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Archives for July 2008

Mets Actively Looking For Corner Outfielder

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Update 1:39 p.m.: Now that the Dodgers have acquired Blake, the Mets have turned their attention to Brian Giles.

Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports the Mets are one of three teams that have inquired on the availability of Giles. He also notes that the Mets are often asked about Fernando Martinez, to whom the Padres offered $1MM as an amateur.

The Cardinals and Brewers are the other two teams.

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Adam Rubin of the NY Daily News reports the Mets have narrowed their focus on obtaining a corner outfielder. A team insider told Rubin the team could trade for Casey Blake, Jason Bay, or Raul Ibañez next week.

The approach would be to wait until after the non-waiver trade deadline in hopes that the currently exorbitant asking price for said outfielders would relax.

Reading between the lines:

Now that the Pirates traded Xavier Nady to the Yankees, Rubin believes it might change their plans on Bay.

Bay has expressed his desire to remain with the Pirates, as the possibility that they give him an extension and rebuild around him exists.

The Mets have been mentioned in Ibañez rumors for a few weeks now, but the surfacing of Blake’s name as an option could mean they didn’t match up well with the Mariners on a deal.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? alexo05 [at] umpbump [daught] com.   

Yankees Still In Talks For Washburn

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Updating a rumor that seems to have died down in the last few days, the Yankees and Mariners are still having serious discussions about Jarrod Washburn, reports Dan Graziano.

Up until a few days ago, the Yankees wanted to include Kei Igawa and Melky Cabrera in the deal but the Mariner’s didn’t particularly appear interested in neither player.

The Mariners asked about Austin Jackson, but were turned down, and now two other prospects have been thrown into the hat: Brett Gardner and Justin Christian.

Washburn has a no-trade clause, but Graziano thinks he would waive it for a shot at a pennant race.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? alexo05 [at] umpbump [daught] com. 

Torre Talks Dodgers’ Needs

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Update 1:55 pm: The Dodgers have acquired Casey Blake from the Indians.

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Before Friday night’s game, Torre discussed the team’s options and how they’ll address them if indeed they’ll make a move before this year’s trade deadline.

He mentioned the need to be active on the trade front, but noted that after the injuries to Nomar Garciaparra and Rafael Furcal, other teams are asking too high a price. He did confirm, however, that Dodgers’ GM Ned Colletti is looking to make a move while reiterating that the team won’t "mortgage the future" in exchange for a rental:

Where we’re at, are we interested in a player that can help us now? Yes. Will we mortgage the future? No. We’re willing to give up something. I don’t think you want to sacrifice the future for somebody who’s going to be here just this year. If you borrow or rent for half a season and give up more, next year you’re filling holes again."

MLBlogs writer Ken Gurnick followed up with Dodgers’ sources on the rumor that they’re on the verge of trading Andy LaRoche (possibly +1) for A’s reliever Huston Street, to which they scoffed.

For the record, Street signed a one year deal with the A’s in January to avoid arbitration.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? alexo05 [at] umpbump [daught] com. 

Nady, Marte Traded To Yankees

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7:25pm: Ken Rosenthal confirms it: minor leaguers Ohlendorf, Coke, Kontos, and Tabata.  My impression at first glance: the return is not terribly impressive for Nady and Marte.  I don’t like the idea of the Bucs taking Tabata as the centerpiece – there is too much projection involved with him.  If Ohlendorf and Ian Kennedy could’ve been had, I would’ve opted for that.

Rosenthal also says the Yankees’ talks for Jarrod Washburn are still ongoing.

7:17pm: Baseball Digest Daily says the Pirates will receive Jose Tabata, Ross Ohlendorf, and two other minor leaguers (perhaps Phil Coke and George Kontos, based on rumors).  SI.com’s Jon Heyman is on board with that.

A separate Pirates rumor was squashed tonight – they are not close to trading Jason Bay to the Braves.

6:57pm: Carroll says the Yankees acquired Nady and Marte.  The Pirates confirmed that both players have been traded pending physicals, but haven’t given details about the recipient or return.

6:46pm: MetsBlog relays an FSN Pittsburgh report that both Nady and Damaso Marte have been traded.   Will Carroll says the same.

6:32pm: Xavier Nady was pulled from the Pirates’ lineup tonight after one inning.  No known injury.

Stark’s Latest: Dunn, Tankersley, Sherrill

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ESPN has a new Trade Deadline blog going; here’s the link.  Jayson Stark already has two entries up, found here and here.  Let’s dig in!

  • The Yankees have explored the idea of acquiring Adam Dunn, though they’re reluctant to meet the Reds’ demands.
  • The Marlins are proposing the idea of swapping lefty Taylor Tankersley for a more experienced one like Brian Fuentes or George Sherrill.  So far, nothing’s cooking.  Tankersley, 25, was demoted to Triple A earlier this month after being bitten by the home run bug.  He dealt with shoulder tendinitis in early ’07.
  • The Rockies instead have their eye on Florida’s Ryan Tucker, a young Double A righty with a mid-90s heater and a 1.41 ERA.  I don’t see that happening.  Stark says they want to push the bidding closer to the deadline though.
  • The Orioles are apparently trying to pry Alcides Escobar or Mat Gamel from the Brewers for Sherrill, but as you know they’re not biting.

Jarrod Washburn Rumors

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3:09pm: Jayson Stark says the Yankees view Washburn as a salary dump, and won’t include even low-level prospects unless the Mariners eat money or take Igawa.

1:27pm: Peter Abraham says the Yankees are trying a new way to get Washburn.  Neither Abraham nor Geoff Baker believes Washburn’s no-trade clause will be an issue or something the Yankees would compensate for.

9:59am: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says Seattle’s request of Cabrera and Gardner for Washburn is "a non-starter for the Yankees."

FRIDAY, 9:21am: Joel Sherman says Igawa is not part of the Washburn discussions.

THURSDAY, 5:36pm: According to Ed Price of the Newark Star-Ledger, talks have progressed on a possible Washburn-Yankees trade.  Price says the Ms aren’t sold on Kei Igawa, but the Yankees are willing to discuss Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner.

4:56pm: This is a bit out of order, since Abraham’s info below actually came out after this Seattle PI column from John Hickey.

Hickey says the Yankees, Cardinals, White Sox, and possibly Brewers have talked to the Mariners about Washburn.  The pitcher’s no-trade clause allows him to block a deal to the Yankees but not the Cards or Sox.  He seems willing to waive the clause, anyway.

11:12am: According to Peter Abraham:

One trade the Yankees could make now if they wanted would be Kei Igawa and a B-level prospect to Seattle for LHP Jarrod Washburn and DH/1B Jose Vidro. The Yankees would take on $16 million (plus a $500,000 buyout for Vidro) while shedding the $9.4 million owed to Igawa. 

So for roughly $7.1 million, you get Washburn for this year and next and Vidro for this season. Washburn would likely want something to waive his no-trade clause, which includes the Yankees.

I agree with Abraham – that seems pretty reasonable.  As he says, you can just DFA Vidro.  Washburn alone is worth it, as long as the prospect isn’t anyone special and he doesn’t demand a ton for the no-trade compensation.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Trade Deadline

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Some random links as we head toward the trade deadline, from the Blogosphere…

  • One writer at Bugs and Cranks thinks that the Rockies should not lower their demand for Brian Fuentes and feels that the Cardinals are the most likely team to land the closer.
  • UmpBump wants the Rockies to keep Matt Holliday and would prefer moving Garrett Atkins, allowing Ian Stewart to play third.
  • Meanwhile, another writer at Bugs and Cranks wants the Cardinals to pass on Matt Holliday and Jason Bay, but think St. Louis should go after George Sherrill and/or Fuentes.
  • Outs Per Swing does not feel that the Rays need to add a player like Xavier Nady, but they are also skeptical that Rocco Baldelli can be the right-handed bat the team needs.
  • MetsBlog does not see the Mets landing George Sherrill or Huston Street, noting the O’s are asking for too much and the Mets will not meet the A’s demands. MetsBlog also feels the Mets have more obvious holes than relief pitcher.
  • River Ave. Blues says the recent success of Ian Kennedy in Triple A has given the Yankees a very big chip in the trade market.
  • Drunk Jays Fans says Roy Halladay will not be traded, despite recent reports that the Jays were secretly shopping him.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex and can be reached here.

Rauch Ramifications

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Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic has an article today about the implications of the Diamondbacks’ acquisition of reliever Jon Rauch.

  • The loss of second baseman Emilio Bonifacio doesn’t exactly change the D’Back’s plans, as they were skeptical on his ability to become a regular anyway.  Still, people are asking whether they’ll try to re-sign Orlando Hudson.  Piecoro says Hudson is expected to test the free agent market, and doesn’t seem likely to offer a discount.  His salary should exceed $10MM.
  • If Hudson leaves, the D’Backs could either look for a new second baseman or shift Mark Reynolds over there and consider a third baseman.  Take a look at the free agent market – options are limited at both positions.  Perhaps a trade could be explored.
  • Closer Brandon Lyon is a free agent after the season as well, and seems likely to leave.  The D’Backs have plenty of in-house replacement options, starting with Rauch.  Lyon will join free agent closers such as Brian Fuentes, Trevor Hoffman, Francisco Rodriguez, and Kerry Wood.  It’s easy to see Hoffman and Wood staying put, leaving three solid options.
  • Piecoro talked to team officials who downplayed the recent Mark Teixeira rumblings.

Heyman’s Latest: Dodgers, Braves, Fuentes, Downs

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Today we have a new column from SI.com’s Jon Heyman.

  • Heyman writes of turmoil within the Dodgers’ front office. Owner Frank McCourt is meddling, and assistant GM Logan White has "unusual say-so."  Shortstop targets for the Dodgers include Jack Wilson, Orlando Cabrera, and Edgar Renteria.  However, it is unclear which young Dodgers are available.
  • Braves decision-makers remain split on whether to buy or sell, with manager Bobby Cox leading the buy side.
  • Asking prices for relievers remain high, though Heyman seems to think Brian Fuentes wouldn’t cost the Mets much more than Aaron Heilman.
  • Heyman relays a report from Joe DeMayo of NY Baseball Digest: the Mets may have interest in Toronto’s Scott Downs.

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