Rumor: Giants interested in Jeter?

Last week, New York Yankees GM Brian Cashman told the face of the franchise, Derek Jeter, that he should be talking to other teams and that if he could do better than the three years and $45 million offer the Yanks had on the table, he should take it.

Not the most welcoming tone, but then again, the word is that Jeter and his agent, Casey Close, came into the offseason thinking he could sign with the Yanks for six years and $150 million after the 36-year-old batted only .270 and didn't have his strongest season in the field.

Jeter has supposedly adjusted his expectations slightly lower but the two sides are still far apart in negotiations.

While most parties still figure that Jeter will end up in pinstripes next season, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that the San Francisco Giants have at least contacted Close about the shortstop. (He also represents Giants catcher Buster Posey.) "They are not seriously pursuing (Jeter) at the moment, according to a person familiar with the team's thinking," the paper reports. But at least contact on the subject has been made.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/rumors/p...urn=mlb-289855

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [November 29, 2010 at 9:12am CST]
mlbtraderumors.com

MONDAY, 9:12am: The Mets' internal discussions about trading Reyes were just "normal due diligence," reports Andy Martino of the New York Daily News, and he's more likely to stay with the team for 2011.

WEDNESDAY, 4:37pm: Jose Reyes is available, but the Mets want three or four players in exchange for their shortstop, according to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter). Reyes, 27, earns $11MM in 2011 before becoming a free agent. He hit .282/.321/.428 with 30 steals and 50 extra base hits in 603 plate appearances last year.

There's no indication that Mets GM Sandy Alderson is actively shopping Reyes, but there would be a market for him. Earlier today, Schulman reported that the Giants are focusing on finding a shortstop. Along with the Cardinals and Padres, they have interest in free agent Miguel Tejada. Tejada, Juan Uribe, Cesar Izturis Jason Bartlett, J.J. Hardy, Marco Scutaro and others are potentially available, but in general the shortstops available via trade or free agency aren't overly appealing.

Also from MLBTR

Dodgers Closing In On Deal With Juan Uribe
By Tim Dierkes [November 29 at 12:29pm CST]

12:29pm: Uribe's contract with the Dodgers will be for three years and $21MM, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

11:38am: The Dodgers are closing in on a three-year deal with free agent infielder Juan Uribe, reports ESPN's Buster Olney. After a couple of solid seasons for the Giants, Uribe is about to snag his first multiyear free agent deal with their division rival.

Uribe, 31, hit .248/.310/.440 with 24 home runs in 575 plate appearances for the Giants this year, adding a pair of postseason home runs. He mainly played shortstop, but also logged time at third base and second base. Uribe would presumably serve as the Dodgers' second baseman with Rafael Furcal in the fold. The contract may seal Ryan Theriot's fate, with Thursday's non-tender deadline looming. Another effect may be a heightened sense of urgency for the Giants as they search for a shortstop. Uribe is a Type B free agent who was offered arbitration by the Giants, so they'll receive a supplemental draft pick for their loss.

BOOOOOOOOOOO ribe has left the building

Dodgers Reach Agreement With Juan Uribe
By Tim Dierkes [November 29 at 1:25pm CST]

Juan Uribe is leaving the Giants for the rival Dodgers on the first multiyear free agent deal of his career. The infielder agreed to a three-year, $21MM contract with the Dodgers today.

Uribe, 31, hit .248/.310/.440 with 24 home runs in 575 plate appearances for the Giants this year, adding a pair of postseason home runs. He mainly played shortstop, but also logged time at third base and second base. Uribe will presumably serve as the Dodgers' second baseman with Rafael Furcal in the fold at short. The contract may seal Ryan Theriot's fate, with Thursday's non-tender deadline looming. Another effect may be a heightened sense of urgency for the Giants as they search for a shortstop. Uribe is a Type B free agent who was offered arbitration by the Giants, so they'll receive a supplemental draft pick for their loss.

Uribe's agent Barry Praver engineered the deal. He did well in getting three years, though Uribe was a hot commodity in a weak market for middle infielders. On November 2nd, MLBTR correctly predicted Uribe would sign with the Dodgers.

ESPN's Buster Olney first reported that a three-year deal was close, while Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweeted the amount and agreement.

Giants To Sign Miguel Tejada
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [November 30, 2010 at 7:00pm CST]

The Giants agreed to sign Miguel Tejada to a one-year deal worth $6.5MM, according to Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes (on Twitter). The infielder obtains a $500K bonus from the Giants, according to Rojas.

WTF? Wow. How are the Dodgers able to sign anyone right now?

I doubt that jeter would go to the giants, leaving all his money behind. We need some younger prospects, not just allstars. We are better off having posey than jeter, by far!

Im really excited about Miguel Tejada, and I cant wait to watch him on opening day!