Maybe the three-teamer between the Tigers, Yankees, and Diamondbacks isn’t dead after all. Jon Heyman tweets that the deal, which would net the Yankees Curtis Granderson and the Diamondbacks Edwin Jackson, is “back with a chance.”

The Mets have signed 32-year-old infielder Mike Hessman to a minor-league deal, according to the New York Daily News.

Ken Rosenthal agrees with what Buster Olney told us yesterday regarding free agent outfielder Jason Bay. The Mariners like Bay, writes Rosenthal, but “not that much” because they fear how his below-average defense will play in Safeco Field.

Rosenthal also writes that the Nationals plan to use newly signed catcher Ivan Rodriguez in “only 70 games” because they “believe that he wore down playing in 121 games” for the Astros last season. He also notes that clubs are confused by the signing given his diminished catching tools at 38.

Ivan Rodriguez has agreed to a two-year deal with the Nationals worth $6 million, according to Yahoo’s Tim Brown.

Fernando Rodney has also turned down arbitration according to MLB.com’s Jason Beck. The 32-year-old had 37 saves and a 1.47 WHIP in 2009.

Jon Heyman is tweeting that the Braves will now attempt to trade Soriano after losing out on the draft pick payoff of a departure via free agency.

Yahoo’s Tim Brown is tweeting that Adrian Beltre and Mike Gonzalez have declined arbitration from the Mariners and Braves, respectively. As was expected, Gonzalez’ teammate Rafael Soriano accepted arbitration from the Braves, according to Ken Rosenthal.

Dave O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution thinks the Braves are trying hard to unload Derek Lowe‘s $45 million over the next three years. O’Brien says the team would rather keep Javier Vazquez.

“THAT,” said Red Sox manager Terry Francona, “was worth showing up today.”

THAT was the relief appearance of Red Sox prospect Daniel Bard, which was simply overpowering on Thursday afternoon. Bard logged two innings against Team Puerto Rico. One number defined it.

“He hit 100 today,” said pitching coach John Farrell.

Bard gave up a harmless single in his two shutout innings, blowing a 99 mph fastball past potential Hall of Famer Ivan Rodriguez to start the ninth, and then following that by firing a 100 mph fastball past Mike Aviles to set up a nasty swing-and-miss slider for a second straight strikeout.

Bard generates his eye-popping velocity despite a delivery that is smooth, and that Farrell (and nearly everyone else) describes as “effortless.” So how, exactly, does he generate enough power to reach 100 mph? The answer will serve as our Extra Innings Mechanical Nugget of the Day: Read the rest of this entry »

Pudge Rodriguez, who is catching for Puerto Rico against the Red Sox today as his team readies for the World Baseball Classic, spoke before today’s exhibition game about his ongoing search for a team:

Pudge on his current status: “Nothing is firm right now. There are a few teams that have shown interest. Hopefully something will happen soon so I can come back and play after the World Baseball Classic … I have a lot of games (to play). I just need a team to play with on a regular basis and I can have a great year.”

Pudge on watching the Jason Varitek situation this offseason: “Jason went through a tough time. I’m glad he’s back with Boston. This is his home. He belongs here. It was hard. What he went through and what I’m going through in free agency, it’s tough. All of these situations are probably because of the economy and what’s happening in the world. You’ve got to keep working, keep waiting, and stay positive.”

On possible signing with the Mets: “It could be a great thing to go to. I think that’s a great fit, that team, having me there. Working with a young pitching staff, that could be great for the team. Hopefully the Mets can do whatever they need to do to have a spot for me. That would be a great place to be. If it happens, I’ll be happy.”

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