Brian Bannister Rumors

Odds And Ends: Giambi, Wainwright, Meche

Some more links for the morning... ESPN.com's Buster Olney believes NL teams should consider Jason Giambi next year if they're looking for a powerful, high OBP bat off the bench. Olney also hears from a scout who raves about Adam Wainwright. In case you're wondering, he won't become a free agent until after 2012 or 2013 (the Cards hold an option). Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star reports (via Twitter) that Gil Meche is likely done for the year. Like rotation-mate Brian Bannister, Meche has a tired shoulder. Makes sense for the team to play it safe if there's...   Continue Reading

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Stark On Wagner, Padres, Crawford

ESPN.com's Jayson Stark shows that a number of contenders have vulnerable-looking closers. The Cubs and Phillies two of many teams with shaky arms at the back of the 'pen. Here are the details and the rest of Stark's rumors: At least one scout believes John Smoltz would have been the perfect arm for the Marlins to add to their 'pen. However, clubs pursuing Smoltz heard that he wanted to start, at least for now. A scout who watched Billy Wagner throw has "no doubt" that Wagner could help a team win. The Rays and Marlins are thought to have interest...   Continue Reading

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Heyman On August Trades

Executives tell Jon Heyman of SI.com that we saw the "softest deadline ever" last week because there's still the possibility for trades this month. Here's an explanation of how trades can occur after the deadline and here are the players Heyman deems likely to clear waivers (player who clear waivers may be traded): Bronson Arroyo, Adam Dunn, Jose Guillen, Aaron Harang, Adrian Beltre, Aubrey Huff, Jason Giambi, Melvin Mora, Miguel Batista, Juan Cruz, Ty Wigginton, Ron Mahay, Willie Bloomquist, Lyle Overbay, Willy Taveras. Some players who could clear waivers: Jon Garland, Doug Davis, Gil Meche, Alex Rios, Carl Pavano, Mark...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Bannister, Padres, Giants

A few more links before we call it a night... Brian Bannister indicated that he was flattered by all of the interest teams showed in him at the deadline, says MLB.com's Dick Kaegel. Dave Cameron of FanGraphs and USS Mariner fame wrote about the haul the Padres received in exchange for Jake Peavy at MLB.com's Corey Brock's blog. Gary Petersen of The Mercury News wrote about the moves made by San Francisco's competition for the Wild Card, and how it affects the Giants.   Continue Reading

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Failed Deadline Blockbusters

Today was hectic, but imagine how much wilder it would have been if these two deals had gone through: Via Twitter, Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Padres almost dealt Heath Bell and Adrian Gonzalez to the Dodgers for James Loney, Russell Martin, Blake DeWitt, James McDonald and Ivan Dejesus. Wow. Danny Knobler of CBS Sports confirms that the division rivals considered a blockbuster deal involving those players. Knobler also says the Rangers and Angels both pursued Heath Bell aggressively this afternoon. The Angels and Padres were discussing Jose Arredondo, Sean O'Sullivan and Sean Rodriguez. Brewers GM Doug Melvin...   Continue Reading

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Bannister, Bloomquist, Teahen Drawing Interest

1:47pm: ESPN's Jayson Stark says the price for Bannister is similar to that of Jarrod Washburn - "big league-ready starter, pitching prospect with upside." He says the Yanks maintain mild interest. 10:16am: Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports say the Brewers made an offer for Bannister but the Royals chose not to counter it. The Royals would have to be bowled over to move the 28 year-old righty. FRIDAY, 9:22am: Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel says the Royals rejected overtures from the Marlins on Bannister. He wonders whether the next best thing for Florida...   Continue Reading

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Brewers, Mariners Talking Washburn?

9:15pm: Things just got really interesting; this rumor may be growing legs. From the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Haudricourt: "I know for a fact that the Brewers have been discussing Washburn, even though he is a free agent after the season. Because Washburn is a Wisconsin native, maybe the Brewers think they could convince him to stay with another contract after this year." Haudricourt notes the M's would probably ask for a shortstop in return, naming J.J. Hardy and Alcides Escobar as possible trade chips. Of course, that's a pretty steep price to pay. "The Brewers probably would want more...   Continue Reading

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Trade Candidates: Starting Pitchers

Roy Halladay's availability changes everything, because teams in search of an ace can target him instead of settling for lesser pitchers. But many arms could be moved in the next 17 days and some could even be traded in August. These pitchers, who could all conceivably be dealt, are ranked from highest 2009 salary to lowest: Roy Halladay, Blue Jays - At $14.25MM he's pricey, but he's one of the top pitchers in the game, capable of transforming a team's playoff chances like C.C. Sabathia did last year. Javier Vazquez, Braves - The rumors surrounding Vazquez have quieted lately, but...   Continue Reading

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Heyman On Street, Indians, Pedro, Davis

Jon Heyman of SI.com lists his mid-season award winners, led by Albert Pujols and Joe Mauer. Here are Heyman's latest rumors: Huston Street alone is worth more on the trade market than Matt Holliday. Dan O'Dowd must be happy with his return, which also included Carlos Gonzalez. Jhonny Peralta, Kerry Wood and Carl Pavano are all available. Indians GM Mark Shapiro believes he can still get a fair return for Cliff Lee if he deals him a year from now, a few months before the lefty is scheduled to become free agent. One executive says the Royals are "pushing" Brian...   Continue Reading

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Stark On Royals, Phillies, Holliday

ESPN.com's Jayson Stark asks some thoughtful baseball people why we're not greeting Manny Ramirez like the "team-wrecking, alibi-distorting, female-fertility-drug-popping scoundrel he is." And, of course, Stark has piles of rumors. Here they are: The Mets were never willing to move Bobby Parnell or other top young arms for Mark DeRosa, so they weren't as close to acquiring him as the Reds and Cubs were. The Phillies, Marlins and Giants were also in the mix. The Indians are more interested in dealing Rafael Bentancourt than Kerry Wood, whose contract ($15MM remaining) would be hard to move. The Royals will listen on...   Continue Reading

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