Sunday night linkage..
- Ben Goessling of MASNSports.com wonders if the reason Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo has made players like Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham available is because the team's offense is struggling with them as it is, so he'll try to improve other areas of the team.
- ESPNChicago's Bruce Levine says the Yankees could join the mix for Ted Lilly following Andy Pettitte's injury today. Meanwhile, Yanks' GM Brian Cashman told Wallace Matthews of ESPNNewYork.com that he is "not inclined" to make a move to replace Pettitte yet, saying that he prefers to give internal options a try first. Levine has the Tigers, Twins, Mets, and Dodgers also in the hunt for Lilly.
- Scott Miller of CSBSports.com wonders if this weekend's poor play (three losses to the Padres) makes a Dan Haren trade more likely.
- David Villavicencio of Fox Sports Florida tells us that players like Cody Ross and Ricky Nolasco want to stay with the Marlins, and know they need a strong run to make that a reality.
- Mark Kotsay knows what it's like to be the player who's desired in a trade, but also to be the player who would lose playing time as a result of one, writes MLB.com's Scott Merkin.
- Jose Bautista was honored that Alex Anthopoulos called him to help get Yunel Escobar settled into his new environment, writes MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. Bautista says that he loves Toronto and would like to stay there long-term.
- The Yankees, who have been interested bystanders through most of the process, are now getting more interested in Mexican amateur pitcher Luis Heredia, according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. However, the Pirates and the Blue Jays remain the frontrunners for the 15-year-old, who is sure to get a bonus of more than $2MM.
- Jerry Crasnick of ESPN tweets that Tampa Bay expressed interest in Yunel Escobar before he was dealt to Toronto. He also tweets that Reid Brignac was part of the talks.
- Hayden Penn, a pitcher for the Pirates' Triple-A affiliate who was reportedly nearing a deal with the Chiba Lotte Marines, is on his way to Japan, according to Indianapolis Indians Triple-A announcer Scott McCauley (via Twitter). McCauley also says that another Indianapolis hurler is "close to a deal".
- The White Sox, who have been linked to Nationals slugger Adam Dunn, have had a scout present for Washington's series against the Marlins, according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post (via Twitter).
- Reliever David Aardsma is a possible fit for the Tigers, tweets Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse.
- R.J. Anderson of Fangraphs attempted to peg Fausto Carmona's trade value.
- Roy Oswalt wants to claim the Astros win record before leaving, writes Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle.
- Jean-Jacques Taylor of The Dallas Morning News praised the moves made by Rangers GM Jon Daniels.
- Peter Schmuck of The Baltimore Sun senses deja vu all over again as the deadline approaches.
Save the cheerleader. (from Japan?)
10 bonus points to anyone who gets the reference.
heros?
You win 10 bonus points. Don’t spend them all at once…
I miss when Heroes was good.
Hayden Penn(ettiere) is the actress who plays the cheerleader.
If the Braves could have gotten Reid Brignac plus a decent prospect for Yunel Escobar, I would have like that package over what they got from the Blue Jays (SS Alex Gonzalez, LHP Tim Collins and INF Tyler Pastronicky).
I think the Jays will like Escobar if ke can keep doing what he has in this series against the Orioles. A couple bunts [one for a hit], a walk or two, and a grand slam today. Thanks Braves.. oh Escobar just got another hit. Oh noes..
Yeah, Escobar is already becoming one of my favourites.
Oh and don’t forget his stellar defense.
I’m a huge Braves fans, and it seems most Braves fans act jealous that Escobar is off to a good start lol. I hope he keeps it up, after watching the game today it’s nice seeing the team embrace him and he seems to have responded well with his teammates.
Joey Bats rules! I wish the Pirates would have kept him though.
Escobar is 3-3 for today with 1 HR (GS) and 5 RBI – not bad.
No offense, Jays fans, but can you let him hit against someone other than Baltimore before he’s the next Tony Fernandez?
Thanks.
I don’t think anyone is annointing Escobar as the next big thing, just pointing out he’s off to a good start. Considering the reports about his play coming out of Atlanta, Toronto fans were probably just a little concerned about which version of Escobar they were getting.
“reports about his play”? or reports about his attitude?
I suppose ‘attitude’ is more accurate, but it still spills over into his ‘play’. 6 of one, half dozen of another.
Oswalt wants to claim the Astros wins lead before a trade. Guess after his World Series performance, this is the best he can do. OK, Roy. Good luck with that.
Seems easy to scout Adam Dunn… Strikeout, Homer, or Walk take your pick!
While I tend to agree with you, my guess is that the scout is more concerned with the pitcher on the mound in relation to what Dunn does. And in fairness teams outside the White Sox and Yankees should scout his defense which is vastly improved.
Mark Kotsay: You are not a Major League starter.
//Detroit, which also is looking at Oakland’s Ben Sheets and others, appeared to be the only club with a scout dispatched solely to bird-dog Haren.//
From Miller’s piece.
So I guess we still have scouts looking at Haren then. Good to know.
Ted Lilly and Kosuke Fukudome for a prospect that’s the Lilly part and the video of George Steinbrenner and whats his faces arguement at the conference that’s more than enough for Fuk-U-Do-Me