Healey's Latest

Mark Healey at Gotham Baseball has long been a solid, underappreciated source of inside information.  He's got another Rumor Mill up at his site.  My summary follows.

• The Yankees have an eye on big-name 1Bs like Mark Teixeira and Todd Helton.  But more realistically, they're looking at Tampa Bay's Carlos Pena.  He's got the defense, so even if he regresses to a 20 HR bat it's a nice pickup.  Healey's source believes Tyler Clippard is too much but the Rays like Sean Henn.  The Yanks have also inquired about the versatile Ty Wigginton.
• The Reds, Rockies, and others have been scouting the Yankees' Double A Trenton affiliate.  Joba Chamberlain, Ian Kennedy, and Brett Gardner are probably the most desirable players on that roster.  Gotham Baseball has previously connected the Yankees to Brian Fuentes and David Weathers.  Another reliever the Yankees like is Chad Bradford, though the O's price may be too high.
• Gotham quotes an NL scout who doesn't believe the Mets will acquire a starter by trading Lastings Milledge, Carlos Gomez, or Fernando Martinez.  That scout believes the return of Pedro will supply the needed boost.  Personally, I can see Milledge going.
• Some former Mets on the radar: Brady Clark, Jay Payton, and David Weathers.
• Healey says the Mets sent scouts to look at Randy Winn this weekend.  They must not be pleased with Moises Alou's progress.  As I mentioned earlier, Winn is signed through 2009.  He has a full no-trade clause this year.  For 2008-09 he can block deals to ten teams.
• The Pirates have some vets to trade, and have contacted the Mets regarding Shawn Chacon and Damaso Marte.  Marte is quietly having a fine season with a 1.21 ERA and 1.03 WHIP.  Marte earns $2.45MM this year, and $2MM in '08 with an odd $6MM club option for 2009.  He can also earn incentives based on games finished.

Comments

[xxxJamesxxx]

Marquez and Horne are legit prospects as well.

[quintjs]

How is Helton to the Yankees still alive, every time its mentioned, it is usually followed with a line quoting a Yankees source saying they are not interested, and i thought Helton said he wouldn't waive his no-trade clause to go to the Yankees.

[MWD1202]

I don't think you'll see the Yankees make a splash at the first base position. The farm system is finally beginning to turnaround after years of turmoil; I don't think the Yankees are going to deplete it again in an attempt to bring in another power bat. I don't even consider Todd Helton a possibility because Brian Cashman is trying to shed himself of these long-term deals that the Yankees are full of (e.g. expiring contracts of Bobby Abreu, Jason Giambi in '08, Carl Pavano in '08, etc.) I think for the Yankees to make a deal with Colorado would have to involve a lot of money coming the Yankees way and I don't see the Rockies doing that.

Carlos Pena might be a possibility. As a Yankees fan, I am a little bit nervous considering the fact his first stint with us was terrible. I don't know where this play has come of late; he was always supposed to play this way, but never lived up to it. I'd give it a little while longer to see if he is legit, but if he keeps it up, he might be the best possibility for the Yankees. I don't know what they'd give up for him; possibly Tyler Clippard. They'd never get a top, top prospect for him, but the way he is playing, probably a good middle of the rotation starter.