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Amaro Discusses Phillies’ Trade Possibilities

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Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. talked to reporters today about his areas of focus as the trade deadline approaches, and MLB.com's Todd Zolecki has a transcript of the conversation. Here are a few highlights:

  • The Phillies are being "pro-active" on the trade market, talking to a handful of teams about possible deals.
  • Amaro implies that he's exploring acquiring an infielder, but cautions that the Phillies "may have a totally different need come July 31 than adding a piece in the infield."
  • If they could only make one move, the team would prefer to add a pitcher as opposed to an infielder, since Placido Polanco and Chase Utley will be back eventually.
  • The Phils would consider trading not just prospects, but players from their major league roster.
  • The club has the flexibility to add to its payroll.

Red Sox Weighing Bullpen Options

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The Red Sox are interested in Scott Downs and have also had internal discussion about acquiring Kerry Wood, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. However, given the price tags on Downs, Wood, and other veteran arms, along with the Red Sox' reluctance to part with prospects for relievers, the team may just attempt to shore up their bullpen internally instead.

Cafardo suggests that the Sox are trying to find their "2010 Billy Wagner," a reference to the club's late-season bullpen addition last season. After coming to Boston from the Mets, Wagner posted a 1.98 ERA in 15 appearances. The Sox could once again be in the market for a southpaw this year, with Hideki Okajima battling back issues. Both Downs, whose trade value we looked at yesterday, and the Orioles' Will Ohman may be options for Boston.

If the Sox don't trade for a reliever, help could come from the minors, in the form of Michael Bowden. Cafardo notes that the team has moved the right-hander from the Triple-A rotation to the bullpen, a move that suggests a call-up may be in his near future.

Rays Have Payroll Flexibility

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The Rays can add payroll this summer, principal owner Stuart Sternberg told Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. The Rays, who opened the season with a $73MM payroll, will likely have to spend less next year, but Sternberg believes 2010 is a special season. That means GM Andrew Friedman can make the moves he wants to, even if they increase payroll.

"We're going to do whatever we can, whatever's necessary, to try to give us the best opportunity to win this year,'' Sternberg said.

Sternberg says money will remain an obstacle, though it won't prevent the team from making deals. The Rays could use a designated hitter and multiple reports indicate that the team has some interest in Cliff Lee. The left-hander earns $9MM in 2010, and about $3MM of that total will remain on Lee's contract after the July 31st trade deadline. Sternberg insists that making the postseason is a priority for the Rays, who now lead the Red Sox by half a game for the AL Wild Card.

Tigers Interested In Relievers

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The Tigers are interested in bullpen help and have started scouting relievers, according to Ed Price of AOL FanHouse (via Twitter). They had a top scout at last night's Mariners-Royals game looking for bullpen help. Price doesn't mention specific relievers, but David Aardsma, Brandon League, Joakim Soria, Kyle Farnsworth and Bruce Chen are among the relievers on the Mariners and Royals that could interest the Tigers.

Detroit lost Joel Zumaya to season-ending elbow surgery after one of the more painful-looking baseball injuries of the year. Bobby Seay's shoulder injury may lead to a season-ending operation, too. Combine the time Zumaya and Seay missed with Ryan Perry's down year and you'd expect an inflated bullpen ERA. Surprisingly, Tigers relievers, led by Jose Valverde, have combined for a 3.31 ERA, but there is room for improvement.

Brad Thomas has walked five more batters than he has struck out; Daniel Schlereth has just 22 big league appearances; Enrique Gonzalez has just 36 big league appearances. The Tigers lead their division by half a game, but they could use relief help in spite of their impressive team ERA.

Odds & Ends: Millwood, Cardinals, Rangers, Pettitte

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Links for Tuesday, as the Cliff Lee rumors get a little juicier…

B.J. Upton’s Trade Value

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There are rumblings about a B.J. Upton–Cliff Lee deal, according to Peter Gammons (via Twitter). That doesn't mean the Rays are going to trade their center fielder, but we do know this: Upton has seen his name in the lineup less than usual since he loafed after an extra base hit ten days ago. Let's evaluate the 25-year-old's value and explore some possible trade partners for the Rays, who do not shy away from blockbuster deals.

Upton is hitting .228/.321/.399 this year with 24 steals in 30 attempts. That's not bad for a center fielder, but Upton's defense appears to have fallen off (even disregarding last month's episode). He has been below-average on defense, according to UZR/150, an advanced defensive metric that suggests Upton was better than average in 2008-09. Even though his strikeout and walk rates are similar to his career averages, Pitch f/x data shows that Upton is swinging at more pitches than ever, especially ones out of the strike zone.

The Rays have Upton under contract for $3MM this year and under team control through 2012. Unless he is non-tendered or signs a long-term deal, Upton will get raises through arbitration in 2011 and 2012. The Rays have a cheaper option at Triple A Durham; top prospect Desmond Jennings is hitting .296/.371/.423 with 20 steals in 22 tries. He has just one homer, but appears ready for the majors.

The Rays have a number of possible suitors for Upton, who is still young, talented and cheap enough to have considerable appeal:

  • The Mariners have Ichiro and Franklin Gutierrez locked up, plus Michael Saunders, so Upton doesn't appear to be a natural fit in Seattle. Gammons suggested a third team could be involved if the Mariners and Rays make a Lee-Upton swap.
  • The Braves are looking for a right-handed outfielder and Upton qualifies. 
  • The Padres could use an outfielder and Upton's speed and defensive potential would presumably be a fit in spacious Petco Park.
  • The Giants could upgrade in the outfield. Acquiring Upton would probably mean less playing time for Nate Schierholtz and Aaron Rowand.
  • The Red Sox have seen their best outfielders miss time with injuries, but Jacoby Ellsbury, J.D. Drew and Mike Cameron are under control for 2011 and their fill-ins have played well.
  • The Nationals targeted Upton earlier in the season. Here's an idea, though it's pure speculation: Upton to the Nationals for Adam Dunn, prospects and cash to even out the players' salaries. The Rays need a DH and Nats GM Mike Rizzo said recently that he wants to make his team "younger, better, more athletic."
  • The Royals don't have a long-term option in center field.

It would be surprising to see the Rays trade Upton and there's no indication that they're planning to move him. But if they decide to trade the former first round pick, they should have multiple suitors to choose from.

Phils Remain Buyers; Could Sell

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If the Phillies fall from contention, they could sell, GM Ruben Amaro Jr. acknowledged to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The 43-38 Phillies are in the race now, but a lot depends on how the team plays over the course of the coming weeks.

“I could be buying and selling,” Amaro told FOX Sports, without naming specific players.

If the Phillies are buyers, they could add Ty Wigginton, Miguel Tejada or one of the other infielders they have expressed interest in. Rival teams are demanding substantial returns for their infielders, since Chase Utley and Placido Polanco are on the DL, so the Phils are in a vulnerable position. Amaro could also pursue a pitcher like Cliff Lee or Pedro Martinez, two major pieces of last year’s NL Championship team. 

Sources tell FOX Sports that the Phillies would likely consider trading Jayson Werth if they fall from contention. The right fielder hits free agency after the season and would instantly become one of the top hitters available. For now the Phillies are buyers, but that won’t necessarily be the case at the deadline.

Rockies Will Wait Until Late July To Trade

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Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd told Jim Armstrong of the Denver Post that he doesn’t expect to make moves until the end of the month. The Rockies are talking trades with other clubs, but O’Dowd says his team’s needs are unpredictable.

“This has been a season where everything has changed so dramatically from one day to another — what we need now may not be the same thing we need two weeks from now," he said.

The Rockies are monitoring Jermaine Dye and Ty Wigginton, but they aren’t the only clubs doing so. The Padres and Rangers have interest in Dye and the Phillies and Yankees are among the teams interested in Wigginton.

By the end of the month, the Rockies, now 44-38, will have a better sense of what to expect from Jorge de la Rosa and Troy Tulowitzki. De la Rosa is close to returning to the majors and Tulowitzki won't likely return before the beginning of August. 

Teams Are Inquiring On Yunel Escobar

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Teams are calling the Braves about shortstop Yunel Escobar, according to ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick (links all via Twitter) . The Braves are hesitant to move the 27-year-old, despite his first half slump. GM Frank Wren will listen, but the team isn’t anxious to move its starting shortstop. We heard last month that the Braves would probably consider moving Escobar, though they weren’t actively shopping him at the time.

Escobar posted an OPS around .800 in each of the three seasons leading up to 2010, but has disappointed at the plate this year. He has a .238/.339/.283 line, though he does have five more walks than strikeouts. If the Braves trade Escobar, they would presumably play Omar Infante at short, and possibly Brandon Hicks. Despite his All-Star status, Infante has not been an everyday player for years and Hicks has only stepped in against major league pitching six times.

The Tigers have interest in Stephen Drew, so it would be a surprise if they haven’t conisdered Escobar. The Rockies and Padres could also use help at short, though there is no evidence that either team is actively looking to add a shortstop.

Buehrle’s Ten And Five Rights Kick In

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The White Sox cannot trade Mark Buehrle without permission, since the lefty's ten and five rights kicked in last night. Buehrle has spent ten years in the major leagues, and has been on his current team for the last five, so he has earned the right to veto any trade. 

A month ago, when the White Sox appeared ready to sell, Buehrle's ten and five rights could have been a factor for GM Kenny Williams. The team is now in contention, so Williams told Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune that the club did not consider making a trade.

A.J. Pierzynski had his ten and five rights kick in last month after appearing in more than his share of trade rumors. But the White Sox, now 43-38 after a June hot streak, are now just a game out of first place in the AL Central. Click here for our complete list of players with upcoming ten and five rights. 

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