Lugo Misses Workout; Team Travels Without Him
Amid rumors that the Red Sox are doing everything they can to move him, Julio Lugo missed a mandatory team workout and didn't travel to Toronto with his teammates for their upcoming series against the Blue Jays. As Adam Kilgore of the Boston Globe reports, manager Terry Francona said Lugo missed the workout because of a mix-up.
Red Sox “Desperately” Want To Move Lugo
5:19pm: Citing a major league source, Rosenthal says that the Red Sox "have informed teams that they are willing to assume virtually all of shortstop Julio Lugo's remaining salary in a trade." He also says that Boston realizes Lugo is a sunk cost at this point, and would accept a fringe prospect in return for him.
1:37pm: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports hears that the Red Sox are trying "desperately" to move Julio Lugo now that Jed Lowrie, Mike Lowell and Clay Buchholz are about to return to the active roster. The Red Sox won't have room for Lugo anymore, so they're looking to trade him. They've been trying to deal him since last year to no avail, so Rosenthal hears the Red Sox could simply release Lugo if they don't find a match.
Odds And Ends: Vinicio, Sano, Mets
More links for the afternoon…
- The Red Sox had this deal set up before July 2nd and now it's finalized. They signed Dominican SS Jose Vinicio to a $1.95MM deal, according to WEEI.com's Alex Speier.
- Roy Halladay leads the league in pitcher abuse points, as Tim shows at RotoAuthority. Click on the link for the entire list of hard-working starters.
- ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure Jr. says Miguel Angel Sano wants to sign with the Pirates, but his agent wants him to take the biggest offer.
- Newsday's David Lennon reports that Fernando Martinez had surgery and will miss 6-8 weeks.
- In spite of all the injuries the Mets have suffered, Cameron Smith of the Washington Post isn't sure a second-place finish will be enough to save Omar Minaya's job. Minaya's three-year $4.5MM extension kicks in next season.
Odds And Ends: Twins, Iglesias, Rockies
More links to read through as the second half gets underway…
- Which AL teams have the easiest route to the playoffs? ESPN.com's Buster Olney says the Twins have a favorable schedule from here on.
- Kiley McDaniel of Baseball Prospectus has the details on the Jose Iglesias deal. The Red Sox awarded the slick-fielding shortstop a $3MM bonus and will pay the remainder of his $8.25MM deal over the next four years.
- ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick says the Rockies need to fortify their bullpen before the end of the month.
- Tune in to The Big 1070 at 3:25 CST and Team 1380 in St. Louis at 6:20 CST, as I'll be talking trades on both stations.
Odds And Ends: Zito, Red Sox, Pedro
Some links for the morning…
- Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News says the Giants have to think about releasing Barry Zito after the season because he's weighing them down.
- ESPN.com's Rob Neyer says the Giants can't afford to release Zito just yet.
- Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe says the Red Sox could use another lefty specialist in the 'pen.
- Joe Starkey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the Pirates are confident Miguel Angel Sano is a 16 years old, like he says.
- Jamey Newberg updates us on the top 20 Rangers prospects at MLB.com. You have to think the Blue Jays are looking at a version of this list.
- Bruce Jenkins of the San Francisco Chronicle says no one will be watching Matt Holliday more closely than the Giants.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post wonders if Pedro Martinez can have a David Cone-like late career renaissance in Philadelphia.
- And check out the final part of my discussion over at NESN.com for a look at the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays and an under-the-radar trade candidate.
Rosenthal On Halladay, Frasor, Rios, Bay
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports hears that the Angels and Cardinals will have a hard time assembling a package enticing enough for the Blue Jays to part with Roy Halladay. One GM said the Angels have "zero chance" at acquiring the Jays ace. Players like Brandon Wood and Howie Kendrick have lost some of their appeal and prospect Jordan Walden finds himself on the DL for the second time this season.
- The Dodgers are interested in Halladay, Jason Frasor and George Sherrill.
- The White Sox would probably have to part with Gordon Beckham to acquire Doc.
- The Jays and White Sox haven't discussed an Alex Rios deal recently, but the White Sox have long been interested in the Jays outfielder.
- Jason Bay is close to setting a cutoff date for negotiations on an extension with the Red Sox.
Odds And Ends: Strasburg, Huff, Pedro
Some links to read through this afternoon…
- ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick says the Nats "absolutely, positively must sign" Stephen Strasburg this summer. The Strasburg saga is just one of Crasnick's nine stories to watch in the second half.
- Stan McNeal of the Sporting News says a fringe prospect should be enough for the O's to ship Aubrey Huff and his $8MM salary away.
- Pedro Martinez said he was pitching hurt with the Mets, but feels better now, according to the AP (via ESPN).
- Benjamin Kabak of River Ave. Blues says the Yankees would have to be prepared to give up a painful amount in a possible Roy Halladay deal.
- Pirates reliever Tyler Yates had Tommy John surgery, according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- Check out my thoughts on the market for outfielders this offseason at NESN.com. Evans Clinchy of NESN.com believes it's now time for the Red Sox to lock Jason Bay up.
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.