Archives for July 2009

Phils Are Early Favorites For Halladay

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 8, 2009 at 11:26am CDT

One source told Ed Price of MLB Fanhouse that "the Phillies are leaders at this point" in the Roy Halladay sweepstakes. However, that doesn't mean the Jays ace will be dealt. As another source points out, J.P. Ricciardi is not in a hurry to trade Halladay, so there's an equal chance he stays in Toronto.

And the haul Halladay could bring? The Erik Bedard trade (Adam Jones, George Sherrill and others) and the Dan Haren trade (Carlos Gonzalez, Brett Anderson and others) could be benchmarks.

Jon Heyman of SI.com heard from an executive who believes the Jays would hesitate to deal Halladay within their own division. Does that make the Phillies favorites?

The executives who spoke with Joel Sherman of the New York Post believe the Phillies are the frontrunners for Halladay. The Phillies want to win now and they think Halladay's ground ball-based approach would thrive in their homer-friendly park.

Sherman also heard the Rangers and Cardinals could make strong plays for Halladay. The Rangers are borrowing money from MLB, but some believe they could spend enough to make a push for the Blue Jays' ace, who has about $23MM remaining on his current deal. Texas has many appealing pieces to offer. However, we heard last week that they have "limited" ability to add payroll.

White Sox DFA Jimmy Gobble

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 8, 2009 at 10:27am CDT

The White Sox designated pitcher Jimmy Gobble for assignment, according to Dan McCaleb of the Northwest Herald. They signed him to a minor league deal back in April, but he disappointed in 12 innings. The 27-year-old lefty allowed 14 hits and seven walks, striking out ten.

Angels Seek Starter, Relievers

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 8, 2009 at 10:08am CDT

The Angels would love to add a front-of-the-rotation starter like Roy Halladay and they're looking hard for relief help, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times. Acquiring relievers may be easier than obtaining a top starter, because, as Torii Hunter says, "If they're shopping Roy Halladay, everybody and their momma is going to be after him."

Halladay's teammates, Scott Downs and Brandon League, have become Angels targets, along with Chad Qualls and Rafael Bentancourt. Of the four, Betancourt would presumably be easiest to pry away, as the Jays have yet to become sellers and the D'Backs already traded one late-inning reliever.

Roy Halladay Rumors: Wednesday

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 8, 2009 at 9:32am CDT

One of baseball's most talented and dependable pitchers is available for the right combination of talent. Here's a collection of Roy Halladay-themed rumors and thoughts from around the league:

It's doubtful that the Jays would trade Halladay within the AL East and the Yankees wouldn't be likely to part with enough pieces to acquire him, a source told Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.
Seems to me that it's in the Jays' best interest to have many bidders involved, especially their AL East rivals, if only to boost the asking price for other clubs.
Feinsand suggests Yankees fans should give up on acquiring the Jays ace and just hope he's dealt to the NL.
Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times says the Angels have known for weeks that the Jays would listen on Halladay.
One Phillies person told Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer the team's serious about pursuing Halladay.
One scout told Salisbury Halladay's the best pitcher in baseball, good enough to win 27 games in the NL. Another scout expects Doc to end up with the Red Sox or Angels.
Scott Lauber of the News Journal believes Ruben Amaro Jr. needs to strike a deal for Halladay.
When his contract expires after 2010 Halladay will want to play for a winner, whether in Toronto or elsewhere, according to Mike Rutsey of the Toronto Sun.
MLB.com's Ken Gurnick doesn't expect the Dodgers to acquire Halladay.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post believes the Jays missed their chance to deal Halladay last year, when money flowed more freely and before teams clung onto their prospects as tightly.
Yahoo's Gordon Edes agrees, as attendance is down this year, but says teams like the Yankees could always jump in with a bid.
A friend of Halladay's told Jon Heyman of SI.com that Doc would likely approve trades to Boston, New York or Philadelphia.
Pete Abraham of the Journal News says J.P. Ricciardi played it "exactly right" yesterday, building hype about Halladay by telling everyone he could be available.

A’s DFA Dana Eveland; Won’t Lose Him

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 8, 2009 at 8:22am CDT

The A's designated pitcher Dana Eveland for assignment, according to MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez. Oakland called on the 25-year-old lefty to replace Dallas Braden Monday night, but Eveland struggled, allowing four runs and nine baserunners in less than three innings, so he'll return to Triple A.

He faltered in six games for the A's this year, but has fared better in Triple A. His 7-1 record and 3.49 ERA are slightly misleading, but he hasn't allowed many hits or homers in his 12 minor league starts.

As Assistant GM David Forst explains in this MLB.com article, the A's are essentially optioning Eveland to Triple A and aren't at risk of losing him to another club through waivers. He has to clear optional waivers, something no player has failed to do since they were implemented.

D’Backs Ready To Deal

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 8, 2009 at 8:09am CDT

The D'Backs traded Tony Pena to the White Sox yesterday and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports hears they're not done dealing yet. In fact, they've spent much more time trying to deal Doug Davis, Jon Garland and Felipe Lopez than they spent trying to deal Pena. Chad Qualls seems less likely to be dealt now that the D'Backs have already traded one reliever.

The Brewers are in the market for starters and could have interest in Davis or Garland. The Twins are one of the teams that could add middle infielders, so Lopez could appeal to them. Check out our entire breakdown of the middle infield trade market here.

More Halladay Chatter

By Eddie Schmid | July 7, 2009 at 9:53pm CDT

GMs' phones must be ringing off the hook tonight, and most of the incoming calls are probably from your friendly neighborhood baseball beat writer. Let's scope out the latest news from Buster Olney:

Olney has updated his previous post on the news, and gets word that Halladay might be open to waiving his no-trade clause.
Olney goes on to say that since Halladay would depart after 2010 as a likely Type A, he will command two high draft choices. Thus, all trade offers would have to begin with such talent.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia says GM Tony Reagins has talked to Toronto about Doc.
Olney runs through more suitors: the Red Sox, who have "stubbornly clung to their young pitching," the Mets and Cubs, who may or may not have the proper package of prospects, Yankees, and the Phillies.

In other news around the beat:

MLB.com's Jordan Bastian has a source that says over a dozen teams have asked about Halladay, with the most serious interest expressed by the Cardinals, Yankees, Mets, Brewers, Dodgers, Angels and Red Sox.
Adam McCalvy at MLB.com has this quote from Brewers GM Doug Melvin on the matter: "I'm open to talking about anybody…I'm also realistic to know that not everybody is available all the time."
Dave van Dyck at the Chicago Tribune talked to White Sox GM Kenny Williams, who reiterated his concerns about finances and doesn't think he can afford to ship the young talent Halladay will require.

Orioles Explore Deals for Pie, Salazar

By Eddie Schmid | July 7, 2009 at 9:26pm CDT

According to Jeff Zrebiec at the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles have a roster decision to make when Cesar Izturis returns from the disabled list, and thus have considered dealing Oscar Salazar and Felix Pie. Both players are out of options and are likely to get claimed if put on waivers, so a deal makes sense, Zrebiec says.

Sources say that the Orioles have discussed Pie in a potential deal for Sox corner infielder Josh Fields, who has struggled this season, though it's not clear if the Sox would still agree to such a trade. Salazar reportedly has drawn interest from some NL teams who value his positional flexibility and bat off the bench.

Odds & Ends: Washburn, White Sox, Braves

By Eddie Schmid | July 7, 2009 at 8:30pm CDT

Seeking out the freshest links so you don't have to–don't change the channel, here are some Odds & Ends:

Mark Bowman at MLB.com gives an extensive look at the Braves' situation, wondering if GM Frank Wren will be a buyer or a seller.
The AP talked to White Sox GM Kenny Williams, fresh off his recent deal for Tony Pena, who says that low attendance numbers could affect the team's ability to make a big splash at the deadline.
Anthony Castrovince at MLB.com examines the Indians' return for C.C. Sabathia and wonders if it was enough.
Ryan Divish at the Tacoma News-Tribune talks Jarrod Washburn, who is doing wonders for his trade value this season.
Tom Haudricourt at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel says Ryan Braun finished talking with Doug Melvin, and the controversy over Braun's comments about the team needing a pitcher seem to be behind them.
Jon Heyman at SI tweets that the Diamondbacks could envision newly-acquired Brandon Allen as their starting first baseman next season.
Jim Callis at Baseball America examines recent draft pick signings and notes that only two have been above slot, and barely.
Thomas Boswell at the Washington Post thinks the Nationals are due for a major overhaul.

Phillies Downplaying Pedro Interest?

By Eddie Schmid | July 7, 2009 at 7:52pm CDT

Jayson Stark at ESPN says the Phillies are "exploring all possibilities" to shore up their rotation, and one of those possibilities has been Pedro Martinez, who they saw throw today. While manager Charlie Manuel didn't seem to indicate Pedro was the answer to the team's issues, a major-league source told Stark that "If [Pedro] throws well, they'll do something."

The source, based in the Dominican Republic, goes on to say that the Phillies have already notified Martinez that they likely won't reach his demands of a $5MM prorated salary. Instead, they're shooting for an incentive-laden deal of some kind. Keep up with the latest Pedro rumors here.

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