Trade Rumor Roundup: 10 Days Left

Couple of fresh rumors surrounding the Padres' third base vacancy, and I'm proud to say that MLBTradeRumors was able to deduce these in advance.  A week ago I compiled a spreadsheet of Kevin Towers' trading history since 2001, nerd that I am.  From that we learned that Towers loves working with the Red Sox and also Bill Bavasi.  That he would consider Adrian Beltre and Mike Lowell for his vacancy followed logically.  Today, the Beltre rumor comes courtesy of Ken Rosenthal and Buster Olney threw down the Lowell rumor.  If those two big dogs fall through, Towers could pursue previous acquisitions Joe Randa or Rich Aurilia.

Plenty of speculation, newspaper articles, and quotes involving Julio Lugo heading to Toronto.  Not that this would be a bad move, but this club has a clear need for pitching.  Ricciardi only has so many bullets to fire as far as prospects and dollars.

ESPN's Stark Market tells us that the Mets may have soured a bit on Lastings Milledge and could consider shipping him to Philadelphia for Bobby Abreu.  Meanwhile, Baseball Prospectus's Jay Jaffe reminds us that Milledge's most comparable player is Ruben Mateo, and recommends the deal for New York.

Wacky rumor involving A-Rod to the Phils made the message board rounds yesterday afternoon, but I think it's safe to say there's nothing to this one.  Mark Healey agrees.  The best part is that this one actually got all the way to A-Rod himself, who said he'd veto a deal to Philly.  Check out that Gotham Baseball column from Healey for some fresh rumorage.      

I was just checking my referrers, seeing where people are coming from when they land here at MLBTradeRumors.com.  A lot of the traffic comes from search engine queries.  Turns out someone recently found this site by Googling: "what does dayn perry have against royce clayton."  Now that's a damn good question.

Comments

[Kramerica Industries]

Olney's Blog-

"Heard yesterday that the Red Sox, in their effort to acquire a starting pitcher, talked about trading Mike Lowell to the San Diego Padres, in conversations that faded. I don't know who the pitcher moving from the Padres to the Red Sox would have been."

[start_wearing_purple]

I heard Peavy for Lowell... which all I can say is... what?!?!?

[Kramerica Industries]

"I heard Peavy for Lowell... which all I can say is... what?!?!?"

I heard it to stupidest thing ever if anything maybe Young or Linbrink but not Peavy unless of course Craig Hansen and Ellsbury are involved

[Kramerica Industries]

Jason Stark on espn Chat-

http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=12349

"Brian, NY: Last night Buster Olney reported that the Sox were talking about dealing Mike Lowell for pitching? Any news on this front, or any other Sox ventures at the deadline?"

"Jayson Stark: (11:38 AM ET ) They're definitely seeing what they can get for Lowell. But this talk about him going to San Diego for Peavy, one for one, is a stretch. My understanding is that they've talked but they haven't found a good match for both teams, so they've actually been looking for a third team to see if that can make it work. There's some smoke there, but no fire yet."

[TheRealErik]

"ESPN's Stark Market tells us that the Mets may have soured a bit on Lastings Milledge and could consider shipping him to Philadelphia for Bobby Abreu."
Um. NO. If you can't get a young arm back for Milledge, then who CAN you get it for? Hey, Omar. Call the Twins. Call the Tigers. Stay the hell away from Bobby "Warning Track" Abreu.

[ozziethesaint]

Milledge seems to be a nice prospect... but soo many prospects fizzle out, if I was Omar I would be willing to move him for an established player

[kylejo]

how fair do you think it would be if the cubs were to try aramis for peavy

[TheRealErik]

"Milledge seems to be a nice prospect... but soo many prospects fizzle out, if I was Omar I would be willing to move him for an established player."
He has considerable value as a CF. The Mets don't need a CF prospect. They need a sure thing arm. If the Mets can't get it, they shouldn't bother. He's young, cheap, and has power potential. Besides, this Mets team can handle a hole or two offensively and wait for Milledge to mature. I refuse to give him away, even if i'm down on him.

[ozziethesaint]

difference is Erik, Omar is trying to win it all NOW. So I don't think it's only young arms he's looking at. Livan's been talked about for some time now

[TheRealErik]

"difference is Erik, Omar is trying to win it all NOW. So I don't think it's only young arms he's looking at. Livan's been talked about for some time now"

Difference is... Omar is a moron. He traded away Mike Jacobs, who's outperforming Carlos Delgado. With the Expos, he traded Cliff Lee and Grady Sizemore for Bartolo Colon. Oh, yeah, really difficult to sign Pedro and Beltran to THOSE contracts. The Mets already have three bad contracts and we want another? Omar, you are a moron.

[ozziethesaint]

Yup such a moron, that he has the Mets in 1st

[TheRealErik]

"Yup such a moron, that he has the Mets in 1st"

The stupidity of that statement can only be ascribed to higher education. You must have a college degree to say something that dumb.

Understand one thing... the Mets are a first place team in SPITE of his moves. Other than Duaner Sanchez, whose not exactly Scott Linebrink, his trades have been TERRIBLE. Nady can't get a hit with RISP and plays awful defense.

Minaya's made several moves I hated at the time. LoDuca stinks. Delgado is 34. For those two, he merely raped our farm system of two great pitching prospects and Mike Jacobs, who is outperforming Delgado at a fraction of the cost, BTW.

For what? For the privilege of paying BLOWDuca 6.25M next season? So we can have a 16M albatross at first base in 2008? Brilliant!

It's this organization that makes me believe I can be a GM. It's a monkey's job. Scott Kazmir? Jesus. I didn't even KNOW about prospects at the time and was scared when I saw that scroll on ESPN.

[ozziethesaint]

Well first off, Kazmir was before Omar.

and actually I think alot of his moves have paid off nicely. Loduca while not having much power is a proven player and hits for a solid average.

Delgado bring a steady influence to the middle of the order, even though his BA is down this Yr, he's still a feared slugger thus protecting Wright and Beltran better.

You don't win championships with prospects. You win championships with proven Major leaguers, be it Young or old ones and no one that Omar traded was a proven Major leaguer

[TheRealErik]

And yes, I couldn't care less about Milledge. Trade his ass. Minaya already traded Jason Bay to the Mets for LOU COLLIER back when he was with the Expos. Yes. He's a fucking brilliant GM. The only one more brilliant is Steve Phillips who traded Bay for Steve Reed and almost traded David Wright for Jose Cruz Jr.

*stream of profanity*

[TheRealErik]

"Well first off, Kazmir was before Omar."
It was Duquette and it was a trade symptomatic of Mets management.

"and actually I think alot of his moves have paid off nicely. Loduca while not having much power is a proven player and hits for a solid average."
Ramon Hernandez is excellent defensively and is a better bet to produce in the second half. I hated that LoDuca trade with a passion. Gaby Hernandez is a fine pitching prospect and he had no business being traded for a shitty catcher that can't even BLOCK A BALL IN THE DIRT.

"Delgado bring a steady influence to the middle of the order, even though his BA is down this Yr, he's still a feared slugger thus protecting Wright and Beltran better."

Rubbish. Prove it. Beltran was hurt last season and "protection" is a fallacy.

"You don't win championships with prospects."

But you limit your future by trading them away hastily and without regard. Delgado MIGHT be better this year, but he sure won't be two years from now. OVERREACTION OMAR.

I want to dominate for 10 years, not contend for two. I'll take my chances and lose my job if Jacobs fails, but I sure as hell won't cripple this team's future over some infantile obsession with winning "this year". YOU CAN HAVE THE BEST TEAM IN THE MAJORS AND NOT WIN. THE PLAYOFFS ARE A FUCKING CRAPSHOOT YOU ARSEHOLE!

*composes himself*

Go Mets.

[ozziethesaint]

difference is if you are a team with Deep pockets, it's a proven fact you can be a dominate team without having that great of a farm system. I mean honestly look at all the supposed top prospects that have flamed out and never been solid players. You are better off to build around Major leaguers even if that means trading your minor league guys to reload your big league team. or pick up your additions in free agency

[TheRealErik]

"difference is if you are a team with Deep pockets, it's a proven fact you can be a dominate team without having that great of a farm system"
But that's not my vision of the Mets. My vision is a nice mix of young talent and THE RIGHT FREE AGENTS. LoDuca and Delgado don't fit that description.

What is wrong with me? Surely I should be happy... but i'm not, because i'm an idiot when it comes to baseball and I saw ALL of this coming. I remember saying on Thanksgiving, "watch Delgado break down before our eyes, he's 34 years old... if I have to watch another Alomar, my head will explode."

[DptyDwg420]

"Ramon Hernandez is excellent defensively and is a better bet to produce in the second half."

Come on now. Does he have a better arm-yes, but that's about 10% of what catchers do.

He is not better at calling a game. Go look at catcher's ERA for the past 5-10 years.

Bruce Bochy DEMANDED San Diego not offer Ramon Hernandez a conract because NOT ONCE BUT TWICE he failed to even try to block the plate in THE PLAYOFFS.

You can have him on your mets.

i'll take LoDuca on mine.

Omar is a moron?

Jose valentin?
Julio Franco?
Endy Chavez?
Darren Oliver?

How many more gems does he need to find in the scrap heap to get some credit?

Jeez.

[DptyDwg420]

Delgado is in a slump.

He's not breaking down.

He also carried this team the first 2 months.

Remember when Mike Jacobs was hitting .140 in april & may?

he would have never survived New york and would be stuck in the minors right now.

The trade was great for Jacobs and the mets.

if you honestly think the mets would sit there with jacobs at 1B hitting sub .200 for 2 whole months...well then there isnt much that can be said to you.

[ozziethesaint]

Nice to know someone else with common sense is around DptyDwg...

Hell I hate the Mets with a passion, but I have to respect the job Omar is doing. Walt and the Cards need to take notes

[ozziethesaint]

Now the Mets just need to dump that dumbass Willie Randolph. It's him that they win despite of

[TheRealErik]

"Come on now. Does he have a better arm-yes, but that's about 10% of what catchers do."
Runs R/150
5.9 15
-2.2 -6

Which one is LoDuca?

"He is not better at calling a game. Go look at catcher's ERA for the past 5-10 years."
Catchers ERA is a garbage stat, IMO, and in the opinion of people far more educated in baseball than I am.

"Bruce Bochy DEMANDED San Diego not offer Ramon Hernandez a conract because NOT ONCE BUT TWICE he failed to even try to block the plate in THE PLAYOFFS."
First, he was going to be a FA and second, he was recovering from injury and didn't want to risk it. Third, a few bad plays doesn't make him a bad defensive catcher, irrepective of Bochy's "opinion".

I'll give Omar credit for the bench, but, my God, if Valentin's, Chavez's and Oliver's performance aren't the greatest flukes in baseball, I don't know what is.

"He's not breaking down."
Oh, I beg to differ. Perhaps not off the cliff THIS year, but by 2008? I'd bet my internship at Lucent that he's a shell by then. Throw Wagner and Pedro on that pile as well.

"Remember when Mike Jacobs was hitting .140 in april & may?"
Remember Delgado is batting around 220/310/450 since April. Super.

2006 VORP
Player Age PECOTA Actual Salary
Delgado 34 37.1 12.3 $13,500,000
Mike Jacobs 25 24.6 17.6 $327,000

Wrong, sir! Wrong! Under section 37B of the contract signed by him, it states quite clearly that all offers shall become null and void if - and you can read it for yourself in this photostatic copy - "I, the undersigned, shall forfeit all rights, privileges, and licenses herein and herein contained," et cetera, et cetera..."Fax mentis incendium gloria cultum," et cetera, et cetera..."Memo bis punitor delicatum!" It's all there, black and white, clear as crystal! You stole Duaner Sanchez. You bumped into Lastings Milledge's cieling, so you get nothing! You lose! Good day sir!

[ozziethesaint]

Hey Erik, what do the following players have in common??

Matt White, Travis Lee, Todd Walker, Ruben Rivera, Ben Grieve, Richard Hidalgo, Karim Garcia, Chad Hermansen, Jaret Wright, Brad Fullmer, Juan Encarnacion, Ruben Mateo, Rick Ankiel, Darnell McDonald, Brian Rose, Ryan Anderson, Matt Anderson, Alex Escobar, Corey Patterson, Matt Riley, Dernell Stenson, Ben Davis, Ryan Bradley, Wilfredo Rodriguez, Drew Henson, Gookie Dawkins, . Chin-Feng Chen, Josh Hamilton, Dee Brown, Sean Burroughs, Chris George, J.R House, Bobby Bradley, . Carlos Pena, Ty Howington, Carlos Hernandez, Nick Neugebauer, . Dennis Tankersley, Jesse Foppert, Jason Stokes, Brad Nelson, John VanBenschoten

They are all from BA's top 25 prospect lists over the last 10 years. So this should show that Milledge is defintiely no sure thing Yet. and honestly The list could have grown even bigger had I included guys like Joe Borchard that are barely marginal Major Leaguers

[nom3k]

You can trade Milledge, but you don't do it for a 32 year old outfielder with a ridiculous contract.

The Mets aren't just trying to win this season. They're being built to win for the long haul.

[bobo]

Flukes: Valentin, Chavez (though I love his arm), Glavine, Oliver.

Getting what he paid for: Beltran, Wagner, Nady,

Getting less than what he paid more: Lo Duca, Franco, Floyd, Delgado

Getting more than what he paid for: Pedro (though the general opinion was he'd be great for a year or two, then his arm would fall off - so we'll see if this is starting to come true). Sanchez.

Of course, like everyone, I love Wright and Reyes (assuming he keeps increasing the walk rate). But Omar gets no credit for them either (yes, I'm aware that he may not have acquired other players listed above too, but he has kept them).

Bottom line: Minaya inherited a couple of outstanding young players, made what (as of now) looks like a good move in getting Pedro, got lucky with a bunch of role players and Glavine, and opened up the checkbooks for everyone else that's performing.

The El Duque move was pretty good, but giving JOSE LIME 4 starts should get him fired right there.

Without another starter behind Pedro, this team is very weak come playoff time.

[nom3k]

They have Glavine behind Pedro. Outside of the Astros, who might not even make the playoffs, no team in the NL has a great staff.

[DptyDwg420]

I love it.

Any player that performs above these posters' expectations gets deemed a "fluke".

but anybody that performs below expectations is a reflection of a poor job by Omar. that seems sooo fair.

Can't have it both ways folks.

[bobo]

Among 2nd starters on possible playoff teams, I'd take the following over Glavine (in many cases the 1st and 2nd starters are very similar, so that's why many have the slash):

Arroyo/Harang
Clemens/Oswalt
Reyes
Capuano, assuming Sheets comes back, and maybe even Bush, if he doesn't
Chris Young/Peavy
Maybe Lowe
maybe even Jennings/Cook

And addionally there are a number of pitchers who are inexperienced, injured, or have had other problems this year but I like and think I'd prefer to Glavine as well: Billingsley, Lowry, Ohka, Juan Cruz, Pettitte.

Now, to be fair, Pedro is definitely better than a number of the #1s on those teams. But as much as you'll laugh at my Juan Cruz and David Bush comments, Glavine is still one of the worst #2 pitchers in the NL.

[DptyDwg420]

Getting less than what he paid more: Lo Duca, Franco, Floyd, Delgado.

Based on what?
Floyd and Delgado - Fine. Even though Floyd was hurt and is heating up, but fine.
LoDuca has been solid, it is readily apparent u just dont like the guy and cant view him without bias.

Franco???? The dude is hitting .306 as a pinch hitter which I'm pretty sure is #1 in the NL, it was 2 weeks ago, now I'm not 100% sure. but hey guess you don't put much value on pinch hitting.

[nom3k]

You have no credibility if you're saying guys like Tomo Ohka, Juan Cruz, Aaron Harang, Chris Young, and David Bush are better than Tom Glavine.

[TheRealErik]

Any player that performs above these posters' expectations gets deemed a "fluke".

No, their past performance indicates this current level is above their heads. Chavez MIGHT not be, as he is currently in his prime, but the other two? Definitely.

[bobo]

"You have no credibility if you're saying guys like Tomo Ohka, Juan Cruz, Aaron Harang, Chris Young, and David Bush are better than Tom Glavine."

Ohka, Cruz, and Bush go in the "I like them and have a hunch" section.

But if you'd honestly take Glavine over Harang and Young, I want some of what you're smoking.

Wake up - Glavine's K/BB since the beginning of June is 26/21. This is a guy you want pitching game 2 of the playoffs? He does go on some rolls, and to be honest, he is one of the most intriguing players in baseball to me based on his splits (check out 1st half vs. 2nd half for the past few years).

But come on - Harang and Young are pretty consisently very good, and often dominant.