Alcides Escobar Rumors
By Tim Dierkes [November 4, 2008 at 8:30am CST]
Ken Rosenthal is on the scene at the GM meetings, and as usual has all kinds of new info. The Brewers are unlikely to trade Prince Fielder, and reluctant to trade J.J. Hardy or Alcides Escobar. It'd be smart to retain those three players. Rosenthal still likes the Braves as the favorite for Jake Peavy, but wonders if the Cubs or another team could incorporate a third team to get it done. The Cubs will need to spend much of their available money on pitching, which may leave little payroll room for an outfielder like Bobby Abreu. They could backload...
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By Tim Dierkes [October 3, 2008 at 8:23am CST]
Today we have a fresh column from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Vladimir Guerrero's $15MM option for '09 is a lock, but perhaps the Angels will reconsider extending him beyond that. Some of the money could be used to make Mark Teixeira the next franchise player. Rosenthal says "virtually every club with a need at the position" has shown interest in second baseman Robinson Cano. If you give Cano a mulligan for April, he hit .297/.326/.448 in 2008. That seems like a reasonable American League projection going forward. Cano, 26 in a few weeks, is signed through 2011 with two...
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By Steve Adams [August 10, 2008 at 1:39pm CST]
Ken Rosenthal has a new Full Count video up over at FOX Sports. Here's the highlights: The Red Sox wanted to use Brian Giles in right field against certain right-handers, and shift J.D. Drew over to center field for those games. Giles blocked the trade for family reasons, according to Rosenthal, despite the chance at an increased pay day and an opportunity to play in the postseason. Rosenthal says that while the Dodgers are under pressure to re-sign Manny Ramirez, there may be more pressure to sign Casey Blake after this season. Rosenthal points out that Blake is batting .333...
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By Tim Dierkes [July 29, 2008 at 1:07pm CST]
New one from Ken Rosenthal... The Padres will ask Greg Maddux again to consider accepting a trade to a team not located on the West Coast. The Dodgers haven't shown interest. One big league source told Rosenthal that the Astros have had "absolutely no dialogue" about Miguel Tejada. The Marlins are the most aggressive suitor for Gerald Laird. The Brewers, Reds, and Yankees are also in on the Rangers' catcher. Rosenthal points out a Doug Melvin connection - Melvin acquired Laird as the Rangers' GM back in '02. [UPDATE: Rangers guru Jamey Newberg tells me that it was actually John...
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By Tim Dierkes [July 25, 2008 at 3:06pm CST]
ESPN has a new Trade Deadline blog going; here's the link. Jayson Stark already has two entries up, found here and here. Let's dig in! The Yankees have explored the idea of acquiring Adam Dunn, though they're reluctant to meet the Reds' demands. The Marlins are proposing the idea of swapping lefty Taylor Tankersley for a more experienced one like Brian Fuentes or George Sherrill. So far, nothing's cooking. Tankersley, 25, was demoted to Triple A earlier this month after being bitten by the home run bug. He dealt with shoulder tendinitis in early '07. The Rockies instead have their...
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By Tim Dierkes [July 18, 2008 at 4:30pm CST]
Ken Rosenthal tops off the day with a column full of rumors. Signing Mark Teixeira as a replacement for Manny Ramirez doesn't make sense for the Red Sox, who don't want to take on that kind of mega-contract. The Phillies were recently working on a blockbuster with Colorado that would have netted them Brian Fuentes and Matt Holliday for something like Shane Victorino, J.A. Happ, Carlos Carrasco, and Lou Marson. Those talks have stalled, and the added payroll might've been a problem for the Phillies anyway. Though Frank McCourt denies it, Rosenthal says the Dodgers owned vetoed a CC Sabathia/Casey...
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By Tim Dierkes [July 4, 2008 at 8:37pm CST]
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers have jumped into the fray for C.C. Sabathia. They don't have a Matt LaPorta-caliber prospect, but they could make a substantial three-player offer. The Dodgers, being a big market club, could try to sign Sabathia before he hits free agency. Rosenthal says the Dodgers are simultaneously pursuing Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson. He might require some of the same prospects, so L.A. probably can't get both Wilson and Sabathia. Since Wilson is signed for '09, such an acquisition might allow the Dodgers to let Rafael Furcal walk as a free agent. Based on Ned Colletti's...
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By Tim Dierkes [July 4, 2008 at 10:45am CST]
10:45am: Haudricourt explains why he thinks the Brewers could and would acquire Sabathia. Haudricourt wonders if the Crew will make a knockout offer right now rather than be forced to wait until the deadline. It could be a difference of four extra starts. The Brewers would not, however, offer both LaPorta and Escobar. FRIDAY, 8:17am: Most people assumed the Brewers would not part with last year's 7th overall pick, left fielder Matt LaPorta. However, Ken Rosenthal reports that the Brewers' offer for Sabathia does include LaPorta and may include shortstop Alcides Escobar as well. The feeling is that the Brewers...
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