Earlier today, we heard rumors from AOL FanHouse's Ed Price involving Cliff Lee and the Tigers' hunt for bullpen help. In his latest column, Price provides a few more hot stove notes. Let's take a look:
- According to Price, the Astros are looking for teams interested in Roy Oswalt to take on Oswalt's entire salary and give up three major-league-ready players. There have been indications lately that the Astros would be willing to pay part of their ace's salary in order to get better prospects, so it's hard to believe the team will stick to the demands described by Price.
- The Indians have been trying to drum up interest for Kerry Wood.
- Pittsburgh "seems willing" to move Octavio Dotel.
- A source tells Price that members of the Marlins' front office will meet this week to decide whether to become buyers or sellers.
- In a bullet point at the bottom of Price's piece, FanHouse's Jeff Fletcher says that the Phillies had one of their "top special assignment scouts" watching Ben Sheets' last start. As Ruben Amaro Jr. indicated today, the Phils are more likely to trade for a pitcher than an infielder.
If they want a team to take on all of Oswalt’s salary, they better be happy with getting 3 ML ready bench players.
Oswalt will be the Astros’ opening day starter next year.
what kind of prospects/salary relief would be needed for wood?
i’m thinking a move to an NL contender in a lesser role than a closer could be a good change of scenery for wood but don’t anticipate anyone willing to part with anything more than a fringe prospect nor would they be willing to pay anything more than half of the money owed to him the rest of the way..is he a FA at the end of the year?
Wood will be a free agent, Last rumor out of Cincy had the Reds Gm talking to the Indians about Kerry Wood and the players that the Reds are thought to be offering is Juan Francisco and Chris Heisey.
The Problem is the Indians are very deep with 3rd base prospects and they are looking for a right handed power bat and Francisco is a Lefty and Shapiro is not thrilled about Heisey, I think for this deal to work they would have to find another team to make it a 3 way where they would them move Francisco to another team and replace Heisey with someone else.
Last I heard the Indians are going to pay the rest of Woods contract in any deal to obtain the better prospects, from what I have heard thats why the Reds offered Francisco, but the Indians have Goedert ready now and Chisenhall at AA right on his heels.
Not only would the Astros *NOT* get three major league-ready players for Oswalt, it’s not even a good idea. Unless you’re talking about three top-level relievers that could suddenly make Houston relevant, this is a team that isn’t going to compete for at LEAST 2-3 seasons. Focusing on guys who can produce in 2012 or 2013 seems like it’d be a much more prudent baseball decision. Houston isn’t two or three pieces away at this time, and removing Oswalt puts them even MORE pieces behind.
this is just some IDIOT writer dreaming up crap again…. Houston knows they won’t get 3 major league ready players from a team AND ask them to pay all of what Oswalt is owed.. IF they want 3 top prospects, they better be ready to eat a lot of his deal….
Houston won’t get ONE ML ready player or top prospect if they require the other team to assume the remainder of the contract.
The Astros will never get a deal like that done unless the MLB-ready players are has-beens and not prospects, and the Phillies will have to give up Brown for Sheets
Do you realize Keith Law just wrote that Brown is the best prospect currently in the minors? On what planet would the Phillies trade Brown for Sheets?
Pretty funny quotes here.
Pittsburgh “seems willing” to move Octavio Dotel.
Surface of the sun likely hot.
Oswalt…
Next up:
“Royals willing to accept a lesser prospect should some team take on all of Jose Guillen’s contract.”
“Carlos Silva could be dealt if the Cubs fall out of the race.”
“Dodgers don’t have money to take on all of Roy Oswalt’s contract.”
The Astros have no urgency to sell low. I’d bet they’re gambling someone is going to be desperate enough to meet them closer to their price at the deadline.
Hmm…. if as mentioned elsewhere the Rays are interested in swapping B.J. Upton + for Lee, why don’t they try to make a trade with the astros to bring Oswalt and have the Astros eat up some money and they get some package like B.J. Upton + Andy Sonnanstine + HighA/AA B Level prospect. Seriously, match made in heaven. The Astros would be getting a great young player in Upton that will help draw fans and an AL East starter that would CERTAINLY pitch very well in the NL, much like Ex-Yankee Ian Kennedy.
The rays would be getting a rock solid pitcher that could help with the young staff, at a relatively affordable cost for almost two years. I’d think that Oswalt waves his NTC if he’s offered to go to a perennial contender in Tampa.
Win – Win – Win
Hmm…. if as mentioned elsewhere the Rays are interested in swapping B.J. Upton + for Lee, why don’t they try to make a trade with the astros to bring Oswalt and have the Astros eat up some money and they get some package like B.J. Upton + Andy Sonnanstine + HighA/AA B Level prospect. Seriously, match made in heaven. The Astros would be getting a great young player in Upton that will help draw fans and an AL East starter that would CERTAINLY pitch very well in the NL, much like Ex-Yankee Ian Kennedy.
The rays would be getting a rock solid pitcher that could help with the young staff, at a relatively affordable cost for almost two years. I’d think that Oswalt waves his NTC if he’s offered to go to a perennial contender in Tampa.
Win – Win – Win