THE Cardinals are surprised at the level of interest in center fielder Rick Ankiel. The Yankees, along with the Braves, Rays and Giants, are among at least five teams looking into obtaining him.
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Ankiel, the one-time erratic pitcher, hit 25 homers in just 413 at-bats last seasonr during an injury-disrupted season. He is one year removed from free agency, and, as a Scott Boras client, almost certainly will test the market. However, he should make only about $3 million as an arbitration-eligible player in 2009.
St. Louis has two needs: a closer and a starting pitcher. The Cards have money to spend in just one area. So if they pay heavily for a starter, they will have to scrimp on a closer, and potentially hope home-grown entities such as Jason Motte and Chris Perez grow up quickly to handle the ninth inning.
They do like Oliver Perez, but wonder if they really will be able to afford a Boras client who should have many suitors. They might have to shoot lower with someone such as Jon Garland. Or they could aim higher on a closer with somebody such as Trevor Hoffman and get a young starter in return.
The Cardinals do have some interest, for example, in Ian Kennedy. Remember, the return on Ankiel will not be overwhelming because he has just one year left until free agency.
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The Mets were among several teams to make a phone call to the Rangers about the availability of Michael Young.
For the Mets, it would be as a second-base possibility if they ever were able to dispose of Luis Castillo‘s odious contract. The other teams, however, are calling in regards to Young as a shortstop. The only premium shortstop on the market is Rafael Furcal, and Texas figures with that limited supply, it should at least listen to what offers are being made.
However, Texas is under no financial pressure to remove big contracts. After this season, only Young (five years and approximately $62 million left) and Ian Kinsler will have significant contracts left.
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The Blue Jays have now acknowledged there is almost no way A.J. Burnett is returning. The talented righty opted out of the final two years at $24 million to gauge the market while telling Blue Jay officials that he would still love to return.
The Jays, knowing that comfort with his atmosphere is not easily attained by Burnett, believed that gave them some inside track even with Burnett able to sign anywhere. But as time has passed, Toronto officials have come to believe Burnett will get a better deal elsewhere, perhaps five years with the Braves, perhaps a blow-away offer from the Yanks, especially if they Yanks are unable to land CC Sabathia.
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Though Garrett Atkins’ name has come up a lot this offseason, Rockie officials insist he is not going to be traded. The Rockies continue to be interested in Aaron Heilman, even if it does not involve a Huston Street trade.
The A’s have yet to have a conversation with free agent Jason Giambi, and consider him a back-burner issue at best.