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Heyman: Ten Teams That Could Add Payroll

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Jon Heyman of SI.com provides a list of ten teams that could add payroll. He adds the Angels, Brewers, Red Sox and Brewers to the list we assembled last week. Here are his ten teams:

  • The Red Sox could add payroll, but they don't have significant needs.
  • The Mets could add payroll and they need a hitter who can play first, the outfield, or both.
  • The Phillies could add payroll to acquire pitching.
  • The Angels, with several contracts expiring this year (Vladimir Guerrero, John Lackey, Chone Figgins), could add salary.
  • The Giants could take on payroll to add a bat.
  • The Brewers and Cardinals could both free up money to add a pitcher or hitter.
  • The Tigers, White Sox and Dodgers round out Heyman's list, but he warns us not to rule out the Yankees.
  • Don't look for the White Sox to deal prospects away to increase their playoff chances, even though they trail the Tigers by just 5.0 games.
  • On another note, no one's called the Mariners about Adrian Beltre.

Odds And Ends: Wedge, Penny, Mets

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Some links to start the week off…

Odds & Ends: O’s, Josh Johnson, Yankees, Red Sox

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A busy Sunday morning has made for some some discussable items from around the league:

  • Rick Dempsey of MASN is excited by the Orioles future and says it is undoubtedly time for the team to trade, highlighting George Sherrill, Jeremy Guthrie, Brian Roberts, Aubrey Huff, and Melvin Mora.
  • Carlos Frias of the Palm Beach Post notes A.J. Burnett has regrets over leaving the Marlins and burning his bridges in the process.
  • After Josh Johnson beat the Yankees yesterday, Mike Feinsand of the New York Daily News says, "Hope you got a good look, Yankees fans. You may have been watching your future ace."
  • River Ave. Blues thinks trading Xavier Nady makes sense despite Buster Olney having said, "The Yankees are unlikely to trade Nick Swisher of Xavier Nady after Nady returns."
  • Not a trade rumor, but Manny Ramirez is set to begin a minor-league stint on Tuesday in Albuquerque, says The Tribune-Review.
  • Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe says (via Twitter, of course) "Daisuke [Matsuzaka] to DL. [Catching prospect] Dusty Brown up with the team for the first time." She continues, "About to talk to Daisuke. Will get quotes to you shortly. [Sox manager Terry Francona] said he doesn't think this will be a two-week DL." While the Sox still have rotation depth, this surely effects any perceived sense of urgency to deal.

Red Sox To Sign Dominican Amateur

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According to Jorge Arangure at ESPN the Magazine, the Red Sox will sign 16-year-old Dominican amateur LHP Victor Payano on July 2nd, when the international signing period begins. He'll receive a $900,000 bonus.

Can't find much information on Payano, but we dug up some video of him here. As Arangure notes, this is the second Sox amateur commitment after learning they reportedly will come to terms with amateur shortstop Jose Vinicio, also of the Dominican Republic.

Dice-K Skipped; Penny Off The Block?

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According to Alex Speier of Boston's WEEI, Daisuke Matsuzaka "will be skipped in his next turn through the rotation."  

There is some injury concern — he'll be examined by a team doctor — but this is mostly a performance-based decision.  Dice-K allowed six runs in four innings during his last outing and is now 1-5 with an 8.23 ERA and 2.20 WHIP on the season.  If the Red Sox decide to throw him into the bullpen for the remainder of the '09 campaign, or find some sort of physical issue, Speier suggests they might pull Brad Penny off the trading block.

Even with John Smoltz set to join the club Thursday, it would appear Boston's rotational depth just took a small hit.

Gammons’ Latest: Red Sox, Washburn, DeRosa

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In his latest blog post at ESPN.com, Peter Gammons writes that "unless someone comes up with a Justin Smoak, Matt LaPorta or Brett Wallace," the Red Sox will hold on to Brad Penny and enjoy the depth. He says no one will offer up a prospect like that for a few months of Penny.

Here's the rest of Gammons' rumors:

  • Takashi Saito is the pitcher on Boston's staff most likely to be traded.
  • Jake Peavy and Erik Bedard "probably won't be tradeable before Aug. 1" because of their injuries.
  • Jarrod Washburn could be had.
  • The Red Sox have talked to the Angels about infielder Maicer Izturis, but the talks haven't gone anywhere
  • Mark Mulder "made considerable progress refinding his delivery after one session with pitching coach Rick Peterson."
  • The Mets are looking for an outfield bat. They made a run at Mark DeRosa, but wouldn't discuss Bobby Parnell.
  • The Cardinals wouldn't discuss Jason Motte or Chris Perez in exchange for DeRosa.
  • The uncertain situation surrounding the Cubs' ownership will likely prohibit any major additions.

Papelbon Backs Off Comments About Joining Other Clubs

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Rob Bradford at WEEI.com spoke to Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon about the comments he made on Sirius XM Radio yesterday regarding the possibility of joining the Yankees or other clubs when he reaches free agency.

“I just think that when people hear what I said or people read what I said sometimes they can only see certain things. I want to make that clear, I don’t want to go (expletive) for the Yankees,” Papelbon said. “Believe me, I’ve got a ring here and I’m playing for a manager and general manager who are going to protect me. I’ve been on a team in baseball who has been in first-place more than any other (expletive) team in baseball. It’s just a simple fact for me that what I was stating that guys nowadays don’t necessarily get the opportunity to be with a team for a long period of time. Do I want to be with the Red Sox for as long as I can? Of course. There is no question about because I know I’m playing a manager and general manager who are going to protect me and to me that’s all that matters.”

Papelbon made it clear that his preference is to remain in Boston, but acknowledged that this is a business and he's looking out for his family first and foremost. He also said he understands that he needs the Red Sox more than they need him.

Heyman On Pedro, Nats, Mets, Rangers

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Jon Heyman of SI.com says those closest to the Pedro Martinez situation expect him to sign soon. Heyman has many more rumors; here they are:

  • One GM thinks the Nationals are demanding too much in return for their players. He says they want "a dollar and a quarter for a dollar."
  • As Heyman points out, interim GM Mike Rizzo has an especially tough role, since his job isn't secure.
  • Heyman says the Nats will make an announcement on a full-time GM this season. Rizzo has a good shot at the position.  
  • Rival GMs say Omar Minaya is now looking to boost the Mets' offense.  
  • Adding a player who can handle first base and the outfield would allow the Mets to make room for Carlos Delgado when he returns later in the season. Mark DeRosa fits the bill, but the Indians are apparently asking for a lot in a potential deal.
  • The Rangers aren't likely to trade for Brad Penny, though they have considered him.  
  • Huston Street's one of the relievers who appeals to the Rangers. 
  • Texas can't add payroll, but can trade prospects. 
  • Chad Qualls and Heath Bell would both command big returns in a trade.  
  • Most contenders believe they need to add relievers, but the Red Sox are willing to trade one away.  
  • Heyman says releasing Dontrelle Willis would be a drastic move.
  • The Reds, Braves and possibly the Cardinals are looking for right-handed hitting corner outfielders. 

Epstein On The Trade Market

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Brian MacPherson of the New Hampshire Union Leader reports that Theo Epstein is monitoring the trade market, waiting for the many teams in "wait-and-see mode" to become buyers or sellers. A number of teams are unsure about which direction to take, so Epstein says he keeps tabs on all clubs to develop "a feel for what everyone is trying to do."

Epstein doesn't mention specifics, but MacPherson points out that the Red Sox don't have to trade a starter simply because they have a pitching surplus. Instead of trading Brad Penny or another pitcher away for the sake of making a move, they can keep six starters. This approach allows Boston to make sure John Smoltz is effective, while they wait for the market to develop.

Papelbon Would Join Yankees, Other Clubs

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In an appearance on Sirius XM Radio, Jonathan Papelbon told Jody McDonald and Bert Blyleven that he would consider playing for the Yankees once his Boston career is over:

"Oh, of course. I mean, I think if we can't come to an agreement on terms here in a Red Sox uniform, I mean I think that's pretty much the writing on the wall."

Papelbon says he'd consider joining other teams, too:

"Not only the Bronx, but anywhere. I think anywhere is a possibility. You always have to keep that in the back of your mind because you can't just be one-sided and think that, "Oh, I'm going to be in a Red Sox uniform my entire career" because nowadays that is very, very rare and hopefully we can because there's no question I would love to stay in a Boston Red Sox uniform but I have to do what's best for me and play in an atmosphere where I'm wanted."

In response to the quote, Mike Petraglia of WEEI.com points out that Papelbon remains under team control through 2011.

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