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Dodgers “Not Inclined” To Make Trades

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Dodgers GM Ned Colletti told Bob Nightengale of USA Today that he is "not inclined to move anyone so long as [the Dodgers] have a chance" (Twitter link). The Dodgers, who trail the Giants by 5.0 games in the Wild Card race, have until Tuesday to decide whether to trade Manny Ramirez to the White Sox, hand the slugger over, or hold on.

The Dodgers have six games remaining against the Giants, six against the Padres and nine against the Rockies, so they could re-insert themselves into the playoff picture. At this point, it's undeniably in Colletti's best interest to say that he has no intention of trading Ramirez. Admitting the intent to part with the 38-year-old would give the White Sox leverage.

Click here to vote on what the Dodgers should do.

The Dodgers’ Decision

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The Dodgers have a choice to make: trade Manny Ramirez to Chicago, hand him over to the White Sox, or keep him. GM Ned Colletti's decision will impact the pennant race in both leagues, so let's break it down:

The Dodgers' Future

Long-term, the Dodgers would be better off trading Ramirez or handing him over. They could obtain prospects for him or, at the very least, save themselves a significant amount of money. Ramirez hits free agency after the season and he won't see an offer of arbitration, so his time is nearly up in L.A. If the Dodgers don't think they can contend in 2010, there are better ways to spend $4MM.

The Dodgers' Present

The Dodgers are fringe contenders, but aren't in the thick of a pennant race. Baseball Prospectus gives them a 3.5% chance of making the playoffs. The Giants lead the Dodgers by 5.0 games in the Wild Card race, but the Dodgers do have many intra-divisional games coming up. Starting tonight, they'll play nine games against the Rockies, six against the Giants and six against the division-leading Padres. It's not an easy schedule, but the Dodgers could make up ground, in theory.

A hot-hitting Manny Ramirez would give the Dodgers a much better chance of reaching the postseason. When healthy, Manny can hit, as his .313/.407/.513 season line shows, so the Dodgers improve their chances of winning in 2010 if they hold onto Ramirez.

The Decision

By Tuesday afternoon, the Dodgers have to decide whether to trade Ramirez, hand him over or keep him. What would you do? Click here to take the survey and here to see the results, but keep in mind that they might not matter. Manny has a no-trade clause and would have to approve any deal.

Rays Sign Brad Hawpe

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The Rays officially signed Brad Hawpe and assigned him to Class A, according to the team. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported the agreement. The Red Sox, Rangers and Padres also showed some interest in the former Rockie, who cleared waivers yesterday. The Rockies designated the 31-year-old for assignment after he posted a .255/.343/.432 line in 300 plate appearances.

Hawpe can play first base, though he has spent most of his career in right field. The Rays probably won't have to use Hawpe on defense, since Carl Crawford, B.J. Upton and Ben Zobrist have the outfield covered. If the Rays wait until September to call on Hawpe, they won't have to make any cuts, so Dan Johnson's job appears safe for now.

Hawpe and Joyce have a history of hitting right-handers better than they hit lefties, so Aybar should still see playing time against southpaws.

Dodgers Consider Options

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FRIDAY, 10:24am: Manny is not asking for an extension, according to Rosenthal on Twitter.

THURSDAY, 9:17pm: The White Sox will know by Friday afternoon if they can or will get Ramirez, reports Mark Gonzalez of the Chicago Tribune.

7:55am: The Dodgers and White Sox have have discussed a potential Manny Ramirez trade, but according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, Los Angeles has spoken to at least one other team about the 38-year-old. The Rays and Rangers are interested in Ramirez, though the Dodgers are not fully committed to making a trade.

Ramirez wants a one-year extension to waive his no-trade clause, a source tells Rosenthal and Morosi. If he clears waivers, Ramirez could have the leverage to make such demands, but if a team claims him, the Dodgers would only be able to negotiate with that club. The White Sox intend to claim Ramirez, according to FOX, though that won’t necessarily happen.

Teams have until the end of the week to claim Ramirez, who hit waivers yesterday. If he’s claimed, the Dodgers will have until Tuesday afternoon to work out a deal. Click here to vote on whether a National League team wil claim Ramirez and here for more detail on trading in August.

 

Kelly Johnson Clears Waivers

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Kelly Johnson cleared waivers and can now be traded to any team, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. However, an Arizona executive told Morosi that it's "unlikely" that the D'Backs make a trade. Johnson joins teammate Adam LaRoche on MLBTR's list of players to clear waivers.

Johnson, 28, has already established a career high with 19 homers. He has a .277/.367/.486 line in 2010, which has easily been his best season since his breakout 2007 campaign in Atlanta. Johnson makes $2.35MM this year and is under team control for 2011, his final season of arbitration eligibility.

Jason Kubel’s 2011 Option

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The Twins have Delmon Young, Denard Span and Michael Cuddyer under team control for 2011, so they could get by without Jason Kubel. But because the team can bring Kubel back for a reasonable $5.25MM option, it seems likely that he'll return to Minneapolis for another season.

Assistant GM Rob Antony expressed interest in bringing Jim Thome back next year, but as the Twins showed this summer, extra outfield depth can make a big difference. Kubel can hit, though his production has dropped off this year after a tremendous 2009 season. Target Field has been tough on many hitters including Kubel, whose .787 OPS sits 120 points lower than his 2009 mark. Still, with 18 homers, the ability to play left or right field and a solid .261/.339/.448 line, Kubel has value.

The Twins will pay the 28-year-old $350K regardless (the cost of his buyout), and $5.25MM is reasonable, especially at a time when the team's most promising outfield prospects, Ben Revere and Aaron Hicks, still need minor league seasoning. Kubel projects to be a Type A free agent, so the Twins could theoretically turn down his option, offer arbitration and obtain picks if Kubel signs elsewhere. That seems unlikely, since Kubel will be affordable and should be productive.

Peralta Wants To Return To Detroit

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Jhonny Peralta told John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press that he wants to return to Detroit next year. The Tigers could pick up Peralta’s $7MM option or buy him out for $250K and attempt to negotiate a cheaper deal.

"I want to be here," Peralta said. "I hope they pick up the option. But I want to be here. I like everybody here."

As Lowe points out, the Tigers “haven't gotten much production this year from their shortstops.” Adam Everett, Danny Worth, Ramon Santiago and Peralta have all spent time at short this season as the team has scrambled to find steady production. Peralta, who spent most of 2009-10 at third, posted negative UZR numbers at short every season from 2005-08.

Peralta’s .244/.310/.405 season line is unremarkable, but he’s producing at the plate in Detroit. Six of his 13 homers have come since joining the Tigers last month. He currently projects as a Type B free agent, so the Tigers could obtain a compensation pick in next year’s draft if they offer arbitration and Peralta turns it down to sign elsewhere.

Peralta’s teammate, Johnny Damon, has also expressed interest in returning to the Motor City next year. The Tigers have lots of money coming off the books and could be looking for solutions at short, third, catcher, in the outfield and in the rotation.

Mets Rumors: Castillo, Perez, Reyes, Backman

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The 63-63 Mets don't seem to be in contention, but GM Omar Minaya told John Harper of the New York Daily News that his team is "still in the hunt." Regardless of what Minaya says, some of his players are already looking ahead to 2011. Here are the details on two of the team's potential trade candidates, a star who wants to stay, and an insight into the Mets' managerial hunt:

Mark Polishuk also contributed to this post.

Odds & Ends: Owings, Zaun, Rangers, Hawpe

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Links for Thursday, exactly seven years after the Padres traded Jason Bay and Oliver Perez to the Pirates for Brian Giles. Bay and Perez are teammates once again, though Perez barely pitches and Bay is on the disabled list with a concussion…

 

Red Sox, Rays, Rangers In On Brad Hawpe

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The Red Sox, Rays and Rangers are in on Brad Hawpe, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Hawpe should clear release waivers today at which point he'll be free to sign with any MLB team.

It's not surprising that the Red Sox are interested in Hawpe, since Mike Cameron and Jacoby Ellsbury are out indefinitely. The Red Sox are open to adding outfielders from outside the organization, as we saw when they tried to re-acquire Johnny Damon.

The Rays have shown interest in bats since last month and the Rangers' interest in Hawpe is no secret. The Padres had interest, but no longer appear to be considering Hawpe seriously.

The Rockies designated the 31-year-old for assignment after he posted a .255/.343/.432 line in 300 plate appearances.

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