Eddie Schmid | MLB Trade Rumors

Rays Could Move Kazmir

By Eddie Schmid | July 23, 2009 at 5:54pm CDT

According to Ed Price at AOL Fanhouse, the Rays are itching to deal, with Roy Halladay, Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee on the radar. Now, they're apparently willing to dangle Scott Kazmir as part of a deal, and the Angels are said to have "some interest" in acquiring him.

The Rays are four games out of first place and were on the bad end of Mark Buehrle's perfect game today, which could be an impetus to make an impact deal. Kazmir has struggled mightily this season, putting up a 6.69 ERA and 58/40 K/BB ratio. He makes $6MM this year and has $22.5MM remaining on his contract after this season.

Red Sox After Adrian Gonzalez?

By Eddie Schmid | July 23, 2009 at 5:40pm CDT

According to Sean McAdam at the Boston Herald, the Red Sox have been "very aggressive" in their pursuit of Adrian Gonzalez from the Padres, but their offers have been "rebuffed."

The Adam LaRoche acquisition may have just been one domino falling before a major acquisition, McAdam notes, as the Sox have been spending the final week before the trade deadline to hunt for an impact bat. Their interest in Victor Martinez is well-known, but a source tells McAdam the cost for Martinez has been "prohibitive." McAdam also says that if another deal is in the works, it will be for a player "that can upgrade the Sox not only this year, but for several seasons to come."

The Padres haven't formally put Gonzalez on the trading block, and indications are that the first baseman is staying put.

Minaya, Manuel Assured Jobs?

By Eddie Schmid | July 20, 2009 at 9:51pm CDT

9:51pm: Despite Manuel's denial, David Lennon at Newsday talked to Minaya, who confirms earlier reports that they were given a vote of confidence.

6:22pm: Jon Heyman at SI.com reports that Mets COO Jeff Wilpon met with GM Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel recently to give the two a vote of confidence that they would not be fired this season. Joel Sherman at the New York Post reports that Wilpon would be hesitant to fire Minaya because his three-year extension does not begin until next season and Minaya has many close assistants that have contracts as well.

But Bart Hubbuch at the New York Post talked to Manuel, who said he "never got that call."

The Mets continue to be ravaged by injuries, as pleasant-surprise starter Fernando Nieve hit the DL today.

Pedro Contract Details Revealed

By Eddie Schmid | July 20, 2009 at 9:44pm CDT

Jayson Stark at ESPN has the skinny on Pedro Martinez's contract with the Phillies from sources. It's incentive-laden, and has a few intriguing facets (Many of which were also reported by Jon Paul Morosi at FOX Sports last week):

The deal is a prorated $2MM base salary, which will ultimately be worth less than $1MM for the rest of the season.
He has incentives to pitch as both a starter and a reliever.
Bonuses are awarded for every start Pedro pitches after his fifth. He's also getting paid a $15K bonus for every fifteenth day he's on the active roster.
Incentives are included for postseason awards and the Comeback Player of the Year award.
In all, Pedro could receive an additional $1.275MM next to his salary.

That should put an end to the Pedro saga (for this year), which probably continued for a longer time than many of us expected. Longer than maybe Pedro expected, too, as he had been asking $5MM in a prorated deal for his services as late as mid-June, but he wasn't expected to get more than an incentive-laden deal like the one he finally agreed to. We'll see how he performs down the stretch, as it will determine his value when he re-enters the FA market this coming offseason.

Minaya: Big Moves Doubtful For Mets

By Eddie Schmid | July 20, 2009 at 8:23pm CDT

Bart Hubbuch at the New York Post talked to Mets GM Omar Minaya, who agreed with manager Jerry Manuel's pregame comments that the team doesn't expect to bring in significant outside help before the deadline. Minaya ruled out any pursuit of rental players, which would include Matt Holliday.

Hubbuch also notes that Minaya did not deny an earlier report that the Mets refused to deal four of their top prospects for Roy Halladay, and Minaya wouldn't comment further on the situation. No word yet from Minaya on rumors that he was assured his job security by Mets COO Jeff Wilpon.

Odds & Ends: Brewers, Yankees, Braves

By Eddie Schmid | July 20, 2009 at 8:12pm CDT

On this day last year, the Brewers acquired second baseman Ray Durham from the Giants for two prospects, and almost exactly a year later they landed Felipe Lopez for two more. Who will it be in 2010?

Evan Brunell at the Hardball Times likes the Brewers' Felipe Lopez acquisition and thinks a starter could make the Brewers legit playoff contenders.
Marc Carig at the Newark Star-Ledger reports that Hal Steinbrenner is "open to all possibilities" for the Yankees at the trade deadline.
Peter Gammons thinks the Red Sox need to pursue a bat most of all. "The Dodgers will acquire pitching. The Giants will get a bat. Florida may get a closer. The Cubs will also do something," he believes.
Dave Cameron at Fangraphs recaps the site's list of 2009 player trade values.
Mark Bowman at MLB.com takes a deep look into the Braves' current position, and believes how they perform in their upcoming series will be a large indicator as to whether they buy or sell pieces before the deadline. Bowman thinks there's a chance the Braves could be done making major moves.
Tom Krasovic posits that the Padres must stop offering no-trade clauses in their contracts, as such clauses have backfired with many players, a list potentially including Jake Peavy with his recent DL stint.

Phillies To Continue Shopping

By Eddie Schmid | July 20, 2009 at 7:09pm CDT

Andy Martino at the Philadelphia Inquirer talked to Phils manager Charlie Manuel and assistant GM Scott Proefrock, and both say that the team's current NL East lead does not affect their pursuits of help for their bullpen, rotation and bench. Says Proefrock:

"All you have to do is look back two weeks ago. We’ve got a long way to go. This isn’t over by any stretch of the imagination, and we still need to be prepared for a tough battle the rest of the way."

Martino says that Proefrock was envisioning a "potential playoff rotation," though he didn't mention Roy Halladay by name. The Phillies are six and a half games ahead in first, and this news comes after a number of reports wondered if the team would make a splash with such a comfortable lead.

More Halladay Chatter

By Eddie Schmid | July 7, 2009 at 9:53pm CDT

GMs' phones must be ringing off the hook tonight, and most of the incoming calls are probably from your friendly neighborhood baseball beat writer. Let's scope out the latest news from Buster Olney:

Olney has updated his previous post on the news, and gets word that Halladay might be open to waiving his no-trade clause.
Olney goes on to say that since Halladay would depart after 2010 as a likely Type A, he will command two high draft choices. Thus, all trade offers would have to begin with such talent.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia says GM Tony Reagins has talked to Toronto about Doc.
Olney runs through more suitors: the Red Sox, who have "stubbornly clung to their young pitching," the Mets and Cubs, who may or may not have the proper package of prospects, Yankees, and the Phillies.

In other news around the beat:

MLB.com's Jordan Bastian has a source that says over a dozen teams have asked about Halladay, with the most serious interest expressed by the Cardinals, Yankees, Mets, Brewers, Dodgers, Angels and Red Sox.
Adam McCalvy at MLB.com has this quote from Brewers GM Doug Melvin on the matter: "I'm open to talking about anybody…I'm also realistic to know that not everybody is available all the time."
Dave van Dyck at the Chicago Tribune talked to White Sox GM Kenny Williams, who reiterated his concerns about finances and doesn't think he can afford to ship the young talent Halladay will require.

Orioles Explore Deals for Pie, Salazar

By Eddie Schmid | July 7, 2009 at 9:26pm CDT

According to Jeff Zrebiec at the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles have a roster decision to make when Cesar Izturis returns from the disabled list, and thus have considered dealing Oscar Salazar and Felix Pie. Both players are out of options and are likely to get claimed if put on waivers, so a deal makes sense, Zrebiec says.

Sources say that the Orioles have discussed Pie in a potential deal for Sox corner infielder Josh Fields, who has struggled this season, though it's not clear if the Sox would still agree to such a trade. Salazar reportedly has drawn interest from some NL teams who value his positional flexibility and bat off the bench.

Odds & Ends: Washburn, White Sox, Braves

By Eddie Schmid | July 7, 2009 at 8:30pm CDT

Seeking out the freshest links so you don't have to–don't change the channel, here are some Odds & Ends:

Mark Bowman at MLB.com gives an extensive look at the Braves' situation, wondering if GM Frank Wren will be a buyer or a seller.
The AP talked to White Sox GM Kenny Williams, fresh off his recent deal for Tony Pena, who says that low attendance numbers could affect the team's ability to make a big splash at the deadline.
Anthony Castrovince at MLB.com examines the Indians' return for C.C. Sabathia and wonders if it was enough.
Ryan Divish at the Tacoma News-Tribune talks Jarrod Washburn, who is doing wonders for his trade value this season.
Tom Haudricourt at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel says Ryan Braun finished talking with Doug Melvin, and the controversy over Braun's comments about the team needing a pitcher seem to be behind them.
Jon Heyman at SI tweets that the Diamondbacks could envision newly-acquired Brandon Allen as their starting first baseman next season.
Jim Callis at Baseball America examines recent draft pick signings and notes that only two have been above slot, and barely.
Thomas Boswell at the Washington Post thinks the Nationals are due for a major overhaul.

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