Ray Durham Rumors

Week In Review: 7/20 - 7/26

This one will be a bit lengthy, which can be expected as the deadline approaches. Here's a review of some of the major moves and rumors of the last week: The Yankees acquired Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte from the Pirates for OF Jose Tabata, RHP Ross Ohlendorf, RHP Dan McCutchen and RHP Jeff Karstens . I agree with Tim that Ian Kennedy would've been a better centerpiece, but Tabata is pretty highly-touted himself. Kennedy would have made a more immediate impact, while Tabata is only 19 years old. The Dodgers acquired Casey Blake for minor league RHP Jon Meloan...   Continue Reading

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Ray Durham Trade Reactions

Yesterday, the Giants traded second baseman Ray Durham to the Brewers for minor leaguers Darren Ford and Steve Hammond. They were ranked 21st and 27th among Brewers prospects heading into the season, according to Baseball America. Today let's look at reactions to the trade. ESPN's Keith Law considers Durham a useful addition for Milwaukee, albeit only offensively. He considers the prospects received by San Francisco to be "close to a zero return." The Giants picked up roughly half the money owed to Durham. The trade was jarring for Ford. Henry Schulman wonders if Rich Aurilia will be the next Giants...   Continue Reading

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Ray Durham To Brewers

1:33PM Keith Law says the Giants got prospects Darren Ford and Steve Hammond in exchange for two months of Durham. Buster Olney's reporting the Brewers have acquired Ray Durham. It's not yet known what they received in return, although according to the Milwaukee Sentinel, OF prospect Darren Ford was removed from his class-A Brevard County starting lineup yesterday "with indications he is being traded." MLBTR covered movement on this yesterday. Durham, a switch hitter, brings his bat to the Brewers bench and could take over Rickie Weeks' spot on the depth chart if Weeks continues to struggle in the second...   Continue Reading

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Heyman's Latest: Street, Durham, Holliday

SI.com's Jon Heyman just posted a new column. The Brewers and White Sox inquired on A's closer Huston Street. However, A's GM Billy Beane said "there is nothing going on" in regards to Street. The Sox were linked to both Street and Jon Rauch today, so Kenny Williams is clearly monitoring the relief market. Heyman says the Rays have not discussed Street with the A's, and the Dodgers "aren't believed to be heavily involved." Heyman is on board with the recent rumors about Ray Durham and Jack Taschner possibly heading to Milwaukee. Heyman also confirms Ken Rosenthal's report of the...   Continue Reading

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Brewers Working On Durham Deal?

11:23pm: The San Francisco Chronicle's Henry Schulman comments on the rumor, noting the convenient timing of Durham's bout with the flu. As was Haudricourt, Schulman is skeptical about a separate Rickie Weeks-to-San Francisco rumor floating about. But both beat writers acknowledged the rumor, so someone's putting it out there. 9:31pm: An update from Haudricourt. He believes the Brewers are working on a smaller deal for Jack Taschner or Ray Durham, rather than Street. Haudricourt says the Brewers scouted Street but the scouts were not impressed. He's not coming to Milwaukee. 7:21pm: Brewers beat writer Tom Haudricourt thinks Oakland closer Huston...   Continue Reading

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Brewers Eyeing Huston Street?

11:34pm: Haudricourt says the Brewers dispatched their top special assistant to watch the A's play the Yankees. Haudricourt speculates that the Brewers might have an eye on Huston Street, who is under team control through 2010. Street's had an off-year, mainly due to a rising home run rate. 4:38pm: As usual, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has the latest Brewers hot stove chatter. GM Doug Melvin is calling around about relief help, but as you might imagine prices are high. Melvin would not confirm Ken Rosenthal's rumor that the Brewers are interested in the Giants' Jack Taschner and Ray...   Continue Reading

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Giants Rumors: Durham, Aurilia, Vizquel

Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News talked to Giants GM Brian Sabean about his deadline plans. By the way, you can download Sabean's trade history here. Sabean may make an acquisition to aid the '08 club, which is only five games out. However, he won't acquire players who will become free agents after the season. He compared his situation to '05, when the Giants added Randy Winn for Jesse Foppert and Yorvit Torrealba. Unlike that deal, the Giants are not going to move any of their young pitchers. Ray Durham, Rich Aurilia, and Omar Vizquel are prime candidates...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Bedard, Teixeira, Longoria, Durham

Rounding up today's links... Live chat here today at 2pm CST. Geoff Baker has a link and commentary on Erik Bedard's Philadelphia radio appearance. I'm with Baker - this was an odd choice by Bedard, who typically avoids the media. According to Ken Rosenthal, the Brewers are interested in the Giants' Ray Durham and Jack Taschner. MLB.com's Mark Bowman believes the Braves will shop Mark Teixeira if they decide they can't contend. They're currently six games out. Dave Cameron concluded his MLB Trade Value series at FanGraphs. He considers Evan Longoria the most valuable asset in the game, partially because...   Continue Reading

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Sabean Explains Giants' Trade Strategy

Giants GM Brian Sabean explained his trade deadline strategy to the San Francisco Chronicle's Henry Schulman. As you might expect, starters Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Jonathan Sanchez are off-limits. The trio has 331 Ks already. The Giants aren't interested in a rental, even though they are in the race at five games out. Sabean is likely to keep Bengie Molina and Randy Winn, but Ray Durham, Omar Vizquel, and Rich Aurilia are available.   Continue Reading

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Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Sabathia, Durham, Bedard

A few random musings from the Blogosphere... In the wake of the recent C.C. Sabathia-to-the-Yankees rumors, River Ave. Blues lays down a few ground rules for commenting on trade rumors. Bottom 9 insists that the Indians have the pitching to stay in the race and Sabathia is not going anywhere. Indians Confidential is also emphatic that Sabathia is not going to be traded and is still holding out hope that the Indians and Sabathia can agree to a long-term extension. Yankees Chick is not anxious to trade away Robinson Cano and/or Melky Cabrera but notes that if the Yankees are...   Continue Reading

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Ray Durham Could Retire After Season

Giants second baseman Ray Durham is unsure whether he wants to play in 2009, according to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle. The resurgent Durham is hitting .302/.385/.420 in 192 plate appearances this year. Maybe he'll choose to go out on a high note. Durham makes $7.5MM plus incentives this year, plus incentives and a no-trade clause. He should have decent trade value; only Mark DeRosa and Chase Utley have a higher OBP among second basemen. Maybe the Cardinals would be interested.   Continue Reading

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Sabean: Giants Will Not Be Sellers In '08

Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle has some telling quotes from Giants GM Brian Sabean. Despite a 17-24 record and being 8.5 games behind the D-Backs in 3rd place of the NL West, Sabean says the Giants are not going to give up on the '08 season and will not be trading off their veteran players. "As long as we've got a chance to stay in and around third place, why not?" Sabean said as he stood along the dugout rail and watched his players take batting practice. "Why wouldn't you want to think that way? These guys think...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Cashman, Matsuo, Durham

Some random links to ponder today... Peter Abraham submitted nine reader questions to Yankees GM Brian Cashman. I liked reading about how Cashman deals with agents who lie to him. The Red Sox signed free agent Terumasa Matsuo, who was pitching in a Japanese independent league. I have no idea what the 26 year-old pitcher is capable of. Tracy Ringolsby says the Giants really want to move Ray Durham and Dave Roberts, and will pick up some salary to do so. Durham makes $7.5MM in '08. Roberts gets $6.5MM in each of the '08 and '09 seasons. The Big Lead...   Continue Reading

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Stark's Latest: Davis, Valdez, Roberts, Lofton

ESPN's Jayson Stark checks in with a blog entry jam-packed with rumorage. Stark says the Giants are shopping Rich Aurilia, Ray Durham, Steve Kline, Randy Winn, Tyler Walker, Rajai Davis, and Merkin Valdez. The vets we knew about; the last two are a surprise. Probably stems from both being out of options. Brian Roberts update: Stark talked to a club official who's in touch with the Cubs and O's. That guy expects a deal to be done next week. Plus, Stark sees the O's as an active suitor for Kyle Lohse at the right price. Stark confirms the rumblings that...   Continue Reading

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Giants Rumors: Lincecum, Tejada, Sexson

Andrew Baggarly gives his take on the Giants hot stove buzz. One Reds official think the Giants almost have to trade Tim Lincecum to build an offensive core. It seems the Mariners and Reds in particular are pushing for Lincecum. The Ms could offer Adam Jones; the Reds have Jay Bruce, Joey Votto, and Josh Hamilton. The Mariners could've had Lincecum with the fifth overall pick in 2006, but opted for Brandon Morrow instead. The Reds could've had him too but went for Drew Stubbs. The Giants and Orioles discussed Miguel Tejada, and the O's like players such as Jonathan..   Continue Reading

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Ray Ray Re-Signs With Giants

The Giants re-signed Ray Durham today to a two-year deal worth around $14MM. It's a reasonable price, given that Durham was the second-best power threat remaining on the market. If you want pop, you're left with Barry Bonds or Mike Piazza, basically   Continue Reading

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The Giants Really Want a Centerfielder

And you know, if I had just given Steve Finley 429 at-bats, I would too! Apparently the Giants have offered identical 3-year, $30M deals to Juan Pierre and Gary Matthews Jr. Both would appear to be a little young to fit in to the Giants clubhouse, but then again, so is Kevin Frandsen, and they haven't buried him yet. $10M per year seems to be the market value for Matthews right now, which-to me, anyway-is complete insanity. It's true that Matthews had a fantastic season in Arlington-.313/.371/.495, to be precise-but it's also true that he was 31, and his career..   Continue Reading

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Cubs Info From Bruce Levine

Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000 has some new Cubs info for us. He reports that the Cubs have asked the Indians about a possible deal involving Cliff Lee or Jake Westbrook in exchange for relief pitching. In addition, the Cubs may consider Ray Durham as a source of power for second base   Continue Reading

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