Rizzo: “Not Trading Dunn”
Dan Steinberg at the Washington Post has a transcript of Nationals GM Mike Rizzo's chat with ESPN Radio's Kevin Sheehan today. At first, Rizzo says Dunn is "not on the trading block," but then implies the Nationals would think about it if they were overwhelmed. So Sheehan lays it on the line:
Sheehan: Do you understand that without a definitive statement on that it's a little bit surprising to some of the fans?
Rizzo: We are not trading Adam Dunn. That's as definitive as I can be.
Steinberg admits to being a fan of Dunn, saying "Dunn has the potential to capture casual D.C. sports fans in a way hardly anyone else on that roster does."
Rizzo may call his words "definitive," but anything can happen. Keep up with the latest rumblings on Dunn here.
Padres DFA Walter Silva
According to Corey Brock of MLB.com, the Padres have designated RHP Walter Silva for assignment. Infielder Craig Stansberry has been recalled to replace Silva on the roster.
The Padres had inked the 32-year-old Silva to a minor league deal in February out of the Mexican Winter League. Silva started six games for the Padres and put up an ugly 8.76 ERA and 11/15 K/BB ratio in 24.2 innings. Brock notes the Padres don't have to make up Silva's rotation spot until Saturday, so it's unclear who will replace him for now.
Halladay Season: Link Round-Up
The baseball realm is a-twitter with the news that the Blue Jays will listen to offers on Roy Halladay. Let's run down the latest bullet points on this front:
- MLB.com's Jordan Bastian has a bevy of quotes from Roy himself: "It's a situation where I think if it's best for the team, if it's best for me, then you go from there."
- SI's Jon Heyman hears that the Jays may want a top SS prospect for the Doc, which could bode well for the Phillies, White Sox and Brewers, who all harbor chips in Jason Donald, Gordon Beckham and Alcides Escobar, respectively.
- Scott Gregor at the Daily Herald doesn't believe a deal with the White Sox for Halladay to be a likely scenario.
- Scott Lauber of the News-Journal says the Blue Jays already have a scout at the Phillies game tonight.
- Bill Shaikin at the L.A. Times asks Dodgers fans what their package deal for the Doc would be.
- Ken Davidoff at Newsday says it'd be "irresponsible" for the Mets and Yankees to not inquire on Halladay. Davidoff talked to Ricciardi, who insinuates that he wants a bigger package than what the Braves gave for Mark Teixeira a couple years ago.
- Tony Massarotti at the Boston Globe wonders just how unlikely an intra-divisional trade would be, and according to J.P. Ricciardi via WEEI.com's Rob Bradford, he apparently wouldn't hesitate to deal to an AL East competitor.
Giants To Discuss Finances
Henry Schulman at the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Giants brass, headed by managing general partner Bill Neukom, will meet to discuss the potential addition of payroll through a midseason deal. Schulman believes that though money might be there to acquire the big bat they covet, the cost in prospects might be the dealbreaker. Schulman writes:
"To get Mark DeRosa from Cleveland, the Cardinals had to part with a major-league, power bullpen arm (Chris Perez) and a player to be named who I understand will be a top-level prospect — all for three months of DeRosa. Scott Hairston is a nice outfielder, too, but Billy Beane gave up three prospects to get him. Imagine, then, what it will take for GM Brian Sabean to extract a legitimate middle-order hitter."
Schulman reiterates GM Brian Sabean's stance against betting the farm on a three-month rental, and calls this a definite sellers' market. He goes on to note that there isn't a Ryan Braun in the clubhouse clamoring for a deal to improve the team, and concludes that this will likely be a quiet deadline for the Giants, "unless one or two teams fall by the wayside quickly, either competitively or financially."
Radio Appearances
Time to plug some radio appearances for tonight. I'll be talking trades on three programs, so tune in to one or more if you get the chance:
- 1230 WTBC in Tuscaloosa at 7:40 pm CST.
- RBI Radio at 8:20 CST.
- And I'll rejoin Brendan Wiese and Nick Barrale on 590 KFNS in St. Louis at 11pm CST.
Rosenthal On Vazquez, Hairston, Teahen
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says Javier Vazquez has more value than any available hitter. Here are the details and the rest of Rosenthal's rumors:
- Not even Matt Holliday or Corey Hart would be fair value for Vazquez, so Rosenthal asks why the Braves would want to trade him at all.
- The Mets inquired on Scott Hairston, who could have been an affordable stopgap, but balked when the Padres asked for Bobby Parnell.
- The Marlins offered Gaby Sanchez for Manny Delcarmen, but the Red Sox weren't interested.
- The Mariners, Tigers and Rays weren't far from agreeing to a deal that would have sent Edwin Jackson to Seattle and J.J. Putz to Detroit last offseason.
- Kevin Towers compares Rule 5 pick Everth Cabrera to Rafael Furcal.
- The Royals "do not seem terribly inclined" to deal Mark Teahen.
- The Pirates covet Eric Young Jr. of the Rockies.
- Some predict that the distribution of amateur talent- through the draft and international signings- will be the biggest issue in the next Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Roy Halladay Rumors: Tuesday
4:20pm: Ricciardi told Jon Heyman of SI.com that he wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't at least listen to offers for Halladay.
3:20pm: Ricciardi told ESPN.com's Buster Olney that he prepared his ace for a possible trade. Halladay told his GM that he will listen if Ricciardi decides on a deal and needs approval.
"We're going to see what's out there," Ricciardi told Olney.
Speaking to the Canadian Press, Ricciardi said he's not confident the Jays and Halladay have a future once their current deal expires after next year.
"I'm not so sure payroll-wise where we're going to be able to be after 2010," he said. "I'm not so sure that the player wants to stay here beyond 2010."
1:27PM: Roy Halladay can be had, but any team looking to acquire him will have to part with a number of top young players or prospects. Here are the details on the latest name to become available:
- Jeff Blair of the Globe and Mail talked to J.P. Ricciardi who repeats that the Jays will listen to offers for Roy Halladay. However, the Jays are only going to trade him for an awesome collection of talent.
- Jon Heyman of SI.com sees the Phillies and Yankees as early favorites for Halladay, followed by the Angels.
- MLB.com's Todd Zolecki points out that the Blue Jays "hold all the cards." If they hear a great offer, they can take it; if not, they have their ace around for 2010.
Marlins Won’t Move Top Prospects For Relief
The Marlins are about to sign Scott Williamson to a minor league deal, and they have also shown interest in big league relievers, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro. Every potential trade partner has asked for Logan Morrison or Mike Stanton in return, but the Marlins consider the two prospects untouchable.
Marlins To Sign Scott Williamson
The Marlins are about to add Scott Williamson to their bullpen, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro. They're close to finalizing a minor league deal with the 33-year-old righty, who could join new additions Brendan Donnelly and Luis Ayala in the 'pen after a stint in the minors.
Royals DFA Luis Hernandez
Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star reports that the Royals designated Luis Hernandez for assignment to make room for the newly-acquired Ryan Freel. Hernandez, a 25-year-old utilityman, hit .204/.235/.204 in 53 plate appearances for the Royals this year. He spent parts of two years with the Orioles before signing a minor league deal with Kansas City before the season.