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WEEI's Tejada Rumor Making Rounds

By Tim Dierkes [February 3, 2006 at 11:39am CST]

The Dennis and Callahan Show on WEEI 850 in Boston broke out an improbable-sounding trade rumor this morning. Here's the idea:

Dodgers send: Derek Lowe, Hee Seop Choi
Red Sox send: David Wells, Alex Gonzalez, Kevin Youkilis, Jon Lester, Tony Graffanino
Orioles send: Miguel Tejada, Luis Matos

Dodgers receive: Wells, Graffanino, Matos
Red Sox receive: Tejada, Choi
Orioles receive: Lowe, Gonzalez, Youkilis, Lester

In my humble opinion, there's about zero chance of a deal like this going down. Then why am I posting about it? For one thing, I've received a host of emails about the possibility. So it seems that the people want to discuss it. Secondly, plenty of these players are likely to be dealt, just not in this combination.

Is Derek Lowe on the block? Certainly. I know for a fact that the Cubs and Phillies have expressed interest in him. I'm fairly certain he wouldn't represent a big gain for the Orioles, however. The Phils could still try to hammer something out to obtain Lowe.

Hee Seop Choi has nowhere to play on the Dodgers, and I mentioned before that I think the Devil Rays should make a play for him. However, they've added Russell Branyan as a corner guy so it seems less likely at this point. There isn't much of a market for a first baseman, but Choi still deserves a chance.

Wells is certainly likely to be dealt, and the Dodgers are a viable candidate. I mentioned yesterday that the Mets could consider Boomer as well.

Without doing any research, I have a feeling that a team can't sign a free agent and trade him immediately. That's why the Alex Gonzalez thing seems way off to me. Plus, Boston seemed to be trying to strengthen their defense. That is supposedly where Gonzalez's value lies.

The Red Sox won't be trading Youkilis and Lester. They're far too valuable as building blocks. Graffanino should be on the move, but that's a minor deal.

I wouldn't be shocked to see Tejada dealt before the deadline, and a guy like Lester would have to be involved. There's a fair chance Ronny Cedeno bombs and the Cubs try to re-engage the Orioles this summer. They'd be relying on the further development of minor leaguers to form an attractive package.

Matos, sure, he'll end up somewhere. But the Dodgers don't need him.