Archives for July 2009

Rangers “Ready To Buy?”

By Eddie Schmid | July 29, 2009 at 9:37pm CDT

T.R. Sullivan at MLB.com talked to Rangers manager Ron Washington, and to him apparently the team is "ready to buy."

"We'll make a deal," Washington said. "I don't know who we'll make a deal with, but we'll probably do something."

It's an interesting viewpoint, as Scott Miller at CBS Sports reports that the Rangers found themselves so financially strapped in June that the equipment team only ordered enough baseballs to get through July. Other clubs officials, according to Sullivan, say the possibility to make additions is "below average." The Rangers are in need of starting pitching, with health concerns surrounding Vicente Padilla and Kevin Millwood.

Odds & Ends: Rangers, Yankees, Braves

By Eddie Schmid | July 29, 2009 at 9:05pm CDT

Did anyone expect the deadline to be this active? What a week. Some more tidbits:

The Rangers signed their third-round selection, LHP Robbie Erlin, reports T.R. Sullivan at MLB.com.
Jayson Stark has an extensive breakdown of the Cliff Lee trade–the Cy Young pitcher they needed, not the one they necessarily wanted.
The Yankees have interest in Tigers OF Josh Anderson, says Danny Knobler at CBS Sports, and now Jim Leyland agrees, says Steve Kornacki at mlive.com.
John Fay at the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that in a very roundabout fashion, the Reds traded Paul O'Neill for Wladimir Balentien.
Mark Bowman at MLB.com reports that the Braves have been quiet on the trade front, and aren't pressured to make a big splash after the Cliff Lee deal. They've inquired on a few relievers that apparently aren't available.
Despite the Phils' acquisitions, the Marlins are still in it to win it, says Alden Gonzalez at MLB.com.
Fangraphs gives their analysis of the Freddy Sanchez and Jason Hirsh deals.
Todd Zolecki at MLB.com gets Phillie rival players' takes on the Lee deal.

Will Victor Martinez Be Next To Go?

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 29, 2009 at 8:19pm CDT

8:16pm: Comments from GM Mark Shapiro after the Lee deal would seem to indicate he's ready to deal Victor Martinez for the right offer. However, Rosenthal and Morosi at FOX Sports say that aside from the Red Sox, there's been a considerable lack of interest in the slugger. The Giants appear to be out of the mix with their recent upgrades, and it's apparently "doubtful" that teams will come forward with a big offer for Martinez.

2:31pm: The Indians have traded Mark DeRosa, Rafael Betancourt and, now, Cliff Lee. Who's next? Executives tell ESPN.com's Buster Olney that they fully expect Victor Martinez to be traded in the next 48 hours. In the words of one AL official:

"I don't think they'd move one without moving the other."

Martinez, 30, makes $4.5MM this year and will earn $7MM in 2010 if his team picks up his option. Most expect the switch-hitting catcher's option to be picked up, regardless of which team he plays for. Indians GM Mark Shapiro told FOX Sports that he's not under pressure to make deals for financial reasons, but some of Olney's sources say the team faces pressure to cut payroll.

Cardinals After Relievers?

By Eddie Schmid | July 29, 2009 at 7:37pm CDT

WEDNESDAY: Strauss has more on the proceedings. He says the Cardinals are "definitely pushing" for a right-handed setup man. There's "strong internal support" to obtain Chad Qualls, but the search is "apparently directed elsewhere."

TUESDAY: Joe Strauss at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting that the Cardinals are in "hot pursuit" of right-handed relievers. He also says that they had tried to include former Redbird Russ Springer in the deal for Matt Holliday from the A's, but balked when they learned they'd have to throw in another starting pitching prospect. Still, with the bullpen struggling, Strauss says they "may revisit" a deal for Springer.

Giants Acquire Freddy Sanchez

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 29, 2009 at 6:19pm CDT

6:19pm: Kovacevic says that no money is being exchanged in the Sanchez deal, which makes it all the more impressive for the Pirates. Keith Law (Insider) recently ranked the 20-year-old Alderson the 26th-best prospect in all of baseball.

5:51pm: Kovacevic is reporting that the minor leaguer is AA pitcher Tim Alderson. This is an impressive haul for Sanchez–Alderson was ranked the #4 prospect in the Giants' system by Baseball America. What we thought was a salary dump deal has turned into a pretty solid coup for the Pirates.

5:46pm: Henry Schulman at the San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that it's a done deal, Sanchez straight up for a minor-leaguer. Stay tuned for the name.

5:42pm: Instead of making a scheduled flight to Phoenix, Sanchez has apparently been asked to stay at AT&T Park in San Francisco, reports Kovacevic. Looks like we'll find out the details of a deal very soon.

4:52pm: Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports hear that the Pirates are talking to the Giants, Twins and at least one other team about Sanchez, but don't have a deal in place.

4:43pm: Kovacevic reports that the Giants' doctors found no major problems with Sanchez's knee and consider him day-to-day.

3:31pm: Kovacevic hears that the Pirates turned down Sanchez's offer. He proposed a deal that would have paid him $6MM next year, $6.5MM in 2011 and $7.5MM in 2012.

3:17pm: Langosch hears that Sanchez's offer is for $20MM over three years.

Meanwhile, Kovacevic hears that the Pirates have absolutely "no deal" in place, though the Giants and Pirates have the framework for one.

2:52pm: Kovacevic hears that the Giants are examining Sanchez within the hour. Is there a deal in place? Kovacevic hears 'yes' and 'no.'

2:46pm: Kovacevic reports that Sanchez made the Pirates a three-year offer.

2:40pm: MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reports that the Giants and Pirates have a deal in place that would send Sanchez to San Francisco. The Giants will look at the infielder's knee this afternoon before deciding whether to complete the deal, which wouldn't send any major leaguers to Pittsburgh.

However, Kovacevic says no deal is in place.

2:20pm: SI.com's Jon Heyman says the Giants are in serious talks for Sanchez. The teams are discussing John Bowker, Kevin Frandsen and Jesus Guzman.

2:04pm: Joel Sherman of the New York Post hears that the Giants are "definitely getting Freddy Sanchez." The Pirates already traded Jack Wilson today, so they could conceviably lose their entire double play combo in one day.

10:27am: Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette hears that the Pirates worked on possible trades involving Freddy Sanchez and Jack Wilson until late last night. The Giants seem to have the greatest chance of acquiring Sanchez since GMs Brian Sabean and Neal Huntington had extensive discussions earlier in the week and may even have set up the framework of a deal.

The Twins are interested in John Grabow and Sanchez, whose knee injury may have slowed down the trade process. Meanwhile, the Red Sox still have interest in Wilson.

And you're not the only one checking out the Pirates rumors. Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Sanchez and Wilson are MLBTR readers. We're glad to have them aboard!

Phillies Acquire Lee, Francisco

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 29, 2009 at 6:11pm CDT

6:05pm: After a little confusion, the deal is now official, according to a press release. The Phils add an ace and a right-handed bat, and the Indians receive four top rebuilding pieces. Ed Price at AOL Fanhouse says that Donald, Marson and Carrasco will all report to AAA Columbus and Knapp to A Lake County.

1:18pm: MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince says Lee and Francisco haven't been told anything official yet, but they've read the reports.

12:59pm: Rosenthal reports that the deal would not include any cash. He calls the trade, which isn't yet official, a "coup" for both sides.

12:42pm: Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi report that the sides have agreed to a deal that sends Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco to Philly for Jason Knapp, Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald and Lou Marson. The teams still have to examine medical records for the deal to go through.

12:38pm: MLB.com's Todd Zolecki hears that Ben Francisco would also come to Philly in the possible deal. He'd fit the team's need for a right-handed hitting outfielder.

12:29pm: Joel Sherman of the New York Post hears that the two sides are "very close" to completing a deal.

12:03pm: Gordon Edes and Tim Brown of Yahoo report that the Phillies appear to be "on the verge" of acquiring Cliff Lee from the Indians for Carrasco, Knapp and at least two of Donald, Marson and Michael Taylor.

Ken Rosenthal says the clubs are in discussions for Lee "and possibly another player." Knapp, Carrasco, Donald, and Marson would be involved. He wonders if the Indians might send some cash to secure a better prospect package.

11:36am: Rob Maaddi of the AP (via the Miami Herald) hears that the Phils offered the Indians a package of players for Lee, but didn't include Kyle Drabek in the proposal.

11:09am: Rosenthal and Morosi report that the Phillies are discussing a trade for Cliff Lee and possibly another player that would send Knapp, Carrasco, Jason Donald and Lou Marson to Cleveland.

10:54am: ESPN.com's Buster Olney hears that the Phils may try to acquire George Sherrill If they can't trade for Halladay or Lee.

10:52am: Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports report that Jason Knapp is the centerpiece of the Phillies' offer for Lee. The Phils, who are also involved in talks for Jarrod Washburn, would also deal other pieces to the Indians.

FOX also reports that the Dodgers were planning on making a "hard push" for Lee today.

10:34am: ESPN.com's Jayson Stark notes that three Indians scouts were in Lehigh Valley to watch the Phillies' Triple A team this morning. As we noted earlier, Carlos Carrasco was scratched from today's start and Stark says it was without explanation. Stark hears from a source close to the Indians who denies that the team is close to making a major move.

The Phillies and Indians have been involved in discussions, but haven't yet exchanged medical reports on players. One possible package would send Carrasco, a top position player, Jason Knapp and Trevor May to the Indians for Lee. The Phils tell other teams they believe they can deal for Lee without giving up Kyle Drabek or Dominic Brown.

Relief Rumors: Grabow, Marlins, Yankees

By Eddie Schmid | July 29, 2009 at 5:42pm CDT

Contenders are always in the hunt for relief help this time of year. Let's scope out the latest on that front:

After refusing to deal Eric Young Jr. for John Grabow or Joe Beimel, the Rockies have lowered their aim, notably toward the Orioles' Mark Hendrickson, says Joel Sherman at the New York Post.
The Marlins are in the mix for Grabow's services, says Joe Frisaro at MLB.com.
CBS Sports' Danny Knobler says the Yankees have steered their focus toward middle relief help, but too many of their desired names reside in the AL East.
The Cardinals are indeed still interested in bringing back righty Russ Springer, says Mychael Urban at MLB.com.

Odds & Ends: Bradley, O’s, Mariners

By Eddie Schmid | July 29, 2009 at 5:23pm CDT

Some more interesting nuggets we've mined as we reel from the madness today:

Paul Sullivan at the Chicago Tribune got comments from Cubs GM Jim Hendry, who called rumors that Milton Bradley could head to the Tigers "unfair to the player."
Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun hears that Danys Baez, Aubrey Huff and Melvin Mora, who are all about to become free agents, have attracted minimal interest on the trade market.
The Mariners signed second round pick Rick Poythress, who'll be immediately shipped to the AA affiliate, reports Geoff Baker at the Seattle Times.
ESPN's Jerry Crasnick takes a look at some of the all-time hyped prospects who have turned out to be busts.
In a similar piece to Crasnick's, Yahoo's Jeff Passan looks at how once-hot prospect Brandon Wood has seen his value as a trade chip diminish.

Blue Jays Looking To Deal Overbay?

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 29, 2009 at 4:51pm CDT

The Blue Jays have stepped up their efforts to deal first baseman Lyle Overbay, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Overbay, 32, is hitting .266/.372/.463 on the season and he continues to play slightly above average defense at first base. He's under contract for $7MM this year and the same amout in 2010. FOX Sports says Overbay has some no-trade protection.

Yankees Acquire Jason Hirsh, Release Tomko

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 29, 2009 at 4:29pm CDT

The Yankees acquired minor league righty Jason Hirsh from the Rockies, according to Tyler Kepner of the New York Times. Hirsh, 27, started 19 games for the 2007 NL Champion Rockies, but hasn't made an appearance in the majors so far this season. He's allowed 130 hits and 35 walks in just over 101 innings at Triple A, striking out 59.

It's a depth move for the Yankees and it's unclear what they gave up to obtain Hirsh.

The Yankees also released veteran pitcher Brett Tomko, according to Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger. The Yankees designated the righty for assignment earlier in the month.

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