Red Sox Rumors

CC Sabathia Links

By Tim Dierkes | July 8, 2008 at 3:28pm CDT

The CC Sabathia trade is complete, but there’s still some good info floating about.

Michael Silverman says the Brewers wanted players such as Michael Bowden, Lars Anderson, Jed Lowrie, and Josh Reddick from the Red Sox in various Sabathia scenarios.
The Dodgers apparently talked about dealing Matt Kemp and one of Jonathan Meloan/James McDonald for Sabathia, Casey Blake, and Jamey Carroll.
Baseball Prospectus’ Joe Sheehan analyzes the trade.
Turns out Sabathia prefers CC over C.C.
The agent for Brewers prospects Michael Brantley and Taylor Green believes both are in play as the player to be named later in the Sabathia deal.
MetsBlog reports that Mark Shapiro approached Omar Minaya, suggesting the Mets had the necessary players to make a trade for Sabathia. Matthew Cerrone believes the Mets would’ve had to give up Fernando Martinez and two pitching prospects.
The Phillies were the Indians’ backup plan in case the Milwaukee deal fell through. The Phillies weren’t a great fit because the Indians preferred a young power hitter to a young pitcher.
The Yankees had interest, but the price was too high for Brian Cashman. That price may have included Phil Hughes. The Yanks reportedly required a signing window in any Sabathia deal, also.
Cubs GM Jim Hendry says nothing’s changed for his team.
Brewers fans are ecstatic to have Sabathia.

Red Sox Trade Wish List

By Tim Dierkes | July 7, 2008 at 10:28am CDT

Tony Massarotti of the Boston Herald takes a look at Boston’s wish list, some of which could be fulfilled via trade this month.

The Red Sox are still looking for an heir to Jason Varitek’s throne. Apparently the Sox have inquired about catching prospects. The Rangers are considered to have the game’s largest surplus at the position.
Julio Lugo is signed through 2010, but the Red Sox are looking for a better long-term option at short. Massarotti doesn’t mention how Jed Lowrie fits into the plan.
Massarotti says the Red Sox are "closely monitoring" Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira. Their interest will be linked to David Ortiz’s health.
The Sox are also in the market for a left-handed setup man. Names to consider: George Sherrill, Brian Fuentes, Damaso Marte, Ron Mahay, and Jeremy Affeldt.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Teixeira, Yankees, Padres, Fish

By Nat Boyle | July 6, 2008 at 10:04am CDT

And now, the latest from Ken Rosenthal’s Full Count video:

If the Braves decide to shop Mark Teixeira, they may have a tough time getting as much as they’d like. The Red Sox, Angels, and Diamondbacks – among other contenders – are set at 1B/DH with David Ortiz, Casey Kotchman, and Conor Jackson respectively. Rosenthal notes Boston will only pursue Teixeira if Ortiz’s wrist fails to heal.
Brian Cashman isn’t sure whether the Yankees are buyers or sellers. Most of their high paid players have no-trade clauses. Should they want to buy, Rosenthal suggests A.J. Burnett is a guy they could make a play for: an underperformer with a contract the Blue Jays would be happy to pass off.
The Padres are planning to hold onto Brian Giles with the anticipation that a better replacement will not be available this winter. They continue to shop Randy Wolf, who can veto up to 14 clubs, and Greg Maddux to the Cubs continues to be bandied about.
The Marlins need help in the bullpen, at catcher, and particularly centerfield. They could pursue Willy Taveras, Scott Podsednik, or potentially free agent Kenny Lofton, 41, who has generated interest but not signed anywhere.

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.

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