MLB Hot Stove Rumors 11/16/11

5:45 p.m. Eastern
-The Yankees are holding off a C.J. Wilson meeting in New York for the time being, says Joel Sherman. He’s asking for six years and $120 million, according to Jon Heyman. Boston also talked to Wilson’s agents.
-Colorado is pursuing Roy Oswalt, but he’s in no hurry to make a decision. The Rockies are also not seriously going after Clint Barmes. Toronto, Boston, Minnesota, and Miami could have interest in trading for Huston Street during the Winter Meetings. *Rafael Furcal is seeking a two-year deal at $8 million per season, according to Troy Renck. He reportedly has eight teams interested in his services. *Miami is interested in a lefty starter like C.J. Wilson and Mark Buehrle and could deal Ricky Nolasco if they sign one of those two.
-At least two teams are interested in Aramis Ramirez.
–Philadelphia is close to bringing back C Brian Schneider.
-San Diego is placing IF Alberto Gonzalez on waivers.
–Nick Evans is now a free agent.
3:50 p.m. Eastern
–C.J. Wilson’s representation asked the Yankees to come to New York for a visit rather than the other way around, says Jon Heyman. The Yankees will also be “cautious bidders” for Yu Darvish, says Joel Sherman.
-Here is Jim Bowden’s list of 13 teams interested in Mark Buehrle.
-The Brewers could have a better shot at signing Jose Reyes or Jimmy Rollins than Prince Fielder, according to Danny Knobler. Clint Barmes’ representation is meeting with the Brewers today.
-Atlanta will probably not aim to bring back Rafael Furcal, says JP Morosi. He has a lot of interest as a SS, but the Blue Jays, Rockies and Tigers would like him to play 2B.
-Detroit has interest in Yoenis Cespedes, Morosi says.
1:20 p.m. Eastern
–Terry Francona will not manage next season, says Sean McAdam. Pete Mackanin is no longer a candidate for the Boston managerial job.
–Miami met with the agent for Roy Oswalt and C.J. Wilson.
–Jimmy Rollins is now on Milwaukee’s shortstop list, says Jon Heyman. Detroit remains a longshot on Jose Reyes.
-Colorado, Houston, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and St. Louis are interested in Clint Barmes.
11:50 a.m. Eastern
–Milwaukee will not be making the first offer to Prince Fielder, says Tom Haudricourt. St. Louis is not interested in Fielder and the team is looking to re-sign Rafael Furcal, Arthur Rhodes and Octavio Dotel.
–Jose Reyes was not in the Mets’ 50th anniversary preview video, says Anthony McCarron.
-The Cubs are listening to offers on everyone, says Bob Nightengale.
-Interest is picking up in free agent closer Francisco Rodriguez, says Jon Heyman. More Heyman: Atlanta will only trade Jair Jurrjens for an impact bat, Ricky Nolasco is not available yet and the Royals and Cubs are among the teams talking to Bruce Chen.
–Boston has checked in on free agent reliever Matt Capps.
–Cleveland wants a 1B, but also know defense is important, says Joel Sherman. I could see Carlos Pena as a fit there.
–Philadelphia acquired Adam Worthington as the PTBNL in the Mike Zagurski trade with Arizona. Worthington is a 24-year-old Advanced-A reliever who sported a 4.48 ERA in 45 appearances last season.
10:20 a.m. Eastern
-Jon Heyman: The Yankees believe the prices on C.J. Wilson and Edwin Jackson are too high and will wait for their asking prices to come down. *Miami may go after Prince Fielder if they don’t get Albert Pujols, but the Brewers aren’t giving up on Fielder. *Kansas City is focused on re-signing Bruce Chen.
-Milwaukee will not offer arbitration to Takashi Saito.
9 a.m. Eastern
-The Yankees signed lefty reliever Mike O’Connor, says Jon Heyman. O’Connor, 31, made nine appearances with the Mets last season as a situational guy with a 2.70 ERA.
-Boston has interest in Freddy Garcia.
8:45 a.m. Eastern
-Joel Sherman: The Yankees could use a starting pitcher, but probably won’t sign C.J. Wilson. Mark Buehrle, and trade candidates such as John Danks, Gio Gonzalez and Wandy Rodriguez, would be better options for the team. *If the Angels land Wilson, they’d trade Ervin Santana, not Dan Haren, for offensive help. *Jose Reyes is looking for at least $100 million, so the Marlins have to do more even if the years are right. The Mets also believe that Reyes will let them make a counter-proposal once he gets an offer he really likes. Detroit is not really interested in Reyes.
8 a.m. Eastern
-Ken Rosenthal and JP Morosi: The Dodgers will eventually try to sign Clayton Kershaw to a long-term extension and could get more than $24.4 million per season. James Loney and Andre Ethier will probably be on the team to start 2012. *Houston will likely keep Mark Melancon as closer and will try to deal Wandy Rodriguez. *The White Sox may rebuild. Mark Buehrle will probably be leaving and they could trade John Danks and Carlos Quentin. *Martin Prado is available via trade. Colorado is interested, but would have to trade Seth Smith and at least one other piece. *Toronto has interest in C.J. Wilson, they could make a strong play for him, and the team took a scouting trip to look at Yu Darvish. They’re also interested in closer Huston Street of Colorado. *Yoenis Cespedes could become a free agent within 10 to 14 days. *Brian Schneider is close to re-signing with the Phillies. *The Cubs have had multiple discussions with Mark Buehrle. The Yankees and Red Sox are also interested, and Buehrle could land a deal similar to the four-year, $56 million contract he inked in 2007. The White Sox, Blue Jays, Royals, Angels, Marlins, Nationals and Diamondbacks are also interested. *The Reds are not going to trade Brandon Phillips.
–Tim Brown: Miami reportedly gave Albert Pujols a nine-year contract offer at $25 million per season. Jose Reyes and Mark Buehrle also have offers from the team.
-Miami is favored to sign Jose Reyes, says Mike Puma. He only has two offers right now, says Jim Bowden. *Angel Pagan will likely be back with the Mets next season and he could lead off if Reyes departs.
–Rafael Furcal could be influenced by Albert Pujols’ decision, says Joe Strauss. The Cards will meet with Pujols’ agents later this week, says Jerry Crasnick. The Rangers and Cubs are among Pujols’ other possible suitors.
-Boston has offered David Ortiz a contract, says Rob Bradford. Baltimore is also interested.
–Toronto has shown interest in Kelly Johnson, Yu Darvish and Yoenis Cespedes. The Mets have shown interest in Frank Francisco.
-Texas intends to make Neftali Feliz a starter, says Jon Heyman.
-Wandy Rodriguez is a bad fit for the Rockies given Houston’s asking price, says Troy Renck. The Rockies want a third starter who can eat innings like Ricky Nolasco, Anibal Sanchez, Jeff Niemann or Wade Davis. The team met with Roy Oswalt and would also be open to offering Grady Sizemore a one year contract. Ian Stewart will likely be tendered a contract and the team has interest in LaTroy Hawkins, but only if they trade Huston Street.
-The Rays haven’t ruled out bringing back Johnny Damon, says Ken Davidoff.
–Arizona is interested in Hiroki Kuroda.
–Pittsburgh remains interested in Ronny Cedeno and Ramon Santiago as infield options.

College Basketball Thoughts & Theories 11/16/11

-Mike Krzyzewski is the winnengist coach in the history of men’s college basketball and Coach K’s attention to detail instilled in him by Bobby Knight, his former coach and friend of 50 years whose record he broke in Duke’s 74-69 win over Michigan State on Tuesday in the first game of the Champions Classic. Against the Spartans, the Plumlees only combined for nine rebounds but the Blue Devils shot 10-21 from three including 6-10 for Andre Dawkins from beyond the arc. He scored a game high 26 and Seth Curry added 20 to go with a team high seven rebounds. Duke is still developing as a team, as is Michigan State. Tom Izzo’s crew played UNC on an aircraft carrier in San Diego and Duke at Madison Square Garden. Michigan State always plays a grueling schedule and the team benefits from the experience later in the season. Luke Appling and Brandon Wood made up for a subpar shooting game from Draymond Green, but if those two play well, State is going to be in good shape.

-Kentucky showed its balance and played sterling defense in its 75-65 win over Kansas to close out the night at MSG. Doron Lamb, Terrence Jones and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist were really solid and Anthony Davis is an absolute monster inside. He blocked seven shots to go with the six Jones and Kidd-Gilchrist combined for, giving John Calipari an inside presence the Wildcats haven’t had in a while. Thomas Robinson was his usual self for the Jayhawks, but Tyshawn Taylor and Elijah Johnson shot a combined 6-24 in defeat.

-Ohio State turned the ball over just seven times and held Florida’s guards in check in a huge win over the Gators in Columbus. Billy Donovan’s four really talented guards, Brad Beal, Kenny Boynton, Erving Walker and Mike Rosario, didn’t do enough on Tuesday and those guys are the ones who will be the Gators’ go-to players. William Buford outplayed them all for the Buckeyes.

-Man, does Memphis have a ton of talent brought in by Josh Pastner. Belmont hung around Duke all night on Friday and the Tigers handled the Bruins very well. You could make an argument that Will Barton and Joe Jackson is the best young backcourt in the country and senior leader Wesley Witherspoon was nearly flawless on Tuesday. Freshman Adonis Thomas scored 12 points in the win and is going to start and be a huge presence for the team by the end of the season.

-Syracuse’s best attribute is by far its depth, scoring exactly half of its 98 points on Tuesday from the bench. The Orange’s second unit of Michael Carter-Williams, Dion Waiter, C.J. Fair, James Southerland and Baye Keita would be a starting five for a tournament team. Southerland put up 19 points for a second straight game and is improving by leaps and bounds. Fab Melo and Rakim Christmas are still developing and Kris Joseph can still score in bunches.

-On the Albany side, the Great Danes have a very, very good player in G Gerardo Suero. He’s a fearless slasher who is going to get to the rim at will in the America East and get to the line. Albany doesn’t have size or depth, but Suero is going to be one of the conference’s best players and Logan Aronhalt is a good shooter from deep. They’ll compete.

-A few Big East teams are having trouble out of the gate. *Villanova’s youth nearly caught up to them on Tuesday against Big Five rival LaSalle, but the Wildcats came back to win in overtime thanks to an effective trap late in the game that baffled the Explorers. The inside combo of Mouph Yarou and Maalik Wayans is only going to get better, as will talented youngsters like Dominic Cheek, JayVaughn Pinkston and Achraf Yacoubou. For one night, ‘Nova was able to get away with being undisciplined and sloppy. For LaSalle, G Tyreek Duren is going to be a huge factor if this team makes some noise in the Atlantic 10. *West Virginia fell at home to Kent State on Tuesday by 10, which is quite embarrassing. Truck Bryant and Deniz Kilicli shot it really poorly and that’s why the Mountaineers went down. But with Kevin Jones (15 points and 18 rebounds) and frosh Jabarie Hinds, WVU will win a lot of games in due time. *We may not be able to say the same for rebuilding Rutgers. Dane Miller, Eli Carter and Myles Mack, all really talented, need some seat time (as they’d say in the motorsports vernacular) to adjust to the speed and intensity of the college game. *Louisville has started yet another year with bad news on the injury front, losing Mike Marra with a torn ACL. Their conditioning or medical staff has to change or improve for the Cardinals.

-Moving over to the Big 12, Texas’ J’Covan Brown could be the most improved player I’ve seen in the country so far. He runs the floor incredibly well and is an extremely deft shot-maker from almost every spot on the court. The Longhorns will only get better, and they vanquished a solid Rhode Island team, another Atlantic 10 team which impressed me on Tuesday, thanks to a 13-0 run midway through the second half. *Baylor showed me a lot of strength, size and length in its win over San Diego State, and that was without Perry Jones. They’re certainly a talented and versatile group. The Aztecs have already played four games in a small amount of time and will be a lot better with some more rest. Baylor’s press didn’t help SDSU’s cause either.

-It seems like the talent gap in the SEC is going to be really large. South Carolina lost at Elon and LSU fell at Coastal Carolina on Tuesday and it seems like the Gamecocks and Tigers have a good chance to bring up the rear this season in their conference.

-I’ve saved the worst for last: UCLA. After losing its opener at home to Loyola Marymount, a decent WCC team, the Bruins lost BY 20 TO MIDDLE TENNESSEE. UCLA has to win by at least 20 even with Reeves Nelson out. The Wear twins were completely outplayed by Blue Raiders center LeRon Dendy and the guard play wasn’t up to the task for Ben Howland’s group. It’s an indescribably bad start to the season for UCLA. That’s all I’ll say.