Astros Looking For Reliever
The Astros won’t give up and are aggressively pursuing trades "specifically looking for relievers" according to Krysten Oliphant of MLB.com. Oliphant notes that GM Ed Wade’s decisions will be determined by the clubs success over the next few series:
"’We’d like to get some late-inning bullpen help to help with Doug Brocail so we’re not wearing Doug out,’ Wade said prior to Friday’s win against the Cubs. ‘And obviously we’re always trying to see if there are ways to upgrade our starting rotation, but that doesn’t put us in exclusive company with anybody.’"
There are a lot of names on the reliever market. I’d be surprised to see them land one of the big fish.
Ray Durham To Brewers
1:33PM Keith Law says the Giants got prospects Darren Ford and Steve Hammond in exchange for two months of Durham.
Buster Olney’s reporting the Brewers have acquired Ray Durham. It’s not yet known what they received in return, although according to the Milwaukee Sentinel, OF prospect Darren Ford was removed from his class-A Brevard County starting lineup yesterday "with indications he is being traded." MLBTR covered movement on this yesterday.
Durham, a switch hitter, brings his bat to the Brewers bench and could take over Rickie Weeks‘ spot on the depth chart if Weeks continues to struggle in the second half.
Rockies Release Nix For Olympics
Jayson Nix was designated for assignment by the Rockies on Saturday. If Nix clears waivers, and he should, then he will be rejoining Team USA in Beijing.
According to Thomas Harding of MLB.com, USA Baseball talked with Rockies Assistant GM Bill Geivett about acquiring Nix. The 25 year old second baseman failed to hold onto the starting job in Colorado this season, but he’s still young and has met success in the past with Team USA. Writes Harding:
"It was with Team USA that Nix has had his highest baseball moment. In the 2007 International Baseball Federation World Cup in Taipei City, Taiwan, Nix went 12-for-31 with six extra-base hits to lead the U.S. to the gold medal and the earn tournament’s most valuable player honors."
Royals To Stand Pat
Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star doesn’t expect the Royals to move anyone before the deadline because all of their pieces are under contract beyond this season and/or integral to their plan to contend in the future.
The Royals 2-prospect pricetag is too steep for Jose Guillen who’s signed through 2010 and leads the team in HR and RBI. Gil Meche has a no-trade clause and even so, the Royals feel he’s a key piece to their future chances. Even though the team isn’t discussing any long term deals with him, Zack Greinke is under control through arbitration through 2010 and the Royals are in no rush there. David Dejesus‘ contract, at $14.3MM for the next 3 years, is too good to trade away. And Ron Mahay is under contract through next year and filling a void left by Jimmy Gobble who continues to get worse.
Mark Grudzielanek remains the only name the Royals could deal, but there doesn’t seem to be much demand. Writes Dutton,
"’It will probably have to be a need-based thing for somebody,’ a club official said. ‘Somebody loses a second baseman and really needs to go get one. Otherwise, I don’t see it happening.’"
Braves To Keep Teixeira?
According to Terence Moore of the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the Braves are apparently sticking to their guns and going forward as buyers, not sellers. Moore writes:
"Braves manager Bobby Cox informed [Mark] Teixeira and others as much on Friday in a team meeting. ‘Bobby pointed out that there had been rumors about me and [reliever Will Ohman], and he told us not to listen to media reports and to those rumors, because this team is still trying to win the [National League East],’ said Teixeira."
The Braves could dramatically tumble out of it quickly if they struggle against the Marlins and Phillies in upcoming series’, but Moore feels they wouldn’t mind the draft picks or even the chance to re-sign Teixeira if it meant remaining competitive.
Heyman’s Latest: Street, Durham, Holliday
SI.com’s Jon Heyman just posted a new column.
- The Brewers and White Sox inquired on A’s closer Huston Street. However, A’s GM Billy Beane said "there is nothing going on" in regards to Street. The Sox were linked to both Street and Jon Rauch today, so Kenny Williams is clearly monitoring the relief market.
- Heyman says the Rays have not discussed Street with the A’s, and the Dodgers "aren’t believed to be heavily involved."
- Heyman is on board with the recent rumors about Ray Durham and Jack Taschner possibly heading to Milwaukee.
- Heyman also confirms Ken Rosenthal’s report of the Phillies’ interest in Matt Holliday. He agrees that these talks have cooled, but notes a good relationship between GMs Dan O’Dowd and Pat Gillick. Gillick and O’Dowd have matched up for three deals, two occuring while Gillick worked for the Mariners.
- The Dodgers continue to consider shortstop a priority. Heyman wonders if Cristian Guzman would be a fit, especially if extension talks sour. Jack Wilson and David Eckstein are other possibilities.
Angels Balk At Price For Holliday
Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times does not expect the Angels to swing a deal for Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday. Trading young pitching is generally against the Angels’ philosophy.
Shaikin says the Rockies would demand prospect Nick Adenhart for starters, and the Angels might consider that. However, the Rockies also want Howie Kendrick and one of Ervin Santana or Joe Saunders. The Angels wouldn’t give up that type of package for Miguel Cabrera last winter, and they won’t give in for Holliday.
I’ve defended Holliday in many MLBTR chats; I think he is capable of a .900 OPS away from Coors Field. But based on the rumors, the Rockies are asking for too much for a year and two months of him.
Orioles Acquire Juan Castro
According to MLB.com’s Spencer Fordin, the Orioles acquired shortstop Juan Castro from the Rockies today for minor leaguer Mike McCoy. Castro played 18 games for Colorado’s Triple A club.
Fordin spoke to Andy MacPhail, and the implication is that the Orioles’ midseason hunt for a shortstop may have come to an end with Castro. Castro is understandably happy, as there aren’t too many places where he’d have a shot at a starting gig. I’m sure MacPhail will continue hunting for a long-term option at short, even if it carries into the offseason.
Brewers Working On Durham Deal?
11:23pm: The San Francisco Chronicle’s Henry Schulman comments on the rumor, noting the convenient timing of Durham’s bout with the flu.
As was Haudricourt, Schulman is skeptical about a separate Rickie Weeks-to-San Francisco rumor floating about. But both beat writers acknowledged the rumor, so someone’s putting it out there.
9:31pm: An update from Haudricourt. He believes the Brewers are working on a smaller deal for Jack Taschner or Ray Durham, rather than Street.
Haudricourt says the Brewers scouted Street but the scouts were not impressed. He’s not coming to Milwaukee.
7:21pm: Brewers beat writer Tom Haudricourt thinks Oakland closer Huston Street is Milwaukee-bound. He says the word on the street is outfielder Darren Ford, 22, is the price. Ford was pulled from Brevard County’s lineup before its game against Clearwater. Says Haudricourt:
The fact that Ford was pulled from the lineup makes me believe something could be up. He has no injury that I know of.
Baseball America did not list Ford among the Brewers’ top 10 prospects before this season, but he was named the organization’s fastest baserunner and best defensive outfielder. So far this year in the Florida State League, Ford is hitting .232 with a .321 OBP and a .307 SLG. He’s got 44 steals in 87 games.
Coley Ward writes for Umpbump.com. You can reach him here.
Nationals Rumors: Guzman, Rauch, Holliday
MLB.com’s Bill Ladson has the goods on the Nationals.
- The Nationals are currently negotiating with Cristian Guzman‘s agent on a possible extension. Last month, the Nats proposed a two-year extension. It’s thought that Guzman might make some concessions given how little he gave the Nats in the first three years of his current contract. But if the two sides can’t reach an agreement soon, the Nats may choose to trade Guzman.
- Ladson also reports that the White Sox and Rays are scouting closer Jon Rauch. Rauch, you may recall, came up as a starter with the Sox and was traded to the Expos in ’04. Kenny Williams made that deal with Omar Minaya.
- Ladson’s source confirmed mild interest in Colorado’s Matt Holliday. Ladson notes Jim Bowden’s fondness for Adam Dunn as well. However, the source considers the infield a greater need for the Nats.