Mariners To DFA Josh Wilson
The Mariners are about to designate utilityman Josh Wilson for assignment to make room for Mike Sweeney, according to Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune. Wilson has spent time with the D'Backs, Padres and Mariners this year, playing a variety of positions, including pitcher.
Phils Interested In Willingham
Chuck Hixson of PhillyBaseballNews.com hears that the Phils are interested in Josh Willingham. The 30-year-old outfielder makes under $3MM and could spell various Phillies around the diamond, as he's played some first base, both corner outfield positions and catcher.
Yanks DFA Brett Tomko
The Yankees designated pitcher Brett Tomko for assignment, according to Marc Carig of the Star Ledger. The 36-year-old veteran of 13 MLB seasons allowed 26 baserunners and struck out 11 in just under 21 innings of work for a 5.23 ERA.
Odds And Ends: Marlins, Lopez, Sherrill
On this date in 1975, Mets third baseman Joe Torre grounded into four double plays. Here are some links to read through…
- Today's chat takes place in half an hour at 2pm CST.
- Justin Duchscherer will begin rehabbing soon and ESPN.com's Buster Olney says he could be a solid alternative to Roy Halladay, if healthy. Olney speculates that Duchscherer, who makes $3.9MM this year, would fit well on the Brewers.
- The Mets released Emil Brown from their Triple A affiliate today, according to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post.
- Many Marlins players told Tom D'Angelo of the Palm Beach Post that they're trying to ignore trade chatter and win ballgames.
- Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic says the D'Backs didn't want to offer Felipe Lopez arbiration in the offseason because he might have accepted. He would have been in line for a $5-6MM salary so the Brewers chose two mediocre prospects instead of offering Lopez arbitration.
- ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick says the Cubs could have a big second half, even though they're "muddling along" now.
- George Sherrill told Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun that he wants to be in Baltimore in spite of the rumors swirling about.
Zduriencik: No Pressure For Mariners
The Mariners are six games over .500, trailing the Angels and Rangers for the AL West lead just a year after losing 101 games. GM Jack Zduriencik has to decide whether to deal now, in August, or hope his team can win as-is. Here are the details from his conversation with Larry Stone of the Seattle Times, a chat that ended when the sight of Ken Griffey Jr. tickling Ichiro distracted the GM:
- Zduriencik doesn't feel pressure, even ten days before the trade deadline.
- He expects some deals to go down in August.
- He's open to re-signing his own free agents after the season, though he has only had casual conversations on the subject so far. Adrian Beltre, Erik Bedard and Jarrod Washburn headline the Mariners' crop of free agents.
- The Mariners are glad to have 2008 trade candidate Washburn around this year.
Mets Won’t Necessarily Sign Lugo
We heard know that Julio Lugo worked out at the Mets complex in the Dominican, but Alex Speier of WEEI.com says we shouldn't assume he'll sign with the Mets. Earlier in the season, when the Mets were closer to contention and in need of infield help, the Red Sox offered to trade Lugo for little or nothing, but the Mets declined.
Heyman On Halladay, Lee, Rockies
Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that the Phillies have decided not to include prospect Kyle Drabek in a package for Roy Halladay. If they haven't informed the Blue Jays of their decision, they're about to. Here are the rest of Heyman's rumors:
- Heyman's sources say the Mets rejected a four-player package centered around Fernando Martinez for Halladay. Others have since disputed this.
- The Angels and Red Sox appear unlikely to part with their young prospects for Halladay.
- One Jays person believes it's unlikely they deal their ace at all.
- The Indians are becoming more open to dealing Cliff Lee, who doesn't have a no-trade clause and would have little say in the matter.
- However, they need pitching, so some Indians people believe the team is more likely to move Victor Martinez.
- The Rockies have considered pursuing Chad Qualls, George Sherrill, Danys Baez and Takashi Saito.
Rosenthal On Lee, Reds, D’Backs, Buchholz
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports suggests the Phillies may find Cliff Lee nearly as appealing as Roy Halladay because the Indians lefty makes just $11.5MM through 2010 and Halladay makes over $20MM before the end of next year. Rosenthal says the Phils could package rookie standout J.A. Happ with Carlos Carrasco and Dominic Brown to get the Indians' attention. Here are the rest of his rumors:
- Though some say the Jays need to acquire Brown or Kyle Drabek in any deal for Halladay, Rosenthal points out that some scouts like Jason Knapp and Michael Taylor just as much.
- The Reds would like to move some of their expensive starters and relievers to make room for younger pitchers, Rosenthal says.
- Bronson Arroyo, Aaron Harang and Francisco Cordero make enough to scare some suitors away, and while a salary swap is possible, Rosenthal says the Reds are more likely to make offseason deals.
- Jon Garland, Doug Davis and Carl Pavano are drawing little attention. Teams' unwillingness to take on salary limits interest in the two D'Backs starters.
- Michael Wuertz and Rafael Betancourt are drawing "heavy attention," but the A's seem likely to keep Wuertz.
- It would be tough for the Angels to give Brandon Wood up for George Sherrill, especially since Wood could start at third next year if the team doesn't re-sign Chone Figgins.
- It seems unlikely that the Red Sox would trade Clay Buchholz for Victor Martinez. If he's moved at all, Buchholz would likely be dealt for a premium young hitter.
- Orlando Cabrera's hitting better and he could interest the Mariners, Cardinals, Twins, Reds and Mets.
- The Mariners are one of many teams interested in Josh Willingham.
- The Rockies are reluctant to deal Ryan Spilborghs, and refused a Phillies offer that included two quality prospects.
Dodgers Scouting Relievers, Eyeing Aces
The Dodgers are looking for pitching and Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times has the latest on their hunt…
- The Dodgers have scouted George Sherrill, John Grabow and Matt Capps.
- Reds relievers David Weathers, Arthur Rhodes and Francisco Cordero could also interest the Dodgers.
- They are looking at Roy Halladay, but seem reluctant to part with Clayton Kershaw in any deal.
- The Indians are asking a lot for Cliff Lee, so he appears to be a longshot.
- The Dodgers aren't interested in Mark Mulder.
Qualls A Popular Target
The Phillies may be interested in D'Backs closer Chad Qualls, but they're certainly not his only suitor. Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic hears that nearly half the teams in baseball have asked about him. The D'Backs seem "unlikely" to move Qualls, but would ask for a strarting pitching prospect in potential trades.