Ken Rosenthal burst back onto the scene with a slew of new trade and signing rumors for us to mull over. A summary:
The Cubs are still looking to trade Jacque Jones, who carries a reasonable price tag. Rosenthal says a Cliff Floyd signing is likely, though the Chicago papers reported nothing new on that front earlier this week. As expected, the Cubs would like a veteran to bridge the gap to center fielder of the future Felix Pie. Ryan Church, Steve Finley, or Darin Erstad could be that guy. Bernie Williams is a long shot, though the Cubs do have a good relationship with Scott Boras.
Kevin Towers will speak with David Wells tomorrow.
The D’Backs entertained the notion of trading Chad Tracy for Mike Gonzalez and then acquiring Morgan Ensberg. They couldn’t get a deal done with Pittsburgh, however. The Bucs refuse to include Chris Duffy in any deal; the Braves wanted him for Gonzalez. I think Ensberg is primed for a major comeback in 2007. I don’t see how the Astros think they can afford to lose him.
Seems likely Tomo Ohka’s two offers are from the Nats and Mets. We know that the Pirates are in there too. The Bucs could end up with Brian Lawrence instead though.
The Astros could put Chad Qualls in the rotation if they are short on starters. Qualls last started at Triple A in ’04, and it didn’t go well. Relievers converting back to starting seems all the rage this year with the inflated market for starting pitchers.
The Rockies still have interest in Rodrigo Lopez, and they like Ramon Ortiz as well.
Armando Benitez will likely need to prove himself in spring before any team acquires him.
