Atomic RoadRunners

The Dodgers and Orlando Hudson’s agent have continued to have discussions, GM Ned Colletti confirmed. The Dodgers are willing to go with Blake DeWitt as their primary second baseman, but with Hudson potentially having to settle for a rather inexpensive one-year deal, they’d be crazy not to take a serious look at him. (Rotoworld)

In a deal expected to be finalized next week, the Rockies will get Jason Marquis from the Cubs for Luis Vizcaino, according to the Denver Post. The Rockies will also get about $1 million, so they’ll be taking on just under $5 million in acquiring Marquis to join a rotation set to include Aaron Cook, Jeff Francis, Ubaldo Jimenez and either Greg Smith or Jorge De La Rosa. We’re not sure that’s an upgrade at all. The Cubs also probably aren’t getting any better with the deal, but they’re freeing up some money they’ll use to bring in a superior starter. This is a lot more about the Cubs wanting to dump Marquis than it is any desire for Vizcaino. With an open rotation spot, they could well enter the mix for Derek Lowe or Randy Wolf. It seems unlikely that the Jake Peavy talks will be revisited. (Rotoworld)

Marquis, 30, tossed 167 innings of 4.53 ball in 2008. He did roughly the same in ’07. Vizcaino, 34, posted a 5.28 ERA in 46 innings. He dealt with a strained shoulder and later expressed concerns that he didn’t pitch enough. His velocity was up from ’07 and he whiffed more than a batter per inning, but he was done in by walks and home runs. Vizcaino added a DUI to his resume in October. (MLBTradeRumors.com)

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the Twins have expressed interest in Brandon Lyon. The Twins have been surprisingly quiet in the relief market given their bullpen struggles last season, but Lyon would make some sense as a setup man for Joe Nathan. “We would love to have an experienced setup guy,” general manager Bill Smith said. (Rotoworld)

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the biggest holdup in the Jake Peavy four-team swap appears to be the Cubs’ desire to move Jason Marquis and most of his $9.875 million 2009 salary. The Cubs need to dump some of that cash in order to afford Peavy and a left-handed bat. The club may be open to eating around $4 million of Marquis’ salary, but are struggling to find a taker. The 30-year-old righty went 11-9 last season with a 4.53 ERA, a 1.45 WHIP, and a 91/70 K/BB ratio. (Rotoworld)

The Red Sox have some interest in free agent Brandon Lyon, the Boston Globe reports. Lyon, who was traded from Boston to Arizona in the Curt Schilling deal, would be a setup man with the Red Sox. There’s believed to be at least a little interest in him as a starting pitcher, something that may intrigue him with another closer’s role seemingly out of reach. (Rotoworld)

Today’s free agent signings by the dodgers of 3B Casey Blake and infielder Mark Loretta firm up the role of Blake DeWitt going into 2009. It is now expected that DeWitt will be the “strong” side of a 2B platoon facing righthanders, with Loretta facing lefties, as well as filling in for Casey Blake on occasion (though DeWitt could do that as well). The Dodgers still need to acquire a shortstop, as prospect Ivan DeJesus likely isn’t ready.

Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd said he wants to see Chris Iannetta finish a full season as the team’s primary catcher before talking about a long-term deal. Iannetta outplayed Yorvit Torrealba at the end of last season and the 25-year-old appears ready to excel in full-time duty. He hit .264/.390/.505 with 18 dingers and 65 RBI last season. (Rotowire)

Asked Monday about his starting lineup, Padres manager Bud Black said he sees Jody Gerut in center and Chase Headley in left. That would leave Scott Hairston and Will Venable on the bench. Black also indicated that he was fine with Nick Hundley behind the plate. However, it sounded like he was hoping for upgrades at both shortstop and second base. The current options there are Edgar Gonzalez, Luis Rodriguez and Matt Antonelli. (Rotowire)

The Royals were planning to talk to agent Barry Meister about Brandon Lyon and Kyle Farnsworth. Craig Counsell’s name could also come up, but the bullpen is the Royals’ priority at the moment. Lyon and Farnsworth might both be available on one-year deals. (Rotoworld)

The Rockies have internally discussed acquiring Jason Marquis from the Cubs. Marquis for Willy Taveras might interest the Rockies if the Cubs were willing to eat some salary, but the Cubs would probably just as soon stick with Kosuke Fukudome and Reed Johnson as their center field combination. MLB.com mentions Jeff Baker as a possibility to be involved. However, if the Rockies want Marquis, it shouldn’t cost major league talent. (Rotoworld)

Free agent Brandon Lyon has decided to decline the Diamondbacks’ offer of arbitration. Lyon looked like the lone question mark remaining. Of the 24 free agents offered arbitration, it now appears that only Darren Oliver will accept. Lyon stood to make around $4 million or so had he chosen to stay with the Diamondbacks. He’ll probably do about as well elsewhere, but it will be a fully guaranteed contact. The Diamondbacks could have released him in spring training and owed him only a small portion of his awarded salary. (Rotoworld)

Here’s the latest on the Roadrunners heading into Monday’s Winter Meetings:

• The Cubs are trying to dangle 6th-starter Jason Marquis to whomever is interested. Marquis is nearly expendable, and will be so if the much-rumored Jake Peavy trade ever happens. Of course this could be like the much-rumored Brian Roberts trade from last season, which never happened, either.
• Newly-minted NL Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum has now changed his tune (or his agent has) and would welcome long-term contract discussions.
• The Rockies are still trying to trade catcher Yorvit Torrealba, now that Chris Iannetta has emerged as the everyday starter. However, Torrealba isn’t slated to have a huge salary in 2009, and is good insurance. Moving Garrett Atkins and Willy Taveras are much higher on the Rockies’ agenda.
• With the Indians seemingly out of the race, the Twins and Dodgers are the front-runners for Casey Blake’s services. It looks as though whomever will offer former Roadrunner a third guaranteed year will get him, and if it’s the Dodgers, that locks Blake DeWitt in at second base.
• Most reports and preliminary depth charts have both Mike Gonzalez in Atlanta and Matt Lindstrom in Florida as the presumptive closers entering 2009. Neither the Braves (focused on rotation and left field) nor the Marlins (focused on cutting costs) seem to be in the market for a closer, so that bodes well for the Roadrunners’ saves totals in 2009.
• If the Padres move 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff, Chase Headley will move from left field to 3B.
• The activity of the Reds in the market for outfielders suggests that Chris Dickerson might not be a safe play as a starting OF in 2009.
• Gregor Blanco is being viewed strictly as a 4th OF who can play left and center, as the Braves look for a bopping left fielder. Possible targets that have been mentioned: Ryan Ludwick, Rick Ankiel, Corey Hart or Jeremy Hermida.