Tracy to Pittsburgh?
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/6165654
NAPLES, Fla. - Notes from the general managers' meetings:
Third baseman Aramis Ramirez actually is guaranteed $75 million in his new five-year deal with the Cubs, not the $73 million that was initially reported.
The extra $2 million, according to sources with knowledge of the contract, comes from a buyout if the team fails to exercise his option for 2013.
Ramirez received full no-trade protection for the first four years of his deal, the sources said, and his contract stipulates that any team that acquires him in the fifth year will be obligated to exercise his sixth-year option.
Believe it or not, the Cubs again granted Ramirez an escape clause, this time after his fourth year instead of after his second. The risk isn't as great; Ramirez figures to be less attractive at 32 than he was at 28.
While the Angels were believed to be the team most interested in Ramirez if he tested the free-agent market, the Orioles, Padres, Giants and Phillies were perhaps more willing to meet Ramirez's desire for a six-year deal, sources said.
The Cubs still want to add two starting pitchers, and free-agent left-hander Ted Lilly appears to be one of their principal targets. The team has made early contact with Lilly's agent, Larry O'Brien, who describes the Cubs as an "intriguing" possibility.
O'Brien is familiar with new Cubs manager Lou Piniella; his brother, former major-league first baseman Pete O'Brien, played for Piniella with the Mariners in 1993.
Lilly, 30, also is drawing significant interest from NL West clubs, O'Brien said. Lilly might prefer a west-coast team; his wife, Tasha, will be a third-year veterinary student at the University of California at Davis next season.
The White Sox are fielding calls on each of their five veteran starters, and several rival executives believe that GM Ken Williams could move quickly on a trade.
Righties Freddy Garcia and Javier Vazquez and lefty Mark Buehrle are signed through 2007, while righty Jon Garland is under contract through '08 and righty Jose Contreras through '09.
The Rangers are one potential trade partner; the Sox probably would want one of the Rangers' pitching prospects and another young player in return.
Williams can proceed without restriction in his trade discussions; none of the Sox's starting pitchers has no-trade protection.
The Pirates are another club that could trade a starting pitcher; their rotation includes three left-handers —Zach Duke, Paul Maholm and Tom Gorzelanny — with less than two years of service time.
Such pitchers are immensely coveted, but difficult to part with. The Pirates would prefer to move a reliever — their three left-handed relief specialists include closer Mike Gonzalez. But starters have greater trade value.
The Pirates, who want to add a left-handed hitting slugger at right field or first base, surely would be tempted if they could acquire such a bat — the Diamondbacks' Chad Tracy, for example — for one of their starting pitchers.
Free-agent possibilities such as Trot Nixon and Aubrey Huff are likely to be snapped up by more competitive clubs.
One GM with interest in free-agent outfielder Dave Roberts anticipates that the Brewers will make a strong push to sign Roberts to bat leadoff and play center field.
By signing Roberts or free-agent center fielder Juan Pierre, the Brewers further would increase their outfield depth, raising the possibility that Geoff Jenkins and/or Kevin Mench could be traded. Roberts, however, is in heavy demand; the Mets, Braves, Dodgers and White Sox are among the other teams interested.
Bill Hall, who impressed GM Doug Melvin with his outfield play during the major-league All-Star tour of Japan, is perhaps the Brewers' leading candidate to play left.
Infielder Craig Counsell is another popular free agent. The Padres are one of several clubs that view him as a potential regular at second. Other teams like him as a super-utility man. One — believed to be the Blue Jays — wants him as an everyday shortstop.
Counsell, 36, would prefer to play for a contender, according to his agent, Barry Meister. His savvy play and outstanding makeup make him an excellent fit for a winning club.
Free-agent first baseman Nomar Garciaparra won't lack for options if he fails to reach an agreement to return to the Dodgers.
Garciaparra could fit at first base for the Yankees, Orioles and Indians, and the Padres are interested in signing him to play second.
In addition to pursuing a left-handed hitting first baseman, the Tigers also might need to acquire a veteran left-handed reliever to replace free agent Jamie Walker; the two sides are far apart in negotiations, according to a source with knowledge of the talks.
Left-hander Wilfredo Ledezma again could contribute out of the bullpen next season. Lefty Andrew Miller, who joined the Tigers' bullpen in September after the team made him its first-round draft pick in June, is likely to open as a starter at Class A.
