Red Sox Could Shop Brad Penny
Alex Speier of WEEI.com says Brad Penny could be a name floated in trade talks by the Red Sox. Not a huge surprise given Boston's ample starting pitching depth. Penny is only making $5MM on a one-year contract for 2009. Says Speier:
Penny is a veteran to the trade circuit, notes Speier. And despite his declaration that the Red Sox have been his "best experience being on a team in baseball thus far,” he acknowledges the team's pitching depth makes him expendable.
Peavy To Brewers Remains A Possibility
Two months ago, a trade rumor involving Jake Peavy and the Brewers was shot down by Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin. But Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says don't be surprised if the Brewers do indeed enter the sweepstakes.
The Padres appear to be seeking young pitching prospects and, says Haudricourt, the Brewers do not have that to offer. Further, Melvin has said he has no interest in trading Mat Gamel or Alcides Escobar, his top prospects. Still, the price for Peavy may come down "as suitors fall by the wayside" (i.e. possibly the entire AL) and Haudricourt repeatedly notes Brewers owner Mark Attanasio's financial creativity could make a deal plausible for the Brewers.
MLBTR posted a handy round up of what we know about Peavy and the Padres. And from yesterday's Odds & Ends: JorgeSaysNo! reiterates that the Brewers are a "perfect fit" for Jake Peavy, and Craig Calcaterra of NBCSports.com's "Circling The Bases" believes Milwaukee will need to move quickly in order to land him.
What would you do if you were Doug Melvin? Would you include Escobar or Gamel? Do the Brewers have the pitching prospects? Could Evan Anundsen or Jeremy Jeffress be part of a package?
Marlins, Loria Want “Substantive Changes”
On a 4-game losing streak leaving the team 19-25, and with hopeful ace Ricky Nolasco demoted, the Marlins are not right. In a note, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald says the Marlins are looking to make a change.
Jackson mentions Dan Uggla as a possible trade chip. Uggla is making $5.35MM in '09, his first year of arbitration, and after an abysmal beginning he may finally be starting to earn it by posting a 1.265 OPS with 4 HR and 9 RBI over his last 7 games.
The Marlins pitchers may lead the NL in strikeouts, but the team's 4.98 ERA is third to last and their 187 walks are tied with the Nats for most allowed.
There are lots of good comments discussing Marlins 2010 options and 2009 trade possibilities in this post.
Giants Shopping Matt Cain
Brian Sabean has gone to market. The Giants G.M. is seeking a bat with Nick Johnson atop his list, according to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News.
In a piece posted last night, Baggarly says Sabean is dangling Matt Cain to get a feel for his value on the open-market. "Because Cain is young, controllable and relatively cheap for two more seasons, it would require productive offensive players with similar service-time attributes to strike a deal," says Baggarly.
Cain will make only $2.65MM this year and $4.25MM next, with a $6.25MM club option for 2011. Coming off a complete game victory yesterday, Cain is 5-1 with a 2.40 ERA despite an increased walk rate and decreased strikeout rate in 2009.
Cardinals Shopping Greene
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe mentions the Cardinals are trying to trade Khalil Greene, who is struggling mightily in a contract year as a result of reported anxiety problems. Whenever a shortstop hits the block, it seems the Boston media has to consider the possibility. The position has been a black hole for the team since 2004. Cafardo says:
While a change of scenery may be what Greene needs, Boston may not be the best fit given the anxiety problems. Still, Cafardo explores the option because "frustration is beginning to build among other Sox players" due to poor defense from Julio Lugo and Nick Green. With his struggles, the Cardinals will have to eat some of his $6.5MM salary.
Jed Lowrie is expected back from wrist surgery after the All Star break.
Giants Seeking A Bat
According to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News, Giants GM Brian Sabean held court today. Baggarly learned that Sabean is actively seeking a bat on the trade market, and the GM has even begun considering hitters who are headed toward free agency (a change from his earlier stance).
Baggarly believes Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson has to be near the top of the list. Johnson has been linked to the Mets and Red Sox, the Mets perhaps more in a speculative sense. Nats GM Mike Rizzo has to love the multiple suitors, but he might want to move Johnson while his stock is high.
The Giants are nine games out in the NL West, so the sooner they add offense the better. The team is dead last in the NL in both OBP and SLG. Speculating on other acquisition targets: Aubrey Huff, Dan Uggla, Mark DeRosa, Paul Konerko, Matt Holliday, and Felipe Lopez. Other ideas? One factor to consider is that the Giants are not willing to trade their top prospects.
Rosenthal: Phillies In Search Of Starters
Ken Rosenthal appeared on the FOX broadcast of the Yankees vs. Phillies game this afternoon and dropped this bit of information:
Discussion: Erik Bedard
We've covered Erik Bedard's situation with Seattle at length here on MLBTR, but there's nothing wrong with a little refresher.
- He'll earn $7.75MM this season and is a free agent in 2010.
- At 30 years of age, he boasts a career ERA of 3.74, a career WHIP of 1.32 and a 48-40 win-loss total.
- If they decide to move him, the Mariners are likely to price him like an ace.
Odds & Ends: Peavy, Gomes, Nolasco, Price
Your Saturday afternoon links, with more to come…
- JorgeSaysNo! reiterates that the Brewers are a "perfect fit" for Jake Peavy, and Craig Calcaterra of NBCSports.com's "Circling The Bases" believes Milwaukee will need to move quickly in order to land him.
- As Mark Sheldon of MLB.com points out, Jonny Gomes is set to make his debut with the Reds this evening. He showed good faith in the club when he accepted an assignment to Triple-A at the end of spring training, and that faith has now been rewarded.
- Ricky Nolasco was demoted to Triple-A New Orleans this morning after beginning the season with a 9.07 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 2-5 record. R.J. Anderson of FanGraphs examines what the 26-year-old has been doing wrong.
- David Price finally got the call. He'll start Monday against the Indians and R.J. Anderson of DRaysBay highlights a few things to monitor.
- Athletics Nation asks the question: "Where will the A's find greatness?"
- As Tim noted earlier this week, there are now several ways to keep up with the action here on MLBTR. You can join the Facebook fan page, follow us on Twitter, sign up for the RSS feed, and even get updates on your mobile phone.
MacPhail On The O’s
Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun spoke recently with Orioles president Andy MacPhail. His club is on pace for less than 70 wins this season, but MacPhail is generally pleased with the direction the organization is headed.