D’Backs Ready To Move Snyder?
Scott Bordow at the East Valley Tribune notes that the recent breakout of Miguel Montero could spell the end of Chris Snyder's tenure as catcher for the Diamondbacks.
Snyder, who should return from the disabled list sometime this coming week, was signed to a three-year, $14.25MM deal this past offseason. But the club sees Montero as the future at that position, and the 28-year-old Snyder will likely be on the outs this winter. Montero has stellar 1.087 OPS this July and is at .834 for the season.
There's still a chance Snyder could be a useful regular. Any teams who might have a use for him next year?
Odds & Ends: Strasburg, Diamondbacks, Indians
Lots of trade talk means lots of links, so let's get right to the madness:
- Corey Brock at MLB.com examines the possibility presented by Chico Harlan at the Washington Post that Stephen Strasburg could end up a Padre.
- Bernie Miklasz at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch looks at the Cardinals' five biggest winners in the Matt Holliday trade. Rick Hummel looks at other memorable trades in which the Cardinals dealt top prospects.
- According to Nick Piecoro at the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks are currently in a "holding pattern" with no. 16 overall pick Bobby Borchering.
- Geoff Baker at the Seattle Times wonders if the Mariners' brutal 9-0 loss last night will mark the team's transition into selling mode.
- Paul Hoynes at the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that the Indians will have a look at recently departed reliever Rafael Betancourt when he hits the free agent market.
- Hoynes also outlines the Indians' payroll obligations for next season, and wonders if low attendance and revenues will force them to trim the team's "luxury items."
- Toni Ginnetti at the Chicago Sun-Times talked to Cubs GM Jim Hendry, who expects some upgrades will come after the non-waiver deadline.
- Jamey Newberg takes a look at the concept of trading prospects through the lens of the Rangers.
- Tom Haudricourt at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel chatted with Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, who will take an "aggressive but smart" approach at the deadline.
- Jeff Zrebiec at the Baltimore Sun says director of scouting Joe Jordan is "irked" by the fact that only 20 of the Orioles' 50 picks have signed with the team.
- Rumors are swirling that Luis Gonzalez might be heading back to the Diamondbacks as a team official, says Jesse Sanchez at MLB.com.
Kazmir Not On Angels’ Radar?
Mark Saxon at the O.C. Register reports that there have been no discussions in team meetings to pursue Scott Kazmir from the Rays. This conflicts with earlier reports that the Rays were scouting the Angels' farm teams and that Kazmir's name was indeed of interest, with goading from pitching coach Mike Butcher.
Saxon says GM Tony Reagins still has his sights set on a frontline starter, a la Roy Halladay or Cliff Lee, and a reliable setup man. Saxon also speculates that the Angels could have interest in some of the Rays' relievers, including J.P. Howell, Randy Choate and Grant Balfour.
A’s Rumors: Wuertz, Cabrera, Angels
Susan Slusser at the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Angels are "prepared to make a strong bid" for RHP Michael Wuertz's services. That strong bid could begin with infielder Sean Rodriguez.
However, it's unclear if the A's would be willing to trade Wuertz within the division–Wuertz is under team control for two more years.
Slusser also notes that the Twins have expressed interest in SS Orlando Cabrera, who has a .925 OPS in July, but they might not have a prospect package good enough to entice the A's.
Odds & Ends: Orioles, Angels, Rangers
It's getting late for big news, but do GMs (or beat writers) ever sleep this time of year? Still a chance for some bedtime stories. Here are some sheep for the non-believers to count:
- Jeff Zrebiec at the Baltimore Sun checks in on five players teams could be targeting on the Orioles and his predictions on where they might end up.
- Though he says he's fine with the current roster, Angels manager Mike Scioscia says that GM Tony Reagins has been active, reports Rhett Bollinger at MLB.com. Scioscia wants a bullpen arm.
- Marty Noble at MLB.com answers questions about what the Mets might do at the deadline.
- Jeff Wilson at the Dallas Morning News says Tanner Scheppers' agent vouches for the top pick's desire to sign with the Rangers, though talks have progressed little.
- Bill Ladson at MLB.com has an extensive and fairly candid chat with Nationals owner Mark Lerner.
- Tommy Rancel at Inside the Rays previews the team's targets and candidates to be moved.
Reds Still Buyers?
John Fay at the Cincinnati Enquirer chatted with Reds GM Walt Jocketty, who says that "nothing's changed" in the club's philosophy before the deadline:
"We’re still 5 1/2 games out. We’re still looking for ways to improve the club."
Jocketty also says, however, that he isn't looking for any "short-term" boosts to the team, which would rule out all impending free agents. He says the Reds have fielded some calls, but don't expect anything substantive until the deadline gets closer. Teams have reportedly expressed interest in veteran relievers like David Weathers and Arthur Rhodes, but one would have to imagine Jocketty wouldn't part with them unless he felt the Reds had fallen out of contention.
Hal McCoy at the Dayton Daily News also talked to Jocketty, who reiterates the position above. McCoy isn't convinced the Reds can climb back, however, and lists Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Edwin Encarnacion, Ramon Hernandez and Francisco Cordero as potentially attractive trade pieces should the team become sellers.
Fay notes that the Reds have dropped four of the first six games in their 10-game road trip, so it looks like the next week will determine the team's position at the deadline.
Yanks Could Target Arms
Bryan Hoch at MLB.com talked to Yankees GM Brian Cashman, who acknowledges that "there is a [pitching] depth issue that is real." Cashman says the Yankees "aren't at all focused" on a bat before next week's trade deadline.
As Hoch notes, there are a number of factors that could force Cashman's hand: Chien Ming-Wang is potentially out for the season, and top choices to slide into the rotation like Alfredo Aceves and Phil Hughes have instead found successful roles in the bullpen. Additionally, Joe Girardi reminds that Joba Chamberlain could face an innings cap, having pitched over 95 this season.
Who might make sense to patch up the Yanks' depleted pitching depth? Have at it in the comments.
Cubs Still Monitoring Options
Dave van Dyck at the Chicago Tribune talked to Cubs GM Jim Hendry, who says that while anything can happen, the Cubs are looking more to "tinker" rather than make a big splash at the deadline. Van Dyck reminds that the Cubs just don't have the pieces to make a major trade, and Hendry sees team health as the major issue at hand.
Such tinkering, Van Dyck speculates, could involve the acquisition of a veteran backup catcher, left-handed reliever or vet outfielder along the lines of Jim Edmonds. He mentions there is room to add salary, but that it is "limited," which would discount someone like Jake Peavy. The Cubs have been in the mix for George Sherrill and Joe Beimel on the relief front, and Lou Piniella has said he desires "a couple hitters" before the deadline.
Odds & Ends: Garland, Washburn, Giants
Lots of interesting rumblings from around the league–could be an exciting evening here at ol' MLBTR. Here are some intriguing links to feed the insatiable frenzy:
- After Mark Reynolds criticized his D'Backs teammates a few weeks ago, Jon Garland took it a step further Wednesday, saying he "doesn't see any fight" in his teammates. As Bob Romantic at the East Valley Tribune notes, this could accelerate trade rumors already surrounding Garland.
- The Dallas Morning News asks Rangers fans who they'd deal for Cliff Lee.
- Buster Olney at ESPN gives a video-blog rundown of what the Red Sox have done in the trade market and what they plan to undertake.
- Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse says that a number of scouts reported to the Dodgers' Double-A affiliate, including two from the Braves.
- Geoff Baker at the Seattle Times talked with trade target Jarrod Washburn, who expresses interest in signing a contract extension with the Mariners.
- Henry Schulman at the San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Nationals are scouting the Giants' Double-A affiliate, and speculates that Adam Dunn, Joe Beimel, Ron Villone or Nick Johnson might be on the Giants' radar.
- Chris Haft at MLB.com answers fans' questions about the Giants' stance at the upcoming deadline.
- Anthony Castrovince at MLB.com wonders if improved play would make Ryan Garko the next to leave the Indians, as Matt LaPorta waits in the wings.
Major Indians Deal “Doubtful”
According to Ken Rosenthal at FOX Sports, despite the swirl around a possible blockbuster involving Cliff Lee or Victor Martinez, sources say it's "doubtful" either one is traded. The source calls a Lee deal "a longshot" and a Martinez one "more of a longshot."
The Indians are still pushing for a young, MLB-ready starter, but the Red Sox have been reluctant to deal Clay Buchholz. As noted earlier, the Rays have been in on both Lee and Martinez.