Stark On Royals, Phillies, Holliday
ESPN.com's Jayson Stark asks some thoughtful baseball people why we're not greeting Manny Ramirez like the "team-wrecking, alibi-distorting, female-fertility-drug-popping scoundrel he is." And, of course, Stark has piles of rumors. Here they are:
- The Mets were never willing to move Bobby Parnell or other top young arms for Mark DeRosa, so they weren't as close to acquiring him as the Reds and Cubs were. The Phillies, Marlins and Giants were also in the mix.
- The Indians are more interested in dealing Rafael Bentancourt than Kerry Wood, whose contract ($15MM remaining) would be hard to move.
- The Royals will listen on anyone but Zack Greinke, but that doesn't mean they're looking to deal starters. They're "reluctant" to deal Brian Bannister, Kyle Davies or Gil Meche, who has a no-trade clause.
- The Phillies were looking at Juan Cruz, who the Royals say they'd only deal for an upper-tier prospect ready to make a big-league impact.
- The Reds will wait it out and ramp up their pursuit of a bat if they're in the race later in the month.
- One executive says Pedro Martinez didn't look bad in last month's workout; Pedro's just demanding too much money.
- The Phillies haven't given up on pursuing Cliff Lee, Erik Bedard or Roy Oswalt.
- The Braves are trying to deal Jeff Francoeur everywhere, but no one's interested. One front-office guy says his team would be interested if Francoeur's non-tendered.
- Officials are divided on whether Yunel Escobar could be dealt, but a trade is unlikely at best.
- Rangers GM Jon Daniels says he is now looking to bolster his rotation.
- As expected, Daniels confirmed that the Rangers will have "limited" ability to take on salary at the deadline.
- The A's will want "two prospects with tremendous upside" for Matt Holliday if they deal him. It's unclear how much of the $6.75MM remaining on his contract the A's would pick up.
- Could Josh Willingham be the next-best bat on the market? One exec says he might be if Russell Branyan and Miguel Tejada don't become available.
- Another official says Willingham's unappealing because of his back issues.
Braves Could Add Bat; Won’t Mortgage Future
Braves GM Frank Wren told David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he's open to adding a bat later in the month, but won't compromise the club's future to do so (check out the comments section to read O'Brien's note).
Olney On Pirates, Marlins, Escobar
ESPN.com's Buster Olney says yesterday's Pirates-Yankees trade proves we're looking at a buyer's market this year. The Pirates had to include $400k to shed part of Eric Hinske's salary, and they won't be the only ones including salary relief in trades. Here are the rest of Olney's rumors:
- The suitors for players like Nick Johnson and Josh Willingham may start disappearing if the few teams who can take on salary decide to look elsewhere for help.
- Olney says the Pirates acquired potential success in Lastings Milledge.
- The Marlins are still looking aggressively for relievers.
- Now that Mike Lowell's out, the Red Sox and Rockies seem to match up well for a possible deal that would send Garrett Atkins to Boston for a reliever.
- The Braves are willing to trade Yunel Escobar for a good hitter.
Arangure Jr. On International Prospects
ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr. has been all over the market for potential signings from Latin America ahead of July 2nd, the first day teams are officially eligible to sign international free agents. Let's check out his latest action on the beat:
- The Braves and Reds supposedly watched the workouts for shortstop prospect Humberto Valor. One scout called him "the best position player in Venezuela," and he's expected to get a bonus in the range of $1.5MM-$2.2MM.
- The Red Sox are apparently set to sign Dominican right-hander Raul Alcantara for $500k. Here's a scouting report, and one scout said he's "better than [Michael] Ynoa."
- The Brewers and Yankees are said to be "all over" SS prospect Damian Arredondo, touted for his "raw speed."
Ben had a round-up of more international signing tidbits yesterday. Keep an eye out for a flurry of news as the deadline approaches.
Renck’s Latest: Hawkins, Saito, Spilborghs, Atkins
In his latest article, the Denver Post's Troy E. Renck has a few Rockies footnotes worth discussing:
- Renck suggests the Rockies should aggressively pursue LaTroy Hawkins if the Astros drop in the standings.
- Takashi Saito is another option. He has dominated in the NL West and the Red Sox like Ryan Spilborghs. He also notes the Tigers and Phillies have expressed interest in Spilborghs, as Ken Rosenthal said earlier this month.
- Renck lists the Braves, Cardinals, and Mets as potential fits for Garrett Atkins, but Renck adds that his "$4 million in remaining salary is prohibitive."
Nationals Scouting Outfield Options?
Talks have swirled this weekend about the Nationals' pursuit of Pirates CF Nyjer Morgan, but it looks like he's not the only outfielder on the team's radar. Bill Ladson at MLB.com has updated his previous post on the discussions, and this time he throws Braves CF prospect Jordan Schafer's name into the mix as a potential target for the Nats.
Ladson says the Nationals are seeking an improvement in their outfield defense, as they have apparently concluded that Adam Dunn and Josh Willingham profile more as designated hitters and Elijah Dukes still makes too many mental errors. Schafer was sent down earlier this season to make room for Nate McLouth, but it isn't clear if the Braves would be willing to move him.
It seems like the Nats are looking for a young, cost-controlled and speedy outfielder as well as a defensively adept one. Who else comes to mind that might be attainable for the Nationals?
Odds And Ends: El Duque, Feliz, Cubs
More links for Wednesday afternoon…
- CBS Sports reports that Orlando Hernandez is set to begin pitching for the Rangers' Triple A team in Oklahoma City.
- The Rangers are preparing another Triple A pitcher for the major league staff, but this one's two decades younger than El Duque. Neftali Feliz is now pitching out of the bullpen, according to Evan Grant of D Magazine.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports says the Cubs hope to get Aramis Ramirez back in action before determining whether they will make a deadline deal.
- Who knew the Braves added John Halama to their minor league system? Check out Baseball America's latest minor league transactions for more.
- MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo breaks down the pro debuts of some 2009 draftees.
- Phillies prospect Jason Donald isn't letting the rumors about his future distract him, according to Scott Lauber of the News Journal.
- Be sure to follow MLBTR on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook while you're at it.
Braves’ Search For Bats Limited By Payroll
Braves GM Frank Wren told ESPN.com's Buster Olney that the Braves would consider adding a hitter, but may be unable to make a deal because few teams have financial flexibility. Wren said he's been impressed with his team's hitting recently, but he remains open to adding a bat that fits the Braves' needs.
Rosenthal On Strasburg, Arroyo, Zobrist
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says most believe the Nationals will sign Stephen Strasburg to a record deal of about $15-18MM this summer. Here are the details:
- Rosenthal describes doomsday scenarios for the Nationals and Strasburg to show that the two sides need to come to an agreement.
- The Reds can't even consider dealing Bronson Arroyo until Edinson Volquez returns. If Homer Bailey comes up and pitches well, it would be easier for the Reds to part with a starter.
- If Akinori Iwamura can return this year, Ben Zobrist may become a super utilityman again. Rosenthal wonders if the AL OPS leader is more valuable when he plays multiple positions.
- The Brewers, who would like to add pitching, could talk with the Braves, who have had interest in Corey Hart in the past.
- Nobody's interested in Jeff Francoeur, but the Braves have enviable pitching depth that would entice the Brewers.
Jason Bay Was Nearly A Brave
We know that the Braves and Rays almost acquired Jason Bay from the Pirates at last year's trade deadline. Rob Bradford of WEEI.com has some specifics on who the Pirates would have received in return and just how close the Braves came to completing the deal:
- The Braves would have sent Concepcion Rodriguez, Brent Lillibridge, Brandon Jones and Jeff Locke to the Pirates.
- Interestingly, Locke was eventually dealt to the Pirates for another All-Star outfielder, Nate McLouth.
- The Braves actually had Bay's name sewed onto a jersey. I wonder who has it now…
- Pirates president Frank Coonelly called the deal off since he wanted more major league talent in return.
- Bay had no idea that he came so close to becoming a Brave and said he's happy to be in Boston.