Heyman On GMs, Mulder, Bay, Reds
SI.com's Jon Heyman identifies the GMs facing the most pressure heading into the second half of the season and passes along some rumors, too:
- Despite "occasional rumblings" about Omar Minaya's job security, injuries are to blame for the Mets' disappointing start, so Minaya's bosses aren't about to blame him for the season.
- The Nats plan on hiring a permanent GM soon and acting GM Mike Rizzo is in the running for the position.
- Giants GM Brian Sabean saved one of his best showings for his walk year. He's put together a playoff contender and a talented crop of minor leaguers just as his deal's about to expire.
- Royals GM Dayton Moore and Braves GM Frank Wren are expected to have some time to work with.
- It doesn't look like Indians GM Mark Shapiro will ascend to club president this year.
- Heyman likes the Phillies' acquisition of Pedro Martinez.
- Mark Mulder could be the next pitcher to sign, as he's 95% ready, according to his agent.
- Heyman thinks the Red Sox will be able to lock Jason Bay up once they start talking extension.
- Look for the Reds to continue their hunt for outfielders.
Bay, Red Sox To Begin Negotiations
According to the Boston Globe's Tony Massarotti, contract negotiations between the Red Sox and outfielder Jason Bay are expected to pick up later this week.
Bay is batting .260/.380/.527 this season with 20 home runs and 72 RBI. He has spoken openly about feeling comfortable in Boston and the club would definitely love to keep him around. He's just 30 years of age and has shown no signs of slowing down offensively. What might the outfielder command? A five-year, $50MM deal similar to the contract handed to teammate J.D. Drew? The Red Sox don't have an abundance of outfield talent on the farm, so their hand may be forced.
Roy Halladay Rumors: Tuesday
Roy Halladay will start tonight's All-Star Game, but that doesn't stop the rumors. Here's the latest:
- Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse adds this quote from the Blue Jays ace: "I've never been a person that had to be wooed. I know what I'm looking for. … If things did come up, it would be a pretty easy decision."
- According to CBSSports.com's Danny Knobler, Halladay wouldn't reveal his list of desired destinations Tuesday, saying only that he would like to join a contender.
- Halladay told WEEI's Rob Bradford that a long-term extension isn't his top priority in a trade. It's more about a desire to win: “I really haven’t got that point. I think I’ve been fortunate that early in my career I was able to take care of my family and get in the situation to start putting the emphasis on what I would like and I think at this point it’s trying to win,” said the Toronto ace. “For me I don’t see it foresee it being hugely important, and if something is worked out afterward… I think you’re just looking for a chance to win.”
- Steve Kornacki of MLive.com hears that the Blue Jays want a shortstop prospect and pitching in return for Halladay, He suggests the Tigers could include a shortstop like Brent Dlugach, Cale Iorg or Danny Worth in an offer for Halladay.
- Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe hears the Red Sox would love to go after Halladay, but want the price to come down first.
- Last week Ricciardi told Cafardo that he doesn't expect to make a deal for Halladay.
- Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun says the Angels and Yankees are the favorites to land Halladay.
- Doc jokingly "declined comment" when Aaron Hill asked him which team he was headed to, according to Elliott.
- Woody Paige of the Denver Post says the Rockies need to go after Halladay, who happens to be from Colorado.
Odds And Ends: Sano, Gonzalez, Royals
Here's some more reading material for the afternoon…
- ESPN.com's Buster Olney runs through his first half surprises, including Ben Zobrist and the Tigers. He also says Roy Halladay and the Phillies are a perfect fit.
- As Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports, Miguel Angel Sano's future is still up in the air. The Orioles and Pirates and the favorites to sign the Dominican shortstop, but the Twins, Rangers and a couple other teams could still be interested.
- Adrian Gonzalez told WEEI.com's Alex Speier that winning matters most of all to him. Gonzalez is one of the players Speier looks at as potential fits in Boston, along with Prince Fielder and Victor Martinez.
- Here, Speier says Tim Wakefield has been one of the best bargains in baseball since 2002.
- Cameron Smith of the Washington Post says B.J. Ryan could be a nice addition for the Cubs.
- Dave Sheinin of the Post reports that Bud Selig said the Nats are "on the right track."
- Bradford Doolittle of the Kansas City Star says Royals GM Dayton Moore needs a better grasp of the game's statistical side.
Red Sox Have Interest In Rolen
The Red Sox have "some interest" in Scott Rolen, according to Jeff Blair of the Globe and Mail. Mike Lowell should be able to return to Boston's lineup soon, but his health remains a concern for the Red Sox. Blair points out that Terry Francona, who managed Rolen from 1997-2000 in Philadelphia, remains a big fan of the third baseman.
Odds And Ends: Holliday, Yabu, Bay, Latos
Some links to look through on the morning of the Midsummer Classic…
- This week's chat will take place today at 2pm CST.
- MLB.com's Mychael Urban keeps hearing about a possible deal that would send Matt Holliday, Orlando Cabrera and salary relief to the Braves for Yunel Escobar and prospects.
- The Giants released Keiichi Yabu yesterday, according to the Kyodo News. He had been pitching in Triple A.
- Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post says Albert Pujols belongs with the elite players in baseball history.
- John Tomase of the Boston Herald says the Red Sox still aren't talking with Jason Bay about an extension, but there are indications they may revisit his contract before the end of the season.
- It looks like the Padres will promote their top pitching prospect, Mat Latos, according to MLB.com's Corey Brock.
- In the second part of my Q&A with NESN.com, I discuss Pedro Martinez, Clay Buchholz and the Mets.
Odds And Ends: Rolen, Gonzalez, Buchholz
Time for more links as we wrap up the weekend after a rain-shortened Futures Game. Well really a rain-prolonged Futures Game, but here are the links either way…
- As Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com points out, there was a time when GMs made a point of attending All-Star Games. This week, many will spend time with their families and message one another from a distance.
- Blue Jays Assistant GM Alex Anthopoulos says the Jays plan on keeping Scott Rolen around through the end of next season, when his contract's up, according to MLB.com's Brian Eller.
- Yahoo's Tim Brown reports that Adrian Gonzalez will continue to be a Padres fan whether he plays in San Diego or not. Gonzalez seems to have confidence in the team's new CEO, Jeff Moorad.
- Clay Buchholz told WEEI.com's Alex Katz that he'll focus on process, not results when he pitches for the Red Sox in Toronto after the break.
Buchholz Called Up, Scouted By Jays?
WEEI.com's Alex Speier writes that the Red Sox will recall Clay Buchholz from Triple-A Pawtucket to make a start in Toronto following the All-Star Break. With two starters in the All-Star Game, Boston wants the ability to give Tim Wakefield and Josh Beckett extra rest following the break.
WEEI's Alex Katz confirmed that the Blue Jays had two scouts in attendance for Buccholz's last minor league start, in which he surrendered four earned runs to bring his season thus far to a 7-2 record with a 2.36 ERA.
Price’s Latest: Red Sox, Orioles, Tigers
Ed Price's Baseball Brunch column is up over at fanhouse.com. Let's take a look at the highlights:
- Price names several amusing first-half awards, including the "Bg Hitter" award for Albert Pujols, in honor of Albert's mammoth home run that took out the "I" in the Big Mac Land sign at Busch Stadium.
- The Red Sox's strategy as the deadline approaches is dependent on Mike Lowell's health. The Sox have looked at Garrett Atkins, but have found Colorado's asking price to be too much. Colorado apparently isn't impressed with Takashi Saito. If Lowell is to miss an extended period of time, Price writes that the Red Sox would have an easier time getting a first baseman and putting Kevin Youkilis at third.
- The Orioles know they're sellers, and have good trade pieces in Aubrey Huff and Danys Baez. However, Andy MacPhail has said he wants his team to be competitive in the second half, given the September slides his team has seen the past two seasons. Price briefly speculates that Baez could intrigue the Twins.
- The O's would have to be overwhelmed to move George Sherrill, and Jeremy Guthrie is no longer a trade candidate, with Koji Uehara ailing.
- Huff may interest Detroit, who needs some left-handed help in the order. They'd like someone who could play in the outfield, however. Price says that the Tigers inquired on Adam Dunn, but the finances didn't line up.
- The Rockies are in need of a quality setup man, as they've been using Joel Peralta and Matt Daley to get to Huston Street.
- The rumors of Doug Davis going to Milwaukee have died down for now.
- The Rays would like to upgrade in right field; they're currently using a platoon of Gabe Gross and Gabe Kapler.
Odds & Ends: Reds, Jays, Buchholz
A couple odds and ends on a quiet Sunday…
- MLB.com beat writer Mark Sheldon expects the Reds to "recalibrate their roster some for the second half." They have 13 pitchers on the roster and only want 12, and Dusty Baker has confirmed a position player will be added. Adam Rosales was called up today to fill a roster spot for Jay Bruce who fractured his wrist. Sheldon notes the club is down to five outfielders, if you count Jerry Hairston Jr.
- The Jays will have two scouts watching Clay Buchholz pitch today. Don't read too much into it. The Jays appear to just be doing their homework, says TV/radio broadcaser Dan Hoard.