Brewers Rumors: Buyers Or Sellers?
Earlier today, Brewers manager Ken Macha told Tom Haudricourt at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel that the team is trying to get someone that can help "this season and beyond." Haudricourt thinks this could rule out a deal for a rental like Jarrod Washburn from the Mariners, and earlier today it seemed that the Brewers' recent slump had them out of the running just as well.
We've now learned from Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi at FOX Sports that the Padres are dangling starter Kevin Correia and that the Brewers are in the mix for him. He's only due $250k the rest of the season and could come cheaply, though his 4.75 ERA this season doesn't look like it'd be a huge upgrade this year for the scuffling Brewers.
Just yesterday Doug Melvin was saying he's a buyer. Are the Brewers still in it, or should they give in? Can they make a useful upgrade without sacrificing their top pieces?
Odds & Ends: Red Sox, Lee, Rays
Some links to (maybe) cap an already wild day in rumor-land:
- Joe McDonald at the Providence Journal thinks the Red Sox need to make a major deal.
- Dan Novick at the Hardball Times wonders if the Lee trade was a win-win.
- John Campanelli at the Cleveland Plain-Dealer gets reactions from Indians fans on the Lee deal. Suffice to say, they ain't happy.
- Nationals acting manager Jim Riggleman wants to see the team's core remain intact, says Chico Harlan at the Washington Post.
- Marc Topkin at the St. Petersburg Times says the Rays "seem unlikely" to make a big deal.
- Geoff Baker at the Seattle Times thinks the Mariners' deals today for Ian Snell and Jack Wilson probably spell some more trades on the horizon–potentially involving Jarrod Washburn.
- The Nationals released Julian Tavarez today, who had cleared waivers. Corey Patterson also cleared waivers and has been released from the Triple A club, reports Bill Ladson at MLB.com.
- David Laurila at Baseball Prospectus has a profile and some quotes from new Pirate Tim Alderson.
Dodgers Move On The Verge?
10:52pm: Dylan Hernandez at the L.A. Times talked to GM Ned Colletti, who says that the scratch of Elbert did not have to do with a trade. He didn't elaborate further. That could mean Elbert is getting called up instead.
10:28pm: Ed Price at AOL Fanhouse gets word that whatever is going on has nothing to do with a George Sherrill acquisition.
10:17pm: Ken Gurnick at MLB.com reports that Dodgers' pitching prospect Scott Elbert was scratched from his scheduled start in Albuquerque tonight, and barring an injury has either been called up or dealt. Elbert had been mentioned in numerous rumors, particularly in a deal that would net George Sherrill from the Orioles.
Gurnick reported earlier today that the Dodgers were in the market for pitching, and apparently had made a big late offer for Cliff Lee.
Teams Hot After Heath
Echoing Buster Olney's earlier reports, Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi at FOX Sports are saying that the Marlins are indeed the most aggressive of 10 to 15 teams looking to add Heath Bell. The Marlins have the prospects to get a deal done and "could easily absorb" the $400k left owed to Bell this season. However, the Padres are said to want the Marlins' top pitching prospects in Sean West and Andrew Miller if such a deal were to happen, a high price to pay.
Teams Inquiring On Guthrie
Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi are saying that multiple teams have put in calls for Orioles RHP Jeremy Guthrie. However, their source says that the Orioles are "unlikely" to move him, and the Orioles would likely have to be overwhelmed to make a deal.
Guthrie, a former Scott Boras client, makes only $650k this season. He's been a bit disappointing, though, putting up a 5.21 ERA.
Olney’s Latest: Bell, Washburn, Martinez
Buster Olney at ESPN with a few updates on trade chatter today:
- The Padres are fielding all sorts of calls on Heath Bell. Of the dozen or so interested, the Marlins have probably been the most aggressive.
- Talks have still gone on with the Red Sox about Adrian Gonzalez, but "no significant progress" has been made. The Pads will likely want Clay Buchholz among "four or five of the best and brightest" prospects in the Sox system.
- The Mariners are listening to offers for Jarrod Washburn, but not dangling him. There are also indications they're trying to "reach an understanding" on a contract extension.
- The Sox are definitely in the mix for Victor Martinez, but they're busy scouring the league for various needs.
Rangers “Ready To Buy?”
T.R. Sullivan at MLB.com talked to Rangers manager Ron Washington, and to him apparently the team is "ready to buy."
"We'll make a deal," Washington said. "I don't know who we'll make a deal with, but we'll probably do something."
It's an interesting viewpoint, as Scott Miller at CBS Sports reports that the Rangers found themselves so financially strapped in June that the equipment team only ordered enough baseballs to get through July. Other clubs officials, according to Sullivan, say the possibility to make additions is "below average." The Rangers are in need of starting pitching, with health concerns surrounding Vicente Padilla and Kevin Millwood.
Odds & Ends: Rangers, Yankees, Braves
Did anyone expect the deadline to be this active? What a week. Some more tidbits:
- The Rangers signed their third-round selection, LHP Robbie Erlin, reports T.R. Sullivan at MLB.com.
- Jayson Stark has an extensive breakdown of the Cliff Lee trade–the Cy Young pitcher they needed, not the one they necessarily wanted.
- The Yankees have interest in Tigers OF Josh Anderson, says Danny Knobler at CBS Sports, and now Jim Leyland agrees, says Steve Kornacki at mlive.com.
- John Fay at the Cincinnati Enquirer notes that in a very roundabout fashion, the Reds traded Paul O'Neill for Wladimir Balentien.
- Mark Bowman at MLB.com reports that the Braves have been quiet on the trade front, and aren't pressured to make a big splash after the Cliff Lee deal. They've inquired on a few relievers that apparently aren't available.
- Despite the Phils' acquisitions, the Marlins are still in it to win it, says Alden Gonzalez at MLB.com.
- Fangraphs gives their analysis of the Freddy Sanchez and Jason Hirsh deals.
- Todd Zolecki at MLB.com gets Phillie rival players' takes on the Lee deal.
Cardinals After Relievers?
WEDNESDAY: Strauss has more on the proceedings. He says the Cardinals are "definitely pushing" for a right-handed setup man. There's "strong internal support" to obtain Chad Qualls, but the search is "apparently directed elsewhere."
TUESDAY: Joe Strauss at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch is reporting that the Cardinals are in "hot pursuit" of right-handed relievers. He also says that they had tried to include former Redbird Russ Springer in the deal for Matt Holliday from the A's, but balked when they learned they'd have to throw in another starting pitching prospect. Still, with the bullpen struggling, Strauss says they "may revisit" a deal for Springer.
Relief Rumors: Grabow, Marlins, Yankees
Contenders are always in the hunt for relief help this time of year. Let's scope out the latest on that front:
- After refusing to deal Eric Young Jr. for John Grabow or Joe Beimel, the Rockies have lowered their aim, notably toward the Orioles' Mark Hendrickson, says Joel Sherman at the New York Post.
- The Marlins are in the mix for Grabow's services, says Joe Frisaro at MLB.com.
- CBS Sports' Danny Knobler says the Yankees have steered their focus toward middle relief help, but too many of their desired names reside in the AL East.
- The Cardinals are indeed still interested in bringing back righty Russ Springer, says Mychael Urban at MLB.com.