Rays Not Interested In Bonds
Just to hammer the point home, Barry Bonds‘ agent Jeff Borris told Ken Rosenthal today that Rays GM Andrew Friedman failed to respond to his text message. The Rays would like to add a hitter, but they’ve never had serious interest in Bonds. Borris believes his client has been "blackballed" by MLB.
Rosenthal says the Rays would only consider Gary Sheffield if the Tigers picked up the majority of his contract, understandably. They’re not interested in Kenny Lofton or Jose Vidro.
Bonser Not Discussed In Washburn Talks
8:42pm: Hold the phone – John Hickey says Bonser’s name never came up in the Washburn talks. Jim Street and Larry Stone agree. The criticism of the Mariners may be somewhat unjustified. Hickey says Nick Blackburn was on the table for a very brief period of time. Lee Pelekoudas was tight-lipped on the topic.
4:52pm: Even Washburn can’t believe the Mariners wouldn’t trade him for Bonser. He’s disappointed the trade didn’t go through. Perhaps a new GM will deal him this winter.
FRIDAY, 12:19pm: Joe Christensen has details on the Twins’ uncharacteristic claim of Washburn. He heard they offered the Mariners Boof Bonser (plus apparently the salary relief), but the Ms wanted someone like Nick Blackburn or Kevin Slowey. It is hard to see this as anything but a blunder for the Mariners’ front office.
On a related note, Scott Miller says Lee Pelekoudas will not become the Mariners’ permanent GM, while Jon Heyman says Kevin Towers is unlikely. Pat Gillick is still rumored as a possibility for the next team president.
THURSDAY
11:48pm: Baker says the Twins put in claims on both Washburn and Ibanez, but only won the Washburn one. With Washburn, the Twins would’ve put him in the rotation and moved a starter to the setup man role. Baker notes that a deal still could happen.
4:58pm: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says the Twins won the Washburn claim and the Tigers won the Ibanez claim. The Red Sox and Mets also put in claims on Ibanez. Interesting on both fronts, but no deals were struck so both players will remain with the Mariners.
Heyman says that while the Twins’ Washburn claim had the flavor of a blocking move, the two teams did have trade discussions. There wasn’t really anyone to block, unless the White Sox were lying about their lack of interest.
4:56pm: The Cardinals did not put in a claim on Washburn, according to Derrick Goold.
3:00pm: Geoff Baker expects that the Mariners will hold onto Ibanez, given the compensatory picks they’ll receive this winter. He further speculates that Washburn’s next start will not be for Seattle.
10:54am: The Twins didn’t win the claim on Ibanez, according to Joe Christensen. Ibanez doesn’t expect a trade, though the Mariners have not discussed an extension with him.
9:57am: Geoff Baker confirms both players have been informed they’ve been placed on waivers. He sees the Jays, Red Sox, and Rays as possible AL claimants for Ibanez. Buster Olney considers the Twins a possibility as well. There seems little chance Ibanez would slip to the NL. Baker and Olney also heard an unconfirmed rumor that the Cardinals claimed Washburn.
WEDNESDAY
According to Ken Rosenthal, Mariners players Jarrod Washburn and Raul Ibanez were claimed on waivers yesterday. The Ms have until tomorrow afternoon to work out a deal with the claiming teams. Rosenthal says the Yankees did not claim Washburn.
At the least, the Mariners have a chance to unload Washburn’s contract. Ibanez is inexpensive, so they’ll want quality prospects in return. The Mariners can also elect to keep both players if they don’t like the offers.
The American League received first crack at the two Mariners, in the following order (omitting non-contenders):
- Tigers
- Rangers
- Blue Jays
- Yankees
- Twins
- White Sox
- Red Sox
- Rays
- Angels
Odds and Ends: Kendall, Laird, Giles, Manny
Today’s linkage…
- A friend pointed out to me how strange it is that the Twins were willing to take on Jarrod Washburn‘s salary and give up Boof Bonser but chose to trade Johan Santana before the season. If Bill Smith could go back in time, would he still make that deal?
- A Gary Sheffield acquisition by the Rays is "unlikely but not impossible," according to one Buster Olney source.
- As expected, Jason Kendall‘s option for ’09 vested. He’s off the list!
- The Rangers were willing to trade Gerald Laird and a solid prospect to the Marlins for Chris Volstad.
- The Padres are wavering on Brian Giles‘ 2009 option. Scott Miller also wonders if they’ll be able to take on Trevor Hoffman for another year.
- Miller says the Marlins had a deal for Manny Ramirez worked out, but the commissioner’s office killed it because the Marlins would’ve been getting draft picks rather than a second player. Manny would’ve vetoed it anyway.
- Rob Neyer thinks the Yankees will exceed a $200MM payroll if need be next year.
- There seems a good chance Randy Johnson pitches next year.
- Randy Winn and Bengie Molina may be traded this winter.
- Missed this one from Monday – the White Sox acquired reliever Franklyn German from the Pirates for a player to be named later.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Angels, D’Backs, Giambi, Ellis
Here is the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- Many important Angels will reach free agency this winter: Mark Teixeira, Francisco Rodriguez, Jon Garland, and Juan Rivera. Rosenthal doesn’t expect any of these four back. Garret Anderson‘s $14MM option will not be exercised, but he could be re-signed. John Lackey and Vladimir Guerrero both have reasonable club options for ’09, but the Halos need to plan beyond that.
- Several journalists have noted the D’Backs may restock the farm system if they let Adam Dunn, Orlando Hudson, Brandon Lyon, and Juan Cruz depart as free agents after the season. They’re not worried about Dunn accepting an offer of arbitration. Why would he want a one-year deal?
- Rosenthal guesses the Indians, Mariners, Blue Jays, and A’s might have interest in Jason Giambi this winter. Giambi’s .398 OBP ranks 7th in the AL. The leader: fellow free agent Milton Bradley at a staggering .446.
- Mark Ellis surprisingly postponed negotiations with the A’s on an extension. It had been said Ellis wanted to figure out a contract before season’s end. He’s the affordable free agent alternative to Hudson.
- The Twins are trying to get creative to find bullpen help. GM Bill Smith says he’s made many waiver claims and won some.
- Rosenthal says "speculation persists" that J.P. Ricciardi will be canned after the season.
- The Tigers aren’t considering trading Magglio Ordonez, but Nate Robertson could be moved this winter. Robertson seems due for a move back to the NL. He earns $7MM in ’09 and $10MM in ’10.
- The Reds are being questioned for holding on to relievers David Weathers and Jeremy Affeldt.
Sheffield Clears Waivers
THURSDAY: Unsurprisingly, Sheffield cleared waivers today.
WEDNESDAY: Sheffield’s agent noted that he has not asked for a trade, but might be willing to waive his no-trade clause under the right conditions (perhaps the chance to play the outfield every day). Sheffield is expected to clear waivers tomorrow afternoon. It’s often been said that Sheff thrives on controversy, and he bashed two home runs last night.
TUESDAY: According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, the Tigers placed Gary Sheffield on waivers today. Sheffield recently expressed displeasure with his playing time. The 39 year-old DH is hitting .219/.321/.371 in 278 plate appearances this year while dealing with oblique and shoulder woes. Peter Gammons recently wrote that the Tigers shopped Sheffield to the Rays but they had no interest.
Sheffield is owed an additional $3.8MM this year plus $14MM in ’09. He also has a limited no-trade clause. His last good full month was July of ’07. A waiver claim on Sheffield seems unlikely. If a contender needs a DH, why not pursue Aubrey Huff instead?
Odds and Ends: Heyman, Vidro, Glavine, Falkenborg
Let’s round up today’s links.
- Great interview with SI.com’s Jon Heyman at The Big Lead. He talks about scoops, Buster Olney, and his wife helping him do his job, among other things.
- Aaron Gleeman doesn’t understand why the Twins claimed Alan Embree but not Chad Bradford.
- Unsurprisingly, the Mariners weren’t able to find a trade partner for Jose Vidro.
- Richard Justice on what he’d have done as Astros GM.
- Tom Glavine‘s next six weeks will determine whether he’ll pitch in ’09.
- The Padres claimed reliever Brian Falkenborg from the Dodgers. Paul DePodesta likes his stuff.
- Danny Knobler writes about the Tigers’ numerous offseason needs.
- Tim Marchman doesn’t think the Yankees will have the money for multiple big-time free agent signings.
- The White Sox have signed seventh round OF Jordan Danks, brother of lefty pitcher John. Jordan hit .321/.444/.564 for the Texas Longhorns this year. The bonus is reportedly just north of $500K.
Waiver Trade Possibilities For Red Sox, Rays
The Red Sox, three games behind the Rays in the standings, have the advantage when it comes to waiver claims. Both teams are dealing with injured third basemen for the next few weeks, and may choose to bring in some veteran assistance.
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe names four players who may be of interest to the Red Sox and Rays: Rich Aurilia, Mark Loretta, Gary Sheffield, and Kevin Millar.
Even after he clears waivers, a deal for Sheffield seems unlikely. The Rays have already expressed their disinterest. Sheffield doesn’t expect a deal, noting that he’s been put on waivers many times. Cafardo says the Rays do have interest in Aurilia, while the other names are speculation for both teams.
Heyman’s Latest: Washburn, Cashman, Garcia, Lofton
SI.com’s Jon Heyman checks in with a new column.
- Jarrod Washburn reportedly cleared waivers, though Heyman’s use of the word "reportedly" makes me think the statement came from one of the shaky reports floating about. We’ll wait for definitive word on that one.
- Heyman’s sources say the Yankees plan to offer a new contract to GM Brian Cashman after the season. Hank Steinbrenner has apparently warmed to Cashman. Additionally, "club higherups" expect Cashman will want to stay rather than jump to the Seattle job.
- Heyman loves the Freddy Garcia acquisition; he wonders if Garcia will be motivated by Ozzie Guillen’s comments. The White Sox weren’t interested; Guillen doesn’t think Garcia will be ready for the playoffs. There’s a chance Garcia could return to the Tigers in ’09.
- Heyman says it was a 2-2 vote whether to keep Manny Ramirez in Boston – Theo Epstein and Tom Werner advocating a trade, and Larry Lucchino and John Henry preferring to keep him. Henry changed his mind and the deal was made. Lucchino recently denied Heyman’s speculation that he might leave after the season.
- The Rays made an offer to Kenny Lofton in spring and even gave Barry Bonds consideration. But now a signing of either is "highly unlikely." Giants GM Brian Sabean thinks the Rays should sign Bonds.
- Heyman continues to speculate that Jim Bowden could be fired.
- One GM expects the Padres to pick up Brian Giles‘ $9MM option for ’09. It’s an easy decision since it has a $3MM buyout. However, Peter Gammons says it will be declined.
Tigers To Sign Freddy Garcia
According to Jon Heyman of SI.com, Freddy Garcia agreed to a minor league contract with the Tigers. The Tigers hope to have him in the Majors by month’s end for a playoff drive.
The Tigers are eight games out in the AL Central and 9.5 out of the wild card, so their playoff chances hover around 2-4%. But there’s not much downside to adding Garcia just in case.
Gammons’ Latest: Sheffield, Pujols
ESPN’s Peter Gammons has a new blog post up.
- The Tigers called the Rays, shopping perpetually unhappy DH Gary Sheffield. The Rays’ baseball people were not interested.
- Albert Pujols‘ elbow is barking a bit, but he expects to finish the season. I wonder what a healthy Albert could do.
- Gammons notes a failed waiver trade back in ’03. The Cubs acquired Rafael Palmeiro, but Raffy nixed the deal when they wouldn’t add a year to his contract.