Michael Bourn Rumors

Odds & Ends: Johjima, Rockies, Kikuchi

Links for Tuesday... Chat today, 2pm CST. The Hanshin Tigers are interested in Kenji Johjima, according to Kyodo News. The Rockies are expected to re-sign GM Dan O'Dowd and manager Jim Tracy this week, according to Patrick Saunders and Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post. Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times says the Dodgers "are mindful that [signing Yusei Kikuchi] could harm the club's long-standing ties in Japan." Kikuchi told Kyodo News that interviewing with 12 NPB and eight MLB clubs made his decision even more difficult. NPB Tracker has more. Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle says Brad...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Astros, Royals, Abreu

Let's kick off the day with links... Yahoo's David Brown caught up with Pedro Martinez as part of his Answer Man series. Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle writes about the Astros' mistake of ignoring pitching. Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Chronicle notes that the Michael Bourn-Brad Lidge swap no longer looks lopsided. The Astros sent Lidge and Eric Bruntlett to Philly for Bourn, Geoff Geary, and Mike Costanzo in November of 2007. Rany Jazayerli has an open letter to Royals owner David Glass regarding the Dayton Moore extension. Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times writes about Bobby Abreu's...   Continue Reading

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Astros Sign Bourn, Three Others

The Houston Chronicle's Brian McTaggart reports that the Astros have signed outfielder Michael Bourn, right-hander Sammy Gervacio, and left-handers Polin Trinidad and Wesley Wright to one-year contracts. Bourn struggled with increased responsibilities last season, finishing with a line of .229/.288/.300 in 467 at-bats. He stole 41 bases, but will need to prove that he can consistently hit major league pitching. The 26-year-old will make $435K in '09. Gervacio and Trinidad signed for $400K, and Wright, the team's Rookie of the Year in '08, signed for $425K.   Continue Reading

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Giants, Astros Interested In Miguel Tejada

Friend of MLBTR Jeff Zrebiec reports on the Orioles Winter Meetings situation. All Orioles are available, and Miguel Tejada and Erik Bedard figure to be in all sorts of rumors. A few days ago Zrebiec named the Yankees, Mets, Mariners, Angels, and Dodgers as the teams that have inquired on Bedard. Today he adds the Diamondbacks to that list. As for Tejada, we know he's a fallback option if the Halos can't acquire Miguel Cabrera. One new one is the Giants, who have an opening at third base. The Orioles won't pry Matt Cain or Tim Lincecum loose, but maybe..   Continue Reading

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Phillies Acquire Brad Lidge For Michael Bourn

A major trade was struck tonight, as the Phillies acquired Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett for Michael Bourn, Geoff Geary, and Mike Costanzo. The makings of this deal surfaced earlier today, as it was revealed the Astros had interest in Francisco Cordero. The 'Stros had been talking about bringing in a center fielder, though no one expected Bourn. Phillies fans have to be happy to hear that the acquisition will allow Brett Myers to move back into the starting rotation. We were hearing just yesterday that Myers would remain in the pen. Perhaps Pat Gillick surveyed the market for a..   Continue Reading

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Phillies Scout Anthony Reyes

The News Journal, a Wilmington, Delaware newspaper, reports that the Phillies recently sent their scouting director to watch Anthony Reyes pitch. Writer Scott Lauber speculates that the Cardinals might have interest in Michael Bourn as the return. (Hat tip to Cardinals Diaspora for the link. And they were already hat-tipping our good friend and occasional contributor Tom Goyne from Balls, Sticks, and Stuff.) Do the Phillies need a flyball pitcher? Do the Cards need Bourn with Colby Rasmus on the way perhaps next year? Maybe not, but this could still be a move that could work for both sides. The..   Continue Reading

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Red Sox Continue Discussions For Dye

UPDATE: The Chicago Tribune cites two factors for the non-trade - a disagreement over the players involved and Dye's lack of desire to go to Boston. The Hartford Courant adds that Kenny Williams demanded either Clay Buchholz or Jacoby Ellsbury. UPDATE 2: Could the Phillies be the third team, working Michael Bourn into the mix somehow? Ken Rosenthal has updated this post with some information regarding Boston's ongoing pursuit of Jermaine Dye. Apparently Dye was willing to waive his no-trade clause for some performance bonuses and a guarantee of playing five days a week. A third club would've been needed..   Continue Reading

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Stark's Latest:

Jayson Stark has a new column over at ESPN.com. Some highlights: Octavio Dotel is almost a lock to be traded, and Chin-Lung Hu remains a possibility. Stark adds that Dodgers GM Ned Colletti scouted reliever John Malone, which I think means Jonathan Meloan. The 23 year-old Meloan throws in the low 90s with a hard slider; he commands his fastball well but carries some health concerns. Regarding Jon Garland, we've already heard that the Mariners, Braves, and Yankees are interested. Stark adds the Dodgers, Mets, and Phillies to that list. However, he thinks Kenny Williams really just wants to trade..   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Lohse, Hunter, Contreras

The latest trade and signing rumors from Ken Rosenthal: Rosenthal believes Alex Rodriguez's ability to play shortstop could increase the number of suitors. Take a look at the free agents - there may not be a single viable option at short this winter. Still, the number of suitors for Rodriguez is severely limited by his massive contract requirement. Not too many clubs aside from the Yankees and Red Sox can get in on $240MM over eight years or whatever. The lack of available, reasonably priced shortstops could compel the Braves and Orioles to aggressively shop Edgar Renteria and Miguel Tejada...   Continue Reading

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Stark's Latest

Jayson Stark has an assessment of the trade market over at ESPN.com. Aside from the usual Mark Teixeira/Eric Gagne mentions, Stark believes many Rangers may be headed out at the trading deadline. Specifically, he names Brad Wilkerson, Kenny Lofton, and Sammy Sosa. Lofton is always a good midseason mercenary. He's like a Mike Stanton in that way. Ken Griffey Jr. would approve a trade to Atlanta and might consider certain other teams. Junior is making $12.5MM this year and next, plus a $4MM buyout for '09. Quite a bit of the contract is deferred, also. $29MM over 2007-08 is still..   Continue Reading

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