Rosenthal’s Latest: Teixeira, Burnett, Sherrill
Here’s the latest from Ken Rosenthal, who should probably take a vacation in August.
- The D’Backs inquired on Mark Teixeira, but a trade is unlikely. Tex might be the best available hitter, as Matt Holliday seems likely to stay put.
- The Rockies scouted Nick Adenhart‘s last start. The Angels have more interest in Brian Fuentes than Holliday.
- Tons of scouts converged on Camden Yards last night to watch A.J. Burnett and George Sherrill pitch (those hoping to see Sherrill were disappointed). The Cardinals, Phillies, Yankees, Brewers, Marlins, Dodgers, and Tigers all had scouts there to watch at least one of the pitchers.
- Rosenthal says trade interest in Burnett "remains minimal," as teams fear the pitcher’s contract.
- The Orioles are taking a look at the Brewers’ Triple A team, but it is believed that they are reluctant to part with more prospects.
- The A’s chose first baseman Chris Carter over Emilio Bonifacio in the Dan Haren trade.
Marlins Rumors: Fuentes, Taveras, Torrealba
How about some Marlins rumors from MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro?
- The Marlins still like the Rockies’ Brian Fuentes, but aren’t willing to trade Chris Volstad for him (it’s unclear whether the Rockies asked, but he’s in line with their asking price for other teams).
- The Fish were previously linked to their expansion-mate on two other players, center fielder Willy Taveras and catcher Yorvit Torrealba. Frisaro’s source says that discussion is dead.
- Keep in mind that the Rockies are in third place, six games out. They may not want to throw in the towel.
Ed Wade – GM Trade History
Next up in our GM Trade History series: Ed Wade of the Astros and formerly the Phillies. You can download the spreadsheet here. All of these GM spreadsheets were compiled by MLBTR contributor Brendan Bianowicz.
Rays Interested In Tyler Walker
According to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Rays have interest in reliever Tyler Walker. Walker made 20 appearances for the Rays back in ’06, saving ten games. He then had Tommy John surgery and was released.
Walker, 32, has a solid 2.36 K/BB ratio this year but has been susceptible to the longball. He’s earning $750K this year. It probably wouldn’t take much to acquire him.
Arroyo Hopes To Stay
8:25pm: Reds GM Walt Jocketty stressed that he has not been instructed to dump salary. Still, that doesn’t mean an Arroyo or Adam Dunn trade couldn’t help the team.
4:12pm: Reds starter Bronson Arroyo commented today on the trade rumors:
"I’d really be disappointed if they made a trade for me. I feel like honestly if you trade me, you’re going ahead and saying we’re not going to build a winning team here…If you go ahead and trade me out now, you’re cashing in the money for a losing team."
It’s been rumored that the Yankees have scouted Arroyo. Arroyo actually has a career high strikeout rate going, but hits, walks, and home runs are also up. His salary jumps to $9.5MM next year, and he’ll earn $11MM in 2010 with a club option for ’11.
Based on their interest in Arroyo and Jarrod Washburn, it seems that the Yankees are hoping add an innings eater by spending money rather than top prospects.
Phillies Scouting Burnett?
Let’s check in with the Phillies.
- Robert MacLeod notes the presence of the Phillies’ director of Major League scouting at A.J. Burnett‘s start tonight in Baltimore. Would the Phillies add another starter?
- Jim Salisbury talked to Phils GM Pat Gillick about the rumored Matt Holliday blockbuster. Gillick rolled his eyes at the rumor.
- In general, Gillick seems higher on catching prospect Lou Marson than pitching prospect Carlos Carrasco.
- Gillick’s top target is a left-handed reliever, with a bat on the radar as well. Some kind of acquisition is a "good possibility."
Red Sox In Trade Talks For Juan Uribe
According to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com, the Red Sox are "deep in conversations" for White Sox infielder Juan Uribe. Knobler says the return is unclear but the White Sox want to shed Uribe’s salary. Uribe has about $1.7MM left on his contract this year.
Uribe’s White Sox career has been on life support several times this year, but he’s managed to stick around. With Joe Crede‘s back ailing, Uribe is currently filling in at third base.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Laird, Washburn, Nady, Bay
Ken Rosenthal has more new material. I’ve updated the post, as Rosenthal updated his.
- The Yankees are looking for catching – Rosenthal and Jon Heyman do not agree with Peter Abraham. Rosenthal says the Yanks have expressed interest in Gerald Laird and Miguel Olivo. The Rangers want young pitching for Laird, however.
- Jarrod Washburn‘s limited no-trade protection includes the Yankees. He might want compensation to waive that, putting him out of the Yanks’ price range. Washburn, a Boras client, wouldn’t mind pitching in New York though. The Mariners are looking for young pitching for him. It sounds like the Yankees aren’t willing to eat the entire contract and send good prospects.
- The Yankees may explore other trades, and are said to have interest in A.J. Burnett and Bronson Arroyo.
- The Nationals were apparently locked in on a second baseman for Jon Rauch, perhaps explaining why they traded him for just Emilio Bonifacio. The jury is still out on the speedy young infielder.
- The White Sox explored a scenario where they would’ve acquired Brian Roberts from Baltimore, traded Orlando Cabrera to the Dodgers, and moved Alexei Ramirez to shortstop. That obviously didn’t work out. The Sox may be currently trying to decide whether to part with third baseman Josh Fields, their best trade chip and third baseman of the future.
- Suitors for Xavier Nady, such as the Rays, Yankees, and Phillies, are balking at Pittsburgh’s asking price. The Bucs continue to insist they’re being reasonable.
- Interestingly, the A’s are still talking to the Pirates about Jason Bay. Rosenthal says a trade seems unlikely.
- The Cardinals had scouts in Baltimore yesterday, and their interest in George Sherrill is well-known. But they might not match up with the Orioles’ needs.
Padres Rumors: Maddux, Hoffman, Kouzmanoff, Greene, Bard
4:32pm: More from Towers – he’s had inquiries on Jake Peavy, Trevor Hoffman, Heath Bell, Kouzmanoff, and Greene. Potential deals will be assessed after the season, though Towers wants Hoffman to stay until the end of his career.
2:43pm: MLB.com’s Corey Brock has the latest on the Padres and Greg Maddux.
Maddux apparently will only accept a trade to a West Coast team, preferably the Dodgers. Padres GM Kevin Towers doesn’t mind trading within the division. The only piece missing is interest from L.A. They’ve got good pitching depth, but if Maddux could be added at a reasonable price, why not? The Professor has a 4.18 ERA this year.
Don’t expect to see younger Padres like Kevin Kouzmanoff, Khalil Greene, or Josh Bard on the move. Towers said a trade of any of those three is "very doubtful."
Heyman’s Latest: Nady, Teixeira, Sherrill
Jon Heyman is cranking out a lot of rumorage. Here’s his latest.
- The price has dropped a tad on Xavier Nady, as the Pirates have become more interested in moving him.
- The Braves still might trade Mark Teixeira right before the deadline, and Heyman thinks they can easily beat two draft choices.
- Many teams scouted George Sherrill recently: the Marlins, Dodgers, Cardinals, Phillies, and Brewers.
- Some execs "expressed annoyance" at the D’Backs underpaying for Jon Rauch.
- Heyman says the Yankees are looking for catching, though Peter Abraham doesn’t agree.
- The Twins, Giants, and Dodgers have interest in Hank Blalock, who has a $6.2MM option for ’09.