Felix Pie Not Available
UPDATE: A source of mine says that despite Hendry’s claims to the contrary, Pie was dangled. Since no deal could be reached, it makes sense to say publicly that he was never available. The source adds that Hendry continues to search for a bat this morning.
Multiple sources had been saying Felix Pie was available, so it’s nice to see Cubs GM Jim Hendry debunk that talk today. He won’t be traded, and hasn’t been discussed. Cubs fans can exhale.
Latest On Jermaine Dye
Here’s what we’ve got today on White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye.
- The Chicago Tribune says Kenny Williams slept on Boston’s counteroffer for Dye. He’s probably awake now so we’ll see what his dreams said about Kason Gabbard. Just kidding, I don’t know what the Red Sox came back with. I’m sure Wily Mo was still in there. Dave van Dyck mentions that the White Sox could re-sign Dye, perhaps through 2008 or 2009 only. I suppose at the right price.
- Jon Heyman says the Red Sox are one of just four teams covered in Dye’s no-trade provision. Dye wants to stay in Chicago if he can. Heyman says the Dodgers, Angels, and Diamondbacks are also in on Dye. The Mets might be involved as well. The Angels aren’t being aggressive here because they have confidence Juan Rivera’s return will help. And that probably would be comparable to Dye, really.
- Gordon Edes of the Boston Globe has a Major League source who believes there’s a "good chance" the Red Sox acquire Dye this morning. We’ll see what Kenny thinks of the counteroffer soon enough.
- Toni Ginnetti of the Chicago Sun-Times has a source saying the Red Sox are "set to send reliever Manny Delcarmen and outfielder Wily Mo Pena to the White Sox for Dye," if Dye waives his no-trade clause. Does Toni have the scoop here?
- Nathaniel Whalen of the Daily Southtown sees the Cubs and Angels also in the mix for Dye, and believes the right fielder would waive his no-trade clause for either team (if those teams are even among the other three over which he has veto power).
Dotel To Atlanta Deal Not Close
UPDATE: Word via the Kansas City Star is that the Royals will get Kyle Davies in the deal. The Teixeira trade needs to be finalized first though. Nice job by Dayton Moore. Apparently he preferred Davies over Wladimir Balentien.
UPDATE 2: Based on this MLB.com report and reports from Sports Radio 810, the deal is not complete and Davies for Dotel was simply an offer. Dotel was apparently seen shagging flies in batting practice today.
UPDATE 3: Mark Bowman of MLB.com says the teams are not close to finalizing a deal and John Schuerholz has yet to enter into serious negotiations.
Interesting development via Ken Rosenthal: the Braves are close to a deal for Royals’ closer Octavio Dotel. They apparently have made a better offer than finalists Cleveland and Los Angeles.
Royals GM Dayton Moore knows his way around Atlanta’s farm system, of course. He had all kinds of player development roles within the Braves organization. The Braves’ top three prospects heading into the season per Baseball America were Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Elvis Andrus, and Matt Harrison. With those three out of the picture perhaps Moore is going for outfielder Brandon Jones or first baseman Scott Thorman.
Quite a day for Atlanta…now to snag a starter…
Fantasy Take On Teixeira Trade
In case you’re new here, I also run a fantasy baseball blog called RotoAuthority. Over there I have a new post discussing the fantasy ramifications of today’s Mark Teixeira trade.
Clayton Kershaw Pulled After One Inning
Dodgers fans following phenom southpaw Clayton Kershaw‘s start tonight may have been disappointed. The 19 year-old was pulled after just one inning. Conspiracy theorists have already established that Kershaw must be involved in a trade.
Usually I’m quick to contribute to any conspiracy, but I decided to take a few minutes to listen to the Great Lakes Loons broadcast instead. Turns out that the plan all along was to have Kershaw pitch just one inning – this plan was outlined before the game started. Apparently the Dodgers sent down this directive to keep Kershaw’s innings count down this year. After all, this is Kershaw’s first full pro season.
You could call BS on the Dodgers and insist Kershaw is headed to Oakland in a Joe Blanton deal. After all, there had to be some kind of party line for the announcer to use to explain the one-inning stint. But if he really had been traded, why let him pitch at all? Why not just scratch him and say he has the flu?
Kershaw might be the best pitching prospect in all of baseball right now. He’s definitely the top lefthander. Most likely, the Dodgers are just being careful with him.
Additionally, I’m still trying to track down why Mets prospect Fernando Martinez was pulled from tonight’s game after one at-bat. But I do know he recently came off the DL for a right hand contusion, so taking it easy with him is entirely reasonable.
One more for you: apparently Philip Humber was supposed to start tonight for the Zephyrs after being scratched Friday for food poisoning. Adam Bostick started instead, but I’m not sure why.
The Starting Pitching Market
Let’s take a look at the starting pitchers still available at this time (about 17 hours before the trade deadline). I took some liberties to include relievers who could possibly start. And I’m being generous calling some of these guys mid-tier.
Top Tier
Javier Vazquez
Joe Blanton
Jon Garland
Bronson Arroyo
Dontrelle Willis
Mid Tier
Jason Jennings
Shawn Chacon
Joe Kennedy
Carlos Silva
Matt Morris
Scott Proctor
Byung-Hyun Kim
Josh Towers
Jose Contreras
Bottom Tier
Odalis Perez
Steve Trachsel
Woody Williams
Wade Miller
Josh Fogg
Kip Wells
Mike Maroth
Ramon Ortiz
Joel Pineiro
Tim Brown’s Latest
Yahoo’s Tim Brown has a new post up; let’s take a look.
- Brown ran all types of starting pitchers by a "large-market assistant," and confirmed that no one good is available. However, Joe Blanton might be switched from "not available" to "available but expensive" on Brown’s list.
- The Diamondbacks have turned their focus to starting pitching. Good luck with that – they should’ve just pushed harder to get Mark Teixeira.
- The D’Backs aren’t interested in Jermaine Dye, although he would seemingly be a nice fit for them.
- The Blue Jays are listening to offers for Troy Glaus, but interest is surprisingly low. I have to say, I’m really surprised that we’re not hearing more about Glaus and Adam Dunn right now with Teixeira off the market. The Padres, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, and others could all use a power bat.
Proctor For Betemit Still Possible
ESPN’s Buster Olney is reporting that the Dodgers and Yankees are still talking about swapping reliever Scott Proctor and infielder Wilson Betemit. Betemit would act as A-Rod insurance and could even help out at first base this year. Proctor might be the reliever the Dodgers are craving. Keep in mind, though, that the Dodgers still might be able to sneak in a last-minute offer for Octavio Dotel.
Dodgers Pursuing Joe Blanton
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Dodgers are going after 26 year-old Oakland starter Joe Blanton. Blanton would add some stability and would find the NL to his liking.
The discussion is centered around three frontline prospects going to Oakland. Olney names Andy LaRoche, Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, Clayton Kershaw, and Jonathan Meloan as possibilities. I’m thinking the A’s wouldn’t mind Chin-Lung Hu either.
It figured that Billy Beane would see what Blanton might bring in a market devoid of decent starting pitchers.
Nationals Working On Cordero Or Rauch Trade
According to Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post, the Nationals are definitely shopping Chad Cordero and Jon Rauch. Svrluga’s source believes one of them will go for prospects, most likely Rauch. Glad to hear it; I was worried both would stay put. I always prefer more trade action.
There’s also the possibility of packaging both relievers together to get one top-notch prospect. The Dodgers seem most likely to agree to something like that. Matt Kemp would probably work for Jim Bowden. The post mentions that Bowden indeed asked for Cameron Maybin from the Tigers for Rauch.
One last note: Adam Dunn remains on the radar, but right now it’s mostly just interest.