Dan Haren Rumors: Saturday
The Diamondbacks seem determined to move ace Dan Haren before his next start on Tuesday, and it appeared as though the Yankees became the favorite to land the right-hander yesterday. D-Backs' CEO Derrick Hall hedged his bets, saying there was no front-runner, and that other clubs had offers "of at least equal value out there." The Twins, Tigers, Phillies, and Cardinals all continue to maintain interest in Haren as well.
With all that in mind, here is today's collection of Haren rumors, with more to come…
- Haren's no-trade list probably won't matter in the way that it has for Roy Oswalt, as Haren wants to have a chance to win, a source told Olney (via Twitter).
- Haren would prefer to stay in the west, a source told Heyman (via Twitter). However, the hurler is willing to consider all suitors, which is why talks continue with clubs like Detroit and Minnesota.
- It is possible that the Phillies will trade Jayson Werth in order to get the prospects necessary to land Haren, according to Jon Paul Morosi and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Alternatively, the D'Backs could take advantage where the Phillies' farm system is strongest: its lower levels. Arizona is said to have interest in one single-A player in particular, 18-year-old slugger Jonathan Singleton.
- The Tigers don't want to give up Jacob Turner for Haren and they are also on Haren's no-trade list, tweets Heyman. He adds that Ted Lilly is a "possible second choice" for Detroit.
- There have been no conversations today between the D'Backs and the Yankees, says Olney (via Twitter).
- Arizona is asking the Tigers for pitchers Jacob Turner and Andrew Oliver, tweets Olney.
- The Dodgers were actively talking to Arizona about Haren before Josh Byrnes was fired according to FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal (Twitter link). They are not a prominent suitor now.
- ESPN's Buster Olney says the Yankees do not value Haren as much as they did Cliff Lee, and they consider him a risk because of his performance this year (Twitter links). Hence their reluctance to take on Haren's entire contract and deal a boatload of prospects.
- The Yankees are willing to surrender Nova, pitching prospect Zach McAllister, and two prospects for Haren, but they will not eat money and include Chamberlain in a trade, tweets SI.com's Jon Heyman. McAllister's father works in Arizona's scouting department. In a second tweet, Heyman says the Yanks would be willing to pay all of the money left on Haren's deal, but they balked at taking Chad Qualls and Chris Snyder as well.
- ESPN's Jayson Stark says the Yankees were "never close" to a deal for a Haren, having rejected a D-Backs' proposal that would have sent Joba Chamberlain, highly regarded pitching prospect Ivan Nova, and two others to Arizona. The Yanks countered with a package built entirely around prospects. Another sticking point is the $33MM left on Haren's contract, which the D-Backs wanted the Yanks to assume in full. New York, like other interested clubs, wanted the quality of the players in the deal to be dependent on how much of Haren's contract Arizona is willing to eat.
- Sean Brennan, Mark Feinsand, and Roger Rubin of The New York Daily News spoke to a source who indicated that while the Yankees would like to swing a deal for Haren, they won't do so "at all costs."
Padres Sign Nick Green
The Padres have signed Nick Green to a minor league deal, according to Corey Brock of MLB.com (via Twitter). Green was DFA'd last Saturday by the Blue Jays in order to make room for the returning Shaun Marcum. Brock adds that the move was made in order to give San Diego organizational depth.
The infielder, who will report to Triple-A Portland, has a career slash line of .237/.305/.348. Known mostly for his glove, Green has made major league cameos for seven different teams.
Ordonez Out 6-8 Weeks, Option Will Not Vest
Tigers slugger Magglio Ordonez will be out for 6-8 weeks with a broken right ankle, according to Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse (via Twitter). The injury could prove to be costly for Ordonez as he needs 540 plate appearances or 135 starts in order for his 2011 option to vest.
Currently, the 36-year-old has 363 plate appearances and has started just 71 games. Based on the current prognosis, Ordonez could only hope to return to action in the first week of September.
Had his 2011 option with Detroit vested, Ordonez would have earned $15MM. This season, Ordonez has a slash line of .301/.375/.472 with 12 homers.
Nats Interested In Edwin Jackson
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
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
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
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
Some links for Saturday as Roy Oswalt prepares to make what might be the final start of his Astros' career…
- Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com tweets that an MRI revealed just a bruise in Corey Hart's thumb. He isn't expected to go on the disabled list, but will be out a few days. Plenty of teams have been connected to the Brewers' outfielder this trade season.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com tweets that it will tough for the Angels to justify more upgrades if they get swept by Texas this weekend. The Halos have already brought in Alberto Callaspo, but have fallen seven games back of the Rangers after losing in each of the last two nights.
- Newsday's Ken Davidoff notes (via Twitter) that the Blue Jays had scouts at last night's Royals-Yankees game, and will again today. Toronto has made most of their bullpen available, and the Yanks are known to be looking for relief help.
- ESPN's Buster Olney hears that there is a "major split" between the Mariners' front office and field staff (Twitter link). This comes the morning after Chone Figgins and manager Don Wakamatsu had to be separated in the dugout.
- The Giants made "genuine progress" on a deal for David DeJesus before the Royals' outfielder suffered a season ending thumb injury on Thursday, reports Andrew Baggarly of The Mercury News.
- Meanwhile, Baggarly speculates that the Giants could be looking at some Diamondbacks' players since they're looking for a lefty bat.
- A's GM Billy Beane said "it would behoove" him to keep Ben Sheets because of his value in the clubhouse, according to MLB.com's Alex Espinoza. With just over $4MM left on his contract, Sheets should easily clear trade waivers in August if Beane has a change of heart.
- Manny Navarro of The Miami Herald adds the Rockies to the list of teams that have expressed interest in Jorge Cantu.
- The Phillies have not put much money into their international scouting program in recent years, writes Bob Brookover of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
Colletti More Willing To Move Prospects
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
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.