Carl Crawford Rumors

Matt Holliday Rumors: Wednesday

8:40pm: Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd says he is "completely open-minded to anything" in a Holliday deal - a premium starter is not a requirement. 2:38pm: Renck says the Rockies have talked to the Rays about Holliday, as the Rays have an abundance of pitching. He also believes the Rays might be willing to give up Carl Crawford for Holliday. 9:54am: According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, there is too much momentum toward a Matt Holliday trade for the Rockies to turn back now. Sherman figures a deal could go down in December. He notes the Rockies' appreciation...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Ibanez, Dunn, Blake, Stewart

Let's kick off the morning with some random links. Live chat here today at 2pm CST. Brian Matusz is hopeful about striking a deal with the Orioles by Friday's deadline. Roch Kubatko has a source saying it's likely. Baseball America's Jim Callis warns us not to listen to the posturing - he still expects all the first-round draft picks to sign with the possible exception of Allan Dykstra. Should the Mariners offer Raul Ibanez a three-year deal at $10-11MM per? No word yet on possible Rays acquisitions in wake of the Carl Crawford and Evan Longoria injuries. Marc Lancaster wonders...   Continue Reading

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Crawford Wants To Stay

Last week Rays outfielder Carl Crawford made some ambiguous comments. One person might say Crawford was hinting he'd leave the Rays after the 2010 season; another might see no such implication. Yesterday, Crawford clarified, saying he "couldn't imagine" playing with a team other than the Rays. He wants to stay, and knows the best is yet to come for the organization. There haven't been any extension talks, but he'd listen if the Rays came to him. I admit this isn't much of a story. Who knows how he and the Rays will feel three seasons from now. Crawford's a bargain...   Continue Reading

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Rays Notes: Crawford, Baldelli, Wheeler

Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times has the latest on the Rays' moves today. The first two were expected. Carl Crawford's $8.25MM option for '09 was exercised. The Rays still have a $10MM club option for '10 that is highly likely to be exercised. After that, it's anyone's guess. The Rays chose Rocco Baldelli's $4MM buyout over his $6MM option. It's a sad situation but it had to be done. Dan Wheeler was signed to an extension. His '08 contract was replaced; the new three-year deal runs through 2010 and is worth $10.5MM. He would've been a free agent...   Continue Reading

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Carl Crawford Not Available

Not a huge surprise, since Carl Crawford's availability was questionable in the first place. But Dave van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune affirms that Crawford can't be had now that the Rays have dealt Delmon Young. The Cubs' focus remains a left-handed hitting outfielder. Their top priority is Kosuke Fukudome, who is very likely to try his hand at MLB. Who else might the Cubs consider? Reasonable options in my estimation include Raul Ibanez, Ryan Church, Milton Bradley, Randy Winn, Gary Matthews Jr., Luke Scott, Geoff Jenkins, David Dellucci, and Shawn Green   Continue Reading

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Cubs Rumors: Wood, Matsui, Crawford

The Chicago Tribune's Paul Sullivan has the latest on the Cubs this morning. It's been known for a few days now that the Red Sox like the idea of adding Kerry Wood as their setup man. Sullivan confirms the interest, and quotes Cubs GM Jim Hendry saying Wood is "getting a lot of action around the industry." In a pitching-starved market, teams will convince themselves Wood can stay healthy and dominant. Sullivan speculates that it could take multiple years at $5MM per. To see a team go 3/15 would not shock me. Kaz Matsui is still on the Cubs' radar..   Continue Reading

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Cafardo's Latest: Crawford, Haren

The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo has a new colum up this morning; let's check it out. The Carl Crawford/Cubs thing won't die. Cafardo says the Cubs are after him, possibly offering a package starting with Rich Hill and Carlos Marmol. This rumor originated with Bruce Levine a few days ago, though Roger Mooney dismissed it yesterday. While the Red Sox have discussed Miguel Cabrera with the Marlins, Cafardo believes they might instead be eyeing a blockbuster for Johan Santana or Dan Haren. As if the Red Sox need more pitching   Continue Reading

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Crawford To Cubs Rumor Shot Down

ESPN 1000's Bruce Levine suggested yesterday that the Cubs were preparing an offer for Carl Crawford. However, team officials told Roger Mooney today that there's nothing brewing. Apparently the rumor was Rich Hill, Eric Patterson, and a prospect for Crawford. That doesn't seem sufficient anyway. There was even some talk of a three-way deal involving the Brewers and Yankees, which was from Gotham Baseball. According to Mooney, none of it is for real. You be the judge. In other Rays news, they picked up Al Reyes' $2.3MM option and passed on Greg Norton at $1MM. No surprises there. UPDATE: Reyes..   Continue Reading

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Cubs To Make Offer For Crawford?

A trusted reader dropped me a line regarding a Bruce Levine appearance on ESPN Radio 1000. Remember, Levine was the guy who scooped the Jacque Jones trade. Levine reported today that the Cubs are putting together a package of young talent in an attempt to acquire the Rays' Carl Crawford. That would leave the Cubs with a speedy, athletic outfield of Alfonso Soriano, Felix Pie, and Crawford. The emailer says today's report did not mention names. Ronny Cedeno would certainly be a useful addition for the Rays, and you'd have to expect some premium pitching heading over as well. I'm..   Continue Reading

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Healey's Latest: Shoppach, Lee, Crawford

Some more submissions from Mark Healey at Gotham Baseball Magazine that I'd like to sift through: The first is the Yanks and Mets mutual interest in Indians catching prospect Kelly Shoppach. According to Mark, scouts around the league view Shoppach as "one of the best up-and-coming prospects" in baseball. Says Mark, "The Mets' needs are more immediate, as their interest in Yankees' backstop Jorge Posada are a bit 'overblown' said one agent." The report goes on to note that GM Mark Shapiro is not looking to deal Shoppach but would listen if Aaron Heilman or Mike Pelfrey. I simply don't..   Continue Reading

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Hitoki Iwase, Carlos Silva On Cubs' Wish List

According to Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Cubs' plans this winter involve a heavy focus on Japan. As you already know, they're all over Kosuke Fukudome, Hiroki Kuroda, and Kaz Matsui. Another name to add to the list: lefty closer Hitoki Iwase. The Cubs have reportedly heavily scouted Iwase and Kuroda. The Cubs' closer situation is wide open, with Ryan Dempster moving to the starting rotation. De Luca also reports that the Cubs will inquire on head of the class free agent starter Carlos Silva. Silva shares an agent with Carlos Zambrano. No one expects Silva to..   Continue Reading

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Latest Cubs Rumors: Crawford, Crisp, Ibanez

Cubs rumors abound today. Some sensible, some not. Let's catch up. According to Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs want to re-sign Kerry Wood and possibly give him the closer job. Ryan Dempster could be pushed down the reliever totem pole or traded (he makes $5.5MM in the last year of his deal). Dempster has expressed a desire to start in the past, but the Cubs don't seem keen on it. UPDATE: The Cubs are keen on Dempster as a starter, as Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000 reported today that he will be switched to that role in..   Continue Reading

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Rays' Kazmir May Be Available

The week in hot stove kicks off with a bang: Joel Sherman of the New York Post has a source saying the Devil Rays might listen to offers for ace lefty Scott Kazmir. Kazmir turns 24 in January and carries a 3.64 career ERA despite pitching in the AL East. He's been particularly tough on the Red Sox (2.66 ERA in 101 innings). You have to think that if the Yankees are entertaining making an offer for Johan Santana, they'd consider Kazmir as well if the Rays would deal within the division. Sherman notes that Kazmir is under contract for..   Continue Reading

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Kazmir Calls for Veterans

Yesterday, I posted about the Devil Rays increasing payroll by 20%. Today, more Tampa talk! Two Marc's with a "C" have the scoop: Marc Lancaster and Marc Topkin both reported that lefty ace and ::ahem:: AL strikeout leader Scott Kazmir (or as the Mets refer to him: The One Who Got Away) has called upon management to bring in some veterans. Despite the payroll increase, 20% of the Rays current payroll is only around $7MM before revenue sharing assistance. The Rays would like to re-sign Carlos Pena in arbitration and Boras wants a lot. Yet Kazmir is entering his first..   Continue Reading

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Mets and Devil Rays

Ryan McConnell of the New Jersey Star-Ledger posted a run-down of Mets' rumors, mostly old hat by now. Items of note: The Mets are being asked too much for both Chad Cordero and Octavio Dotel, causing them to take another look at Eric Gagne. They are also looking at Matt Thornton (White Sox), Shawn Chacon (Pirates), Chad Bradford (Orioles) and Jon Rauch (Nationals). I think they should go for Chad Bradford, silly contract be damned. We've all heard about second base possibilities in Mark Grudzielanek, Mark Loretta and Luis Castillo. I think that of these candidates, Grudzielanek is the best..   Continue Reading

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Sherman: Carl Crawford Available

As you may have seen, Joel Sherman's latest article mentions that the D-Rays will "dangle" Carl Crawford in return for a top starting pitching prospect. Sherman goes on to mention that TB would also explore trading Rocco Baldelli or - gasp - Delmon Young. Given Young's off-the-chart talent and future, I can't see how this is feasible. Crawford makes a sense though, as he's relatively well-paid and proven. But aside from Mr. Kazmir, how often do you see top-shelf pitching prospects moved? Here are some names: Scott Elbert, Homer Bailey, Philip Hughes, Jason Hirsh, Nick Adenhart, Humberto Sanchez, Donald Veal...   Continue Reading

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D-Rays Shopping Crawford

Back on December 5th, a source close to Tampa Bay's scouting department threw out the idea that Carl Crawford could be dealt. In particular, the Devil Rays had interest in 23 year-old righthander Ervin Santana. Despite new management since then, the rumor has picked up steam. My source tells me that talks have resumed between the Devil Rays and Angels and the Halos may even consider adding a second prospect with Santana to acquire Crawford. Brandon Wood is a possibility. The Rays would like to deal an outfielder now with a Delmon Young callup in the cards for September or..   Continue Reading

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Carl Crawford On The Block?

A source close to the Devil Rays' scouting department filled me in recently on their outfielder extravaganza. It's well known Joey Gathright is on the block. If you're looking for a scrappy player with no power who runs real fast, Gathright is your man. It's unknown whether Gathright can make his on-base skills shown at Triple A Durham translate to the big leagues, but some team besides the Rays will find out soon enough. I'm not yet able to narrow down the list of his suitors to a single digit number. Infinitely more interesting than Gathright is the possibility (albeit..   Continue Reading

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