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• D-Backs talking to trio of teams about Reynolds

  December 02, 2010 by KenRosenthal

  Mark Reynolds is available on the trade market, and the Arizona Diamondbacks have spoken with at least three interested teams about the slugging third baseman, according to major league sources.

  The Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and San Diego Padres have expressed varying levels of interest in Reynolds, the sources said.

  The Blue Jays are included on Reynolds' no-trade list, which could make it difficult for Arizona to deal with Toronto.

  The extent of San Diego's interest is unclear. Reynolds' power - 32 home runs and 85 RBI, despite a .198 batting average - could be a big asset for the Padres, particularly if they trade Adrian Gonzalez before the end of the 2011 season, as many expect.

  -Ken Rosenthal

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• Latest on Berkman

  December 02, 2010 by KenRosenthal

  The glut of first base/DH types on the open market isn’t preventing Lance Berkman from drawing serious early interest.

  Berkman, 34, met with Oakland A's officials Tuesday night in his hometown of Houston. He recently told FOXSports.com the Cubs also were one of eight teams to contact him, and mentioned the Rockies, Cardinals, Pirates and Blue Jays in an interview with the Houston Chronicle.

  While Berkman said his preference is the National League, the A’s wouldn't use him strictly as a DH. The team's open to him playing in left field, right field and first base while rotating their DHs, sources said.

  The Denver Post reported Wednesday night that the Rockies were strongly in the mix for Berkman. However, the team’s initial financial offer was “low,” according to a source.

  The A’s have identified Berkman as their No. 1 target. Geography could work against them, particularly if a team closer to Houston made a strong push. The Cubs could be that team. They're looking at both Berkman and Carlos Pena, sources say.

  Then again, if the A’s could pay Berkman enough while assuring him of enough playing time in the field, they'd appear to have a legitimate chance of signing him.

  Berkman wants to win and has noted the strength of the A’s pitching staff.

  -Ken Rosenthal

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• Source: Downs will decline salary arbitration

  November 30, 2010 by JonPaulMorosi

  Type A free-agent reliever Scott Downs will reject the Toronto Blue Jays’ offer of salary arbitration, a major league source told FOXSports.com.

  Downs has drawn interest from the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Los Angeles Angels, among others.

  Downs, a 34-year-old left-hander, is not well-known to casual baseball fans, perhaps because he's pitched exclusively for Montreal and Toronto since 2003. He has relatively little experience as a closer.

  However, teams have long coveted him on the trade market, in part because he's had success against difficult American League East lineups. He is likely to sign a multi-year contract as a free agent.

  -Jon Paul Morosi

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• Jays, Jesse Crain have mutual interest

  November 30, 2010 by JonPaulMorosi

  There is strong mutual interest between the Toronto Blue Jays and reliever Jesse Crain, according to multiple major league sources.

  Peter Gammons of MLB Network and NESN reported earlier this week that the Blue Jays were among at least nine teams with interest in Crain.

  Crain was born in Toronto, but his parents returned to the United States within several months of his birth. He graduated from high school in Colorado, and the Minnesota Twins selected him in the second round of the 2002 draft from the University of Houston.

  Crain, 29, is coming off perhaps his best all-around season since 2005. While he has only three career saves in the major leagues, Crain, most often a setup man, is said to have interest in closing.

  So, if all offers are equal, he could favor the team that lacks an established closer. At the moment, the Blue Jays don’t have a closer for 2011, but it isn't clear if the team views Crain as a potential ninth-inning man.

  -Jon Paul Morosi

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• Olivo draws interest from Rangers, White Sox and Blue Jays

  November 17, 2010 by JonPaulMorosi

  Free-agent catcher Miguel Olivo has drawn varying levels of interest from the Rangers, White Sox and Blue Jays, a major-league source told FOXSports.com.

  The Red Sox could also get involved if they're unable to re-sign catcher Victor Martinez.

  Olivo, 32, is seeking a two-year deal. He posted a better OPS than John Buck over the three previous seasons — .759, compared with .747 — and Buck just agreed to a three-year, $18 million deal with the Florida Marlins.

  Olivo batted .269 with 14 home runs and 58 RBI this year for the Colorado Rockies, but his rights were held most recently by the Blue Jays, who acquired him in a trade with Colorado before declining his contract option.

  -Jon Paul Morosi

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• Hafner sees V-Mart as ideal No. 3 hitter

  November 14, 2010 by JonPaulMorosi

  Free agent Victor Martinez is drawing interest from a number of teams, including the Tigers, Rangers, Blue Jays and Red Sox.

  The possible suitors must consider where Martinez would play, since he could fit into an American League lineup at catcher, first base and designated hitter.

  Then there’s the question of where he would bat. Martinez has made most of his career starts in the No. 3 and No. 4 spots.

  In an e-mail to FOXSports.com, former teammate Travis Hafner offered his take on Martinez’s best role.

  “I think Vic is best suited to hit No. 3 in the lineup,” said Hafner, the Cleveland DH who batted in front of and behind Martinez when both were with the Indians.

  “He’s gonna hit .300 every year with 20-plus HRs and 100 RBIs. He’s also a great clutch hitter and someone you want at the plate in a big spot.”

  Hafner also described Martinez as “one of my all-time favorite teammates.”

  “He loves the game of baseball and brings a lot of energy to the park every day,” Hafner said. “He had a different handshake for everyone on the team. That was one of the ways he got everyone ready to play. Most of all, he wants to win. That rubs off on everyone.”

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• Dodgers deny Jays' request to interview Wallach

  October 14, 2010 by FOXSports

  Tim Wallach was considered an early favorite for the Blue Jays’ managing job. He had played 13 seasons for Canada’s other team, the Expos, and managed four years in the Dodgers’ minor-league system, the last two at Triple A.

  As it turns out, though, Wallach will not even interview with Toronto.

  The Dodgers denied permission for Wallach to speak with the Jays, major-league sources say. The reason: Wallach’s contract with the Dodgers only allows him to interview with certain clubs, and the Jays are not one of them, according to a source.

  The Dodgers permitted Wallach to interview recently with the Brewers.

  He also is a potential candidate for the Marlins. It is not known whether he or the Dodgers picked his list of approved teams, or whether it was formed by mutual agreement.

  Wallach, 53, will be a coach for the Dodgers next season if he does not land a managing position with another club. The Dodgers considered him to replace Joe Torre, but chose Don Mattingly instead.

  The Jays, meanwhile, continue to consider a long list of possibilities. Two new candidates - Padres first base coach Rick Renteria and Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell - have been or will be interviewed, according to a major-league source.

  — Ken Rosenthal

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