MLB betting: Hot Stove news and notes

Mets looking at Gio Gonzalez?
In a Twitter post early Friday morning, FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal tweeted that the Mets and Mariners have joined the Marlins, Reds, Red Sox and Rangers as clubs checking up on Oakland’s Gio Gonzalez. The latest news obviously has Gio heading to Washington. (read more)

This is the first time all winter the Mets have been rumored to be looking into acquiring an established Major League player, as opposed to trading one away. As recently as last week, the Mets had discussed dealing their own young left-handed starter, Jon Niese, with a list of teams including the Angels and Yankees.

General manager Sandy Alderson has been adamant in saying that he is looking at trades to improve the Mets both for the future and for 2012. Gonzalez would certainly represent more of the latter than the former; though just 26 years old, he is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, meaning his salary is about to skyrocket.

– Anthony DiComo

Update on Darvish
The New York Post reported late Wednesday night that the Blue Jays were the perceived front-runners to land Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish. The report speculated that Toronto submitted a bid to the Nippon Ham Fighters between $40-50 million but also mentioned the Cubs submitted a large bid of their own at an unknown value.

Toronto’s Alex Anthopoulos and Texas’ Jon Daniels were the only two general managers to watch Darvish pitch in Japan. The Blue Jays also had multiple scouts watch Darvish throughout his season in the Nippon Professional Baseball League where he posted a 1.44 ERA in 232 innings.

The 25-year-old would be a big coup for Anthopoulos, who has made it his offseason priority to upgrade the starting rotation.

– Gregor Chisholm

The latest: What’s up with Yu|
It’s been a full day since the deadline for teams to submit their posting-fee bids for Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish has passed, and it’s the Blue Jays, Rangers and Cubs who are generating the most buzz.

Toronto general manager Alex Anthopoulos had no comment for MLB.com when asked about Darvish, citing club policy, but multiple reports pinned his club, GM Jon Daniels’ Rangers and Theo Epstein’s Cubs as the teams with heavy interest. CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman reported a rumor that at least one Darvish bid is supposed to be very high, north of $50 million, but he said that was not confirmed.

Very few teams have commented publicly on Darvish in any way — never mind officially confirming a bid.

–Jesse Sanchez

Prince and the Cubs
New Cubs manager Dale Sveum has made it no secret about how much he likes Prince Fielder. Could the free-agent slugger call Wrigley Field his home? Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com and Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com both think the Cubs are in the mix in the bidding for Fielder. However, Fielder, 27, and his agent, Scott Boras, are reportedly looking for a 10-year deal close to the $254 million that Albert Pujols received from the Angels. That kind of contract does not appear to fit what Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer have said they want to do in Chicago.

The Blue Jays and Mariners are also reportedly interested in Fielder, who is a career .282 hitter and has averaged 38 homers over the last six years. Fielder has a .298 average at Wrigley Field with 11 home runs and 15 doubles.

The Cubs’ obligations payroll-wise beyond 2012 include $38 million for two more years to Alfonso Soriano and $9.8 million owed Carlos Marmol in 2013. If the Cubs could get Fielder to defer money the way in the first year of his deal the Brewers did with Aramis Ramirez’s contract, it would might be possible.

– Carrie Muskat

Rox talk to Cuddyer; others in the mix
Negotiations continued Thursday between the Rockies and free-agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer. The Mariners, Phillies and a somewhat unexpected suitor, the Twins, are also in the mix. It’s not clear how quickly the Rockies or anyone else can come to an agreement.

Cuddyer has spent his entire Major League career with the Twins, who made him a three-year offer. It was believed that the Twins were no longer a possibility when outfielder Josh Willingham signed for three years and $21 million. But multiple reports said the Twins had not dropped out of the running.

The Rockies’ prime focus is Cuddyer. The team has expressed interest in six-time All-Star outfielder Carlos Beltran, but he is considered a longshot for the Rockies, mainly because of health concerns. Beltran has dealt with serious knee issues, including arthroscopic surgeries on both of them before the 2007 season and a further surgery on the right knee in 2010. The Mets had to be careful with his playing time early last season. Beltran put up strong numbers after being traded to the Giants for their lat-season run. However, the Giants have not signed him even though they have a need in the outfield.

Cody Ross remains a possibility to be signed to work in a tandem in left field with Seth Smith. If Cuddyer is signed, expect the Rockies to attempt to trade Smith to fill other holes.

– Thomas Harding

Twins agree to deal with Willingham
The Twins have officially agreed to terms with outfielder Josh Willingham on a three-year, $21 million contract.

Willingham, 32, batted .246 (120-for-488) with 26 doubles, 29 home runs and 98 RBIs in 136 games with the Oakland Athletics last season.

– MLB.com

Dobbs remains option for Miami
MIAMI — Greg Dobbs is attracting interest from several teams, one of them being the Nationals. But a return to the Marlins still remains a possibility for the veteran infielder.

Miami remains in the mix to sign Dobbs as a free agent. In 2011, he was a bargain, signing a Minor League deal with an invitation to Spring Training.

Dobbs, 33, initially was used as a left-handed bat off the bench, but he ended up getting regular playing time, mainly at third base.

Dobbs batted .275 with eight home runs and 49 RBIs in 411 at-bats. As a pinch-hitter, he made big impact, hitting .370 (10-for-27) with a home run and eight RBIs.

– Joe Frisaro

Rosenthal: Romero close to one-year deal with Cardinals
The Cardinals and left-handed reliever J.C. Romero are close to agreeing on a one-year deal, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com.

The 35-year-old Romero, who has spent parts of 13 seasons in the Majors, combined to go 1-0 with a 4.01 ERA last season with the Phillies and Rockies.

After appearing in 31 games as a reliever and starter with the Twins from 1999-2001, Romero broke in with the club in ‘02 as a reliever, the only role he has pitched in since. He pitched three full seasons for the Phillies from 2008-10, posting a 3.04 ERA in 162 games in that span.

– Cash Kruth

Cuddyer, Rox continue to talk
The Twitter universe says Michael Cuddyer will reach an agreement with the Rockies by the end of today. From what I’ve been told, the sides continue to negotiate but the end of today may not be feasible. Terms aren’t known, but it could be lucrative: Cuddyer was reported to have a three-year deal for around $25 million from the Twins on the table. I’m reading the Mariners and Reds also have approached Cuddyer.

If or when it does happen, don’t be surprised if left-handed hitting Seth Smith is dealt quickly. Such a deal would clear a crowded outfield, and it would be the best way for the Rockies to fill other holes, especially pitching.

Whatever the Rockies cleared in trading pitcher Huston Street to the Padres and infielder Ian Stewart to the Cubs will be spent on Cuddyer, or another outfielder if the Rockies go in that direction (such as Carlos Beltran).

Smith ranks as the best hope for acquiring a pitcher capable of 200 innings to help the rotation along until Jorge De La Rosa completes his comeback from Tommy John left elbow surgery, which should be sometime around June. Lower-cost options such as Kevin Millwood, Jeff Francis or recently non-tendered Joe Saunders will come into play, also.

As for free-agent right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, the chances of such a signing are doubtful considering what the Rockies will spend on the outfielder.

– Thomas Harding

Red Sox ink Punto to two-year deal
Veteran infielder Nick Punto signed a two-year deal worth $3 million plus $500,000 in incentives with the Red Sox on Wednesday, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network and CBS Sports.

Punto, a member of the 2011 World Series Champion Cardinals, instantly fills an infield void created earlier Wednesday afternoon when Boston sent infielder Jed Lowrie to Houston along with right-hander Kyle Weiland in exchange for reliever Mark Melancon.

Punto returns to the American League after spending one year in the Senior Circuit with the Cardinals. The 34-year-old enters his 12th season in the big leagues. He hit .278 with one home and 20 RBIs in 63 games with the Cardinals last season.

Punto is a career .249 hitter with 14 home runs and 218 RBI in 887 career games.

– Jon Star

Red Sox deal Lowrie, Weiland to Astros for Melancon
The Astros have acquired infielder Jed Lowrie and pitcher Kyle Weiland from the Red Sox in exchange for reliever Mark Melancon.

The Astros acquired Melancon from the Yankees at the Trade Deadline in 2010 as part of the Lance Berkman deal. Lowrie, a 27-year-old switch-hitter, would satisfy the Astros’ need for a shortstop following the departure of Clint Barmes in free agency. He’s a career .252 hitter with 19 homers and 117 RBIs in 256 games with the Red Sox since 2008, and he batted .252 with six homers and 36 RBIs last season.

Weiland, 25, is a right-hander who made his Major League debut last season and was 0-3 with a 7.66 ERA in seven games (five starts). A third-round pick of the 2008 Draft, he went 23-31 with a 3.51 ERA in 90 career games in the Minor Leagues, including 85 starts.

Melancon, 26, could fill the Red Sox’s need for a closer. He pitched in a career-high 71 games for the Astros last season and was 8-4 with a 2.78 ERA and saved 20 games. He took over as closer in the first half of the season after Brandon Lyon went down with an arm injury.

– Brian McTaggart

Going for Gio
The buzz around Oakland starter Gio Gonzalez continues.  On Tuesday, CBSSports.com reported that the Red Sox, Blue Jays, Rangers and Tigers are among the teams pursuing a trade with the A’s to acquire the left-handed pitcher.

According to the Miami Herald, the A’s asked the Marlins for a package that included Logan Morrison or Mike Stanton for Gonzalez. ESPN’s Buster Olney later reported that the A’s did not ask for Morrison.

Oakland doesn’t need to trade Gonzalez this winter and it won’t if it isn’t offered a sizable return, but the club — in a state of limbo because of an unclear stadium situation — is making all of its players not named Jemile Weeks available. The A’s are open to offers that would net them a handful of prospects who could christen a potential new stadium in a few years.

– Jesse Sanchez

Twins, Willingham reportedly moving toward deal
The Twins are close to signing free-agent outfielder Josh Willingham, according to a tweet on Tuesday evening from Ken Rosenthal of MLB Network and FOX Sports. The Twins’ pursuit of Willingham comes as the club attempts to re-sign free agents Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel. Should one or both sign elsewhere, Willingham would likely fill the void in left field.

The Twins, however, would not confirm an agreement with Willingham. A team official would only say that the Twins have continued to talk with the free agent, but it’s not a done deal.

If signed, Willingham will suit up for his fourth team in five seasons after spending last season in Oakland, where he hit .246 with 29 home runs and 98 RBIs in 136 games — his first stint in the American League. Willingham, who is a career .262 hitter, spent the previous two seasons with the Nationals after playing his first five seasons with the Marlins.

According to Rosenthal, the Rockies are pushing to sign Cuddyer to a multiyear contract, possibly worth more than $10 million per season.

– Jon Star

Bourjos on Pujols, Morales and Trumbo|
Angels center fielder Peter Bourjos has a unique take on the first-base logjam the Angels now have. He’s good friends with Mark Trumbo, has been spending some time with Kendrys Morales in Arizona and, like so many of us, was absolutely stunned when he found out his club had signed Albert Pujols.

Bourjos was originally going to play Winter Ball, but opted against it after nursing hip and groin ailments the end of the season. Now, Bourjos is in Arizona, working out at Fit-Life and (along with Morales) rehabbing at Physiotherapy Associates. Bourjos now says his hip feels “the best it’s felt in a long time.” Next week, he plans on running — he originally tried about a month ago, but his hip flared up and he shut it down — and restarting baseball activities, essentially putting him right on normal schedule.

I’ll have more on Bourjos later this week, but for now, here’s what he said about the Angels’ first basemen …

On how Morales looks: “He looks real good. He’s in real good shape, and he looks like he’s moving around real good. I think he’s been hitting a little bit in the cage. I see him every other day, and he says his ankle is feeling really good.”

On whether he’s confident Morales will run at full speed this spring: “I think so. Right now, obviously, you never know what’s going to happen. I think he’s still in the treadmill and everything. But he says it feels a lot better than it did last year at the same point, so I think he’s hoping that everything goes well. And I hope so, too, because he’s going to be a big part of the team.”

On his reaction to Pujols: “Yeah, I was shocked about Pujols. I was thinking that we’d probably get C.J. [Wilson], just because he might fit more with the budget, just becasue of everything Arte [Moreno] had said about the budget and keeping it at $140 [million]. So I said, ‘All right, C.J. will fit good there.’ And I just kind of dismissed us getting Pujols just because of how much money it was and the track record of us missing out on the big free agents, whether it was [Carl] Crawford or [Mark] Teixeira or just guys like that. The night before [on Wednesday], I went to bed, and I woke up with my phone ringing and I look. My buddies are texting me that we signed Pujols and I was like, ‘Holy cow!’ I was shocked. But at the same time, I was really excited and happy. I couldnt’ go back to bed. It was like 8 in the morning.”

On if Pujols instantly makes them a title contender: “Yeah, I think so. I think the last couple of years since Kendrys went down, we were missing that big bat in the middle of the lineup. He’ll fit in there with any team. But it’s going to be great with all those guys helping in the middle of the order, and I think he’s going to help out the whole lineup in general. It just makes our whole team better.”

On whether Trumbo can play third base on an everyday basis: “I think so. I’ve seen him since he was 18 — because he signed in ‘04, I signed in ‘05 — he’s come so far with his bat. And defensively, too. He works his butt off. I think if he puts his mind to it, he can do it. He’s a hard worker, he’s a bulldog, he’s going to get after it, and I honestly think that he can go out there and do it. I know that he’s going to start at some point after the holidays, start working. He works his tail off, so I don’t see any reason why he can’t make that adjustment. He has a tremendous arm, too, so that’s going to help him out over there.”

– Alden Gonzalez

Rox pursue Beltran in addition to Cuddyer
The Rockies are trying to sign free-agent outfielder Carlos Beltran, two Major League sources told MLB.com on Tuesday. The Rockies’ involvement with Beltran was first reported Tuesday by CBS Sports.

A six-time All-Star, Beltran is coming off a 2011 in which he hit a combined .300 with 22 home runs and 84 RBIs for the Giants and Mets. He hit .323 with seven homers and 18 RBIs in 44 games after the Giants acquired him for a late-season stretch run.

The switch-hitting Beltran, who turns 35 on April 24, is a career .283 hitter with a .361 on-base percentage, and has 302 home runs and 1,146 RBIs. In 25 career games at Coors Field, Beltran has hit .276 with six home runs, 24 RBIs, nine doubles and a triple. He has compiled an .880 OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) at Coors as well.

The Rockies’ search for an outfielder to bolster their lineup has led them to pursue free-agent Michael Cuddyer, who is considering a three-year offer with the Twins, the team with which he has spent his entire Major League career.

It is not clear when a decision from Beltran, who has fielded interest from the Cardinals and the Red Sox, or Cuddyer will come. The Rockies are looking at signing one outfielder to bolster the lineup. Cody Ross’ name has surfaced, but the Rockies are not pursuing him at this time. They are unlikely to do so until after looking at other possibilities.

That outfielder, however, will not be Josh Willingham, whose name has been connected with the Rockies in recent days. Willingham’s agent, Matt Sosnick, said Willingham’s decision is down to three teams but the Rockies are not one of them, and Rockies sources say they have not been in on Willingham.

The Rockies currently have an outfield, with Seth Smith in left, Dexter Fowler in center and Carlos Gonzalez in right. However, the Rockies have been dangling Smith, a left-handed hitter with strong numbers against righty pitching, in trade talks in attempts to shore up other areas of the club.

– Thomas Harding

In Boston: Shoppach in, Varitek out?
The Red Sox are reportedly close to bringing veteran catcher Kelly Shoppach back to Boston this year, which could mean the end of a long run for Jason Varitek in a Red Sox uniform.

ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick first reported the $1.35 million deal Tuesday, and MLB.com’s Ian Browne has since confirmed it. It will be the second stint for Shoppach with the Red Sox. He was Boston’s top pick in the 2001 First-Year Player Draft, taken in the second round.

The deal is guaranteed, which means Ryan Lavarnway will be at least in a competition for Jarrod Saltalamacchia’s backup job, if Lavarnway isn’t outright ticketed for Triple-A Pawtucket.

It also means that a window for Varitek to return for a 16th season in Boston is virtually closed. Varitek, who turns 40 in April and is a free agent, has played his entire Major League career with the Red Sox.

For more MLB news and notes visit MLB.com and their writers’ hot stove blogs…

– Joey Nowak

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