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Stark's Latest: Harang, Bedard, Hardy, Weeks, McLouth

By Tim Dierkes [July 3, 2008 at 4:30pm CST]

Brand new column from ESPN's Jayson Stark.

Stark explains why he feels the trade deadline is overrated. I guess it all depends on what you expect from it.
You may recall Walt Jocketty's Reds untouchables list from a few weeks ago. It did not include Aaron Harang. While the Reds might listen on Harang, there wouldn't be any kind of discount.
The Mariners have pushed Erik Bedard to the backburner, focusing on shopping other veterans. They're also not dying to move Raul Ibanez at the moment.
The Brewers might be willing to include J.J. Hardy or Rickie Weeks in a trade. In our chat today, a commenter wondered whether some kind of Hardy-A.J. Burnett swap could work.
The Tigers are looking ahead, inquiring about various shortstops they might be able to use in '09 and beyond. Perhaps if they find one they'll decline Edgar Renteria's option.
Add the Marlins to the list of Brian Fuentes suitors. One source from another team said the cost for Fuentes is "one good piece."
Stark agrees with recent indications that the Royals aren't dying to move Ron Mahay. Nonetheless, the Yankees, Marlins, Phillies, and Tigers are named as interested parties.
Pirate outfield chatter: some teams are calling on Nate McLouth, though the Bucs prefer to move Jason Bay or Xavier Nady. Despite earlier reports, Stark says the Bucs could consider trading both. The Rays are "especially interested" in Bay.
Stark talked to one club official who hasn't heard any indications that the Phillies are willing to trade Shane Victorino. Also possibly off-limits: Double A catcher Lou Marson.
To acquire Rich Harden, a package "would have to at least approach last year's Dan Haren extravaganza." So, look for him to stay put. Harden's velocity was down yesterday, by the way.
Brett Myers' future with the Phillies could hinge on whether they re-sign closer Brad Lidge.
Still no buzz around Adam Dunn.
C.C. chatter: don't write off the Indians' attempt to sign him to an extension. "One friend" sees Sabathia as more likely to land on the West Coast than the east if he doesn't re-sign.

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Comments

I heard that the reason that there is no buzz around Adam Dunn is that he doesn't even like baseball.

Posted by: jstuart | July 03, 2008 at 04:54 PM

I would much rather have the brewers include weeks in a deal to cleveland than JJ in a deal to Toronto. JJ is hitting GREAT right now.

Posted by: glover28 | July 03, 2008 at 05:05 PM

Rickie Weeks
Tony Gwynn Jr.
Angel Salome
Michael Brantley

for

thats got to be enough to get it done

Posted by: glover28 | July 03, 2008 at 05:06 PM

If the pirates decide to only trade one of their corner outfielders, hopefully it is Nady. His production as been outstanding this year, there is no doubting that. But Bay is in the midst of a nice bounce back year. The reason I would rather see Nady moved, however, is the fact that he is injury-proned, and he has been his entire carreer. I am very excited to see how the new regime will do this coming month.

Posted by: letsgobucs57 | July 03, 2008 at 05:10 PM

"Rickie Weeks
Tony Gwynn Jr.
Angel Salome
Michael Brantley

for

thats got to be enough to get it done"

Oooh, that all depends on how highly the Indians think of Weeks. Me personally...not a fan, but I do think he is your prototypical " needs a change of scenery" guy. I dont know if it was the hype or what, but Weeks has just not gotten it done. Every year is suppose to be the year he lives up to all his billing and every year he is a combination of bad and hurt. If Im Shapiro I pass on Weeks and tell the Crew LaPorta or Gamel has to be the centerpiece.

Posted by: forlife61 | July 03, 2008 at 05:18 PM

breaking news.....

guillermo mota sucks. He is now officially on the trading block.

Posted by: glover28 | July 03, 2008 at 05:24 PM

As the time rolls on, its looking more and more like cleveland isnt going to get either of them. The brewers have plenty of other VERY good prospects not named gamel, laporta, escobar, or jeffress.

Posted by: glover28 | July 03, 2008 at 05:26 PM

glover28,
i agree with forlife61 and tim's point during the chat. while the pieces you suggest are nice, they seem like one of those desperate pull-together-whatever-we-can-so-we-don't-have-to-give-up-our-big-guns attempts. i don't know if shapiro would buy it. and letsgobucks, since when is jason bay NOT injury-prone?

Posted by: jacklaf | July 03, 2008 at 05:38 PM

Burnett for Hardy is sweet, and even tho Hardy is hitting lately Burnett has pitched like a Ace his last 2 starts.

Posted by: Dev0 | July 03, 2008 at 05:44 PM

I think it would be a nice bit to see Weeks, a good prospect i.e. Cole Gillaspie or Angel Salome, and an ok prospect. Go to the A's for Harden. A nice future double-play combo of the Weeks brothers in the middle of the field. But I have a feeling Beane would want LaPorta or Gamel as a center piece of a Harden deal.

P.S. Hey Brewers fans, do you think that LaPorta could play 3B? I know Gamel is a 3B, but I like LaPorta's bat better.

Posted by: AriGoldisaG | July 03, 2008 at 05:47 PM

1. It would make no sense for the brewers to trade JJ to the jays for a few reasons.

-1. His contract sucks, and milwaukee doesnt want to pay him
-2. if he plays well, he will opt out and get a new contract
-3. if he pitches bad, were stuck with him.
-4. jj hardy is TEARING it up. He is something like 10 of his last 13 with like 3 homeruns.

- Laporta could never play third, he isnt very good on defense, and hes not athletic enough to play 3rd.

Posted by: glover28 | July 03, 2008 at 06:01 PM

Unless I am mistaken, other than last year, while he was recovering from his bothersome knees, he has had a pretty solid career, not missing any significant time. Even when his knees were hurting, and he hurt hus shoulder his rookie year, he never made any trips to the DL. Compare that to Nady who hasn't played more than 120-130 games in any single year, it is pretty easy to see the discrepancy. Just my humble opinion.

Posted by: letsgobucs57 | July 03, 2008 at 06:12 PM

Sorry, I was talking about Jason Bay ^^

Posted by: letsgobucs57 | July 03, 2008 at 06:12 PM

Brewers fans if you don't give up Gamel you wont get CC. The Cubs can offer more than the Brewers if they won't give up LaPorta, Gamel, Escobar, or Jeffryes. You have to give up talent to get talent.

Posted by: Joe | July 03, 2008 at 06:58 PM

Along with Fuentes and Mahay, Tim Brydak is probably available to teams looking to add a lefty reliever. He's been great for Houston (though allowed too many walks), is cheap, and could probably be had for a B-level prospect, though I'm sure Houston is hoping that whatever teams miss out on Fuentes might be willing to overpay for him.

Posted by: ARusonis | July 03, 2008 at 07:23 PM

Brewer Fans:

It doesn't matter how many good prospects you have. If that was the case the Cubs would have Roberts already and would be locking in on C.C. already. If you want Sabathia you're going to need to give up an elite young player, either Gamel or LaPorta. You might be able to replace one of them with Weeks and some added weight to the prospect portion of the offer, but realistically quantity isn't quite gonna get a deal done

Posted by: scribbletone | July 03, 2008 at 07:28 PM

ok how long have I said the Rays should go for Bay... apparently great minds think alike... on the other side of that page I would not want to trade Bay if I'm the Pirates. Nady is a nice fall back though and wouldn't have to switch positions.

The Brewers aren't going to trade Hardy, at least not for Burnett

Posted by: gogopalehose | July 03, 2008 at 07:33 PM

Tim, don't say Harden is going to stay when I've read other articles when they have said he is good as gone. You shouldn't make statements like that because it could make you look dumb.

Posted by: CUBBIES2008 | July 03, 2008 at 08:15 PM

Wow, he puts his two cents in and all of a sudden "it could make him look dumb". He gets the idea he's staying, he can write that without having to worry about being judged. Just because articles say one thing does not mean it is true. I don't see why the A's would trade him when they are in contention, at least not for an attainable sum. That's how Beane plays his games.

Posted by: gogopalehose | July 03, 2008 at 10:20 PM

its nice to see that pittsburgh baseball is the training grounds for upcoming talent again this year. give them some experience time playing with the pirates and move them. dont build a core, stay out of debt!!! why spend money when our city wont come and see us?!?! it makes perfect sense...

Posted by: tencountfall | July 04, 2008 at 03:44 PM

I would rather have Hollimon start everyday right now for us than have that overrated scum Renteria in my lineup. Bad bat, glove, and personality. That trade was worse than the Gonzo trade in my opinion. Dombrowski is blind to the ineptness of his friends. Who in their right mind would basically give away an up and coming starter for an OLD WASHED UP PROVEN LOSER? Oh, D-bag. Edgar was clutch prior to the Red Sox (where he displayed how old and slow and defenseless he is), but after '05 I thought the whole world would understand that he is NOT GOOD anymore. I hope the Tigers decline his option, and I can only dream of his release.

Posted by: Calriver | July 04, 2008 at 06:42 PM

Rickie Weeks
Tony Gwynn Jr.
Angel Salome
Michael Brantley

for

thats got to be enough to get it done"

I went and played with Michael Brantley at Fort Pierce Central.. I caught him for some scouts..

Posted by: varsity18 | July 05, 2008 at 07:04 AM

Stark's Latest: Harang, Bedard, Hardy, Weeks, McLouth

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