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Stark On Deadline Deals

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ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports that, with only five teams more than six games under .500, it's a tough time to be a buyer. Here are the details from his latest Rumblings and Grumblings:

  • There are many trade candidates in Washingon, but free agent-to-be Nick Johnson is the likeliest to move of them all.
  • Adam Dunn's price would be "astronomical" according to one executive.
  • One of Danys Baez and George Sherrill will likely be dealt, and it seems more likely that Baez will move. As one official says, "he's throwing great, but he's still Danys Baez."
  • The D'Backs would prefer to move prospective free agents, like Doug Davis and Chad Tracy. Stark writes that Davis could fit on the Mets.
  • One executive believes Brian Giles "should get released."
  • Cla Meredith could bring a decent return for the Padres, who could also move Chris Young and Kevin Kouzmanoff.
  • The Royals could move reliever Ron Mahay.
  • At this point the Astros still aren't likely to sell. No one expects them to move Roy Oswalt, but Ivan Rodriguez, LaTroy Hawkins and Jose Valverde could be dealt if the Astros decide to sell.
  • One official says the Pirates would "love to move Jack Wilson."
  • Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee aren't going anywhere, but Mark DeRosa is becoming "more marketable by the minute."
  • Matt Holliday will hit the market if the A's don't play very well for the next few weeks. The A's will want the equivalent of a first rounder and a sandwich pick and, because few elite bats are available, at least one exec thinks they'll get a good return.
  • The A's are worried he'll accept arbitration if they offer it, but Stark hears that Scott Boras would likely direct Holliday towards a better hitter's park, even if it was for less money.
  • The Red Sox aren't in a hurry to deal Brad Penny. If they go for a shortstop, they'd want a short-term fix only.
  • The Rockies- definitely not sellers right now- could eventually look to add a setup man.
  • Delmon Young is "exceptionally available."
  • The Brewers won't discuss dealing Mat Gamel or Alcides Escobar.
  • The Rays would like to add a reliever, but they're one of many teams that can't add much payroll.

Odds And Ends: Yankees, Cubs, Red Sox

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More links for Thursday afternoon…

Brad Penny Rumors

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Brad Penny pitched well enough to win his 100th career game last night. Today, he’s the subject of many trade rumors. Here they are:

Buchholz And Bowden On Boston Rotation

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WEDNESDAY:  WEEI's DJ Bean talked to Buchholz, who clarified his comments from earlier this week.  The young pitcher explained, "My goal is to pitch in Boston."  Maybe Buchholz won't squeeze his way in this year, but I imagine at the worst he'll have a spot in the 2010 rotation. 

MONDAY: Clay Buchholz and Michael Bowden both believe their impressive starts at Triple A Pawtucket would translate into big-league success. Buchholz told Mike Giardi of NECN.com that he's ready to help Boston, but said "if not that team, I want to be in the big leagues and I do want to go somewhere where I'll be able to play and pitch every fifth day." Buchholz did not suggest that he's hoping for a trade, but he's clearly eager to return to the majors. Check out Joe Haggerty's transcript on Hacks with Haggs.

Bowden says he would "hate to leave" the Red Sox organization in this clip on the Boston Globe's site. He says it would be worth spending extra time in the minors if it allows him to pitch for the Red Sox in the future.

Odds And Ends: Strasburg, Guillen, Smoltz

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Links for Wednesday afternoon…

  • Maury Brown of the Biz of Baseball points out that a $5MM annual salary would place Stephen Strasburg within the top third of arbitration-eligible pitchers from last offseason.
  • John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press reports that Carlos Guillen will have to undergo season-ending surgery if his shoulder doesn't heal soon.
  • Alex Speier of WEEI.com looks at the impact John Smoltz's return will have on each of the five other Boston starters.
  • In an article for SI.com Joel Sherman argues the Indians shouldn't trade Cliff Lee this year. They can contend with Lee in 2010, if not this year, so Sherman says it makes sense to try to win with him.
  • Jorge Says No! outlines possible fire sales for the Nationals and Orioles.
  • Yankees first rounder Slade Heathcott and his agent were in New York last night, but the Yankees aren't expected to sign their selection quickly, according to Peter Abraham.

Heyman On Bedard, Valentine, Glavine

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Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the market for starting pitching continues to shrink as top pitchers encounter health issues. Here are the details, along with the rest of his rumors:

  • Unless Erik Bedard proves his shoulder is healthy, Brad Penny and Jarrod Washburn could be the most appealing starters on the market.
  • Theo Epstein, who traded Bronson Arroyo when the Red Sox seemed to have excess pitching, would rather have a pitching surplus than give Penny away.
  • The Phillies, who are still looking for a front-line starter, are a little "leery" of adding Bedard, according to one of Heyman's sources.
  • The Indians remain reluctant to deal Cliff Lee, who would be the best starter availabe if he hit the market.
  • One GM says the Nationals should add Bobby Valentine, but says they're "too cheap" to make the move.  
  • Tom Glavine's agent acknowledged that his client is becoming more likely to retire.
  • The asking price for Nick Johnson remains high.   

Morosi On Penny, Hermida, Padres

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Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports shows that Derek Jeter's much-criticized defense has been above average this year. He also provides some rumors, so let's take a look:

  • One official said he doubts the Red Sox move Brad Penny. They can do so without his permission, now that we're two and a half months into the season.
  • Morosi says Chris Young and Heath Bell are sure to attract interest, but says Kevin Towers doesn't have to trade either player.  
  • It's possible that the Padres will "flip relievers for prospects."
  • The Braves like Jeremy Hermida, but it makes sense for them to pass the Marlins in the standings before inquiring on him.

Odds & Ends: Buchholz, Nats, O’s, Rays

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A few bits and pieces from around the web:

  • According to Daniel Barbarisi of the Providence Journal, the Red Sox are "shrugging off" comments made by Clay Buchholz that may have been blown out of proportion. "Whenever they come to a problem, they seem like they find a way to fix it without me being in the picture. It is what it is — it's frustrating at times," said Buchholz. Terry Francona called the comment one throwaway line in "a really mature interview."
  • The AP reports Nats' manager Manny Acta has no worries about being fired despite reports that that he'll be replaced by bench coach Jim Riggleman.
  • Eight draft picks were signed by the Orioles, all players selected between rounds 12 and 45, says Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.
  • Cheng Sio of MLB.com reports the Rays signed 14 of their draft picks, all collegiate level players taken in the 12th round or later.

Smoltz Set To Return On June 25

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John Smoltz is scheduled to return to the Majors next Thursday, June 25, against the Nationals. This will slot the 42-year old between Josh Beckett and Jon Lester in the rotation, barring a change in probables.

According to AP Sports Writer Howard Ulman, Terry Francona suggested he may use a six-man rotation for a "short period of time" so don't hold your breath for any immediate trade activity. The Boston Globe's Amalie Benjamin tweets it would be "for a couple turns, but not as a long-term solution, Francona said." She also notes that Smoltz will not face the Braves in this set-up.

Last Friday, MLBTR readers discussed what the Red Sox should do with their starting pitching surplus. Answers varied, to say the least.

Rosenthal On Saito, Rangers, Hardy

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Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Red Sox discussed a trade that would have sent Takashi Saito to Texas for Hank Blalock. The idea lost traction once Josh Hamilton underwent surgery and David Ortiz began hitting better and it's not likely to be revived. However, "several" teams have interest in Saito, who the Red Sox might prefer to deal for a prospect. Here are more details from Rosenthal's column:

  • The Rangers remain the leading contenders to sign Ben Sheets.
  • They also considered going after Nick Johnson, but are more likely to replace Chris Davis internally if they decide he's not contributing enough at the plate.  
  • One scout has noticed the Brewers following Erik Bedard and believes they'll make a "strong play" for him. 
  • J.J. Hardy remains appealing to teams around the league and the Brewers are "constantly" asked about shortstop prospect Alcides Escobar.  
  • The Red Sox "sniffed around" on a Hardy-Brad Penny swap, but that deal wouldn't work for Milwaukee.
  • The Orioles are increasingly willing to deal George Sherrill and Danys Baez.  
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