Tim Lincecum Rumors

Odds and Ends: Holliday, Takahashi, Lincecum

Links for Wednesday... Richard Justice says the Astros should offer Andy Pettitte $7-8MM to come back. Joe Christensen doesn't see Huston Street landing in Minnesota. Larry Beinfest dismissed a "cyberspace rumor" that the Marlins are planning a run at Manny Ramirez. Gordon Wittenmyer says the Cubs could fit both Jake Peavy and Ryan Dempster into the payroll, and that the Peavy situation will be resolved first. Today is the deadline for MLB.com's Free Agent Frenzy. You have until 4pm CST to submit your picks for 15 free agents. Here are my predictions from November 3rd...I would change the Furcal and...   Continue Reading

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Stark's Latest: Cain, Beltre, Burrell, Wigginton

Let's take a look at the latest column from ESPN's Jayson Stark. Stark wonders why no one has questioned MLB's apparent trade deadline extension for the Manny Ramirez deal. Currently the idea of the Brewers swapping Prince Fielder for Matt Cain is just fun speculation. However, it is true the Brewers will listen on Fielder (he is about to get expensive). The Giants are known to like the big first baseman. The hangup is Brian Sabean's reported unwillingness to trade Tim Lincecum or Cain. The Giants also have their eye on Adrian Beltre. The Mariners want starting pitching, but one...   Continue Reading

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Post-Draft Roundup: Hosmer, Smoak, Strasburg

Below I've collected more interesting remaining links regarding the amateur draft. The Royals bumped their offer from $5MM to $6MM and signed top pick Eric Hosmer. Rany Jazayerli was surprised to see Hosmer effectively get more than #1 pick Tim Beckham. The Royals joined the Red Sox and Pirates as teams spending around $10MM on draft picks this year. The Rangers resisted a Major League deal for Justin Smoak, and ultimately signed him to a $3.5MM minor league deal. Owner Tom Hicks pined for a hard slot system. The story of pitcher Chris Gruler, picked third overall by the Reds...   Continue Reading

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Week In Review: 8/10 - 8/16

Taking a look back at this week's happenings here on MLBTR... The biggest move of the month was the Diamondbacks' acquisition of slugger Adam Dunn for Dallas Buck, Micah Owings, and Wilkin Castillo. I can't remember any August trades of this magnitude. Bronson Arroyo told the media Dunn would be seeking over $100MM this offseason; Dunn denied the report wholeheartedly. I'd be surprised to see him get $100MM, but I also certainly don't think it would be the worst signing we've seen in the past few offseasons. The Red Sox acquired Paul Byrd from the Indians. Boston will pay the...   Continue Reading

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Lincecum Prefers Year-To-Year Gamble

I know we've already linked to this story, but I wanted to dig in a little further. John Shea heard from Tim Lincecum's agent that the 24 year-old pitcher prefers year-to-year contracts for now. As far as I can tell, Lincecum will be a Super Two player. That means he will be arbitration-eligible four times, the first coming after the '09 season. Lincecum surely knows that recent long-term deals given to young starters are quite team-friendly if the pitcher stays healthy. Matt Cain and James Shields look like huge bargains, as was Dan Haren. Then again, Noah Lowry and Ian...   Continue Reading

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Odds And Ends: Guerrero, Sheffield, Wells, Lincecum

Here are a few tidbits from around the 'Net this morning. Vlad Guerrero wants to spend the rest of his days with the Angels. The question is, will the Halos pony up for a deal for the slugger's latter years? They hold a $15 million club option ($3 million buyout) for next year, Vlad's age-33 season. Will they work out an extension this off-season, or will they let Future Vlad and Future Reagins figure it out after '09? Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe mentions a player who wouldn't mind being traded: Gary Sheffield. The 39-year-old hasn't enjoyed his time...   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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Odds and Ends: Phillips, Chacon, Hewitt, Griffey

Random links for Tuesday. Interesting news out of Philly...Brett Myers accepted a minor league assignment. The Phils seem likely to acquire a starter this month. That was quick - the Mets designated Andy Phillips for assignment. Shawn Chacon cleared waivers and was released without pay, but the players' association plans to file a grievance. It's a matter of a million bucks. The Phillies signed first-round pick Anthony Hewitt, a high school infielder. He'll get about $1.4MM. The Cards officially inked top pick Brett Wallace, a college third baseman. Three scouts watched Reds reliever David Weathers last night. Just throwing it...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Astros, Reds, Mariners, Mets

Light day for baseball today, with only five games on the docket. Perhaps these links can fill the void. Despite the recent MLB.com article about the Astros' hunt for starting pitching, two Houston Chronicle writers (Richard Justice and Brian McTaggart) are wondering whether the 'Stros should wave the white flag. Interesting post from Larry Stone - he quotes John McLaren calling Erik Bedard a "100-pitch pitcher." Tim Lincecum on his birthday dinner plans: "Give me McDonald's or Pizza Hut." Both fine choices. Joel Sherman busts out a few speculative paragraphs on potential trades for the Mets if they become sellers....   Continue Reading

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Sabean Takes Lincecum/Cain Off The Table

The Aaron Rowand signing has led Brian Sabean to pull his young starters off the market (to the extent that they were ever available). Specifically, the idea of an Alex Rios for Tim Lincecum swap is dead. The Giants are still looking for help at the infield corners and in the 'pen. It's hard to figure out what Sabean is doing - is he trying to win in 2008   Continue Reading

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Giants Interested In Rowand, Fukudome

Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News has a few new tidbits concerning the Giants. They're considering a late push for Kosuke Fukudome. Baggarly notes that Fukudome is expected to get at least 4/44. I think Fukudome makes a bit of sense for the Giants; he could be a draw. Baggarly says the Giants are in more heavily on Aaron Rowand. This makes less sense to me, as Rowand probably isn't going to put butts in the seats. He is, however, going to require four or five years at $12-14MM per. Indeed, Buster Olney heard the Giants could be..   Continue Reading

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Jays Waiting On Rios For Lincecum Offer?

UPDATE, 12-08-07 at 3:12pm: Brian Sabean spoke on the radio about making this decision within a few days; there's even a rumor the Giants could pursue the Tigers' Dontrelle Willis to replace Lincecum. UPDATE, 12-8-07 at 12:17pm: George King talked to a Blue Jays source who said "there was nothing to reports the Giants were talking to Toronto about Alex Rios for Lincecum or Cain." Who's right here, Blair or King? FROM 12-5-07 at 11:36pm: According to Jeff Blair, it's in the Giants' hands: Alex Rios for Tim Lincecum. A Jays official suggested to Blair that Brian Sabean might sit..   Continue Reading

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The Giants and Hideki Matsui

As we learned earlier this week, the Giants and Yankees have talked about a Hideki Matsui trade. Let's discuss. According to Andrew Baggarly, talks are still in the early stages but the teams will meet again soon on the topic. A source close to Matsui indicated that he'd waive his no-trade for San Fran. However, the Giants are said to prefer adding a right-handed slugger. Baggarly thinks the Giants would readily part with Jonathan Sanchez and Brad Hennessey, with Noah Lowry a possibility. The Giants won't part with Brian Wilson, their closer of the future. Other notes from Baggarly -..   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Santana, Fuentes, Heilman

The execs may be on a plane home right now, but the writers are still filing all sorts of rumors. Here's Ken Rosenthal's latest piece. Rosenthal says the Mets did not talk to the Twins about Johan Santana today, which is surprising. But they did talk earlier this week, at which point the Twins gave the Mets a list of players they liked. The Mets were fine with everyone on the list, which probably included Carlos Gomez and Mike Pelfrey. Rosenthal adds that the Mets are the only NL team firmly in the mix for Santana, and shipping him to..   Continue Reading

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Giants Discuss Hideki Matsui, Reds Like Rios

UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 1:38pm: Abraham has more than a no comment now - he confirms that the Yankees and Giants have discussed Matsui. Abraham speculates that Noah Lowry could make sense. UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 12:29pm: Peter Abraham got a "no comment" from Cashman on Matsui. Abraham implies that the no comment could be telling. Abraham also adds that Matsui has said he would waive his no-trade clause. FROM 12-6-07 at 10:31am: Good stuff from the Toronto Sun's Bob Elliott today. Just a small blurb from Elliott - the Giants and Yanks have discussed Hideki Matsui. Elliott notes that Matsui has..   Continue Reading

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Rios For Cain Or Lincecum?

UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 6:16pm: Jeff Blair says the Jays' offer on the table is Rios for Lincecum, straight up. UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 12:34pm: Brian Sabean wants more than just Rios for Lincecum (yes, the Jays prefer Lincecum based on service time). The Giants want an improved proposal from the Jays, and Toronto could add Robinzon Diaz, Curtis Thigpen, or Brett Cecil. Cecil would have to be a player to be named later since he was drafted in 2007. He signed on June 22nd, so he can't even be named as a PTBNL until December 22nd. UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 10:56am: Peter..   Continue Reading

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Giants Rumors: Silva, Kuroda, Lowry

Andrew Baggarly checks in with some new Giants information. He says the Giants are acting as if they're planning on trading a pitcher, checking in with the agents for Carlos Silva and Hiroki Kuroda. Brian Sabean found the cost for Kuroda prohibitive, though. This activity is, of course, linked to the rumored Tim Lincecum trade. No truth to the rumors linking the Giants to Ben Broussard and Shawn Green. Teams have called about Noah Lowry, but the Giants have only gotten lowball offers   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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Chronicle Rumors: Haren, Blanton, Lincecum

Susan Slusser and John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle have an extensive collection of A's and Giants rumors from Monday's Winter Meetings mayhem. The asking price for Dan Haren is said to be massive, is in 3-4 blue chippers. The Tigers might even be willing to part with both Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin for him - wow. The D'Backs are a bit more gunshy about their top prospects, though most believe Carlos Gonzalez to be available. I imagine Justin Upton is off limits. The Dodgers are going the hardest after Joe Blanton, with the Mets trailing. Huston Street..   Continue Reading

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Jays In On Lincecum, Bedard, Bay

UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 12:34am: Blair has updated his article to reflect the Jays' interest in Cain and Lincecum. He says the Giants spent much of the day watching tape of the two, trying to decide which they prefer. Putting two and two together, maybe the "interesting offer" Brian Sabean spoke of today was Alex Rios? FROM 12-3-07 at 8:46pm: The Globe and Mail's Jeff Blair has several new rumors in his column tonight. The Jays' President, Paul Godfrey, is all about bringing in a big-name Canadian player. Blair rattles off Jason Bay, Erik Bedard, Ryan Dempster, Rich Harden, and Eric..   Continue Reading

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Giants Rumors: Lincecum, Tejada, Molina, Fukudome

Another MLB.com article for you, this time about the Giants from Chris Haft. Brian Sabean is getting a bit annoyed with teams thinking Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain are available. They're pretty much not, but since the door is open a crack it may be inhibiting other deals. Sabean did admit that one team made an "interesting" offer for Lincecum. Any guesses? The Giants had talks with the Orioles about Miguel Tejada, as has been reported elsewhere. The Giants aren't thrilled with Miggy though because of his age, salary, and the position switch thing. A team asked about Bengie Molina...   Continue Reading

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Reds Interested In Tim Lincecum

UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 9:10pm: MLB.com's Mark Sheldon debunks this rumor, even though three different industry guys were pimping it. The MLB.com team is doing a lot of debunking this evening. Hmm, that sounded dirty for some reason. FROM 12-3-07 at 3:51pm: According to MLB.com's Jim Molony, the Reds are interested in the Giants' Tim Lincecum (who isn't). Molony says the Reds won't include Jay Bruce in any deal, however. Why inquire then? Why would the Giants give up their best player for anything less than the Reds' top prospect? I guess it didn't hurt to ask. At any rate, it's..   Continue Reading

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Giants Rumors: Cabrera, Rolen, Walker

Finally some Giants rumors! I know a few fans have been clamoring for the team to join the hot stove rumblings. Andrew Baggarly has an article here and Henry Schulman has one here. Let's discuss. The Giants have no one to play third base. Kevin Frandsen could technically do it but they prefer him at second. Thankfully, they will pass on Pedro Feliz. Feliz - get this - wants a three year deal. He's on the Brewers' radar, by the way. Miguel Cabrera is one option, though Baggarly doesn't see the Giants offering up Tim Lincecum to jump into the..   Continue Reading

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Rays' Kazmir May Be Available

The week in hot stove kicks off with a bang: Joel Sherman of the New York Post has a source saying the Devil Rays might listen to offers for ace lefty Scott Kazmir. Kazmir turns 24 in January and carries a 3.64 career ERA despite pitching in the AL East. He's been particularly tough on the Red Sox (2.66 ERA in 101 innings). You have to think that if the Yankees are entertaining making an offer for Johan Santana, they'd consider Kazmir as well if the Rays would deal within the division. Sherman notes that Kazmir is under contract for..   Continue Reading

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Cafardo's Latest: Drew, Pettitte, Lincecum

The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo works his way through all the teams in anticipation of Monday's GM meetings. Here are some of the rumors we haven't seen much before. The Rays want a defensive-minded shortstop and veteran starter. Maybe they'll make a play for Cesar Izturis or Omar Vizquel. A rehab guy like Freddy Garcia or Randy Wolf could be interesting. The Indians are looking for a power bat for left field. Haven't seen them mentioned with Barry Bonds at all, could that work? Cafardo proposes the idea of the Cubs acquiring J.D. Drew as their OBP-minded right field acquisition...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Lincecum, Wakefield, Schilling

More random rumors. You know you love it. Tracy Ringolsby has some hot stove musings. It's a fairly sloppy article with one new tidbit: "Tim Lincecum can be had for a quality bat." Either Ringolsby is misinformed, or Brian Sabean has lost it. Lincecum has Cy Young potential. A couple of Red Sox mainstays will stay for '08 - Tim Wakefield and Julian Tavarez. Wake was a no-brainer at his perpetual $4MM, while Tavarez was debatable at $3.85MM. Tavarez expected it to be declined, since the team left him off the World Series roster. The Ms will decide very soon..   Continue Reading

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Readin' Material

If you're looking for some fantasy pickups, check out my Waiver Wired column at RotoWorld. The hot topic in fantasy and real baseball: Tim Lincecum vs. Cole Hamels on ESPN Sunday night. It will be hard to match the Felix Hernandez-Daisuke Matsuzaka contest, but baseball fans everywhere will be tuned in. Hop on over to RotoAuthority - the closest to guess Lincecum's line wins a free fantasy guide. Check out the recent MetsBlog Talk Radio transcript - Buster Olney discusses Rich Harden and Carlos Zambrano trade possibilities. Couple of blogs to check out: We Love Daisuke! and Starting Aces (a..   Continue Reading

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Clear A Path For Lincecum?

Tim Lincecum is doing everything he can to prove he's ready for the Majors - he posted a 14K, zero walk effort yesterday. His stats are off the charts after five starts. Whether or not there's an open spot in the Giants' rotation, it's clear that Lincecum is one of their 12 best pitchers. He needs to be helping the big club right now, though I believe waiting until June to promote him could delay his free agency by a year. The Giants' rotation consists of Matt Cain, Barry Zito, Matt Morris, Noah Lowry, and Russ Ortiz. All have ERAs..   Continue Reading

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