Jon Rauch Rumors

Odds And Ends: Huff, Ackley, Strasburg

Some more links to pass along... Steve Melewski of MASN.com reports that Orioles president Andy MacPhail is "open" to talking with Aubrey Huff about a possible extension. Huff, a free agent at the end of the year, has been the subject of many trade rumors. ESPN.com's Rob Neyer agrees with a suggestion Howard made on this site yesterday: Jon Rauch would be a good fit for the Rays. Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports that Cards GM John Mozeliak was among those watching as two college hitters worked out at Busch Stadium this morning. Josh Phegley and A.J....   Continue Reading

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Bullpen Roundup: Who Should Rays Get; Is Rauch Out In Arizona?

While Tampa Bay is still reeling from another loss due to a faulty bullpen, R.J. Anderson of DRaysBay.com has some suggested additions to the beleaguered group. Winston Abreu, currently dominating at Triple-A Durham, could simply be called up. Jason Grilli, recently designated for assignment by the Rockies, could be had for nothing. Joel Hanrahan, recently taken out of the closer's role by Washington, would require a trade. Considering that Grant Balfour, Joe Nelson and Dan Wheeler all have ERAs of 5.50 or higher, some fresh arms in the Tampa Bay bullpen would certainly be welcome. Meanwhile, a less-treasured member of...   Continue Reading

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Cardinals Reliever Rumors

5:57pm: K-Rod's agent Paul Kinzer said the Cardinals did not offer his client a similar contract. 9:08am: According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals made a bid for Francisco Rodriguez in the neighborhood of the Mets' successful three-year, $37MM bid. The search continues. Strauss says the Cards plan to explore trades before escalating talks with Brian Fuentes. Potential trade targets: J.J. Putz, Matt Capps, and Jon Rauch. Talks for Jose Valverde "stalled abruptly earlier in the week." The trade bait will probably be on of the Cardinals' outfielders. Strauss adds that GM John Mozeliak met with...   Continue Reading

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D'Backs Rumors: Hudson, Dunn, Johnson, Rauch

8:19pm: According to the AP, the D'Backs exercised Rauch's $2.9MM option for 2010. He'll earn $2MM in '09. 9:49am: Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic has the latest D'Backs hot stove chatter, here and here. The D'Backs figure to have nine draft picks in the first 75 or so next year. They will probably offer arbitration to Orlando Hudson, Adam Dunn, Juan Cruz, and Brandon Lyon, and see all of them decline to sign elsewhere. They could end up spending $8-12MM on next year's draft, but at least the farm system will be restocked. Team CEO Jeff Moorad says he...   Continue Reading

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D'Backs Face Decisions On Lyon, Rauch

Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic wrote Saturday about the tough decisions the D'Backs face on relievers Brandon Lyon and Jon Rauch. With Lyon, the D'Backs have to decide whether to risk an arbitration offer. Would they want him back for '09 on a $4-5MM contract? Lyon may make the decision easier for Arizona by falling out of Type B status. Then, there'd be no draft pick to gain. Lyon has a 7.52 ERA since June 1st. Meanwhile Rauch's contract requires the D'Backs decide on his 2010 option five days after this year's World Series. The option is for $2.9MM;...   Continue Reading

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Perrotto's Latest: Royals, Ibanez, Rauch, Gregg

It's Sunday, which means that John Perrotto has his Every Given Sunday column up over at Baseball Prospectus. Here's the highlights... Royals GM Dayton Moore will likely make a big splash in the free agent market once again. Two years ago, he signed Gil Meche to a five-year, $55MM deal. Last year, he signed Jose Guillen to a three-year, $36MM contract. This year, his big target appears to be Rafael Furcal, which would allow the Royals to move Mike Aviles to second base. Moore is also believed to be willing to trade anyone on the team with the exceptions of...   Continue Reading

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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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Rauch Ramifications

Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic has an article today about the implications of the Diamondbacks' acquisition of reliever Jon Rauch. The loss of second baseman Emilio Bonifacio doesn't exactly change the D'Back's plans, as they were skeptical on his ability to become a regular anyway. Still, people are asking whether they'll try to re-sign Orlando Hudson. Piecoro says Hudson is expected to test the free agent market, and doesn't seem likely to offer a discount. His salary should exceed $10MM. If Hudson leaves, the D'Backs could either look for a new second baseman or shift Mark Reynolds over there...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Laird, Washburn, Nady, Bay

Ken Rosenthal has more new material. I've updated the post, as Rosenthal updated his. The Yankees are looking for catching - Rosenthal and Jon Heyman do not agree with Peter Abraham. Rosenthal says the Yanks have expressed interest in Gerald Laird and Miguel Olivo. The Rangers want young pitching for Laird, however. Jarrod Washburn's limited no-trade protection includes the Yankees. He might want compensation to waive that, putting him out of the Yanks' price range. Washburn, a Boras client, wouldn't mind pitching in New York though. The Mariners are looking for young pitching for him. It sounds like the Yankees...   Continue Reading

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