Red Sox Rumors

Odds and Ends: Yorman, Hamilton, Ng, Carrasco

By Tim Dierkes | July 4, 2008 at 9:40am CDT

Some odds and ends before you fire up the grill…

The Twins signed their other first round pick, Carlos Gutierrez.
According to Jeff Passan, 15 year-old Venezuelan center fielder Yorman Rodriguez may have already agreed to a deal with the Reds.
MLB.com’s Jim Molony notes that the Phillies’ director of Major League scouting watched a recent Red Sox-Astros game.
Like Brian Bannister, Arizona’s Max Scherzer uses an understanding of BABIP to his advantage.
Josh Hamilton sensed jealousy in the Reds’ clubhouse. Wayne Krivsky says it wasn’t a factor in the trade but that "there were issues in the clubhouse."
Yahoo’s Tim Brown has an article on Kim Ng.
Phillies’ pitching prospect Carlos Carrasco has "mild soreness" in his pitching shoulder.
Jeff Francoeur has been sent to Double A to reboot his swing.
I chatted with Eric DeLash over at his blog. I also answered some questions from The Blog Of Champions.

Latest On C.C. Sabathia

By Tim Dierkes | July 3, 2008 at 10:10am CDT

The latest on the C.C. Sabathia Sweepstakes…

Indians GM Mark Shapiro said yesterday "it’s pretty obvious" that his team is in sell mode. There’s no new information on the team’s reported attempt to sign Sabathia to an extension before actively shopping him.
The Phillies have scouted both Sabathia and Erik Bedard in recent weeks. The Mariners attempted to observe Phils prospect Carlos Carrasco last night, but he was scratched with shoulder stiffness. With Brett Myers in the minors, GM Pat Gillick is trying not to look desperate.
Yesterday ESPN’s Buster Olney heard that the Rays and Red Sox "essentially have no interest in completing a trade for Sabathia, because of other concerns."

Draft Roundup: Kelly, Scheppers, Inoa

By Tim Dierkes | July 3, 2008 at 8:42am CDT

Some draft notes for the morning…

The Reds are still negotiating with Yonder Alonso.
Boston’s first round pick, Casey Kelly, was seen wearing a Red Sox cap and hanging out around the team recently. However, negotiations have yet to begin and Kelly hasn’t decided between baseball and football. Baseball America says the Red Sox hope to develop Kelly as a pitcher if he signs, but Kelly appears to lean toward shortstop.
Pirates pick Tanner Scheppers will undergo medical exams in Pittsburgh later this month. The results on his shoulder should guide negotiations. Meanwhile, the Bucs are expected to sign 16 year-old shortstop Jonathan Barrios on the international front.
16 year-old Dominican righty Michel Inoa turned down a $5MM Major League deal from the Reds and a $5.2MM bonus from the Rangers to sign for $4.25MM with the A’s. It takes more than just money with these international free agents. Reds and Rangers fans should at least be pleased with the effort. By the way, the A’s are encouraging Inoa to go by Michael instead of Michel.

Selling Off The Mariners

By Joe Pawlikowski | July 2, 2008 at 2:58pm CDT

So it’s been a bit Mariners heavy today at MLBTR. It makes sense, though. They currently own the worst record in baseball, yet have some chips that could be valuable to contending teams. Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times takes a look at a few teams that might be interested in buying what the M’s are selling.

Jason Varitek is hitting poorly. Kevin Cash is doing worse. Could the Sox pick up one of the M’s catchers? Baker notes that Jamie Burke could catch Tim Wakefield and probably hit better than Cash. Or, what about Kenji Johjima? Baker mentions that he could take over for Varitek, who will be a free agent, next year. Problem is, Johjima is hitting even worse this year.
With Hideki Matsui’s knee barking, could the Yanks be interested in Raul Ibanez? I think they’d opt to bring in Barry Bonds if Matsui’s knee doesn’t heal up soon. Not mentioned by Baker, but speculated by yours truly, the Yanks might show some interest in Richie Sexson as a defensive backup first baseman.
Plenty of teams need relievers, and the Mariners have a few. Baker names Mark Lowe, Sean Green, and Arthur Rhodes as available parties. Just about any team in contention might be interested, though Baker names the Braves and the Rays.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Padilla, Manny, Beltre, Dunn

By Tim Dierkes | July 1, 2008 at 2:07pm CDT

Rumor man Ken Rosenthal has a new column up.

At least three teams have inquired on the Rangers’ Vicente Padilla: the Mets, Yankees, and Brewers. Jon Daniels is looking for "quality young pitching."
Manny Ramirez’s $20MM option for ’09 isn’t a lock. It’s a tough call – .900 OPS players on one-year deals don’t grow on trees.
Rosenthal suggests David DeJesus or Melky Cabrera would be nice fits for the Diamondbacks, who aren’t looking for a rental. He also speculates on names like Brian Giles, David Dellucci, and Randy Winn. Note: Rosenthal is playing GM here, not relaying inside info of trade talks.
Rosenthal believes Matt Stairs would be a nice addition for the Dodgers, and notes that the Dodgers and Blue Jays have spoken. The Jays’ direction for ’08 is still uncertain though.
Still sounds like it’d take a "knockout offer" to pry Rich Harden loose from the A’s.
The A’s are said to like Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre. He can block trades to eight unknown clubs though.
Adam Dunn isn’t generating much trade interest yet.
KC’s Ron Mahay is "drawing significant interest." The trade market for lefty relievers is fairly robust.

Odds and Ends: Meche, Horne, Manny, Uggla

By Tim Dierkes | June 30, 2008 at 1:29pm CDT

Today’s random hot stove links…

Gil Meche wants to stay with the Royals.
Yankees pitching prospect Alan Horne may be injured. This could have hot stove ramifications – Horne could’ve been a top trade chip or even a rotation addition this year.
Peter Abraham does not think Barry Bonds makes sense for the Yankees. Hideki Matsui will be out at least a couple of weeks with a knee injury, with surgery as a last resort.
Manny Ramirez shoved the Red Sox’s traveling secretary. This is slightly different than the Shawn Chacon situation, in that Chacon had his hands around Ed Wade’s neck. But is Manny getting off easy because he’s Manny?
CBS’s Scott Miller weighs in on the starting pitching market.
Dan Uggla is in line for at least a tenfold raise in arbitration next year. The Marlins haven’t decided whether to talk extension with him.

The Brian Fuentes Situation

By Tim Dierkes | June 30, 2008 at 9:29am CDT

Let’s review the Brian Fuentes reports floating about. The Rockies closer has saved 13 games in 17 opportunities this year.

On Friday, Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News wrote, "The Rockies would want two quality prospects, but they won’t deal him until Manny Corpas can return to the closer role or they concede the division and wild card." Corpas is having his best month of the year, with a 3.86 ERA. But Taylor Buchholz has been untouchable all year, so I don’t see why this should be a sticking point.
Buster Olney agrees; he’s heard that the Fuentes Sweepstakes will begin if the Rox don’t start playing better over the next few weeks. The Rockies are nine games out in the NL West.
On June 24th, Ken Rosenthal sang a different tune. He said, "The Rockies remain willing to move closer Brian Fuentes regardless of whether they climb back into contention." One reason for their willingness to trade Fuentes: they’d be hesitant to offer him arbitration after the season and then have him accept. Rosenthal said the Rockies "remain intrigued by Mets righty Aaron Heilman."
The list of known suitors remains at five: Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Phillies, and A’s. Sean McAdam wrote today that Hideki Okajima’s struggles may cause the Red Sox to step up their pursuit.

GM Trade History – Theo Epstein

By Tim Dierkes | June 28, 2008 at 4:29pm CDT

This afternoon we have another fine effort from MLBTR contributor Brendan Bianowicz. Brendan compiled Theo Epstein’s trade history. He added other useful info as well.

Download the spreadsheet here, and let us know in the comments if you see any errors or omissions.

Schilling Could Return In ’09

By Cork Gaines | June 28, 2008 at 10:08am CDT

Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald is reporting that Curt Schilling’s shoulder surgery went well and he could pitch again in ’09.

“If I want to pitch again, I have a chance to. That’s the bottom line,” Schilling told WEEI yesterday morning. “I’m trying to assess if I’m going to be able to make the commitment for this to happen.”

While a return to the Red Sox may seem like the most obvious destination for Schilling, it will be interesting to see if Theo Epstein is willing to throw good money after bad money. The Red Sox gave Schilling a 1-year/$8MM deal before learning that he would not pitch at all this season.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex and can be reached here.

Odds and Ends: Chacon, Minaya, Inoa

By Tim Dierkes | June 27, 2008 at 9:18am CDT

Nothing major cracking on the hot stove this morning, so we’ll kick it off with odds and ends.

The Padres haven’t finalized the deal with top pick Allan Dykstra due to concerns with his physical.
Sorry Pirates fans, but the team does not have interest in bringing back Shawn Chacon.
David Lennon believes Omar Minaya’s job is safe. Minaya could seek an extension after the season (he’s signed through ’09).
In a non-subscriber article, Baseball Prospectus’ Joe Sheehan gives his take on whether certain teams should be buyers or sellers.
Saberscouting gives a scouting report on Michel Inoa.
Henry Schulman asks C.C. Sabathia whether San Francisco will be on his list.
A case for the Braves to sign Barry Bonds.
Sam Mellinger continues his look at Dayton Moore’s work in Kansas City.
Theo Epstein expects Red Sox execs Ben Cherington and Jed Hoyer to become GMs soon.

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