Damaso Marte Rumors

Rays Scouting Jayson Werth

Mike Tingle of ESPN 840 in Charlottesville spoke to Rays scout Mike Cubbage yesterday. Cubbage said that he plans to scout Phillies outfielder Jayson Werth, and that Werth may be available in the right deal. Werth, 29, is hitting .272/.358/.485 in 268 plate appearances (most of the damage done against lefties). Additionally, the Rays offered a package of players for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte but the Bucs chose the Yankees' offer. The Rays also looked at Jon Rauch previously, though he was not at the top of their list. And of course, the Rays would like to acquire Brian...   Continue Reading

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Week In Review: 7/20 - 7/26

This one will be a bit lengthy, which can be expected as the deadline approaches. Here's a review of some of the major moves and rumors of the last week: The Yankees acquired Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte from the Pirates for OF Jose Tabata, RHP Ross Ohlendorf, RHP Dan McCutchen and RHP Jeff Karstens . I agree with Tim that Ian Kennedy would've been a better centerpiece, but Tabata is pretty highly-touted himself. Kennedy would have made a more immediate impact, while Tabata is only 19 years old. The Dodgers acquired Casey Blake for minor league RHP Jon Meloan...   Continue Reading

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Kovacevic's Latest: Pirates, Bay, Grabow

Dejan Kovacevic brings us the state of the Pirates in a nice piece in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette: As we know, the Pirates don't want to trade Jason Bay. Kovacevic writes, "'We'll need to be blown away," one team source said, referring to Bay." The Braves, Mets, Phillies, and A's are the latest to inquire. If the Pirates don't make any more deals, they will of course revisit the possibility in the offseason. Still, any of Bay, Jack Wilson, or John Grabow could remain long-term if the Pirates aren't offered enough any time between now and next season, or if...   Continue Reading

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Yankees-Pirates Deal Reconfigured

Update 1:05 pm: Several sources are reporting that once Ohlendorf and Tabata cleared physicals, the Pirates had a list of players to choose from. -- The LoHud Yankees Blog reports the Xavier Nady, Damaso Marte deal has been reconfigured: The Yankees are sending RHP Dan McCutchen, RHP Jeff Karstens, OF Jose Tabata and RHP Ross Ohlendorf to Pittsburgh for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte. LHP Phil Coke and RHP George Kontos are not in the deal. Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? alexo05 [at] umpbump [daught] com.   Continue Reading

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Nady, Marte Traded To Yankees

7:25pm: Ken Rosenthal confirms it: minor leaguers Ohlendorf, Coke, Kontos, and Tabata. My impression at first glance: the return is not terribly impressive for Nady and Marte. I don't like the idea of the Bucs taking Tabata as the centerpiece - there is too much projection involved with him. If Ohlendorf and Ian Kennedy could've been had, I would've opted for that. Rosenthal also says the Yankees' talks for Jarrod Washburn are still ongoing. 7:17pm: Baseball Digest Daily says the Pirates will receive Jose Tabata, Ross Ohlendorf, and two other minor leaguers (perhaps Phil Coke and George Kontos, based on...   Continue Reading

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Knobler's Latest: Pirates, Brewers, Beltre, Cabrera

Here's the latest from CBSSports.com's Danny Knobler. A rumor made the rounds that Pirates president Frank Coonelly and GM Neal Huntington were at odds over the team's strategy, with Coonelly pushing .500 as a goal. Huntington denied that, and has five coveted players to work with in the next week. Keep in mind that only Damaso Marte is a free agent after the season, so moves can be made in the offseason. Teams with available relievers believes the Brewers are still in the market, despite Doug Melvin's claims. Many teams are scouting the Brewers' Double A club. Adrian Beltre's contract...   Continue Reading

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Stark's Latest: Teixeira, Padilla, Sheffield, Beltre

ESPN's Jayson Stark has a new Rumblings and Grumblings up. You may want to grab a glass of water or something, because this is a beast of a column. If the Braves have a bad weekend and decide to trade Mark Teixeira, a deal could come together quickly. Stark says the Braves have already touched base with the Rays, Red Sox, Dodgers, Angels and Yankees. Where Tex fits on the Rays, I'm not sure. Additionally, interest in Will Ohman is said to be "massive." A Jorge Posada move to first base could affect the Yankees' interest in Teixeira this winter....   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Alvarez, Kotsay, Street

Time to round up today's links. Hank Steinbrenner admits Barry Bonds' name will be mentioned at today's meeting of Yankees execs. Mark Cuban is a finalist to buy the Cubs. Pirates president Frank Coonelly expressed frustration with the Pedro Alvarez negotiations, in the first public comments on those talks. Dejan Kovacevic's source says the Pirates aren't requiring two prospects for Xavier Nady or Damaso Marte. One elite prospect would work. Mark Kotsay wonders if he'll be traded this year. As with Mark Teixeira, it'll depend heavily on the next week. Richard Justice takes Drayton McLane to task. DRays Bay relays...   Continue Reading

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The Lefty Reliever Market

Let's take a look at some of the left-handed relievers on the market. George Sherrill, Orioles 31 years old, under team control through 2011. Known suitors: Cardinals, Brewers Asking price: two or three prospects, possibly a shortstop among them Brian Fuentes, Rockies Almost 33 years old, free agent after season. Type A status likely. Known suitors: Marlins, Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Phillies, Cubs, Cardinals, Rays, Angels, Brewers, Tigers Asking price: Apparently a young starting pitcher - Jon Niese, Ian Kennedy, and Clay Buchholz have been named Damaso Marte, Pirates 33 years old, $6MM club option for '09 with a $250K...   Continue Reading

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Pirates Rumors: Alvarez, Marte

A few notes from Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette this morning. The Pirates are still engaged in deep, tight-knit negotiations with first round pick Pedro Alvarez. No one's talking, but Kovacevic heard a rumor that the sides are $2MM apart. This might not be settled until the August 15th deadline. Kovacevic talked to a Pirates source who said Boston's interest in Damaso Marte has heightened. Many clubs are after Marte. The lefty has a $6MM club option for '09 with a $250K buyout. That actually might be worth considering. Marte seems likely to sneak into Type A free agent...   Continue Reading

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Pirates Rumors: Wilson, Bay, Nady, Marte, Grabow

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has the latest Pirates hot stove chatter. The Pirates are not opposed to creating a hole at shortstop for the rest of the year by trading Jack Wilson. They would just need the right return. Teams are still calling on Wilson, with the Dodgers confirmed and the Tigers possible. A Jason Bay deal seems less likely - the Pirates' price is high for their star. Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte continue to draw interest, with John Grabow in the mix as well. Nady or Marte would require two prospects each. Nady's suitors are the...   Continue Reading

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Pirates Rumors: Nady, Marte, Bay

New blog to bookmark: PBC Blog. It comes from Pittsburgh Post-Gazette baseball writers Dejan Kovacevic and Paul Meyer, and already has plenty of good Pirates info up. On to the hot stove chatter: Kovacevic talked to a Pirates official who disputes the reports that the team's asking prices for Xavier Nady, Damaso Marte, and Jason Bay are exorbitant. Kovacevic notes that many of these reports come from New York, and in some cases they're created as tests for rookie GM Neal Huntington. Welcome to the club, Neal! Bay is unlikely to be traded, but Nady and Marte are available. Kovacevic...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Nady, LaHair, Garcia, Bonds

Baseball is back today, but rumors are a bit light. We'll kick it off with odds and ends. Susan Slusser reports "rumblings" around Justin Duchscherer. As you know, Duke hopes to sign an extension with the A's but they'll wait until after the season. The Nationals signed second round pick Destin Hood. Matt Holliday has heard rumors about a trade to the A's. I believe this originated as Ken Rosenthal speculation on June 22nd. Xavier Nady doesn't want to be traded, and has been "visibly bugged" by the recent rumors. Still, he and Damaso Marte are the most likely trade...   Continue Reading

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Sherman's Latest: Adenhart, Burnett, Niese, Ibanez

Joel Sherman of the New York Post has been digging up rumors left and right - here, here, and here in recent days. Let's discuss. The Angels have "hinted at a willingness to build a deal around pitching prospect Nick Adenhart." This would apparently involve Mark Teixeira or Matt Holliday. The Phillies made an initial offer last week for A.J. Burnett, and the Jays were thoroughly unimpressed. The Phillies won't discuss prospects Carlos Carrasco, Lou Marson, or Greg Golson in trades. The Yankees have zero interest in Burnett. The A's are willing to move Joe Blanton. He's not perfect, but...   Continue Reading

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Jason Bay Rumors Debunked

You may recall Jon Heyman's article from Friday, where the Diamondbacks and Cardinals were said to be among "the most ardent pursuers of Jason Bay." However, Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette spoke to sources with all three teams - and all of them denied the rumor. Kovacevic has been reporting for a while now that the Bucs prefer to keep Bay, though they'll listen. That remains unchanged. Kovacevic's article describes a hot market for two other Pirates - Damaso Marte and Xavier Nady. Pirates GM Neal Huntington hinted that he might soon trade some of the team's veterans: "We're...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Dunn, Burnett, Ibanez

Ken Rosenthal's Full Count video Saturday covered many interesting topics; yesterday he put the info into column form and added even more. Same old story with Adam Dunn - he's just not drawing much interest. Even with the whiffs and ugly defense, this is surprising to me. Rosenthal says the Reds "will take a considerable risk" if they offer Dunn arbitration after the season and he accepts. Would having Dunn on a one-year deal at market price really be so bad? Rosenthal says "it remains to be seen whether Jim Bowden's authority will be compromised" in the wake of his...   Continue Reading

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Yankees Roundup: Nady, Sexson, Fuentes, Marte

Over the next 10 days, the Yankees will determine whether they are buyers or sellers. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, if they think they are still in it then they will target "a lefty reliever and a secondary starting pitcher." That starting pitcher could be Eric Milton, however he's 6 weeks away from starting. I'll add a right handed bat to that list as the Yankees need help against lefties. Sherman says the Rockies are interested enough in Ian Kennedy to deal Brian Fuentes for him and the Yankees will need to choose both whether they're...   Continue Reading

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Quiet Deadline For Tigers?

Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press believes the Tigers might be quiet in the trade market this month. However, the team could use starting pitching and relief help. Morosi notes that the Tigers have not inquired on Randy Wolf or Greg Maddux. What's more, Wolf has the Tigers on his no-trade list. One starter known to be on Detroit's radar: Freddy Garcia. Morosi adds that the Tigers had discussions for John Grabow and Damaso Marte earlier this year. And keep in mind that Barry Svrluga said back in April that the Tigers "will watch Jon Rauch very closely."   Continue Reading

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Molony's Latest: Mahay, Loretta, Erstad, Guzman

Let's check in with MLB.com's Jim Molony. The Rays are scouting lefty relievers Brian Fuentes and Ron Mahay. The issue? The price for Fuentes seems exorbitant, and Mahay may not be available. Troy E. Renck names the Yankees, Mets, Cardinals, and Marlins as the main suitors for Fuentes aside from the Rays. A few contenders have inquired with the Astros as to the availability of Mark Loretta and Darin Erstad. As you might imagine, the Rangers are open to trading Frank Catalanotto. We mentioned yesterday that his contract is a bit of a burden. It seems that Jim Bowden is...   Continue Reading

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Pirates Rumors: Bay, Wilson, Nady, Marte

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette sums up the Pirates' trade deadline strategy in today's article. Jason Bay and Jack Wilson are not being shopped. The Bucs like having both under contract beyond this year. It sounds like Neal Huntington would have to be bowled over to move either guy. Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte are the players most likely to go. Nady is under team control for next year, while Marte's $6MM option will be declined. The Pirates are thinking they can decline Marte's option, offer him arbitration, and let him decline to accept. Then they might be able...   Continue Reading

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Pirates To Keep Marte?

As MLBTR posted this week, the Pirates could elect to keep Jason Bay in Pittsburgh, a once-sure-fire bet to be dealt before the deadline. Finding themselves with an above average offense to date (6th in the bigs with 365 runs scored), the Pirates may see the future with rosier colored glasses and Bay integral to those hopes. Another change of tack, Dejan Kovacevic says the Pirates may now keep reliever Damaso Marte as well, opting to offer him arbitration - which he'd surely forego - to acquire two draft picks. Marte is making $2.5MM this season and has a club...   Continue Reading

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Sherman's Latest: Sabathia, Fielder, Marte

The New York Post's Joel Sherman has a host of rumors in his new column. Sherman believes the Indians are leaning toward trading C.C. Sabathia. He names the usual suspects (Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs) but also throws the Brewers into the mix based on the opinion of an "AL talent evaluator." Speaking of the Brewers, Sherman believes Prince Fielder will be available "almost definitely in the offseason" and perhaps even this summer. Doug Melvin says he's not exploring it but never rules out anything. The presence of Mat Gamel and Matt LaPorta plus Fielder's unwillingness to sign long-term could lead...   Continue Reading

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Pirates Gaining Trade Value

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette discusses five Pirates players who were discussed in winter trade rumors. Neal Huntington wasn't satisfied with the offers, and decided to keep Jason Bay, Xavier Nady, John Grabow, and Damaso Marte. Huntington says Nate McLouth's name was only floated as a "trial balloon." Bay, Nady, and Grabow have all increased their value through strong Aprils (in part via their stats, in part via good health). Marte seems to have recovered from a rough start. Let's discuss some possible suitors. Bay is off to a .264/.396/.448 start. The 29 year-old earns earns $5.75MM this year...   Continue Reading

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To Be Dealt: Bay, Nady, Marte, Morris, Wilson

A short but sweet article came out in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette this morning detailing the Pirates' five main trade candidates. No new or surprising names appear on the list but it's a handy roundup for those not up to date on their Bucco news. As we head into the '08 season (tonight!) the Pirates may not be contenders, but they could be difference makers. Jason Bay - $5.75MM in '08, $7.5MM in '09 - I was surprised they didn't deal him in the offseason, but the Pirates are wisely taking a wait and see approach with Bay. Surely he...   Continue Reading

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Cafardo's Latest: Inge, Marte, Fuentes, Lohse

TUESDAY: Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has an update to Cafardo's Yankees/Fuentes item. Renck says that while the Yanks have scouted Fuentes, Rockies' GM Dan O'Dowd says there's "zero chance" of a trade at this time. I imagine he wants to see a healthy Luis Vizcaino before considering it. MONDAY: Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe checks in with plenty of rumors in his Sunday column. The Red Sox checked in on Brandon Inge during the Winter Meetings, but found his contract prohibitive. Most teams seem to feel the same way. The Yankees are eyeing southpaw relievers Damaso...   Continue Reading

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The Mahay Market

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 5:25pm: The Braves will at least have a discussion with Mahay as a courtesy. They won't sign him unless his price comes down. MLB.com's Mark Bowman says the Yankees are the frontrunner, in contrast to Sherman's note below. UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 9:45am: Joel Sherman says the Yankees don't like the price for Mahay and are considering alternatives such as Damaso Marte or John Grabow. FROM 12-5-07 at 7:55am: According to Marc Lancaster, the Rays are "firmly in the mix" for popular 36 year-old lefty reliever Ron Mahay. Four other teams are involved - the Yankees, Royals, Giants,..   Continue Reading

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Healey's Latest: Wilkerson, Marte

Gotham Baseball's Mark Healey has a new post up with some good trade rumors: The Mets are talking to the Rangers about Brad Wilkerson, not Eric Gagne. This makes sense, as Wilkerson has hit lefties well this year and can play right field. The Mets are also talking to the Reds; could've been about Ken Griffey Jr. or David Weathers. From what we've heard, though, Weathers is not available. And would Junior approve a trade to the Mets? He vetoed a trade there once before. The Pirates want Alan Horne from the Yankees for Damaso Marte. Given that Brian Cashman..   Continue Reading

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Pirates Trade Rumors

Time for a Pirates roundup. They deserve some love here at MLBTradeRumors. Dejan Kovacevic reports that Salomon Torres's grievance against the Pirates may prevent the team from trading him. On the off chance he wins the grievance, he would become a free agent and the acquiring team would be screwed. While that scenario is unlikely, it does look like this thing needs to be resolved before any deal is made. I imagine that if some team wanted him badly all the involved parties could figure something out. The Bucs owe Shawn Chacon a phone call on whether they're open to..   Continue Reading

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McAdam On Red Sox Trade Possibilities

Yesterday, Sean McAdam of The Providence Journal posted an article discussing trade possibilities for the Red Sox. Let's discuss. It seems that the Red Sox will add a bullpen arm despite the fine work of Manny Delcarmen. Apparently they want someone with experience. Eric Gagne doesn't seem likely, nor does Brad Lidge. Instead, Chad Qualls, Dan Wheeler, and maybe Salomon Torres or Scott Linebrink could be acquired. The focus is said to be on the Houston relievers. Wheeler seems like a solid buy-low option. You can add Octavio Dotel to the radar as well. And let's throw Brian Fuentes into..   Continue Reading

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Healey's Latest

Mark Healey at Gotham Baseball has long been a solid, underappreciated source of inside information. He's got another Rumor Mill up at his site. My summary follows. The Yankees have an eye on big-name 1Bs like Mark Teixeira and Todd Helton. But more realistically, they're looking at Tampa Bay's Carlos Pena. He's got the defense, so even if he regresses to a 20 HR bat it's a nice pickup. Healey's source believes Tyler Clippard is too much but the Rays like Sean Henn. The Yanks have also inquired about the versatile Ty Wigginton. The Reds, Rockies, and others have been..   Continue Reading

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Trade Rumor Roundup: 8 Days Left

To begin with, this just isn't true. With the Kearns deal and probably Soriano trade, the 2006 deadline just can't be classified as a dud. That honor belongs to 2005 for sure. The trading action never matches the buildup, but this year's still a good one. Read Ken Rosenthal's latest. The White Sox are in the Soriano game, the Rangers have interest in Luis Gonzalez, the Braves could add another reliever, Julio Lugo still might become a Blue Jay, and the Brewers look like sellers. In my opinion, some Brewers besides Carlos Lee that could be unloaded: Geoff Jenkins, Corey..   Continue Reading

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Damaso Marte Dealt For Rob Mackowiak

Two emailers just told me that Bruce Levine of ESPN Radio 1000 is reporting that the White Sox have dealt lefty reliever Damaso Marte for super-utility man Rob Mackowiak. For his career, the 30 year-old Marte is 14-14 with a 3.21 ERA in 303 innings. He's been tough to hit and strikes out many, but walks have always been a problem. In 2005, Marte walked a ridiculous 6.55 batters per nine innings. This will be a return to Pittsburgh for the southpaw. He was dealt for Matt Guerrier back in 2002. Mackowiak, a native of Oak Lawn, IL, can handle..   Continue Reading

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