Roundup: New suitors for Halladay

Angels and Phillies said to lead chase for prized hurler.


While most general managers, agents and media members are boarding planes out of Indianapolis on Thursday, here's a look at some of the happenings from the conclusion of the Winter Meetings on a short Day 4.

Angels, Phillies lead Halladay chase
Though the Red Sox and Yankees -- and, to some extent, the Dodgers and Rays -- continue to work on the possibility of acquiring Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay through a trade, Major League sources told MLB.com's Jordan Bastian that the Angels and Phillies may actually be leading the pack, though no deal is imminent.


FOXSports.com attributed unnamed Major League sources in saying that the Phillies are offering a package of young players that "likely" includes left-hander J.A. Happ and one of two outfielders, either Dominic Brown or Michael Taylor. The Toronto Sun reported that the Angels are offering left-hander Joe Saunders, shortstop Erick Aybar and Minor League center fielder Peter Bourjos.

In speaking to MLB.com's Lyle Spencer, Angels general manager Tony Reagins said he had "no reaction" to the Sun's report, saying, "In this environment, a lot of things get thrown around. It's somebody else's job to decipher."

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. wouldn't comment on Halladay specifically, but when asked about his team's chances of landing a big-time starting pitcher in a trade, he told MLB.com's Todd Zolecki, "Is there any way possible? I guess there is. Is there a likelihood of us getting involved in something that's that big? Probably not."

Red Sox, Rangers agree on deal to send Lowell to Texas
After both sides contemplated the proposed deal, MLB.com's Ian Browne reported that the Red Sox have agreed in principle to send veteran infielder Mike Lowell to the Rangers for catcher Max Ramirez. The deal is expected to take two or three days to go through because both players still have to undergo physicals and Lowell has had hip problems the last few seasons. The Red Sox could add Adrian Beltre to play third base as ESPN.com reported that Boston is "infatuated" with the free agent third baseman.

Mets stake their claim for Molina, Bay
As expected, Mets general manager Omar Minaya offered a contract to free-agent catcher Bengie Molina, and a source confirmed to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo that they made an additional offer to outfielder Jason Bay. According to the New York Post, that offer is roughly four years at $60 million, which is similar to the one Bay rejected last month to return to Boston. The Red Sox are still believed to be the top suitor for Bay, DiComo pointed out, and the Mariners are also in the mix. So Minaya will have his hands full if he wants to add a Silver Slugger who just hit 36 homers and drove in 119 runs to his lineup next season. Newsday reported on Wednesday morning that Molina's offer is in the two-year, $12-million range. But the veteran may seek a third year.

Yankees engage in talks with Damon
Perhaps Scott Boras' insistence is working. Despite the Yankees' acquisition of Curtis Granderson in a three-team deal this week, Boras, Johnny Damon's agent, has stressed that the Yankees still need his client to return as the club's No. 2 hitter so that Granderson -- who had a subpar .327 on-base percentage in 2009 but belted 30 homers -- could hit lower in the lineup.

On Thursday, ESPN.com cited Major League sources in reporting that the Yankees have begun contract negotiations with Damon, the club's left fielder last season, who batted .282 with a .365 on-base percentage. The 36-year-old Damon made $13 million in the final season of his four-year, $52 million deal. If New York is unable to re-sign Damon, it will likely look to free agents Mark DeRosa and Mike Cameron, ESPN.com added.

For now, Bradley is still a Cub
The Rays seemed to make sense, but the Winter Meetings came and went with disgruntled Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley remaining just that -- a disgruntled Cubs outfielder. As MLB.com's Carrie Muskat wrote, Cubs GM Jim Hendry doesn't feel a sense of urgency to make a deal. But Chicago seemingly can't do much without first trading Bradley, who's owed $21 million over the next two seasons.

Soriano-to-Rays deal completed
In a swap of right-handed relievers, the Rays agreed to send Jesse Chavez to the Braves for Rafael Soriano in a deal that won't be announced until Friday but was completed on Thursday evening, a team source told MLB.com. Soriano surprisingly accepted the Braves' arbitration offer, which could land him $6.5 million to $7 million next season, though Tampa Bay could negotiate an entirely new deal. The Rays had struggles in the back end of their bullpen this past season, and Soriano could step in as the closer, with J.P. Howell being the setup man.

Yankees' Gardner on the trading block?
Now that the Yankees have acquired former Tigers center fielder Curtis Granderson, they have an excess of outfielders, so young center fielder Brett Gardner could be on the trading the block. The Chicago-Sun Times reported that the White Sox have interest in Gardner while ESPN.com reported that the Royals also have interest in the speedy 26-year-old.

Giants make offer to DeRosa?
It's no secret that the Giants are looking to beef up their offense next season and the San Jose Mercury News is reporting that the club made an offer to versatile free agent Mark DeRosa. Yahoo! Sports also reported San Francisco has interest in DeRosa because he can play multiple positions, which could be key if Pablo Sandoval remains at third base.

Royals release Jacobs, Bale
You can add a power-hitting first baseman and lefty reliever to the free-agent market, as the Royals have released Mike Jacobs and John Bale, MLB.com's Dick Kaegel writes. Both are coming off sluggish years, and the Royals needed to make room on the 40-man roster for their Rule 5 Draft selections. Jacobs belted 32 homers for the Marlins in 2008 but hit just .228 with 19 homers and 61 RBIs while serving primarily as a designated hitter for Kansas City this past season. Bale began the season on the disabled list after undergoing thyroid surgery, and though he finished the year pitching in a career-high 43 games, his ERA was 5.72.

Astros snatch Feliz
The Astros signed third baseman Pedro Feliz to a one-year, $4.5 million deal, sources told MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. The Astros had no comment. Known primarily for his defense, the 34-year-old Feliz played in 158 games for the Phillies last season, batting .266 with 12 homers and 82 RBIs.

Rockies looking to lock up both catchers
According to the Denver Post, the Rockies signed catcher Chris Iannetta to a three-year deal worth $8.3 million. The contract, which is still pending the completion of a physical, would carry Iannetta through his arbitration years and includes a $5 million club option for his first year of free agency, the Post added. Iannetta, who turns 27 on April 8, began the '09 season as the starting catcher but lost his job to Yorvit Torrealba after slumping. Despite that, MLB.com's Thomas Harding believes Iannetta's youth and power have the club believing he can handle being the frontline backstop again. Meanwhile, Harding is reporting that a two-year deal for Torrealba in the $5 million-$5.5 million range is still pending.