Melky Cabrera Rumors

Cameron Not Likely For Yankees

Peter Abraham suggests that the Brewers may be willing to trade center fielder Mike Cameron if his friend C.C. Sabathia does not sign. He says Ian Kennedy and Melky Cabrera are on Milwaukee's radar. Brewers GM Doug Melvin admitted to talking trade with the Yanks, but says nothing is imminent. Ken Davidoff and Kat O'Brien of Newsday report that the Yanks are not optimistic about acquiring Cameron. Center field is not a top priority for the Yanks, and they're not inclined to include Kennedy.   Continue Reading

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Yankees Rumors: Cameron, Melky, Pettitte, Lowe

5:06pm: More on the Cameron situation: Ken Davidoff says Cabrera and Ian Kennedy have been discussed. However, the Brewers will probably wait to see if they can sign Sabathia, since he's good friends with Cameron. 10:26am: The latest Yankees hot stove buzz... According to Joel Sherman and George King of the New York Post, the Yankees inquired with the Brewers on Mike Cameron. The Yanks would be willing to send Melky Cabrera and pitching to Milwaukee. The Yankees are also talking to other teams about Wilson Betemit. The Yankees are only willing to do a one-year deal for Andy Pettitte,...   Continue Reading

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Speculating On The Yankees: McLouth and Lowe

The New York Post and Daily News are providing us with some ideas on what's being considered by the front office in the Bronx this off-season. George A. King III of the Post writes that the Yankees and Pirates have not yet discussed the possibility of Nate McLouth roaming center field when the new Stadium opens in 2009. Pirates GM Neal Huntington has declared nobody is untouchable, and the Pirates are looking to upgrade a poor minor league system and major league talent base, so McLouth's name has been tossed around. The Yankees are in the market for a center...   Continue Reading

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Richie Sexson Released

The New York Post writes of a minor shakeup for the Yankees. They're cutting Richie Sexson and demoting Melky Cabrera to the minors in favor of Brett Gardner and Cody Ransom. Sexson received 35 plate appearances from the Yankees, hitting .250/.371/.393. He did what he was supposed to do, hitting .273/.393/.455 against lefties.   Continue Reading

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Jarrod Washburn Rumors: Monday

8:44pm: The Mariners aren't amused with the Yankees, blaming them for the way negotiations have been portrayed publicly. 4:18pm: Media drama? On the Seattle side, Larry LaRue says "arrogant New York writers" and the "near hysteria of the internet and blogs in late July" caused some to believe the Yankees were close to getting Washburn for nothing. LaRue believes GM Lee Pelekoudas "has probably talked to 20 other teams, too." On the New York side, Peter Abraham says the Yankees are the lone team interested in Washburn, and the idea of Seattle having leverage is "a bit comical." 12:05pm: Geoff...   Continue Reading

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Yankees Eyeing Bannister?

Should the Jarrod Washburn deal fall apart, the Yankees are exploring an alternative in Brian Bannister for Melky Cabrera. Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star writes, "Nothing appears imminent, but the framework for a deal seems to exist because New York has already shown a willingness to part with [Melky] Cabrera. Add this: The Royals nearly obtained Cabrera in a trade-deadline swap two years ago for veteran outfielder Reggie Sanders before Sanders suffered an injury." In this scenario, David Dejesus moves to left to make room for Cabrera in center. And Mark Teahen would get back to his natural...   Continue Reading

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Yankees Still In Talks For Washburn

Updating a rumor that seems to have died down in the last few days, the Yankees and Mariners are still having serious discussions about Jarrod Washburn, reports Dan Graziano. Up until a few days ago, the Yankees wanted to include Kei Igawa and Melky Cabrera in the deal but the Mariner's didn't particularly appear interested in neither player. The Mariners asked about Austin Jackson, but were turned down, and now two other prospects have been thrown into the hat: Brett Gardner and Justin Christian. Washburn has a no-trade clause, but Graziano thinks he would waive it for a shot at...   Continue Reading

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Jarrod Washburn Rumors

3:09pm: Jayson Stark says the Yankees view Washburn as a salary dump, and won't include even low-level prospects unless the Mariners eat money or take Igawa. 1:27pm: Peter Abraham says the Yankees are trying a new way to get Washburn. Neither Abraham nor Geoff Baker believes Washburn's no-trade clause will be an issue or something the Yankees would compensate for. 9:59am: SI.com's Jon Heyman says Seattle's request of Cabrera and Gardner for Washburn is "a non-starter for the Yankees." FRIDAY, 9:21am: Joel Sherman says Igawa is not part of the Washburn discussions. THURSDAY, 5:36pm: According to Ed Price of the...   Continue Reading

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Pirates Rumors: Wilson, Bay, Nady, Marte, Grabow

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has the latest Pirates hot stove chatter. The Pirates are not opposed to creating a hole at shortstop for the rest of the year by trading Jack Wilson. They would just need the right return. Teams are still calling on Wilson, with the Dodgers confirmed and the Tigers possible. A Jason Bay deal seems less likely - the Pirates' price is high for their star. Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte continue to draw interest, with John Grabow in the mix as well. Nady or Marte would require two prospects each. Nady's suitors are the...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Bautista, Uehara, Pavano

I tried busting out my old Super Nintendo last night, to see if I am still the Mario Kart stud I once was. The console didn't work right though, so I ordered something called the FC Twin. It's a console that came out a few years ago when Nintendo's patent expired; it plays both NES and SNES games. I'm excited! On to the hot stove links. We'll be doing our usual live chat here today at 2pm CST. The A's don't anticipate any problems in signing top draft pick Jemile Weeks. And the D'Backs are nearing a deal with their...   Continue Reading

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Santana Aftermath

Now that the players have been agreed upon for the Johan Santana trade, some depictions of the 11th-hour negotiations have leaked out. LEN3 says Santana is expected to get a six-year deal worth around $130MM ($21.66MM annually). He also notes that Santana had given the Twins an end-of-day Tuesday deadline or else he would've used his no-trade clause. Bob Klapisch of the Bergen Record chronicles Bill Smith's last-ditch attempts to get the Yankees and Red Sox involved. He apparently asked the Yankees for Ian Kennedy, Melky Cabrera, and a top prospect and was denied. The Red Sox wouldn't part with..   Continue Reading

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Brewers, Yankees Interested In Mike Cameron

UPDATE, 1-10-08 at 11:58pm: Ken Rosenthal checks in, adding that the Cubs and Twins are on the fringes for Cameron. However he expects Cameron to end up with the Yankees or Brewers, before anything is determined with Johan Santana. The Yanks could always just keep Melky Cabrera or spin him off for prospects. The Braves and Pirates have expressed interest in him in the past. UPDATE, 1-10-08 at 9:04pm: Haudricourt says the Yankees' are the Brewers' main competition for Cameron, in the event they trade Melky Cabrera. It's known that A-Rod has been "privately endorsing" him. UPDATE, 1-10-08 at 10:23am:..   Continue Reading

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Latest Johan Santana Rumors

UPDATE, 1-2-08 at 10:45pm: Nothing new with Boston's pursuit of Santana; Nick Cafardo says the Sox still have two different offers on the table for the Twins. Cafardo notes that Santana's agent quoted the starting bid around seven years, $140MM - and the Red Sox are fine with that. UPDATE, 1-2-08 at 4:19pm: LEN3 adds that the Mariners are not in the running for Johan. Coupled with the info below it seems to be between the Mets and Red Sox currently. FROM 1-2-08 at 1:21pm: Peter Abraham had a note this morning about Johan Santana. He says "there are no..   Continue Reading

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Twins Back Down On Santana Demand

Murray Chass reports this morning that the Twins have scaled back their demands for Johan Santana, at least with the Yankees. He says they are now willing to substitute Jeff Marquez for Ian Kennedy. So the Yankees would have to give up Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, and Marquez (and one more player, I'm guessing). Marquez is a 23 year-old Double A righty who probably does not fall within the Yankees' top ten prospects. He seems a more reasonable demand than Kennedy. About three weeks ago, Bill Madden said the Yanks could've acquired Santana for Hughes, Cabrera, Marquez, and Mitch Hilligoss..   Continue Reading

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Melky Held Out Of Winter Ball?

Peter Abraham noted yesterday that Melky Cabrera was set to play winter ball. However, it seems that the Yankees have changed their mind and won't let Cabrera play this year. There is a "fatigue clause," where if a player played a certain amount during the regular season the player cannot participate in winter ball. It seems that typically teams lift this clause and allow players to join the winter leagues, but this year they refused to lift the clause for Cabrera. The implication is that Cabrera is a trade candidate, perhaps in a Johan Santana deal. More info on this..   Continue Reading

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Johan Santana Rumors: Wednesday

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 7:50pm: Tim Brown says the Red Sox had a moment of doubt, but they remain the frontrunner for Santana. The previously mentioned packages apply. UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 6:21pm: LENIII checks in on the interest level of the six teams involved. UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 5:05pm: Santana's agent, Peter Greenberg, indicated that the Mets are in the running for Santana. UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 2:48pm: BP's John Perrotto talked to a Twins official, and it definitely looks like the Meetings will end without a Johan deal. Perrotto says he's still likely to be dealt before Spring Training. UPDATE, 12-5-07 at..   Continue Reading

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Dan Haren Will Be Pricey

UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 11:09pm: Hank Steinbrenner weighed in on the Haren-Yankees talks, calling Billy Beane's request "ridiculous." The Yankees are out on Haren. UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 2:00pm: Nick Piecoro's source says Conor Jackson is not a part of the Haren talks, actually. UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 12:13pm: The Boston Herald's Rob Bradford says the A's and D'Backs have had "constructive talks" about Haren for Carlos Gonzalez, Conor Jackson, and two others. FROM 12-4-07 at 10:58am: OK, you already knew that. But Joel Sherman has details. Billy Beane sees Dan Haren as equal in value to Johan Santana, all things considered. Over..   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Tavarez, Lieber, Stewart

Another collection... A few notes from Brian Cashman...the Yanks have talked to Luis Vizcaino's agent about bringing him back. Also, they've yet to inquire on any free agent center fielders. Miguel Cabrera has been talking to Ozzie Guillen daily since the season ended. The article makes Cabrera sound like a big kid. The Red Sox have had a couple of inquiries on Julian Tavarez. Five or six teams have inquired on Shannon Stewart, who wants a two-year pact apparently. The Phillies, contrary to previous reports, are not interested in re-signing Jon Lieber. On a scale of 1 to 10, the..   Continue Reading

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Johan Santana Rumors

UPDATE, 12-1-07 at 10:30pm: Yanks and Twins are haggling over the third guy - Twins want Horne or Austin Jackson per Jon Heyman. The Yanks are apparently holding out on that front, trying to retain some dignity. Peter Abraham says the Yanks will also slap a deadline on their offer and then turn their attention to Dan Haren. Concurrently, the Red Sox will only give up Ellsbury if they get more than Santana back. How about making this thing a real blockbuster, getting Joe Nathan involved? Imagine a 7-8-9 combo of Gagne-Nathan-Papelbon (if Gagne were to accept arb). Peter Abraham..   Continue Reading

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Heyman On Santana

SI.com's Jon Heyman has the latest on the Johan Santana trade talks. The Twins want Melky Cabrera plus one of Chamberlain/Hughes/Kennedy from the Yankees. If the Yanks can surrender Kennedy rather than Hughes or Joba, they've done a nice job. Sounds like they would consider giving up Hughes though. The Twins want one of Clay Buchholz or Jon Lester plus Jacoby Ellsbury. Lester seems to be the only one of the three the Red Sox would part with, while they'd also be fine with sending Coco Crisp over. Heyman names the Mets, Dodgers, Angels, and Mariners as interested parties. First..   Continue Reading

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Graziano On Yankees' Center Field

I recently asked Yankees Rumor Royalty winner Dan Graziano for his thoughts on some hot stove queries. MLBTR: If Melky Cabrera is dealt, do you see the Yanks going after a free agent center fielder? If so, who do you think would be first on their list? Dan Graziano: If the Yankees were planning to deal Cabrera, I'm sure they would have been involved in the Torii Hunter sweepstakes. Because they weren't a factor there, I'm thinking right now that they don't intend to trade Cabrera. Of course, if the right opportunity (such as the one detailed previously) presented itself,..   Continue Reading

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Morning Yankees Rumors

Just a few things I found scouring the Internets this morning. The team has finalized their marketing deal with Alex Rodriguez regarding his breaking of home run milestones. He'll receive $6 million for reaching the home run totals of Willy Mays, Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, and Barry Bonds. And then he'll get another $6 million for homer No. 763. Yes, that's $12 million for two homers. The deal has been approved by MLBPA and the Commissioner's office. Peter Gammons, via Buster Olney, reports that the Twins will be seeking three players in any trade to the Yankees of Johan Santana:..   Continue Reading

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Graziano On A Yankees/Santana Trade

Recently I asked the Newark Star-Ledger's Dan Graziano about a realistic scenario under which the Yankees could acquire Johan Santana. His take was a bit different than the standard packages we've been hearing. The Yankees have already had talks with the Twins and are expected to make a strong offer. MLBTR: Give us your take on a reasonable trade package for Johan Santana that the Yankees would consider offering and the Twins would consider accepting. Dan Graziano: The Twins will need at least one good, proven, major-league player and a couple of prospects in exchange if they decide to deal..   Continue Reading

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Orioles Notes: Crisp, Burnett

The always-informed Jeff Zrebiec has a few Orioles tidbits for us. The Orioles didn't engage in conversations with agents for any free agents during the GM meetings - just trade talks with other teams (about 15 total). President of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said that he's open to trading with other teams in the AL East. He just wants the best deal. With that in mind, two Yankees who interest the Orioles are Melky Cabrera and Kyle Farnsworth. The Yankees could employ Miguel Tejada at third base, if he's willing. The O's could have some interest in Coco Crisp, though..   Continue Reading

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Jake Peavy For Phil Hughes and Melky Cabrera?

This is barely a rumor, but I have been getting emails about it. Buster Olney said today in his blog that trade talk has run rampant at the GM meetings, even stretching towards deals with little chance of happening. Olney says the Padres and Yankees briefly discussed a trade that would send Phil Hughes and Melky Cabrera to the Padres for ace Jake Peavy. He also said that trade "almost certainly won't happen." Peavy makes $6MM in 2008 and $8MM in 2009, with another possible $3MM in incentives over those two years. Peavy expects to be traded before reaching free..   Continue Reading

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Yankees Could Pursue Miguel Cabrera

Clark Spencer writes of the possibility of the Yankees going after Miguel Cabrera to fill their third base vacancy (assuming M-Cab can hold up at the position for a few more years). Cabrera's salary will jump from $7.4MM past $11MM this year through arbitration. A year from now he could be looking at $15-17MM. Spencer sees a partial match in center fielder Melky Cabrera; the Marlins have had instability at that position since Juan Pierre was dealt. Add Phil Hughes to the package and I think this could get done. The Yankees seem to favor Joba Chamberlain over Hughes (I..   Continue Reading

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Santana for Melky, Hughes, and Prospect?

Tim recently posted about the Yanks inquiries into the Twins organization for Johan Santana. Peter Abraham shares what he's heard of the rumors for the lefty ace. Melky Cabrera would give Minnesota a center fielder to replace Torii Hunter if he bolts. The Yankees could then offer the Twins Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy along with a second prospect. If Melky and Kennedy plus a prospect can land Santana, I can't see why the Yankees wouldn't do that, even if only for the opportunity to get a leg up on signing baseball's best pitcher to a long term deal. But..   Continue Reading

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Yanks To Pursue Rowand?

A source of mine with Yankee connections had some good info for me today. Much was discussed yesterday in Tampa. For starters, the Yanks are expected to make "eye-popping" offers to retain Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera before the World Series ends. The team does not want the pair to file for free agency. Additionally, the Yankees may make a big play for Aaron Rowand. They believe a package of Melky Cabrera, Chien-Ming Wang, and Ian Kennedy would entice the Twins for Johan Santana. That's a huge price, but doesn't seem out of line to me for the best pitcher..   Continue Reading

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Sunday Morning Santana

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe discusses the names being thrown around for Johan Santana. As well as the Kemp/Kershaw for Santana, Cafardo quotes an AL Executive: One AL executive theorized, "There are a few teams who could match up with the Twins. Would the Yankees deal Melky Cabrera and an Ian Kennedy for Santana? How about Boston? Would they send a Clay Buchholz and a Jacoby Ellsbury for him? The Mets? There are few teams who could handle the paycheck you'd have to give Santana and also be able to part with key prospects." If that logic is correct,..   Continue Reading

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Yankees To Pass On Gagne?

Jon Heyman wrote yesterday that the Yankees appeared to be the frontrunner for Texas closer Eric Gagne, given the Yanks' need and Gagne's lack of veto power. However, today Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger says the Yankees' involvement on Gagne is exaggerated. Apparently the Rangers wanted Melky Cabrera in return. Joba Chamberlain has been switched to relief at Triple A; he could be 90% of Gagne without the cost   Continue Reading

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Yankees Focused On Gagne, Wheeler, Qualls

It seems highly likely that the Yankees will make a move to upgrade their bullpen before the Tuesday trade deadline. They appear to have three main targets. Kat O'Brien of Newsday says the Yanks have had serious discussions with Texas regarding Eric Gagne. Though Gagne wants to close, remember that he can be traded to New York without his consent. A Rivera-Gagne combo would essentially turn every game into seven innings. O'Brien names righthanders Ian Kennedy and Jeff Marquez as two pitchers the Rangers might be after. Kennedy is definitely more highly regarded. The Rangers also like Melky Cabrera but..   Continue Reading

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Giants Interested In Melky Cabrera

According to Peter Gammons in his blog, the Giants are considering shopping a starting pitcher. Not only do they have Tim Lincecum debuting tomorrow, but Jonathan Sanchez was raised mostly as a starter and hasn't worked out in the bullpen so far. Gammons says the Giants would target a young position player, and they like Melky Cabrera of the Yankees. He does not think the Yankees would be interested in a Cabrera for Noah Lowry swap. If it was the Lowry of 2005, it would be a different story. But the southpaw seems to have lost his strikeout rate at..   Continue Reading

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Pirates/Yankees/Braves Deal About Complete

Bucco Blog is reporting tonight that the oft rumored three-team trade between the Yankees, Braves, and Pirates is all but complete. Mike Gonzalez is taking a requested physical for the Yankees today and, if he passes, it looks like he will be a Yankee for Christmas. The Pirates will be getting Adam LaRoche and the Braves will get Melky Cabrera and at least one unidentified Pirate who is thought to be either Nate McLouth or Jose Castillo. There are a couple versions of this trade running according to Bucco Blog so more as we hear it   Continue Reading

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Latest On Yankees and Mike Gonzalez

A baseball source indicated to MLBTradeRumors.com that the Yankees and Pirates are working on a trade that could be Mike Gonzalez and Nate McLouth for Ian Kennedy and Melky Cabrera. This is backed up by our good friend Jake at Bucco Blog, where Gonzalez, Kennedy, and Cabrera were mentioned in a recent podcast. Of the four, the player with which I was least familiar was Kennedy. The right-handed starter celebrates his 22nd birthday today. Baseball America ranked Kennedy fifth among Yankee prospects. BA's John Manuel indicates Kennedy has excellent command with an upper 80s fastball and a sinking changeup. He..   Continue Reading

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Melky Cabrera To Braves?

Ken Davidoff of Newsday has amended yesterday's Melky for Mike Gonzalez rumor. The latest one is Melky Cabrera to Atlanta, Mike Gonzalez to the Yankees, and Adam LaRoche to Pittsburgh. See, everyone's happy. Melky could handle LF for the Braves in 2007 and then switch to center after that. Davidoff mentions that such a deal could pave the way for one more year of Bernie Williams. Not sure if the Bucs could get more, but I think snagging LaRoche and his 35 HR potential would be a fine return. LaRoche would still have three years of service time under the..   Continue Reading

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Melky Cabrera For Mike Gonzalez?

John Perrotto of the Beaver County Times reports that the Yankees is the most likely destination for southpaw reliever Mike Gonzalez. Apparently Brian Cashman is willing to part with 22 year-old outfielder Melky Cabrera straight up. Cabrera held his own as a rookie, batting .280/.360/.391 in 460 ABs and playing the fourth best defensive LF in baseball, according to Bill James's panel of experts. What's more, Baseball Between The Numbers indicates that a typical player can be expected to improve his offensive output by about 15% from his age 22 to age 23 season. Even in dealing Cabrera, the Yanks..   Continue Reading

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