Stark's Latest: Tejada, Buehrle, Morris

Jayson Stark posted a new column for ESPN yesterday; let's take a glance at the trade rumors therein.

• Miguel Tejada's out until August, so that obviously means he won't be traded this season.  Right?  Wrong - Stark and an AL exec think $30MM or so due to Tejada for the remaining 2.3 seasons on his contract would allow him to pass through waivers.  Miggy could be a hot topic for the August 31st trade deadline.  You may recall that last August Andruw Jones was placed on waivers, claimed, and pulled back.  Andruw called the affair "rude."  Here is a refresher on the waiver trade rules, in case you want to get a head start.
• Steve Trachsel is the Oriole Stark expects to be traded at the July deadline.  They should move fast, as Trachsel's stock is plummetting as expected.
• Stark says Kenny Williams was asking for a ton for Mark Buehrle before extension talks picked up: two of each team's best three prospects.  Makes sense; ask for that, and then settle for one Grade A prospect if you can get it.  Should Buehrle end up back on the trading block, the White Sox may have to break down and grant that 72 hour negotiating window for an extension.  Stark's source makes a great point - if Buehrle signs with the Cardinals this offseason, the draft picks going to the team he departs will be the 38th pick and a second-rounder.  Not that thrilling.  But still, the smart money is on a contract extension with the White Sox for Buehrle.
• Matt Morris is officially on the market, as he should be.  He's over his head with a 3.39 ERA, but remains a solid, veteran innings eater with over 70 innings of playoff experience.  Morris will make another $5MM this year, $9.5MM in '08, and $2MM signing bonus due at the end of his contract.  He's also got a $9MM club option for '09 with a $1MM buyout attached.  Giants GM Brian Sabean has always been a buyer at the trade deadline, acquiring players like Jason Schmidt, Kenny Lofton, Sidney Ponson, and Randy Winn.  Getting a decent prospect for Morris will be a new situation for Sabean.

Comments

[jskohl]

Miggy has never gotten hurt until this point, and it would probably be a great pickup for any team in need of an infielder. Angels or Dodgers could use him at third. With Jeff Kent in the last year of his deal, maybe the Dodgers move Rafael Furcal to second base next year and give Miguel shortstop? Although the power numbers are down, Miggy could still provide some pop in either one of those lineups.

[oxfrat1665]

Why in the hell would they move Furcal to second when they could place Tejada over at 2B. Furcal is the better fielder of the two in my opinion. So I'd keep him at SS.

[jskohl]

I agree, Furcal definitely has a cannon, but with his nagging ankle injury, I think he would be a healthier player at second base. Plus, would Tejada come play 2B? I don't know about that.

[darkstar1661]

Hey, lookie there ~ I ask about a couple players and get news about 2 of um within 24 hours... Thanks Roto, your the best!

Anyway, yeah the WSox asking for 2/3 top prospects is just nuts! 2/5 would be atleast a little more reasonable, but even that might be pushing it for an opening request. If he doesn't sway much off that and can't get an extenstion worked out then I think its safe to say they will be watching Mark walk in a few months. I can see many teams balking at even 1/3 for him since Morris, Trachsel, etc are also avail at a much cheaper price. That type of opening offer seems more along the lines of Willis or Zambrano if they are delt instead of a #2-3 (on most good teams) type guy like Beuhrle.

And I gotta say, that Morris contract seems rather cheap when you look at some of the other pitchers out there. He could be quite a bargan for some team if Sabean doesn't ask for the Farm...

[SkiBolton]

Draft pick compensation isn't established until the end of the season, there is no way to know at this point what picks the team that loses him will recieve.

[was385]

You can make a general estimate based on the performance of the player so far.

[Thundersticks]

Morris could make some since for the Braves if they can't get Willis, Vazquez, or Beuhrle (in that order). Although I would prefer Lowry over Morris, but SF may want to keep the cheaper of the two.

[Kramerica Industries]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20...sp&c_id=mlb

Mark Buerhle talks about a new contract fall apart....let the rumors begin.......again.

[Kramerica Industries]

THE Red Sox called up Ellsbury today on the outside it doesnt look like there is any trade rumors inolved but it could. Maybe Coco Crisp is going on the dl or maybe the Red Sox are close to trading Willy Mo Pena(or he fell out of favor with them) Or maybe they are showcasing Ellsbury for a trade.
It is probably nothing but it could be something

[Kramerica Industries]

i would like to my post above-
i have to assume something is happening either a trade or Crisp is really hurting.Because the Red sox wouldnt add Ellsbury to sit on the bench if Pena was hurt and if Crisp is really hburt wouldnt he go on the dl?And if teh sox wanted a defensive upgrad with Crisp hurt wouldnt they have just called up David Murphy who is already on the 40 man roster? Something is happening in Boston

[ramaboy28]

Ellsbury looked really overmatched today both at the plate and on the field. He will become a stud eventually but they should let him develop more at AAA and call up Murphy instead.

[beaminack]

pretty sure they have to wait 15 days to call someoen up after sending them down. coco was wearing a cast/brace during tonights game.

[was385]

Crazy idea here. Let's say Tejada is traded come deadline time. There are a lot of people that think Daniel Cabrera need a change of scenery and the Orioles would need a shortstop. The Braves trade Yunel Escobar to the O's for Cabrera (general idea). The Braves deal from depth and get a high upside starter that they have for two more years instead of a rental. Move Cabrera to the NL out of the AL East and he could easily be a 4.20-4.50 ERA depending on if a change of scenery helps him out.

[darkstar1661]

Was,

Tejada can't be traded by July31 cause he's hurt ~ they were talking as if he would just be traded before the Sept1 deadline.

However, I don't think he would need to be traded for the O's to pull off that deal. Even if MT was shipped out over the offseason they would be doing good.

[nrmax88]

Something is wrong with Bob Wickman

[GoBoSox420]

yunel escobar is to the braves what jacque jones or cesar izturix was to cubs fans

He is not that good
He is not going to get Dcab

[was385]

I have to disagree. Yunel is not great and no one is making him out to be. Jones and Izturis had big contracts that the team wants to move, Yunel does not. Yunel has a great glove, a good bat, is young, and is cheap. That interests a lot of teams. Watch him a little. He is actually pretty good.