12/09: Hot Stove: Hideki Matsui, Rule 5, Rafael Soriano, Ben Sheets
Posted by: Patrick
Hideki Matsui: MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reports that Brian Cashman has met with Hideki Matsui's agent, Arn Tellem. He said that the meeting was "informative," but that if Godzilla was to return to the Bronx, it would be as a designated hitter only. Nick Pietruszkiewicz of ESPN passes on a comment from Buster Olney who says that, regardless of what happens with Damon, it is "increasingly unlikely" that Matsui will be back.
Rule 5: Having picked up the top Rule 5 draft pick, Chad Jennings mentions that the team could take one of it's own players (as the Nationals), allowing them to have, in effect, protect an extra player.
Rafael Soriano: As expected, reliever Rafael Soriano has given the Braves the OK to trade him, after accepting the team's arbitration offer. David O'Brien of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution says that the Yankees are among the teams "the Braves have talked to about Soriano." Via Tim Dierkes.
Ben Sheets: Joel Sherman at the Post notes that Casey Close, who represents free agent starter Ben Sheets will meet with the Yankees and Mets, among other teams. Via Tim Dierkes.
Rule 5: Having picked up the top Rule 5 draft pick, Chad Jennings mentions that the team could take one of it's own players (as the Nationals), allowing them to have, in effect, protect an extra player.
Rafael Soriano: As expected, reliever Rafael Soriano has given the Braves the OK to trade him, after accepting the team's arbitration offer. David O'Brien of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution says that the Yankees are among the teams "the Braves have talked to about Soriano." Via Tim Dierkes.
Ben Sheets: Joel Sherman at the Post notes that Casey Close, who represents free agent starter Ben Sheets will meet with the Yankees and Mets, among other teams. Via Tim Dierkes.
