Links for Friday, with less than 24 hours before the deadline…
- The Pirates acquired minor league outfielder Mitch Jones from the Braves, according to MLB.com's transactions page. David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says the Braves obtained cash in return (Twitter link).
- The Rangers are the only team that has slight interest in Mike Lowell, according to Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com (via Twitter).
- The Mets shopped Oliver Perez today, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (Twitter link).
- The Cubs are resigned to the fact that if they want to trade Carlos Zambrano, it will have to happen in the winter, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter).
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports will believe that Cody Ross is unavailable once the deadline passes tomorrow. Until then he's a skeptic (Twitter link).
- Teams like Joe Beimel, but are only offering the Rockies non-prospects, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (on Twitter). The Rockies are shopping Randy Flores.
- GM Doug Melvin and assistant GM Gord Ash explained to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy that the Brewers look for "plus" fastball velocity, quality breaking pitches, solid arm action and delivery and height in the pitchers they pursue.
- The Rangers are talking to rival teams to determine if there's interest in Rich Harden or Scott Feldman, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.
- The Astros wanted Chad Billingsley in exchange for Roy Oswalt, according to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times (Twitter link). The Dodgers countered with a four-prospect offer, but the Astros preferred the Phils' offer.
- The Royals aren't making much progress on deals, according to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark (Twitter link).
- I answered questions from Neil Keefe and broke down the trade deadline in detail at WFAN.com.
I wonder what those 4 prospects the Dodgers offered.
Hard to say… But with Bills’ modest salary, I sure hope it wasn’t much. Good for LA to walk away at that point. Now, what I’d REALLY like to hear is what was discussed for Haren with LA (not Anaheim).
Sell Feldman and Harden for cash or package them for a back of the rotation guy to replace them on the staff.
I am going to laugh is Texas brings in prospects better than the 2 sent out in the Cantu or Guzman deals for Feldman or Harden
I would give away both of them at the moment if it meant dumping their salaries. They can let Kirkman or Beltre make a start or two till Holland is ready to go, then turn it over to him. That would shed almost 9 mil off the books (and shut up the Rangers’ critics r/n)
Harden has allowed 109 baserenners in 65 innings and is due remaining portion of 6.5M this season. How they think can con anyone into taking the guy, much less pay a thin dime of his salary is beyond me and that is even with the hope he can stay healthy for 2 straight starts.
Harden is matsuzaka, with an extensive medical history that the Rangers grossly overpaid for. You were never going to get more than 6IP out of him, but you were going to stick him on the DL 2-3 times per season. That may be harsh, but unfortunately it’s the truth.
The Mets shopped Oliver Perez, as well as the Brooklyn Bridge and Shea Stadium today.
This just in: “Oliver Perez gets traded to an unknown team for a stale sandwich and 3 peanuts.”
“Unknown team gets fleeced”
“Unknown team gets fleeced”
Trying to trade Carlos Zambrani is just dumb to even have a thought of anyone wanting him is worse.. the Cubs need to back up the truck on all the old guys and show them the door they have way too many good prospects in the minors to not let them get a chance to play.. either trade Lilly or dont and don’t re-sign him.. place Ramirez on waivers and after they clear just send him home… they are in desperate need of a catcher.. the way they need to start over in right up the middle Catcher, Castro, Darwin Barney moves to 2nd.. and Colvin in CF they have a great pitching in Daytona and Iowa they need to call up now.. release Jeff Samarajara because he’s cr@p… it would be a huge mistake re-signing Lee and Lilly and letting Ramirez exercise his option.. let him stay then buy him out for have of it and send him home.. Ryne Sandberg as their new manager is going to suck he’s gonna be worse the Don Baylor.. Bob Brenly is the only answer and keeping Trammel as the bench coach is the best option too
1. We have an allstar calliber catcher in soto
2. We could get value for Aram instead of just “sending him home”
3. Sandberg has done nothing but succeed in the minors and knows the young players that we will be bringing up
1. We have an allstar calliber catcher in soto
2. We could get value for Aram instead of just “sending him home”
3. Sandberg has done nothing but succeed in the minors and knows the young players that we will be bringing up
Who would want Oliver Perez? Are they looking for people to sell beer in the stands?
Who would want Oliver Perez? Are they looking for people to sell beer in the stands?
Perez straight up for Zambrano…
Victor Zambrano?
Victor Zambrano?
Does Sean McAdam realize that the Rangers just got Cantu? We have absolutely no need for Lowell. He would get less playing time in Texas than he would in Boston.
Does Sean McAdam realize that the Rangers just got Cantu? We have absolutely no need for Lowell. He would get less playing time in Texas than he would in Boston.
Zambrano to the Red Sox for Hideki Okajima and his interpreter, Cubs eat most of his salary. Red Sox hire him as food tester, teach JD Drew some anger and passion, and the RS enroll him in anger management. Then they look like heroes when he comes back and pitches awful, but he doesn’t break the Gatorade machine.
Zambrano to the Red Sox for Hideki Okajima and his interpreter, Cubs eat most of his salary. Red Sox hire him as food tester, teach JD Drew some anger and passion, and the RS enroll him in anger management. Then they look like heroes when he comes back and pitches awful, but he doesn’t break the Gatorade machine.
Every franchise Doug Melvin runs is weak on pitching. What they ‘look for’ in a pitcher is irrelevant.
Every franchise Doug Melvin runs is weak on pitching. What they ‘look for’ in a pitcher is irrelevant.
Mitch Jones has mad power; but he’s been given all of 15 PA to prove it at the major league level. Maybe the Pirates will give him some AB’s. He’s getting up there in age.. Maybe Garrett Jones 2.0?
sub .300 OBP at AAA doesnt bode well for him. AAA fastballs are easy to hit
Fair enough, but you’ll never know if he can hit ML fastballs until you give him the chance. He did lead the minor leagues in HR last year.. Not saying he’ll light up the big leagues, but it’s at least worth a shot. Especially with the Pirates.
Bowman had a great tweet: the Pirates have now gotten Mitch Jones and Brandon Jones from the Braves, now to hope they start liking people named Kawakami
Sent from my iPod
Oh that’s right, you should know how easy it is to hit a AAA fastball, because you have played in the minors and know exactly what your talking about, right?
its where players with straight fastballs rot (see jo jo, resop, etc) and yes I can hit straight fastballs
You wouldn’t have time to react let alone actually make contact with a baseball.
Oh that’s right, you should know how easy it is to hit a AAA fastball, because you have played in the minors and know exactly what your talking about, right?
Mitch Jones has mad power; but he’s been given all of 15 PA to prove it at the major league level. Maybe the Pirates will give him some AB’s. He’s getting up there in age.. Maybe Garrett Jones 2.0?
I really wish the Royals would just trade Jose Guillen and Kyle Farnsworth and get some pitching prospects. Even if it means that they take on some or all of their salaries, get something in return for the people who wont be back next season. The season is lost anyways. Also, by trading Guillen, it will finally allow Kila Ka’aihue to get some playing time at the big league level and see what kind of hitting he can do.