Cubs Can Add Pieces At Deadline
They're not involved in the chase for Roy Halladay, but the Cubs could still add players before next week's trade deadline, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. The Cubs apparently have enough payroll flexibility to add a "mid-level" player and Wittenmyer suggests the team could pursue relievers such as George Sherrill and Chad Qualls. GM Jim Hendry said the Cubs can make moves "if something comes up," but didn't discuss specific needs.
Rosenthal On Penny, Yankees, Dodgers, Rays
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Red Sox are open to dealing Brad Penny, even with Tim Wakefield and Daisuke Matsuzaka on the DL. They could add a bat or a prospect for Penny, but it's unlikely they'll actually move him. Here are the rest of Rosenthal's rumors:
- The Yankees could use some rotation depth, as it makes sense to keep Phil Hughes and Alfredo Aceves in the 'pen, but you can rule out a Carl Pavano acquisition. As one Yankee official says, the players would "go crazy" if the Yanks added Pavano.
- Rosenthal says Russell Martin wouldn't qualify as the centerpiece of a Roy Halladay trade because he's faltered offensively and the Jays have J.P. Arencibia in the minors.
- The Phillies could trade Rodrigo Lopez if Pedro Martinez takes over in the rotation.
- The Rays are interested in Halladay and Cliff Lee, even if they don't have financial flexibility. However, a trade seems highly unlikely.
Edes On Lee, Feliciano, Pirates
Yahoo's Gordon Edes says the Phillies and Dodgers are interested in Cliff Lee, but the Indians aren't anxious to move him. Not only would it mean trading Cy Young Award winners in back-to-back years, it would diminish the team's chances at contending next season. Here are the rest of Edes' rumors:
- The Dodgers would have interest in Pedro Feliciano if the Mets become sellers.
- The Brewers scouted Brad Penny over the weekend, but a trade seems unlikely now that Tim Wakefield's on the DL.
- At least one NL executive believes the Pirates are ready to move almost anyone. Zach Duke, Paul Maholm, Matt Capps, John Grabow, Freddy Sanchez, Adam LaRoche and Jack Wilson could all be targets.
- It looks like the Reds would listen to offers for Francisco Cordero. However, he has no-trade protection and an big contract.
- The Red Sox had a scout watch Nick Johnson this weekend.
Roy Halladay Rumors: Tuesday
9:27pm: David Lennon of Newsday cites two baseball officials who say that talks between the Mets and the Blue Jays never reached a point of a concrete offer from the Mets. Lennon adds that the Mets "do not expect to make a push" for Halladay.
6:55pm: Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch tweeted the following: "Source: Cards 'still in the mix' for Halladay."
4:56pm: Ricciardi told Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun that "it's unlikely Halladay will be dealt."
1:44pm: MLB.com's Todd Zolecki says the Phillies have enough talent to obtain Halladay without including Kyle Drabek.
1:06pm: ESPN.com's Buster Olney says the Phillies should overpay for Roy Halladay because he is perfect for them "in every way possible."
12:09pm: As MLB.com's Tom Singer points out, Jason Schmidt's 2009 debut showed that the Dodgers could use Doc.
11:43am: Jon Heyman of SI.com hears from an acquaintance of Halladay's that he's "emotionally gone." Sounds like Doc would approve a trade. Heyman also hears that the Phillies have decided not to include Kyle Drabek in a deal for Halladay.
11:33am: Ricciardi told Jack Curry of the New York Times that he won't trade Halladay at the last minute. The Jays are considering imposing a July 28th deadline on the negotiations.
Ricciardi says he receives "a new call from another team every day," so it will be a busy, franchise-defining week for the Jays.
10:48am: A Blue Jays official involved in the Halladay talks told Joel Sherman of the New York Post that the Yankees and Mets are not serious threats to acquire the Jays righty.
The Yanks and Jays only had introductory discussions and there's "absolutely nothing" going on with the Mets and Jays. Sherman hears that there is "no truth" to the rerport that the Mets rejected an offer from Toronto.
9:44am: The latest rumors on the American League leader in wins, strikeout to walk ratio and WHIP…
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Phillies are considering options other than Roy Halladay.
- Mike Rutsey of the Toronto Sun says the Phillies, Brewers, Giants and Dodgers are still "kicking the tires" on Halladay.
- Joey Fosko of the Boston Herald believes a deal's more likely after the season.
- Yahoo's Tim Brown hears that the Blue Jays will model possible trades after the Erik Bedard deal- only they want more.
- Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi told Brown that some of the teams talking to the Jays have enough to acquire Halladay, but may be reluctant to give up their talent.
- Wallace Matthews of Newsday says Halladay won't play for the Bronx Bombers this year.
- Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog heard from four baseball people who all believe Omar Minaya would have agreed to deal Fernando Martinez, Bobby Parnell, Jon Niese and Ruben Tejada for Halladay.
The Other Blue Jays Trade Candidates
Roy Halladay's on the block, but the Blue Jays could deal a number of players, so Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports breaks down the rest of the team's trade candidates:
- Marco Scutaro – The Mariners and Red Sox are following Scutaro, who makes just $1.1MM. The Blue Jays will have every reason to ask for a lot in return, because Scutaro profiles as a Type A free agent. The Jays can obtain a first rounder and a sandwich pick for losing Scutaro if they offer him arbitration, so they figure to demand a lot.
- Jason Frasor – Most contenders have at least some interest in Frasor, who becomes a free agent after next year.
- Scott Downs – A solid late-inning reliever, Downs also becomes a free agent after 2010.
- Rod Barajas – A free agent-to-be, Barajas could draw interest from the Cubs.
- Scott Rolen – A number of contenders would love to add Rolen's bat and glove, but he's out of reach for some teams because his contract pays him $11MM this year and as much in 2010.
But remember, the Jays believe they can contend next year, especially if Halladay's around, so there's no guarantee any of these players will be traded.
Mariners To DFA Josh Wilson
The Mariners are about to designate utilityman Josh Wilson for assignment to make room for Mike Sweeney, according to Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune. Wilson has spent time with the D'Backs, Padres and Mariners this year, playing a variety of positions, including pitcher.
Phils Interested In Willingham
Chuck Hixson of PhillyBaseballNews.com hears that the Phils are interested in Josh Willingham. The 30-year-old outfielder makes under $3MM and could spell various Phillies around the diamond, as he's played some first base, both corner outfield positions and catcher.
Yanks DFA Brett Tomko
The Yankees designated pitcher Brett Tomko for assignment, according to Marc Carig of the Star Ledger. The 36-year-old veteran of 13 MLB seasons allowed 26 baserunners and struck out 11 in just under 21 innings of work for a 5.23 ERA.
Odds And Ends: Marlins, Lopez, Sherrill
On this date in 1975, Mets third baseman Joe Torre grounded into four double plays. Here are some links to read through…
- Today's chat takes place in half an hour at 2pm CST.
- Justin Duchscherer will begin rehabbing soon and ESPN.com's Buster Olney says he could be a solid alternative to Roy Halladay, if healthy. Olney speculates that Duchscherer, who makes $3.9MM this year, would fit well on the Brewers.
- The Mets released Emil Brown from their Triple A affiliate today, according to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post.
- Many Marlins players told Tom D'Angelo of the Palm Beach Post that they're trying to ignore trade chatter and win ballgames.
- Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic says the D'Backs didn't want to offer Felipe Lopez arbiration in the offseason because he might have accepted. He would have been in line for a $5-6MM salary so the Brewers chose two mediocre prospects instead of offering Lopez arbitration.
- ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick says the Cubs could have a big second half, even though they're "muddling along" now.
- George Sherrill told Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun that he wants to be in Baltimore in spite of the rumors swirling about.
Zduriencik: No Pressure For Mariners
The Mariners are six games over .500, trailing the Angels and Rangers for the AL West lead just a year after losing 101 games. GM Jack Zduriencik has to decide whether to deal now, in August, or hope his team can win as-is. Here are the details from his conversation with Larry Stone of the Seattle Times, a chat that ended when the sight of Ken Griffey Jr. tickling Ichiro distracted the GM:
- Zduriencik doesn't feel pressure, even ten days before the trade deadline.
- He expects some deals to go down in August.
- He's open to re-signing his own free agents after the season, though he has only had casual conversations on the subject so far. Adrian Beltre, Erik Bedard and Jarrod Washburn headline the Mariners' crop of free agents.
- The Mariners are glad to have 2008 trade candidate Washburn around this year.