Edes On Tejada, Nationals, Shapiro
Yahoo's Gordon Edes updates us on the Cardinals' search for a bat and more in his most recent column. Here are the details:
- The Cardinals aren't interested in Miguel Tejada, but they are looking to add offensive help at third or in the outfield.
- Some have criticized the Pirates for taking Tony Sanchez fourth overall, but Edes hears they chose him because they like his tools and believe he's polished enough to reach the majors before most players in the draft.
- The Nationals would move Elijah Dukes or Lastings Milledge. Ryan Zimmerman is their only untouchable player.
- The Rangers have interest in Nick Johnson.
- There is speculation that Indians GM Mark Shaprio could be promoted to club president, with Chris Antonetti becoming GM. Edes hears that we won't see an in-season shake-up.
- Bill Lajoie, one of the decision-makers behind the deal that sent Hanley Ramirez to Florida, doesn't second guess the move.
- Edes heard from one scouting director who believes Bryce Harper is stronger than Chipper Jones, Alex Rodriguez or Manny Ramirez when they were in high school. However, some scouts wonder whether Harper would be better if he didn't rush to the majors.
Rangers Inquired On Snell
Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Rangers inquired about Pirates starter Ian Snell. The Pirates haven't had serious talks about dealing Snell to the Rangers or anyone else, since other teams value him as a reliever and the Pirates value him as a starter.
We heard yesterday that the Rockies don't have interest in Snell.
Olney On Mets, Holliday, Snell
ESPN.com's Buster Olney says the Mets have begun discussing which hitters they want to target. Here's what Olney has heard about the Mets, along with the rest of his rumors:
- It's fair to assume the Mets would like to acquire a "big-time bat."
- Omar Minaya could pursue Nick Johnson. He already traded for him once as the GM of the Expos.
- Other players that could play first and hit: Aubrey Huff, Jorge Cantu, Mark DeRosa and Dan Uggla.
- Uggla's an outside-the-box solution, but the Mets could use his power.
- Don't assume the A's will be able to collect compensation picks for offering arbitration to Matt Holliday if they don't trade him at the deadline. Holliday's numbers have fallen off, making him more likely to accept arbitration if the A's offer it. He could make upwards of $16MM, meaning the surest way for the A's to get something back would be to deal him now.
- Olney says the Rockies don't have interest in Ian Snell. Yesterday John Perrotto suggested they could trade for him.
- Colorado will likely wait another month before deciding whether to deal Huston Street.
- The Mariners don't have to rush their deal-making either, especially since their division looks winnable.
Odds And Ends: Harper, Pirates, Hanley
Some links for Tuesday morning…
- Be here at 2pm CST for this week's chat.
- Chico Harlan of the Washington Post says one Nationals official broke into a broad grin after describing Bryce Harper's ability.
- In a piece that's worth reading completely, Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette tries to determine when the Pirates expect to contend. Some within the organization can imagine results by 2011 and Neal Huntington says Pirates fans won't have to wait until 2015.
- Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says top pick Matt Purke expects to complete a deal with the Rangers.
- Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle says the Rangers have a better, younger, cheaper team than the Astros, but that doesn't mean Houston couldn't make things interesting this year.
- Eric Chavez told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle that he's "dreading" his upcoming back surgery.
- Carlos Guillen may not play again this season, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
- Tom Haudricourt of the Milwuakee Journal Sentinel says it's clear the Brewers need a starter.
- Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle notes that Torii Hunter talked with the Giants when he was a free agent after the 2007 season.
- Hanley Ramirez doesn't think Theo Epstein wanted to trade him to the Marlins, according to John Tomase of the Boston Herald.
Pirates Rumors: Snell, LaRoche, Grabow
John Perrotto of PiratesReport.com provides more detail on the Ian Snell rumors and adds a couple new ones in his latest article:
- The Rockies could have interest in Snell and the Pirates would be looking to get a "decent prospect" in return, despite Snell's tendency to blame others and his poor start to the season.
- Colorado "figures to make a play for him."
- The Giants have interest in Adam LaRoche.
- The Angels are interested in John Grabow, now that they can't count on Scot Shields or Jose Arredondo.
Colorado A Possible Destination For Snell
John Perrotto of Inside Pittsburgh Sports reports "indications" that the Pirates are willing to trade Ian Snell and says the Rockies are becoming their most likely trade parter. Multiple people in the team clubhouse appeared convinced that Snell was about to be traded yesterday.
Pirates, Red Sox Discussed Jack Wilson
Going back at least a week, there has been word that the Red Sox inquired on Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson. Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has more on those talks.
The short version: there does not appear to be a match. Kovacevic says the Sox have done research on Wilson, but the Pirates seem to want more than Boston would give up. The Pirates' beat writer implies that the unpopular Nate McLouth trade may cause the Pirates to tread lightly with Wilson. Still, he says the Pirates have also had less intense trade talks with other clubs about their shortstop.
Kovacevic says nothing is cooking in terms of keeping Wilson in a Pirates uniform in 2010, whether in terms of an affordable extension or Wilson's $8.4MM club option. Wilson still has $5MM coming to him on his current extension - $4.4MM of his '09 salary, plus a $600K buyout on the option.
As for the Red Sox, they're using Nick Green and Julio Lugo at shortstop while Jed Lowrie recovers from wrist surgery. Lowrie will take live batting practice Monday as he aims for a late June/early July return.
Yankees In On Sano?
You've heard the name plenty around these parts over the past few weeks. Miguel Angel Sano, a 16-year-old infield prospect from the Dominican Republic, has been linked to the Pirates, Indians, Orioles and Twins.
Now it appears the Yankees have jumped into the bidding. As ESPN The Magazine's Jorge Arangure reported through his Twitter account this afternoon, Brian Cashman and Co. believe they have a "50/50" chance of landing the phenom.
Pirates Sign Tyler Herron
According to a press release from the Altoona Curve, the Pirates have signed RHP Tyler Herron to a minor league deal. The Cardinals released Herron just nine days ago. Still just 22 years old, Herron had a 4.37 ERA in 45.2 IP at Double-A before his release. The 46th overall pick in the 2005 Draft, Herron's been assigned to Double-A Altoona.
Pirates, Twins Are Sano’s Top Suitors
ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure Jr. hears that the Pirates may not offer Miguel Angel Sano as much as $3MM, let alone $4MM. The Pirates are still tracking Sano closely, and, along with the Twins, they're the frontrunners to sign the 16-year-old shortstop once July 2nd comes around. The Orioles recently worked Sano out, but they are not expected to beome serious bidders.
- Padres director of international scouting Randy Smith says he hopes to acquire one "big-name" international player.
- Daniel Sanchez is a player to watch; Arangure says some consider him the year's best Latin American pitcher.