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• What the heck is taking Cuddyer so long?

  December 15, 2011 by KenRosenthal

  Many in the industry are baffled that free agent Michael Cuddyer is taking so long to make a decision.

  A small, random sampling of executives produced some theories about why Cuddyer has yet to sign with the Rockies or any other team:

  • Cuddyer is waiting to see if the Phillies retain free-agent shortstop Jimmy Rollins.

  The Phillies likely will need offense if they lose Rollins and turn to Freddy Galvis at shortstop. They’ve already added Ty Wigginton, who overlaps with Cuddyer, batting right-handed and playing many of the positions. They’ve also added Laynce Nix, who is expected to share left field with John Mayberry.

  Cuddyer, though, would create more of an impact than either Wigginton or Nix, and his former teammate with the Twins, Jim Thome, surely is lobbying for the Phillies to sign him.

  • Cuddyer still could return to the Twins, who on Thursday announced the signing of another free-agent outfielder, Josh Willingham, to a three-year, $21 million contract.

  The Twins might find it difficult to squeeze both Willingham and Cuddyer into their budget, but they also might find it difficult to part with Cuddyer, who has spent his entire 11-year career in Minnesota.

  The team’s latest offer to Cuddyer was for three years in the $24 million to $25 million range, sources say. It is not known how strongly they are still in the mix.

  • Cuddyer could be an alternative for the Mariners if they fail to sign free-agent first baseman Prince Fielder.

  The Mariners are pursuing Cuddyer, sources say, but the extent of their interest is unclear. Their home park, Safeco Field, favors left-handed power hitters and would be a better fit for Fielder or Cuddyer’s former Twins teammate, free-agent outfielder Jason Kubel.

  • Cuddyer is entertaining offers from other teams.

  Some executives believe the Orioles might be involved in the bidding for Cuddyer, who is from Chesapeake, Va. A source with knowledge of the Orioles’ plans, however, said that Cuddyer is “not a leading topic” for new GM Dan Duquette.

  Another possibility is that teams are attempting to make trades to clear a spot for Cuddyer — or trying to trade for similar types such as White Sox right fielder Carlos Quentin.

  Those teams surely would inform Cuddyer’s agent, Casey Close, of their plans, further stalling the process.

  — Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi

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• For Phillies, everything hinges on Rollins

  December 05, 2011 by KenRosenthal

  The rest of the Phillies’ offseason hinges on whether they re-sign free-agent shortstop Jimmy Rollins, a negotiation that one rival agent describes as “an epic Roman battle” between two strong-willed men, Rollins and Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.

  If the Phillies do not keep Rollins, they intend to play rookie Freddy Galvis at short and lose considerable offense at the position. Their next move — the one for another bat — is where things would get interesting.

  The Phillies, according to two reports, are interested in free-agent third baseman Aramis Ramirez, a move that could require them to trade their current third baseman, Placido Polanco.

  They are actively trying to move Polanco, according to a rival executive.

  The pursuit of Ramirez could be a ploy to get Rollins to come off his desire for a five-year deal. Ramirez, who turns 34 in June, does not fit the Phillies’ desire to get younger — Rollins, 33, is an exception because of his history with the team. Some teams also question Ramirez’s makeup.

  The other option, of course, would be for the Phillies to add another bat in their outfield. The team reached agreement with free agent Laynce Nix, a left-handed hitter, on a two-year, $2.5 million contract Sunday. But Nix might simply be a hedge in case Amaro is unable to get another outfielder he wants.

  The Phillies, one source said, have cooled on free agent Michael Cuddyer, viewing his best position as right field, where Hunter Pence is under control for two more seasons. Another free agent, Jason Kubel, might be too expensive and require too long a contract. Still another, Carlos Beltran, could be had on a shorter term, but at a higher salary — and he’s 34.

  Plenty of other outfielders are available either on the open market or in trade, and Amaro is always aggressive, always full of surprises. Maybe his next move is Ramirez. Maybe it’s an outfielder. Or maybe he’ll just settle his epic Roman battle with Rollins.

  — Ken Rosenthal

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• Nationals facing numerous decisions

  March 22, 2011 by KenRosenthal

  The Nationals are a team to watch as the spring draws to a close. The team is trying to trade Ivan Rodriguez to clear the No. 1 catching job for Wilson Ramos and also faces decisions on outfielders Nyjer Morgan and Roger Bernadina, major-league sources say.

  

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  The thinking on Rodriguez is that he might be unhappy in a backup role. The Red Sox are among the clubs that the Nationals contacted about a trade, but the Sox are content with Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Jason Varitek, sources say. The only catcher the Sox want to add is a veteran who could provide insurance at Triple A.

  The Nationals might prefer a third catcher, Jesus Flores, to start the season at Triple A; one rival executive says that Flores, coming off a right-shoulder injury, still isn’t throwing well. So, if the Nats traded Rodriguez, they might need to find another veteran catcher to back up Ramos.

  Meanwhile, the competition in center field remains intense. The Nats could end up using a platoon of Rick Ankiel, a left-handed hitter, and Jerry Hairston, a switch-hitter. If that happens, both Morgan and Bernadina will be squeezed; the Nats plan to keep veterans Matt Stairs and Laynce Nix as bench players, sources say.

  One area of concern for the Nats is the bullpen; Drew Storen, the projected closer, has an 11.74 ERA in seven appearances this spring, and the team now plans to use a committee to protect late-inning leads.

  Righty Henry Rodriguez, obtained from the A’s in the Josh Willingham trade, has struggled but is out of options. Righty Brian Broderick, a Rule 5 pick from the Cardinals, has allowed just one run in 12-2/3 innings.

  — Ken Rosenthal

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