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...

San Diego Padres sign David Eckstein

Seeking help in the middle infield after trading Khalil Greene, the San Diego Padres signed SS / 2B and former Cardinal David Eckstein to a one year deal, terms undisclosed. Eckstein hit a combined .265 with Arizona and Toronto last year.

Michael Barrett Agrees to a Deal with the Blue Jays

I'll admit that I am a little surprised by this, but catcher Michael Barrett signed a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays and will be invited to Spring Training. I actually thought with the number of teams looking for veteran catching talent that some team would take a flier on him for a free agent major league contract even though Barrett was recovering from being injured in the face last year (he only played in 30 games).

Braves offer Burnett 4 year deal but Yanks also in pursuit

The Atlanta Braves, who had offered a four-year deal with a fifth-year option worth a guaranteed $60-65 million before the meetings, have also expressed a willingness to go to five years on Burnett if necessary. The New York Yankees, making a hard late charge to beat out the Atlanta Braves for A.J. Burnett, offered the free agent right-hander a guaranteed five-year contract Wednesday, a baseball source told ESPN.com. The 2008 AL strikeout leader is reportedly seeking a 5 year deal in the neighborhood of the 5 year, $91.5 million deal Cubs' Carlos Zambrano received.

Crasnick says BoSox looking at AJ Burnett

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN says that Boston Red Socks general manager Theo Epstein spoke with A.J. Burnett's agent by phone last Tuesday to express the team's interest in the free-agent right-hander. He says decision to reach out and call agent Darek Braunecker was a clear sign that the Red Sox are ready to try and compete with the Blue Jays and the Yankees and several other clubs for Burnett, an 18-game winner for the Blue Jays in 2008. See article here. I wonder if this is just Boston trying to drive up the price on the Yankees.