Notes from Day 2 of MLB Winter Meetings

In terms of hard news coming out of Orlando Tuesday at the MLB Winter Meetings, the only deals to report involved bench players, set-up relievers, and back of the rotation starters.  However, the rumors were swirling at EF-5 intensity, with many of them involving the Rangers.  I'll try to hit them all here, but forgive me if I miss one.

• Cliff Lee:  Although it does not look like a deal will be done for Lee by the end of the meetings on Thursday, he and his agent are definitely getting a lot of attention from teams and the media.  Reports today said that the Yankees are ready to make a six-year offer, the Rangers are debating going more than five years, and there is at least one mystery team that is going to put in a seven-year offer.  The Nationals and Angels have both denied that they are the 'mystery' team.  Teams are starting to get a little impatient with the progression of these talks, but Nolan Ryan says the fact that no team has really stepped out and put itself way out in front gives him more optimism that the Rangers may be able to get the deal done.
• Zack Greinke:  From what's being reported, either the Rangers are not offering enough to the Royals, or the Royals are asking for way too much in return for Greinke.  The Blue Jays are also interested, but the Reds, Braves, and Brewers, who have all had rumored interest, are out now.  My gut feeling is that the Royals are going to ask for the moon until after Lee signs somewhere, then will get real with their offers when Greinke is the best pitcher available.  They don't want to give him up too early, when if they hang on to him, a team that missed out on Lee might be willing to offer more to get the Royals ace.
• Michael Young:  Ken Rosenthal reported this evening that the Rangers are listening to offers for Michael Young, and could be willing to move him to create some payroll room so that they can offer more money to Cliff Lee.  As evening turned to night, word came in that the Rangers and Rockies were having discussions, with Colorado considering Young as a second baseman.  The Rockies just signed their shortstop, Troy Tulowitzki, to a massive extension, and they traded for former Mariners infielder Jose Lopez, who can play second and third.  Ty Wigginton was signed today, and they still have cornermen Ian Stewart and Todd Helton on board.  That's a lot of infielders.  Evan Grant said the Rangers would pursue Adrian Beltre if Young is traded.  I've got a few thoughts about all of this.  First of all, listening to other teams and shopping him around are totally different things.  At these meetings, everybody's name comes up at one time or another.  That doesn't mean deals are going to get done.  It makes sense to listen to all offers, even if they involve your core players who you don't intend to trade.  You never know what will come out of it.  Secondly, a move to free up payroll wouldn't be necessary until after an agreement is in place with Lee.  It would be poor management to free up room by trading Young, then still end up without Lee.  Third, there are no in-house alternatives for third base, and if the Rangers went out and signed Adrian Beltre to play third, he would cost just as much, if not more, than Young's $16 million over each of the next three years.  Fourth, the Rangers and Royals would not trade Greinke and Young for each other, as some analysts on MLB Network talked about tonight.  The Royals won't trade their ace for a veteran with a huge price tag, they want to get younger and cheaper.  Chalk this one up to being just a rumor.  I'd be shocked if Michael Young gets traded anywhere.
• Chris Davis and Darren O'Day:  There was a report that the Cubs were interested in Davis and O'Day, but the latest from TR Sullivan is that this is all talk and no substance.  The Cubs were the ones to shoot this one down.  Davis is a player the Rangers would be willing to move, though.
• Matt Garza:  If Tampa Bay is willing to trade Garza, as some reports say, he comes in at number three on the Rangers' wish list depth chart, behind Lee and Greinke.  Today is the first I've heard of Garza being discussed, and if it's for real, I'd be very interested.
• Paul Konerko:  Last night it looked like Konerko and the White Sox were ready to re-up, but apparently there was a snag in the negotiations today, but they still continue to talk.  However, the White Sox have started to consider other options.  The Rangers remain interested, but Konerko wants $15 million a year on his next deal.  Texas would have to know Cliff Lee's intentions before they would be able to make such an offer for Konerko.
• Vladimir Guerrero:  Word is the A's are interested.  Not much in the way of details on this one.
• Magglio Ordonez:  Should things not work out with Guerrero or Konerko, Ordonez is a player the Rangers will consider.  The Tigers and Red Sox are among the other teams interested in the right fielder/designated hitter.
• Brandon Webb and Jeff Francis:  Webb and Francis are both coming off of arm injuries and looking for short contracts to prove they are healthy.  The Rangers have kicked the tires on both of them.
• Mark Prior:  Prior pitched briefly for the Rangers in the minors in 2010, and then became a free agent.  Reports say the Rangers and Yankees are the finalists for his services.  No word on if he would be used as a starter or reliever after all of his arm troubles, but it would be on another minor league contract.

All of that, and it's still just 10 PM.  If anything big goes down tonight, I'll be on it...eventually.  I love this stuff, but I can't pull an all nighter based on rumors.  Stay tuned.