Miguel Batista Rumors

Odds & Ends: Crosby, Gonzalez, Mariners

More items from a busy opening day of baseball's hot stove season... Consider it a formality, but John Lackey, Matt Holliday, and Jason Bay were among the 79 players filing for free agency today according to MLB.com's Tom Singer. Free agent Bobby Crosby told MLB.com's Mychael Urban that he doesn't expect to be back in Oakland next season. Alex Gonzalez has yet to hear from the Red Sox in regards to whether or not they will exercise his $6MM option for next season, says The Boston Herald's Michael Silverman. Jim Street of MLB.com breaks down Seattle's free agents, noting that...   Continue Reading

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More August Trade Candidates

Nobody's been traded so far in August, but deals are sure to go through. ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick considers some trade candidates: Doug Davis and Jon Garland Heath Bell - An unlikely trade candidate, since he's sure to be claimed, but he could be dealt even if he's claimed (to the NL team with the worst record among all claiming teams). Lyle Overbay - He makes $7MM next year, a deterrent for possible suitors. Justin Duchscherer - Some health concerns remain, as he hasn't pitched in the majors this year. Kevin Millar, Nomar Garciaparra and Jason Giambi - Veteran bats for...   Continue Reading

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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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Taking Stock Of Seattle's Trade Chips

The Mariners are in the playoff hunt with a 46-42 record, though many expected them to be sellers this month. As Gregg Bell of the AP reports, Mariners manager Don Wakamatsu and trade candidate Jarrod Washburn say they want to keep the team together and attempt to win now. Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times says the Mariners "seem destined to make some trades" this month and offers up some trade candidates: Miguel Batista - Baker says it makes sense to move Batista, who makes $3.3MM before the end of the year. He could offset salary coming to Seattle. Relievers...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Gonzalez, Pirates, Batista

More links for the afternoon... Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times says the Mariners face some tough long-term decisions about Adrian Beltre and his future as a Mariner. Pirates president Frank Coonelly believes his team will be able to match or surpass the Brewers' payroll once attendance picks up, according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Maury Brown of the Biz of Baseball reports that Ken Rosenthal will join the MLB Network and keep reporting for FOX Sports. Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times can see the Mariners trading Miguel Batista whether they're buyers or sellers. Patrick Newman of...   Continue Reading

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Mariners Trade Talk

Rounding up links involving possible Mariners trades... Start with Jon Paul Morosi's article at FOX Sports. Morosi talked to Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik, who is in no hurry and has not received any offers yet. Seattle, at six games out in the AL West, is technically still focused on the pennant race. SI's Jon Heyman writes about Erik Bedard, who may just be the best pitcher available this summer. His contract's not a problem, and I should mention that unlike Jake Peavy, Bedard does not have no-trade protection. Heyman believes that Bedard would probably require a better package than the...   Continue Reading

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The Nationals' Bullpen

According to Chico Harlan of the Washington Post, "changes are coming" to the Nationals' bullpen if it doesn't improve. The Nats have since DFA'd Mike Hinckley and called up Ron Villone, but they could make more moves: The Nats could exchange bad contracts with another team. Trading Austin Kearns ($8MM) for Miguel Batista ($9MM) has been discussed. Harlan adds that the trade market for relievers isn't good because many teams have struggling bullpens. The Nats' will likely address the bullpen from within the organization. Jason Bergmann and Tyler Clippard are available in the minor leagues.   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Mariners, Young, Shouse

Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports compiles a number of rumors from around the majors: The Mariners need to free up money, but to do so, they'd likely have to trade one of Adrian Beltre, Jarrod Washburn or Miguel Batista. All three will be free agents after the season, but moving one of them would be "extremely difficult." The Mariners and Yankees considered a Hideki Matsui-Washburn swap, but Matsui's contract ($13MM) pays him more than Washburn's ($10.35MM) so they didn't find a match. The Twins are looking to move Delmon Young. They showed interest in Washburn last year, but only some...   Continue Reading

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Stark's Latest: Braves, Robertson, Igawa

Jayson Stark has a new Rumblings and Grumblings column up. Let's take a look. While Greg Maddux is not out of the question, the Braves are more interested in a younger starter they can control for multiple years. One possibly available starter who hasn't gotten much buzz: Nate Robertson. The 30 year-old southpaw hasn't pitched well since '06, and he's signed through 2010. The Mariners will probably talk about Miguel Batista and Jarrod Washburn, but not Erik Bedard. No big surprise there. Both Batista and Washburn are signed through '09. Stark rattles off a bunch of available relievers. Mostly names...   Continue Reading

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Cardinals Have Work To Do

Joe Strauss has had several insightful articles lately about the future of the Cardinals. Let's discuss. The Cardinals have $83.8MM committed to 12 players for 2008. Even worse, they don't know what they're going to get out of Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds, Chris Carpenter, Juan Encarnacion, and Mark Mulder. They are spending $45MM on those five and may get very little production. Next year's payroll may approach $115MM on the high end, but that doesn't mean the Cards have $30MM to burn. Their 0-3 guys will earn roughly $5MM in aggregate, and the arbitration-eligible group may run another $5MM even..   Continue Reading

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