Twins Interested In Matt Capps
The Twins have interest in Nationals closer Matt Capps, reports ESPN's Tim Kurkjian. Kurkjian finds a deal unlikely - he feels that the Nats would want catching prospect Wilson Ramos in return, and the Twins would be unwilling to make that deal. I wouldn't blame them - they may be aiming to replace Jon Rauch, but Capps is not a shutdown stopper either. In their search for another late-inning arm, the Twins have also been linked to Scott Downs of the Blue Jays.
Nationals GM Mike Rizzo told MLB.com's Bill Ladson recently that he is not looking to trade Capps, Josh Willingham, or Adam Dunn, but he does receive a lot of calls on them. Rizzo said he'd make a deal "if there was an opportunity to improve and impact the ballclub." Two days ago ESPN's Buster Olney tweeted the sentiment of rival executives: Capps stands a good chance of being traded, even though he is under team control for 2011.
The Nationals have a quality catching prospect at High A ball in Derek Norris. 25-year-old Jesus Flores is promising as well, but he has yet to make his 2010 debut as he tries to recover from shoulder and elbow surgeries. Ramos would be a welcome addition, as a team can never have too much catching depth.
Aramis Ramirez Leaning Toward Exercising Option
Aramis Ramirez is leaning toward exercising his $14.6MM player option for 2011, based on comments made to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times:
"I want to stay here, but I've still got two months. I haven't talked to my agent about it. But everybody knows I want to stay here. I guess I'm staying here [in 2011].''
Heading into the season, I thought a typical Ramirez campaign might prompt him to decline the option and seek a multiyear guarantee. The 2010 season has not been typical, however, as Ramirez has limped to a .230/.286/.438 line in 311 plate appearances. His poor play was limited to the season's first two months, and he's got nine home runs in July. If Ramirez does exercise his player option, Adrian Beltre will be the only big name free agent at the hot corner.
Ramirez's 2012 mutual option is a large factor. That has a $2MM buyout attached if the Cubs decline, meaning Ramirez stands to earn either $16.6MM for one year or $30.6MM for two, depending on what the team does.
Roy Oswalt Rumors: Tuesday
Yesterday we learned that location doesn't matter for Roy Oswalt, but he will require his $16MM option for 2012 to be picked up upon a trade. The Astros' asking price remains high even as the number of suitors dwindles. Today's rumors, with the latest bullets added up top throughout the day…
- The Rangers looked into acquiring Oswalt even after completing the Cliff Lee deal, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. There is no match in terms of players, and the money would've been extremely challenging. Still, the inquiry shows that the Rangers are not messing around.
Roy Oswalt Rumors: Monday
Roy Oswalt is the best available starter with Dan Haren off the board, though there's no guarantee that the Astros move the righty. He has a substantial contract with a no-trade clause and the Astros are demanding lots in return for their ace. Here is the latest on Oswalt, with new bullets added at the top throughout the day…
- Oswalt told MLB.com's Brian McTaggart that "location doesn't matter," in case any doubt remained. Earlier today, Oswalt told Bernardo Fallas of the Houston Chronicle that he would accept a deal to the East Coast under the right circumstances. "That’s not an issue," he said.
- Oswalt will not approve any trade unless the acquiring team picks up his 2012 option, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Oswalt would consider deferring money, but he will not accept a deal unless the team trading for him picks up his $16MM option (Twitter link).
- A source tells Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that Oswalt does not want to play for the Phillies.
- ESPN's Jayson Stark says the Astros seek "a young, front-line player off the big-league roster, two high-end prospects and one more prospect" for Oswalt, making a trade far from a sure thing. Stark contends that Astros owner Drayton McLane will require a return he can brag about.
- The Cardinals "don’t feel confident in their ability" to acquire Oswalt, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Cards face the added wrinkle of playing in the same division as th Astros. GM John Mozeliak, speaking in general terms, told Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch "I can't say I'm encouraged" about making a major pitching move.
- The Phillies could acquire Oswalt without moving Jayson Werth, writes MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. Morosi feels that the Phillies represent "one of the more viable landing spots for Oswalt."
Rangers Pursuing Cantu, Eyeing Derrek Lee
5:06pm: The Marlins are not close to sending Cantu to the Rangers, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald (Twitter link). The Rockies have stepped up their bid for Cantu and the Giants are still involved.
4:21pm: The Rangers are interested in Cantu, but are "evaluating a number of bats," a source tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (Twitter link).
3:55pm: The Rangers are "closing in" on a deal for Cantu, a source tells Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com.
3:30pm: The Rangers have asked about Cantu more than other clubs have, but they don't necessarily have an edge over the Giants or Rockies, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post (via Twitter).
7:44am: The Rangers are known to be seeking a right-handed hitting first baseman, perhaps a platoon partner for Chris Davis. USA Today's Bob Nightengale tweets that they are "in deep conversations" with the Marlins for Jorge Cantu, and "taking a close look" at the Cubs' Derrek Lee. They'd also like to add another starting pitcher and a lefty reliever.
Lee is the new name in the mix for the Rangers, though he and Cantu are used to being regulars. Neither player has hit like a regular first baseman this year – Cantu is at .260/.309/.412, and Lee stands at .251/.338/.391. Their contracts are significant – Cantu has $2.28MM remaining and Lee has $4.95MM. The Rangers have also been linked to players such as Ty Wigginton, Mike Lowell, and Wes Helms.
Nightengale's contention that the Rangers would like to add another starter is surprising. Four days ago, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports suggested on Twitter that a pitching surplus could make Rich Harden or Scott Feldman trade bait.
Cubs Willing To Eat Part Of Fukudome Contract
The Cubs would pay part of the $4.95MM remaining on Kosuke Fukudome's contract this year and quite a bit of his $13.5MM salary for 2011, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. In mid-June, Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com reported that the Cubs approached the Red Sox about Fukudome but didn't get far due to an unwillingness to take on "an appreciable amount" of the outfielder's contract. If both reporters are correct, the Cubs have changed their stance.
Fukudome, 33, is hitting .253/.356/.410 in 273 plate appearances this season. April has been Fukudome's best month in each of his three big league seasons. He slumped badly thereafter this year and in '08, though he hit well in July and August last year. Fukudome is capable of playing right and center field.
Derrek Lee’s No-Trade Clause
Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee has full no-trade rights. Reporters have consulted Lee's friends for opinions on whether he'd waive them. ESPN's Jayson Stark tweeted today:
A source who has known Lee for years says it's "highly doubtful" he'd waive his full no-trade to OK any deal at this stage.
That runs counter to what Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports wrote 12 days ago:
Lee has remained noncommittal on the issue of his no-trade clause. But some friends of the Cubs first baseman said this week that they believe he would accept a deal to the right team.
Al Yellon of Bleed Cubbie Blue pointed out to me that Lee remarked a few days after Rosenthal's report, "I would bet that not one of my friends knows who Ken Rosenthal is" (Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune via Twitter).
Here's what we know for sure: first basemen aren't in huge demand, Lee's having a lousy season, and he has a hefty $4.95MM left on his contract.
Edwin Jackson-Adam Dunn Three-Team Rumor
1:27pm: The Diamondbacks have not yet held three-way talks with the Nationals and White Sox, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Still, they will "not hesitate to deal Edwin Jackson if they get what they want." ESPN's Buster Olney adds via Twitter, "The Nats have made progress in their effort to trade prospects for Jackson."
11:43am: It wouldn't be late July without rumors of intriguing three-team deals. ESPN's Jayson Stark:
Rumblings continue to surface about a possible three-team deal involving the Nationals, White Sox and Diamondbacks that would send Edwin Jackson to Washington, Adam Dunn to Chicago and a bunch of young pitchers to Arizona.
We know the Nationals like Jackson and the White Sox like Dunn, so perhaps the D'Backs can facilitate a deal and further stock up on prospects. Jackson, who is no stranger to three-team deals, has a 5.01 ERA, 7.0 K/9, and 4.0 BB/9 in 20 starts for Arizona. On the plus side, he turns 27 in September, averages 94 mph on his fastball, and is signed for next year. As he was with Dan Haren, D'Backs interim GM Jerry Dipoto might be forced to sell low on Jackson.
Marlins Confused About Deadline Direction
The Marlins are confused about their next step, according to one source of Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The team's strong play of late puts them in a gray area – 6.5 games back in the wild card, but trailing six teams. The Mets, Red Sox, Athletics, and Angels are in similar spots. With the Dan Haren acquisition, the Angels wisely made a move that can help them now and in the future.
Rosenthal notes that the Marlins could trade Jorge Cantu without hurting their chances in 2010, if Logan Morrison's Triple A success carries over. ESPN's Jayson Stark tweets that the Marlins aren't in sell mode, but they're still shopping Cantu to the Rangers, Rockies, and Giants. Stark's colleague Gordon Edes talked to one big league source who believes a Cantu deal will get done with the Rangers, assuming the commissioner's office signs off on the financials.
On the other hand, now might be the best time to cash in on Cody Ross if the Marlins wave the white flag. The Fish could opt to trade Ross in the offseason before the December non-tender deadline, as they did with Jeremy Hermida last year.
Rays Interested In Chad Qualls
The Rays are interested in Diamondbacks reliever Chad Qualls, tweets Jon Paul Morosi, but there's an "if." The Rays would like Qualls to show at least a little consistency first.
Qualls has a brutal 8.49 ERA in 35 innings this year, though his strikeout and groundball rates are strong. The 32-year-old righty has managed to allow 59 hits in 35 innings, which can't all be attributed to bad luck. Qualls' stock is low enough that interim GM Jerry Dipoto would do well just to free up some of the $1.59MM left on his contract.