Lastings Milledge Rumors

Odds And Ends: Milledge, Tate, Royals

Links for the morning... As much as Nyjer Morgan has helped the Nationals, Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes that Lastings Milledge has been a complete pro so far with the Pirates. MLB.com's Corey Brock hears that the Padres are "making progress" towards signing first rounder Donavan Tate. MLB.com's Steve Gilbert reports that the D'Backs are making progress with first rounder Bobby Borchering. Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star wonders how much the Royals would improve with a cast of strong fielders. We heard on Sunday that Troy Percival was leaning towards retirement. Now, as MLB.com's Bill Chastain...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Bedard, Astros, Marquis

Links for Tuesday morning... Be here at 2pm CST for this week's chat. Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette profiles controversial acquisition Lastings Milledge, who seems energized and motivated. It would be hard to argue with Amber Theoharis of MASN.com, who says the Orioles won the Erik Bedard deal since they acquired two All-Stars in George Sherrill and Adam Jones. As MLB.com's Christian Caple reports, Bedard will be on a 60 pitch limit as he returns to the hill tonight against his former team. Nomar Garciaparra told Mike McDermott of the Providence Journal that he didn't turn down $60MM from...   Continue Reading

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Discussion: Mike Rizzo's Team-Building Strategy

Chico Harlan of the Washington Post has some interesting thoughts in the wake of yesterday's deal between the Nationals and Pirates. He argues that this trade was an indication of GM Mike Rizzo's team-building strategy, "which favors reliability over high-yield potential, a counter to predecessor Jim Bowden." Harlan continues, "the trade, too, commences Washington's attempt to restock a malformed roster on which few outfielders can catch and few relievers can hold leads." Meanwhile, Dave Cameron at Fangraphs argues that Nyjer Morgan might be more valuable than most give him credit for. Morgan and Sean Burnett will both plug holes for...   Continue Reading

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Olney On Pirates, Marlins, Escobar

ESPN.com's Buster Olney says yesterday's Pirates-Yankees trade proves we're looking at a buyer's market this year. The Pirates had to include $400k to shed part of Eric Hinske's salary, and they won't be the only ones including salary relief in trades. Here are the rest of Olney's rumors: The suitors for players like Nick Johnson and Josh Willingham may start disappearing if the few teams who can take on salary decide to look elsewhere for help. Olney says the Pirates acquired potential success in Lastings Milledge. The Marlins are still looking aggressively for relievers. Now that Mike Lowell's out, the...   Continue Reading

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Pirates, Nats Agree To Multi-Player Trade

1:40pm: Kovacevic says the teams have agreed in principle to exchange Lastings Milledge and Joel Hanrahan for Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett. 1:39pm: Chico Harlan of the Washington Post and MLB.com's Bill Ladson agree that the Nats and Pirates are close to completing a deal. 1:35pm: The deal isn't complete, but Kovacevic has an update. It would also send Sean Burnett to Washington and Joel Hanrahan to Pittsburgh. 12:05pm: The Pirates already made one deal this morning, but that's not stopping them from talking trades. Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Pirates are close to dealing Nyjer...   Continue Reading

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Pirates, Nationals Discussing Swap

SATURDAY, 3:51pm: MLB.com's Bill Ladson has confirmed through a source that the Nationals are in hot pursuit of Morgan. Milledge was offered, but the Pirates are seeking a starting pitcher or middle infielder. Washington infielders Alberto Gonzalez and Danny Espinosa probably aren't going anywhere, and the Nats seem to like their young nucleus of starters (mainly Stammen, Jordan Zimmermann and John Lannan). Ladson suggests Anderson Hernandez could be part of the move, but he surely won't "wow" Pittsburgh's upper management. FRIDAY, 9:58pm: Via Twitter, Ed Price of Fanhouse.com says the Pirates and Nationals have been discussing an outfield swap of...   Continue Reading

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Edes On Tejada, Nationals, Shapiro

Yahoo's Gordon Edes updates us on the Cardinals' search for a bat and more in his most recent column. Here are the details: The Cardinals aren't interested in Miguel Tejada, but they are looking to add offensive help at third or in the outfield. Some have criticized the Pirates for taking Tony Sanchez fourth overall, but Edes hears they chose him because they like his tools and believe he's polished enough to reach the majors before most players in the draft. The Nationals would move Elijah Dukes or Lastings Milledge. Ryan Zimmerman is their only untouchable player. The Rangers have...   Continue Reading

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Heyman On Penny, Ackley, Milledge

SI.com's Jon Heyman places Marco Scutaro and David Ortiz atop his lists of over and underperforming players. In the same article, he provides some trade rumors: The Phillies, Mets and Cardinals are among the teams "in" on the Brad Penny discussions. Philadelphia would still like to acquire a premium pitcher; they're "aiming higher" than Penny. Dustin Ackley is apparently seeking "Mark Teixeira money." No, he's not looking for $180MM, but he'd like a deal worth $9.5MM, like the one Teixiera received out of college. And there's word of trade talks involving Lastings Milledge.   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: O's, A's, Milledge, Manny

Your links for Tuesday... MASN's Buck Martinez believes the Orioles are headed in the right direction as an organization. "Sit back, relax and watch the organization grow," he writes. Vlae Kershner of the San Francisco Chronicle summarizes the current standing of the Athletics' bid for a new ballpark. Would a fancy facility in San Jose, the nation's 10th largest city, help boost the team's payroll? Lastings Milledge, who was demoted to Triple-A Syracuse on April 14, told the Washington Post's Chico Harlan that he hasn't kept in touch with the Nationals' front office, and hasn't been paying attention to the...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Milledge, Draft Order, Cubs

Links for Tuesday... The Nationals issued a press release regarding Lastings Milledge's demotion to Triple A. Seems like they're hoping it's a wake-up call. Scott Boras spoke to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle about matching his client Dallas McPherson with the Giants. Baseball America has the 2009 June draft order. According to a Reuters article, one source suggested the sale of the Cubs to the Ricketts family may drag on past May. Bart Given of Inside The Majors says the Indians are an exception in terms of providing nutritious meals to minor leaguers. This week's chat will take...   Continue Reading

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