Rosenthal's Latest: Lohse, Hunter, Contreras

The latest trade and signing rumors from Ken Rosenthal:

• Rosenthal believes Alex Rodriguez's ability to play shortstop could increase the number of suitors.  Take a look at the free agents - there may not be a single viable option at short this winter.  Still, the number of suitors for Rodriguez is severely limited by his massive contract requirement.  Not too many clubs aside from the Yankees and Red Sox can get in on $240MM over eight years or whatever.  The lack of available, reasonably priced shortstops could compel the Braves and Orioles to aggressively shop Edgar Renteria and Miguel Tejada.
• As a 29 year-old free agent starter with decent stuff, Scott Boras could sell Kyle Lohse as the next Gil Meche this winter.  Meche's work in the season's first three months would only aid the wishcasting.  I put up a little Lohse history here, writing that his deal will likely fall somewhere between Jason Marquis and Meche.  Other free agent starters who will be under 30 for the 2008 season: Carlos Zambrano, Jason Jennings, Joe Kennedy, and Byung-Hyun Kim.
• Rosenthal believes the Rangers will bid on Torii Hunter this winter unless they acquire a proven center fielder this summer.  He mentions that Jon Daniels set his sights on Shane Victorino but the Phils would rather trade Michael Bourn.  Unless the Rangers get a proven guy they will still go after Hunter.
• The Mariners scouted Jose Contreras and Matt Morris recently, but both were lousy.  I still think Jennings could sneak in there as the best available starter, but he too hasn't pitched well in July.  Definitely seems like the Mariners will snag some kind of starter.
• Rosenthal disputes Evan Grant's report of the Brewers and Indians showing interest in Kenny Lofton.  The Brewers are getting Bill Hall back soon and the Indians have some outfielders on the road to recovery as well.  Perfect, this frees him up for the Cubs!
• Rosenthal mentions the same teams I did for Kevin Millar, but sees an August deal as a possibility.  Waiting until August doesn't seem to make sense for the Orioles, as things get trickier then.
• The Padres could trade Scott Linebrink in order to make payroll room for a starter.  Or they could just sign Brian Lawrence.  I discussed some other options for the Friars here.

Comments

[buehrlebro]

Totally regardless of the topic, but should start some conversation.

Here's a huge 4-team trade I came up with before I went to sleep last night that won't happen because of its complications but would make sense for every team involved. Feel free to chime in on why its ludicrous and why it won't happen and why your team would be doomed to eternity of suck if it happened because Salty is involved.

CWS get: Y. Escobar(ATL), E. Jackson(TB), Dukes(TB)

ATL gets: Greinke(KC), C. Pena(TB), Dotel(KC)

TB gets:Saltalamacchia(ATL), Devine(ATL), Contreras+cash(CWS)

KC gets: Lillibridge(ATL), B. Harris(TB), Broadway(CWS), 1 big TB pitching prospect(along the lines of McGee, Davis, Townsend)

It basically takes everything those teams don't need right now and gives them for something they do need. And ATL gets the dirt cheap young impact starter they've always wanted. Sorry it isn't Justin Verlander, I couldn't work the Tigers in.

[darkstar1661]

“Rosenthal disputes Evan Grant's report of the Brewers and Indians showing interest in Kenny Lofton”

Yeah, I didn’t think the Indians made any sense at all… They don’t have guys on “the road to recovery” (the only injury is DavidD who was just transferred to the 60Day), but they need a RFer with pop to replace Nixon if they decide to dump him, not a LFer with speed which we already have in BenFrancisco…

If they dont release Nixon though, then bringing in an OF means we option BenFran down or cut/trade FrankieG (who is playing quite well). Lofton isnt enough of an upgrade to make one of those moves in most Indians fans minds...

[buehrlebro]

The Tribe is set on position players...they need bullpen help more than anything. Don't see why the Cubs would want Lofton, way too many outfielders as it is. It maybe could work if Murton was part of it, but it would probably take more than just that.

[bravesbeast]

Burhele Bro, that actually is a very decent 4 team deal, but the braves aint gonna trade away the whole future just to help now.

[darkstar1661]

Buehrlebro,

Agree completely about the Indians ~ unless of course we get to dump Nixon which all Tribe fans are crossing our fingers for :)

Now, regarding your trade proposal:
First ~ your idea would be near impossible to put together for everyone involved… just too many players over too many teams…

Secondly, Atlanta doesn’t seem to get much for their 3 top prospects and Lillibridge… Greinke doesn’t work well as a starter (although he is a great young arm ~ just too many head issues so far to demand full value) and Pena isn’t better production at first than Salty is right now. Dotel does help the bullpen though. I’m not saying anything to overvalue Braves prospects, but just trying to stay somewhere in the realm of reasonable…

Not to say this is exactly what you did ~ but its something I don’t understand… Everyone is always so upset with Braves Fans for supposedly overvaluing their prospects while continually running around creating proposals involving them that don’t make a ton of sense for their team. How about we just don’t bring up “trade ideas for the Braves” that fail to meet the best interests of the team if we don’t want Braves fans saying it doesn’t make sense? Again, not saying it to attack you, just questioning why everyone else keeps getting into these “Brave should…” things that don’t make tons of sense…

[beauhoopman]

I remember the good old days, the days I was convinced that the White Sox were going to deal Dye and Contreras for Kemp and Milledge. Oh how I long for those days.

[darkstar1661]

beauhoopman,

What are the Sox waiting for? Are they going to let the month pass while not really trading anyone?

... if they think they are going to compete in 08 by adding a couple FAs in the off-season to fill all those holes ~ well lets just say it could be a very long 2008 for PaleHose fans...

[buehrlebro]

I think the White Sox are waiting for their players' stock to rise. Looks like the plan backfired for Contreras, but Dye looks like he's turned it around. If that doesn't work, they could make some trades before the August waiver deadline. It looks like they're trying to make Owens the leadoff hitter, and while his OPS isn't ever going to push .800, he could be the guy Ozzie has been looking for and he brings a lot of energy and lots of speed, and is a player within the organization. Sweeney should do fine in his first full season, maybe put up a .750 OPS next year if he stays on track. My bets are on Iguchi coming back. Dunno about shortstop. Fields is set at third, depending on Crede's return he could move to outfield. 1st, DH and catcher are set. Bullpen can't be any worse and the starting pitching holes look to be filled immediately.

-As for my trade proposal; What do the White Sox need? Middle infielders and outfielders. What do the Braves covet? Bullpen help, a good young starter and first base production(Pena's been outstanding this season). What do they have to give? Middle infield depth and a very talented young rookie catcher. The D-Rays have looked at Contreras and need a catcher, basically the only position they don't have set for the future. They have depth at all other positions to give up and a bunch of young arms. The Royals get the middle infield depth they need and shore up their arms while unloading Dotel and someone that brought too much drama. That big trade might not happen, but some of the players involved could be dealt to those teams in seperate trades.

-I always thought the D-Rays could make a push for Garrett Atkins after the Rockies let his stock rise. They have the talent to dispose and need a sure bat like Atkins to be there when the D-Rays are contending, and play 1st or DH. Anyone else that fits that mold would work too, but the D-Rays need to establish what they won't have when they need it and get it.

-Mariners could easily use Jeff Clement and/or Wladimir to get their coveted starter.

-Lofton trade seems in order, but I don't see the Cubs or Tribe as a fit. D-Backs? Tigers? Mets?

-The Padres don't need a starter and should keep Linebrink at least until season's end.

-Millar seems like a best fit with the Braves or Twins.

[JerseyMetFan]

Milledge has been great since his recent callup, and Moises will be back within a week or two. As much as I would love to see Lofton in NY, there just isn't room.

[Teetz]

Yes...K-LO to the Cubs!

[WestCoastBias]

How about this deal for the Padres?

SD: Contreras & Dye
CWS: Linebrink, Headley & Cameron

For the Padres, they could use Dye in RF and shift Bradley over to CF.

For the White Sox, they could attempt to use Fields or Headley in LF while they get a durable CF in Cameron as well as some bullpen relief with Linebrink that keeps them as a semi-contender for 2007.

[A2000]

I wonder what it would take for the Braves to trade for one of the extremely young electric arms. Both the Giants and the Reds are horrible. I wonder what it would take to get Lincecum or Homer Bailey.

[buehrlebro]

WestCoastBias-

The White Sox aren't going to trade Dye and Contreras for two impending free agents. Maybe another deal between them can be worked out but not that one. The Sox really covet Khalil and would probably use Uribe as part of the deal.

[JerseyMetFan]

Lincecum or Bailey? Escobar should get it done. Maybe Escobar and Orr.

[A2000]

I would like the thought of Lincecum because he uses his whole body in his motion. However, I haven't seen Bailey pitch.

[A2000]

I like the thought*

[redsrcool]

LOL. You actually think the reds or Giants would trade their most promising arm for Escobar and Orr.

[nom3k]

The Padres can't sign Brian Lawrence. He's already with the Mets, pitching for New Orleans.

[darkstar1661]

redsrcool,

I believe that JerseyMetsFan was trying to cause problems between Braves fans and others on the board...

...See, some on here like to post asinine remarks with the intent of causing problems ~ it then turns into a couple other posters running around whining and crying about “Braves fans are so stupid because they think their prospects are so important” while still other posters come up with more of these dumb proposals like “Salty for my teams 4th starter because he has no value at 1B”. And see, enough people give these “Salty+Escobar+Devine for Beuhrle” like ideas and enough Braves fans say it doesn’t make sense, then all Braves fans can be clumped together as “morons who overvalue their prospects”

Around here, the best bet is to either go along with whatever “Top-Prospect for scrub” idea they have or just ignore it… I cant do either myself, but that’s probably the best bet :)

[bringbackrocker]

Who could we get for edgar? I mean he's a good player, but Escobar could fill in nicely.

[Tim Dierkes]

Regarding Lawrence, read the article.

[JerseyMetFan]

I'm not looking to cause problems. It's a playful mock on a select few of the Braves fans who think Escobar is the second coming of (insert incredible player here).

[bcampy]

Westcoastbias-

As a Padre fan, I would be upset if KT pulled that trade. We'd be trading away a gold glove center fielder, a lights out reliever, and our #1 freaking prospect in Headley, who is absolutely mashing AA.(.350, .442, .629) He should be our 3rd baseman next year, with Kouz moving out to the OF.

Besides, Dye is a random avg bum who had one good playoff series and one good season. The Padres don't need Contreras or his salary.

[jabmets]

Mets signed Brian Lawerence to a minor league deal about a month ago. He is pitching for the New Orleans Zepherys. Doing pretty well thus far.

[JerseyMetFan]

RTFA

"One starter who might be worth a look is righty Brian Lawrence, who is 7-2 with a 3.55 ERA in 10 starts for the Mets' Class AAA affiliate in New Orleans. Lawrence, 31, has a verbal agreement with the Mets enabling him to opt out of his deal if he receives a major-league offer. He missed the 2006 season after undergoing surgery on his right shoulder, but averaged 11 wins and more than 200 innings per season between '02 and '05 "