Around The Majors- Friday

It's a dark day on Black Friday in the baseball world. Jerry Crasnick reports that free agent pitcher Joe Kennedy has passed away today from undetermined causes at age 28. He played for Arizona, Toronto, and Oakland last season. This death opens up almost endless speculation on what caused this sudden and saddening death. This may be disrespectful to Kennedy, but the steroids question has to enter my mind. The sudden death of a journeyman possibly looking to obtain an edge? Putting two and two together has to be done during these times of the impending Mitchell report that hangs like a dark cloud before a storm over the Major League world. In a seprate Crasnick article, he wonders whether Mitchell's report will have an impact on this year's free agent market. The early answers remain mixed. The Indians exercized the option of Paul Byrd, despite the reports that he bought HGH and could face possible discipline. The Kansas City Star reports that the Royals are still interested in Jose Guillen even though there are reports that he bought steroids and may have been invited for a little chit-chat with Bud Selig on Park Avenue. Even in the face of positive tests, the Mets signed Guillermo Mota a year ago (he was recently dealt to Milwaukee) and Padres GM Kevin Towers makes no secret of his desire to resign Mike Cameron despite his recent positive test that will keep him sidelined for the first 25 games of the 2008 campaign. On the other side of the coin, there have been whispers that Alex Rodriguez agreed to a contract so quickly because he knew that he would be named in Mitchell's report and went for the quick bucks. But the facts are few and far between in this sea of speculation, and with time hopefully will come answers. But the answers may bring even more questions and doubts to the forefront, engrossing the baseball univerese in an irreversible cycle of rumors and accusations that have engulfed us in this Steroids Era.

-Sources have told Ken Rosenthal that the Reds are in serious talks with free agent closer Francisco Cordero. Sources also say that the Brewers have offered Cordero a 4 year, 42 million dollar contract to stay a Brewer.
-SI's Jon Heyman reports that the Twins have offered Johan Santana a 4 year extension worth 80 million, which is a huge gap from what he's looking for. Many say that Santana is looking for Barry Zito money, 7 years at 126 million. This increases the likelihood that he could get dealt at the Winter Meetings in 2 weeks.
-The Marlins may play a series or two in San Juan this season, possibly a late July series against the Mets.
-The LA Times can't help but wonder if the Angels' next move is a trade for Miguel Cabrera or Miguel Tejada. The Miami Herald reports that the Angels are the favorites to land Cabrera, and that the signing of Torii Hunter allows Los Angeles to send Reggie Willits off to Florida. The Marlins would also get at least catching prospect Jeff Mathis, Howie Kendrick, and one of Ervin Santana, Jered Weaver, or Joe Saunders. The major argument hinges on super top pitching prospect Nick Adenhart. The LA Times also reports that the Angels could be interested in bringing back David Eckstein.
-A possible emerging trade has the Twins sending Matt Garza to the Dodgers for Matt Kemp, says the Minneapolis Star Tribune. The Twins are also interested in Kenny Lofton and Corey Patterson.
-The White Sox could be working a deal for Coco Crisp, says the Chicago Sun-Times. Crisp could go to the Rangers, according to the Dallas Morning News.
-The Braves will definitely not resign Andruw Jones, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
-The Royals are interested in Carlos Silva and Hiroki Kuroda, says the KC Star.