Yankees Trying To Trade Chan Ho Park
The Yankees are trying to trade Chan Ho Park, according to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark (via Twitter). The market for relievers is thin, but adding Park to it doesn't change much for teams in search of relief help. The 37-year-old has allowed seven homers and 30 other hits in 32.1 innings for a 5.57 ERA. Park's strikeout (7.2 K/9) and walk (2.5 BB/9) numbers have been above-average, but he has been hittable in 2010.
Park earns $1.2MM this season before hitting free agency. He missed time with a hamstring injury earlier in the year and his place in the Yankees 'pen has been less than secure since May. Presumably, the Yankees would part with Park for salary relief or a fringe prospect.
Roy Oswalt Rumors: Monday
Roy Oswalt is the best available starter with Dan Haren off the board, though there's no guarantee that the Astros move the righty. He has a substantial contract with a no-trade clause and the Astros are demanding lots in return for their ace. Here is the latest on Oswalt, with new bullets added at the top throughout the day…
- Oswalt told MLB.com's Brian McTaggart that "location doesn't matter," in case any doubt remained. Earlier today, Oswalt told Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle that he would accept a deal to the East Coast under the right circumstances. "That’s not an issue," he said.
- Oswalt will not approve any trade unless the acquiring team picks up his 2012 option, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Oswalt would consider deferring money, but he will not accept a deal unless the team trading for him picks up his $16MM option (Twitter link).
- A source tells Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that Oswalt does not want to play for the Phillies.
- ESPN's Jayson Stark says the Astros seek "a young, front-line player off the big-league roster, two high-end prospects and one more prospect" for Oswalt, making a trade far from a sure thing. Stark contends that Astros owner Drayton McLane will require a return he can brag about.
- The Cardinals "don’t feel confident in their ability" to acquire Oswalt, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Cards face the added wrinkle of playing in the same division as th Astros. GM John Mozeliak, speaking in general terms, told Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch "I can't say I'm encouraged" about making a major pitching move.
- The Phillies could acquire Oswalt without moving Jayson Werth, writes MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. Morosi feels that the Phillies represent "one of the more viable landing spots for Oswalt."
Rays Will Consider Two-Month Rentals
The Rays have shown interest in impending free agents Cliff Lee and Jayson Werth this summer, so they seem prepared to invest in players who won’t necessarily stay in Tampa after 2010. Today, GM Andrew Friedman confirmed to Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune that the Rays are interested in players who aren’t under long-term control.
“There are some we’re looking at that we can control short-term and some that we can control longer,” Friedman said, noting that his decisions will vary depending on the situation. “We’re open-minded to either [type of player].”
Friedman says he sees fewer impact players available than there were in 2008 or 2009 and that seems especially true now that Lee and Dan Haren are off the market. The Rays don’t appear confident in their ability to acquire Werth, but Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reported today that the team has interest in Chad Qualls.
The Rays, who seem willing to trade prospects, face a payroll drop in 2011, which may contribute to their interest in free agents-to-be. Owner Stuart Sternberg is prepared to spend in 2010, but the Rays will face cuts in 2011, when payroll is expected to drop below $60MM.
Rangers Pursuing Cantu, Eyeing Derrek Lee
5:06pm: The Marlins are not close to sending Cantu to the Rangers, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald (Twitter link). The Rockies have stepped up their bid for Cantu and the Giants are still involved.
4:21pm: The Rangers are interested in Cantu, but are "evaluating a number of bats," a source tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (Twitter link).
3:55pm: The Rangers are "closing in" on a deal for Cantu, a source tells Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com.
3:30pm: The Rangers have asked about Cantu more than other clubs have, but they don't necessarily have an edge over the Giants or Rockies, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post (via Twitter).
7:44am: The Rangers are known to be seeking a right-handed hitting first baseman, perhaps a platoon partner for Chris Davis. USA Today's Bob Nightengale tweets that they are "in deep conversations" with the Marlins for Jorge Cantu, and "taking a close look" at the Cubs' Derrek Lee. They'd also like to add another starting pitcher and a lefty reliever.
Lee is the new name in the mix for the Rangers, though he and Cantu are used to being regulars. Neither player has hit like a regular first baseman this year – Cantu is at .260/.309/.412, and Lee stands at .251/.338/.391. Their contracts are significant – Cantu has $2.28MM remaining and Lee has $4.95MM. The Rangers have also been linked to players such as Ty Wigginton, Mike Lowell, and Wes Helms.
Nightengale's contention that the Rangers would like to add another starter is surprising. Four days ago, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports suggested on Twitter that a pitching surplus could make Rich Harden or Scott Feldman trade bait.
Tigers, Rangers Losing Interest In Lowell
The Tigers and Rangers have been eyeing Mike Lowell, but both teams are losing interest in the infielder, according to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com. The Rangers appear to be pursuing Jorge Cantu aggressively, so their interest in Lowell has faded.
The Tigers had amateur scouting director David Chadd watch Lowell rehab with the Pawtucket Red Sox recently, according to Edes. Detroit just lost infielders Carlos Guillen and Brandon Inge to the DL, but a big league source tells Edes that the Tigers aren’t likely to obtain Lowell.
Lowell, 36, has hit .213/.308/.350 in 91 plate appearances this season, but has recently been sidelined with a hip injury. About $4.2MM remains on Lowell’s contract, but the Red Sox would take on a substantial chunk of salary in any trade.
Rangers Among Teams Interested In Chris Volstad
Teams are asking the Marlins about Chris Volstad's availability, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post. The Marlins appear undecided about the approach they'll take at the deadline, but they are reluctant to deal Volstad, Ricky Nolasco or Leo Nunez. The Rangers inquired on Volstad, but were turned away, according to Capozzi.
Volstad, 24 in September, has a 4.76 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 so far this season. The 6'8" righty is under team control through the 2014 season, and won't hit arbitration until after next year, so it's no surprise that the Marlins prefer to keep him.
Volstad has logged 104 innings so far this season and is on track to surpass his career-high of 159. Unlike many of his teammates, Volstad had not been mentioned in trade rumors this summer before today.
Mets And Royals Discussing Francoeur, Others
MONDAY, 3:09pm: A source tells ESPN.com's Jayson Stark that the Royals have "no interest" in Francoeur or Perez (Twitter link).
SUNDAY, 7:33pm: Talks between the Mets and Royals are fluid, though it doesn't appear that Guillen will be headed to Queens, says Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. It seems that if Guillen is dealt elsewhere, then Kansas City would be interested in Francoeur, Martino adds.
7:00pm: Francoeur and Perez are on the block, a source tells Jon Heyman of SI (via Twitter). Another source tells Heyman that a trade with Kansas City "might happen" (Twitter link).
6:36pm: The Mets are in talks with the Royals and three names from each side are "in play," writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Those Royals players are Gil Meche, Kyle Farnsworth, and Jose Guillen while the Mets being discussed are Oliver Perez, Luis Castillo, and Jeff Francoeur. It is unclear how advanced the talks are, cautions Rosenthal (via Twitter).
While the two sides aren't necessarily looking at a three-for-three swap, the two biggest contracts do match up well. Meche and Perez's contracts are identical over the next two seasons, with both pitchers earning $12MM in this year and next. The Mets made an attempt to swap the two just over a week ago.
Francoeur and Farnsworth also match up well, says Rosenthal. Farnsworth's contract has a club option for 2011 for $5.25MM, though he has the right to void it in favor of a $500K buyout if he is traded before the 2010 World Series. Francoeur will make $5MM this season before entering his final year of arbitration eligibility.
Cubs Willing To Eat Part Of Fukudome Contract
The Cubs would pay part of the $4.95MM remaining on Kosuke Fukudome's contract this year and quite a bit of his $13.5MM salary for 2011, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. In mid-June, Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com reported that the Cubs approached the Red Sox about Fukudome but didn't get far due to an unwillingness to take on "an appreciable amount" of the outfielder's contract. If both reporters are correct, the Cubs have changed their stance.
Fukudome, 33, is hitting .253/.356/.410 in 273 plate appearances this season. April has been Fukudome's best month in each of his three big league seasons. He slumped badly thereafter this year and in '08, though he hit well in July and August last year. Fukudome is capable of playing right and center field.
Derrek Lee’s No-Trade Clause
Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee has full no-trade rights. Reporters have consulted Lee's friends for opinions on whether he'd waive them. ESPN's Jayson Stark tweeted today:
A source who has known Lee for years says it's "highly doubtful" he'd waive his full no-trade to OK any deal at this stage.
That runs counter to what Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports wrote 12 days ago:
Lee has remained noncommittal on the issue of his no-trade clause. But some friends of the Cubs first baseman said this week that they believe he would accept a deal to the right team.
Al Yellon of Bleed Cubbie Blue pointed out to me that Lee remarked a few days after Rosenthal's report, "I would bet that not one of my friends knows who Ken Rosenthal is" (Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune via Twitter).
Here's what we know for sure: first basemen aren't in huge demand, Lee's having a lousy season, and he has a hefty $4.95MM left on his contract.
Edwin Jackson-Adam Dunn Three-Team Rumor
1:27pm: The Diamondbacks have not yet held three-way talks with the Nationals and White Sox, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Still, they will "not hesitate to deal Edwin Jackson if they get what they want." ESPN's Buster Olney adds via Twitter, "The Nats have made progress in their effort to trade prospects for Jackson."
11:43am: It wouldn't be late July without rumors of intriguing three-team deals. ESPN's Jayson Stark:
Rumblings continue to surface about a possible three-team deal involving the Nationals, White Sox and Diamondbacks that would send Edwin Jackson to Washington, Adam Dunn to Chicago and a bunch of young pitchers to Arizona.
We know the Nationals like Jackson and the White Sox like Dunn, so perhaps the D'Backs can facilitate a deal and further stock up on prospects. Jackson, who is no stranger to three-team deals, has a 5.01 ERA, 7.0 K/9, and 4.0 BB/9 in 20 starts for Arizona. On the plus side, he turns 27 in September, averages 94 mph on his fastball, and is signed for next year. As he was with Dan Haren, D'Backs interim GM Jerry Dipoto might be forced to sell low on Jackson.