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In a piece for the New York Times, Jonah Keri makes a rather interesting and detailed case for the Yankees to get younger next season. While the dangers of complacency are numerous, he highlights the 2002 Anaheim Angels as the classic cautionary tale for what Yankees general manager Brian Cashman faces in the coming months.…

According to Jeff Zrebiec and Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles are poised to be “buyers” this offseason, as they are in a better financial position than they have been in more than a decade. “It’s the fun part of the job. This is the time for us to go up and hit,”…

Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com report that the Indians are unlikely to trade Kerry Wood this offseason. According to the report, in order to trade him they would have to eat a significant chunk of Wood’s $10.5 million salary for 2010. With the overabundance of closers available this winter, the demand doesn’t…

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe is back with his latest batch of Hot Stove goodies. Here’s a quick run-down of some of the more interesting tidbits: – Gary Sheffield isn’t done. The 41-year-old slugger wants to return for his 23rd season and he has 3,000 hits on his mind. “After talking to my wife…

Adam Rubin of the Daily News writes that the Royals have identified the Mets as a potential trading partner for Jose Guillen. According to the report, the Royals aim to acquire an inexpensive outfielder in return for Guillen and are impressed with Angel Pagan. Limited to just 81 games in 2009 due to various injuries…

After reaching an impasse regarding a contract extension for Josh Johnson, his agent Matt Sosnick was rather blunt about the 25-year-old’s future in Florida during an interview with MLB.com on Saturday. “As far as our feelings are concerned, and I feel very strongly that this is true, that Josh either signs a long-term deal now…

Responding to fans who felt the new Citi Field wasn’t a tribute to the blue ‘n’ orange as much as it was a baseball field with a neat little entrance way dedicated to Jackie Robinson, the Mets announced plans to expand the presence of club history throughout the ballpark for its second season. – The…

“We would like to sign him, he is an original Blue Jay and we have never had a pitcher as good as him. But he is not inclined to sign with us.” – Blue Jays president and CEO Paul Beeston, while talking about the future of Roy Halladay with the New York Post. Giddy up,…

According to Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker, free agent Jose Contreras is considering a move to Japan. Contreras’ 16-year-old son is hoping to take part in an exchange program with a Japanese high school. According to a Sanspo.com report, Contreras reached out to the Hanshin Tigers earlier this week. Though the Tigers have likely ruled…

Jon Heyman of SI.com “tweets” that the Red Sox may stay in touch with Jason Bay, however “competing execs believe they’re looking at hard at alternatives now.” Before hitting free agency, Bay reportedly rejected a four-year contract offer from Boston worth approximately $60 million. Speaking of alternatives, Mike Silverman of the Boston Herald reported on…

Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune writes that many in the Cubs’ front office feel they would be foolish to give up top prospect Starlin Castro to acquire Curtis Granderson from the Tigers. Castro, a 19-year-old shortstop has drawn weighty comparisons to Hanley Ramirez and Derek Jeter with his play in the Arizona Fall League,…

While we’re on the subject of top prospects, Dustin Ackley, the No. 2 selection in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft also made news on Friday. Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said Ackley will begin working out at second base in a move that could become permanent. Ackley, 21, played outfield and first base with North…

Go ahead and wipe that sweat from your brow, Nats fans. It looks like Stephen Strasburg is going to be just fine. The number one selection of the 2009 First Year Player Draft made a precautionary visit to Dr. Lewis Yocum in California on Friday after an MRI on his left knee showed some inflammation.…

Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports “tweets” that the Blue Jays and Dodgers have revisited talks on a potential Roy Halladay trade. While Brown acknowledged that the two sides were talking, he later cited a source close to the two teams saying that a deal is “highly unlikely” as of now. This comes on the heels…

New Padres general manager Jed Hoyer had a two-hour meet-and-greet with Adrian Gonzalez’s agent John Boggs on Friday amid speculation of a possible trade or contract extension for the 27-year-old first baseman. “We just really got to know each other initially,” Boggs said. “Obviously Adrian was a large part of the conversation, but there wasn’t…

He might be. During an interview with Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, Bobby Jenks was critical of the White Sox organization and manager Ozzie Guillen for comments about his weight and conditioning. ”Did I feel I was being picked on? No,” Jenks said in a phone interview. ”But I felt I was the easy…

According to the Miami El Nuevo Herald, Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman has left Athletes Premier International (API) and agent Edwin Mejia in favor of Hendricks Sports Management. Now, keep in mind that the article is in Spanish, and with my loose translation, it doesn’t indicate whether Chapman broke any specific terms with API, but Mejia…

Here’s a few Hot Stove items of note as we eagerly await 12:01 am on Friday: – Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com thinks that if the Tigers aim to cut payroll, they should consider trading Miguel Cabrera to the Red Sox. Likewise, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe thinks Cabrera should be on Boston’s short-list of…

The following are the top ten free agents, as ranked by 2009 WAR, or Wins Above Replacement (compiled with FanGraphs): 1) Chone Figgins – 6.1 2) Matt Holliday – 5.7 3) Joel Pineiro – 4.8 4) Felipe Lopez – 4.6 5) Marco Scutaro – 4.5 6) Mike Cameron – 4.3 7) John Lackey – 3.9…

Some have speculated that Matt Holliday’s relationship with new hitting coach Mark McGwire might be one of the selling points to keep him in St. Louis. Well, think again. In an interview with Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune, agent Scott Boras attributed Holliday’s early season struggles to swing changes McGwire had made during offseason…

Making his first Arizona Fall League start in 12 days, Nationals prospect Stephen Strasburg blanked the Peoria Saguaros over 3 1/3 innings on Saturday, allowing just one hit while striking out six and walking two. Strasburg tossed 36 of 64 pitches for strikes while his fastball was clocked as high as 99 mph. The 20-year-old…

We’re just one week away from when the free agency floodgates open, meaning that we’re in the calm before the Hot Stove storm. Here’s a few links to keep you busy on this Saturday: – David Lennon of Newsday writes that the Mets intend to be serious bidders for free agent starter John Lackey. General…

Whether you buy the rumors of a possible Curtis Granderson trade or not, their most valuable asset is ace Justin Verlander. The 26-year-old workhorse was 19-9 with a 3.45 ERA in 2009, leading the majors with 35 starts, 240 innings pitched and 269 strikeouts. While stopping short of deeming any player “untouchable,” general manager Dave…

According to a report from Mike Silva’s New York Baseball Digest, Carl Crawford is “livid” over management’s decision to pick up his $10 million option for next season and now wants out of Tampa. Says a source with the knowledge of the situation: “He wants out of Tampa bad. He had a handshake agreement with…

According to Kevin Kernan of the New York Post, Edgardo Alfonzo wants one more shot to end his career with the Mets. “My dream is to retire with the Mets colors,” Alfonzo said. “That’s my dream. That’s what I’m praying for, maybe it will happen, maybe not, but dreams sometimes come true, you know. Alfonzo…