It’s been a busy afternoon, but no deals have gone down; let’s round up some worthwhile recent news and rumors as the market heats up:
- The Cardinals are in need of a starter for Saturday, and manager Mike Matheny says that it could go to an arm that is not currently in the organization, as Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Philadelphia has sent a scout to watch the Cardinals’ top minor league affiliate, Goold adds. As he indicates, it is easy to see the Cards showing interest in the Phillies’ Cole Hamels given his high-end talent and extended team control. On the other hand, a recent report suggests that the Phils have yet to go very far down the line in discussing Hamels, and the club is said to be looking for an overwhelming return to part with the lefty.
- For the Marlins, the desire to add a top-end starter does not mean that the team will part with any core MLB players, including outfielder Christian Yelich, reports MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro. Additionally, Miami remains more interested in adding an arm that it can control past this season. The club therefore might be more inclined to pursue John Lackey than Jon Lester from the Red Sox, and would have “heavy interest” if David Price of the Rays were to be made available. Frisaro says the club is working hard to make one or two deals by the trade deadline.
- The Mariners are currently discussing outfielder Josh Willingham with the Twins, sources tell Jon Morosi of FOX Sports (Twitter link). The sides were connected a few weeks back by Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com, and Seattle has long been said to be seeking a right-handed bat for the outfield. Also still in the mix on Willingham are the Yankees, among other teams including Seattle, reports Heyman.
- Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp interests the Red Sox whether or not he would be involved in a hypothetical deal for Lester, reports Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com (Twitter links). Boston has scouted him on and off over the last month, says Edes, and would consider adding him over the offseason if nothing comes to pass this summer.
- The Rangers are working to deal outfielder Alex Rios, a source with a team interested in a bat tells Andy Martino of the New York Daily News (Twitter link). Rios, who was off to a hot start, struggled mightily in June and but has improved to a .304/.317/.405 line for the month of July.
- White Sox reliever Matt Lindstrom is nearing a rehab stint, MLB.com’s Scott Merkin reports on Twitter. The 34-year-old owns a 3.32 ERA through 19 innings, and could be a possible August trade chip if he can return healthy. He is playing on a $4MM salary this year before hitting the open market.
I think the Phillies sent a scout there for a potential AJ Burnett trade but who knows at this point?
No, I don’t think so. Cardinals are not interested in your old guy. We want either Hamels, Price, or Lester dude.
I don’t see the Cardinals trading for someone like AJ, go big or go home sounds like the Cards intentions this deadline.
Don’t think Burnett is interested in going to St. Louis.
I don’t know if he has interest there or not (or if it’s even a possibility that the Cards would want him) – but he did put leave them off his 20 team NTC. So he wouldn’t have to “approve” a trade there.
True enough.
Cardinals need a pitcher for Saturday and Cole Hamels pitched today(Tues). Wed/Thu/Fri then Sat. He’s going to pitch on short rest after just acquiring him? Sounds like their manager believes the pitcher they acquire will pitch Sat so it would likely be Cards are pursuing someone who won’t be starting on short rest if they get him.
Lester has been scratched. Phils did have a scout at Memphis so perhaps Cliff Lee(plus eating significant salary) and then Lee starts Sat. Cards wouldn’t need to trade any of their top prospects and get a guy who may be shaking off the rust and able to contribute significantly. They’ve traded for older pitchers with injuries before.
Let the Yankees have Willingham, what is he batting like .196 for the month of July? No, thanks Jack Z is done after this year. The guy is a terrible assessor of major league talent. He looks for guys that bat in the low .200 and have 15 to 20 HRs. That is his idea of the idealistic player.
His numbers are deceiving. He is indeed hitting .179 in July, but over his past 11 games he’s hitting .270 with two home runs and five RBIs. Plus, he’s walking more, raising his on-base percentage as well. Some team will be happy to have his bat, especially if they can DH him more often or use him in spot situations.
Yeah, we should definitely trade Matt Kemp, like right away.
I don’t buy the Kemp/Boston thing. Boston has talked about not getting into long term commitments with their own guys. Why would they want Kemp clogging their OF for the next 5+ years?