Red Sox Owner Predicts Quiet Deadline
Red Sox principal owner John Henry told Rob Bradford of WEEI.com that he doesn't expect his team to look significantly different once the trade deadline passes and the calendar flips to August.
"We like this team, so I don't anticipate many changes at all," Henry said. "I think more so than in years past. Obviously, we could use a strong right-handed bat, but this year that's a difficult commodity to get."
Opportunity will drive Boston's decisions, according to Henry. Despite suggestions that the Red Sox are up against baseball's luxury tax, the owner suggested prospects, rather than money, will be the biggest obstacle GM Theo Epstein faces when weighing potential deals.
Yesterday Epstein said the Red Sox still have prospect depth after giving up Anthony Rizzo, Casey Kelly and Reymond Fuentes last offseason. The GM suggested that Boston's most important summer reinforcements may not arrive via trades. Instead the return of injured players such as Clay Buchholz could provide the 59-37 club with a boost.
Pirates Take Careful Approach To Deadline
The Pirates are taking a "very, very careful" approach to the trade deadline, rival officials tell ESPN.com's Buster Olney (Twitter link). There are many indications that the Pirates aren't trading major assets this month.
The 51-45 Pirates are tied for first place atop the National League Central. There's minimal room for error as the Cardinals and Reds are within four games of the division leading Brewers and Pirates. Pittsburgh has checked in on outfielders, including Carlos Beltran, and relievers in anticipation of the trade deadline.
Earlier in the week, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported that some rival GMs believe Pirates GM Neal Huntington over-values his prospects. The Pirates' first move of the summer saw them sign Jason Grilli in a deal that didn't cost Pittsburgh anything but cash and a roster spot.
Minor Moves: Chico, Singleton, Dobies, Dodgers
Here’s where we’ll keep track of the day’s minor moves…
- Baseball America's Matt Eddy has a host of moves in this week's edition of minor league transactions, highlighted by a number of draft signings.
- The Nationals have released lefty Matt Chico according to Adam Kilgore of The Washington Post. The 28-year-old had a 5.87 ERA in 46 innings in the Nats' minor league system this year.
- Steve Singleton, who was released by the Twins this weekend, has signed with the Phillies, according to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune (on Twitter). The 25-year-old has a .282/.329/.418 line in six seasons with Minnesota's farm teams.
- The Royals signed left-hander Andrew Dobies from the Atlantic League, according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star (on Twitter). The 2004 third rounder has a 4.08 ERA with 7.4 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 in six minor league seasons.
- The Yankees released right-hander Alan Horne, according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America (on Twitter). Horne, a first rounder ten years ago, allowed 13 runs in 6 1/3 innings at Double-A Trenton this year.
- Eddy also reports that the Dodgers released left-hander Wilkin De La Rosa and right-hander Justin Orenduff. De La Rosa, 26, has a 3.24 ERA with 9.2 K/9 in 328 minor league innings as a starter and occasional reliever.
NL Central Notes: Reds, Wandy, Bourn, Gomez
The Brewers lead the NL Central by half a game, but they lost their center fielder to injury last night. Here's the latest from the division…
- "There is some urgency, but not tremendous urgency" said Reds GM Walt Jocketty to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon when asked about making a trade before the deadline. "I still have a lot of confidence that we're good enough to win, but if there is a chance to upgrade the club, we would try to pursue it."
- MLB.com's Peter Gammons spoke to three AL clubs who have "no interest" in Wandy Rodriguez of the Astros, fearing the NL-to-AL switch (Twitter links).
- Stephen Goff of the Houston Astros Examiner hears that Michael Bourn's name isn't coming up much on the trade market, though writers continue mentioning the speedy outfielder as a trade candidate (Twitter link).
- Brewers GM Doug Melvin told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he may look for center field help to restore outfield depth (Twitter link). Carlos Gomez fractured his left clavicle last night.
- Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times suggests Cubs GM Jim Hendry may be best-suited to lead the organization after 2011. Some baseball insiders believe former Diamondbacks GM Josh Byrnes and current Dodgers GM Ned Colletti would be near the top of the Cubs' list of possible replacements, Wittenmyer writes. Reports linking the Cubs to longtime executive Pat Gillick and White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn have been shot down, according to the Sun-Times.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports hears that incoming Astros owner Jim Crane hasn’t told current GM Ed Wade to keep any particular player.
- Hunter Pence is likely staying in Houston, since the Astros aren’t seeing multi-player offers they like, according to Peter Gammons of MLB Network (on Twitter). Gammons explains that the market for Wandy Rodriguez is hurt because AL teams are wary of NL pitchers.
New York Notes: Dickey, Isringhausen, Garcia
The Mets lost to Albert Pujols and the Cardinals today and the Yankees will take on the Rays later tonight. Here's the latest news regarding MLB's two New York teams…
- The Yankees have some interest in Jeremy Guthrie according to SI.com's Jon Heyman (on Twitter), but they know Orioles' owner Peter Angelos will not trade with them.
- The Mets may have decided to keep him, but Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports hears that the Reds and Diamondbacks still have interest in Isringhausen (Twitter link).
- An American League contender called the Mets about R.A. Dickey and heard that the knuckleballer isn't going anywhere, according to Peter Gammons of MLB Network (on Twitter).
- The Mets have apparently decided to keep Jason Isringhausen, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter).
- Even though Isringhausen would prefer not to be traded, he told Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he has "unfinished business" in St. Louis. Cardinals sources tell Goold that they wouldn't rule out a reunion with Isringhausen at some point. The 38-year-old spent seven years with the Cardinals, saving 217 games.
- Freddy Garcia told Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News that he hopes to continue pitching for the Yankees, though he understands he may get bumped from the rotation if New York makes a trade.
- Newsday's Ken Davidoff dares to wonder if Garcia and Bartolo Colon can keep pitching this well into October.
Carlos Beltran Rumors: Thursday
Carlos Beltran homered last night, which should help the Mets convince their rivals that Beltran is the difference-making bat teams are looking for. He'll cost a lot in terms of prospects, can block any trade and earns $18.5MM, but that didn't stop the rumors from swirling yesterday and it won't stop them from continuing today. The latest updates are up top:
- The Indians interest in Beltran has cooled according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
- The Mets aren't concerned about obtaining Beltran's permission for a deal, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, who reports that GM Sandy Alderson has had at least one conversation with agent Scott Boras on the topic.
- The Phillies have been scouting Beltran and the Mets have been scouting the Braves’ system in anticipation of possible trades, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. The Mets may try to obtain Randall Delgado or Arodys Vizcaino from the Braves, Rubin reports.
- Though the Tigers are interested, they’re focused on starting pitching, according to Rubin.
- The Rangers are interested in Beltran, but their priority is improving their bullpen, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Other clubs likely need and value Beltran more than Texas.
- Carlos Gomez broke his collarbone last night, and SI.com's Jon Heyman says (on Twitter) it'll be interesting to see if the injury increased Milwaukee's interest in Beltran. He lists the Phillies, Giants, Braves, and Brewers as the top suitors at the moment.
- Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports is hearing that the Giants still intend to make a hard run at Beltran despite the report that the two sides do not match up well for a trade (Twitter link).
- The Mets and Giants are having trouble matching up for a trade, according to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. San Francisco is willing to take on most or all of the $6MM or so remaining on the outfielder's contract, but won't part with a high-end prospect. The Mets are willing to absorb salary, but are insisting on high-end talent in return for Beltran.
- Alderson and Beltran told Mike Sielski of the Wall Street Journal that they'd be open to signing a deal after the season, when Beltran hits free agency.
- The Brewers will acquire Beltran if they can scrape together a package for him, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (Twitter links). Olney, who repeats that the Mets are still insisting on a high-end prospect for Beltran, likens the Brewers' pursuit to "searching for nickels under couch cushions."
- Mets GM Sandy Alderson is narrowing the field of possible trade partners, according to Yahoo’s Tim Brown. Beltran, who received a list of possible destinations from Alderson Tuesday, does not appear to have ruled out trades to the Phillies, Red Sox, Braves, Giants and Brewers. The Yankees may also be in the mix.
Outrighted To The Minors: Chorye Spoone
The latest players to get outrighted to the minor leagues…
- The Orioles outrighted Chorye Spoone to Double-A after he cleared waivers, according to MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli (on Twitter). Baltimore had designated the minor league starter for assignment two days ago.
Latest On Mike Adams
THURSDAY, 1:24pm: Adams told Marty Caswell of XX1090 that Moorad has not told him he won't be traded (Twitter link).
WEDNESDAY, 10:17pm: At least 12 teams have inquired on Adams, according to Passan. Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com hears that the Padres are asking for two top 100 prospects for Adams (Twitter link).
9:13pm: One of the most intriguing trade candidates out there may not be available after all. Padres owner Jeff Moorad told setup man Mike Adams "you're not going anywhere," according to Yahoo's Jeff Passan (on Twitter). Though Adams is drawing more interest than closer Heath Bell, he appears to be staying in San Diego for now.
As MLBTR's Tim Dierkes explained two days ago, the Padres appear to be asking for a top prospect for Adams. The 32-year-old is under team control through 2012 and since he earns just $2.535MM this season and doesn't pick up saves, he figures to earn less than $5MM through arbitration next year.
Adams has a 1.23 ERA with 8.8 K/9, 1.8 BB/9 and a 44.5% ground ball rate in 44 innings this season. He has been effective against left-handers and right-handers, both in 2011 and for his career.
Nationals Release Chad Gaudin
The Nationals announced that they unconditionally released Chad Gaudin. Earlier in the week, the Nationals designated Gaudin for assignment after recalling him from his rehab assignment and reinstating him from the 15-day disabled list.
The 28-year-old posted a 3.52 ERA with 8.2 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9 in 15 1/3 minor league innings during his rehab stint. In nine big league seasons, Gaudin has a 4.63 ERA with 7.1 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9. He spent last season with the A's and Yankees, before signing with Washington in December.
Indians Eyeing Coco Crisp
The Indians traded for Coco Crisp nine years ago and, with Grady Sizemore and Shin-Soo Choo on the disabled list, they're eyeing the switch-hitting center fielder once again. Jon Heyman of SI.com reports on Twitter that the Indians have renewed their interest in Crisp, who spent his first four Major League seasons in Cleveland.
Crisp, 31, earns $5.75MM this year and will hit free agency after the season. He has a .265/.315/.385 line with 27 stolen bases in 375 plate appearances. The Indians have also called on Ryan Ludwick, another former Indian, according to Heyman. The Reds, Ohio's other team, are also eyeing outfielders, including Ludwick and Crisp.