Jose Contreras Rumors

Latest Mets Rumors: A-Rod, Silva, Blanton

Plenty of action around the Mets lately; Omar Minaya has his work cut out for him. Hat tip to MetsBlog for several of the links. The sensational storyline here is that Minaya will meet with Scott Boras to discuss Alex Rodriguez. However, Boras and Minaya might spend more time discussing Kyle Lohse and Eric Gagne than A-Rod - the Mets' focus is pitching. Newsday's Ken Davidoff reminds us of past trade talks regarding Joe Blanton, Jose Contreras, and Jon Garland. Those talks may be re-opened, though Davidoff notes that the White Sox aren't enamored of Lastings Milledge. Additionally, the Mets..   Continue Reading

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Phils Won't Focus On Third Base

Third base was a gaping hole for the Phillies in 2007. But because the team scored a lot of runs that year, GM Pat Gillick does not see the need to upgrade at the position. Instead, he will focus on adding pitching whether via trade or free agency. I have to say that I don't agree with the logic. Runs are runs, whether you score more of them or let in fewer. The goal is to create the largest differential between runs scored and allowed, doesn't matter whether you try to move the top or bottom line. That's my opinion..   Continue Reading

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Dodgers To Scout Contreras On Friday

The White Sox will grant Jose Contreras a showcase start on Friday, in hopes of unloading some of the $20MM owed to him from 2008-09. Contreras hasn't started since he was bombed by the Yankees on July 31st. According to Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Dodgers will be in attendance when Contreras goes Friday in Seattle. The Mariners are actually a candidate to acquire him as well. Contreras has thrown two consecutive scoreless relief appearances, and his last one lasted five innings against those same Mariners after Gavin Floyd was knocked around. I've seen that attributed to..   Continue Reading

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Jose Contreras Clears Waivers

The trusty Players Who Have Cleared Waivers post has been updated again. The latest edition: Jose Contreras. SI.com's Jon Heyman says Contreras's last two scoreless outings may put him in a positive light in the eyes of some teams. Heyman specifically names the Dodgers as a team that might get involved. Still, it was only two appearances, and Contreras is signed through 2009. He makes $10MM in each of the '08 and '09 seasons. I imagine the White Sox would have to eat half the contract, or take on a bloated salary in return. How about Nomar? Garciaparra's $8.5MM salary..   Continue Reading

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Mets Hunting For Reliever, Second Baseman

Pretty much the same old story with the Mets, though Joel Sherman and Mark Hale of the New York Post do have some new tidbits. The authors name Chad Cordero, Jon Rauch, Octavio Dotel, and Eric Gagne as relievers on the radar. However it seems the asking price is too high for Gagne and the Indians have become the frontrunner for Dotel (they may have passed the Dodgers). Shawn Chacon doesn't catch the Mets' eye, and they don't want Chad Bradford's three-year commitment. They had that option with Bradford this winter. I think that logic is silly - Bradford's pitched..   Continue Reading

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Mariners Watching Starters

UPDATE: Hickey writes that the Mariners have also scouted Kyle Lohse, Matt Morris, Jason Johnson (thought he went to Japan), and Octavio Dotel. However, a deal seems unlikely because none of those players are worth top Mariner prospects. According to Jim Hickey of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the Mariners have been scouting all kinds of available and not-so-available starters lately. The Mariners have been scouting the White Sox "religiously" lately. If they saw Javier Vazquez beat the Tigers on Tuesday, they came away impressed. (However, Vazquez can and probably would veto a trade to the AL or NL West). They were..   Continue Reading

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Conor Jackson Showcased For White Sox?

You may have noticed Conor Jackson oddly playing left field last night. On the surface, the idea was just to get Jackson, Mark Reynolds, and Chad Tracy into the same lineup against Dave Bush. However, Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune reports that the Diamondbacks' real motivation was to showcase Jackson for the White Sox. Left field is the only place the Sox could use him. Rogers writes that while the D'Backs scouted Jose Contreras, they're after Jon Garland or even John Danks. Javier Vazquez's name did not come up, but wouldn't it be crazy to see the Chris Young..   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Lohse, Hunter, Contreras

The latest trade and signing rumors from Ken Rosenthal: Rosenthal believes Alex Rodriguez's ability to play shortstop could increase the number of suitors. Take a look at the free agents - there may not be a single viable option at short this winter. Still, the number of suitors for Rodriguez is severely limited by his massive contract requirement. Not too many clubs aside from the Yankees and Red Sox can get in on $240MM over eight years or whatever. The lack of available, reasonably priced shortstops could compel the Braves and Orioles to aggressively shop Edgar Renteria and Miguel Tejada...   Continue Reading

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All Eyes On Contreras

Buster Olney says that Jose Contreras may be the best available starting pitcher at the moment, which speaks to how weak the market is. Olney lists the Cubs, Braves, Marlins, Indians, and Phillies as teams on hand to watch his six inning, five run performance Sunday night in Baltimore. To call Contreras the best available indicates that Javier Vazquez is off the market. Contreras's challengers still include Matt Morris, Dontrelle Willis, and Jason Jennings. If the Pirates were to inexplicably consider trading Ian Snell, he'd easily jump to the forefront. That he's even available is a dubious rumor at this..   Continue Reading

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Rockies Inquired On White Sox Starters

In June, the main trade buzz around the Rockies was that they had interest in Octavio Dotel. Today, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune added some intriguing names also on Colorado's wish list: Mark Buehrle, Jose Contreras, and Jon Garland. Obviously Buehrle is off limits now. It wasn't too long ago that Dan O'Dowd expressed his interest in adding a White Sox hurler. Apparently talks stalled when Kenny Williams wanted southpaw starter Franklin Morales or third baseman Ian Stewart from the Rox. Morales has frontline stuff and is trying to hone his control at Double A Tulsa. He missed some..   Continue Reading

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Contreras Actually Lacks No-Trade Clause

The White Sox informed the Chicago Sun-Times today that Jose Contreras's no-trade clause actually ran out in November of 2006. So much for Contreras waiving anything. Joe Cowley says the Mets, Braves, and Dodgers are all interested. I wouldn't be shocked to see Kenny Williams deal Buehrle and another starter. He could trade Buehrle for a top position player prospect, and then swap Contreras or Javier Vazquez for a younger starter. It will be tough for KW to sit back and close up shop on starters after making a Buehrle trade. A Buehrle trade may only increase the desperation of..   Continue Reading

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Contreras Would Waive No-Trade Clause

According to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune, a Mark Buehrle contract extension would likely result in a trade of Jose Contreras, Javier Vazquez, or Jon Garland. That's probably the order of likelihood, too. Contreras is owed about $4.9MM this year, $10MM in 2008, and another $10MM in 2009. Despite the decline in his strikeout rate, that's a decent price. He'd make a fine pickup for the Mets this year and would be paired again with countryman Orlando Hernandez. It's difficult to gauge the Mets' level of interest right now though. Contreras really wants to stay with the White Sox,..   Continue Reading

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White Sox Buehrle Extension Close?

UPDATE: Readers are writing in saying 670 AM The Score in Chicago is reporting that Buehrle is "likely" to sign an extension for four years and "around" $50MM. In a surprising turnabout, White Sox starter Mark Buehrle is off the trading block. Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times has the exclusive - the two sides might agree on a contract extension by week's end. It's possible that Buehrle has reduced his demand from five years to four. Would 4/60 get it done? Cowley says the White Sox remain Buehrle's #1 choice for the future, by a long shot. Even over..   Continue Reading

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Mets After Jose Contreras

The Mets have kicked the tires on Mark Buehrle, but Jose Contreras may be a more likely acquisition according to the Newark Star-Ledger. The Mets would prefer not to trade younger players for a rental, and may turn to Contreras because he's signed through 2009. I'm sure Kenny Williams would have no problem with that. I think Contreras would handle a return to New York well. Lastings Milledge would be more than enough for Contreras, in my mind. Dan Graziano's article also confirms that the Braves and Red Sox have been pushing hard for Buehrle. He says there was "no..   Continue Reading

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What About Other White Sox Pitchers?

A couple of Chicago newspapers raised a logical possibility today: what if the impending White Sox fire sale extends beyond those who will become free agents? Specifically, the Sox have three veteran starting pitchers under contract and any of them could be traded. Take Javier Vazquez. He's a fine addition to any team looking for a complementary, solid, healthy pitcher. Vazquez is signed through 2010 at $11.5MM annually, about the market rate. He'll turn 31 soon, and has no health issues. His strikeout rate is strong, his walk rate low. Granted he's HR prone and his ERA never quite seems..   Continue Reading

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White Sox Payroll To Increase

I recently got word from my White Sox source, so I have some info to pass along. He confirmed that while the Sox would indeed love to bring Abreu aboard (as would plenty of teams), there's really nothing in the works. Kenny Williams wants pitching in return for his extra starter, but is in no hurry to trade Jose Contreras. The Sox are still in contact with Houston about him, but it's likely that Contreras stays put at least until after the World Baseball Classic. It makes sense to play it safe given that the Sox hold all the cards...   Continue Reading

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KW Denies Abreu Rumor...Or Does He?

Respected Chicago Tribune sportswriter Mark Gonzales got in touch with Kenny Williams through a spokesman tonight. Based on this article, it seems that Gonzales inquired about the recent Abreu for Contreras/Dye rumor. The word: "Williams, through a team spokesman, said there is nothing to the report, adding he hadn't spoken to the Phillies in eight or nine days and that no proposal was tendered." Now, we didn't report that this thing was on the verge. My point, rather, was that the White Sox love Abreu. That was confirmed by my source; the actual Dye/Contreras scenario was reportedly broken by Howard..   Continue Reading

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White Sox Interested In Abreu

Remember that Abreu/Contreras/Dye rumor that was bouncing around last night that couldn't quite graduate from the Unfounded category? We're a little closer to a foundation about this one tonight. A very solid source close to the Phillies tells me that Kenny Williams and the White Sox "love" Bobby Abreu. It's the first I've heard that the club is truly interested in the right fielder. He also mentioned that the Phils would like a pitcher like Jose Contreras. There is some question as to whether the Phils would need to include Gavin Floyd to make an equitable deal. He said that..   Continue Reading

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Trade Candidates Part 1

With the hot stove not all that hot at the moment, I thought I'd run down some guys who could be traded between now and July 31st in an attempt to peer into the future. Part 1 of the series will focus on some of the players in their contract year. Barry Bonds is unlikely to be dealt, given that the Giants have pinned most of their offensive hopes on him. But if, for some reason, the team is out of contention in July and Bonds is looking more awful than usual in the field, a deal to the AL..   Continue Reading

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Help Kenny Williams Trade Contreras

White Sox GM Kenny Williams made a funny comment yesterday in his interview with Daily Herald writer Scot Gregor. Below is Gregor's question followed by KW's answer. Gregor: Pitchers and catchers report to spring training in three weeks, and you still have six starters (Mark Buehrle, Jose Contreras, Freddy Garcia, Jon Garland, Vazquez and Brandon McCarthy) and only five spots in the rotation. Is it safe to assume one of the starters will be traded before Opening Day? KW: I’m at the golf course right now, so I’m trying not to think about trades. But I go online sometimes and..   Continue Reading

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White Sox Never Pursued Prior

I spoke to my White Sox source today, and he was able to offer up a little bit of information. Remember this tantalizing tidbit from Gordon Edes's January 15th article for the Boston Globe? "Would you believe that the White Sox were hovering on the fringes of the Tejada trade talks, not because of any interest in Tejada but in the hopes that if the Orioles peddled him to the Chicago Cubs for ace Mark Prior, they would have been willing to flip Prior to the crosstown White Sox in a package?" Not so, according to my source. The White..   Continue Reading

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Details On Tejada Negotiations

Just got a little bit of info from my White Sox source concerning the now deceased White Sox trade for Miguel Tejada. Word is that the White Sox bowed out late Friday when the Orioles insisted on Brandon McCarthy or Lance Broadway in addition to the other players. It seems Broadway's status pick in the 2005 June draft would've necessitated his inclusion as a PTBNL. The White Sox wouldn't budge, and the deal died. One other new tidbit is that the Orioles changed gears and attempted to engage the White Sox in an Erik Bedard trade. It is speculated that..   Continue Reading

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White Sox Receive Tejada Offer

Remember when I decided to start calling Kenny Williams "spunky" based on his Javier Vazquez and Jim Thome trades? I'm starting to think I should stick with "bold," as cliche as it may be. As I mentioned earlier on this site, the White Sox submitted two trade proposals for Miguel Tejada with a deadline of December 31st. Now the White Sox have re-entered the Tejada fray. A rock-solid source of mine close to the White Sox tells me that the team is "lying in the weeds" and allowing the Mets, Devil Rays, Orioles, and Red Sox to beat each other..   Continue Reading

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Latest Astros Buzz

Today we've got some Astros info for you to digest. According to an emailer, Richard Justice recently spoke with Astros GM Tim Purpura on Sports Radio 610. Here's what came out of the discussion: The Astros aren't expecting much from Jeff Bagwell, surprise surprise. The main concern is, of course, his inability to throw. In Brian McTaggart's article in the Houston Chronicle today, he mentions that Bagwell "will have his shoulder analyzed next week by respected orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham." Expect Bags to be relegated to pinch-hitting duties given the Preston Wilson signing. I don't have anything..   Continue Reading

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Astros Discussing Jose Contreras

First off, my apologies for the confusion in my last post. Let's set the record straight about this Astros/White Sox thing. My source wasn't referring to the Astros' interest in Miguel Tejada, but rather Jose Contreras. Baltimore likes the righthander, but Houston covets him as well. The Sox are talking to the Astros currently, but have no interest in Brad Lidge. Their reasoning: they believe in the young, cheap Bobby Jenks. The Sox also have concerns about Lidge's future health after piling on the innings as well as his impending large salary. That all makes sense; the Sox have no..   Continue Reading

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White Sox Make Offers For Tejada

A source close to a major sports representation firm has tipped me off to two offers the White Sox currently have on the table for shortstop Miguel Tejada. Two formal proposals have been given to the Orioles by Sox GM Kenny Williams. Williams set a drop dead date of December 31st given other clubs' outstanding offers for Tejada. Option 1: Jose Contreras, Juan Uribe, and one minor league prospect for Tejada. Option 2: Brandon McCarthy, Juan Uribe, 20 year-old southpaw Alex Woodson, and another minor leaguer for Tejada. In this scenario, the White Sox would get cash back from the..   Continue Reading

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White Sox Interested In Blalock?

In today's Chicago Tribune, Phil Rogers lays out some options for the White Sox to further bolster their club. According to Rogers: "The most transparent scenarios are a starter and Joe Crede to Texas for a package fronted by left-handed-hitting third baseman Hank Blalock (signed for a highly reasonable $13.7 million for the next three years with a $6.2 million option in 2009); a starter and Juan Uribe to Baltimore for Miguel Tejada—not that likely—or a starter to Baltimore for a package of young talent in a deal that makes Tejada happier about staying put. When Williams trades one of..   Continue Reading

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Jim Thome To The White Sox

Word from ESPN Radio 1000 in Chicago is that the White Sox are talking to the Phillies about Jim Thome. Apparently the Sox would acquire Thome for some combination of Aaron Rowand, Jose Contreras, and Brandon McCarthy. The Phillies would pay the "majority" of Thome's contract. MLBTradeRumors.com is skeptical to say the least. We haven't received confirmation yet on which ESPN reporter floated this rumor, but the memory of Bruce Levine announcing an imminent Juan Pierre deal is all too fresh. As proposed, this is simply way too much value for the White Sox to give up for Thome. It..   Continue Reading

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