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Olney’s Latest: Sexson, Ibanez, Ortiz

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Buster Olney’s blog post is overloaded with rumors today. Here’s a rundown:

  • Olney’s Speculation: Will the Red Sox will express interest in Khalil Greene with Julio Lugo on the DL for 4-6 weeks? Olney also wonders if the Dodgers will seek Huston Street if Takashi Saito is seriously hurt.
  • Scout Speculation:  Huston Street and Matt Murton to the Rays for prospects? 
  • Bobby Kielty was granted release by the Red Sox.
  • Richie Sexson could decide where to go based on greatest offered playing time.  I’d say that’s expected for a veteran starter.
  • Olney says that requests for Max Scherzer are keeping the Dbacks from making any moves, such as for Raul Ibanez.
  • David Ortiz is slated to return to the lineup on July 25th, which leaves the Red Sox less than a week to evaluate him and make a move if necessary.  Olney details some options:
    • Acquire a hitter during the waiver period after the deadline.  This would rule out comparable replacements such as Matt Holliday or Mark Teixeira.
    • Make a "preemptive strike" for Holliday or Teixeira costing them "at least one of their best prospects".
    • Target a "second or third tier bat" such as Ibanez or Xavier Nady.
    • Continue on with or without an effective Ortiz, hoping their offense is good enough.

Odds & Ends: Bonds, Church, Myers, Teixeira

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Some odds and some ends:

  • Ozzie Guillen says "Barry [Bonds] can’t play for my team," according to Joe Cowley from the Chicago Sun Times.
  • The New York Daily News’ Adam Rubin is reporting Ryan Church’s diagnosis was positive and his ability to return may "lessen the pressure" on the Mets to find a replacement.  They will also get Angel Pagan back next week and management’s "not averse" to promoting 19-year old prospect Fernando Martinez in the second half.
  • Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer says Brett Myers feels he’s ready to return.
  • The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s David O’Brien notes the Braves are mum on whether they’re buyers or sellers.  If they can prove they’re in it then they will seek a right handed hitter.  If they can’t, then they will entertain offers for upcoming free agents Mark Teixeira and Will Ohman.

Yankees Roundup: Nady, Sexson, Fuentes, Marte

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Over the next 10 days, the Yankees will determine whether they are buyers or sellers. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, if they think they are still in it then they will target "a lefty reliever and a secondary starting pitcher."  That starting pitcher could be Eric Milton, however he’s 6 weeks away from starting. I’ll add a right handed bat to that list as the Yankees need help against lefties.

Sherman says the Rockies are interested enough in Ian Kennedy to deal Brian Fuentes for him and the Yankees will need to choose both whether they’re in it and how much they want to retain Kennedy.  A cheaper option they’re considering is Damaso Marte, says the Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s Dejan Kovacevic.  The fact that Marte is now closing in Pittsburgh may have either decreased his availability or increased his price tag, or both.  The Cardinals, Mets, Rays and Red Sox are all in the hunt for the lefty.

Kovacevic says the Yankees are suitors for Xavier Nady as well. Nady is a career .320 hitter against lefties and has played in New York before.  And then there’s Richie Sexson, who Tim discussed here, and who George A. King III of the New York Post says the Yankees could sign if/when he clears waivers this week.

A compromise of sorts could be to make a move for A.J. Burnett.  The opt-out risk at the end of the year is alarming, but the Yankees could use his services this year and beyond, as well as manage his salary and the upside is still tremendous.

Phillies Extend Lidge

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10:12am: Ken Mandel of MLB.com reports the extension is for 3-years, $37.5MM with a club option for 2012 and performance incentives.  A good deal for both sides considering the going rate for elite closers and that Lidge may have been able to get 4-5 years in free agency. Lidge has yet to blow a save this year while making $6.35MM.

10:00am: Todd Zolecki and Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer are reporting the Phillies will be announcing a contract extension for closer Brad Lidge any moment now.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Teixeira, Yankees, Padres, Fish

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And now, the latest from Ken Rosenthal’s Full Count video:
  • If the Braves decide to shop Mark Teixeira, they may have a tough time getting as much as they’d like. The Red Sox, Angels, and Diamondbacks – among other contenders – are set at 1B/DH with David Ortiz, Casey Kotchman, and Conor Jackson respectively. Rosenthal notes Boston will only pursue Teixeira if Ortiz’s wrist fails to heal.
  • Brian Cashman isn’t sure whether the Yankees are buyers or sellers.  Most of their high paid players have no-trade clauses.  Should they want to buy, Rosenthal suggests A.J. Burnett is a guy they could make a play for: an underperformer with a contract the Blue Jays would be happy to pass off.
  • The Padres are planning to hold onto Brian Giles with the anticipation that a better replacement will not be available this winter. They continue to shop Randy Wolf, who can veto up to 14 clubs, and Greg Maddux to the Cubs continues to be bandied about.
  • The Marlins need help in the bullpen, at catcher, and particularly centerfield. They could pursue Willy Taveras, Scott Podsednik, or potentially free agent Kenny Lofton, 41, who has generated interest but not signed anywhere.

Rays Preparing Offer For Fuentes?

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In this piece by Troy E. Renck, the Rays have had scouts at Coors Field over the weekend and are preparing to make an offer for Brian Fuentes.

"Tampa Bay is preparing to make the most aggressive play for the Rockies’ closer, according to a major-league source… Opposing executives who have spoken with Tampa Bay say the Rays are determined to bolster their bullpen in an attempt to create separation between them and the Red Sox."

The Rockies have been seeking "one quality player", says Renck, in return for Fuentes.  The Rays could offer either Double-A RHP starters Wade Davis or Jeremy Hellickson, both of whom the Rockies have expressed interest in.

Davis, 23, has made 18 starts for Double-A Montgomery with a 3.98 ERA  over 101.2 IP with a 6.64 K/9. Hellickson, 21, has been having an outstanding season in Montgomery Double-A and Vero Beach Single-A ball, going 7-2 with a 2.85 ERA with 87 K in 85 IP.  He has struggled some since being promoted to Double-A.

Acquiring Fuentes would take an option away from Boston as well as provide the Rays with another lefty reliever and increased depth at closer should Troy Percival remain incapable.

Odds & Ends: Rivera, Sabathia, Mark Sweeney

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Some Odds & Ends for this Sunday morning:

  • Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times proposes the Dodgers offer middle reliever Cory Wade or Single-A fireballer Javy Guerra for OF Juan Rivera.  Despite already having a logjam in the outfield, Rivera would provide the power the Dodgers need.  As he sees it, the Angels have a propensity for stockpiling arms and Rivera is only gathering dust behind Gary Matthews Jr.  Fun fact from Shaikin: it’s been 32 years since the last Dodgers/Angels trade.
  • The Baltimore Sun’s Peter Schmuck tells Orioles fans not to expect C.C. Sabathia to be signed by the O’s this offseason.
  • Tony Jackson of the Los Angeles Daily News says Mark Sweeney may draw the short straw when Rafael Furcal and Nomar Garciaparra return from the DL within the next week.  The Dodgers would release the 38 year old.
  • Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times notes all indications are that the Rays will be making some moves before the deadline.  They have the payroll flexibility, prospect depth, and would be happy to pickup draft picks from any big free agent they can’t re-sign.  They’re looking for a veteran starting pitcher, a late inning reliever, and a right handed hitting outfielder.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Beltre, Washburn, Escobar, Duchscherer

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Ken Rosenthal brings us his latest Full Count video:

  • Rosenthal thinks the Mariners should consider dealing Adrian Beltre along with Erik Bedard by the deadline.  The A’s and Dodgers would be interested in the 29 year old.  Also, Jarrod Washburn’s stock is rising.
  • If Kelvim Escobar makes a strong return to the Angels rotation, Jon Garland could wind up on the trading block.  As it stands, Escobar is slated for relief duties initially.
  • 30 year old Justin Duchscherer could be Billy Beane’s best trade piece.  His sparkling 1.99 ERA in combination with his being signed through this year for only $1.2MM make him a very palatable option.

Ichiro Unlikely To Be Dealt

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Larry Stone of the Seattle Times runs through the Mariners situation as sellers.  He considers Richie Sexson, Jose Vidro, Kenji Johjima, Miguel Batista, and Carlos Silva as untradeable due to either  performance or contract, or both.

Stone also doesn’t see Ichiro Suzuki going anywhere:

"The hot topic is Ichiro, who has a limited no-trade clause in his contract. The big question is whether he has a de facto full no-trade clause coming from Japan. The industry belief is that Hiroshi Yamauchi, calling the Mariners’ shots from Kyoto, would never allow Ichiro to be dealt. I believe that, too."

He entertains the possibility that Ichiro could get himself traded out of Seattle if he requested a trade himself, but all indications are that he is committed to remaining in Seattle.

Ken Rosenthal confirms this in his latest Full Count video, adding that if Seattle ownership wasn’t equally committed to Ichiro, they would have dealt him last year before signing him to a 5-year $90MM contract.

Cafardo’s Latest: Buyers & Sellers

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Nick Cafardo kicks the tires in a full page spread in today’s Boston Globe, listing a handful of teams who are winding up to buy and sell. To paraphrase Cafardo’s recap:

Phillies: Smelling World Series, they see C.C. Sabathia, Erik Bedard, A.J. Burnett, Bronson Arroyo, and Derek Lowe as potential targets.

Braves:  Still deciding whether to shop or re-sign Mark Teixeira, or neither, and in turn whether to trade for a starter to win a division, as Cafardo says, "nobody is running away with."

Mariners:  The decision of whether or not to release Richie Sexson is imminent, and the M’s are expected to start shopping Raul Ibanez, Jose Vidro, Carlos Silva, and Bedard.

Blue Jays:  Can their pitching carry them back into contention when Alex Rios and Vernon Wells aren’t producing as expected?  The Jays can sell Burnett, Matt Stairs, David Eckstein, and maybe Scott Rolen.

Reds:  On their way to last place, Arroyo can be dealt and replaced, perhaps, by Homer Bailey next year. Ken Griffey Jr. is still wearing red.

Indians:  Will find it very difficult to deal Sabathia for a package comparable to what the Mets got for Johan Santana.  Paul Byrd could also go.

Dodgers:  Could perhaps deal Matt Kemp or Chad Billingsley for Sabathia.  They’re also looking at Bedard.  They need to get back to .500 to really compete and will need pitching to get them there.

Yankees:  Giving up Melky Cabrera may be the only way the Yankees can land a front line starter to replace Chien Ming Wang, but Brian Cashman is not keen to do so.

Pirates:  Looking for righthanded power, the Pirates still have Jason Bay (among others).

Be sure to check out Tim’s thorough Trade Market Summary for more insight.

By Nat Boyle

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