Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com confirmed Tuesday that free agent Nick Johnson has already drawn interest from multiple teams this offseason.
Johnson has reportedly heard from the Mariners, Giants, Mets and even the Yankees, who could use him at DH. The 31-year-old had the highest 2009 on-base percentage of any hitter on the free agent market this winter and an overall batting line of .291/.426/.405. He's been an above-average defender at first base for most of his seven-year big league career.
According to FOXSports.com, the Phillies and Dodgers are both pursuing free agent utilityman Juan Castro.
Castro inked a minor league contract with the Dodgers last winter worth $700,000 and hit .277/.311/.339 while serving as a backup all around the infield. The 37-year-old could serve as a less expensive replacement to free agent Eric Bruntlett in Philly.
Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times believes the Mariners will try to deal second baseman Jose Lopez this offseason.
The M's value things like on-base percentage and defense, and Lopez isn't particularly strong in either fields. With infield prospect Dustin Ackley on the way, the club can trade Lopez now, while his value is highest, and find a one or two-year solution to fill the hole. The 25-year-old hit .272/.303/.463 this past season with 25 home runs, 42 doubles and 96 RBI.
According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, "there are indications" the Twins will try to work out an extension with Joe Mauer "by Christmas."
It's going to take a huge sum of money to lock up Mauer, who took home his first AL MVP on Monday, but all indications are he wants to stay in Minnesota. The 26-year-old hit an incredible .365/.444/.587 in 2009 with a career-high 28 home runs and 96 RBI. Oh, and he also won a Gold Glove. The Twins move into spanking new Target Field next season, which should help ease the financial burden of a Mauer extension. New parks tend to drive up revenue.
According to Lynn Henning of the Detroit News, Miguel Cabrera might be as available as any other Tigers player this winter.
The Tigers need to cut payroll and are shopping all of their superstars this offseason. Cabrera is by far the most talented played in Detroit, but he'll also command the largest (and most talented) chunk of prospects. The 26-year-old hit .324/.396/.547 in 2009 with 34 homers, 34 doubles and 103 RBI. He finished fourth in this year's American League MVP voting.
According to the Los Angeles Times, the Angels have resumed their pursuit of Toronto ace Roy Halladay.
The Angels engaged the Blue Jays in trade talks for Halladay this summer, but were unwilling to meet then-GM J.P. Ricciardi's asking price. The Halos' general manager, Tony Reagins, is hoping discussions will run a bit more positively this winter, though it's still going to take a hefty package of prospects to land the 32-year-old right-hander. Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana or Joe Saunders may also have to be involved, according to the L.A. Times.
According to FOXSports.com, several teams have called the Rangers about outfielder Nelson Cruz this offseason.
A major league source told FOXSports.com that the Rangers are "not motivated" to move Cruz because of his production and reasonable salary, but it doesn't hurt to try. The 29-year-old hit .260/.332/.524 in 2009 with 33 home runs. "He's been popular," said FOXSports.com's unidentified source.
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