Toronto Blue Jays Rumors
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 9, 2009 at 3:14pm CST]
More links for the afternoon... for those on Roy Halladay alert, he pitched well today, though he wasn't exactly lights-out. Troy Glaus could begin rehabbing this weekend, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. ESPN.com's Rob Neyer says it will be "exceptionally difficult" for Magglio Ordonez to bat 166 more times if he remains in a platoon. If he bats 165 times or less, his $18MM option for 2010 doesn't vest. Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News says there's almost no way the Yankees would agree to take on Vernon Wells' salary in a potential Roy...
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 9, 2009 at 2:17pm CST]
The Blue Jays want top talent in exchange for Roy Halladay, but we heard yesterday that the Phillies have some untouchable players, perhaps Kyle Drabek. Here's what the Cards and Mets are saying about their top prospects: Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post Dispatch confirms that John Mozeliak will call the Blue Jays, but suggests some in the organization would not consider dealing Brett Wallace, who the Jays wanted in last year's draft. Baseball America ranks Wallace as the 21st best prospect in baseball and the Cards' only prospect in the top 50. Jon Heyman of SI.com says the...
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 9, 2009 at 11:41am CST]
Links for Thursday morning... Boston native Manny Delcarmen tries not to let rumors about his future distract him, as Steve Buckley of the Boston Herald reports. As Newsday's Ken Davidoff notes, J.P. Ricciardi's commitments to A.J. Burnett and B.J. Ryan hurt the Jays more than they helped. Rob Neyer of ESPN.com says Oliver Perez's return was "just short of a disaster." The Mets lefty is under contract for two and a half more seasons. None of the players on this list are getting traded again, but it's worth checking out Tom Verducci's ten most thrilling players ever. If you're wondering...
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 9, 2009 at 11:10am CST]
All of this morning's Roy Halladay rumors: Could the Red Sox make a play for Halladay? Sure, but Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe says "they won't." Nick Cafardo of the Globe says the Red Sox hadn't inquired about Halladay as of late yesterday afternoon. Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald says the Red Sox would have to be prepared to surrender Clay Buchholz and two other top prospects to acquire Halladay. Josh Beckett told Rob Bradford of WEEI.com that he'd like to pitch in the same rotation as Halladay, but thinks the Red Sox have enough talent to win...
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By Drew Silva [July 8, 2009 at 9:34pm CST]
According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals' interest in Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay is very real. Here's what Strauss tweeted just a moment ago: Asked about the price tag for Halladay, a club source said: "Give Ricciardi all our minor-league rosters and let him circle any 5 names." A deal with the Cardinals would start with Brett Wallace, and might also include shortstop Pete Kozma, catcher Bryan Anderson, outfielder Daryl Jones and/or right-hander Clay Mortensen. We're just throwing the Birds' top prospects out on the table, but that's what it's going to take. According to...
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By Drew Silva [July 8, 2009 at 9:13pm CST]
According to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, the Roy Halladay trade talks have reached the Rangers' clubhouse. The club in Texas has quite a few financial hurdles stemming from owner Tom Hicks' money issues, but that hasn't calmed the players' excitement at the possibility of landing the Toronto ace. "I'd love to have him here," outfielder Marlon Byrd said Wednesday. "I don't know what price it would take to get him, but I'd love to have him. We're a contender. Hopefully we're on his list." "You always want people who you feel could help the ballclub," outfielder Josh Hamilton added. "It's not...
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By Drew Silva [July 8, 2009 at 5:29pm CST]
FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal has a fresh column up. Let's dive in and explore some of the juicier details... The Red Sox and Rockies have discussed a Garrett Atkins swap, but "both teams continue to explore other options." It sounds like Boston may have sent the Rox a feeler, trying to gauge the third baseman's price tag. Along with ace Roy Halladay, the Blue Jays are also taking offers for outfielder Alex Rios and third baseman Scott Rolen. They both carry hefty contracts, however, so deals could be tricky. The Diamondbacks are seeking first-to-second round talent for Doug Davis, "which is...
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 8, 2009 at 4:42pm CST]
Everyone else says the Phillies are frontrunners for Roy Halladay, but what about the Phillies themselves? GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told MLB.com's Todd Zolecki that he has "flexibility" to add a stud pitcher. Though Amaro Jr. spoke only in general terms, the conversation was largely about Halladay. The Phillies say they won't part with all their prospects, even to acquire the ace the covet. Amaro Jr. said some of his players are untouchable even for the best player in baseball. Jason Knapp and Dominic Brown could be untouchables. As Scott Lauber reports, Charlie Manuel listed Kyle Drabek as an untouchable.
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 8, 2009 at 4:09pm CST]
Yankees officials told Joel Sherman of the New York Post that there's zero chance they trade for Roy Halladay, for the same reasons they didn't deal for Johan Santana. The cost in terms of both salary and prospects is too high. The news is a minor blow for the Blue Jays, who could have used the Yankees' interest to drive up Halladay's price, even if they had no intention of dealing their ace within the division.
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By Ben Nicholson-Smith [July 8, 2009 at 3:24pm CST]
More links for the afternoon... Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports that the Red Sox phoned the Rockies about Garrett Atkins, who's hitting much better since the beginning of June. Bradford Doolittle of the Kansas City Star says the Royals can't give Mark Teahen away, but they should be open to trading him. Joel Sherman wonders if a contender will pick B.J. Ryan up as a lefty specialist. Jorge Arangure Jr. says Ryan could fit with the Marlins, who have been handing out second chances non-stop. MLB.com's Lyle Spencer looks at pieces the Angels could offer for Roy Halladay,...
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