4:05pm: A deal between the A's and Rangers is unlikely today, reports Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link), since the Rangers are talking to another team. More progress could be made over the weekend.
2:48pm: Several clubs, including the A's, are talking to the Rangers about Uehara, reports T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.
12:57pm: The Rangers and Athletics are "getting close" to a trade involving reliever Koji Uehara, reports Joe Stiglich of the San Jose Mercury News (via Twitter). The A's are known to be looking for relief help, with Uehara and free agent Mike Gonzalez the two names most frequently connected to the club. Texas has also been connected to Gonzalez and in fact have been trying to create payroll space for that signing by dealing Uehara.
Uehara has a partial no-trade clause in his contract and has already blocked one deal this winter that would've sent him to Toronto. It's unknown if the A's are one of the other five teams on Uehara's no-trade list.
The two AL West rivals last completed a trade with each other in January 2011, a swap that sent Guillermo Moscoso to Oakland. The Rangers were one of several teams who talked to the A's about Andrew Bailey before Bailey was eventually dealt to the Red Sox earlier this winter.
weird
What is Beane thinking?
that a desperate team will give him more than what he will be giving up when the trade deadline comes around
this, plus he needs to fill out the bullpen. he probably wants tyson ross AND graham godfrey starting, rather than one OR the other
these are good reasons to sign a reliever, not trade for one
if he gives up nothing, it makes sense. otherwise it’s a little weird. relievers aren’t going to net draft picks after the season anymore
he might give up someone like taylor, who has NO spot on the a’s after all the wheeling and dealing beane’s done, or maybe an out of options player like allen or kila. something to clear up one of our two logjams
That doesn’t happen if it doesnt make sense for Texas. And I can tell you now, Kila and Allen make no sense whatsoever. Don’t think Taylor does either. This will be for a low level pitcher with good potential type player.
Wondering what the A’s will offer in return besides salary relief? Will this mean the Rangers use the Uehara money to sign Gonzalez or Oswalt?
Maybe Gonzalez, it wouldn’t clear enough for Oswalt. I think they’re being truthful when they say they’re not pursuing Oswalt anyway.
I really don’t like Gonzalez, but we need a lefty.
Gonzalez did very well for u when he came over. He wasn’t a shutdown guy, but he got the job done a huge majority of the time. I’d love to get him back.
He got the job done after continuously putting guys on base and giving up hits when he only needed one out.
He got lucky last season. I don’t trust him on a team competing for a WS title.
I never said he didn’t make us sweat lol. But pretty or not, he did do his job.
even less trustworthy: small samples
I like small sample sizes
I’m scared it’s Oswalt.
Probably Gonzalez, he makes more sense than Oswalt
No Oswalt. Uehara trade likely means a Gonzalez deal.
Hopefully Gonzalez
sweet, probably for someone like taylor
edit: several teams a.k.a orioles, a’s, and mystery team x
I hope not. We already had one AAAA player.
give em barton
+1. Though Texas employs real hitters, not guys who take pitches down the middle for called-third strikes in a vain effort to pad their Ops. I was thinking more along the lines of Carter or a a minor leaguer or two.
I have a feeling it might be for Allen. But we do also have plenty of outfielders to share as well lol
a i have a feeling as well, i’d much rather give them barton
Yeah I doubt JD trades Uehara for something that we don’t need. Our outfield is currently stacked in the majors and we have a TON of guys in the lower minors. We also have 3 guys manning 1B in the majors, and I wouldn’t be surprised of Mike Olt gets moved over there this season. Allen does not fit in anywhere in this organization. He won’t be in this deal.
Koji Uehara Rules! His Pork Chop side burns are the Best! They rank right up there with Carl Yastrzemski’s and Rollie Fingers “Handle Bar” mustache! I highly recommend this trade!
PS If the A’s then trade Grant Balfour for Kevin Gregg my spring will be made!
I’m thinking Texas is wanting Tom Milone for Uehara. It makes sense from the Rangers’ perspective.
it won’t be milone, makes no sense for the a’s to trade him
I wonder what the Jays agreed to trade for Uehara before he blocked it
You would have to think Oakland is one of his no trade teams. I mean its pretty well known that they are the most popular name in no trade clauses, and its as far from Baltimore as it gets…for a guy desperately wanting to be close to home. I would be shocked if he cant block this trade also.
they went all in for him last year and now they will just give up.
I think that the interesting thing will be to compare what the Rangers gave up to get Koji (Tommy Hunter and Chris Davis) with what they will get from the A’s for him. Koji didn’t get traded back to Baltimore for the simple reason that the Rangers were trying to recoup some of their losses in the deal, and Duquette told them no.
I LOVE no-trade clauses; I mean that. I would want one if I were a player in MLB.
Me too
But from a team standpoint there a really big annoyance