Dan Mennella | MLB Trade Rumors

Mets Notes: K-Rod, Alderson, Isringhausen

By Dan Mennella | July 10, 2011 at 7:18pm CDT

Here are some Mets notes as they take on the Giants in MLB's final game before the All-Star break …

GM Sandy Alderson suggests that he'll have to revisit discussions with Francisco Rodriguez about the closer waiving his partial (10-team) no-trade clause now that he has reportedly changed representation from Paul Kinzer of Wasserman Media Group to Scott Boras, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.
Within that same piece, Alderson said there is a chance Rodriguez could be with the Mets in 2012, and that his $17.5MM option, should it vest, would not be "crippling" to the team. Alderson also mentioned that the trade market for big-name players such as K-Rod and Carlos Beltran is just beginning to warm up.
Right-handed reliever Jason Isringhausen, whose name has cropped up in trade rumors recently, apparently pleaded with Alderson not to deal him, writes Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. Alderson said he appreciated Izzy's preference to remain in New York and will "weigh it accordingly."

MLBTR Originals: 7/3/11 – 7/9/11

By Dan Mennella | July 10, 2011 at 6:02pm CDT

Here's a look back at the original content we published this week at MLBTR …

We ask our faithful readers in a poll: Would you trade a top-50 prospect for Francisco Liriano?
Here's an update on starters who were converted from relieving, by Ben Nicholson-Smith.
Ben Nicholson-Smith compares Jose Reyes to Carl Crawford. The Mets shortstop, a free agent-to-be, is thought to be seeking a contract on par with the seven-year, $142MM deal the outfielder signed with the Red Sox last offseason.
Only five of the offseason's Rule 5 Picks are on active rosters, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
Ben Nicholson-Smith checks in on this season's new managers.
Jeff Keppinger could be a trade candidate, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
It's never too soon to have an idea of how the upcoming free agent market is shaping up. Here's the latest Elias rankings update.
In a fun piece, Ben Nicholson-Smith looks back at the Pirates' last playoff run — in 1992.
Here's the transcript to this week's MLBTR chat with Ben Nicholson-Smith.
Mike Axisa updates us on players with vesting options for 2012.
Ben Nicholson-Smith takes stock of Yankees ace CC Sabathia, who can opt out of his contract at season's end.
Diamondbacks righty Ian Kennedy is an extension candidate, as Mike Axisa writes.
Mike Trout's callup prompts Ben Nicholson-Smith to break down the stud prospect's service time.
Mike Axisa rounds up this week's best from the baseball blogosphere. Among the hot topics: Koji Uehara, Angel Pagan and the Red Sox.
With the starters for the All-Star game in place, Mike Axisa looks at how each player was acquired by his team.
Mike Cameron has been much more than merely a guy who was once trade for Ken Griffey Jr., writes Howard Megdal.

Heyman On Ethier, Lowe, Astros, Twins, Mets

By Dan Mennella | July 8, 2011 at 2:27pm CDT

Dodgers outfielder Andre Ethier is the main topic of Jon Heyman's latest piece at SI.com. Ethier, a free agent after the 2012 season, is deeply unhappy with the Dodgers on account of their on and off-field troubles, a source tells Heyman.

While no specific trade or signing rumors pertaining to Ethier are cited, the outfielder is apparently a good friend of Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (both players attended Arizona State University) and is said to have "Boston in his mind."

Here are some other items of note from Heyman's piece:

The Braves aren't openly shopping Derek Lowe, but with good pitching depth in the minors, Atlanta would probably listen to offers on the right-hander.
The Astros will be hard trade partners, one GM told Heyman, because of the impending change of ownership.
The Twins do not yet consider themselves sellers, a rival exec told Heyman.
Even if the Mets wanted to negotiate secretly with Jose Reyes, as was recently reported, Heyman thinks it's unlikely Reyes and his agents would entertain those talks at this juncture.
The Mets would love to find a trade partner to offload Francisco Rodriguez but, the closer's $17.5MM 2012 option deters logical suitors. One GM called it "scary."
The Tigers will consider an offensive upgrade at one of third base, second base or outfield.

Quick Hits: Jones, Rivera, Wang

By Dan Mennella | July 3, 2011 at 10:12pm CDT

Here are a few items of note as the Dodgers and Angels finish up the Freeway Series …

The Tigers dismissed pitching coach Rick Knapp today and promoted bullpen coach Jeff Jones to replace him, writes Jason Beck of MLB.com. The move was made in the wake of a rough patch for Tigers pitchers, who gave up 51 runs over a five-game stretch last week, according to Beck.
The Phillies will likely have a look at Juan Rivera, who was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays this morning, according to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer (via Twitter). The Phils are rumored to be seeking a right-handed bat, and Rivera would fit that bill at a presumably cheap price. For his career, the 33-year-old (today) is hitting .292/.339/.509 against southpaws.
Nationals right-hander Chien-Ming Wang is making rehab starts and seeking a return to the Majors, writes Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. Wang will be a free agent at season's end, so it will be interesting to see if he can piece together a decent couple months' worth of starts.

Poll: Francisco Liriano’s Trade Value

By Dan Mennella | July 3, 2011 at 8:12pm CDT

Twins lefty Franciso Liriano is an intriguing potential trade candidate. It feels like he's been around forever, but he's just 27 and under team control through 2012, so he's still well within his prime years and relatively cheap for another season and a half.

Liriano's raw stuff is nasty, but the road back from Tommy John surgery in 2006 has been marked by notable highs and lows. He appeared to be fully recovered in 2010, posting a 3.62 ERA (2.62 FIP), 9.44 K/9, 2.72 BB/9 and 53.6% GB percentage. He's regressed in 2011, however, with his control (4.65 BB/9) being especially problematic.

Between Liriano's bouncing between dominance and mediocrity, and the Twins' uphill climb in the AL Central (eight games behind the Indians through today), it's quite possible that the lefty could be made available on the trade market this month. This came up in last week's MLBTR Chat with Tim Dierkes, who suggested that the Twins would probably recoup a top-50 prospect in exchange for Liriano, considering his age and contract status. (For reference, here are Keith Law's, Baseball America's and Baseball Prospectus' respective top-100 prospects for 2011).

The reasons to justify such a payment for Liriano are self-evident: His potential is huge, and he's been dominant for stretches in his career. But is it a no-brainer? Prospects are valued as highly now as they've ever been, and Liriano's inconsistencies are scary, as is his reliance on what may be an arm-taxing slider, as Eno Sarris of Fangraphs recently illustrated.

If you were a suitor, what would you do?

MLBTR Originals: 6/26/11 – 7/2/11

By Dan Mennella | July 3, 2011 at 7:09pm CDT

A look back at the original work we published this week here at MLBTR. The bad news is that we're publishing fewer of these pieces as we head into the heart of trading season, but the good news is that we're heading into the heart of trading season. On with the retrospective …

The latest Elias rankings update is out.
Being a Type B free agent has its advantages, as Tim Dierkes writes.
The Indians have been scanning the trade market, so Tim Dierkes looks at what they need to improve.
Reds catcher Ramon Hernandez is identified as a trade candidate by Ben Nicholson-Smith.
Are old managers the new market inefficiency? Howard Megdal examines this in the wake of 80-year-old Jack McKeon and 68-year-old Davey Johnson resurfacing as big league skippers.
Several contenders could use an upgrade in center field, while others could use an upgrade in right field. Tim Dierkes has a look.
Here's the transcript to this week's MLBTR Chat with Tim Dierkes.
Starting pitchers are among the best low-risk pickups, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
Mike Cameron was DFA'd by the Red Sox, prompting Mike Axisa to look at some potential suitors for the outfielder.
Mike Axisa compiles this week's best from around the baseball blogosphere. Among the hot topics: James Shields, Jose Reyes and Michael Pineda.
Zach Links rounds up the July 2 IFA signings.
I put the question to you, dear readers: Should the Nats have extended Jim Riggleman rather than allowing him to resign?

Reagins: Angels Able To Add Payroll

By Dan Mennella | July 1, 2011 at 10:41pm CDT

Angels GM Tony Reagins said Friday that the Angels can add payroll in the right deal, refuting reports that Halos owner Arte Moreno told him not to spend any more money this season, writes Jordan Garretson of MLB.com.

Reagins, appearing on Jim Bowden's SiriusXM program "Inside Pitch," said:

We're looking to improve this ballclub. We'll have the opportunity to add if we need to add. If the situation is right, we're going to be aggressive in pursuing it. That's been our M.O. since we've been here and will continue to be. If we see opportunities that will make us better, we're definitely going to jump right in there.

Cubs first baseman Carlos Pena is being mentioned as a potential fit for the Angels, according to Garretson, but he'd have to split time with first baseman Mark Trumbo and perhaps DH Bobby Abreu, which wouldn't necessarily be a net gain for the lineup.

That aside, the Angels have been hot of late and trailed the AL West-leading Rangers by just one game entering Friday night's action, so if nothing else, Reagins is saying the right thing now.

Minor Moves: Torra, Storey

By Dan Mennella | July 1, 2011 at 9:12pm CDT

A couple of minor league transactions to pass along:

The Rays have acquired right-hander Matt Torra from the Diamondbacks in exchange for cash considerations, according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times (via Twitter). Torra, a first-round pick of Arizona in 2005, has a career era of 4.52 in 800 innings in the minors.
The Astros acquired righty Mickey Storey in a trade with the Athletics on Thursday, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com (via Twitter). Storey's minors numbers are solid: 3.04 ERA, 9.3 K/9, 2.5 BB/9 in 195 2/3 innings.

Quick Hits: Wandy, Venezuela, Trade Deadline

By Dan Mennella | July 1, 2011 at 8:21pm CDT

Here are some loose items of note as Jair Jurrjens works on a gem against the Orioles …

The Astros face a tough decision in whether to trade Wandy Rodriguez, writes Stephen Goff of the Houston Examiner. Rodriguez's trade stock is at an all-time high, according to Goff, but it's unclear of how the Astros' incoming owner, Jim Crane, will want to proceed with the current roster. If an option for 2014 vests, the balance of Rodriguez's current deal would end up being $44.5MM.
There is a proposal for a new law in Venezuela that would alter MLB teams' access to the country's players, according to Melissa Segura of Sports Illustrated (via Twitter). Venezuela, of course, is a hotbed for Major League talent, having produced Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, Francisco Rodriguez and many, many others.
Tom Singer of MLB.com provides a scene-setter for what promises to be an interesting month leading up to the non-waiver trade deadline. There are plenty of trade candidates this year, according to Singer, such as Heath Bell, but there are few, if any, no-doubt types, as there was a year ago in Roy Oswalt, Lance Berkman, Cliff Lee and Dan Haren.

East Notes: Nationals, Red Sox, Phillies, Orioles

By Dan Mennella | July 1, 2011 at 7:05pm CDT

A few items of note from the East divisions as the Mets and Yanks kick off this season's second installment of the Subway Series …

Nationals manager Davey Johnson has ideas about how he'd like his roster and staff tweaked, writes Jeff Zuckerman of CSNWashington.com. Johnson wants a more offensive-oriented bench, a swing starter/long man, another lefty reliever and fewer split-heavy regulars in the lineup. Sounds like a lot of changes for this juncture of the season, but then again, these aren't especially difficult moves to make.
The New York Times Co. has sold more than half its stake in the Red Sox for $117MM, according to the Boston Globe.
The Phillies and Red Sox are bumping up against the luxury tax and don't have much financial flexibility to add players, but Scott Miller of CBSSports.com writes that those clubs have a knack for coming up with the necessary funds when push comes to shove.
The Orioles have a better record than they did a year ago, but Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun isn't sure the team, still not ready to contend, is really any better off than it was then. 2011 marks the Birds' fourth full season under the stewardship of Andy MacPhail.

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