Well, that was fun while it lasted.
Less than an hour after a story was posted on the internet about how the Dodgers were talking to the Brewers about swapping James Loney and Jonathan Broxton for Prince Fielder, a high-ranking Dodgers official shot down the report.
What's becoming clear is that the Dodgers aren't looking to shop any of their core group of players – a group that includes Loney, Broxton, Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp.
The routine is the same every year: Rumors surface that the Dodgers are about to deal one of their key players who broke into the majors with them. The Dodgers deny the rumors. The Dodgers leave the winter meetings without trading any of them.
"I think it's a good core," General Manager Ned Colletti said.
Colletti said other teams still inquire about some of the players, but speculated it's nothing more than due diligence.
Russell Martin is no longer part of that core, as the two-time All-Star contract wasn't tendered a contract for next season and is a free agent. Martin's agent hasn't spoken to the Dodgers since the tender deadline last week.
Martin's agent, Matt Colleran, said he has meetings scheduled with four or five teams over the next couple of days. He said he would circle back to the Dodgers after gauging the interest level of the other clubs.
Some other notes from the winter meetings:
Matt Diaz and Scott Podsednik are among the players the Dodgers are looking at to fill their vacancy in left field.
The Dodgers are not pursuing free-agent closer Hiroyuki Kobayashi, who has been linked to them in Japanese news reports.
Hiroki Kuroda's trilingual translator, Kenji Nimura, has been re-signed.
-- Dylan Hernandez, Los Angeles Times
Tony Reagins' reaction to the seven-year, $126-million contract free-agent Jayson Werth signed with the Washington Nationals on Sunday was typical for the Angels general manager, who is reluctant to talk about anything pertaining to potential trades or free-agent negotiations.
"I don't have a reaction," Reagins said upon arriving at the winter meetings at about 8 p.m. EST Monday, after mechanical difficulties delayed his connecting flight to Orlando from Dallas.
But doesn't the Werth deal change the market landscape for the Angels? The team was hoping to sign free-agent outfielder Carl Crawford for something in the five-year, $100-million range, but many believe the Werth signing could push Crawford's price tag to the eight-year, $150-million range.
"We still have to conduct business with any free agent, but this is part of the process," Reagins said. "That happens this time of the year. ... We're still conducting business. What oher clubs do doesn't affect how we operate."
Reagins is expected to meet with Greg Genske, the agent for Crawford, either late Monday night or Tuesday. The Angels are also reportedly interested in free-agent closer Rafael Soriano and free-agent third baseman Adrian Beltre.
"I feel positive about all of the free agents we're engaged with," Reagins said.
--Mike DiGiovanna, Los Angeles Times
Phillies interested in Juan Rivera
The Philadelphia Phillies, in the market for a right-handed hitting right fielder to platoon with Domonic Brown, have expressed an interest in Angels outfielder Juan Rivera, according to a major league source.
Rivera's playing time dropped dramatically in early August after the Angels called up center fielder Peter Bourjos and moved Torii Hunter from center to right, and he would become even more of an odd man out if the Angels acquire free-agent outfielder Carl Crawford or another outfielder through a trade.
Any deal involving Rivera, who is entering the final year of a three-year contract, would probably require the Angels to pay a significant portion of his $5.25-million salary for 2011.
Rivera had a superb 2009 season, batting .287 with 25 home runs and 88 runs batted in, but he struggled in 2010, hitting .252 with 15 homers and 52 RBIs in 124 games.
Rivera is a career .276 hitter with 67 homers and 278 RBIs in 1,794 at-bats against right-handed pitchers. He has hit .288 with 45 homers and 140 RBIs in 899 career at-bats against left-handers. He is better defensively in right field than left.
Brown, who is expected to replace the departed Jayson Werth in right field for the Phillies, hit .210 with two homers and 13 RBIs in 35 games last season, including a .077 mark (one for 13) against lefties.
--Mike DiGiovanna, Los Angeles Times
Diamondbacks sign Melvin Mora
The Diamondbacks signed infielder Melvin Mora to a one-year, $2-million deal and will probably ask him to replace Mark Reynolds at third base. Mora's career hit .285 with the Colorado Rockies last season.
Padres sign Aaron Harang
Right-hander Aaron Harang and the San Diego Padres have finalized a $4-million, one-year contract that includes a mutual option for 2012 with a buyout.
