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Nats Interested In Edwin Jackson

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The Nationals are interested in Arizona pitcher Edwin Jackson, according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated (via Twitter).  Nats GM Mike Rizzo recently identified starting pitching as the club's biggest need.

A month ago it was reported that Washington was exploring a trade for the righthander, though we haven't heard much else on that front in recent weeks.  Rizzo has connections to the D'Backs organization, having served as their scouting director from 2000-2006.

Jackson, who turns 27 in September, has a 5.01 ERA with 7.0 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9 in 20 starts this year.  On the whole, he has been unable to replicate his play from last season when he registered a 3.62 ERA with 6.8 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9.

Rosenthal On Fielder, Padres, Rockies

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Let's see what Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has for us in his latest installment of Full Count..

  • White Sox GM Ken Williams is said to be confident about landing either Prince Fielder or Adam Dunn.  Williams continues to talk to the Brewers about Fielder but there doesn't seem to be a match as they seek pitching in return.  Meanwhile, the Nats have told everyone that they'll need to be overwhelmed by an offer to move Dunn.  If the White Sox strike out on the two big-time left-handed sluggers, they're unlikely to reach for a player such as Russell Branyan or Brad Hawpe.  Instead, they'll look to go small and try to improve their bullpen and bench.
  • The Padres are now more focused on offense than pitching, but don't expect them to make a big splash.  The club expects pitchers such as Jake Westbrook to clear waivers rather easily in August.  Ultimately, they're likely to make two or three small acquisitions, bringing in guys that won't cost a lot but will help their squad contend.
  • The Rockies are looking for a right-handed hitting first baseman in Todd Helton's absence.  Jorge Cantu was a possibility but his price was high to begin with and now the Marlins appear to be back in contention.  Ty Wigginton also appears to be out of reach as the O's want a young shortstop in return.  Colorado made an inquiry on Jayson Werth but the Phillies are telling teams that they won't deal him unless they get a major league-ready starter.

Gary Matthews Jr. Exercises Out Clause

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SATURDAY: Matthews has opted out of his deal, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

FRIDAY: Matthews intends to exercise his out clause tomorrow, tweets Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. The 36-year-old is hoping to land a major league job after hitting .313/.359/.490 at Triple-A Louisville.

TUESDAY: The Reds could lose Gary Matthews Jr. to free agency if they don't call him up by July 24th, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. Matthews has an out clause that will enable him to opt out of the deal he signed with the Reds if he isn't in the majors.

Matthews, 36 in August, has hit well at Triple-A Louisville, but the Reds already have Jay Bruce, Jonny Gomes, Drew Stubbs, Laynce Nix and Chris Heisey on their active roster. In 93 minor league plate appearances, Matthews has posted a .310/.355/.494 line, but has not posted an OPS above .700 in the majors since 2007. 

Sheets Headed To Disabled List

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A's pitcher Ben Sheets has re-injured his elbow, forcing him to the disabled list, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.  The hurler also says that he "might be" out for the remainder of the season (link goes to Twitter).  With Sheets sidelined, Oakland has lost a trade chip.

Billy Beane & Co. signed Sheets to a one-year, $10MM deal in January with the hope of dealing him mid-season if the club wasn't in contention.  Earlier today, the GM said that "it would behoove" the A's to hang on to the right-hander, though now it doesn't appear that they have much of a choice in the matter.

The Mets, Phillies, and Rangers are just some of the teams that have been keeping an eye on the 32-year-old.  Sheets has a 4.53 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 on the year but has pitched well in recent outings.

Odds & Ends: Hart, Angels, Blue Jays, Mariners

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Some links for Saturday as Roy Oswalt prepares to make what might be the final start of his Astros' career…

Colletti More Willing To Move Prospects

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The Dodgers' financial situation has been in question all season due to the McCourts' divorce, but it sounds like the team might have some room to take on payroll in a deal this deadline. Helene Elliott of The Los Angeles Times spoke to GM Ned Colletti, who indicated he's now willing to move prospects in a deal, at least more than he was earlier this year.

"We're not inclined really to break up the club here, especially the core of it, to acquire somebody," said Colletti. "But I'm more open-minded than I have been in the past on prospects."

Colletti rattled off a laundry list of needs, including stability at the back of the rotation, help for the bullpen, and outfield depth to help cope with nagging injuries to Manny Ramirez and Reed Johnson. The team has been linked to Roy Oswalt and were in on Cliff Lee, ditto Cody Ross and Paul Maholm. 

Baseball America ranked the Dodgers' farm system as just the 24th best in the game before this season, though they have gotten solid production from in-house fill-ins like John Ely and Travis Schlichting. They also have several interesting arms at the Triple-A level, including Josh Lindblom and Scott Elbert, that could be used in a trade if needed.

Olney’s Latest: Royals, Managers, Dunn, Berkman

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In today's blog post at ESPN (Insider req'd), Buster Olney says that even though things aren't going so well for the Royals at the big league level, rival scouts and executives gush about the quality of their farm system. "Our goal is by 2012 and 2013 to have as many homegrown guys playing as we can," said GM Dayton Moore, which Olney likens to the way the Twins and Rays are built.

Here are the rest of his rumors…

  • One scout opined that we're likely to see more managerial changes this offseason than ever before. Olney lists 12 teams that could be looking for a new manager this winter, and reminds us that Tony LaRussa, Joe Girardi, and Dusty Baker do not have contracts in place for beyond this season.
  • The Nationals are concerned about whether or not Adam Dunn's body will hold up during a three or four-year deal, but Olney spoke to one AL evaluator who pointed out that Dunn's ability to hit homers is gaining more value as time goes on. 
  • The Diamondbacks have prioritized the acquisition of a closer, hence their request for Joba Chamberlain in a potential Dan Haren trade.
  • Olney speculates that Lance Berkman could be a fit for the Rays next year, since they'll need to replace Carlos Pena.

Poll: Which Pitchers Will Be Traded?

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This year's trade market features two very available front-line starters in Roy Oswalt and Dan Haren, and that's on top of the already traded Cliff Lee. The secondary market still offers some quality arms, including Ted Lilly, Jake Westbrook, and Brett Myers. Some will move and some won't.

Which starting pitchers will be traded by the 2010 trade deadline?

Click here to take the poll, and here to see the results.

Dan Haren Rumors: Friday

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The D’Backs have started exchanging names with teams about possible Dan Haren trades and the Tigers, Yankees, Phillies, Cardinals and Twins appear to have varying degrees of interest in the righty. That’s just the abbreviated version of what we heard yesterday, but there’s more. The D’Backs’ asking price? High-quality major league-ready pitching. With that in mind, here are today’s Dan Haren rumors, with more to come:

  • Updating his earlier story, Magruder quotes Hall, the D'Backs CEO, as saying: "There are some other teams involved that have deals of at least equal value out there. I would not categorize the Yankees as a front-runner."
  • In a piece for FOXSportsArizona.com, Jack Magruder notes that the Yankees aren't one of the teams that require Haren's approval. Magruder also suggests a trade with the Yanks could involve New York taking on other players that the D'Backs would like to move, such as Aaron Heilman, Chad Qualls, or Chris Snyder.
  • D'Backs' CEO Derrick Hall tells Piecoro (Twitter link) that there's no clear front-runner for Haren and reiterates "nothing [is] imminent." However, most reports still indicate that the Yanks are the favorite. AOL FanHouse's Frankie Piliere (via Twitter) and Morosi both hear that Ivan Nova could be a key piece in a Haren trade with New York.
  • Expanding on his earlier tweet, Price hears that nothing is imminent between the Yankees and Arizona, but that the D'Backs "seem determined" to move Haren before his next start on Tuesday.
  • According to Rosenthal, the Yankees appear to be the front-runners for Haren now, with the D'Backs telling clubs that they're in "advanced negotiations" with one team. Ed Price of AOL FanHouse adds (via Twitter) that the Cardinals may be out of the Haren sweepstakes.
  • The Yankees are actively talking to the D’Backs about Haren, according to Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. If the Yanks can acquire Haren for prospects, Stark says they are poised to accelerate talks.
  • The Cardinals aim to add an innings-eater this summer, though not necessarily an ace, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
  • The Tigers and Twins, who both have interest in Haren, are on his no-trade list, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Haren would also have to approve a trade to the Rays or Reds. Bob Nightengale of USA Today first reported that the Twins were on Haren's list. 
  • The D'Backs have told rival teams that they are intent on moving Haren before the deadline, according to Olney (via Twitter).
  • MLB executives tell ESPN.com’s Buster Olney that the D’Backs seem much more willing to deal Haren these days. Some talent evaluators believe the Tigers would have a tough time building an offer for Haren without including pitching prospect Jacob Turner.
  • A D'Backs source tells Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that expectations have shifted and it seems more likely that the D'Backs will trade Haren.

Odds & Ends: Lilly, Braves, Reds, Berkman

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Links for Friday night….

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