Baseball winter meetings: Dodgers close to signing Tony Gwynn Jr.

The Dodgers are close to signing outfielder Tony Gwynn Jr. to a one-year deal worth $675,000, according to a baseball source who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The son of Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, Gwynn Jr. wasn’t tendered a contract by the San Diego Padres last week and became a free agent. Gwynn Jr., 28, hit .204 and stole 17 bases in 117 games as a part-time center field last season.

An excellent defensive center fielder, Gwynn Jr. would give the Dodgers the option of moving Matt Kemp back to a corner outfield spot.

The Dodgers, who reached a deal with Vicente Padilla earlier on Tuesday, could still add another outfielder, reliever or catcher.

-- Dylan Hernandez, Los Angeles Times

Konerko, White Sox reach an impasse

White Sox General Manager Kenny Williams said “it’s quite possible” the White Sox would have a new first baseman by Wednesday -- and that it would not be Paul Konerko.

Williams said negotiations with Konerko and agent Craig Landis were at an impasse and that “at this point we have no choice” but to explore other options.

“All I can say is we’ve got meetings with other guys’ representatives (Tuesday night) with the idea in mind (to) get a deal done,” Williams said, adding that “you can’t stop the train” once it leaves the station.

Landis and Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf met again Tuesday afternoon, apparently in a last-ditch effort to hammer out a contract that appears stalled over money and perhaps years.

Williams said he would use the extra money saved to sign Konerko to get another player and help in the bullpen. “We still have a chance to put a real good player in that (first base) position,” he said.

--Dave van Dyck, Chicago Tribune

Odds and ends

Apparently Derek Braunecker, Cliff Lee’s agent, can find mystery teams as well as Scott Boras. There are media reports of two seven-year offers for Lee, but the Yankees, Rangers, Nationals and Angels have all indicated they will not go that long. The Twins covet Lee, so they could be flying under the radar. Carl Pavano, who earned $7 million last year, is a free agent; Joe Nathan and Michael Cuddyer (a combined $21.75 million in 2011) could come off the books after next season … The Brewers traded for one strong starting pitcher in Shaun Marcum but are now pursuing the Rays’ Matt Garza, who won 15 games and no-hit Detroit … Dodgers GM Ned Colletti was smart to get so much of his business done before the divorce ruling, which went against Frank McCourt. Appeals could complicate the team’s flexibility in the foreseeable future, although Colletti remains hard at work trying to replace catcher Brian McCann and adding depth in the outfield and bullpen … Jim Thome is looking for a team willing to give him maximum at-bats. Oakland could wind up as his best bet … Lance Berkman, signed to be a corner outfielder in St. Louis, was so eager to play the outfield that he tried to get Astros manager Brad Mills to move Carlos Lee to first base permanently last season. Mills says Lee and Brett Wallace will share first in spring training, with the onus on Wallace to force Lee back to left field … There was brief talk about the Rangers listening to offers for Michael Young, possibly even paying some of his $16 million salary. The White Sox have long loved him … Zack Greinke to the Blue Jays remains a viable scenario. The Brewers are also continuing discussions with the Royals about him.

--Phil Rogers, Chicago Tribune

Dodgers nearing deal with Padilla

The Dodgers are close to re-signing Vicente Padilla to a one-year deal worth $2 million plus incentives, according to a baseball source with knowledge of the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The opening day starter last season, Padilla will return as a swing man for the Dodgers, who went into the winter meetings with their five-man rotation already set. Because of his stuff and makeup, Padilla is also viewed as an option to close if Jonathan Broxton doesn’t regain his All-Star form.

That Padilla would agree to such a deal is somewhat of a surprise. While neck and arm trouble limited him to 16 starts last season, Padilla was expected to be able to land a spot in someone’s rotation because of the low supply and high demand for starting pitching.

--Dylan Hernandez, Los Angeles Times

Jeter, Yankees finalize deal

Derek Jeter can admit it now: He was definitely getting steamed at the New York Yankees.

While Jeter tried to keep talks quiet as the sides negotiated, the Yankees went public with suggestions his increasing age and decreased numbers should result in a pay cut.

At one point, Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said the 36-year-old shortstop should explore other options.

“I was pretty angry about it, and I let that be known,” Jeter said Tuesday after finalizing a $51 million, three-year contract that cut his salary. “I was angry about it because I was the one that said I didn’t want to do it. I said I was the one that wasn’t going to do it.”

At a news conference at the team’s spring training home to announce the agreement, Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner and Cashman maintained there will be no lingering fallout.

“A big happy family,” Jeter said. “You move past it. It’s over with, and I won’t bring it up again.”

Angels say they aren’t ‘mystery team’ after Cliff Lee

General Manager Tony Reagins squelched any speculation that the Angels are the so-called “mystery team” that has, according to several reports, offered free-agent pitcher Cliff Lee a seven-year contract.

While Reagins said Tuesday that he has had “substantive” talks with agents about high-profile players, he has not made any formal contract offers to players such as Lee, Carl Crawford, Adrian Beltre or Rafael Soriano.

“The first I heard of that was today,” Reagins said of the Lee speculation. “I take it for what it is--a rumor. Our club is mentioned with a lot of free agents because of our payroll. People in the media and in the industry think it wouldn’t be a wild stretch that we’d be involved in high-profile guys.”

Both Reagins and Manager Mike Scioscia also downplayed an industry perception that they are in heavy pursuit of Soriano, the former Tampa Bay closer who led the American League with 45 saves last season.

“No, I don’t see it as a need,” Scioscia said, when asked about pursuing a closer from the outside. “I think that there are guys out there that sure can make us better. But I think there are some other areas to right. If you’re asking what areas we need, the offensive side of our game needs addressing. There are some guys that can make us better, but I wouldn’t say that there is a glaring need right now.”

Asked if he was OK with the team’s in-house closing options, specifically Fernando Rodney, who struggled in September after replacing Brian Fuentes, Reagins said, “Rodney is capable. He’s shown he can close. Obviously, he didn’t pitch to the level we expected last year, but in Detroit, he showed he can close. Our expectation is he will bounce back and do what he’s capable of. He’s got to step up his game and get back to doing what he does best.”

--Mike DiGiovanna, Los Angeles Times

Jim Tracy released from hospital

Colorado Rockies Manager Jim Tracy was released from a hospital Tuesday after mild arrhythmia caused him to collapse shortly after midnight at the baseball winter meetings.

Tracy and his family headed back to their home near Bradenton, Fla., in the afternoon.

Rockies spokesman Jay Alves said it was not known whether Tracy had previously been diagnosed with arrhythmia -- an irregular heartbeat.

Tracy, who turns 55 on Dec. 31, was with Colorado coaches Carney Lansford and Tom Runnells when the episode occurred.

Tracy was ready to get onto an elevator at the hotel where the meetings are being held when he collapsed around 1 a.m. He was carried out on a stretcher and taken to a hospital in the Orlando area.

Alves, who said he was with Tracy at the time, said the manager didn’t lose consciousness. Tracy had driven over to the meetings on Sunday night from his home.

Tracy was the National League Manager of the Year in 2009 after taking over the Rockies in midseason and guiding them to the playoffs.

Colorado went 83-79 this season and finished third in the NL West.

Tracy managed the Dodgers from 2001-2005 and Pittsburgh in 2006-07 before taking over the Rockies.

Brewers are interested in Garza

Milwaukee traded for Shaun Marcum on the eve of the winter meetings, but could leave town with yet another starting pitcher. According to sources, the Brewers have re-engaged Tampa Bay in conversations about Matt Garza.

The teams talked about a possible Garza-for-Corey Hart deal before the July 31 trading deadline but Hart’s surge at the plate led him to a contract extension, rather than a trade. Garza is reportedly back in play, with center-field prospect Lorenzo Cain reportedly the piece that the Rays want in return.

Cain would be an interesting name for Tampa Bay. He could make incumbent center fielder B.J. Upton available in a trade.

-- Phil Rogers, Chicago Tribune

Bartlett deal getting close

Though a trade for Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Jason Bartlett still hasn’t been finalized, there remains a growing sense that it is going to get done, and it’s not going to be just a one-for-one swap.

The Rays, whose bullpen has been decimated by free agency, are also looking for the Orioles to include Alfredo Simon in the deal. Simon’s inclusion does not appear to be a deal-breaker at this point, though the talks are ongoing.

If the Orioles trade Simon, that would leave them with only seven relievers on their 40-man roster.

Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail has offers out to several free-agent relievers, including Koji Uehara.

Simon, 29, went 4-2 with a 4.93 ERA and 17 saves in 49 appearances for the Orioles in 2010.

-- Jeff Zrebiec, Baltimore Sun

Cubs interested in LaRoche

The Cubs have turned to Adam LaRoche as their primary choice at first base, according to a CBSSports.com report.

LaRoche is a left-handed hitter who batted .261 at Arizona with 25 home runs and 100 RBI in 2010. He hit .216 in day games, as opposed to .278 at night. LaRoche has a career average of .271 with 161 home runs.

The Cubs are also talking to Carlos Pena’s agent, Scott Boras, but Pena may not be in their price range.

Cubs Manager Mike Quade said they are also considering Tyler Colvin at first base if they don’t acquire or sign a first baseman.

-- Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune

Red Sox discussing deal for Beltran

ESPN is reporting that the Boston Red Sox are “at least talking internally” about acquiring Carlos Beltran from the New York Mets. Beltran is set to earn $18.5 million in 2011, the last year of his seven-year deal.

--Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times

Joe Torre declares himself retired

Joe Torre used the “R” word, this time without adding any qualifiers.

“I’m retired,” he said.

In the wake of stepping down as the Dodgers’ manager in September, Torre wouldn’t quite declare himself retired from managing. He said he didn’t intend to manage again but didn’t want to go back on his word if an irresistible opportunity unexpectedly presented itself.

But Torre sounded far more certain of intentions on Tuesday, when he was one of four former managers honored at the winter meetings.

“I’m not going to manage again,” he said.

Torre said he isn’t sure about what he will do next year.

He remains in talks with Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti about a front-office position but said he is considering a return to broadcasting, something he did for six seasons with the Angels.

Torre’s Safe at Home Foundation will be hosting a celebrity golf tournament at the Wilshire Country Club on Jan. 24.

-- Dylan Hernandez, Los Angeles Times

Kerry Wood heading to White Sox?

Could one of the most storied Cubs of recent vintage wind up with the White Sox?

With the South Siders in need of relief help, especially in the eighth inning, it’s not surprising that Kerry Wood’s name would surface in rumors. And, according to a Tweet from Fox’s Ken Rosenthal, that’s what has happened.

“Interest” and “signing” are not the same, because Wood is throughout to be seeking a multi-year deal worth $9 million or more and the Sox are already considerably over budget. Wood is thought to be returning to the Yankees, who are balking at his payroll requests.

What makes the story very interesting is that Wood and his family still live in Chicago and he wants to pitch for a winner. But White Sox GM Kenny Williams has said he does not expect to add relief help at the winter meetings, which end Thursday, and Wood likely will not sign until the market for relievers is set. Ex-Sox J. J. Putz was just signed by Arizona for two years and $8 million.

-- Dave van Dyck, Chicago Tribune

Nationals to make huge offer to Cliff Lee

The Nationals may be on the verge on making Cliff Lee, the top free agent pitcher on the market, a huge offer, according to various media reports. The Rangers and Yankees are believed to be the front-runners for the left-handed starter, but the Nationals may become players with a jaw-dropping seven-year offer. They’ve already stunned the industry by striking a seven-year, $126-million deal with free agent outfielder Jayson Werth.

-- Juan C. Rodriguez, Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel

Rockies sign Ty Wigginton

Infielder Ty Wigginton, the Orioles’ lone All-Star last season, will not be returning to Baltimore.

He has agreed to terms with the Colorado Rockies on a two-year deal worth $7.5 million. The deal includes a club option for 2013.

Wigginton, 33, hit .248 with 22 homers and 76 RBIs in 154 games for the Orioles in 2010. The 76 RBIs led the Orioles and he finished third on the team with 52 extra-base hits and 241 total bases.

The Orioles had interest in bringing the versatile Wigginton back, but that became unlikely with the acquisition of third baseman Mark Reynolds from the Arizona Diamondbacks yesterday.

Orioles interested in Sherrill

The Orioles are expected to meet with the agent of their former closer, George Sherrill, this week to discuss a possible reunion.

Sherrill, who was non-tendered by the Dodgers, told the Sun on Saturday that he was interested in a Baltimore return.

However, he has plenty of suitors and most in the industry believe that he will sign with the Philadelphia Phillies, who are very much interested in the big lefty.

Sherrill was signed out of the independent league by Charley Kerfeld, a special assistant to Phillies’ GM Ruben Amaro Jr. Kerfeld and Sherrill remain friends.

The Phillies also need left-handed bullpen help, and obviously give Sherrill the best opportunity to get back to the playoffs.

Sherrill has strong and positive feelings for the Orioles’ organization. I’m not sure they are strong enough to overcome the Phillies’ other advantages.

-- Jeff Zrebiec, Baltimore Sun

Mets sign Carrasco, on verge of signing Paulino

The Mets have agreed to a two-year deal with reliever D.J. Carrasco pending a physical.

According to ESPN.com, the Mets and catcher Ronny Paulino have agreed to a one-year $1.3-million deal. Paulino ended the 2010 season on a 50-game suspension after testing positive for a banned substance. He must sit out the first eight regular season games of 2011 to complete that term. Paulino became a free agent last week when the Marlins opted not to tender him a contract.

-- Juan C. Rodriguez, Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel