Off Season Rumor/ News thread- not for discussion

[Will M]

Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports that the White Sox are listening to offers for Dayan Viciedo and Alejando De Aza.
Gonzales says they're looking for either a big left-handed bat or prospects in return. Not surprisingly, the Mariners -- who have been connected to pretty much every hitter on the market -- have expressed interest in Viciedo, while the Reds are considering De Aza. Vicedo belted 25 homers in 2012 but also had an ugly 120/28 K/BB ratio. De Aza hit .281/.349/.410 with nine homers and 26 steals.

[jhu1321]

Rosenthal suggesting a possible Fowler for Leake/Stubbs package.


http://mlbbuzz.yardbarker.com/blog/m...?new_post=true

[Benihana]

Rays Still Seek Catcher
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [December 7 at 2:45pm CST]
The Rays continue “poking around” for a catcher, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). They asked at least one team about the possibility of working on a three-way trade that would send Devin Mesoraco from Cincinnati to Tampa Bay.

Mesoraco, 24, appeared in 54 games with the Reds this past season, posting a .212/.288/.352 batting line in 184 plate appearances. He entered the season as the 16th-best prospect in MLB, according to Baseball America. The Rays currently have Jose Molina, Jose Lobaton, Robinson Chirinos and Chris Gimenez as internal catching options.


Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#yDvrvMmVfF1uqCmc.99

[REDREAD]

Another writer speculates that the Reds might be interested in a one year deal for Bourn

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...the-reds-radar

[max venable]

old news

[Gallen5862]

Reds To Sign Ryan Ludwick
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [December 7 at 4:07pm CST]
The Reds agreed to sign Ryan Ludwick, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer first reported the Reds were making progress toward a deal with the BHSC client.

The Reds made the free agent outfielder a two-year two-year offer earlier in the week, but Fay reported that at least one other club was being more aggressive on Ludwick. The 34-year-old posted a .275/.346/.531 batting line with 26 home runs in 472 plate appearances for the Reds this past season.

Ludwick ranked 26th on MLBTR's list of top 50 free agents with MLBTR's Tim Dierkes correctly predicting that he would re-sign with the Reds.


Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#RDk0P4TAdqfthe4t.99

[Guacarock]

MLBTR reports Reds talking to White Sox about a possible deal involving CF Alejandro de Aza. The link:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/1...or-de-aza.html

[klw]

Darren Wolfson ‏@DarrenWolfson

#MLB source: #MNTwins are out on free agent 3B Jack Hannahan. Good chance he signs with the #Reds.

[Gallen5862]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Reds To Sign Ryan Ludwick
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [December 7 at 6:28pm CST]
6:28pm: The contract is for two years plus a mutual option for 2015, tweets John Fay.


Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#k4sLyKQv046Fv7jx.99

[Benihana]

Ohio Notes: Hernandez, Bourn, Mesoraco, Hannahan
By Mark Polishuk [December 7 at 6:45pm CST]
The Indians are still pursuing free agent Kevin Youkilis and still trying to work out a multi-team trade involving Asdrubal Cabrera and the Diamondbacks, reports FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal (Twitter link). The Tribe is also looking at alternative moves in case Youkilis signs elsewhere or the complicated trade fails to materialize. We collected the latest items about the Tribe's pursuit of Youkilis and Nick Swisher earlier today on MLBTR and yesterday looked at the latest mountain of speculation surrounding this rumored multi-team deal that also reportedly involves the Rangers, Rays, Mariners, Justin Upton, Derek Holland and a number of young players.

The Reds have generated a lot of buzz this offseason as well, so let's check in on the latest from both of Ohio's clubs...

Roberto Hernandez isn't expected to sign soon despite "a good market" for his services, reports Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (via Twitter). The Indians remain interested in re-signing Hernandez, who also has at least four other suitors.

Reds GM Walt Jocketty didn't have any discussions about Michael Bourn with agent Scott Boras during the Winter Meetings, reports MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Jocketty doesn't see Bourn as a fit in Cincinnati as the center fielder's asking price “would have to really fall."
The Reds aren't going to trade Devin Mesoraco, a team insider tells John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer (Twitter link). The young catcher was rumored to be a target of the Rays, who were trying to involve another club in a three-team trade that would bring Mesoraco to Tampa Bay.

There is a "good chance" the Reds sign free agent infielder Jack Hannahan, a baseball source tells Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities radio (via Twitter). The Twins have dropped out of the running, though such teams as the White Sox, Marlins and Yankees are among the teams known to share the Reds' interest in Hannahan.

As reported earlier today, the Reds agreed to terms with Ryan Ludwick and have talked to the Rockies about a trade for Dexter Fowler.

Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/#Bk3cIGqudqAlda4U.99

[mdccclxix]

Walt mentioned on an interview at Redsfest he had a trade for a leadoff man that fell through late. Ellsbury?

[Revering4Blue]

Dodgers sign Korean lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu for $36 million.

For all of the bluster, there was never really any doubt this would get done: the Dodgers signed Korean left-hander Hyun-Jin Ryu just before the Sunday afternoon deadline.

CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman reports that it’s a six-year, $36 million contract that includes an opt out after five years if Ryu tops a certain number of innings.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/20...m-ryu/related/

[dougdirt]

Walt mentioned on an interview at Redsfest he had a trade for a leadoff man that fell through late. Ellsbury?

Late to the party, but he mentioned Revere by name at one point.

[Vottomatic]

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/1...n-correia.html

Huge signing! (sarcasm)

The Twins have reached an agreement to sign Kevin Correia, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports (on Twitter). ESPN's Jerry Crasnick first reported that the two sides were nearing a two-year deal, and he adds that Correia will earn $10MM over the life of the contract (Twitter links).
Read more at http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/1...bFTu6bBlAOO.99

$10M for Correia? Teach your kids how to play baseball, ASAP. Unreal.

[klw]

http://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS

Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeymanCBS

willy taveras had 35 ABs w/ nats in '10. only 30 yrs old. minor-league deal w/ spring inviite, agent burton rocks confirms

This will clear the way for Hamilton to choose where he wants to sign and the off season logjam is broken.