Matt LaPorta Rumors

Rosenthal's Latest: Giles, Dodgers, Indians, Fielder

Ken Rosenthal has a new Full Count video up over at FOX Sports. Here's the highlights: The Red Sox wanted to use Brian Giles in right field against certain right-handers, and shift J.D. Drew over to center field for those games. Giles blocked the trade for family reasons, according to Rosenthal, despite the chance at an increased pay day and an opportunity to play in the postseason. Rosenthal says that while the Dodgers are under pressure to re-sign Manny Ramirez, there may be more pressure to sign Casey Blake after this season. Rosenthal points out that Blake is batting .333...   Continue Reading

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Week in Review

Here's a look back at the biggest stories MLBTR covered for the week of July 6 - 13: The Brewers completed a deal for C.C. Sabathia, sending Matt LaPorta and other prospects to Cleveland in return. Sabathia's looked great so far, and LaPorta's already making an impact in the Indians minor league system. Looks good for both teams right now if you ask this guy. The Cubs answered their division rival quickly, landing Oakland ace Rich Harden along with Chad Gaudin in exchange for Matt Murton, Sean Gallagher, Eric Patterson, and Josh Donaldson. Harden was brilliant in his debut. I...   Continue Reading

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Sabathia To Brewers Trade Official

Let's round up today's C.C. Sabathia links in a fresh post. The Brewers' trade for ace pitcher C.C. Sabathia is official. As a reminder, the Indians will receive Matt LaPorta, Rob Bryson, Zach Jackson, and maybe Taylor Green. Paul Hoynes says Michael Brantley could end up the player to be named later instead of Green. Ken Rosenthal suggests Lorenzo Cain may also still be possible. MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo analyzes the prospects received by the Indians. Here's an interesting link. This is apparently the blog of agent Joshua Kusnick of Double Diamond Sports Management. Among others, Kusnick represents Cain, Brantley, and...   Continue Reading

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Brewers Close To Acquiring C.C. Sabathia

10:11pm: Haudricourt has names. He says the Indians are getting LaPorta, Zach Jackson, Rob Bryson, and maybe Taylor Green. Green could end up in the deal as a player to be named later. Also, Rosenthal has commentary on the deal, explaining that "in baseball's new-world order, prospects are power." The ability to draft brilliantly could trump payroll as a competitive advantage. 7:59pm: ESPN's Buster Olney chimes in, citing sources that say the teams have agreed in principle to a deal. Sabathia himself sent a text message to ESPN's Amy Nelson implying the same. All signs point to Sabathia making his...   Continue Reading

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Week In Review

Continuing with Tim's new tradition, here's my take on some of the top rumors of the week from June 29 - July 6: The C.C. Sabathia sweepstakes is nearing an end, with the Brewers' Matt LaPorta package being the frontrunner. We'll let everyone know the full story as soon as possible. The Phillies extended Brad Lidge to a three-year contract. Lidge looks like his old self - great deal for Philadelphia. Looks like this means Brett Myers will remain in the rotation if he can get back on track. We heard a lot about the Rays' growing interest for Colorado...   Continue Reading

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Latest Sabathia Rumors

ESPN's Buster Olney and the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Tom Haudricourt have the latest C.C. Sabathia trade rumors this evening. Olney says the Brewers restructured their offer today. That offer is believed to include Matt LaPorta plus lesser prospects. Haudricourt suspects those prospects might be Taylor Green and Lorenzo Cain. Haudricourt says the Indians have the Brewers' offer in hand and Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin is waiting to hear back. Olney says the Brewers are looking at some Plan B starters in case they don't win the Sabathia sweepstakes. Olney also has the Rays, Dodgers, and Phillies in the Sabathia talks. Those...   Continue Reading

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Brewers Offering LaPorta In Possible Sabathia Deal

Brewers GM Doug Melvin told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwakee Journal Sentinel the team is in pursuit of C.C. Sabathia and has an offer on the table. Haudricourt thinks the Brewers' offer includes top prospect Matt LaPorta, minor-league third baseman Taylor Green and probably another prospect, perhaps outfielder Lorenzo Cain, but Melvin would not specify which players are included in the offer. Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro doesn't plan to overhaul his team before the trade deadline or in the off season but, according to Melvin, he's listening to offers from other teams for Sabathia. "Cleveland is in control of this,...   Continue Reading

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Dodgers Interested In Jack Wilson, C.C. Sabathia

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers have jumped into the fray for C.C. Sabathia. They don't have a Matt LaPorta-caliber prospect, but they could make a substantial three-player offer. The Dodgers, being a big market club, could try to sign Sabathia before he hits free agency. Rosenthal says the Dodgers are simultaneously pursuing Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson. He might require some of the same prospects, so L.A. probably can't get both Wilson and Sabathia. Since Wilson is signed for '09, such an acquisition might allow the Dodgers to let Rafael Furcal walk as a free agent. Based on Ned Colletti's...   Continue Reading

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Brewers Offer LaPorta For Sabathia

10:45am: Haudricourt explains why he thinks the Brewers could and would acquire Sabathia. Haudricourt wonders if the Crew will make a knockout offer right now rather than be forced to wait until the deadline. It could be a difference of four extra starts. The Brewers would not, however, offer both LaPorta and Escobar. FRIDAY, 8:17am: Most people assumed the Brewers would not part with last year's 7th overall pick, left fielder Matt LaPorta. However, Ken Rosenthal reports that the Brewers' offer for Sabathia does include LaPorta and may include shortstop Alcides Escobar as well. The feeling is that the Brewers...   Continue Reading

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