On The Failed Brian Roberts Talks
Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun dug up some information about the failed Brian Roberts trade talks from the past offseason.
- Zrebiec says one of the Cubs’ offers included Ronny Cedeno, Sean Gallagher, and Donald Veal. According to Andy MacPhail, a deal was never close. The O’s continue to hunt for a shortstop.
- MacPhail also talked to the Indians and Twins about Roberts (the Twins are a new one for me). It seems that MacPhail may also have spoken to the White Sox.
- The Orioles don’t seem to be planning to trade Roberts anymore, as they’re 5.5 games out of the wild card. No talks have occurred yet, but the Orioles could even extend Roberts past ’09.
Heyman’s Latest: Garcia, Ricciardi, Sabathia
Here’s a look at Jon Heyman’s latest column.
- At last count, our Freddy Garcia list included the Mets, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, White Sox, Rangers, Indians, Mariners, Tigers, and Rays. Heyman adds the Astros, and we also have rumblings about the Cubs. Although a few may have dropped out, that’s a dozen suitors.
- Heyman suggests Cito Gaston’s hiring was not J.P. Ricciardi’s decision. Ricciardi may not last past this season.
- Heyman’s source says C.C. Sabathia "is believed to be interested in a ‘Johan Santana contract.’" Santana received six years and $137.5MM with a club option, full no-trade clause, and deferred money.
- Heyman believes the relief market is limited, naming a handful of these pitchers.
Odds and Ends: Lowe, Arroyo, Chacon
Here’s today’s link roundup.
- Jacque Jones has elected free agency. Does he have anything left?
- Derek Lowe, Scott Boras, Ned Colletti, and Joe Torre had some kind of cryptic meeting.
- Draft nugget: the D’Backs were eyeing Allan Dykstra as their first-round pick until the Padres took him.
- Jason Rosenberg interviewed agent Matt Sosnick.
- Bronson Arroyo commented on the recent trade rumors. I think this rumor, in particular.
- Shawn Chacon, demoted to the pen, is not a happy camper.
- Koji Uehara is also going to the bullpen.
- Brandon Webb was affected by his contract negotiations.
- ESPN’s Keith Law joined the Drunk Jays Fans podcast to chat about the recent turmoil in Toronto.
- Joe Saunders, originally drafted by the Phillies, had a bad experience (as he tells it).
Dodgers Would Allow Ms To Talk To Ng, White
Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times talked to Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, who said the Dodgers would grant permission for the Mariners to talk to executives Kim Ng and Logan White. The Mariners haven’t asked; most believe they’ll wait until the offseason to choose their long-term GM. On a related topic, news surfaced Thursday that the Padres would not allow the Mariners to talk to Kevin Towers.
Ng is the Dodgers’ Vice President and Assistant GM; she seems destined to become the game’s first female general manager. White is the team’s Assistant GM, Scouting. He has stocked the Dodgers with tons of young talent over the past several years. I’m sure Colletti wishes the best for his top execs. But you have to admit, both might become threats for the Dodger job down the road.
A’s, Four Others Interested In Fuentes
At third place and seven games out, the Rockies are not a lock to become sellers. If they do throw in the towel, closer Brian Fuentes figures to become a hot commodity.
Back on June 15th, multiple sources reported the Mets’ interest in Fuentes. The Yankees have liked him for years. The Red Sox and Phillies have been known Fuentes fans for a while now also. Yesterday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post added one more suitor: the A’s. Ken Rosenthal recently suggested the A’s could be buyers, perhaps chasing big fish like Matt Holliday, Jason Bay, or C.C. Sabathia. The A’s are just three games out of the wild card behind the Rays.
Is Moises Alou Finished?
Mets outfielder Moises Alou is on his third DL stint, and it’s only June. No one expected much more than 100 games from him, but this is getting silly.
Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post talked to Mets manager Jerry Manuel, who hinted that Alou could consider retirement. But, as Hubbuch notes, players don’t typically abandon millions of dollars. So look for Alou to consider retirement in the offseason. It’s a shame his body has broken down; the man can still hit.
Perrotto’s Latest: Sabathia, Bradley
Time to take a spin through John Perrotto’s lastest column over at Baseball Prospectus.
- C.C. Sabathia suitors named: Yankees, Phillies, Cubs, Red Sox, Rays, and Angels. The Rays seem to be a new name; DRays Bay has a comment thread up on it. Jon Heyman has similar names but adds the Dodgers to the mix.
- The Rangers are apparently warming to the idea of trading Milton Bradley (they’re 7.5 games back) but they could still re-sign him in the offseason.
New Look For MLBTR
Late Sunday evening, we rolled out the new design for MLB Trade Rumors. I like the way it turned out. We’ve added a new logo and a navigation bar and accentuated the RSS feed and site search box.
The big change, of course, is the move from gray text on a black background to the standard black text on a white background. I’ll always miss it, in a nostalgic way. But there’s no doubt it turned some people away. And there’s no question the site is easier on the eyes now.
The main benefit of the redesign should be a better first impression for new readers. The current readers come here for the content, not the site design. That said, the current readers are incredibly important. I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments, positive or negative (please keep it constructive!)
Rays Promote Price to Double A
MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli writes that the Tampa Bay Rays have promoted David Price to Double A Montgomery. Price, the #1 overall pick in the 2007 draft, is on the fast-track to the Major Leagues, and there has been speculation that he could join the big league club before season’s end. This most recent promotion could be a step towards that outcome.
Price made six starts for Class A Vero Beach, going 4-0 with a 1.82 ERA and posting a brilliant 37:7 K:BB ratio in 34.2 IP. He could start for Montgomery as soon as Thursday.
A lot could happen over the next month or two, but if Price continues to baffle minor league hitters, he could shoot up to the Major Leagues quickly and be a factor as the Rays try to secure a spot in the postseason. Remember, Andrew Miller didn’t even have a month’s worth of experience when the Tigers brought him up to the big league club back in 2006.
Posted by Steve Adams
Orioles Designate Bynum
Roch Kubatko of the Baltimore Sun informs us that the Orioles have designated infielder Freddie Bynum for assignment. The move doesn’t come as much of a surprise. Bynum, 28, had posted an underwhelming line of .192/.238./.242 in 99 ABs for the O’s this season.
Baltimore has recalled RHP Ryan Bukvich in his place. Bukvich, 30, was 4-1 at AAA Norfolk with a 3.89 ERA in 34.2 IP. Oscar Salazar will take over Bynum’s role of backing up Alex Cintron at shortstop.
Posted by Steve Adams