Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Archives for July 2009

Phils In “Serious Talks” With Pedro; No Deal Yet

By | at

7:56pm: Stark is now reporting that Pedro has changed his mind and will throw for the Phillies a second time on Friday at 1pm.

7:22pm: A source has told Jayson Stark that the Phillies have requested to see Pedro throw a second time “to see how his arm responds,” but that Pedro has refused. The source told Stark that Pedro feels the Phillies “have enough information to make a decision from his simulated game Tuesday and shouldn’t need him to throw again.”

7:18pm: Here is Todd Zolecki’s summary of the Pedro situation.

5:45pm: The AP has some quotes from Pedro and Amaro. Pedro says this is the best he has felt “for some time.” Amaro reiterated that Pedro has not been signed and that Pedro is “not in town.”

5:30pm: Jon Heyman spoke with Pedro’s agent who says Pedro will make a decision by Sunday.

5:29pm: Nobody has addressed this yet, but if the $4MM figure is accurate, it would most certainly have to be prorated, which would mean the Phillies would only pay Pedro about $2MM for the remainder of the season.

5:12pm: Zolecki is now reporting that Pedro has informed the AP that his agent “is negotiating” with the Phillies.

4:57pm: Amaro told Zolecki the Phillies haven’t signed Pedro, but wouldn’t say whether they had reached an agreement or if Pedro had a physical scheduled.

4:49pm: Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Phils are in “pretty serious talks” with Pedro, but doesn’t confirm the report below.

4:15pm: Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. declined to comment on a report saying the Phillies signed Pedro Martinez, according to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. The report from CandelaDeportiva.com says Pedro signed for $4MM after showing off a fastball between 88 and 91 mph and good secondary pitches.

Gammons On International Free Agents

By | at

Lots of interesting details in this write up by Peter Gammons on International free agents. Among the topics covered…

  • An investigation by MLB security into identification fraud could lead to the deportation of as many as 100 minor leaguers.
  • Money given to international free agents has more than tripled in past five years.
  • Gammons says the slotting system in the amateur draft doesn't work because the richer teams ignore the recommendations. However, because of revenue sharing, the small-market teams now have more money to give to international free agents.
  • The commissioner's office refuses to sign off on the signing of an unnamed fourth round pick (of a "small-market Central Division team") because the player and the team agreed to a contract above the commissioner's recommendation.
  • Gammons feels that the NCAA's new restrictions on scholarships, along with the lower signing bonuses, will drive more kids to football and basketball.
  • The highest bonus ever given to an international free agent was the $7MM given to Rolando Arrojo by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. Gammons adds that Cuban baseball cards he received in 1994 showed several players, including Arrojo, to have ages much different than those listed with MLB.

Meche Wants To Stay With Royals

By | at

Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star has some quotes from Gil Meche about the possibility of him waiving his no-trade clause.

“When that time comes,” [Meche] said, “then I’ll answer that question. But I’m not going to address speculation. Do I want to go somewhere? No. That’s about all I can say…I don’t want to go anywhere…I know this is the last year of the no-trade (clause) in my contract, but I would like to be here to win. That’s why I signed to come here in the first place.”

Meche is in the third year of a 5-year/$55MM deal which will pay him $12MM in each of the next two seasons. The '09 season is the final year with a no-trade clause. Meche is 4-8 with a 4.14 ERA this season.

Reds Interested In Atkins?

By | at

6:34pm: John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer spoke with the Reds and says it was the Rockies that called the Reds to see if they were interested in Atkins, adding that they are not. Fay cites the $3.4MM Atkins is owed and his position as reasons the Reds are not interested. Fay does say the Reds would be willing to add salary for the "right guy." He also says the Reds could trade a relief pitcher, but that it would probably not be Nick Masset.

4:45pm: The Reds have spoken to the Rockies about Garrett Atkins, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. The Rockies are looking for relievers, but it will be hard to match up salaries, as Atkins makes $3.4MM before the end of the season, much more than most relievers. The Rockies would likely have to cover some of Atkins' salary in a deal for a cheap reliever like Nick Masset, but could trade him for a pricier arm like David Weathers, if he's available.

The Red Sox have waning interest in the third baseman, but the Mariners and Cardinals could have interest.

Indians Interested In Gobble, Not Ryan

By | at

Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer says that the Indians are not interested in signing BJ Ryan even though they nearly signed him four years ago. Instead, Hoynes says the Indians are interested in Jimmy Gobble, who was just designated for assignment by the White Sox. If the Indians do acquire Gobble, Hoynes says the lefty would be assigned to AAA. Gobble allowed 14 hits and seven walks in 12 innings this season, striking out ten.

Alyson Footer of MLB.com also reports that Ed Wade said the Astros do not have any interest in signing Ryan, or Pedro Martinez for that matter.

Odds And Ends: Glaus, Magglio, Halladay

By | at

More links for the afternoon… for those on Roy Halladay alert, he pitched well today, though he wasn't exactly lights-out.

Roy Halladay Rumors: Prospect Update

By | at

The Blue Jays want top talent in exchange for Roy Halladay, but we heard yesterday that the Phillies have some untouchable players, perhaps Kyle Drabek. Here's what the Cards and Mets are saying about their top prospects:

  • Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post Dispatch confirms that John Mozeliak will call the Blue Jays, but suggests some in the organization would not consider dealing Brett Wallace, who the Jays wanted in last year's draft. Baseball America ranks Wallace as the 21st best prospect in baseball and the Cards' only prospect in the top 50.
  • Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Mets want to keep Jennry Mejia, Brad Holt and Ike Davis. Along with Fernando Martinez, Mejia and Holt are considered their best prospects, so it's hard to envision a Halladay deal without them.
  • Three Phillies prospects join Drabek in BA's top 50: Dominic Brown (17), Michael Taylor (23), and Jason Knapp.
  • The Rangers and Giants each have three prospects in the top 50; the Red Sox and Yankees each have a pair.

Trade Candidates: Outfielders

By | at

This year’s outfielders have a lot to live up to on July 31st. It was just a year ago that the Red Sox  parted with Manny Ramirez and acquired Jason Bay. This time, Matt Holliday’s the big name, but there are also a few cheap, powerful players out there for teams looking to add an outfielder. Here’s your list of trade candidates, ranked from highest 2009 salary to lowest:

  • Matt Holliday – At $13.5MM, Holliday's pricey, but he's a good defender with a history of batting excellence. With just seven extra base hits in the last month, Holliday's no longer perceived as a sure thing.
  • Jermaine Dye - He makes $11.5MM this year and there's a mutual option with a $1MM buyout for 2010 on his deal. The White Sox want to win now though, so Dye doesn't appear to be on the block.
  • Gary Matthews Jr. – The Angels would presumably pick up salary in any deal involving Matthews, as he makes $10MM this year and $23MM over the course of the next two years.  
  • Juan Pierre – Another overpaid outfielder in LA, Pierre makes $10MM this year and $18.5MM over the course of the next two. At least he's hitting well, with an OBP approaching .400 and a career-high slugging percentage.
  • Alex Rios – He makes $5.9MM this year and has $60MM more coming his way between now and 2014. His teammate, Vernon Wells likely could not be traded.
  • David Dejesus – Under contract for $3.6MM this year, he can play all three outfield positions, but his .714 OPS is ordinary. 
  • Mark Teahen – Makes $3.6MM as well and can play the outfield, though he's been manning third for the Royals. He has a .344 OBP and 27 extra base hits.  
  • Jeff Francoeur –  He's struggled since last year and makes $3.4MM this season, so the suitors are not lining up for Francoeur. 
  • Josh Willingham – He has 10 homers for a .534 slugging percentage and he'll earn $3MM in 2009. Mike Rizzo says Adam Dunn's staying in Washington.
  • Luke Scott - He makes just $2.4MM this year and won't be a free agent until after 2012, so the Orioles have a cheap, powerful asset on their hands. They have three talented outfielders already in Nolan Reimold, Nick Markakis and Adam Jones, so they could conceivably part with Scott.
  • Jeremy Hermida – With good patience, some power and a $2.25MM contract, Hermida could appeal to teams in need of a bat.
  • Cody Ross – Like Scott, Ross is cheap and powerful. He's slugging .505 and makes just $2.2MM this year. He's scheduled to hit free agency after 2011.  
  • Scott Hairston – He was just traded, but he plays solid defense and has extra base power, so Hairston, who makes $1.25MM this year, could appeal to other teams.  
  • Ryan Spilborghs – Apparently the Rockies would prefer to hold onto Spilborghs, who's under team control for three more years and makes just $415k this season.  

The Tigers, Braves, Mets, Giants and Reds could all look for outfield bats.

Odds And Ends: Delcarmen, Jays, Perez

By | at

Links for Thursday morning…

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top