Washburn To Yankees Close To Done-Deal
6:15pm: Ken Rosenthal just reported during the Fox telecast that the deal is now being held up by the Mariners demand for a top prospect in addition to the Yankees taking the remainder of Washburn’s contract.
5:53pm: Gregor Chisholm is now reporting that Washburn is still listed as the Mariners starting pitcher for Sunday.
5:04pm: Jon Heyman is also saying that the deal could be done in the next couple of days. He also notes that any compensation for Washburn would not be in the form of an extension from the Yankees.
4:52pm: Peter Abraham is now reporting that the deal could happen as early as tomorrow and that the Yankees are willing to pay all of the salary remaining on the contract "in return for not sending Seattle any player of significance. No, not Kei Igawa." Abraham also feels that any compensation would come from Seattle.
4:31pm: Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times spoke with Washburn following today’s game and Washburn gave no indication that a deal was done, or even imminent. Washburn did make it clear that he will seek some form of compensation in return for waiving his no-trade clause.
Buster Olney is reporting that the oft-talked about deal in which the Mariners would send Jarrod Washburn to the Yankees, will likely be completed in the next 48 hours. Olney suggests that the move is a salary dump with $13-14MM still owed to Washburn ($3-4MM in ’08, $10.35MM in ’09). If the Yankees take on most or all of the remaining contract, do not look for any big names to be going back in the other direction.
I spoke with Peter Abraham of the Journal-News and he reiterated that Brian Cashman is saying that the deal is not done yet.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
More From Rosenthal: Bay, A’s, Mets, Rays
Now we have Ken Rosenthal’s regular video contribution…
- In an interesting twist, Rosenthal says the A’s have had regular conversations with the Pirates about Jason Bay. Rosenthal notes the A’s are hoping that other teams will balk at the asking price.
- The Mets are making it clear they will not part with any of their top three prospects Fernando Martinez, Jon Niese and Robert Parnell.
- Now that Xavier Nady has been traded, the Rays are more interested in acquiring a relief pitcher rather than an outfielder.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Teixeira, Dodgers, Washburn
Ken Rosenthal spoke before today’s Yankees-Red Sox game on Fox and had a few items for the Hot Stove…
- The Braves have yet to decide if they are going to be buyers or sellers at the deadline. If they do decide to sell, they will start taking bids for Mark Teixeira. Earlier this week we heard from Jayson Stark that the Rays, Red Sox, Dodgers, Angels and Yankees have contacted the Braves about Teixeira. Today Stark told us that we can scratch the Rays off that list. Rosenthal adds the D-Backs to the list and says they make the most sense, but it is unlikely that they will be willing to offer the right players.
- The acquisition of Casey Blake means the Dodgers will probably not seek a better bat to play shortstop.
- The Yankees and Mariners have yet to discuss who the Yankees would give up for Jarrod Washburn.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Odds And Ends: Sosa, Rhodes, Twins, Rays, Cubs
A few minor notes from around the MLBiverse…
- The Mariners have signed Jorge Sosa to a minor league deal. This is Sosa’s third organization this season.
- Despite reports that the Brewers would not add a relief pitcher, Milwaukee had a scout at Friday’s game and Geoff Baker believes the scout was there to watch Arthur Rhodes.
- Joe Christensen says that the Twins may prefer to promote Francisco Liriano, and move him or another starter to the bullpen, rather than trade for a relief pitcher.
- Joe Maddon says that there is only a "50-50 chance" that the Rays make a move before the deadline.
- Jim Hendry says that the Cubs are not likely to make any trades unless an injury necessitates a move. Carrie Muskat says that a move may depend on how well Kerry Wood recovers from the blister on his throwing hand.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Jayson Stark’s Latest: Rays
Jayson Stark touches on a few rumors circling around the Tampa Bay Rays…
- The Rays and the Phillies both made multiplayer offers to the Indians for Casey Blake, but neither was willing to offer a top prospect and a second prospect close to the big leagues.
- With Blake and Xavier Nady both traded, the Rays are leaning towards eventually filling their need for a right-handed outfielder with Rocco Baldelli who played in the outfield this week on a rehab assignment. It was his first outfield action since May of ’07 and will play 5 more innings today.
- After discussing Mark Teixeira, the Rays have decided to pass, not wanting to move Carlos Pena to DH.
- While the Rays would still like to acquire a relief pitcher, they feel the price is too high for Brian Fuentes and they have little interest in Huston Street. Stark notes that last year’s top pick, David Price, could be called up to provide insurance for the bullpen.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Cardinals Send Reyes To Indians
The Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting that the Indians have acquired Anthony Reyes from the Cardinals for a minor leaguer. Reyes who worked out of the bullpen earlier this year for the Cardinals, was most recently in triple-A, where he made 11 starts, going 2-3 with a 3.25 ERA.
The Cardinals received Luis Perdoma, a relief pitcher, who has split the year between single-A and double-A. At Akron, Perdoma was 2-0 with a 3.52 ERA with one save.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Might Sox Try To Trade Ramirez?
[Update: 3:51pm] Theo Epstein spoke with Tim McCarver prior to today’s game and said he would attempt to trade Ramirez if the slugger is willing to waive his no-trade clause.
Dan Shaughnessy says that Manny Ramirez’ latest incident was the final straw for the Red Sox.
It was extraordinary. In the past, management and the manager would do handstands to excuse Manny’s strange acts. No more. This time, the manager – apparently confident there’s nothing wrong with the slugger – put Manny’s name in the lineup, then sat and waited for Manny to pull himself out of the lineup. Manny complied. Never concerned with wins or losses, Manny told Brad Mills he was unable to play and took himself out of the batting order for the (thus far) biggest game of the season.
It was predictable. It was ridiculous. It was the last straw.
Ramírez had an MRI yesterday and it was clean. This time, the Sox plan to do something about this situation. Soon.
Shaughnessy did not speculate on whether the Sox would try to trade Ramirez, with whom the team has $20MM options in both ’09 and ’10, or if they would just let him walk after the season.
Sean McAdam noted that Ramirez would have faced a suspension if he did not play in today’s game. Today, the media was kept out of the Red Sox clubhouse longer than usual, but when the doors were finally opened, Ramirez was penciled into today’s lineup.
- Around The Bases says that if Theo Epstein can trade for a power hitting outfielder, the Sox may decide to place Ramirez on waivers in hopes that another team will claim his contract. If nobody claims Ramirez, the Sox may be willing to release Ramirez and swallow the remainder of his ’08 salary.
- The Joy of Sox notes that much of this might be media bias, and Ramirez does have a history of knee problems.
- YankeesRedSox.com is not sure what the Red Sox could get for Ramirez, but believe that "anything is better than a $20mm player not willing to play."
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Odds and Ends: Mets, Tigers, Rays, Nats
Tying up loose ends before lunch:
- The Mets are one of three teams that have inquired on the availability of Brian Giles. The Padres may be asking for Fernando Martinez in return.
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post, however, thinks the Mets shouldn’t force a trade for an outfielder.
- The Tigers will intensify their hunt for relief help if Freddy Dolsi’s shoulder keeps acting up. Dolsi was off since Monday, resting what the team deemed as a fatigued shoulder, and said he felt better after a side session on Friday.
- The Rays are still looking for a corner outfielder.
- MLB.com beat writer Bill Ladson believes the Nationals could trade Felipe Lopez before Thursday’s non-waiver trade deadline. Regardless, he thinks Lopez will not be with the team next year.
- The Brewers are not interested in Jarrod Washburn. Melvin did talk to the Mariners about the left-handed pitcher, but the conversations took place prior to the CC Sabathia trade.
Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? alexo05 [at] umpbump [daught] com.
Dodgers Acquire Blake From Indians
Update 1:23 pm: The AP is reporting the deal is done pending approval by the commissioner’s office.
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A source close to the deal is telling Jayson Stark that the Dodgers are on the verge of acquiring Casey Blake from the Indians.
The Indians would get minor-league catcher Carlos Santana, right-handed pitcher Jon Meloan and cash in return.
Blake became one of the most coveted players that can play the outfield after the Yankees traded for Xavier Nady. Other teams that were rumored to be in the mix to land Blake were the Mets, Rays and Phillies.
Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? alexo05 [at] umpbump [daught] com.
Yankees-Pirates Deal Reconfigured
Update 1:05 pm: Several sources are reporting that once Ohlendorf and Tabata cleared physicals, the Pirates had a list of players to choose from.
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The LoHud Yankees Blog reports the Xavier Nady, Damaso Marte deal has been reconfigured:
The Yankees are sending RHP Dan McCutchen, RHP Jeff Karstens, OF Jose Tabata and RHP Ross Ohlendorf to Pittsburgh for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte.
LHP Phil Coke and RHP George Kontos are not in the deal.
Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? alexo05 [at] umpbump [daught] com.