Olney On Lee, Braves, Blue Jays
We can argue over where Cliff Lee will end up, but it would be hard to argue that there's a more appealing trade chip this summer. Lee has pitched complete games in three of his last four starts and has stuck out 19 times as many batters as he has walked. The Yankees are expected to have interest in Lee once he hits free agency, but they're now focusing on other needs since their rotation is strong, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (via Twitter). The rest of Olney's rumors are here:
- The Braves know that hiring Fredi Gonzalez before the end of the season would create the expectation that they have already decided to replace Bobby Cox with Gonzalez in 2011. Olney says there's a good chance the club does not hire Gonzalez before the end of the season, even though he appears to be the leading candidate to manage the team next year.
- Sources tell Olney that the Blue Jays are doing "early reconnaissance" on possible managers. Cito Gaston, who beat Cox and the Braves in the 1992 World Series, will not manage the Jays after this season.
The July 31st Trade Deadline
If you're a regular MLBTR reader, you know all about the July 31st deadline, but we can never be too clear when discussing the busiest trading day of the year.
Teams looking to deal players without first putting them on waivers must do so by 4pm EST on July 31st. Last year we saw Cliff Lee, Victor Martinez and Jake Peavy dealt at the deadline. This year Lee, Roy Oswalt and Corey Hart are some big names to watch.
There are two major reasons the 31st tends to be such a busy day. Teams have developed a good sense of their place in the pennant race. Sellers no longer have illusions about contending and buyers have a clear idea of their needs. Secondly, teams want to deal before August, when pulling off trades for top talent becomes much more complex.
This post was originally published June 25th, 2009.
A’s Won’t Trade Young Players
The A’s aren’t looking to make major changes this summer, but they won’t deal their young players even if they do make trades, GM Billy Beane told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. The A’s haven’t ruled out making moves, but they want to build up a base of young talent.
"That's one of the reasons we acquired Conor Jackson,” Beane said. “Not just for right now, but he's a younger player and his age makes him very attractive."
Two A’s veterans, Ben Sheets and Coco Crisp, have been tabbed as potential trade candidates, but Slusser says Sheets “isn’t stirring up interest” and points out that Crisp has barely played. ESPN.com’s Buster Olney reported that the A’s can afford to cover some of the $5.4MM remaining on Sheets’ salary in order to obtain better prospects. The right-hander has a 3.79 ERA, less than one hit allowed per inning pitched and twice as many strikeouts as walks since the Blue Jays lit him up for nine runs on May 2nd.
Even contenders are hesitant to deal young players, so it would be surprising if the A's, who are 10.0 games out of a playoff spot, decided to trade young talent away.
Poll: Which Contender Needs To Make A Trade?
The Red Sox have a patchwork outfield; the Twins could use a third baseman or a starter; the Angels could use a corner infielder. Those are just a few of the American League teams with areas of concern as the trade deadline approaches. And in the National League, the Dodgers could use a starter and the Rockies are down an infielder. Virtually every contender could improve by adding the right piece, but not all of them need to make a deal.
Which contender most needs to make a trade?
Click here to take the survey and here to view the results.
Odds & Ends: Reds, Marlins, Athletics, Haren
Thursday night linkage..
- Reds GM Walt Jocketty came to the defense of his manager, writes John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
- Bobby Valentine is said to love the Marlins' scouting system and new ballpark, tweets Jon Heyman of SI.
- A's GM Billy Beane told Mychael Urban of CSNBayArea.com that skipper Bob Geren's job is safe.
- Dealing Dan Haren could help replenish Arizona's thin farm system, writes MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.
Braves Not In Search Of Pitching
The Braves won't be looking for pitching as we near the trading deadline, tweets Buster Olney of ESPN. However, Olney goes on to write (also via Twitter) that the club could seek a left-handed bat off of the bench if Eric Hinske continues to be a semi-regular player.
Recently, it was reported that GM Frank Wren could be in the market for a right-handed hitting outfielder to boost Atlanta's offense, though it seems that they'll now look for a left-handed hitter. David DeJesus and Luke Scott have been linked to the Braves in recent weeks, but Olney's report might indicate that they'll look to make a smaller move.
Mets Willing To Rent Lee From Mariners
The Mets are willing to deal for Cliff Lee without requiring a negotiating window to sign him to an extension, a source with knowledge of the team's thinking told Mark Hale of the New York Post. Two years ago, when the Mets agreed to trade for Johan Santana, they secured a 72-hour negotiating window with the ace.
The source also told Hale that the club would be unlikely to trade Jenrry Mejia, Jonathon Niese, or Ike Davis for Lee. Without those three in a deal, the Mets could offer the M's a package built around prospects such as Ruben Tejada, Fernando Martinez, Wilmer Flores, Jeurys Familia, and Josh Thole.
Meanwhile, several Mets officials said that the Mariners have not yet made Lee available, according to Andy Martino of the Daily News. The same officials say that there are no untouchables in the minor league system, though Angel Pagan is now "virtually untouchable" with Carlos Beltran's health so uncertain.
Marlins To Offer Valentine Four-Year Deal
The Marlins are expected to offer Bobby Valentine a four-year contract to become their next manager, a source close to the negotiations told Tim Kurkjian of ESPN. Valentine will fly to Florida on Friday night to meet with Marlins executives, including owner Jeffrey Loria.
All signs point to the former Rangers and Mets skipper taking the Marlins job by the end of the weekend, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. However, the club will interview two other candidates tomorrow. Major league sources tell Rosenthal that the Marlins will interview their interim manager, Edwin Rodriguez, as well as Diamondbacks' third base coach Bo Porter.
Rosenthal reports that Valentine could be sporting teal and silver as soon as Sunday, though no such timetable is assured. Sentiment exists in the organization to leave Rodriguez, the league's first Puerto Rican manager, in command through the team's series against the Mets in Puerto Rico. The series runs from Monday to Wednesday.
Reds Sign Gary Matthews Jr.
The Reds officially signed Gary Matthews Jr. to a minor league deal and assigned him to Triple A Louisville. The team confirmed the deal (via Twitter) three days after Yahoo's Tim Brown first reported it (via Twitter). The agreement comes less than a week after Matthews was released by the Mets.
The 35-year-old had over a year and a half left on a five-year, $50MM contract at the time of his release, but most of that money will be paid by the Angels and Mets. The Reds will only owe Matthews the pro-rated portion of the major league minimum if he reaches the big leagues this year.
After the Angels dealt him to the Mets this winter, Matthews struggled in 65 plate appearances with the club, hitting .190/.266/.241. The Reds must see something in the outfielder they like though. They reportedly had interest in Matthews this spring, when he was still a Met.
Mariners Sign Joe Nelson
The Mariners signed Joe Nelson and assigned him to Triple A, according to Dan Hoard, the radio announcer for Pawtucket Red Sox games (Twitter link). The Red Sox designated Nelson for assignment earlier in the month, at which point he hinted at retirement. The Mariners signed the righty after he cleared waivers.
Nelson, 35, had a 9.72 ERA in 8.1 big league innings this year, walking six and striking out nine. Those high strikeout and walk rates are characteristic of the ones Nelson has posted over the course of his six-year MLB career. Nelson posted a 2.49 ERA in 21.2 innings at Triple A this year, with similarly high strikeout and walk numbers.