Cesar Izturis?

A few interesting tidbits from Jose de Jesus Ortiz this morning:


Veteran agent Peter Greenberg represents Cesar Izturis, a shortstop who could be a possibility for the Astros if they can unload Miguel Tejada and at least part of the $13 million he is due next season in the final year of his contract.

Izturis made $2.85 million last year, so even with the Astros trading Tejada and picking up, say, $7 million, that's still about $10 million for a shortstop. And since Izturis is a free agent, no prospects would be added to the system, though Izturis will be 29 in February.

The San Diego Padres, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers arrived at the winter meetings with potential needs at the position. A high-ranking Orioles official was adamant, however, that there’s no way Baltimore would try to get Tejada back a year after trading him to the Astros.

The Padres obviously will not be taking Tejada - this year's Padres will have to buy their own bats and put a deposit down on their own uniforms. Nor will apparently the Twins. The Orioles won't trade for him a year after trading him away. So that leaves the Dodgers. Who just lost out on Sabathia. And won't have Manny (probably). Tejada did have a good year last year, and could provide some pop to a young lineup.

UPDATE:

The Orioles signed Izturis, pending a physical, according to Steve Phillips.