Phillies, Blue Jays Looking at Plan B re Halladay

Both the Phillies and the Blue Jays are looking at their other options vis a vis Roy Halladay, according to many reports. Although it woul benefit both teamms to do a deal, apparently the Phillies have determined that the asking price is too much. In response, the Phillies are eyeing a deal for Cliff Lee of the Indians, and the Blue Jays may be in talks with the Yankees...stay tuned...Friday is the trading deadline...

Carl Pavano to sign with the Cleveland Indians

The Cleveland Indians have agreed to a one year, incentive laden contract with the much injured former New York Yankee Carl Pavano. If anyone thinks that the New York Yankees are guaranteed to win the Series, one need only look at how much the Yankees paid for Pavano. Pavano was paid $40 million over four years with the Yanks and made a total of 26 starts in those four years, 7 last year, or almost $1 million a strikeout. The Indians deal is reported to be $1.5 million guaranteed with incentives that could bring the deal to $6.8 million.

Astros sign OF Jason Michaels to One Year Deal

The Astros signed Jason Michaels to a one-year contract worth $750,000. He can play all three outfield positions, and can, if needed, play on a regular basis. Michaels, 32, didn't exactly light it up last year when he hit .224 with eight home runs and 53 RBIs in 123 games with the Indians and Pirates in 2008. In 50 pinch-hit appearances last season, Michaels hit .200 and recorded 13 RBIs, ranking third in the Majors in RBIs as a pinch-hitter. Michaels started his major league career and played with the Phillies when Ed Wade was the GM, so presumably Wade knows his makeup.

Mets get setup man Putz in 3 way trade

The New York Mets have acquired J.J. Putz from the Mariners to serve as the setup man to new closer Francisco Rodriguez.

The Mets also received outfielder Jeremy Reed and right-hander Sean Green from Seattle. The Mariners received outfielder Franklin Gutierrez from the Indians and, from the Mets, right-hander Aaron Heilman, center fielder Endy Chavez and four Minor Leaguers -- first baseman Mike Carp, right-hander Maikel Cleto, left-hander Jason Vargas and center fielder Ezekiel Carrera. The Indians received right-hander Joe Smith from the Mets and infielder Luis Valbuena from the Mariners.

Wood, Tribe agree to two year deal

The Cleveland Indians and free agent closer Kerry Wood have agreed to a two year deal today, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Wood offered 2-year deal to close for Tribe

Kerry Wood and the Cleveland Indians are close to a two year deal, but according to Peter Gammons of ESPN, the Tribe are still exploring other options for their most glaring need, with Trevor Hoffman and Brian Fuentes being the most likely possibilities left in the closer market.

And the news starts to fly...

The Astros, clearly determining that Mike Scott and Charlie Kerfeld are busy, signed Mike Hampton to a 1 year deal (pending physical)... Rumors also that former Astros Andy Pettite and Bobby Abreu, in addition to Jason Giambi, were not offered arbitration by the Yankees. As expected, Ben Sheets and CC Sabathia were offered arbitration, but Kerry Wood, the former Astro-killer, was not offered arbitration. Many teams were going to announce their arbitration decisions on Tuesday, December 2.

Indians to look at Astros' Valverde and Wiggington?

Although I thought that Wiggington would be an Astro next year, looks like the Tribe may be interested in a deal for Valverde and Wiggington, at least according to this article. Valverde is likely going to be trade bait for the Astros, since a team that is likely rebuilding is not going to be looking for a closer, but I see Wiggington staying with the Astros as he has a Drayton McLane temperment. I guess we'll see.