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Discussion: Mark Teahen

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Earlier today, Peter Gammons tweeted this tidbit (his account is protected):

"Best name today Mark Teahen. SF, Bos, Cubs, WS, Mets…on."

Gammons squeezed as much as he could under the character count, but it's enough information to make it interesting. Teahen was the subject of discussion earlier this week, as the Royals were said to be open to dealing their "non-core players." Jon Paul Morosi at Fox Sports speculated Teahen could soon develop suitors.

Teahen, who will turn 28 in September, is making $3.575MM this year and won't become a free agent until after the 2011 season. He had a breakout year in 2006 when he posted an .874 OPS in 439 plate appearances, and while he hasn't approached those numbers since then, he has an .800 OPS in 280 plate appearances this year while manning outfield, second base, third base and first base for the Royals. That profile makes him a sort of poor man's Mark DeRosa, who has been on many teams' radars this summer.

If the Royals are indeed listening to offers for Teahen, on what team do you see him as the best fit? What could a player of his stature command? Share your thoughts.

Dodgers Sign Ramon Nivar

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According to Diamond Leung, the Dodgers have signed infielder Ramon Nivar to a minor-league deal and assigned him to Double-A Chattanooga.

The 29-year-old Nivar hasn't appeared in the majors since 2005, last with the Orioles. Like quite a few former major-leaguers, Nivar was playing for the independent-league Newark Bears this season, where he posted a .331 average and .810 OPS in 127 at-bats.

Nationals Scouting Outfield Options?

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Talks have swirled this weekend about the Nationals' pursuit of Pirates CF Nyjer Morgan, but it looks like he's not the only outfielder on the team's radar. Bill Ladson at MLB.com has updated his previous post on the discussions, and this time he throws Braves CF prospect Jordan Schafer's name into the mix as a potential target for the Nats.

Ladson says the Nationals are seeking an improvement in their outfield defense, as they have apparently concluded that Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham profile more as designated hitters and Elijah Dukes still makes too many mental errors. Schafer was sent down earlier this season to make room for Nate McLouth, but it isn't clear if the Braves would be willing to move him.

It seems like the Nats are looking for a young, cost-controlled and speedy outfielder as well as a defensively adept one. Who else comes to mind that might be attainable for the Nationals?

Cardinals Pursuing Matt Holliday

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SATURDAY, 7:05pm: Peter Gammons tweets (account protected) that any discussions would have to start with Brett Wallace, as the A's don't need to trade Holliday.

FRIDAY, 11:13pm: The Cardinals are "redoubling efforts to acquire" Matt Holliday, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.  Strauss says the Cards have warmed to the idea of offering a multiplayer package.  They were previously reluctant to send a Ryan Ludwick-fronted package to Colorado in November.  Strauss believes that the Cardinals would now probably be willing to offer Ludwick, one of Jason Motte, Chris Perez, and Kyle McClellan, and a prospect to Holliday's current team, the Athletics.  Strauss adds:

Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr., who opposed the November deal for Holliday, is apparently on board with assuming the remainder of Holliday's $13.5 million salary.

Only about $7.6MM remains on Holliday's contract, and he is of course a free agent after the season.  Holliday, a Scott Boras client, currently profiles as a Type A free agent despite a decrease in production with Oakland.

Ludwick has about $2MM remaining on his contract this year.  He's under team control through 2011 as an arbitration-eligible player.  Ludwick was actually drafted by the A's in 1999, 60th overall.  In 2002, they sent him to the Rangers with Gerald Laird and others for Carlos Pena and Mike Venafro.  Ludwick, like Holliday, has dropped off significantly from his huge 2008 season.

Odds & Ends: White Sox, Bay, Lee

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On this day in MLBTR history: Last year, the spotlight was on the potential landing spot for CC Sabathia, and the Astros were one of 12 teams interested in Freddy Garcia. My how times have changed. Some links to sate you in between games, with more to come:

Royals Ink Nicaraguan Prospect

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According to Dejan Kovacevic at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Royals have come to terms with Cheslor Cuthbert, a 3B prospect out of Nicaragua. The 16-year-old will sign for a bonus around $1.5 million.

Kovacevic reports that the Pirates had been in hot pursuit of Cuthbert for about two years and had been named as favorites to sign him. Rumors had swirled the past few days from ESPN's Jorge Arangure that the Royals had become the more likely destination.

Pirates, Nationals Discussing Swap

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SATURDAY, 3:51pm: MLB.com's Bill Ladson has confirmed through a source that the Nationals are in hot pursuit of Morgan.  Milledge was offered, but the Pirates are seeking a starting pitcher or middle infielder.

Washington infielders Alberto Gonzalez and Danny Espinosa probably aren't going anywhere, and the Nats seem to like their young nucleus of starters (mainly Stammen, Jordan Zimmermann and John Lannan).  Ladson suggests Anderson Hernandez could be part of the move, but he surely won't "wow" Pittsburgh's upper management.

FRIDAY, 9:58pm: Via Twitter, Ed Price of Fanhouse.com says the Pirates and Nationals have been discussing an outfield swap of Nyjer Morgan for Lastings Milledge but that talks stalled when Pittsburgh asked for right handed starter Craig Stammen as well.

Milledge is currently recovering from a broken finger sustained in Triple-A. Morgan is having a fine breakout season hitting .267 with 18 stolen bases; however, Pittsburgh has a glut of up-and-coming outfielders in Andrew McCutchen, Delwyn Young, and Steven Pearce.

Discussion: Ben Sheets

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We haven't checked in on Ben Sheets for quite some time.  In fact, MLBTR's last update on the free agent right-hander was in early May, when he was spotted at the Rangers' ballpark visiting with pitching coach Mike Maddux.

The Rangers were the favorite to sign Sheets when the '09 season began, but have said recently that they're not likely to add payroll for an elite starter.  The 30-year-old began performing range-of-motion exercises in mid-June and hopes to game-ready by August.  Even if he's not healthy until September, you can bet contending teams will make a run at the four-time All-Star.

I thought it'd be interesting to poll the MLBTR community.  Which clubs seem like a good fit? Every major league team can use a front-line starter, but he'll probably want a shot at a ring and a relatively hefty contract.

White Sox Close To Inking First-Rounder

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According to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune, the White Sox "are expected to agree to terms soon" with first-round draft pick Jared Mitchell.

Mitchell, taken 23rd overall, stole headlines this week when he blasted a three-run homer in the College World Series title game, leading his LSU Tigers past the Texas Longhorns.  Here's what the Tribune had to say about the kid on draft day:

"Mitchell, a 6-foot, 200-pound left-handed hitter, is regarded as one of the best athletes in the draft and played wide receiver for the Tigers' football team.  He is projected as a leadoff hitter.  [As of the June 9 selection], Mitchell [was] batting .325 with 12 doubles, four triples and nine home runs."

He's expected to receive a bonus well over $1MM.  Randal Grichuk, selected 24th overall by the Angels, was handed $1.225MM.  Jiovanni Mier, 21st to the Astros, landed $1.358MM. For an up-to-date list of all first-round signees, check here.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Bradley, Red Sox, Nady, Corcoran, Giants

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Let's take a look at what some fans are writing about their favorite teams around the worldwide netweb…

  • Bleed Cubbie Blue says Milton Bradley must go. Bradley is hitting just .237-.355-.379, but the riff with Lou Piniella and off-the-field issues are the real problem.
  • Fire Brand of the American League wonders if shortstop might end up being a position of strength for the Red Sox.
  • River Ave. Blues looks back on the Xavier Nady trade, and says that even though Nady and Damaso Marte are hurt, it was the right move because the Yankees were just one game back of a playoff spot at the time.
  • USS Mariner says it's time for the team to wave goodbye to reliever Roy Corcoran. Considering he's allowed 37 baserunners in just 13.2 IP, can you blame them?
  • McCovey Chronicles muses about trade philosophies for the Giants.

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