Olney On Penny, Reds, Braves
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
Links for Wednesday…
- RotoAuthority recommends Jordan Zimmermann as a fantasy league pickup.
- Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News explains his paragraph about the Giants putting out feelers to see what they could get for Matt Cain.
- Diamondbacks GM Josh Byrnes told MLB.com's Steve Gilbert he wants a little more time before deciding whether to trade off veterans. At 11.5 games out, the D'Backs have a 2-6% chance of making the playoffs according to Baseball Prospectus.
- Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe dreams of the Red Sox signing Joe Mauer to a ten-year, $200MM free agent deal after the 2010 season.
- Mike Axisa of River Ave. Blues discusses option years, with help from a Keith Law ESPN chat.
Red Sox Rumors: Bay, Penny, Buchholz
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
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
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
Hacks with Haggs has an interview with Manny Delcarmen who says he "wouldn't be too happy" if he were dealt. Said Delcarmen,
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
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:
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
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:
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
Links for your Memorial Day weekend…
- Bruce Jenkins of the San Francisco Chronicle writes that the Giants should concede the division to the Dodgers and build for the future.
- Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle shows that Nolan Ryan's presence has strengthened the Rangers by making it easier for them to recruit the coaches and executives they need.
- As Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports, Brian Giles says he's "not even close" to being done. The right fielder's making $9MM this year and hitting .161 so far.
- Bill Shaikin of the LA Times reports that the Angels would like to have Vladimir Guerrero back next year, at the right price. One executive said Vlad could be looking at a contract worth $5-7MM per year, for no more than two years when he becomes a free agent after this season.
- As Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald notes, Jason Bay is "driving up his value almost daily." McAdam says there are indications the Red Sox could re-start extension talks during the All-Star Break.
- Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer looks back at the deal that would have sent Andy Pettitte to the Phillies a decade ago.
- In an article for ESPN.com, John Perrotto argues that the Pirates have no one to blame but themselves for their futility.
Still No Talks Between Bay, Red Sox
Rob Bradford reports that the Red Sox and free-agent-to-be Jason Bay still haven't had any contract discussions since late March. Bradford states that Boston's last offer was somewhere in the $10MM per season range, while Bay and his agent were looking for something in the $14MM range. Additionally, the Red Sox didn't offer the 3-4 years Bay would be seeking.
Perhaps Bay's absolutely monster start has made the Red Sox reconsider that offer – he's off to an incredible .301/.433/.657 start. He's also second in the American League to Carlos Pena with 13 HR, and second in all of baseball to Evan Longoria in RBI at 44.
Even if the Red Sox have reconsidered, will the Bay camp up their demands or possibly decide to test the market in light of his elite production so far in 2009?