Josh Willingham Rumors

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Pedro, Sabathia, Peavy

A look at what is being written about the hot stove in the Blogosphere... Fire Brand of the American League looks at the ramifications of the Coco Crisp trade and what could happen if the Red Sox acquire Mark Teixeira and are unable to move Mike Lowell. Baseball Opinion says the Crisp deal leaves the Royals with a crowded outfield and a depleted bullpen and wonders if Mark Teahen or David DeJesus will be the next to go. Nationals Pride sees the Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham trade as a good start towards building a team with a core of...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Hardy, Flowers, Wolf

Another day, another column from Ken Rosenthal. With multiple vacancies in the rotation and bullpen, the Brewers may need to see what kind of pitching Mike Cameron and/or J.J. Hardy can bring in return. GM Doug Melvin is not ready to shop Hardy. He's received interest, but most teams have not given names (one team suggested swapping him for a pitcher Melvin termed, "a fifth starter.") The Padres have asked the Braves to substitute catcher Tyler Flowers for center fielder Gorkys Hernandez in their Jake Peavy offer. Dave O'Brien sees this as unlikely. If they can't sign Mark Teixeira, the...   Continue Reading

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Olsen/Willingham Trade Roundup

It's official - the Marlins traded Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham to the Nationals for Emilio Bonifacio, Jake Smolinksi, and P.J. Dean. Let's round up commentary on the surprising deal. Jim Bowden says he acquired Willingham as an outfielder, not a first baseman. MLB.com's Joe Frisaro has Larry Beinfest saying the Marlins will move forward with both Jeremy Hermida and Dan Uggla. Mike Berardino and Juan C. Rodriguez also believe Uggla will stay put this winter. Olsen talked to Frisaro and the Palm Beach Post's Joe Capozzi about the trade. He's happy it's over, but doesn't sound bitter. Also at...   Continue Reading

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Nats Trade For Olsen, Willingham

9:44pm: Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel was assured this evening that Dan Uggla will not be traded this winter. Additonally, Mike Berardino says the Marlins won't be signing Ivan Rodriguez for a second stint. 6:34pm: According to ESPN's Peter Gammons, the Nationals acquired Scott Olsen and Josh Willingham from the Marlins for second baseman Emilio Bonifacio and two minor league players, pitcher P.J. Dean and shortstop Jake Smolinski. Bonifacio was the prospect the Diamondbacks traded straight up for Jon Rauch. He fits into the "speed and defense" plan. Smolinski was ranked 11th among Nationals prospects heading into...   Continue Reading

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Marlins Raise Payroll Limit To $40 Million

Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel talked an industry source who says Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has authorized a payroll of up to $40MM for 2009. This means they won't be forced to trade any of their 16 arbitration-eligible players. Greg Cote first suggested this on September 30th, and Buster Olney reiterated it on October 15th. However, Berardino confirms Olney's note from Friday: Kevin Gregg, Mike Jacobs, and Scott Olsen are available. The Marlins discussed sending Jacobs to the Royals for righty Carlos Rosa, but the Fish are worried about Rosa's August forearm soreness. A thought: why would the...   Continue Reading

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Jacobs To Royals Fell Through

Change is brewing in the Marlins front office this offseason. Not only have they decided to increase payroll to $30-35MM but also they are actively shopping Mike Jacobs, Scott Olsen, and Kevin Gregg this offseason; so actively, that a deal with Kansas City fell apart last week according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The deal collapsed, according to Jackson, due to "a medical issue involving a minor-league pitcher" from Kansas City. If, or when, Jacobs is dealt, the Marlins feel Gaby Sanchez can take over at first, and Olsen's spot in the rotation is expected to be occupied...   Continue Reading

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Scout's View Of Marlins Trade Targets

Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel talked to a veteran scout this week about the Marlins' possible trade chips. The reviews were on the positive side for Scott Olsen, Mike Jacobs, Dan Uggla, and Alfredo Amezaga. The scout apparently recommended against Jeremy Hermida, Kevin Gregg, and Josh Willingham. Hermida's report was particularly damning, with the scout claiming the right fielder has "no passion for the game." For more on the Fish, check out our Offseason Outlook.   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Lowe, Redmond, Timlin

Linkage for Friday... River Ave. Blues discovered that Mike Mussina's wife may be a bigger factor than we thought in regard to his retirement decision. David O'Brien tosses out some names for the Braves to consider: Derek Lowe, Matt Cain, Roy Oswalt, and Josh Willingham. Everyone likes Lowe...Anthony McCarron says the Yankees and Mets should consider him. Those clubs could also enter a bidding war for C.C. Sabathia, says Bob Klapisch. Will C.C.'s postseason record diminish his contract? I don't think so. Greg Couch doesn't want Javier Vazquez pitching for the White Sox again. Maybe Ozzie is right, Vazquez is...   Continue Reading

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Marlins Could Be Set For Another Fire Sale

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald says the Marlins will be forced to trade away some of their arbitration-eligible players this offseason unless management is willing to double their payroll into the $50MM range. Jackson takes a closer look at which players may be on the move... Two scouts and a GM told Jackson that the Marlins will likely explore the market for Mike Jacobs, noting they have other options at first base. Jackson feels the Marlins won't want to give Dan Uggla a long-term deal and will look to trade him. With Cameron Maybin ready to take over, Jackson...   Continue Reading

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Stark's Latest: Sabathia, Bedard, Phillies, Freel

It's Thursday, and you know what that means. Time for another installment of Jayson Stark's Rumblings and Grumblings at ESPN.com. Stark runs through a laundry list of candidates for the Mariners' and Mets' manager and GM vacancies. The Indians will not be giving a negotiation window for a team hoping to sign C.C. Sabathia while acquiring him. Erik Bedard is "now officially on the market." Bedard's value has diminished since the Mariners acquired him, however. The Phillies have already inquired on Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Bronson Arroyo, and Jarrod Washburn. Stark sees Bedard joining that group, but believes it'd require Carlos...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Teixeira, Liriano, Garcia, Willingham

Ken Rosenthal has a new hot stove article up. Rosenthal leads with some Mark Teixeira-Angels speculation, but admits the Braves aren't considering trading him and the Angels are content with their team. The Halos' .706 team OPS ranks 12th in the AL; something should be done. All kinds of Mariners turmoil. They could look to acquire a center fielder given the move back to right for Ichiro. Releases of Richie Sexson and Jose Vidro could be on the agenda. And chemistry problems abound, with Ichiro and Kenji Johjima at the center. The Ms might consider Chris Antonetti and David Forst...   Continue Reading

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Gammons' Latest: Sabathia, Dunn, Harden

ESPN's Peter Gammons has a new blog post up. The Indians are "thoroughly scouting" eight teams that may be interested in C.C. Sabathia, including the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, and Dodgers (the Mets may be another). Gammons agrees with Ken Rosenthal that Mark Shapiro may trade Sabathia soon to maximize his value. Gammons does not see the Yanks jumping in with Phil Hughes or a multi-prospect offer, unless Chien-Ming Wang's injury forces their hand. He does not think the Cubs or Phillies have the goods, but suggests the Rangers as a dark horse. If the Cubs don't have enough for...   Continue Reading

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