Oswalt Might Prefer Change Of Scenery
The Chicago Tribune has some rumors for our consumption:
- Would Roy Oswalt waive his no-trade clause if he were dealt? The paper suggests he just may want a change of scenery. He is disappointed that the Astros haven't made an effort to acquire Jake Peavy and has seemed "at odds with manager Cecil Cooper."
- The Yankees and Braves are apparently possible destinations for Mark DeRosa. MLBTR discussed the Yankees as well as the Mets and Cardinals. The Indians are seeking Major League-ready pitching for the 34 year-old DeRosa, who will be a free agent this offseason.
- Peavy "insists he could reconsider" a trade to the White Sox later in the season, although the scenario seems a long shot.
Delcarmen Wants To Stay In Boston
Hacks with Haggs has an interview with Manny Delcarmen who says he "wouldn't be too happy" if he were dealt. Said Delcarmen,
The hard throwing Delcarmen is out of options and continues to show promise, posting a 0.95 ERA through 18 games so far in '09. Just recently, Epstein shot down a rumor involving the Nationals swapping Nick Johnson for Delcarmen.
Indians Limited By Payroll Concerns
Any trade moves the Indians can make will be restricted by payroll limitations, says the Cleveland Plain Dealer. As it stands, the Indians payroll will be over $80MM in 2010 so bringing in a veteran on a multiyear deal is seemingly out of the question.
Red Sox Could Shop Brad Penny
Alex Speier of WEEI.com says Brad Penny could be a name floated in trade talks by the Red Sox. Not a huge surprise given Boston's ample starting pitching depth. Penny is only making $5MM on a one-year contract for 2009. Says Speier:
Penny is a veteran to the trade circuit, notes Speier. And despite his declaration that the Red Sox have been his "best experience being on a team in baseball thus far,” he acknowledges the team's pitching depth makes him expendable.
Peavy To Brewers Remains A Possibility
Two months ago, a trade rumor involving Jake Peavy and the Brewers was shot down by Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin. But Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says don't be surprised if the Brewers do indeed enter the sweepstakes.
The Padres appear to be seeking young pitching prospects and, says Haudricourt, the Brewers do not have that to offer. Further, Melvin has said he has no interest in trading Mat Gamel or Alcides Escobar, his top prospects. Still, the price for Peavy may come down "as suitors fall by the wayside" (i.e. possibly the entire AL) and Haudricourt repeatedly notes Brewers owner Mark Attanasio's financial creativity could make a deal plausible for the Brewers.
MLBTR posted a handy round up of what we know about Peavy and the Padres. And from yesterday's Odds & Ends: JorgeSaysNo! reiterates that the Brewers are a "perfect fit" for Jake Peavy, and Craig Calcaterra of NBCSports.com's "Circling The Bases" believes Milwaukee will need to move quickly in order to land him.
What would you do if you were Doug Melvin? Would you include Escobar or Gamel? Do the Brewers have the pitching prospects? Could Evan Anundsen or Jeremy Jeffress be part of a package?
Marlins, Loria Want “Substantive Changes”
On a 4-game losing streak leaving the team 19-25, and with hopeful ace Ricky Nolasco demoted, the Marlins are not right. In a note, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald says the Marlins are looking to make a change.
Jackson mentions Dan Uggla as a possible trade chip. Uggla is making $5.35MM in '09, his first year of arbitration, and after an abysmal beginning he may finally be starting to earn it by posting a 1.265 OPS with 4 HR and 9 RBI over his last 7 games.
The Marlins pitchers may lead the NL in strikeouts, but the team's 4.98 ERA is third to last and their 187 walks are tied with the Nats for most allowed.
There are lots of good comments discussing Marlins 2010 options and 2009 trade possibilities in this post.
Giants Shopping Matt Cain
Brian Sabean has gone to market. The Giants G.M. is seeking a bat with Nick Johnson atop his list, according to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News.
In a piece posted last night, Baggarly says Sabean is dangling Matt Cain to get a feel for his value on the open-market. "Because Cain is young, controllable and relatively cheap for two more seasons, it would require productive offensive players with similar service-time attributes to strike a deal," says Baggarly.
Cain will make only $2.65MM this year and $4.25MM next, with a $6.25MM club option for 2011. Coming off a complete game victory yesterday, Cain is 5-1 with a 2.40 ERA despite an increased walk rate and decreased strikeout rate in 2009.
Cardinals Shopping Greene
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe mentions the Cardinals are trying to trade Khalil Greene, who is struggling mightily in a contract year as a result of reported anxiety problems. Whenever a shortstop hits the block, it seems the Boston media has to consider the possibility. The position has been a black hole for the team since 2004. Cafardo says:
While a change of scenery may be what Greene needs, Boston may not be the best fit given the anxiety problems. Still, Cafardo explores the option because "frustration is beginning to build among other Sox players" due to poor defense from Julio Lugo and Nick Green. With his struggles, the Cardinals will have to eat some of his $6.5MM salary.
Jed Lowrie is expected back from wrist surgery after the All Star break.
Pirates Add Two Prospects
According to George Von Benko of MLB.com, the Pirates have acquired outfielder Jeff Corsaletti from the Red Sox and pitcher Randy Newsom from the Indians, both for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Both prospects will be assigned to Double-A Altoona. Benko writes,
"The 26-year old Corsaletti was batting .128 at Triple-A Pawtucket. In 13 games, the left-handed-hitting outfielder had no home runs and one RBI. Newsom, a 27-year old sidearming right-hander, was 2-0 at Double-A Akron with a 2.45 ERA and one save in eight appearances."
Odds & Ends: Rays, Gorzelanny
Links for Sunday…
- Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburgh Times says the Rays are lacking the "joie de vivre" that perpetuated their success last season. Is this from the Rays offseason personnel changes and loss of clubhouse guys like Cliff Floyd, Eric Hinske, or Jonny Gomes? Gabe Kapler was supposed to help fill this void. Maybe the Rays need to begin winning consistently before they look like they're having fun, not the other way around?
- Pirates starter Tom Gorzelanny has been recalled, according to Dejan Kovacevic. Tyler Yates was put on the 15-day disabled list due to right elbow inflammation, making room for Gorzelanny.