Yankees-Pirates Deal Reconfigured
Update 1:05 pm: Several sources are reporting that once Ohlendorf and Tabata cleared physicals, the Pirates had a list of players to choose from.
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The LoHud Yankees Blog reports the Xavier Nady, Damaso Marte deal has been reconfigured:
The Yankees are sending RHP Dan McCutchen, RHP Jeff Karstens, OF Jose Tabata and RHP Ross Ohlendorf to Pittsburgh for Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte.
LHP Phil Coke and RHP George Kontos are not in the deal.
Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? alexo05 [at] umpbump [daught] com.
Mets Actively Looking For Corner Outfielder
Update 1:39 p.m.: Now that the Dodgers have acquired Blake, the Mets have turned their attention to Brian Giles.
Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports the Mets are one of three teams that have inquired on the availability of Giles. He also notes that the Mets are often asked about Fernando Martinez, to whom the Padres offered $1MM as an amateur.
The Cardinals and Brewers are the other two teams.
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Adam Rubin of the NY Daily News reports the Mets have narrowed their focus on obtaining a corner outfielder. A team insider told Rubin the team could trade for Casey Blake, Jason Bay, or Raul Ibañez next week.
The approach would be to wait until after the non-waiver trade deadline in hopes that the currently exorbitant asking price for said outfielders would relax.
Reading between the lines:
Now that the Pirates traded Xavier Nady to the Yankees, Rubin believes it might change their plans on Bay.
Bay has expressed his desire to remain with the Pirates, as the possibility that they give him an extension and rebuild around him exists.
The Mets have been mentioned in Ibañez rumors for a few weeks now, but the surfacing of Blake’s name as an option could mean they didn’t match up well with the Mariners on a deal.
Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? alexo05 [at] umpbump [daught] com.
Yankees Still In Talks For Washburn
Updating a rumor that seems to have died down in the last few days, the Yankees and Mariners are still having serious discussions about Jarrod Washburn, reports Dan Graziano.
Up until a few days ago, the Yankees wanted to include Kei Igawa and Melky Cabrera in the deal but the Mariner’s didn’t particularly appear interested in neither player.
The Mariners asked about Austin Jackson, but were turned down, and now two other prospects have been thrown into the hat: Brett Gardner and Justin Christian.
Washburn has a no-trade clause, but Graziano thinks he would waive it for a shot at a pennant race.
Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? alexo05 [at] umpbump [daught] com.
Torre Talks Dodgers’ Needs
Update 1:55 pm: The Dodgers have acquired Casey Blake from the Indians.
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Before Friday night’s game, Torre discussed the team’s options and how they’ll address them if indeed they’ll make a move before this year’s trade deadline.
He mentioned the need to be active on the trade front, but noted that after the injuries to Nomar Garciaparra and Rafael Furcal, other teams are asking too high a price. He did confirm, however, that Dodgers’ GM Ned Colletti is looking to make a move while reiterating that the team won’t "mortgage the future" in exchange for a rental:
Where we’re at, are we interested in a player that can help us now? Yes. Will we mortgage the future? No. We’re willing to give up something. I don’t think you want to sacrifice the future for somebody who’s going to be here just this year. If you borrow or rent for half a season and give up more, next year you’re filling holes again."
MLBlogs writer Ken Gurnick followed up with Dodgers’ sources on the rumor that they’re on the verge of trading Andy LaRoche (possibly +1) for A’s reliever Huston Street, to which they scoffed.
For the record, Street signed a one year deal with the A’s in January to avoid arbitration.
Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? alexo05 [at] umpbump [daught] com.
Ozzie Doesn’t Think Garcia Will Be Ready
TUESDAY: Garcia was "very, very upset" by Guillen’s comments. His audition is tentatively scheduled for August 5th, and he believes he can help a contender this year.
SATURDAY: Freddy Garcia is hard at work trying to rebound from labrum surgery. Roughly a dozen teams are interested; they hope the veteran right-hander will able to contribute in September and perhaps October.
His close friend and former manager Ozzie Guillen, however, isn’t too optimistic about Garcia’s chances. Guillen told MLB.com writer Scott Merkin:
"I doubt it. I hope he is. He’s my friend…But when I see him and where he’s at right now, I don’t see that happening. I don’t think by August, maybe September. Freddy hasn’t even thrown off the mound yet.
"He’s throwing flat and he’s throwing good and he said his velocity is coming around. Everything is fine, but people think because you play catch, you are pitching. That’s not the same. You don’t have people on the mound or hitting. I hope he do it, but it’s going to be a little bit difficult for him to do it."
Bay Wants To Stay
Jason Bay continues to play like his old self, and with 12 days to the non-waiver trade deadline, interest in the Pirates’ slugger is at an all-time high.
Speaking to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Rob Biertempfel, Bay expressed satisfaction with his performance:
"I feel like I’ve gotten back to that guy who I’ve been in the past, and that’s gratifying. But there’s also some trade-talk stuff that comes with it. It’s a Catch-22. I knew coming in that it would be this way."
The teams that Biertempfel mentioned as showing interest in the left fielder include The Mets, Braves, Rays and Diamondbacks, but Bay was poised when asked if he had any particular interest in a destination:
"There really is nowhere in particular that I really want to go," Bay said. "I don’t want out (of Pittsburgh). I like the familiarity, and I like the direction the team is headed."
According to Biertempfel, the Pirates could still decide to give Bay an extension and build around him.
Teams Expected To Make A Move
Now that the second half of the season is underway, and less than two weeks before the trade deadline, the acquisitions of CC Sabathia by the Brewers, Rich Harden by the Cubs, and most recently, Joe Blanton by the Phillies (not to mention Tony Clark by the Diamondbacks and Richie Sexson by the Yankees) must have had an impact on the way teams still in the hunt are gauging their chances.
Let’s run down rumors by teams five or less games behind first place and I’ll attempt to sound like a baseball expert and predict the probability of some of those trades happening:
Marlins:
Arguably the team most active in trade rumors of those considered "still in it," the Fish have been mentioned in numerous trade scenarios. Most recently, they inquired on the availability of Ivan Rodriguez, but the Tigers said thanks but no thanks.
The Marlins have also been part of the Brian Fuentes trade speculation express, but they might be better served looking for a bat – thus the interest in Willy Taveras.
Sage prediction: It’s in their blood; the Fish have been active during trade deadline season in the past and now that the Phillies added Blanton (not to mention, hot play by the Mets) they’ll trade for a bat.
Cardinals:
The Birds are in second place behind the Cubs, but with the aforementioned trades by the other two teams out of the top three in the NL Central, it’s looking like a major move is inevitable to keep up with the pace.
In fact, the Cards have been mentioned in some trade speculation but those rumors have consistently been shut down. Barry Bonds to the Cards? Nope. Jason Bay rumors debunked, only to have them flare up again tied to top Cardinals prospect Colby Rasmus…until the press talks to the team chairman and they die back down.
Sage prediction: The Cards have to make a move for a bat and for pitching. There I said it. And I’m not the only one.
Twins:
As a small-market team that always competes with what it’s got, the Twins are again quiet in the trade market. There is, however, continuing speculation that they’re interested in upgrading at 3B, inquiring on the availability of Adrian Beltre. Earlier this week, Charlie Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press put together an interesting money-saving trade scenario involving a slugging third baseman.
Sage prediction: The AL Central is up for grabs, and it sure looks like an upgrade will help the Twins down the stretch to when (not if) the Tigers catch up and if (not when) the White Sox let up.
Mets:
Call it oversight, call it my subtle bias that I think the Mets will win the NL East, but commenter D Wright 5 is dead-on for calling me out on not including the Amazin’s in this list. I like his assessment:
The Mets are obviously looking to get a corner outfielder by way of trade. How come you didn’t add Raul Ibanez as a possible candidate to becoming a Met? Not one word about the rumors swirling around the David DeJesus might also become another possibility for the Mets? Not a word about Brian Fuentes being another option.
Honorable mention:
Dodgers: The problem is money. They have a big payroll and would probably only trade for role players that can help off the bench. Plus, they’re really being carried by the young hitters that ostensibly would be coveted by other teams. But don’t discount the possibility of someone like Raul Ibañez.
Red Sox: In an interesting twist, the Sawks were mentioned in connection to Mark Teixeira… but as a possible free agent signing next year. I’m gonna go out on limb and say they’ll stay pat and wait for the Rays to cool off.
Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? email me: alexo05 [at] umpbump [daught] com.
Twins Won’t Fault Liriano
Here’s a quick update on Liriano-gate.
Phil Miller of the twin cities Pioneer Press reports the Twins won’t hold Francisco Liriano accountable for his agent’s request to investigate the team’s handling of the southpaw. Liriano had expressed frustration over his extended stay in the minors.
Odds And Ends: Teixeira, Rauch, Castro, Newman
Saturday linkage…
- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution keeps asking whether the Braves should trade Mark Teixeira.
- Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports several teams have inquired on the availability of Jon Rauch.
- The Astros signed first-round draft pick Jason Castro.
- Royals claimed Josh Newman off waivers. Newman had been DFA’d by the Rockies.
Rosenthal and Fuentes Q&A
Ken Rosenthal sat down for a Q&A session with Rockies’ closer Brian Fuentes in light of all the recent trade speculation. Some highlights:
On being mentioned in trade rumors:
…Now that I’m going into my sixth year and free agency, it seems like it’s coming up more. You hear a lot of speculation, a lot of rumors. It’s hard to tell what’s true. I know there’s a lot of posturing going on among the GMs.
On possibly receiving a warm reception if he does indeed get traded (ala C.C. Sabathia):
(chuckling) I don’t know. We’ll see what happens. They gave CC a standing ovation when he came out and played catch. It was pretty amazing.
On his approach to free agency:
I knew going into free agency that I wanted to have a really good year. I also knew I’d be setting up. My main objective was to close. I feel I can close in Colorado or anywhere else. But it’s not my choice.
On talking about trade rumors with his teammates:
It’s almost like a running joke. We all know there’s nothing we can do about it. There’s speculation they might want to move Matt, (Yorvit) Torrealba, Willy Taveras, myself. We joke about it. It’s a relaxed atmosphere in the clubhouse.