Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Archives for June 2007

Michael Barrett Traded To Padres

By | at

According to Buster Olney, Michael Barrett has just been traded to the Padres.  The Padres will also receive cash in the deal.  Ken Rosenthal believes the amount of cash is greater than $1MM, since it needs approval from the commissioner’s office.  In return, the Cubs received backup catcher Rob Bowen and a young outfielder named Kyler Burke. 

Burke, 19, was drafted 35th overall out of high school last year based on his huge power potential and athleticism.  He hasn’t shown anything against pro pitching yet.  Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus says Burke has an "enormous ceiling" with a strong right field arm.  This is an upside play by Jim Hendry – Burke could be a star or a complete bust.

Bowen will provide the Cubs a mostly defensive-minded backstop, although that’s what they have already.  He was once seen as a future starter as a Twins minor leaguer, but his bat never panned out.  Bowen has teamed up with Henry Blanco before, when both were Twins.  Bowen was a waiver claim for his last two teams, so that gives you an idea of his value.  On the plus side, he’s speedy for a catcher and a switch-hitter.

The Padres, meanwhile, are looking to bolster their offense in the present and Barrett should be able to help despite his poor start to 2007.  I’m not too worried about chemistry issues despite Barrett’s recent incidents.  Barrett is reunited with Greg Maddux, who he caught from 2004-06.  Barrett is a free agent after the season.

Jim Hendry and Kevin Towers matched up last year, as the Cubs dumped off veterans Scott Williamson and Todd Walker to San Diego for some arms.

Latest Dunn To Padres Rumor

By | at

A new trade rumor has surfaced, though Kevin Towers may have already shot it down.

The report on San Diego radio (specifically XX Sportsradio 1090) was that the Padres could send southpaw reliever Justin Hampson as well as groundball artist Clay Hensley to the Reds for Adam Dunn.  Kevin Towers described this rumor as "not worth chasing" to the San Diego Union Tribune’s Tim Sullivan.

Hampson is the only lefty in the Padres’ pen, and he’s allowed just two earned runs in 22.1 innings.  However, his strikeout rate is quite low and his history isn’t that impressive.  The Padres insist they don’t need a southpaw in the pen, but could easily bring up Royce Ring if they trade Hampson.

After a breakout rookie season in ’06, Hensley hasn’t been able to get on track this year.  He’s been battered around in 12 starts split between the Padres and Triple A.  He had a fine spring but blister and groin injuries surfaced and Hensley ended up losing his rotation spot to Justin Germano.

Kevin Towers and Wayne Krivsky have matched up on a trade once before.  In March of 2006, Towers sent catcher Dave Ross to the Reds for right-handed starter/former top prospect Bobby Basham.

Cardinals Sign Tomo Ohka

By | at

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Cardinals have signed free agent righty Tomo Ohka to a minor league contract.  The Phillies were in on him as well, but the Cardinals gave him a shorter minor league requirement.

The Cardinals talked to Ohka’s agent last December, but must have found $1.5MM guaranteed to be prohibitive.  It’s easier to swallow when the Blue Jays are paying Ohka’s salary.  I think Ohka’s rotator cuff is still kind of messed up, but he might be able to get by in the NL Central.

Check out my profile of Ohka here; he’s an interesting character.  Unfortunately Ohka likely won’t remain a Memphis Redbird long enough to run into Sun-Woo Kim of the Fresno Grizzlies.  The two engaged in fisticuffs back in 2000 as members of the Pawtucket Red Sox.

Rosenthal On Teixeira For Hughes Possibility

By | at

Ken Rosenthal has a long article today regarding possible scenarios by which Mark Teixeira becomes a Yankee.  Rosenthal says the Yankees scouted the Rangers last week in regards to Eric Gagne and Akinori Otsuka.  The Rangers expect Brian Cashman to have interest in Teixeira, and have been performing due diligence on Phil Hughes and other Yankee farmhands.

Rosenthal’s main point: Hughes is not untouchable, but Teixeira could be traded to the Yankees without him involved.  Maybe Jon Daniels surrenders two of his major trading chips in a single blockbuster, giving up Otsuka or Gagne plus Teixeira just to get Hughes.  One would be hard-pressed to say that deal does not make the Yankees significantly better in 2007.

If Daniels is going to earn that contract extension, he needs to get another big-market team seriously involved.  It would be fantastic to get Boston seriously engaged.  The Tigers are another option.  But if Daniels comes up with quantity over quality – for example the Rosenthal proposal of Melky Cabrera, Chase Wright, and another prospect – he will have failed.

Helton Hints At Approving Yankee Trade

By | at

Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has some quotes from Todd Helton that seem to indicate he’d at least consider approving a deal to the Yankees.  Said Helton: "I have never said publicly that I wouldn’t go to any team."

That technically puts the Washington Nationals in play.  Just kidding.  Renck then asked Helton specifically about the Yankees, and he replied: "They’d have to want me first."  He makes a good point.  But maybe the urge to play for a winner is getting to Helton; it seems like he’d go to New York if they could work something out.

Helton’s contract remains among the worst in baseball.  I don’t know who Michael Moye is, but props to him for negotiating this beast.  Helton makes $16.6MM annually through 2010.  Then he makes $19.1MM in 2011 and gets a $4.6MM buyout in 2012.  Or would Helton require the acquiring team to exercise the $23MM option for 2012 as compensation for allowing the trade? 

Back in January, the Rockies wouldn’t pitch in more than $36.6MM.  At that point, Helton was owed $90.1MM through 2011 (that assumes no concession for waiving the no-trade).  Based on the talks with Boston, the Rockies will pay off about 40% of this thing and not require much in the way of young players in return.  The Rockies have already paid Helton about $7.07MM this season.  So they’d still probably be open to kicking in $33MM toward Helton’s remaining contract. 

An acquiring team would be looking at $57MM for 4.57 seasons of Helton (if he is traded today). That equates to an annual salary just under $12.5MM.  If Helton hit the free agent market after this season as a 34 year-old, could he get a four-year, $50MM deal?  I believe he could.  I’m starting to think a Helton deal may be reached this summer, as his contract is not ridiculous if the Rockies pay 40% of it.

Angels Could Get In On Teixeira

By | at

We know the Angels have been kicking the tires on Adam Dunn and Miguel Tejada already.  Today, Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times suggests that the Angels would get involved on Mark Teixeira if he becomes available.  Somewhere, Casey Kotchman just wept silently on the inside.

Arte Moreno raised an interesting point yesterday – it takes two to tango.  True, Bill Stoneman has not been an active trader, but the Angels were 15 minutes away from a Tejada blockbuster last summer.  And Moreno also hinted that the price for Adam Dunn was indeed exorbitant.

White Sox Trade Winds

By | at

Tons of articles today about the plans of Kenny Williams and the Chicago White Sox.

Dave van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune speaks of a rumor involving both Mark Buehrle and Jermaine Dye going to the Mets for prospects.  This one may have originated on ESPN.  Or maybe it’s a contortion of Saturday’s Newark Star-Ledger rumor.  When you see a rumor like that, a red flag should go off.  Why would Williams trade both in a package deal?  Maximum value is extracted with separate deals. 

Both van Dyck and Buehrle himself give much credence to this particular trade talk.  Buehrle wants to stay, but chances are slim because he’s looking for a five-year contract.  He deserves it, but it’s not the White Sox way.  Five years, $70MM sounds appropriate.  Poor guy’s got a kid coming soon; I’m sure he’d rather not go through this.

Van Dyck also reports that GMs have been "circling Williams like vultures."  At least publicly, Williams is saying that he has not yet decided whether to wave the white flag on the 2007 season.  The Sox are 10.5 games out in the AL Central and 9.5 games out of the wild card.  It would take a miracle.  Williams, Ozzie Guillen, and Paul Konerko met yesterday to discuss the current club and came up empty on fresh ideas.  If Scott Podsednik and Darin Erstad don’t spark the lineup when they return later this month, the Sox will likely officially give up.

Williams has more to offer than his future free agents (Buehrle, Dye, and Tadahito Iguchi.)  He’s also receiving interest in some of his relievers.  Perhaps Mike MacDougal or Matt Thornton could be sent packing. 

Cubs-Reds Griffey Rumor

By | at

There’s a Cubs-Reds rumor making the rounds, reportedly one that originated on The Score here in Chicago.  Obviously I can’t catch all the radio rumors myself, so I rely on listeners to pass these along.  Since these rumors often spread like a game of telephone, consider this one dubious until confirmed.

The rumor hitting my inbox repeatedly: the Cubs could send Sean Marshall and Jacque Jones to the Reds for Ken Griffey Jr.  Keep in mind, this one isn’t even confirmed as a legitimate rumor.

Whether or not this rumor has any legitimacy, let’s discuss.  In Marshall I see a strong left-handed starter under the team’s control through 2011.  He’s improved his repertoire and should be a cog in the Cubs’ rotation for years.  In other words, very valuable.

Griffey is in the midst of another resurgence, but is at significant risk of injury at any given moment.  There’s a chance playing right field reduces that, but I wouldn’t bank on it.  Griffey makes $12.5MM annually through 2008, plus he’ll be owed a $4MM buyout for 2009.  When I began writing this I thought Junior’s contract was a lot worse.  It’s really not terrible and would be somewhat offset by Jacque Jones.  I can see Griffey approving a trade to Chicago, though he could ask for his contract to be guaranteed through ’09.

I can see how one could consider this trade fair.  I wouldn’t trade Marshall for the risk of Griffey, but it doesn’t sound absurd.  I still don’t see it happening – why would the Cubs take a hit in the rotation to add more offense?  The Cubs have a strong rotation and will need Marshall over the next several seasons.  It seems more logical for the Cubs to add a reliever.

Meanwhile, CubDumb reports that the Cubs are actively shopping Michael Barrett right now.  While this might aid the pitching staff, it would likely weaken the offense.

Healey’s Latest

By | at

Mark Healey at Gotham Baseball has long been a solid, underappreciated source of inside information.  He’s got another Rumor Mill up at his site.  My summary follows.

  • The Yankees have an eye on big-name 1Bs like Mark Teixeira and Todd Helton.  But more realistically, they’re looking at Tampa Bay’s Carlos Pena.  He’s got the defense, so even if he regresses to a 20 HR bat it’s a nice pickup.  Healey’s source believes Tyler Clippard is too much but the Rays like Sean Henn.  The Yanks have also inquired about the versatile Ty Wigginton.
  • The Reds, Rockies, and others have been scouting the Yankees’ Double A Trenton affiliate.  Joba Chamberlain, Ian Kennedy, and Brett Gardner are probably the most desirable players on that roster.  Gotham Baseball has previously connected the Yankees to Brian Fuentes and David Weathers.  Another reliever the Yankees like is Chad Bradford, though the O’s price may be too high.
  • Gotham quotes an NL scout who doesn’t believe the Mets will acquire a starter by trading Lastings Milledge, Carlos Gomez, or Fernando Martinez.  That scout believes the return of Pedro will supply the needed boost.  Personally, I can see Milledge going.
  • Some former Mets on the radar: Brady Clark, Jay Payton, and David Weathers.
  • Healey says the Mets sent scouts to look at Randy Winn this weekend.  They must not be pleased with Moises Alou’s progress.  As I mentioned earlier, Winn is signed through 2009.  He has a full no-trade clause this year.  For 2008-09 he can block deals to ten teams.
  • The Pirates have some vets to trade, and have contacted the Mets regarding Shawn Chacon and Damaso Marte.  Marte is quietly having a fine season with a 1.21 ERA and 1.03 WHIP.  Marte earns $2.45MM this year, and $2MM in ’08 with an odd $6MM club option for 2009.  He can also earn incentives based on games finished.

Could Bonds Be Dealt In A Giants Firesale?

By | at

Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News spoke extensively with both Giants GM Brian Sabean and Barry Bonds, and some interesting information emerged.

First off, Bonds’ comments seem to indicate he’d waive his no-trade clause if a need arose.  Let’s say he hits #756 July 18th against Rich Hill.  That would work out nicely for the Giants, as the interest in Bonds as a sideshow would wane after he broke the record.  Sabean could ditch the $8MM or so remaining on his 2007 contract and the Giants could finally move on.  Bonds might be a nice fit for the Mariners for a couple of months.  The Twins would benefit even more, but that scenario seems highly unlikely.  The Angels or A’s could definitely make a push and find some room for Bonds.

Baggarly’s article also has Brian Sabean acknowledging that the Giants may have to go into sell mode.  Baggarly names Ray Durham, Omar Vizquel, Rich Aurilia, Matt Morris, Pedro Feliz, and Steve Kline as veterans who could be sent packing.  Might as well throw in Ryan Klesko, Randy Winn, and Dave Roberts.  If you’re going to have a firesale, don’t hold back. 

The Red Sox could snag Winn or Roberts as a stopgap in center field, but both are signed through 2009.  Not the easiest contracts to move.  Matt Morris could net a nice return.  With a 3.21 ERA, has has to be at the peak of his value.  He earns $9.5MM this year, $9.5MM in ’08, and has a club option for $9MM with a $1MM buyout attached for ’09. The Mariners, Phillies, Braves, and Astros could be possibilities.

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top