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Heyman On Contenders' Needs

By Ben Nicholson-Smith [June 3, 2009 at 1:21pm CST]

Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Dodgers would have to overpay for Jake Peavy, the Red Sox are going after bats and the Giants are "dangling" Jonathan Sanchez. Here are the details:

It's unlikely the White Sox could pry Cliff Lee away from the Indians.
The Brewers aren't sure whether they'll go after a hitter or a pitcher.
Heyman cites a source who says the Dodgers believe they'd have to pay "insanely" more than anyone else if they want to acquire Peavy. That's not much of a problem for the Dodgers, who are looking strong as-is.
The Red Sox are "aggressively seeking help," according to their competitors.
The best player they have a realistic shot at is Victor Martinez. If the Red Sox are going to deal for V-Mart, they'll likely have to part with young pitching.
Along with Nick Johnson and Aubrey Huff, Heyman says Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham are "possibilities" for the Red Sox.
Not surprisingly, the Mets would not deal Fernando Martinez for Matt Holliday.
The Giants are "dangling" Jonathan Sanchez.
The Cubs remain the favorites for Peavy, though they haven't called the Padres about him recently.
The Yankees, Angels and Rangers are looking for relief help.
One AL exec believes Erik Bedard would not adjust well to the attention if he's dealt to the Phillies.
And could George W. Bush team up with Nolan Ryan to re-purchase the Rangers?

Comments

my original post was lost i guess, but colletti said on an interview with dan patrick that the pads were asking for 3 guys off the 25 man and 2 solid prospects. looking at the 25 man and taking away guys who signed this offseason who cannot be dealt, and guys who were available to SD the whole time , you've got:

Billingsley, Broxton, Kershaw, Kuroda, Schlichting, Wade, Martin, Loney, Ethier, Kemp, and Pierre... and Schlichting wasnt on the 25 man at the time. 3 of those guys PLUS 2 prospects? Thats highway robbery right there, no thanks.

Posted by: deanconklin | June 03, 2009 at 01:37 PM

Why would the sox go after lee that makes no sense

Posted by: kcatlantis | June 03, 2009 at 01:46 PM

As a Tiger's fan I saw the headline on this story and very eagerly read it, only to be disappointed. I'm guessing Heyman has to recognize that the Tiger's are a legit contender, was he stating by omission that the Tigers won't move anything by the trade deadline? They seem to have a need for one more bat, and if Bonderman can come back as a rotation starter we have 6 starters on our roster, so it seems like there are possibilities for the always proactive Dave Dombrowski to do something here, but no one is really talking about the Tigers.

Posted by: ScottinLA | June 03, 2009 at 01:48 PM

What about the Cardinals! They're contenders too arn't they! I'd like to see the Cardinals go after DeRosa or even Matt Holliday and trade away an existing outfielder for a pitcher, what about Chris Duncan for Brad Penny?

Posted by: JonRS | June 03, 2009 at 01:50 PM

Reds are contenders too. They are .500 and have not fallen out of it while their best hitter and possibly best pitcher are both on the DL.

Posted by: GmblngPtchr20 | June 03, 2009 at 01:51 PM

I guess the Cardinals are not contenders... That's a shame... I would like to see DeRosa if I knew they could resign him.

Posted by: Cardinals Fan Forever | June 03, 2009 at 01:52 PM

two things- one, the Padres are nuts if they just don't take the best available deal, even from a division rival. Realistically, wherever Peavy goes, that's a clear indication that this season is being tossed, and pretty much next as well. Can't worry about Peavy haunting you in 2011- if the Dodgers make the best offer, take it.

Second, Theo can't worry that he admits a mistake by acquiring Dunn now for prospects instead of money. First off, circumstances have changed, Dunn is doing well and Ortiz is a total disaster. Second, the Red Sox stand to make a similar trade from the other side when (if) they move Penny- whoever they trade him to could have just as easily had him this offseason for just cash.
At this point, why would anyone give anything of real value of Holliday?

Posted by: jakec | June 03, 2009 at 01:58 PM

Pads can't take the best available deal. They must take a deal that Peavy will agree to.

Posted by: MickS | June 03, 2009 at 02:00 PM

cubs need more than peavy if they want to contend. trading for a stronger bullpen and another (reliable) bat seems key.

Posted by: blackbrrr | June 03, 2009 at 02:00 PM

I like the Penny for Duncan idea.

If the Dodgers would have to overpay for Peavy and if the Chi Sox can't pry Lee from the Tribe, why does LA not try to get Lee?

I tihnk that nats will keep Willingham -- he's under control and Dunn, but will move Johnson any day. He might even be leaving two with the Giants on Thursday night. They'd be a much better club with his OBP.

Posted by: Chacho | June 03, 2009 at 02:04 PM

Midtown-
I hope that Theo would choose a solid #3 hitter and better playoff potential over having pie on his face.

With that said - Anybody have any guesses on how much a 1/2 year rental of the economically friendly Dunn would cost?

I know the Nat's have a late inning need - Maybe Saito+?

Posted by: alpha | June 03, 2009 at 02:06 PM

adam dunn has a a year 1/2 left on his contract

Posted by: echapman | June 03, 2009 at 02:15 PM

"With that said - Anybody have any guesses on how much a 1/2 year rental of the economically friendly Dunn would cost?"

Dunn is not a half year rental. He's under contract through 2010.

"At this point, why would anyone give anything of real value of Holliday?"

Holliday 2009 = 1.5 WAR
Bay 2009 = 1.5 WAR

Posted by: melonis rex | June 03, 2009 at 02:20 PM

Hindsight is 20/20. I disagree that trading for Dunn now would reflect poorly on Theo Epstein for not signing him during the offseason.

At the time, where was Dunn going to play for the Red Sox? More importantly, after he took a free-agent contract during an economic downturn, was Dunn really willing to diminish his value for future contracts by accepting a short-term job as a platoon player? If Epstein had foreseen that Ortiz would be a black hole on offense and THEN decided not to sign Dunn, that would be inexplicable. Nobody expected this steep of a decline, this fast.

Posted by: DunkinDonuts | June 03, 2009 at 02:21 PM

I think the Dodgers should be able to deal with the Indians on Lee. As I remember last July the Dodgers were pretty darn generous to the Indians in the Casey Blake trade.

Posted by: badroute | June 03, 2009 at 02:29 PM

Does that mean Dunn is on the trade market? Braves should go after him. They can offer Washington the pitching prospects they desperately need

Posted by: GoldenGlove002 | June 03, 2009 at 02:41 PM

Would the Yankees some how be able to get Matt Thonrton or Jose Valverde come the trade deadline?

What about the Mets they need another bat could Matt Holliday or Mark DeRosa be in store?

Posted by: FreeSide | June 03, 2009 at 02:50 PM

The Real problem with Dunn is he is not a very versatile player. He is at 10M/year so if Ortiz doesnt work for the next year and a half are we paying 24M/annually for a DH.

I think we go and see how Kotsay is going to play out and if Ortiz can find his swing after a 30-day DL stint...."Ouch Papi I see you are having some pain in your pinkie- go down and get better"

Posted by: theJonathan | June 03, 2009 at 03:00 PM

I just don't think Lee is going anywhere. It's one thing to consider 2009 a lost season but trading Cliff is almost throwing in the towel for 2010 as well. The Indians do not need a rebuild. They need a better bullpen and a little luck on the injury front.

Posted by: MickS | June 03, 2009 at 03:44 PM

I think the Dodgers should be able to deal with the Indians on Lee. As I remember last July the Dodgers were pretty darn generous to the Indians in the Casey Blake trade.

Posted by: badroute | June 03, 2009 at 02:29 PM

The big problem is Lee is signed for the next 2 season at a very club friendly contract he wouldn't be a rental like CC was . So the Indians would want Major league ready Front of the Rotation Prospect + for him I look at it being at least a 4 for 1 trade.
James McDonald RHP / Ethan Martin, RHP / Joshua Bell 3B / Steve Johnson RHP Type Deal

Posted by: baseballnuts | June 03, 2009 at 03:54 PM

I wouldn't worry now about Dunn and that the Sox could have signed him as a FA. Who could have foreseen that Ortiz would have been a total flop? Remember, the Sox thought that Lowell was going to be moved, yet he has been the rock of the infield and one of the best clutch hitters so far.

Dunn would be the LH hitting monster/on base machine the Sox need and *probably* cost less than Victor Martinez in the way of prospects, as in no Bucholz/Bowden/Bard type guys, but a Bullpen arm (MDC) and another Portland arm, like maybe a Doubront, or maybe Kris Johnson.

Washington desperately needs BP help and MDC would slide into the closer role pretty quick, MDC would hate to leave Boston, but it would be his career chance and the Sox would get the LH threat that Ortiz was 2 years ago and for a year and a half for 10M a season, not bad for an on base machine with super power that plays corner OF and 1B, albeit poorly and can take over the DH duties finally for the Sox.

Posted by: johns | June 03, 2009 at 03:59 PM

Saying Dunn isn't versatile is incorrect. He is not a good fielder, but he can play 3 different positions (4 if you include DH). A non-versatile player would be David Ortiz, who is relegated to just DH/1B.

Also, the Nats aren't going to be trading Dunn or Johnson for ML bullpen help. If a guy like Manny Delcarmen is acquired, it will be because he still is a high-ceiling young player, not because he will immediately help the bullpen. So put your Saito rumors away for now.

Posted by: thehoagster07 | June 03, 2009 at 04:02 PM

Dunn has gone on record dating back to his Cincy days about his "lack of comfort" at 1B. I don't think you can consider him a viable 1B. He refused to sign with some teams because they wanted him to play there.

Posted by: MickS | June 03, 2009 at 04:04 PM

"James McDonald RHP / Ethan Martin, RHP / Joshua Bell 3B / Steve Johnson RHP Type Deal"

Ok, you dont know who these kids are, we can tell. Martin has just as high a ceiling as Kershaw(#1 potenital, and showing what he can do after an injury last yr), with the execption that he is a righty. Josh Bell is our 2nd best power prospect, behing Lambo.

I know Lee is a good pitcher, but in the playoffs, are you going to be afraid to face Lee in game 2? he isnt a true ace, like Peavy, Oswalt, Halladay, Santana, etc. the dodgers wouldnt offer that for an ace, so why would they do that for Lee?

Posted by: lakersdodgersyankees4life | June 03, 2009 at 04:07 PM

Boston has internal options for DH (Lowell, Kotsay, Baldelli, Drew for starters). As DH even Green would give better production than Papi at this point.

If they do look for an outside DH it need only be a short-term/low-dollar purchase. The bigger needand better buy would be for someone to stabilize the left side of the infield, which basically stinks. Even though he's holding his own defensively, Lowell's mobility and health will become more of a factor as the season wears on and he's better suited for a combo of 3B/DH DH duties to keep his bat but rest his hip. Lugo and green and Lowrie (if/when he returns) are just too risky to bank on indefinately.

There's better value in getting a quality infield glove who can reliably handle SS/3B and add some pop to fill the Papi void. I still like Peralta of the Indians but they just lost their starting SS...could make it less likely they'll deal now.

Posted by: Lock | June 03, 2009 at 04:26 PM

How about Delcarmen for Dunn

Posted by: redsoxfan17 | June 03, 2009 at 04:32 PM

The Brewers don't know if they need a bat or pitcher what? Has anyone seen that rotation. Gallardo and thats it.

Posted by: whitesox4life | June 03, 2009 at 04:42 PM

Someone said the Indians don't need to rebuild, what? Serious?

Posted by: whitesox4life | June 03, 2009 at 04:43 PM

" The bigger needand better buy would be for someone to stabilize the left side of the infield, which basically stinks."

Lock,

This "should" be stabilized in 2-3 weeks when Lowrie returns from the DL, Lugo is *hopefully* either sent to the mysterious unknown DL land, or released and Green becomes the roving utility guy to cover 2B and SS. Remember that both Green and Lowrie can play all 3 LH IF positions and Lowrie is steady as a rock with the glove, just not the best of range.

Peralta does not have much range anyway and his offensive numbers have been in severe decline this year anyway, if the Sox were to look for a different backup IF, would prefer a Willie Bloomquist that can play 7 positions and give them a PR for late inning situations that may be available possibly.

I can't see them looking for a low dollar DH either, or one that cheap bat wise, 10M for 2010 is not bad and approximately 5M left on this years salary for Dunn is not bad,especially when they will not have to give up a draft pick after the season to sign a FA this year, if they were going to do that.

Posted by: johns | June 03, 2009 at 04:47 PM

"How about Delcarmen for Dunn

Posted by: redsoxfan17 | June 03, 2009 at 04:32 PM'"
Ha Theo would be all over that.

"my original post was lost i guess, but colletti said on an interview with dan patrick that the pads were asking for 3 guys off the 25 man and 2 solid prospects. looking at the 25 man and taking away guys who signed this offseason who cannot be dealt, and guys who were available to SD the whole time , you've got:

Posted by: deanconklin | June 03, 2009 at 01:37 PM"

We will hear this craziness until Peavy is moved. So do not worry about.

Posted by: 661dodgerblue | June 03, 2009 at 05:23 PM

I would love to have V-mart playing 1st base for the sox. Youk over to 3rd and Lowell and Ortiz share DH. At the very least it would cost Buchholz, Bard or Bowden, and Lars Anderson.

Posted by: wally | June 03, 2009 at 05:56 PM

Wally, I think the Indians might do Buchholtz, Bard and Bowden. I don't think they need Lars. I think La Porta is destined for 1B. This sets the Tribe up for the future pitching-wise and with V-Mart's bat puts the Red Sox over the top.

Posted by: MickS | June 03, 2009 at 07:37 PM

Whitesox4life, Pierzinski, Thome, Konerko, Dye? Good luck with the Geritol boys. Talk about needing a rebuild. And a crap farm system to boot.

Posted by: MickS | June 03, 2009 at 07:45 PM

Wally
I know for a fact that the Indians would make that move and the Red Sox wouldn't even have to give up Lars Anderson to get the deal done .
Buchholz / Bard / Bowden and if they need to add a forth I'm sure they could throw Casey Kelly in as the forth player if one was needed to get the deal done.

I look for the fire sale to start very soon in Cleveland.
Martinez / DeRosa / Lee / Pavano / Betancourt / Carroll and Garko may all be gone by the trading deadline.

There was a rumor Lee and DeRosa to the Braves for a package that would have included Tommy Hanson but now with the trade with the Pirates I don't see the Braves trading anymore pitching.

Posted by: baseballnuts | June 03, 2009 at 07:59 PM

baseballnuts...you totally forgot Sizemore, Peralta, Carmona, Shoppach, and Choo. Indians fire sale....HA.

Posted by: grimace455 | June 03, 2009 at 08:18 PM

Grimace, if you think Sizemore is going anywhere then you are clueless beyond redemption.

Posted by: MickS | June 03, 2009 at 08:38 PM

Theo would not give up Buchholz, Bowday, and Bard for Martinez. That would just be dumb. They project to an ace, solid number three, and closer that can throw about 120mph. No way, the team can win a WS this year without help, why would they give away three of their top ten (possibly three of top five) prospects when cheaper help is available?

Posted by: beanbats | June 03, 2009 at 08:39 PM

"Lock,

Posted by: johns | June 03, 2009 at 04:47 PM "

I'd have to disagree re Lowrie. I've not much faith in him straight off the DL...even if he is healthy. He's just average with a glove and his slight uppercut swing with no real power spells lots of flyball outs, albeit a few doubles sprinkled in. Nothing special. A Lowrie/Green combo is certainly better than a Green/Lugo pair...but not by alot. Peralta has experience, is better than his stats suggest and he's starting to come off an early slump and wrist injury. He has a quick bat, is only 27 and can give you 20+ homers when he's on. True, Bloomquist is a workable short-term option but Peralta is probably the best overall long-term value for 'available' SS/3B infielders and could fill the Sox' SS void now and for the immediate future, with Lowrie as the utility guy. At worst they'd battle for the starting SS...loser gets to be backup and spell Lowell/Pedroia. Green can't field and is package trade bait. Lugo can, well, do whatever he wants someplace else.

Posted by: Lock | June 03, 2009 at 09:11 PM

It's good to know you can detect sarcasm MickS. I also love how everyone is treating the Indians like the Pirates; "They have good players and have a losing record, they are going to trade them all"

Posted by: grimace455 | June 03, 2009 at 09:18 PM

I agree that McDonald, Bell and Ethan Martin is a bit much to ask of the Dodgers for Cliff Lee.

Ethan Martin, Withrow, Lindblom, Bell and Lambo have to be off-limits unless it is for Halladay or Bedard or another geniune ace. I'd be reluctant to package more than one of them for Oswalt, even (his contract and performance thus far aren't all that great).

I think the expendable prospects the Dodgers have are: McDonald, Elbert, Paul, DeWitt, and DeJesus OR Hu. I'd be reluctant to part with Paul or DeWitt, but they are blocked for the time being. Hoffmann and Stults could also be moved. Stults would be a reliable back of rotation starter on most teams, and should be more valuable than, say, Charlie Morton (Stults has even pitched a couple major league shutouts). We also have depth in catching with May and Ellis. Ellis has been doing great in AAA, while May has a lot of potential. One of them could be moved.

Posted by: dodgersdan | June 04, 2009 at 12:47 AM

Could the Brewers sign Tom Glavine or go after Peavey? They are obviously far ahead of the Cubs for any type of pennant race, so a much more attractive prospect for them. Anyway, Manny Parra sucks and Bill Hall isn't worth the money it costs to wash his uniform.

Posted by: Troy Reissmann | June 04, 2009 at 07:18 AM

I agree with Grimmace, it's funny to see the shark's circling around the Indians roster thinking they can poach any player they want off the roster just because their team is in contention and the Indians aren't. Sorry, unless a team is ready to give up a king's ransom they aren't getting Victor or Lee. Derosa, Garko, Pavano, or Carrol are there for the taking...have at 'em.

And it also makes me laught to hear people continually pound on Cliff Lee for not being a true #1. Here, I'm going to say it...he's better than Roy Oswalt RIGHT NOW. I'd rather have Lee starting game 7 than Oswalt. Take away Lee's first two horrendous starts and you have a 2.00 ERA. Hell, I'll let you leave them in and it's still a 2.96 ERA. Oswalt's trending down while Lee is in the middle of a string of career bests. But hey, your team can have him for peanuts because he's not a #1, the Indians are stupid, and your prospects are all A+ grades.

Tribe (not) In 09

Posted by: Tribe In 09 | June 04, 2009 at 09:51 AM

Hey I am a die hard yankees fan. The yankees have one weakness and one weakness only.... the pen. The yankees have three young center fielders melky, gardner, and jackson. Obviously the yanks arent moving jackson, and i wood not like the see the speed of Gardner getting delt so why not trade Melky for a power arm in the bullpen like a jokim soria, heath bell, or even a jose valverde. This deal might cost the yanks an additional pitching prospect like a mark malanson or edwar ramirez but they have been awful in the big leagues anyway. Melkys value is as high as it will ever be now and other than his cannon arm he can not do much that gardner cant. with another strong arm in the bullpen, there already allstar pitching rotation, and a long powerful offense that can score runs in a varietty of ways this team looks like a team with no weaknesses tht will b a contender in the tough AL east.

Posted by: RandyM | June 06, 2009 at 07:12 PM

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