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Cubs Interested In Bedard?

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With the volume of rumors that flew around during the Winter Meetings, it’s easy to get confused.  Luckily MLBTR has archives of everything.  That’s how we were able to research the Cubs’ alleged interest in Erik Bedard.

It started on December 4th with Joel Sherman saying the Cubs were part of a pool competing for Bedard that contained 8-10 teams.  Then three days later, Bruce Miles reported that Bedard was "not on the Cubs’ radar screen."

The latest, per an uncredited blurb on ESPN Rumor Central: "In recent days, the Cubs let their interest be known."  The blurb also references the Seattle PI, perhaps this article, but there’s no Cubs reference there.

Anyway, it makes sense that Jim Hendry and Andy MacPhail would at least have a high-level Bedard discussion.  The Cubs need a pitcher like him, they’ve liked him before, and they do have some decent young talent.

Reds Still Searching For A Starter

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John Fay writes of the Reds’ continued search for a starting pitcher.  That’s Wayne Krivsky’s focus; his main limitation is that Jay Bruce is untouchable.

The Reds couldn’t get Dan Haren because they wouldn’t give up young starter Johnny Cueto.  The focus remains on Erik Bedard; the Reds seem willing to offer Homer Bailey as a starting point.  Fay indicates that the Dodgers lead for Bedard, which is odd given their current six-deep rotation.

I have a feeling the hot stove is going to turn to Joe Blanton now.  The Reds may be in the thick of it, especially if they’d give up Bailey for him.  What do you think, would that be a wise move?

Odds and Ends: Garces, Aquino, McPherson

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Let’s round up a few Saturday odds and ends.

  • Pitcher C.J. Nitkowski writes a semi-defense of Brian McNamee.  Nitkowski has his own blog and recently finished up a season in Japan.
  • According to Andrew Baggarly, the Giants have been in touch with Scott Boras regarding free agent corner infielder Dallas McPherson.  He missed the ’07 season with back surgery, but recently appeared in the Arizona Instructional League.  The 27 year-old has a career line of .247/.294/.461 in 360 ABs, including 121 strikeouts in those 117 games.  The 30 HR power may remain but he’ll need to show more than just that. 
  • Peter Abraham has a funny comment regarding the appearance of Rich Garces on the phony steroid list that circulated Thursday morning.  That bogus list actually hit my inbox the night before and it was an obvious delete.  I shouldn’t throw stones, because I have definitely put up a few bad trade rumors in my day.  But it was very surprising to see an NBC affiliate running with that crap on Thursday.
  • Andy MacPhail continues to leave the door open for an Erik Bedard contract extension.  That same article mentions the Orioles’ claim of 30 year-old reliever Greg Aquino.  Fantasy geeks recall Aquino’s stint as D’Backs closer in 2004, when they were the worst team in baseball.  Aquino supplanted Mike Koplove that summer. 

Reds Rumors: Bedard, Prior

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A break from your regularly scheduled steroid talk.  John Fay checks in on the Reds’ pursuit of starting pitching.

  • Fay says the Reds are still hopeful about getting Erik Bedard, and puts their chances at 50/50.  The Orioles still want Jay Bruce, and the Reds are still resisting.
  • Fay notes Dusty Baker told folks at the Meetings that he’d like to have Mark Prior.  Whether Prior would like to be under his watch again is the question.  As a 22 year-old in 2003, Prior ranked third in baseball in Pitcher Abuse Points per start.

Astros Acquire Miguel Tejada

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UPDATE, 12-12-07 at 4:41pm: Richard Justice notes that Tejada can demand a trade after the ’08 season.  That hadn’t occurred to me; it diminishes his value to the Astros.

UPDATE, 12-12-07 at 12:04pm: Rosenthal says Tejada is expected to play short for the Astros; Adam Everett’s time may be up.  Tejada’s offensive output looks a lot better coming from short than it does coming from third, though it may be a moot point if Ty Wigginton is manning the hot corner.

FROM 12-12-07 at 11:42am:

This comes as a surprise, on the heels of a Rosenthal report to the contrary.  Jeff Zrebiec says the Astros have acquired Miguel Tejada for Luke Scott, Matt Albers, Troy Patton, Dennis Sarfate, and Mike Costanzo. 

That’s a fine haul for Baltimore.  The Astros pretty much cleaned out their farm system for two years of an average-hitting third baseman.  The average NL 3B had an .804 OPS in ’07; Tejada was at .799 in the AL.  I know some readers think I’m an Astro-hater but that’s not the case.  I just think they gave up way too much here.  Patton was ranked their third best prospect by Baseball America, Costanzo sixth.  Scott is a cheap quality regular, and Albers was third on the team’s 2007 top prospect list.

Indians Rumors: Haren, Blanton, Bedard, Inge

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Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer gets the Indians rumor mill churning.

  • As we mentioned earlier today, the Indians have spoken to the A’s about Dan Haren and Joe Blanton.  They’ve also inquired on Erik Bedard.  The Tribe is quietly looking to pair C.C. Sabathia with another ace.  Such an acquisition would soften the blow if Sabathia leaves after the ’08 season.  Hoynes says a Haren acquisition might require one player from the Indians’ 25-man roster plus at least one near MLB-ready guy.
  • The Tribe had brief talks with Detroit about Brandon Inge, but they’ve moved on.  Doesn’t seem to be much interest in Inge.
  • Cliff Lee and Kelly Shoppach weren’t part of the Jason Bay discussions.  Instead, the Pirates were looking for a slew of the Indians’ best prospects.  It seems the Bay talks have since cooled.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Santana, Cabrera, Kuroda, Edmonds, Rolen

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Ken Rosenthal checks in with the latest hot stove buzz around baseball.

  • Johan Santana is Boston’s only target – they’re not after Dan Haren or any other starter.  The talks keep slugging along.  For what it’s worth, Curt Schilling expects the Red Sox to get him.
  • 36 year-old first baseman Alex Cabrera is a sleeper power threat among free agents.  The former Rockie, Cub, and Diamondback has been mashing in Japan since 2001.  The Nationals don’t have any room for him but want him anyway.  Rosenthal says A.L. clubs are looking at him as a DH candidate, also.  Cabrera hit .295/.377/.512 with 27 HR in 441 ABs in Japan in 2007.
  • Hiroki Kuroda has not reached an agreement with any team, according to Rosenthal.
  • The Padres are still considering Jim Edmonds as a center field candidate.
  • Here’s a new one: the Indians expressed interest in Scott Rolen.  The talks have cooled however.
  • Rosenthal says the Astros don’t think they will get Miguel Tejada.  Instead they’ve moved on to…Ron Mahay and Jeremy Affeldt.

Youngman’s Latest: Tejada, Eckstein, Inge

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Randy Youngman of the OC Register has a few new rumor tidbits for us.  Let’s discuss.

  • The Angels won’t include Jered Weaver in a Miguel Tejada trade.  Youngman says the O’s asked for the moon as a way of gauging Tejada’s market value.  Now they’ll get serious.
  • Both the Padres and Angels like David Eckstein as one-year possibilities, not that he’s open to that.  The Halos actually have a bench role in mind for him, according to Youngman.  The Padres, by the way, spoke to Eckstein’s agent today. 
  • Youngman says the Dodgers have interest in Brandon Inge and Pedro Feliz.  If that’s the case, they should really go with internal options.  Jayson Stark said three days ago that the Dodgers would pass on Inge.
  • The Giants are apparently fans of Luis Gonzalez.  In a December 5th posting Jerry Crasnick said the Rangers, Twins, Rays, White Sox, and Giants had all spoken to Gonzo’s agent.

Reds In Lead For Bedard?

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UPDATE, 12-10-07 at 2:47pm: I thought this link in the Cincinnati Enquirer was worth including here.  A member of the Reds’ organization rated the team’s chances of getting Bedard at 75%.  Should we consider them the frontrunners in this race?  Some talent would be coming into the NL, for once.  However, Ken Rosenthal believes the Reds’ unwillingness to include Jay Bruce may prevent this deal from happening.

FROM 12-8-07 at 9:05pm:

The Reds definitely have the talent to acquire Erik Bedard from the Orioles.  They may even be able to pull it off without including Jay Bruce.  John Fay believes Homer Bailey, Joey Votto, and a top prospect could work.  Johnny Cueto, a 21 year-old hard-throwing starter, would definitely be on the Orioles’ short list.  Those three would be a slam dunk for Baltimore.  Bedard could become a fashionable NL Cy Young pick, even pitching at Great American.

You could also imagine guys like Josh Hamilton and Edwin Encarnacion piquing Andy MacPhail’s interest.  There are many ways this deal could work.

Bedard Not On Cubs’ Radar

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We thought we had 12 teams in on Erik Bedard when the Red Sox were connected to him today.

However, Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald says Bedard is not on the Cubs’ radar screen.  The New York Post’s Joel Sherman had thrown them into the mix on Tuesday.  So it looks like we’re down to 11 teams for Bedard.

Two years ago, the Cubs seemingly offered Mark Prior for Bedard and Miguel Tejada.  My, how times have changed. 

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