Brian Bannister Rumors

Yankees Eyeing Bannister?

Should the Jarrod Washburn deal fall apart, the Yankees are exploring an alternative in Brian Bannister for Melky Cabrera. Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star writes, "Nothing appears imminent, but the framework for a deal seems to exist because New York has already shown a willingness to part with [Melky] Cabrera. Add this: The Royals nearly obtained Cabrera in a trade-deadline swap two years ago for veteran outfielder Reggie Sanders before Sanders suffered an injury." In this scenario, David Dejesus moves to left to make room for Cabrera in center. And Mark Teahen would get back to his natural...   Continue Reading

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What's Next For The Royals?

MLB.com's Dick Kaegel notes that the Royals have closer Joakim Soria and outfielder David DeJesus under contract multiple years into the future. Is anything cooking with other young Royals? The Royals didn't seek Soria out to sign him. Instead, he was "very aggressive" and approached the team, according to Dayton Moore. And Allard Baird signed DeJesus. Kaegel spoke to Alex Gordon and Brian Bannister, and learned that nothing is in the works. Bannister wondered whether his age (27) could be a factor. Kaegel didn't talk to Zack Greinke or John Buck, but Bob Dutton did a week ago. Neither has...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Klesko, Street, Davis

I've got a slew of links for you. Saberscouting has a mock June draft up. Ryan Klesko officially retired. Chipper Jones let the cat out of the bag in February. Voros McCracken sees the Evan Longoria contract as a low-risk proposition for the Rays. The A's are still discussing an extension with Huston Street, though nothing appears imminent. The Giants DFA'd Rajai Davis. Anyone need an outfield burner? Sam Mellinger explains how the Hideo Nomo signing was the type of move the Royals need to make. Our Brian Bannister Q&A continues to get mileage, this time snagging a mention in...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Harden, Bonds, Ramon Hernandez

Time to round up today's linkage. Susan Slusser believes Rich Harden and Joe Blanton will both be traded this season. She sees the Yankees and Mets as suitors for Harden, though he's already having a start pushed back. Jim Caple recently made his case for the Mariners to sign Barry Bonds; his logic is sound. Our Brian Bannister Q&A got a mention in the KC Star. Nice! RotoAuthority has the fantasy take on K-Rod's ailing ankles. Pure speculation, but Ken Rosenthal thinks Ramon Hernandez would be a good fit for the Reds. Not sure if the Reds were looking at...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Giles, Crisp, A-Rod

Nothing huge cooking this morning, so here are some odds and ends. Doesn't look like the Dodgers will acquire Marcus Giles. Rany Jazayerli writes about how Kansas City is home to many of the country's best baseball journalists. On a related note, the Star's Sam Mellinger has a chat with Brian Bannister on his blog. Coco Crisp rattles off the trade rumors he's heard: Cubs, Sox, A's, Padres. No deal appears imminent, though Crisp was healthy enough to pinch-run this morning. John Harper snags an exclusive with Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod admitted he chose the Rangers over the Mets for money...   Continue Reading

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Send Questions To Brian Bannister

MLBTR did a Q&A with Royals starter Brian Bannister in January, and his answers were terrific. Far from the usual athlete cliches. Bannister recently answered questions at MLB.com, and he'll be doing that twice monthly. He posted the email address infocus@royals.com for you to submit questions - go for it! While we're on the topic of Bannister, Rany Jazayerli discusses how he can continue to succeed in the Majors even if he can't maintain a .262 batting average on balls in play.   Continue Reading

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Brian Bannister Q&A, Part 3

Royals starter Brian Bannister recently answered some questions for MLBTR readers. This post concludes the series; also check out Part 1 and Part 2 Q&A. Brian clearly took extra time out to answer thoughtfully, and we thank him for it. MLBTR: Since you originally went to college as a position player, how do you use your experience in the batter's box and in the field to your advantage when you're pitching? Playing in the AL, do you miss hitting? Bannister: I think it is as important to know how a hitter thinks and operates as it is to be able...   Continue Reading

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Brian Bannister Q&A, Part 2

Royals starter Brian Bannister was kind enough to answer questions for MLBTR readers. Check out Part 1 and Part 3 of the Q&A, also. MLBTR: What's the most misunderstood aspect of succeeding in baseball by typical fans, sportswriters, and announcers? Bannister: There are two things that make baseball unique from other sports. One, baseball is a game of skill that is accentuated by the physical tools of the person performing those skills. Most people superficially judge a position player solely on size, strength, and speed, when his eyesight, balance, rhythm, hand-eye coordination, and mental makeup are much more influential factors...   Continue Reading

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Brian Bannister Q&A, Part 1

We've done some Q&As with players before - Curtis Granderson, Jason Hirsh, and Michael Barrett. This time, for our Brian Bannister Q&A, we had readers submit the questions. Brian really went the extra mile to accomodate, providing thoughtful and elaborate answers. Great stuff - many thanks to him for participating. We'll break this up into several parts. (UPDATE: Read Part 2 and Part 3). MLBTR: What was your initial reaction when you heard that the Mets had traded you to the Royals? Where were you when it happened, and who told you? Bannister: As baseball players, all we want is...   Continue Reading

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Questions For Brian Bannister?

I first became a Brian Bannister fan when I read about how he prepares for AL vs. NL lineups (scroll to the bottom of this post). The 26 year-old Royals starter definitely seems like an intellectual pitcher. Brian has kindly agreed to do a Q&A for MLBTR. Hit me with your questions for him in the comments and I'll choose the best five or six   Continue Reading

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Bannister for Burgos: done

ESPN is reporting that the Mets are sending Brian Bannister to Kansas City for Ambiorix Burgos. Neither pitcher is a difference-maker, but I'm a bit surprised the Mets are giving up a solid rotation option (albeit a back-of-the-rotation option) for a short reliever. Burgos has upside, but this says to me that Omar Minaya is very confident of landing at least one more starter this offseason. The Mets rotation could be spectacular once everyone is healthy, but there are a heck of a lot of question marks for Minaya to be trading away his insurance. On the flip side, this..   Continue Reading

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Gotham: Reds Still After Bonderman

According to Gotham Baseball, reporting from the Winter Meetings, the Reds are still trying to trade for Jeremy Bonderman. Unfortunately, the Tigers probably will not trade him. Wayne Krivsky is chasing a lesser option in Brian Bannister of the Mets. Last week, we reported that the Rockies and Mariners have interest in Bannister. Of course, plenty of teams are still trying to trade for Jason Jennings. Those include the Mets, D'Backs, Astros, and Cards according to Gotham. Previously, the Rockies had received inquiries from the Cubs and Twins   Continue Reading

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Brian Bannister Available?

Word from my Mets source is that the team is in a holding pattern until Tom Glavine makes his decision. He feels that the club will end up with either Glavine or Barry Zito and fill the other spots internally. There is a chance Brian Bannister is traded for a solid reliever to replace Chad Bradford. Interested parties include the Rockies and Mariners. He mentioned the D'Backs as well, but their interest may have waned now that Doug Davis has been acquired   Continue Reading

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Mets Trade Rumor: Milledge For Oswalt Or Schmidt

Jon Heyman busts out a big one early Monday morning: the Mets are in "serious talks" for Jason Schmidt or Roy Oswalt. The key to any deal would be Lastings Milledge. Heyman mentions that Brian Bannister would be needed to pry Oswalt away but not Schmidt. He also says Aaron Heilman could be used to "enhance" a deal. It seems now that Oswalt really is in play, which is strange given the Astros' lack of depth behind Roger Clemens. Speaking of which, why not put the Rocket on the block instead   Continue Reading

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Gotham Baseball's Zito Rumor

Gotham Baseball's Executive Editor, Mark Healey, had some informed speculation on Monday about a possible trade of Barry Zito to the Mets for Lastings Milledge and Brian Bannister. I figured I'd pass it along, as these guys seem to have some good front office type sources. Here are some highlights quoted from Healey from the thread: "Call me nuts...but I still think something is happening here and will in the next couple of days... Mike and I talk to scouts, front office people every week, sometimes daily....mostly to check on things, etc... Before and after our respective trips to ST...we..   Continue Reading

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New Manny Scenario Discussed?

A source close to the Mets organization has supplied me with a possible trade scenario that is being discussed. It's complicated, but I thought I'd put it out there. Mets trade: Aaron Heilman, Cliff Floyd, Victor Diaz, Brian Bannister Mets get: Manny Ramirez TB trades: Julio Lugo, Joey Gathright TB receives: Aaron Heilman, Victor Diaz, Bronson Arroyo Red Sox trade: Manny Ramirez, Bronson Arroyo Red Sox receive: Julio Lugo, Joey Gathright, Cliff Floyd, Brian Bannister Wow. I'm not sure if this is any more plausible than the other complicated possibilities floating around, but this is a solid source. Let's see..   Continue Reading

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Wild Rumor From Gotham Baseball

Gotham Baseball's Mark Healey has heard a massive trade rumor from "multiple independent baseball sources." Of course, it's subject to change, isn't close, and all the usual disclaimers. Here's the Cliff Notes version of it: "Mets would send Heilman and Matsui (and $5 million) to Tampa Bay for Lugo. Then New York would send Lugo, Kris Benson, Brian Bannister and Victor Diaz to Baltimore for Tejada, and then send Tejada to the Red Sox for Manny Ramirez." Let's stop right there. My opinion on each step of this possible deal: Aaron Heilman for Julio Lugo sounds like fair value to..   Continue Reading

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Mets Considering Javier Vazquez

All sorts of trade rumors coming from my source close to the Mets' front office. While it is well-known that the Mets are interested in Arizona righthander Javier Vazquez, my source names a pitching prospect contrary to published reports. According to my source, the Mets are considering dealing Kris Benson and 19 year-old blue chip pitcher Gaby Hernandez for Vazquez. Up to this point, published reports have named the polished 24 year-old Brian Bannister as the prospect in the deal. While Hernandez has not pitched above A ball, he has a much higher ceiling than Bannister. Bannister did impress in..   Continue Reading

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