Links for Sunday, as Jim Thome cranks his 576th career home run….
- Reds GM Walt Jocketty tells MLB.com's Mark Sheldon that he's actively talking to clubs, but nothing is imminent.
- MLB.com's Corey Brock offers his opinion (via Twitter) of how the Padres should prioritize their needs at the deadline: a starting pitcher and middle infield depth.
- CSN's Jim Salisbury tweets that the Astros, Rays, Giants, and Pirates all have scouts at today's Phillies game. Both J.A. Happ and Jayson Werth are appealing to other teams.
- Jim Edmonds implied that he's leaning toward retiring at season's end, writes Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- A close friend of Josh Byrnes tells Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that the former Diamondbacks GM has no shortage of job offers. Within the column, Cafardo also speculates on the availability of players such as Joakim Soria, Livan Hernandez, and Mike Gonzalez.
- Rangers president Nolan Ryan reiterated that a right-handed first baseman was at or near the top of the club's wish list, according to Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.
- Jim Leyland tells Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press that Dave Dombrowski hasn't informed him of any trade targets during the last two weeks. Specifically, Leyland hasn't heard anything about Ted Lilly or Mike Lowell from the Tigers' GM.
- Referring to trade rumors or contract years as a "distraction" is overblown, according to MLB.com's Alyson Footer.
- Frank Fitzpatrick of the Philadelphia Inquirer has six tips for Ruben Amaro Jr. to keep in mind as the trade deadline approaches, while John Tomase of the Boston Herald would like to see Theo Epstein exercise restraint this week.
Six tips for Ruben Amaro? He only needs three:
1) Develop a time machine.
2) Take it back to last offseason.
3) Don’t trade Cliff Lee.
He may have to hire Calvin and Hobbes as special assistants for this one.
Broken record.
I can’t get the song out of my head.
I find it amusing journalists offering advice to GM’s.
Breaking news: The Detroit Tigers have actually scored runs today and Cabrera hasn’t had a hand in any of them.
Any idea why Pittsburgh continues to scout the Philies? Zach Duke? I’d rather stick with Happ. Or perhaps they’d be part of a three way deal.
dont see the pirates being in any deal for werth…their outfield is set with cutch,milledge,and tabata……and why would they trade prospects for happ? didnt they give away 5 teams worth of players to get all these prospects?…pirates are scouting colorado because they play them starting tuesday
That seems to be the only explanation. I don’t know who the Pirates would want from either of those teams.
That seems to be the only explanation. I don’t know who the Pirates would want from either of those teams.
i hope edmonds can get 400HR’s. if he does, i would put the odds at him making the H of F at 60%.
To the Fitzpatrick article:
1. How is any deal dead? Rumors continue to fly.
2. When did RAJ hint at a move? Ppl took it into their own context. Just because Amaro said “We have a plan. I choose not to share it” doesnt mean he was making a trade. He had a plan. To bring back Happ.
Plus, its not that easy to “just do it!” And risk losing even more of the farm? Fitz is good, but this article isn’t.
Think Thome ever gets to 600?
yes. no doubt in my mind.
Jim Thome can still mash he just need to find regular playing time as a dh, but he has steady at bats with the twins
Jim Thome can still mash he just need to find regular playing time as a dh, but he has steady at bats with the twins
I’d like to see Edmonds in a Braves uni and mclouth out.
IMHO I think JA Happ pitched well today for his first start back in the bigs. He was throwing quality pitches and showed very little rust. I can see why there are teams that have interest. The guy went 9-2 last year with a 3ERA in his first year in the rotation. That is pretty impressive for a younger guy. I don’t think it was a fluke. I’m a Phils fan and watched all his starts. Very quality pitcher with a great mindset and quality approach to the game. He’d be a great addition to alot of clubs at the back-end of any rotation. I’d be happy to have him stay in Philly because I don’t see us getting a worthy return now that Haren is off the market. I don’t want Oswalt at all. Overpaid diva.
Happ’s a very valuable guy but he will have regression to the mean, middle of rotation guy 3/4 he isn’t a future ace or anything close but very valuable because he is controllable
If the Giants pick up on the Rightfielder Jason Werth, it would be HUGE! I right-handed proven bat to play everyday in RF. Not to mention getting that Left handed pitch Happ on the staff. Go Giants!
Werth’s HR number will rise.