Philip Humber Rumors
By Tim Dierkes [January 16, 2008 at 11:33pm CST]
Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune has a new article up focused on how the ultimate package for Johan Santana may not be fan-pleasing. That's because the Twins "seem most intrigued" with the Mets' offer, which doesn't include household names. They're proposing some combination of Carlos Gomez, Fernando Martinez, Deolis Guerra, Philip Humber, and Kevin Mulvey. Seems it would be one of the outfielders plus the three pitchers. Christensen notes the Chuck Knoblauch and A.J. Pierzynski trades as examples of deals that were derided in Minnesota at the time but ended up favoring the Twins. However I do believe fans..
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By Tim Dierkes [January 15, 2008 at 8:41am CST]
It's time for today's dose of Johan Santana rumors and info. It's funny - I sense that everyone is getting sick of this stuff and would prefer a fresh rumor about, say, Brad Wilkerson. Lisa Kennelly wrote this morning that the Mets appear to be sticking to their guns with an offer of Carlos Gomez or Fernando Martinez, Phil Humber, Kevin Mulvey, and Deolis Guerra. However, she says the Mets prefer Erik Bedard over Santana since he will not require a huge extension. The New York Times adds that the Mets "are not engaged in heavy discussions with the Twins."..
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By Tim Dierkes [January 10, 2008 at 11:29am CST]
UPDATE, 1-10-08 at 11:29am: Christensen says Mets owner Fred Wilpon gave Omar Minaya the green light to try to acquire Santana, meaning he's amenable to a contract extension exceeding $100MM. UPDATE, 1-10-08 at 9:38am: Peter Botte of the New York Daily News has a new quote from Hank: he's "leaning away from" from the Yankees doing a Santana deal. FROM 1-09-08 at 10:54pm: Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune suggests the Mets might be the best fit for Johan Santana. He says they're offering four players, three of them pitchers: Deolis Guerra, Carlos Gomez, Kevin Mulvey, and Phil Humber. It's..
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By Tim Dierkes [December 4, 2007 at 11:10pm CST]
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..
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By Tim Dierkes [December 3, 2007 at 5:49pm CST]
UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 5:48pm: Jayson Stark confirms the Reds' interest in Willis. However he suggests that the Marlins would ask for Homer Bailey and then some in return. FROM 12-3-07 at 11:41am: SI.com's Jon Heyman checks in with the latest hot stove banter he's hearing. There's some confusion here as Heyman has contrary info to other published sources. Heyman believes Johan Santana is "more likely than not" to get traded at the Meetings, and quite possibly today. Heyman says the Red Sox and Yankees are the two teams Santana would waive his veto power for, running contrary to LENIII's recent..
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By Tim Dierkes [November 30, 2007 at 9:35am CST]
The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec has the latest regarding ace Erik Bedard. Some rank Bedard as the best available starter, all-in-all - he's under team control for longer than Johan Santana, doesn't have no-trade rights, and has better stuff than Dan Haren. The Orioles and Bedard's agent never actually exchanged salary figures, and now contract extension talks have come to a stop. Andy MacPhail isn't concerned but no one seems to expect the O's to pony up the money needed to retain their ace beyond 2009. Johan Santana should set the bar; Bedard may become a $20MM pitcher. Zrebiec lists..
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By Tim Dierkes [November 29, 2007 at 8:45am CST]
We've discussed this before...it seems like the Mets don't stack up with certain other clubs trying to acquire available frontline starting pitching. Ken Rosenthal definitely feels this way - Carlos Gomez is considered a blue-chipper but the others may not be. Rosenthal notes that a package starting with Lastings Milledge and Aaron Heilman doesn't do much for Billy Beane. The A's don't see Milledge as a long-term center field solution, and Heilman is a reliever. Mike Pelfrey and Phil Humber aren't the top-shelf pitching prospects the A's covet in return for Dan Haren or Joe Blanton. It seems as if..
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By Tim Dierkes [November 6, 2007 at 3:14pm CST]
Plenty of action around the Mets lately; Omar Minaya has his work cut out for him. Hat tip to MetsBlog for several of the links. The sensational storyline here is that Minaya will meet with Scott Boras to discuss Alex Rodriguez. However, Boras and Minaya might spend more time discussing Kyle Lohse and Eric Gagne than A-Rod - the Mets' focus is pitching. Newsday's Ken Davidoff reminds us of past trade talks regarding Joe Blanton, Jose Contreras, and Jon Garland. Those talks may be re-opened, though Davidoff notes that the White Sox aren't enamored of Lastings Milledge. Additionally, the Mets..
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By Tim Dierkes [July 31, 2007 at 1:13pm CST]
UPDATE: SI.com's Jon Heyman says the Mets have offered Philip Humber to the Nationals for Cordero, but are holding fast with their bigger name prospects. He also confirms that the Diamondbacks are in on Cordero and could offer Carlos Quentin. According to Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post, the fates of Chad Cordero and Jon Rauch might be tied to Eric Gagne. Gagne has the lower asking price and limited no-trade protection, and Jim Bowden may wait until that situation is resolved. Some possible names on the Nats' radar include Wily Mo Pena, Carlos Quentin, and Philip Humber. Humber is..
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By Tim Dierkes [July 31, 2007 at 11:43am CST]
MetsBlog reports that Philip Humber was pulled from his scheduled start against the Portland Beavers today. Humber hasn't pitched since July 22nd, but food poisoning has been cited. There's a chance he's involved in a deal
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By Tim Dierkes [July 30, 2007 at 10:09pm CST]
Dodgers fans following phenom southpaw Clayton Kershaw's start tonight may have been disappointed. The 19 year-old was pulled after just one inning. Conspiracy theorists have already established that Kershaw must be involved in a trade. Usually I'm quick to contribute to any conspiracy, but I decided to take a few minutes to listen to the Great Lakes Loons broadcast instead. Turns out that the plan all along was to have Kershaw pitch just one inning - this plan was outlined before the game started. Apparently the Dodgers sent down this directive to keep Kershaw's innings count down this year. After..
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