Stark's Latest

Jayson Stark has a new Rumblings and Grumblings column up at ESPN; check it out.  Here are some new trade rumors I picked up from it:

• Stark's sources indicate that Kenny Williams is only serious about moving Jose Contreras, not Jon Garland or Javier Vazquez.  Makes sense, if he's trying to win in 2008.  Problem is that Contreras doesn't have much trade value, the way he's been pitching for the last year.
• Of course the Mets would have interest in Dontrelle Willis if made available, but the Tigers?  That's a new one.  Not sure why a team so deep in pitching would trade young players for Willis.  But, it's just a rumor.
• Zack Greinke is admittedly a long shot to be traded, but that doesn't mean teams aren't asking all the time.  The Braves connection is obvious.  Stark says John Schuerholz is getting very aggressive and creative trying to improve his team.  Two prospects on the block are Elvis Andrus and Dan Smith.
• The Rangers are asking for way too much for their relievers right now.  As you know, the options for Eric Gagne are quite limited because of his no-trade clause and desire to close.  The Cubs, Phillies, and Braves could accomodate him, but it seems the Tigers seemingly don't want to move Todd Jones out of the closer role.  Odd.
• The Mets would move Mike Pelfrey in a major trade, perhaps annoyed with the Scott Boras influence on him.
• The Phillies are falling all over themselves to get a starter, but the main options appear to be Joe Kennedy, Kyle Lohse, and Steve Trachsel.  Awww yeah, World Series here we come.  For good starters or relievers, teams want Shane Victorino.  The Phils need him to take over center field next year.
• Contrary to previous reports, the Reds intend to hold on to David Weathers.
• There's no real fit anywhere for Ken Griffey Jr., given the limited list of teams he'll play for.
• Expect the Angels to stand mostly pat, this year and next.  That's just how they roll.  No A-Rod, no Barry, no Adam Dunn.
• Relievers under consideration by the Dodgers: Chad Qualls, Dan Wheeler, Octavio Dotel, Al Reyes, and a new one - Luis Vizcaino.
• Stark believes $30MM a year for A-Rod is laughable.  But Stark and Scott Boras have had public beef before so he may be biased on this.  I can see Boras getting his magic number for Rodriguez.

Comments

[buehrlebro]

Schuerholz is aggressively looking for a starting pitcher

Who knew

[bravesbeast]

Well if JS is getting creative, that just has to mean good things for the braves. and if andrus can get us a young piece that is proven, by all means lets see what happens, I am getting excited, and i bet he his shopping andrus for grienkie, because most other teams would not even think about trading a young pitcher for a 19 year old, but because of the Dayton Moore/Braves connection, do not be surprised

[buehrlebro]

I don't think Andrus would get the job done. Moore knows how valuable Greinke is and isn't itching to trade him either. Look more for a Dotel acquisition.

[Blutarski]

Escobar for Contreras gets it done for him.

It's a win-win. Contreras is fine and would kick but for the Braves.

They should just do it.

[Baseballfan79]

I wonder what the tigers would move for Willis and a relief arm? We have a few nice relief arms and the tigers do need some relievers.

I doubt they would move Maybin so pretty much makes it limited for a bit.

Oh wells stark is strange.

[Tim]

When are you people gonna realize that Jose Contreras BLOWS!!! That guy isn't any good.

I can sit here and wishfully believe that JS is capable of pulling off that Grienke trade but my more realistic side says we land someone lesser like Arroyo or Jennings.

[buehrlebro]

Contreras doesn't BLOW, he's having a bad stretch. You don't know what the guy is capable of when he's going good. People said he blew when he was traded for Loaiza, how did that work out?

[Russe]

Maybe Jason Jennings for Andrus? The Astros could use a young, high-ceiling SS.

As for the Phillies, I don't think they "need" to hang on to Victorino--Bourn could turn into a decent-to-good CF and he's ready to play now.

[beauhoopman]

It doesnt matter whether or not Contreras is good or bad. Teams need pitching, and he has value. The rest is irrelevant.

[royalsdynasty]

I doubt Dayton is dumb enough to trade Greinke for Elvis Andrus. Yeah, sure, he's loaded with potential, but we need someone that's closer to the bigs for a young pitcher with his upside. If the Braves want Greinke, they'll either have to give us Escobar, Saltalamacchia, or Jo Jo Reyes. Maybe even Reyes and Escobar.

[SBE]

Contreras is just "having a bad stretch"?! He has a 5.35 ERA since last year's All-Star break - that's awful.

Sure, he has a track record of bouncing back, but do you want to risk your postseason chances on it? I wouldn't.

A Greinke to Atlanta deal is intriguing, but how embarrassing would it be for Moore if the trade went through and Greinke went on to become Smoltz vers 2.0?

[DentalPlan]

Why aren't the Dodgers just using Meloan instead of probably trading him and another prospect just for one of these overpriced rent-a-relievers?

[J.L.]

Because Meloan lacks veteran grizzle (duh). What would only be truly stupid is to include Meloan in a trade for a reliever, since he could probably do the job as well anyways.

[lih]

Yeah, but Meloan is also a nice fallback. Ned can just say, hey if you want X for Dotel, forget about it and we'll use Meloan. I mean, where is Gio? It's about time for him to come pitch for a couple of months isn't it? Ahh, I say give Houlton a shot in the rotation and put Hendy bacck in the pen. He does a decent job in relief. It's not like they need a top-flight guy.

[bravesrule14]

as i said yesterday i would love for the Braves to get Greinke. what team wouldnt want him(well obviously the Royals,but yea w/e) im sure JS could come wit sumthing that wouldnt kill our farm to get Greinke.

[cachhubguy]

Sox fans, please stop trying to sell us on Contreras. He is 9-20 with an ERA over 5 since last years all-star game. That's not a bad stretch, he's done. Any GM that would take him on with the 20+ million he's owed should be fired.

[royalsdynasty]

I don't believe we ever said we wanted to trade Greinke. But if we got a great deal in return we'd have to make the deal or at least consider it.

[reldnahkram]

Russe: Victorino has a little power, Bourn doesn't. I'm also not convinced he's quite ready to play everyday. He's shown flashes, but he's also made a few rookie mistakes. I think the Phillies need to hang on to both of them, assuming that Rowand is gone and Burrell gets traded (and I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that trading Burrell is a mistake). Getting one decent outfielder is going to be difficult this offseason, let alone two.

What would it take for the Phillies to get Joe Kennedy from Billy Beane? He's a ground-ball pitcher who's gotten no run support this season. The ground balls help in CBP, and in Philly he'll get more than the 2.5 runs/game the A's gave him.

[J.L.]

They are asking the world for Dotel so far so I doubt anyone will offer a package good enough to get Greinke. Also, Meloan just promoted to AAA today. They've already emptied the pen there so I bet he's up before too long, whether another reliever is acquired or not.

[Evil Empire]

"Stark believes $30MM a year for A-Rod is laughable"

LOLoLOLoLOL

I agree!

[boomshwa12]

it's laughable alright...but sadly realistic

[darkstar1661]

…isnt he only making about 2.5 less than that now?

Might be laughable, but it’s probably more than just realistic...

[Aduncaroo]

I think its very realistic. If he signs for any less than 6 years, its definite. If he signs for 8 to 10 years...then maybe not...