Atomic RoadRunners | Andrew Flynn’s High-Energy Fantasy Baseball

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune’s La Velle E. Neal III has heard that Twins might make a contract proposal to Casey Blake as soon as next week. Blake served brief stints with the Twins in 2000, ‘01 and ‘02 before establishing himself in Cleveland the following season. Now he could return to the team on his biggest contract yet at an age in which he should be entering the twilight of his career (he turned 35 in August). There are several other teams interested, though. (Rotoworld)

The Twins have expressed interest in free agent third baseman Casey Blake. Blake’s agent, Jim McDowell, said six other teams have also called about his client. Blake hit .274 with 21 dingers and 81 RBI in 2008. Minnesota is seeking an upgrade at third base and the Dodgers may want him to return after stabilizing the position after his trade to the NL. His agent is reportedly seeking a three-year deal, so he won’t come cheap. (Rotoworld, Rotowire)

Here’s a rundown of Roadrunner rumors during this week’s General Manager Meetings in Dana Point, CA.:

• Brandon Lyon is open to pitching in Colorado.

• According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks haven’t talked contract with Brandon Webb’s agent, Jonathan Maurer, since the team pulled out of a June near-agreement for three years and $54MM. Maurer expects to hear from the D’Backs this winter, but the price has gone up. Webb isn’t looking to set any records, but he’s well under-compensated on his current deal (which runs through 2010). ESPN’s Buster Olney heard a four-year, $80MM extension would probably suffice, but it’s not known whether the D’Backs will do that. Maurer wonders if they’ll look to trade Webb if contract talks break down.

• According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Nationals are preparing to make a significant offer to Mark Teixeira. Olney believes the Angels will make an offer in the $100-120MM range, but that offer will expire soon. If and when Scott Boras passes on that proposal, it might be the Yankees, Red Sox, Nationals, and Orioles competing for Tex.

• GM Ruben Amaro Jr. had an informal five-minute talk with Casey Close, who represents Ryan Howard and Joe Blanton.
• Larry LaRue says the Angels are hinting they can afford both Mark Teixeira and C.C. Sabathia.  The Yankees could afford it, too.
• The Angels have not yet made an offer to Mark Teixeira, but they’ll deal with that situation before moving on to other needs.  Boras is suggesting Teixeira pays for himself.
• Ken Rosenthal has an Angels update: If they are to sign Mark Teixeira, the Angels would like to do it quickly.  However, it’s Scott Boras’ custom to let the market develop until late December or so.  It’s possible the Angels change gears on November 14th.  There are other big names to pursue, though none fit as perfectly as Tex.

• MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert talked to Brandon Lyon’s agent Barry Meister, who said his client would be open to closing or an eighth inning role.  Lyon would be thrilled to return to the D’Backs, but they don’t figure to match a multiyear offer.  More likely, they offer arbitration but let him leave. Lyon, 29, posted a 4.70 ERA in 59.1 innings this year.  His command was strong, possibly indicating better times ahead.

• In the Cubs’ scramble to land Jake Peavy via trade and to re-sign Ryan Dempster, Ken Rosenthal reports that several players may have to be traded to reduce payroll, including Jason Marquis.
• The Rangers may look at outside options for third base, and they’ve been in touch with Casey Blake’s agent.

Free agent Casey Blake is looking for a three-year deal this winter. He’s viewed as the top third baseman available, though he’s not as good as a healthy Joe Crede. We keep hearing that he came up big for the Dodgers, but he had a .313 OBP and a mere 23 RBI in 58 games for the club. Also, he is 35, and while he’s kept himself in very good shape, he’s a below average defensive third baseman. He may have to settle for something like $14 million for two years. The Indians and Dodgers are interested in having him back. (Rotoworld)

However, general manager Mark Shapiro said Monday that the Indians “have definite interest” in free agent Casey Blake. Cleveland traded Blake to Los Angeles in late July, and Shapiro explained that “we know what he does as a teammate and athlete” despite his not being “at the top of our list.” Blake’s agent said Monday that the Dodgers are also interested in re-signing Blake. (Rotoworld)

Casey Blake, an impending free agent, batted .271/.345/.463 overall between the Indians and Dodgers, including 21 home runs and 81 RBI. Blake wasn’t quite as good as a Dodger (.251/.313/.460), but there’s a chance the club will look to bring him back if the 35-year-old will accept a one-year deal. It’s a thin free agent crop of third basemen, so some team could offer two or even three years this winter. (Rotowire)

Third baseman Casey Blake went 3-for-5 with a home run and a triple in the Dodgers 6-2 win over the Pirates. A night after sitting out with lower back stiffness, Blake helped the Dodgers strike first with a solo home run in the second inning and followed it up with a triple in the third. In the sixth, Blake drove in Russell Martin with a single. Tuesday was his first multi-hit game since Sept. 3. Manny Ramirez added three hits as well as the Dodgers rolled past the Pirates. (Rotoworld)

Casey Blake (back) sat out Monday’s game with a sore back, but manager Joe Torre hopes to have him back in the lineup on Tuesday, the LA Daily News reports. Blake was replaced again by Nomar Garciaparra. Blake is hitting .259/.316/.475 in 170 at-bats with the Dodgers. (Rotowire)

Casey Blake is considered day-to-day after leaving Sunday in the sixth inning with lower back tightness. Nomar Garciaparra will likely start at third base if Blake needs Monday off. He went 1-for-2 but is batting only .154 (4-for-26) over his last eight games. When players have left with back tightness this season, they’ve usually missed more time than their teams have anticipated. Consider Blake, normally a borderline start in mixed leagues, a highly risky play in Fantasy Week 25 (Sept. 15-21). (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

The Dodgers defeated the Rockies on Saturday and 3B Casey Blake blasted his 20th home run on the year. Blake finished 1-for-4 and is batting .278 on the season. Outside of his daytime struggles, Blake has been a solid slugger with the Dodgers. Consider him a sleeper down the stretch — especially since the contending Dodgers will slot him as an everyday player. (CBS Sports)

Casey Blake, hitting cleanup for the first time since being acquired from Cleveland on July 26, homered for the Dodgers during Wednesday’s 6-4 win against the Padres. Blake hit a solo homer off Mike Adams in the bottom of the seventh to complete the scoring. He finished 2-for-4 with two RBI. Blake has three homers in his last four games and is starting to get hot again at the plate. He is notoriously a streaky player, but this is one of those times to start Blake in most Fantasy leagues. (CBS Sports)

Up:

• OF Lastings Milledge
• 3B/U Casey Blake
• P Matt Lindstrom

Down:

• OF Jody Gerut
• OF Chase Headley
• P Mike Gonzalez

Casey Blake made it 4-1 in the third Monday with his 18th home run and seventh since coming to the Dodgers in a trade with Cleveland on July 26. Manny Ramirez added a sacrifice fly in the seventh for his 26th RBI in 30 games with Los Angeles. Blake has been a monster of late and is too good to sit in any Fantasy format right now. He is notoriously a streaky player and is performing like a top mixed league option. His versatility certainly helps, too. (CBS Sports)

Dodgers recalled third baseman Blake DeWitt from Triple-A Las Vegas. With a .255/.306/.445 line and 12 RBI in 30 games since being acquired, Casey Blake hasn’t been the upgrade the Dodgers hoped he’d be. DeWitt has 11 hits and two homers in his last four games, so the team will probably see if he can give the lineup an immediate spark against right-handers. Blake will still play against lefties and could resume regular duty if DeWitt’s hot streak doesn’t hold up. (Rotoworld)

Dodgers 3B Casey Blake had a solo home run off Nationals SP Tim Redding in the second inning Wednesday and later added a RBI single in the eighth during a 5-4 loss. Blake, who also walked once, homered and had a RBI for the first time since Aug. 15. Blake has been kind of hit or miss at the plate in August, but he has five homers and 14 RBI. He is still finding ways to produce. Consider him a viable low-end Fantasy corner infielder. (CBS Sports)

FAAB Acquisitions:

• P Luis Ayala, Mets [$0, add to actives]
• C Pablo Sandoval, Giants [$0, add to actives]

Up:

• OF Shane Victorino (to Utility)
• OF Brandon Moss
• P Jason Marquis

Down:

• 3B Casey Blake (from Utility)
• OF Lastings Milledge
• P John Maine (15-Day DL)
• P Mike Gonzalez
• C Chris Coste

Cut:

• P Charlie Morton
• P Carlos Villanueva