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Nationals Ready To Trade Veterans

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Talking to Newsday's Ken Davidoff, Nationals acting GM Mike Rizzo volunteered three trade candidates from his team:

"Nick Johnson, or (Josh) Willingham, or (Austin) Kearns, anyone on our roster, if we can make a good baseball trade and improve ourselves, not only for our present but also for our future — a player that can impact us — we have to make those kinds of trades."

Also, Rizzo rejected the idea that a Johnson-Manny Delcarmen swap was even discussed with the Red Sox.  

Rizzo said that in general, the Nationals are seeking young, athletic players with high ceilings in trades.  It seems possible Rizzo will deal within the NL East, with the Mets seeking a first baseman and the Braves needing outfielders.

Olney On Penny, Reds, Braves

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A few rumors from ESPN's Buster Olney (Insider link):

  • Olney says about six teams have talked to the Red Sox about Brad Penny.  Gordon Edes suggested last night that the "Phillies, Brewers, Royals and possibly the Twins look like teams that could be in play for Penny."
  • The Reds are looking for outfield help.  Personally I'd like to see what the Laynce Nix/Jonny Gomes platoon can do over a full season.
  • Olney heard that "Atlanta hasn't gotten fully engaged yet" in their attempt to augment their outfield.
  • Olney talked to execs who like the fit of Jack Wilson in Boston.

Odds & Ends: D’Backs, Mauer, Options

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Links for Wednesday…

Red Sox Rumors: Bay, Penny, Buchholz

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We have several Red Sox situations up for discussion today.

  • Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe writes of Jason Bay's superstar performance in Boston.  Bay has a .292/.393/.569 line in 407 plate appearances in his Red Sox career.  By comparison, J.D. Drew has a .274/.388/.470 line in 1166 plate appearances spread over 2.28 seasons in Boston.  Says Massarotti: "If and when the time comes, the Red Sox may have a hard time denying Bay the $14 million average they paid Drew — this is one of the more damning aspects of the Drew deal — though that deal was signed in a much different economic climate."
  • Nick Cafardo of the Globe discusses Brad Penny, "one of the most valuable chips in the game."  Penny figures to be one of the five best available starting pitchers available this July, unless the Sox decide they'd rather maintain the depth.  While he cannot be traded without his consent until June 15th, ESPN's Buster Olney figures he would not stand in the way of a trade.  Olney says the Red Sox want a good prospect in return and expects a deal sooner rather than later.
  • How about Clay Buchholz, currently stuck in Triple A?  He took a perfect game into the ninth inning yesterday according to Amalie Benjamin of the Globe.  The 24 year-old needs to be in the Majors, given his 1.30 ERA and 49:12 K/BB ratio in 48.3 innings.  However, the Red Sox have to activate John Smoltz by June 19th.

Rosenthal On Astros, Marquis, DeRosa, Francoeur

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Let's take a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

  • Rosenthal recommends the Astros trade veterans to improve their bottom-ranked farm system.  He'd especially like to see Houston make Roy Oswalt available.  They'd have take Oswalt's no-trade clause into consideration.
  • The Phillies continue to seek a starter, and they made an inquiry on Colorado's Jason Marquis.  Rosenthal finds Erik Bedard "perhaps the most intriguing fit" and notes that the Phils probably have flexibility to add payroll.  This question came up in a recent chat…I do think the Phillies have the pieces to pull off a Bedard trade.
  • The Brewers are not going after Cleveland's Mark DeRosa, as they cannot spare Major League pitching for him.  Rosenthal also finds Jake Peavy unlikely, as the Brewers probably couldn't pull off a deal without creating a new need.  Of Peavy, Rosenthal says, "He will not leave easily."
  • The Mets are interested in Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson, who is off to a .338/.445/.471 start.
  • The Royals might be the top suitor for Jeff Francoeur if the Braves shop him, but not everyone in Kansas City's front office is keen on him.  The Red Sox are known to have an eye on Francoeur.
  • Rosenthal's heard speculation that the Sox could trade Daniel Bard, whose value may be at a high point.
  • Rather than acquire someone like Yuniesky Betancourt, the Padres will stick with in-house options at shortstop (mainly Luis Rodriguez and Everth Cabrera, once they're healthy).

Red Sox Shoot Down Delcarmen/Johnson Swap

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MONDAY: Chico Harlan of the Washington Post has a Nationals source who "dismissed the seriousness" of the Johnson-Delcarmen discussions.  Harlan says the Nationals believe they can get more value by waiting into the summer to trade Johnson, and have "fielded calls from about a dozen teams."  What do you think – will the Nats maximize Johnson's value by waiting?

FRIDAY: Earlier today, we heard that the Nationals had offered Nick Johnson to the Red Sox in exchange for Manny Delcarmen. WEEI's Alex Speier is reporting that the Red Sox have officially turned the offer down.

According to Delcarmen's agent, Jim Masteralexis, the trade was "immediately shot down." Both Delcarmen and Johnson are having fine seasons, but it looks like the Nationals will have to try something else in order to improve their bullpen.

Delcarmen Wants To Stay In Boston

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Hacks with Haggs has an interview with Manny Delcarmen who says he "wouldn't be too happy" if he were dealt. Said Delcarmen,

"To me, I think it’s always good when teams are asking about you and they want you. It made me feel really good when Theo (Epstein) and those guys turned it down right away. Because I feel like I’m a part of the team here and I’m used to being here. To start fresh somewhere (else), I wouldn’t be too happy about that. It’s cool to know that Boston wants to keep me here."

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.

Red Sox Could Shop Brad Penny

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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:

"Right now, the mention of Penny in trade speculation seems like precisely that: speculation. There had been some published suggestions that the Mets were likely to be interested in the right-hander, but a major-league source said that New York had no interest in acquiring the pitcher."

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.

Cardinals Shopping Greene

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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:

"The Cardinals are shopping Khalil Greene, and have inquired with the Sox about their interest. Greene is hitting .210 with two homers and 14 RBIs and has committed six errors. Bobby Crosby is hovering around .200 in Oakland. Are either the answer? The Sox appear to have enough offense that obtaining a defensive specialist could tide them over."

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.

Odds & Ends: Giles, Vlad, Bay

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Links for your Memorial Day weekend…

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