Brian Giles Rumors

Odds and Ends: Teixeira, Giles, Beimel

Links for Wednesday... You can hear me on Lenny Melnick's radio show at about 7:15pm CST. The Marlins could be an interesting long shot for Raul Ibanez, but he'd have to leave significant money on the table. Indians manager Eric Wedge really wants the team to bring in a closer. George King likes Jason Giambi for the Rays; Cork Gaines imagines the negotiations. Jesse Spector talking to Brewers GM Doug Melvin, who wasn't in a revealing mood. Tony Massarotti expects the Red Sox to make a huge offer to Mark Teixeira. Padres outfielder Brian Giles doesn't expect to be traded...   Continue Reading

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The Trevor Hoffman Situation

In a post on his blog, Padres exec Paul DePodesta outlines the progression of the Trevor Hoffman negotiations (and also explains why exercising Brian Giles' option was an easy call). Tom Krasovic also provides details, including quotes from Hoffman's agent Rick Thurman. Thurman believes the $4MM offer for '09 (with a club option at the same salary for '10) was insincere. He feels the Padres never intended to sign Hoffman and calls the chances of a deal "miniscule." Hoffman is also upset that owner John Moores did not want to meet with him. Plus, Thurman seems annoyed that Towers contacted...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Pettitte, Zaun, Blanco

Links for Tuesday... Scott Bordow feels the D'Backs and Randy Johnson should meet at $5MM, which still seems light. David Murphy explains why the Phillies make more sense than the Mariners for Jamie Moyer, geographically. David Ortiz would like the Red Sox to add a 30 home run bat. Richard Justice wants the Astros to sign both Randy Wolf and Andy Pettitte. He says the Cubs and Cardinals will be talking to Pettitte even though his heart is with the Yankees. El Lefty Malo recommends the Giants sign Derek Lowe. The Giants are at least considering the big-ticket free agents....   Continue Reading

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Olney: A's Nearly Acquired Giles

Interesting note from Buster Olney's Sunday blog post: San Diego nearly dealt Brian Giles to Boston and later to Oakland during the season, and it stands to reason that this winter the Padres will approach Giles about waiving his no-trade rights to facilitate a trade out of San Diego. (As of Saturday evening, they had not done this.) We knew that Giles vetoed a trade to Boston and would've probably done the same if the Rays won the claim. Olney indicates that Giles was nearly dealt to the A's later during August, which is confusing given that Boston won the...   Continue Reading

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Padres Exercise Brian Giles' Option

As expected, the Padres chose Brian Giles' $9MM option over the $3MM buyout today. Giles, 38 in January, hit .306/.398/.456 in 653 plate appearances this year. Defensively, he saved 20 bases compared to the average right fielder. Padres exec Paul DePodesta notes that Giles probably would've accepted an offer of arbitration. Giles would be a great addition for teams like the Cubs, Phillies, Braves, and Rays, but he has full no-trade power. Before he was granted full rights, Giles could be traded only to the Braves, Giants, Dodgers, D'Backs, and Rockies without his permission. So maybe the Padres can work...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Furcal, Bradley, Greinke

Another day, another Ken Rosenthal column. The A's have payroll flexibility, and are expressing "strong interest" in free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal. Bobby Crosby is set to earn $5.25MM in '09, but it makes sense to upgrade. Contrary to previous reports, Rosenthal says the Tigers are not in on Furcal. They'll also pass on Francisco Rodriguez, which was expected. Rosenthal discusses possible fits for Milton Bradley, including the Rays, Rangers, Blue Jays, Mets, Cardinals, and Phillies. It will be hard to overlook the health risk and give Bradley a three-year deal, especially for an NL club. Rosenthal confirms interest in...   Continue Reading

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Padres Rumors: Hoffman, Giles

Padres GM Kevin Towers has more on his plate than just Jake Peavy and Khalil Greene - he also has to deal with Trevor Hoffman and Brian Giles. Towers talked to Hoffman's agent about a week ago; he submitted an offer two weeks ago. ESPN's Buster Olney said the offer was $4MM for '09 and a club option for '10. The Padres have until Saturday to make a decision on Giles' $9MM option (it has a $3MM buyout). Towers says he's leaning toward exercising it before the weekend.   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Yankees, Lowe, D'Backs

Links for Thursday... Peter Abraham takes a look at the Yankees' first base options. The Royals could match up on a trade, if the Yanks are willing to try an unproven player. A pair of free agent bargains from Dave Cameron: Randy Johnson and Derek Lowe. What kind of salary will Lowe command? Free agent reliever Will Ohman hopes to remain in Atlanta. Braves GM Frank Wren has already talked to every team about his needs in left field and the rotation. Nick Piecoro looks at the D'Backs' offseason needs. Will there be room in the budget to make the...   Continue Reading

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Olney's Latest: Sabathia, Ellis, Embree, Giles

Buster Olney brings the rumors: If the Yankees want CC Sabathia, they will not lose in any bidding war now that a new ballpark puts them in the position to "throw unlimited dollars" at CC. Unless CC wants to play in the NL, or avoid the media circus of New York City, Olney seems convinced the Yankees will land him. The A's have begun contract negotiations with Mark Ellis. No details yet. Before the trade deadline, no teams expressed interest in Alan Embree and his $2.25MM salary. This could indicate that the A's will not pick up his $3MM option....   Continue Reading

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Padres Likely To Exercise Giles' Option

According to Corey Brock of MLB.com, the Padres are leaning toward exercising right fielder Brian Giles' $9MM option as opposed to the $3MM buyout. It's been odd to see the Padres waver on this decision. Giles hit .306/.398/.456 this year, his OBP ranking sixth in the league. His defense was also a major plus. Given the impending non-tender for Josh Bard, the Padres can probably retain both Giles and Trevor Hoffman without going too far past a $50MM payroll. Still, it'll be a shame if the Padres reduce payroll to that level.   Continue Reading

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Padres Rumors: Bell, Hensley, Giles

A couple of Padres rumors this morning from Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune... Reliever Heath Bell says talks on a multiyear deal didn't get very far and he's content using the arbitration process for the first time. Bell stands to earn a million or two in '09. The Reds are interested in Padres pitcher Clay Hensley. Hensley, 29, posted a 5.31 ERA in 39 big league innings. He pitched another 48 innings in Triple A. His strong groundball rate could make a nice fit for the Reds. Jeff from Cot's Baseball Contracts told me Hensley has enough service...   Continue Reading

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Padres Rumors: Moores, Giles, Hoffman

MLB.com's Barry Bloom talked to Padres owner John Moores recently. Highlights: Moores doesn't expect to be out of the picture next year despite his divorce. Word was his wife Becky wanted to gain control of the Padres. Moores expects Sandy Alderson and Kevin Towers back in 2009, and Paul DePodesta was recently extended for three more years. Moores says it's "more likely than not" that the Padres exercise Brian Giles' $9MM option as opposed to the $3MM buyout. Moores acknowledges that the Padres probably cannot find a player like Giles for $6MM. Trevor Hoffman may be the tougher call, as...   Continue Reading

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Padres Were "Livid" When Giles Nixed Trade

San Diego Union Tribune's Bill Center talked to Padres manager Bud Black about Brian Giles, who could be a free agent after the season. And do you pick up Giles $9 million option for 2009 or let him walk into free agency with a $3 million buyout? “Brian still gets it done,” Padres manager Bud Black said last night after the Brewers snapped a four-game losing streak and inched to within four games of the plummeting Chicago Cubs in the National League Central race. “Brian is a mainstay player.” While Black thinks Giles is a mainstay, the Padres front office...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Kendall, Laird, Giles, Manny

Today's linkage... A friend pointed out to me how strange it is that the Twins were willing to take on Jarrod Washburn's salary and give up Boof Bonser but chose to trade Johan Santana before the season. If Bill Smith could go back in time, would he still make that deal? A Gary Sheffield acquisition by the Rays is "unlikely but not impossible," according to one Buster Olney source. As expected, Jason Kendall's option for '09 vested. He's off the list! The Rangers were willing to trade Gerald Laird and a solid prospect to the Marlins for Chris Volstad. The...   Continue Reading

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Heyman's Latest: Washburn, Cashman, Garcia, Lofton

SI.com's Jon Heyman checks in with a new column. Jarrod Washburn reportedly cleared waivers, though Heyman's use of the word "reportedly" makes me think the statement came from one of the shaky reports floating about. We'll wait for definitive word on that one. Heyman's sources say the Yankees plan to offer a new contract to GM Brian Cashman after the season. Hank Steinbrenner has apparently warmed to Cashman. Additionally, "club higherups" expect Cashman will want to stay rather than jump to the Seattle job. Heyman loves the Freddy Garcia acquisition; he wonders if Garcia will be motivated by Ozzie Guillen's...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Kielty, Ellis, Bonds, Poreda

Time to for today's link collection. The Twins signed Bobby Kielty to a minor league deal. The former Twin was released by the Red Sox in July. When he's going good, he can hit lefties pretty well. Peter Magowan is glad the Giants didn't successfully pull off an attempted trade for Manny Ramirez before the '07 season. However, as Henry Schulman notes, that might've prevented the Barry Zito contract. The Reds haven't talked to the agents for any of their potential free agents, and no decision has been made on Adam Dunn. Susan Slusser wonders if the D'Backs will try...   Continue Reading

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Padres To Slash Payroll In '09?

Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes of a rumor that the Padres might slash payroll from this year's $73.6MM way down to $40MM. The Padres reportedly explained this scenario to Brian Giles in an attempt to get him to accept a trade to Boston last week. Krasovic heard about the pitch via Giles' teammates, but wasn't able to draw any comments from GM Kevin Towers. Scott Miller believes owner John Moores' divorce is a factor. The Padres don't have any large contracts on the books for '09; Giles would be their most expensive player at $9MM unless they...   Continue Reading

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Week In Review: 8/3 - 8/9

Here's a quick look back at some of the bigger stories on MLBTR over the past week: D'Backs ace Dan Haren signed a very affordable extension with the team, which would keep him in Arizona through 2012 with an option for 2013. Great deal for the D'Backs and their fans. Brian Giles was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox, which is now believed to have been an effort to block the Rays from acquiring him. Giles blocked the trade to Boston with his no-trade clause. The Rockies acquired Livan Hernandez from the Twins. Minnesota won't receive a player in...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Giles, Dodgers, Indians, Fielder

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...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Sabathia, Teixeira, Ibanez, Giles, Lee

CC Sabathia is 6-0 since getting traded to the Brewers, and naturally his teammates are thrilled to have him. Especially Prince Fielder, who said of his new ace, "I'm like his mini-me." Angels owner Arte Moreno said it was "emotional" for him to trade home-grown first baseman Casey Kotchman, but that he won't regret the move even if new Angel Mark Teixeira leaves as a free agent after the season. He mentioned budding AAA star Kendry Morales as a possible replacement. The News Tribune's Larry LaRue worries that the Mariners won't be able to keep Raul Ibanez after the season....   Continue Reading

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Brian Giles Blocks Trade To Boston

2:17pm: Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says Giles would have vetoed a deal to the Rays as well. Cafardo believes the Red Sox will continue to monitor the waiver wire for a bench bat. Amalie Benjamin says the Sox weren't broken up about Giles' decision, and trade talks didn't get too far. 12:55pm: It's official - Giles has blocked the deal. The window has closed. You may recall he originally took less to sign with the Padres back in '05. 12:35pm: ESPN's Buster Olney says Giles plans to block a trade to Boston. 8:41am: The Brian Giles situation should...   Continue Reading

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Brian Giles Claimed By Red Sox

4:34pm: Tom Krasovic has further musings on the Giles situation. He wonders if the Red Sox could rent Giles for the rest of the season and then let him go back to the Padres as a free agent. THURSDAY, 11:06am: Interestingly, the Red Sox won the claim on Giles. Their intent was to block the Rays, according to Ken Rosenthal. Giles can veto a trade to Boston, and he might simply because his playing time could be reduced. Also, I have learned that Giles would still be able to veto a straight salary dump. The Padres can't use this situation...   Continue Reading

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Cubs Eyeing Ibanez, Giles, DeJesus

THURSDAY, 12:12am: CBSSports.com's Scott Miller says the Cubs also inquired on David DeJesus and Brian Giles. WEDNESDAY, 10:31am: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs are discussing trades for a left-handed hitter, including Raul Ibanez. He is a curious fit and would leave the Cubs with questionable outfield corner defense. But, the Mariners have to be happy that a suitor has emerged aside from the Mets. The price remains two quality prospects. Rosenthal says the Cubs could also turn to bench players or just stand pat. The Cubs already have a decent lefty-hitting bench player in Mike Fontenot. One left-handed hitter...   Continue Reading

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Mets Unlikely To Acquire Outfielder

Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes about the Mets' unsuccessful search for a corner outfielder. The Mets find the prospect price too high on players such as Raul Ibanez and Jason Bay. They don't seem to care for Adam Dunn or Brian Giles. They don't like Randy Winn's contract or lack of power. And Manny Ramirez is unlikely for numerous reasons. While the Mets are fans of Ibanez, they've made all of their interesting prospects untouchable. The Mets may prefer to use some of those prospects in offseason deals. For now they will stick with the red-hot Fernando...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Gammons, Stark, Giles, Royals

And still more minor notes from around the MLBiverse... First from Peter Gammons: Gammons says that the Marlins will not part with Anibal Sanchez for Brian Fuentes and will instead go after Arthur Rhodes. The Cardinals now appear to be the favorite for Fuentes. No teams seem willing to pay the asking price for Jason Bay. The Indians will pay the remainder of Casey Blake's $2MM salary. Next from Jayson Stark: The Mets are also showing interest in Randy Winn, but one official from another club feels Winn is just a backup plan. A couple of random notes: Bud Black...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Mets, Tigers, Rays, Nats

Tying up loose ends before lunch: The Mets are one of three teams that have inquired on the availability of Brian Giles. The Padres may be asking for Fernando Martinez in return. Larry Brooks of the NY Post, however, thinks the Mets shouldn't force a trade for an outfielder. The Tigers will intensify their hunt for relief help if Freddy Dolsi's shoulder keeps acting up. Dolsi was off since Monday, resting what the team deemed as a fatigued shoulder, and said he felt better after a side session on Friday. The Rays are still looking for a corner outfielder. MLB.com...   Continue Reading

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Mets Actively Looking For Corner Outfielder

Update 1:39 p.m.: Now that the Dodgers have acquired Blake, the Mets have turned their attention to Brian Giles. Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports the Mets are one of three teams that have inquired on the availability of Giles. He also notes that the Mets are often asked about Fernando Martinez, to whom the Padres offered $1MM as an amateur. The Cardinals and Brewers are the other two teams. -- Adam Rubin of the NY Daily News reports the Mets have narrowed their focus on obtaining a corner outfielder. A team insider told Rubin the team could...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Darvish, Giles, Teixeira

Today's link roundup... I was a guest on Get Sports Radio yesterday to talk about the Reds. Click here to download an mp3 of the show. NPB Tracker notes that 21 year-old phenom Yu Darvish threw 165 pitches last night. GM Dave Dombrowski says the Tigers are definitely not sellers. They're undecided on whether to buy or stick with internal options. The Tigers' approach to the relief market may hinge on Freddy Dolsi's fatigued shoulder. Buster Olney says the Mets and Padres have discussed right fielder Brian Giles. He'd earn $11MM in '09 if traded. However, Joel Sherman doesn't think...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Rasmus, Ozuna, Giles

Time to run down today's links. SI.com's Jon Heyman heard the Cardinals "might even consider parting with top outfield prospect Colby Rasmus." Here's a feature on Baseball Prospectus' Nate Silver in University of Chicago Magazine. According to Bud Selig, the idea of an international draft won't be debated until the next collective bargaining agreement, which will start in 2012. I did a Q&A with The Chuck Knoblog. Pablo Ozuna is a free agent. Paul DePodesta explains why the Padres intend to keep Brian Giles. RotoAuthority has some disabled list hitters to consider picking up for your fantasy team. Jeff Zrebiec...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Teixeira, Yankees, Padres, Fish

And now, the latest from Ken Rosenthal's Full Count video: If the Braves decide to shop Mark Teixeira, they may have a tough time getting as much as they'd like. The Red Sox, Angels, and Diamondbacks - among other contenders - are set at 1B/DH with David Ortiz, Casey Kotchman, and Conor Jackson respectively. Rosenthal notes Boston will only pursue Teixeira if Ortiz's wrist fails to heal. Brian Cashman isn't sure whether the Yankees are buyers or sellers. Most of their high paid players have no-trade clauses. Should they want to buy, Rosenthal suggests A.J. Burnett is a guy they...   Continue Reading

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Padres Likely To Sell

The Padres have lost eight in a row, slipping to 9.5 games out in the NL West. CEO Sandy Alderson says "it's probably easier to see us as sellers at this point." He added that they could still look to buy if the Padres can creep up to 6.5 games out by the break (which begins July 14th). Here's another look at the team's top trade chips: Tim Sullivan says southpaw starter Randy Wolf is "almost certainly gone." Wolf was having a very similar season in '07 but was done by July 3rd. Aside from health concerns, Wolf has a...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Pokey, Lowe, Boss

Before you fire up the grill, check out these links. Dayn Perry has an enjoyable series at Baseball Prospectus called Mock Blockbuster. He proposes trades that would benefit both teams. His latest: Greg Maddux and Brian Giles for Jordan Schafer. Rays Index wonders whether Eric Hinske or Gabe Gross could be expendable once Willy Aybar returns. Joe Capozzi remembers Mike Piazza's five game stint as a Marlin. Pokey Reese sighting! Ned Colletti told struggling free-agent-to-be Derek Lowe the Dodgers aren't slamming the door on him coming back. The Red Sox signed an Australian teen named Boss Moanaroa. Athletics Nation chats...   Continue Reading

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Stark's Latest: Young Players, Giles, DeJesus

Jayson Stark's latest Rumblings and Grumblings column is chock full of information. Stark rattles off Dan Uggla, Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, B.J. Upton, Justin Upton, Russell Martin, Zack Greinke, Prince Fielder, Felix Hernandez, Jeff Francoeur, Jonathan Papelbon, Kevin Youkilis, and Dustin Pedroia as youngsters who do not have long-term deals in the works. With Uggla and Greinke, the opposition seems more on the team's side. With Hamels and Howard neither side wants a long-term deal. With the rest, the player is resisting. The Padres' top trading chip is probably Brian Giles, though a deal would further deplete a weak offense....   Continue Reading

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Padres To Trade Brian Giles?

An idea I hadn't heard before: Tom Krasovic reports that Brian Giles could be available. Remember way back to...last year? Giles was perhaps the premiere free agent outfielder on the market. He got MVP votes in 2005. He played good enough defense that the Yankees even considered signing him to play center last winter. But here we are, with Giles owed $18MM over his age 36-37 seasons. Kevin Towers is out flirting with J.D. Drew and Alfonso Soriano (and Towers is taking them to fancy dinnesr) while Giles is yesterday's news despite his acceptance of a hometown discount. I really..   Continue Reading

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Brian Giles Re-Signs With Padres

The Unofficial MLB Blog is reporting that Brian Giles has re-signed with the Padres. The news came via KGTV-10 in San Diego, according to the blog. The deal is said to be for just three years and $30MM with a $6MM option for 2009. Looks like it wasn't all about the money for Giles. Unofficial MLB is the only published report of the signing at this point, and I have known them to be reliable in the past. I'll get you more info when I have it. Update: Ted Leitner and Lee "Hacksaw" Hamilton are also reporting the signing in..   Continue Reading

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