By Alejandro Leal | at
Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News reports the Marlins have inquired on the availability of Rockies’ catcher Yorvit Torrealba, and outfielders Willy Taveras and Scott Podsednik.
Torrealba has been on Marlins radar and there’s continuing speculation that they will be buyers come July 31st.
Meanwhile, St. Louis inquired on pitcher Matt Herges to provide a veteran pressence in their bullpen.
By Alejandro Leal | at
Brewers GM Doug Melvin told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwakee Journal Sentinel the team is in pursuit of C.C. Sabathia and has an offer on the table.
Haudricourt thinks the Brewers’ offer includes top prospect Matt LaPorta, minor-league third baseman Taylor Green and probably another prospect, perhaps outfielder Lorenzo Cain, but Melvin would not specify which players are included in the offer.
Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro doesn’t plan to overhaul his team before the trade deadline or in the off season but, according to Melvin, he’s listening to offers from other teams for Sabathia.
"Cleveland is in control of this, not us," said Melvin, who wouldn’t reveal the names of players he has on the table. "They told us they’re talking to other clubs, too. You never know how these things are going to work out.
"I’ve talked to Cleveland. We’ve discussed players. They’re trying to make the best deal they can. At least we’ve got players they’re willing to discuss. But I don’t anticipate anything happening in the next couple of days."
Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Rumors? Comments? Email me alexo05 (at) umpbump (dot) com.
By Alejandro Leal | at
UPDATE 1:35 pm: The Indians have signed veteran right-handed pitcher Jeff Weaver, reports mlb.com.
This move could be seen as the first in many minor and major tweaks Shapiro will make to bring his team back into contention for next year.
A curious note, as Tom Haudricourt mentions, Weaver was actually part of the Brewers’ Triple A affiliate this year, and let him go due to a 2-4 record and a 6.22 ERA in nine games. Had he pitched well enough, the Brewers might not be pursuing Sabathia.
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Though 2008 is not playing out how the Cleveland Indian’s front office envisioned, plans to rebuild are not in the radar, says GM Mark Shapiro.
Speaking to MLB.com beat writer Thor Nystor, Shapiro emphasized the quick rebound teams like the White Sox and Twins had from last year to now, but alluded keeping an open mind to any and all possibilities to make sure that the team is in contention next year.
The loudest trade speculation swirls around staff Ace and Cy-Young winner C.C. Sabathia, but Shapiro didn’t offer any insight into his future and said the team had not made a laundry list of players that could be traded.
More than anything, the Indians’ struggles are a consequence to injury, with Victor Martinez being out early this year, and Travis Hafner, Fausto Carmona and Jake Westbrook seeing significant time on the DL (Westbrook could miss part of next year as well).
Shapiro is confident the team will contend with some minor tweaks and once the full roster is healthy. But he did acknowledge lingering uncertainty around Hafner’s injury, even though he doesn’t think it’ll affect any decision the team makes in the next month. Anything after that, though, is wide open.
"If that uncertainty carries into the off-season, then it has a dramatic effect on our ability to build this team," Shapiro told Nystor.
Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Rumors? Comments? Email me alexo05 (at) umpbump (dot) com.
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers have jumped into the fray for C.C. Sabathia. They don’t have a Matt LaPorta-caliber prospect, but they could make a substantial three-player offer. The Dodgers, being a big market club, could try to sign Sabathia before he hits free agency.
Rosenthal says the Dodgers are simultaneously pursuing Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson. He might require some of the same prospects, so L.A. probably can’t get both Wilson and Sabathia. Since Wilson is signed for ’09, such an acquisition might allow the Dodgers to let Rafael Furcal walk as a free agent. Based on Ned Colletti’s comments to MLB.com, he seems willing to let some talent go to get a regular shortstop.
On the Brewers-Sabathia front – LaPorta is in play, but if he’s included Alcides Escobar is out. The Brewers do not plan on offering up J.J. Hardy (Tom Haudricourt agrees). Rosenthal talked to some baseball people who believe Sabathia will be traded before his Tuesday start.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Nationals GM Jim Bowden explained his trade deadline strategy today. Basically, he is completely flexible. Very few players are off-limits, and Bowden realizes the Nationals are not going to win this year.
The team’s two most interesting players are shortstop Cristian Guzman and closer Jon Rauch, in my opinion.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Giants GM Brian Sabean explained his trade deadline strategy to the San Francisco Chronicle’s Henry Schulman.
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com, the Indians have designated reliever Joe Borowski for assignment. Rick Bauer was designated as well in the bullpen shakeup. The Indians will now move to a committee approach for the ninth innings.
Borowski, 37, battled injuries en route to a 7.56 ERA in 18 appearances. Maybe the Marlins could bring him back and try to get something out of him.
By Tim Dierkes | at
There is a rumor floating about that the Reds and Phillies are working on a Bronson Arroyo for Shane Victorino swap. However, the Cincinnati Enquirer ran the report by a Reds official who said there’s nothing to it. Many thanks to Reds beat writer John Fay, who keeps a blog here.
By Tim Dierkes | at
10:45am: Haudricourt explains why he thinks the Brewers could and would acquire Sabathia. Haudricourt wonders if the Crew will make a knockout offer right now rather than be forced to wait until the deadline. It could be a difference of four extra starts.
The Brewers would not, however, offer both LaPorta and Escobar.
FRIDAY, 8:17am: Most people assumed the Brewers would not part with last year’s 7th overall pick, left fielder Matt LaPorta. However, Ken Rosenthal reports that the Brewers’ offer for Sabathia does include LaPorta and may include shortstop Alcides Escobar as well. The feeling is that the Brewers would be reluctant to include both players, but maybe the Indians could chip in another player.
LaPorta is the big, centerpiece type name I imagine the Indians crave…if the Brewers are willing to trade him they’re the clear frontrunners. Brewers beat writer Tom Haudricourt has his doubts that both LaPorta and Escobar would be offered.
THURSDAY, 8:14pm: Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has a new post up with some buzz around the Brewers’ possible pursuit of C.C. Sabathia.
Haudricourt confirmed with GM Doug Melvin that the Brewers had a scout watching Sabathia last night. Haudricourt adds that the Indians reportedly scouted Brewers prospect Taylor Green as well as their stacked Double A team.
This info gels with something Buster Olney wrote this morning:
Heard this from rival talent evaluators: The Indians have dispatched scouts to watch the minor leaguers of teams that might be interested in Sabathia, and those talent evaluators expect the Indians to begin presenting proposals to other teams for the left-hander very soon, perhaps at the beginning of next week.
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to Pete Pelegrin and Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald, the Marlins are eyeing Reds’ catcher Dave Ross. They say the Fish are "less interested" in Yorvit Torrealba, Paul Lo Duca, and Miguel Olivo.
Ross, 31, is hitting .239/.364/.337 in 114 plate appearances this year. He hasn’t hit for power outside of GAB in recent years. Ross is able to shut down the running game. He makes $2.525MM this year and has a $3.5MM club option for ’09 with a $375K buyout. The Marlins could also consider Reds catcher Paul Bako.
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