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Olney On Red Sox, Quentin, Willingham, Pirates

ESPN's Buster Olney shared a number of items (via his Twitter feed) about a variety of hot stove topics and rumors...

• The Red Sox might be forced to deal Kevin Youkilis due to a "roster crunch" at the corner infield positions and players returning from the DL.  Rival executives, however, think Youkilis currently has "no trade value" so it doesn't make sense for Boston to move him right now.
• The Angels and Yankees are "still waiting for needs to be defined" before exploring trades, while the Red Sox are only focused on acquiring starting pitching.
• Many baseball executives believe the Padres will trade Carlos Quentin, though Olney reports the Padres "would like to" offer Quentin a long-term extension sometime this summer.  Olney's phrasing may relate to the uncertain status of the Padres' ownership situation.
• Teams have checked in on Josh Willingham but have been told that he isn't available.  Some believe this could change but others believe Twins GM Terry Ryan "is, generally speaking, conservative with in-season deals" so the Twins could hold onto their slugger.
• The Pirates are looking for hitting but thus far found few sellers willing to deal.
• The Dodgers are asking about first basemen as they look to upgrade from James Loney but have "no reason to go crazy" finding a second base replacement for Mark Ellis, who will return from the DL at some point.
• The Rockies aren't seen as a team with much to trade, as their roster is split between "untouchables" (i.e. Troy Tulowitzki) and "role players" (such as Rafael Betancourt).
• Jim Thome could be a trade target for AL teams but Olney believes Phillies GM Ruben Amaro would first ask Thome if changing teams was something the respected veteran would want.

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