Juan Cruz Rumors

Heyman On August Trades

Executives tell Jon Heyman of SI.com that we saw the "softest deadline ever" last week because there's still the possibility for trades this month. Here's an explanation of how trades can occur after the deadline and here are the players Heyman deems likely to clear waivers (player who clear waivers may be traded): Bronson Arroyo, Adam Dunn, Jose Guillen, Aaron Harang, Adrian Beltre, Aubrey Huff, Jason Giambi, Melvin Mora, Miguel Batista, Juan Cruz, Ty Wigginton, Ron Mahay, Willie Bloomquist, Lyle Overbay, Willy Taveras. Some players who could clear waivers: Jon Garland, Doug Davis, Gil Meche, Alex Rios, Carl Pavano, Mark...   Continue Reading

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Trade Candidates: Relievers

Just about every team could improve its bullpen and some clubs, like the Marlins and Rockies, are working aggressively to add relievers. Here are some of the names to consider, ordered from highest 2009 salary to lowest. Kerry Wood - He's been a disappointment in Cleveland, and the Indians owe him about $15MM before the end of next year, and possibly more in 2011. Rafael Soriano - Could the Braves get creative and deal Soriano ($6.1MM) or Mike Gonzalez ( $3.5MM), who will also become a free agent this winter. Danys Baez - At $5.5MM, he's an expensive option, but...   Continue Reading

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Stark On Royals, Phillies, Holliday

ESPN.com's Jayson Stark asks some thoughtful baseball people why we're not greeting Manny Ramirez like the "team-wrecking, alibi-distorting, female-fertility-drug-popping scoundrel he is." And, of course, Stark has piles of rumors. Here they are: The Mets were never willing to move Bobby Parnell or other top young arms for Mark DeRosa, so they weren't as close to acquiring him as the Reds and Cubs were. The Phillies, Marlins and Giants were also in the mix. The Indians are more interested in dealing Rafael Bentancourt than Kerry Wood, whose contract ($15MM remaining) would be hard to move. The Royals will listen on...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Contraction, Pudge, German, Jays

Links for Monday... Squawking Baseball talked to Braves exec John Coppolella about the salary arbitration process as well as various topics about the team. The Marlins renewed their remaining players, including Cameron Maybin and Matt Lindstrom. The Braves signed 10, including Yunel Escobar. Bill Madden of the New York Daily News wonders if contraction will be considered during negotiations for the next Basic Agreement. Justin Murphy of Seamheads.com talked to Brian Bannister, as did Joe Posnanski of the Kansas City Star. MLB.com's Joe Frisaro talked to various sources who expect Ivan Rodriguez to wind up a Marlin, though that's based...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Orioles, Bowden, Nathan

A few links for Sunday afternoon... According to MLB.com's Spencer Fordin the Orioles used "number crunching and statistical analysis" to compare Brian Roberts and Nick Markakis to similar past and present players before locking them up to deals worth $40MM and $66MM, respectively. Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports that Joe Nathan's happy to see Jonathan Papelbon making lots of money this year ($6.25MM) because it's good for closers in general. Jayson Stark of ESPN.com points out the absurdity of the Manny Ramirez negotiations and suggests the structure of a deal that could work for both sides. It's been nearly four...   Continue Reading

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Royals Sign Juan Cruz

3:16pm: Buster Olney with information on each year's value: "He receives $2.25 million for 2009, $3.25 million for 2010, and a $4 million option for 2011, with a $500,000 buyout. " Royals beat writer Dick Kaegel of MLB.com confirms it. 2:25pm: According to a press release from the team, the Kansas City Royals have signed Juan Cruz to a two-year deal, with a club option for a third year. While it is Royals policy to keep contract terms under wraps, Ken Rosenthal has contract details. The first two years of the deal are worth $6MM, while the option year would...   Continue Reading

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Juan Cruz To Royals?

Juan Cruz may be close to a deal with the Kansas City Royals, according to Buster Olney at ESPN.com. The Royals' signing Cruz may entitle the Arizona Diamondbacks to two compensatory draft picks, since Cruz was a Type A free agent offered arbitration. However, a potential sign-and-trade deal with the Diamondbacks may affect those circumstances. Writes Olney: It was not immediately clear on Saturday afternoon whether Cruz would just sign with the Royals, or if a sign-and-trade with the Diamondbacks would be part of the process. We'll keep an eye on this one.   Continue Reading

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Twins, Cruz End Contract Talks

According to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, the Twins have ended their pursuit of right-handed reliever Juan Cruz. Cruz rejected the Twins' contract offer before talks ever evolved into the sign-and-trade stages, and it doesn't sounds like the club plans on making another run at him. Cruz, 30, posted a 2.61 ERA in 51 2/3 innings last season. Neal suggests that the Twins might now focus their attention on free agent Chad Cordero, who threw for several teams on Wednesday.   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal On Cabrera, Cruz, Nady, Swisher

Let's take a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The A's are offering more at-bats to Nomar Garciaparra than the Phillies. If the A's sign Nomar, that wouldn't stop them from adding Orlando Cabrera. However, Rosenthal's source says Cabrera and the A's "are not even close" in terms of his value. Nothing is close with the Juan Cruz situation; "New teams entered the mix after the sign-and-trade option became more realistic." Rosenthal says it's still possible that a team will simply sign Cruz and give up a draft pick. La Velle E. Neal III of the...   Continue Reading

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Nothing Close For Juan Cruz, Twins

4:46pm: Steve Gilbert of MLB.com talked to D'Backs GM Josh Byrnes. Byrnes is in regular contract with Cruz's agent Barry Praver, but has nothing new to report and is not talking to any teams about Cruz. 3:47pm: MLB.com's Kelly Theiser reports that the Twins have not even extended a formal offer to Cruz. She agrees with Neal that Twins fans should not expect a Cruz acquisition, though they definitely are interested. SUNDAY, 1:27pm: Neal is back with another update, though not a pleasant one for Twins fans. Neal writes that the reports saying the Twins are "closing in on a...   Continue Reading

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