Dodgers Interested In Cano?
FRIDAY: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says this rumor was "shot down by those in the know."
THURSDAY: George King of the New York Post has a zinger of a rumor this morning:
Dodgers have an interest in Robinson Cano and might be willing to deal Derek Lowe and outfielder Matt Kemp, but the Yankees aren’t inclined to part with the red-hot second baseman unless there is a front-of-the-rotation-type starter coming to The Bronx. Lowe, who has the stomach for big games and has AL East experience with the Red Sox, doesn’t fit that bill.
If Lowe isn’t a frontline starter, he has to be considered a strong #2. Anyway, I’m not sure exactly what to make of this rumor. The idea of the Dodgers trading Lowe and Kemp for Cano – is that speculation or inside information?
Yankees execs meet today to discuss their deadline plan. Brian Cashman is sticking to his guns about holding on to his best young players.
Odds and Ends: Darvish, Giles, Teixeira
Today’s link roundup…
- I was a guest on Get Sports Radio yesterday to talk about the Reds. Click here to download an mp3 of the show.
- NPB Tracker notes that 21 year-old phenom Yu Darvish threw 165 pitches last night.
- GM Dave Dombrowski says the Tigers are definitely not sellers. They’re undecided on whether to buy or stick with internal options. The Tigers’ approach to the relief market may hinge on Freddy Dolsi‘s fatigued shoulder.
- Buster Olney says the Mets and Padres have discussed right fielder Brian Giles. He’d earn $11MM in ’09 if traded. However, Joel Sherman doesn’t think Giles is on the Mets’ radar.
- Learn about the PITCHf/x system in a Josh Kalk Q&A.
- D’Backs beat writer Nick Piecoro doesn’t think there’s much to the Mark Teixeira rumors.
- ESPN’s Keith Law isn’t impressed with Emilio Bonifacio. He’s also not a fan of the Cristian Guzman extension.
- RotoAuthority finds a Tim Lincecum–Johnny Cueto parallel for fantasy baseball players to consider.
Boras Speaks
Super agent Scott Boras called Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently; here are a few highlights.
- Boras wouldn’t address Pedro Alvarez specifically, but talked at length about how his elite draft picks have become successful investments for teams. Boras referenced Mark Teixeira and the Drew brothers, who received deals in the $7-10MM range.
- Boras client Xavier Nady might want to stay in Pittsburgh beyond the ’09 season, but the team has never broached an extension.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Redding, Laird, Wolf
Fresh column from Ken Rosenthal.
- The Rockies, six games out in the NL West, could certainly become buyers. They offered Clint Barmes for Jeremy Guthrie and were turned down, and continue to monitor Bronson Arroyo and Tim Redding. Closer Brian Fuentes still seems likely to be traded though (the demand: top of the line prospect and a secondary player).
- Rosenthal cautions us against judging the Pirates’ new regime too quickly. The deadline will be a good test for them.
- The Yankees definitely have interest in Rangers catcher Gerald Laird, but haven’t asked the Royals about Miguel Olivo.
- The Astros are unlikely to flip Randy Wolf before the deadline, partially due to lack of interest.
Graziano’s Latest: Sherrill, Arroyo, Rhodes, Zaun
Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger has a new Trade Winds column.
- Graziano notes how incredible the Erik Bedard trade could look for Baltimore if they spin George Sherrill for prospects. He names the Cardinals, Rays, Marlins, and Red Sox as suitors. The Mets fear Sherrill’s price tag, while the Yankees don’t expect a deal within the division.
- The Yankees haven’t spoken to the Reds about Bronson Arroyo (although based on previous reports, they have scouted him). The Yanks aren’t likely to sign Barry Bonds, and aren’t terribly thrilled with the catching market.
- Fernando Martinez‘s possible injury could increase the Mets’ urgency to find a left fielder. For some reason, Adam Dunn is not in the mix. The Mets are in on relievers Brian Tallet, Jack Taschner, and Arthur Rhodes.
- The division rival Marlins are after Rhodes, as well as Gregg Zaun.
- Graziano says no one denied his rumor that the Blue Jays were quietly discussing Roy Halladay with other teams. The offseason might be a better time to shop him, though.
Estrada Designated For Assignment
To make room for Lastings Milledge, the Nationals designated catcher Johnny Estrada for assignment yesterday. Estrada, 32, signed a one-year $1.25MM deal with the Nats in January. He hit .170/.200/.170 in 55 plate appearances, hobbled by a right elbow injury much of the season.
Estrada doesn’t want to go to the minors, and talked about being ready to go home. It seems unlikely that a contender will pick him up.
Knobler’s Latest: Pirates, Brewers, Beltre, Cabrera
Here’s the latest from CBSSports.com’s Danny Knobler.
- A rumor made the rounds that Pirates president Frank Coonelly and GM Neal Huntington were at odds over the team’s strategy, with Coonelly pushing .500 as a goal. Huntington denied that, and has five coveted players to work with in the next week. Keep in mind that only Damaso Marte is a free agent after the season, so moves can be made in the offseason.
- Teams with available relievers believes the Brewers are still in the market, despite Doug Melvin’s claims. Many teams are scouting the Brewers’ Double A club.
- Adrian Beltre‘s contract wouldn’t be a problem for the Twins, but the teams haven’t found a match on players.
- Knobler heard that the Marlins might consider Baltimore catcher Ramon Hernandez.
- The rumor about Kevin Towers becoming a candidate for the Seattle GM vacancy won’t die.
- Some folks expect the White Sox to move shortstop Orlando Cabrera before the deadline. They’re still looking for pitching.
Uribe-Cora Trade Not Happening
8:48pm: Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says the Red Sox backed away from a potential Uribe deal, opting to stick with Cora as Jed Lowrie‘s backup.
4:31pm: Ken Rosenthal has further details on Danny Knobler’s report of Boston’s trade talks for Juan Uribe.
Rosenthal says a Juan Uribe–Alex Cora swap between the Red and White Sox could happen, with the teams splitting the salary difference. Then he lays this idea on us:
One scenario would be for the White Sox to use Cora at least part-time at second, move rookie Alexei Ramirez to short and trade shortstop Orlando Cabrera, possibly to the Dodgers for right-hander Derek Lowe.
Hard to say if this scenario has actually been discussed between Kenny Williams and Ned Colletti. But Rosenthal says the Dodgers are aggressively shopping Lowe, which I didn’t see coming.
Nationals Plan To Non-Tender Chad Cordero
7:53pm: We have a quote tonight from Cordero’s agent, Larry Reynolds:
"The timing of discussing non-tendering Chad Cordero is surprising, particularly at this time of the year, but that is the Nationals prerogative. We expect Chad to be fully recovered and if the Nationals decide to non tender him come December we will react accordingly. Chad’s a proven closer, he is working hard to get back on the mound and I am not concerned regardless of what the Nationals decide to do."
10:56am: Odd timing for this. Nationals GM Jim Bowden said last night he plans to non-tender former closer Chad Cordero after the season.
Non-tendering Cordero is a no-brainer for the Nationals. He’s earning $6.2MM this year, so the least they could pay him in ’09 is $4.96MM if they go through the arbitration process. Cordero had labrum surgery on July 8th.
Bowden expressed desire to bring Cordero back on a low base salary with incentives instead. He may have already destroyed his goodwill with Cordero, as the pitcher was shocked and upset by the early announcement.
Mets Cool On Street, Nady?
According to David Lennon of Newsday, the Mets are searching for a shutdown reliever. However, he says Huston Street has apparently dropped off the Mets’ radar. Billy Wagner was able to pitch today, so maybe the need for relief will remain secondary.
Lennon adds that the Mets’ interest in Xavier Nady has cooled, but they are still in on Casey Blake and Raul Ibanez.