Agent: Nine teams interested in Ken Griffey
Ken Griffey JR went from went from 30 home runs in 2007 to 18 in 2008 but that hasn’t stopped many teams around the league showing interest in one of the all time greats. – Cincinnati Enquirer. Seattle and Tampa Bay have been mentioned as potential landing spots.
The Angels, unwilling to meet Mark Teixeira’s desire for a 10-year contract, are in discussions with CC Sabathia and could offer him a contract that approaches the $140-million bid extended to him by the New York Yankees. The Angels appear reluctant to guarantee more than seven years in a contract for Teixeira, said a source familiar with the club’s thinking.- LA Times
TIOPS Take: The Yankees, Giants, Brewers and Dodgers are all in the mix. The best case scenario for the baseball is for Sabathia to sign with the Brewers. Would be a good sign for small market teams
Orioles remain potential suitor for A.J. Burnett
The Baltimore Orioles remain very interested in Blue Jays pitcher A.J. Burnett. Burnett is believed to be seeking a 5 year deal but the Orioles haven’t signed a free agent pitcher to a deal longer than 3 years. The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and the Blue Jays, have been linked to Burnett. In the N.L. the ¬†Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves are believed to be in the mix. – Baltimore Sun
Varitek on the Tigers, Dodgers radar
Agent Scott Boras denied that he had received a one-year contract offer from the Sox for free agent catcher Jason Varitek. “I’ve had no financial discussions with (Red Sox general manager) Theo (Epstein) regarding Jason Varitek,” Boras said. The Dodgers and the Tigers have also been linked to Varitek – Boston Herald
Furcal close to signing?
According to Paul Kinzer the agent for Rafael Furcal, his client is down to three or four teams and could sign very soon. The A’s, Giants, Dodgers and Braves are believed to be the top four teams in the Furcal sweepstakes. The A’s and Giants are rumored to have offered Furcal a four year deal in the $48M-$52M range. – SF Chronicle