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Archives for July 2011

Brandon League Trade “Not Likely At All”

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TUESDAY, 3:20pm: To further enforce the point, Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik told MLB Network Radio's Jim Bowden that League "is going to be here" (Twitter link).

MONDAY, 8:12pm: Mariners president Chuck Armstrong told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that we shouldn't expect Seattle to trade Brandon League this month. A deal is “not likely at all – at this point,” Armstrong said.

League, 28, is one of the most coveted players available, according to Morosi. The right-hander has a 3.26 ERA with 6.3 K/9, 1.9 BB/9, a 57.3% ground ball rate and 23 saves in 38 2/3 innings. He earns $2.25MM this year and is under team control through 2012.

The Mariners fielded many calls on League and the Phillies appeared to have some interest.

B.J. Upton Rumors: Tuesday

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The latest on Rays center fielder B.J. Upton, who owns a .229/.310/.399 line on the season:

My apologies for an earlier error in which I erroneously attributed Joel Sherman's "asking for a ton" quote to the Rays and B.J. Upton.  The quote actually referred to the Cardinals and Colby Rasmus.

Blue Jays Likely To Keep Type B Relievers?

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2:16pm: Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos, who is in a lot of talks, "probably is going to keep his Type B relievers," tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.

1:08pm: The Braves "will continue to evaluate the possibility of acquiring either Jon Rauch or Jason Frasor from the Blue Jays," writes MLB.com's Mark Bowman.  Bowman notes that the Jays want a significant return for either reliever, since they both project as Type B free agents and therefore could net supplemental draft picks.  Both righties also have club options for 2012 at $3.75MM, so they're more than rentals.

The Braves' bullpen is fourth in the NL with a 3.08 ERA, but the group also ranks third with 319 innings pitched.

Angels Still Prioritizing Offense

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The Angels priority this week is to add a bat, writes CBS Sports' Scott Miller, preferably a third baseman.  Internally, they've discussed Aramis Ramirez of the Cubs and Michael Cuddyer of the Twins.

Miller says the Halos have considered making a run at Cuddyer and using him at third base.  However, the Twins "remain in go-for-it mode" and actually might add a reliever.  Plus, Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune wrote earlier this month that a Twins official said the team would keep Cuddyer and attempt to re-sign him even if they fall out of contention.  So, the Angels, Giants, and other suitors are probably out of luck.  

As for Aramis, the Angels' best bet will be to hope he'll waive his no-trade rights after his kids return to school in August.  Also on the Angels front, Kevin Baxter of the L.A. Times reported today that the Marlins are scouting them closely.

Stark On Shields, Pena, Fukudome, Rangers

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The latest from ESPN's Jayson Stark…

  • The Rays listened on James Shields last week, but now they've taken him off the market for July and apparently the upcoming offseason.
  • An executive who spoke with the Cubs says the level of interest in first baseman Carlos Pena has been exaggerated.  That's pretty damning, since publicly the level of interest has always appeared tepid.  Also, Stark says the Cubs believe Pena could get through waivers in August.  I disagree with the notion that there will be a lot less money left on Pena's contract at that point, since half of the $10MM is to be paid in January.
  • Kosuke Fukudome might be the one Cub dealt at the July deadline.  We still haven't heard which teams are on his partial no-trade list, however.
  • The Rangers are balking at including lefty Martin Perez in a deal.  Perez is a consensus top-13 prospect in all of MLB.  However, the Rangers will discuss their next tier of prospects - Tanner Scheppers, Robbie Erlin, Roman Mendez and Barret Loux, in Stark's mind.
  • A longtime friend of Drayton McLane believes McLane's last act as Astros owner will be to convince GM Ed Wade to retain favorite Hunter Pence.

Marlins Unlikely To Trade Nunez

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The Marlins are unlikely to trade closer Leo Nunez, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  And as I mentioned in June, the Fish may want to extend starter Anibal Sanchez if anything.

Though the Angels, Phillies, and others have been linked to Nunez, his removal from the trade market wouldn't change much.  It's still flush with right-handed relievers.

Sanchez figures to be a big part of the Marlins' 2012 rotation, along with Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco.

Passan On Upton, Nationals, Melky, Francoeur

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The latest on the trade market from Yahoo’s Jeff Passan…

  • A number of MLB officials tell Passan that they consider the Nationals the favorites for B.J. Upton. However, a Rays official says there’s no favorite at this point (click here for the latest on Upton).
  • Nationals GM Mike Rizzo has told teams that pitching prospect Brad Peacock is not available.
  • Nationals executives and scouts have told others that Ian Desmond is available (despite reports that that Washington will hold onto its shortstop).
  • The Royals are leaning toward keeping Melky Cabrera in 2012, according to Passan. Cabrera, who is having an excellent season and remains under team control next year, might not fetch enough in a trade for GM Dayton Moore to pull the trigger.
  • The Royals are hoping to work out some kind of contract for next year with Jeff Francoeur. The sides have a 2012 mutual option for $4MM, but the Royals would likely have to offer more to lock Francoeur up for next season. They get the impression that the 27-year-old is interested in staying in Kansas City.

Tigers, Red Sox Among Teams Interested In Bedard

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The Tigers and Red Sox are among the many, many teams interested in Mariners lefty Erik Bedard, tweets SI's Jon Heyman.  Bedard has missed the last month with a knee sprain, but he'll be activated to start Friday's game against the Rays.  You can bet that'll be a well-scouted affair.

Even back in April, it was apparent that Bedard could be the closest thing to an ace on the trade market if he stayed healthy.  Knee injury aside, Bedard re-established himself with a 3.00 ERA, 8.5 K/9, 2.6 BB/9, 1.1 HR/9, and 40.9% groundball rate in 90 innings, picking up steam as he went along.  I can picture the Yankees, Indians, Rangers, Pirates, Cardinals, Reds, and Diamondbacks entering the fray as well, but Bedard has a good relationship with the Mariners and it's possible their best move is to re-sign him.

West Rumors: Angels, Iannetta, Rangers

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The latest on a few AL and NL West clubs…

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