221 The Latest Buzz from around the Majors 329 66 5 1 57141 Jon Heyman 10084 New York NY 0 http://img.fannation.com/images/layout/profile-headshot.gif MLB Pedro Martinez's performance in the WBC has apparently rekindled interest by some MLB teams <p>The Indians, Pirates and Mets, who have long had interest in Cooperstown-bound pitcher <strong>Pedro Martinez</strong>, have been joined by the Dodgers. And according to Martinez's agent <strong>Fern Cuza</strong>, a couple more additional teams have recently entered the mix.</p> <p>Martinez apparently sparked extra interest with a scoreless cameo for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.</p> <p>But while executives with four different teams tell SI.com that they're interested at some price,&nbsp;that price still may not be Pedro's price, which is between $5 million and $8 million, according to those executives.</p> <p>The Indians, Pirates and Mets, who have long had interest in Cooperstown-bound pitcher <strong>Pedro Martinez</strong>, have been joined by the Dodgers. And according to Martinez's agent <strong>Fern Cuza</strong>, a couple more additional teams have recently entered the mix.</p> <p>Martinez apparently sparked extra interest with a scoreless cameo for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.</p> <p>But while executives with four different teams tell SI.com that they're interested at some price,&nbsp;that price still may not be Pedro's price, which is between $5 million and $8 million, according to those executives.</p> <p>Baseball executives with three of the interested teams suggest a gap remains between Pedro's figures and&nbsp;what they're willing to pay. Martinez's asking price could be considered reasonable given the $5 million guaranteed deals that <strong>John Smoltz</strong> and <strong>Brad Penny</strong> got, said two executives, but both suggested the sinking economy and completed payrolls may make that a reach now.</p> <p>Martinez has said publicly that he wouldn't pitch for as little as $1 million guaranteed, and would instead prefer to remain on his fishing boat if he can't get what he believes he's worth. But his performance in the WBC and expanded interest should guarantee he'll easily beat that figure, even in a brutal and worsening market.</p> <p>Cuza said he would begin sorting out the interest early next week with callbacks to the interested teams. In some cases, it may take a GM going back to his owner to request an expanded budget.</p> <p>One club executive said he believes Martinez prefers the National League, but Cuza characterized Martinez's thinking as "open'' to other alternatives.</p> <p>"What he's looking for is a chance to win,'' Cuza said.</p> <p>Martinez enhanced his chances to get closer to what he seeks with a very nice three-inning performance for the Dominican Republic before it was shockingly eliminated by the Dominican Republic</p> <p>"Pedro feels better than his first year with the Mets,'' Cuza said.</p> <p>The agent declined to name or confirm any of the interested teams, but baseball executives say Los Angeles, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and the Mets all have some level of interest.</p> <p>Dodgers general manager <strong>Ned Colletti</strong> and manager <strong>Joe Torre</strong> publicly spoke of some interest within the last few days. The Dodgers were mentioned as a potential match on SI.com a month ago.</p> <p>The Indians "have an eye on Pedro but are tapped out (financially),'' according to someone familiar with their situation.</p> <p>The Pirates are monitoring the situation but also aren't believed likely to meet Martinez's asking price.</p> <p>Martinez has said he'd love to go back to the Mets, but&nbsp;he and New York remain far enough apart financially that that scenario seems fairly remote. Martinez, who made $53 million in his four years in New York, has fans in the organization in GM <strong>Omar Minaya</strong> and pitching guru <strong>Guy Conti. </strong>But right now the Mets are most seriously considering <strong>Livan Hernandez</strong> plus youngsters <strong>Jon Niese</strong> and <strong>Bobby Parnell</strong> for their fifth starting job. Should Martinez's price drop, the Mets still might get back into the mix, however.</p> Pedro Martinez, Cleveland Indians, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Los Angeles Dodgers 2009-03-14T13:30:23-04:00 2009-03-14T13:30:23-04:00 2009-03-15T13:51:29-04:00 12 55521 Jon Heyman 10084 New York NY 0 http://img.fannation.com/images/layout/profile-headshot.gif MLB Manny Ramirez's new $45-million, two-year Dodgers deal is worth $42,005,723 according to the union filing obtained by SI.com. Ramirez is to be paid $25 million for 2009 and $20&hellip; <p><strong>Manny</strong> <strong>Ramirez</strong>'s new $45-million, two-year Dodgers deal is worth $42,005,723 according to the union filing obtained by SI.com.</p> <p>Ramirez is to be paid $25 million for 2009 and $20 million for 2010. But the actual payouts are as follows: $10 million in '09, $10 million in '10, $8.33 million in '11, $8.33 million in '12 and $8.33 million in '13. He is to receive no interest on the deferred payments, bringing the value down nearly $3 million from $45 million to $42 million.</p> <p>For Ramirez, the key is the ability to void thee contract after 2009, at which point he can become a free agent.</p> <p>A full no-trade provision is also in the contract.</p> <p><strong>Manny</strong> <strong>Ramirez</strong>'s new $45-million, two-year Dodgers deal is worth $42,005,723 according to the union filing obtained by SI.com.</p> <p>Ramirez is to be paid $25 million for 2009 and $20 million for 2010. But the actual payouts are as follows: $10 million in '09, $10 million in '10, $8.33 million in '11, $8.33 million in '12 and $8.33 million in '13. He is to receive no interest on the deferred payments, bringing the value down nearly $3 million from $45 million to $42 million.</p> <p>For Ramirez, the key is the ability to void the contract after 2009, at which point he can become a free agent.</p> <p>A full no-trade provision is also in the contract.</p> 2009-03-06T20:55:36-05:00 2009-03-06T20:55:36-05:00 2009-03-08T22:19:58-04:00 62 55081 Jon Heyman 10084 New York NY 0 http://img.fannation.com/images/layout/profile-headshot.gif MLB Free agent pitcher Rodrigo Lopez signed a minor league deal with the Phillies, SI.com has learned.Lopez last pitched in the major leagues with Colorado in 2007, going 5-4 in 14&hellip; <p>Free agent pitcher Rodrigo Lopez signed a minor league deal with the Phillies, SI.com has learned.<br /><br />Lopez last pitched in the major leagues with Colorado in 2007, going 5-4 in 14 starts with a 4.42 ERA.</p> Rodrigo Lopez, Philadelphia Phillies 2009-03-05T14:28:08-05:00 2009-03-05T14:28:08-05:00 2009-03-05T14:28:08-05:00 0 54661 Jon Heyman 10084 New York NY 0 http://img.fannation.com/images/layout/profile-headshot.gif MLB There is no agreement yet, but Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers continue to discuss a two-year deal worth $45 million. <p><strong>Manny Ramirez</strong> is flying to Los Angeles for a face-to-face meeting with Dodgers owner <strong>Frank McCourt</strong> amid great optimism that a deal can finally be forged.</p> <p>The Manny-McCourt meeting is expected to be the ultimate step in finalizing the long-discussed two-year, $45 million&nbsp;contract with a player opt-out clause after one, assuming all goes well. Negotiations have been contentious at times, and the main parties apparently want to meet to patch up their differences before spending the next one or two years together.</p> <p>Ramirez's travel plans suggest an extremely positive development in the ultra-difficult negotiations between the mercurial superstar and the storied franchise.</p> <p><strong>Manny Ramirez</strong> is flying to Los Angeles for a face-to-face meeting with Dodgers owner <strong>Frank McCourt</strong> amid great optimism that a deal can finally be forged.</p> <p>The Manny-McCourt meeting is expected to be the ultimate step in finalizing the long-discussed two-year contract with a player opt-out clause after one, assuming all goes well. Negotiations have been contentious at times, and the main parties apparently want to meet to patch up their differences before spending the next one or two years together.</p> <p>Ramirez's travel plans suggest an extremely positive development in the ultra-difficult negotiations between the mercurial superstar and the storied franchise.</p> <p>The deal is still not quite done, according to Dodgers sources. However, there appears to be optimism on all sides. Ramirez was quoted on the <em>Los Angeles Times</em> Web site speaking optimistically about playing for the Dodgers.</p> <p>It is believed the deal will be for the same $45 million -- $25 million for 2009 and $20 million for 2010 --&nbsp;they've been talking about for quite awhile. Ramirez would have the option to opt out after the first year.</p> <p>McCourt had been threatening in recent days to "start from scratch,'' or "start fresh,'' but it appears the deal is close to the same structure and money they've long been discussing.</p> <p>ESPN Deportes <strong>Enrique Rojas</strong> first reported the sides had an agreement Tuesday evening, and while the sides have maintained that no deal is in place, it appears likely that they are headed that way.</p> Manny Ramirez, Los Angeles Dodgers 2009-03-03T23:22:25-05:00 2009-03-03T23:22:25-05:00 2009-11-12T11:50:31-05:00 11 54261 Jon Heyman 10084 New York NY 0 http://img.fannation.com/images/layout/profile-headshot.gif MLB Free agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera has agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract with the Oakland A's, SI.com has confirmed.Cabrera hit .281 with 57 RBIs and 93 runs in 161 games&hellip; <p>Free agent shortstop <strong>Orlando Cabrera</strong> has agreed to a one-year, $4 million contract with the Oakland A's, SI.com has confirmed.<br /><br />Cabrera hit .281 with 57 RBIs and 93 runs in 161 games last season for the White Sox.<br /><br />This has been an active offseason for the Athletics, who traded for <strong>Matt Holliday</strong> and brought back <strong>Jason Giambi</strong> with a one-year deal.<br /><br />Oakland will be the fifth team Cabrera has played for during his 11-year career. He's a .274 career hitter and has won two Gold Gloves.<br /><br />Yahoo! Sports first reported the agreement.</p> Orlando Cabrera, Oakland, Athletics, Matt Holliday, Jason Giambi 2009-03-02T17:15:22-05:00 2009-03-02T17:15:22-05:00 2009-03-03T20:42:38-05:00 6