and almost certainly will reject the Rays’ offer by Friday’s deadline.

  One executive suggests the Detroit Tigers as a possible darkhorse for Justin Upton. The Diamondbacks want a shortstop or a third baseman, and the Tigers could offer third-base prospect Nick Castellanos and a combination of other players, including right fielder Avisail Garcia and pitchers Rick Porcello and Drew Smyly.

  I am not suggesting that the Tigers would trade any or all of those players for Justin Upton; it’s just one exec’s speculation. But the Tigers at least have the players to make such a deal happen, and Dave Dombrowski is one of the game’s boldest, most aggressive GMs.

  The Atlanta Braves, by the way, do not appear serious about a pursuit of Justin Upton.

  • The Red Sox are disinclined to trade Jacoby Ellsbury for two reasons: His value is down, and the team is intent on contending next season under new manager John Farrell.

  Ellsbury figures to be highly motivated in his free-agent year, and the Red Sox recognize that they probably cannot trade him and become a better team.

  Jackie Bradley Jr., the Red Sox’s center fielder of the future, is ready for the majors defensively but not offensively. Some club officials believe that he might be best served by a full year in the minors.

  Boston’s Ben Cherington is one of those GMs who will listen on any player, but the chances of the Sox moving Ellbury appear slim.

  • Free-agent right-hander Brett Myers is telling teams that he wants to be a starter first, a closer second, and a setup man third.

  Myers, 32, started last season as a closer with the Houston Astros because of the team’s need, then remained a reliever after getting traded to the Chicago White Sox.

  However, he pitched a combined 439-2/3 innings as a starter for the Astros in 2010 and ’11, and previously shifted from the bullpen to the rotation with the Phillies in 2008.

  • Right-hander Jon Garland, who sat out all of last season after undergoing shoulder surgery in July 2011, intends to make a comeback next season.

  Garland, 33, threw for 10 to 15 teams in September but decided not to return at that time. He figures to sign with a club in late January.

  — Ken Rosenthal

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• Do Yankees need more help on the left side?

  November 07, 2012 by KenRosenthal

  The New York Yankees say they are not trading third baseman Alex Rodriguez, so they likely will need to find a player who could spell both Rodriguez and shortstop Derek Jeter.

  Rodriguez, 37, made 38 of his 119 starts at designated hitter last season, and that number only figures to increase as he continues to lose mobility.

  Jeter, 38, is recovering from surgery on his left ankle. While he is expected to be back by Opening Day, his availability could be limited early in the season.

  The Yankees are not without alternatives: Eduardo Nunez, 25, plays both short and third, while Eric Chavez, 34, again could help at third if he re-signs as a free agent.

  The team, however, needed to rely upon journeyman Jayson Nix at times last season, and would be in a similar position again if players higher on the depth chart suffered injuries.

  An upgrade over Nix would give the Yankees further protection against issues with Rodriguez and/or Jeter — and both the free-agent and trade markets offer possible solutions.

  Among free agents, Marco Scutaro would be one intriguing possibility; he started 25 games at short for the Colorado Rockies last season and 15 at third for the San Francisco Giants before taking over second for the Giants and helping the team to the World Series title.

  Jeff Keppinger would be another option, though it might be a stretch to envision him at short, where he has not played since 2010. Keppinger started 41 games at third for the Rays last season, 23 at second and 21 at first.

  The trade market offers less clarity, but the Detroit Tigers could trade Jhonny Peralta if they found a better shortstop, and the Arizona Diamondbacks could move Willie Bloomquist or John McDonald if they acquired a regular at short.

  However it shakes out, the Yankees figure to need plenty of help behind Rodriguez and Jeter next season. And Chavez and Nunez probably will not be enough.

  — Ken Rosenthal

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• For Padres, interesting times ahead

  August 30, 2012 by KenRosenthal

  The San Diego Padres are headed in a new direction, and not simply because they are under new ownership.

  Club officials, encouraged by the team’s recent surge, could adjust their offseason plans in two ways, according to sources with knowledge of the Padres’ thinking.

  One, by keeping third baseman Chase Headley.

  Two, by signing at least one free-agent starting pitcher.

  The Padres are 41-30 since June 10, the fourth-best record in the National League — and best in the NL West. Headley, the subject of trade discussions in July, has a .921 OPS since the All-Star break, 15^th best in the NL.

  Why mess with success?

  The Padres are asking themselves that very question, sources say — and leaning against trading Headley this winter. Instead, Headley would remain their No. 3 hitter through 2014 and possibly longer if he signs an extension.

  Top prospect Jedd Gyorko, a possible successor to Headley at third, still would join the team next season, but at second base. The Padres’ lineup, then, could look something like this:

  Will Venable, RF

  Gyorko, 2B

  Headley, 3B

  Carlos Quentin, LF

  Yasmani Grandal, C

  Yonder Alonso, 1B

  Cameron Maybin, CF

  Everth Cabrera, SS

  Not bad. And the team’s bench — with players such as infielder Logan Forsythe and outfielders Chris Denorfia, Mark Kotsay and Jesus Guzman — wouldn’t be bad, either.

  Starting pitching, then, would be the Padres’ biggest concern, particularly when so many of their young starters will be coming off injuries next season.

  The Pads could re-sign right-hander Jason Marquis as a veteran complement to righty Edinson Volquez and lefty Clayton Richard. But if possible, sources say, they also would like to add a higher-impact starter — maybe even New York Yankees righty Hiroki Kuroda.

  Padres general manager Josh Byrnes long has liked Kuroda, first trying to sign him out of Japan as the Arizona Diamondbacks’ GM in 2007, only to lose him to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Byrnes actually tried again last offseason, but he didn’t have enough payroll flexibility to afford both Kuroda and Quentin.

  Under new ownership, that could change.

  If not Kuroda, the Padres could end up with another veteran free agent from a group that is expected to include Ryan Dempster, Anibal Sanchez and Edwin Jackson, and possibly Dan Haren, Ervin Santana and Gavin Floyd.

  Exciting stuff for a team that started the season 20-41 — a team that suddenly looks like it might contend sooner rather than later.

  — Ken Rosenthal

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• The Rangers, Kinsler and Cano

  April 03, 2012 by KenRosenthal

  The Texas Rangers are discussing a six-year contract with second baseman Ian Kinsler that would begin in 2013, according to major-league sources.

  The holdup?

  Indirectly, it might be Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano.

  Kinsler and the Rangers, trying to complete a deal by the team’s opener on Friday, have been unable to reach agreement on the financial terms of the new contract.

  The Rangers, sources say, are willing to give Kinsler a salary higher than Dan Uggla’s record average for a second baseman, $12.4 million. But the team probably does not want to go far above that figure, which is where Cano enters the equation.

  The Yankees exercised Cano’s $14 million option for this season and hold a $15 million option on him for 2013. His next deal, whether achieved in an extension or through free agency, figures to be at a much higher number.

  Kinsler, who turns 30 on June 22, is signed for $7 million this season with a $10 million club option for 2013; the option would be eliminated in the first year of his new deal.

  He might not be at Cano’s level. But, judging from their respective career marks in OPS-plus, he’s not far off.

  OPS-plus is a player’s combined on-base/slugging percentage adjusted to his ballpark and league. Cano’s career mark is 119. Kinsler’s is 114. And Kinsler has been even more productive than Cano in the post-season.

  So, let’s say Cano’s next deal is for $18 million per season – and that might be conservative, given the recent eruption in the market.

  Kinsler, then, might be shortchanging himself if he accepted, say, $14 million per season. His goal might be more in the $16 million range.

  Rangers general manager Jon Daniels told reporters Tuesday that he does not expect to complete any contract extensions before Opening Day. But he also did not rule out the possibility of a last-minute deal with Kinsler or any of the Rangers’ potential free agents, including catcher Mike Napoli and center fielder Josh Hamilton.

  -Ken Rosenthal

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• Yankees, Pirates still talking A.J.

  February 12, 2012 by KenRosenthal

   

  The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to talk with the New York Yankees about right-hander A.J. Burnett, with most signs pointing to a trade. But as of early Sunday, the two sides were still haggling about the money and players in the deal.

  The Yankees likely will pay $19 million to $23 million of the $33 million remaining on Burnett’s contract and receive multiple minor leaguers in return, according to one source with knowledge of the discussions. Those minor leaguers would not be players on the Pirates’ 40-man roster, the source said.

  For clubs that trade high-salaried players such as Burnett, the more money they include, the better the quality of the players they receive. The sliding scale makes the discussions fluid and capable of changing at any time.

  The Pirates are one of four clubs pursuing Burnett, but one of those clubs is on his 10-team no-trade list, sources say. The Yankees are exploring all possibilities, as are the Pirates. But the Yankees view the Pirates as the partner that “makes the most sense" for Burnett, a source said.

  Burnett, 35, went 11-11 with a 5.15 ERA last season, but his strikeout rate of 8.18 per nine innings would have been the best in the Pirates’ rotation. He also had the 13^th-best groundball rate in the American League – and in a typical Burnett paradox, the second-highest home-run rate.

  -Ken Rosenthal

   

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• Could Pirates land A.J.?

  February 08, 2012 by KenRosenthal

  Hear ye, hear ye: The Pittsburgh Pirates are one team that actually might want to trade for New York Yankees right-hander A.J. Burnett.

  The Pirates clearly want another starting pitcher — they made one-year and three-year offers to Edwin Jackson before the free-agent right-hander signed with the Washington Nationals last week.

  The Pirates also have spoken with the Yankees about Burnett, though those conversations failed to progress and perhaps qualified only as due diligence, major-league sources said.

  Burnett, 35, wants to stay with the Yankees and be their fifth starter, according to a source with knowledge of his thinking. But the Yankees have spent the entire offseason trying to move him, and might be even more motivated to complete a trade as spring training nears.

  The Yankees, according to the New York Post, want to clear money so they can re-sign both free agent infielder Eric Chavez and add a left-handed designated hitter such as Raul Ibanez, Johnny Damon or Hideki Matsui.

  Even a minimal savings on the $33 million left on the final two years of Burnett’s contract would help achieve the team achieve that goal. The Pirates would want the Yankees to pay a significant chunk of Burnett’s remaining salary.

  Burnett’s contract allows him to block trades to 10 clubs, but the Yankees can send him to the Pirates without restriction; Pittsburgh is not one of the teams on his no-trade list, a source said.

  Like most pitchers, Burnett likely would benefit from a move to the NL. He could join a Pirates rotation that already includes right-handers Charlie Morton and James McDonald and lefty Erik Bedard — a rotation that could be reasonably competitive in a division weakened by the defections of Albert Pujols from St. Louis and Prince Fielder from Milwaukee, and the possible suspension of the Brewers’ Ryan Braun for the first 50 games.

  — Ken Rosenthal

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• Notes from around the majors

  January 25, 2012 by KenRosenthal

  • The recent four-player Yankees-Mariners trade likely will be debated for years.

  One good sign for the Mariners: Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers, who worked for the Yankees in 2010, is a fan of right-hander Hector Noesi, who went to the Mariners with catcher Jesus Montero for righty Michael Pineda and minor-league righty Jose Campos.

  Towers, renowned for his pitching expertise, asked for Noesi as part of a trade package when he spoke with the Yankees about outfielder Justin Upton after the ’10 season, according to a rival executive.

  • The obvious benefit of the Nationals’ failure to sign free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder is that it allows the team to retain positional flexibility, particularly in center field.

  A long-term deal for Fielder eventually might have forced the Nats to use an outfield of Michael Morse in left, Jayson Werth in center and Bryce Harper in right. Without Fielder, they can move Morse to first after Adam LaRoche plays out his contract this season and pursue a legitimate center fielder.

  Michael Bourn, Shane Victorino and B.J. Upton are eligible for free agency next offseason, and the Nats also are high on three of their center-field prospects – Brian Goodwin, Michael Taylor and Eury Perez.

  None, though, has yet to play above Class A.

  Goodwin, the 34th overall pick in last year’s draft, is the team’s fifth-ranked prospect, according to Baseball America. Taylor, who draws comparisons to Mike Cameron, took perhaps the biggest jump of any player in the system last season. Perez is a speedster with offensive potential.

  • As I reported on Twitter earlier this week, the Cubs, Marlins and Tigers are the three clubs scouting Cuban outfielder Yoennis Cespedes most closely in the Dominican.

  Cespedes finally hit the open market Wednesday. The bidding for him is certain to be intense, if for no other reason than the new spending limits on international amateur talent will limit clubs in most foreign markets. (Cuban defectors and Asian players who are older than 23 and have more than five years professional experience will not be subject to the restrictions.)

  Starting with the 2012-13 signing season, each club will be allocated a signing-bonus pool. The pools will be equal in 2012-13, then will vary based on reverse order of winning percentage thereafter. Clubs that exceed their respective limits will be subject to penalties.

  • Remember Kosuke Fukudome?

  He remains a free agent, and the Brewers showed interest in him before paying a combined $4.75 million for Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoiki — a $2.5 million posting fee and a two-year, $2.25 million contract.

  Fukudome, who had a combined .712 OPS last season for the Cubs and Indians, wants to remain in the majors, according to a source with knowledge of his thinking. Some executives, however, believe he may end up back in Japan.

  • Speaking of Japanese players, Rangers right-hander Koji Uehara had such a positive experience in Baltimore, he recommended the Orioles to the two free-agent lefties the team signed out of the Japanese league, Tsuyoshi Wada and Wei-Yin Chen, according to a major-league source.

  Uehara invoked his limited no-trade protection to reject a deal to the Blue Jays this week, sources say, prompting the Jays to sign free-agent righty Francisco Cordero to a one-year, $4.5 million contract.

  A trade back to the Orioles is a possibility.

  • The Red Sox are talking to free-agent right-hander Edwin Jackson, who could be open to a one-year deal.

  Two years ago, agent Scott Boras negotiated such a “pillow” contract with the Red Sox for another of his clients, third baseman Adrian Beltre.

  One executive, however, points out that the AL East offers no such soft landing for a starting pitcher. If Jackson signs for one year, he might be better off in the NL, where he could produce better numbers before going back into the open market.

  — Ken Rosenthal

   

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• Ibanez preparing to bounce back

  January 25, 2012 by KenRosenthal

  Raul Ibanez says even he rolls his eyes on occasion when he reads about players vowing to produce big years. But Ibanez, who remains a free agent, is confident that he will bounce back strong, even though he turns 40 on June 2.

  The reason: A revelatory three-day session that Ibanez had in December with Cubs hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo.

  “It took him every bit of about 20 minutes, and he completely changed what I was doing,” Ibanez says. “I consistently produced line drives, over and over again. He simplified everything for me.

  “The last two years, I was trying to do 200 different things at once. Now I’ve got three different checkpoints. Every time I take a swing that is not right, I go to those three things.”

  Ibanez says he also worked with Jaramillo before the 2002, ’08 and ’09 seasons. The two did not work prior to ’10, when Ibanez was recovering from surgery to repair a sports hernia. And last offseason, Ibanez says he went, “in a totally different direction, doing some other stuff that didn’t work out.”

  Ibanez finished with a .289 on-base percentage, his lowest since 1998, and a .419 slugging percentage, his lowest since ’99. Two awful slumps — an 0-for-35 and a 5-for-44 — contributed mightily to his disappointing numbers with the Phillies.

  Still, Ibanez finished with 32 doubles, 20 home runs and 84 RBI. It was his 10th straight season of 30 or more doubles. He has reached 20 homers in six of his last seven seasons, 80 RBI in nine of his last 10.

  “I know 2012 is going to be way better than 2011,” Ibanez says. “I didn’t know quite how I was going to do it. But I knew I was going to do it.

  “Now I expect that (2012) is going to be great. That’s the different level I went to. I haven’t felt this good since I left for spring training in ’09 — the last time I worked with Rudy.”

  Ibanez, who lives in the Miami area, says he plans to visit Jamarillo in Texas on Tuesday for a “touch-up” session.

  The Yankees, in need of a DH, are one possible fit for Ibanez, who was a teammate of Alex Rodriguez’s in both the minors and majors with the Mariners and became close with Yankees hitting coach Kevin Long when the two were together in the Royals’ organization.

  — Ken Rosenthal

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• Why Nakajima did not sign with Yankees

  January 07, 2012 by KenRosenthal

  Japanese infielder Hiroyuki Nakajima is a classic example of the flaws in the posting process, the system used to transfer professional players between Japan and North America.

  Nakajima, 29, wants to plays in the majors. His Japanese team, the Seibu Lions, posted him in December, indicating they were willing for him to leave — and willing to collect a posting fee from the highest bidder.

  But Nakajima will not play in the majors in 2012, and Seibu will not collect a fee. Instead, Nakajima will return to Seibu after failing to reach a deal with the New York Yankees and become an unrestricted free agent after next season.

  The Yankees won Nakajima’s rights with a bid of $2 million, envisioning him in a utility role. Nakajima, who batted .297 with 16 homers, 100 RBI and 21 stolen bases for Seibu last season, wants to play every day.

  His agent, Greg Genske, issued this statement Saturday:

  “Nakajima has been one of the best, most highly regarded position players in Japan over the past several years, combining Gold Glove defense at shortstop with the ability to hit for power, hit for average and steal bases. At 29 years old, he is ready to begin a career in the Major Leagues. Unfortunately, he is going to have to wait a year.

  “Under the posting system, Nakajima was permitted to negotiate only with the New York Yankees. While the Yankees are obviously a tremendous franchise and Nakajima was honored by their interest, the Yankees have All-Stars at every infield position, and from the outset it seemed dubious that they would have a role for him commensurate with his abilities and goals.

  “Out of respect for the Yankees and for the process, we engaged in discussions, but it became clear that this was not a good fit at this stage of his career. Nakajima’s decision had nothing to do with money; he just didn’t feel that he would be using his abilities to the fullest and helping his club to the maximum extent possible in the role that the Yankees envisioned for him.

  “It is unfortunate that Nakajima could not discuss opportunities with major league clubs having more suitable roles available, but that time will come. Nakajima is grateful to the Seibu Lions for posting him and to the New York Yankees for their interest.”

  The posting system was created in 1998 to ensure compensation for Japanese clubs that lost star players. Nakajima will be a free agent next year because players with nine or more years of service are exempt.

  While waiting one more year does not appear to be a terrible outcome for Nakajima, a failure to reach agreement with a major league club had serious consequences for another Japanese player, right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma.

  The Oakland Athletics won the rights to Iwakuma last offseason with a bid of $19.1 million. They offered him a four-year, $36 million contract, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. But the two sides did not reach a deal.

  Iwakuma, 30, returned to his Japanese club, the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, but missed two months with a sore shoulder last season. His value dropped considerably; he recently signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Seattle Mariners.

  — Ken Rosenthal

   

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• Starting pitching notes: Kuroda, Burnett, Saunders

  January 04, 2012 by KenRosenthal

  • Multiple executives say they were told by the agent for Hiroki Kuroda that the free-agent right-hander will get between $11 million and $13 million per year. A source close to Kuroda says no such claim was made.

  Kuroda, who turns 37 on Feb. 10, may have received an offer at that level from a Japanese club or a major-league team that does not interest him. His representative continues to circle back to other major-league teams, sources say.

  • The Yankees have had no success in their efforts to trade right-hander A.J. Burnett, who is owed $16.5 million in each of the next two seasons.

  The Pirates expressed interest at one point, sources say, and a rival executive speculated that the Braves could pursue Burnett if they trade right-hander Jair Jurrjens; the Braves finished second to the Yankees in the free-agent bidding for Burnett after the 2008 season.

  Burnett, however, is guaranteed $16.5 million in each of the next two seasons, and teams are asking the Yankees to pay most or all of his remaining salary, sources say.

  The Yankees still want to add a starting pitcher, but are discouraged by the current prices of free agents such as Kuroda, Roy Oswalt and Edwin Jackson.

  • Free-agent left-hander Joe Saunders is entertaining one- and two-year offers and might even command a three-year deal, sources say.

  The Orioles are known to be interested, and Saunders also would fit nicely for the Tigers, who lack a proven left-handed starter.

  The Marlins, another team that has discussed Saunders, are more focused on the trade market, sources say. Rays right-hander Wade Davis remains one of the Marlins’ targets.

  — Ken Rosenthal

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• Sources: Tigers join pursuit of Cubs’ Garza

  December 30, 2011 by JonPaulMorosi

  The Detroit Tigers have emerged as a suitor for Chicago Cubs starter Matt Garza.

  Interest in Garza has picked up recently, major league sources say, and the Tigers are involved. Multiple teams are pursuing Garza aggressively, increasing the odds that the right-handed starter will be dealt before spring training.

  The New York Yankees are interested in Garza, but one source said they are not currently engaged because of the Cubs’ asking price. Garza’s rising salary — likely more than $8 million in 2012, with another year of salary arbitration thereafter — could become problematic because of the Yankees’ proximity to the luxury-tax barrier.

  However, unlike many available pitchers, Garza already has proved he can win in the rugged American League East. Given that, and the Yankees’ continued need for pitching, the Bronx can’t be ruled out as a possible destination.

  The Tigers have quietly pursued starting pitchers throughout the offseason. They tried to acquire Gio Gonzalez before he was dealt from Oakland to Washington, but those efforts stalled when the A’s demanded righty Jacob Turner and third baseman Nick Castellanos. Because Garza comes with fewer years of control, the Cubs would be less likely to insist on both Turner and Castellanos in talks with Detroit.

  The Toronto Blue Jays have discussed Garza with the Cubs, but one source said there has been no recent momentum toward a deal. The Blue Jays were serious enough about upgrading their rotation that they submitted a posting bid for Japanese pitching star Yu Darvish in December.

  The Boston Red Sox hope to add at least one starting pitcher and are fond of Garza, but they don’t have active trade talks with the Cubs right now, according to one source. It’s unclear if Boston has the prospects to swing a deal for Garza after using so much minor league depth to acquire relievers Andrew Bailey and Mark Melancon.

  — Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal

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• Source: Yankees win Nakajima negotiating rights

  December 07, 2011 by FOXSports

  The New York Yankees have won negotiating rights to Japanese SS Hiroyuki Nakajima, according to a source.

  There's no guarantee the Yankees will sign Nakajima, as both sides must now negotiate a contract. The Yankees now have a 30-day exclusive negotiating window with the 29-year old shortstop.

  Nakajima strongly preferred playing for a team on the west coast, so it will be interesting to see if he's willing to play in New York in a utility role.

  — Ken Rosenthal

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• Uncertainty persists over star pitcher Darvish

  November 25, 2011 by JonPaulMorosi

  Major League Baseball is still waiting on star Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish, and some around the game are beginning to question whether he will even be available for the 2012 season.

  The Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters — Darvish’s current team — were expected to announce after the Japan World Series whether Darvish would be posted for MLB clubs. But the Japan Series ended about a week ago, and there has been no word from the club.

  One source with close knowledge of Darvish’s thinking said Friday afternoon it remains “more likely than not” that the right-hander will come to the major leagues in 2012. The source added that there has been no deadline placed on the posting decision.

  But consider the timeline of Daisuke Matsuzaka’s posting after the 2006 season. About six weeks passed between his posting and the signing of his contract with the Boston Red Sox. If Darvish’s process is of similar length, he won’t sign with an MLB team until the middle of January. And that’s probably the best-case scenario.

  Darvish’s status could affect the plans of the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox, both of whom are in the market for starting pitching. The general managers of the Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays scouted Darvish in person this season.

  — Jon Paul Morosi

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• Sources: Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs pursuing Buehrle

  November 16, 2011 by JonPaulMorosi

  As recently as spring training, Mark Buehrle spoke publicly about the possibility of retirement after the 2011 season. That’s not going to happen. In fact, it’s possible that the free-agent left-hander will sign a contract that rivals the four-year, $56 million deal he signed in 2007.

  Buehrle is young enough to justifiably ask for a deal of that length. He will be 33 at the start of next season — the same age as Cliff Lee, who has four years left on his contract with the Phillies.

  Buehrle isn’t all that much older than fellow free-agent C.J. Wilson, who turns 31 this week, and both lefties are in high demand. Chicago Cubs officials met with Buehrle’s agent on Tuesday — the second time they had done so.

  The Yankees and Red Sox, both in dire need of pitching upgrades, are pursuing Buehrle, sources say. Other interested clubs include the White Sox, Blue Jays, Royals, Angels, Marlins, Nationals and Diamondbacks.

  — Jon Paul Morosi

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