Tigers Eyeing Taschner
The Brewers, Mets, Phillies, Marlins, and Cardinals have been linked to Giants’ lefty Jack Taschner in the past. Today, MLB.com’s Trade Talk blog says the Tigers have been observing him as well. However, the Tigers have fallen to 7.5 games out in the AL Central (they might shave that to 6.5 today if the bullpen can hold a four-run lead).
Taschner, 30, has struggled this month after a solid stretch in May and June. Control has always been an issue. Taschner is under team control for quite a while.
Odds And Ends: Gammons, Stark, Giles, Royals
And still more minor notes from around the MLBiverse…
First from Peter Gammons:
- Gammons says that the Marlins will not part with Anibal Sanchez for Brian Fuentes and will instead go after Arthur Rhodes.
- The Cardinals now appear to be the favorite for Fuentes.
- No teams seem willing to pay the asking price for Jason Bay.
- The Indians will pay the remainder of Casey Blake’s $2MM salary.
Next from Jayson Stark:
- The Mets are also showing interest in Randy Winn, but one official from another club feels Winn is just a backup plan.
A couple of random notes:
- Bud Black says Brian Giles does not want to be traded and prefers to stay with the Padres.
- Kevin Murphy notes that the Royals haven’t fared too well in the trade market the last few years.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Cardinals Send Reyes To Indians
The Cleveland Plain Dealer is reporting that the Indians have acquired Anthony Reyes from the Cardinals for a minor leaguer. Reyes who worked out of the bullpen earlier this year for the Cardinals, was most recently in triple-A, where he made 11 starts, going 2-3 with a 3.25 ERA.
The Cardinals received Luis Perdoma, a relief pitcher, who has split the year between single-A and double-A. At Akron, Perdoma was 2-0 with a 3.52 ERA with one save.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Jarrod Washburn Rumors
3:09pm: Jayson Stark says the Yankees view Washburn as a salary dump, and won’t include even low-level prospects unless the Mariners eat money or take Igawa.
1:27pm: Peter Abraham says the Yankees are trying a new way to get Washburn. Neither Abraham nor Geoff Baker believes Washburn’s no-trade clause will be an issue or something the Yankees would compensate for.
9:59am: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says Seattle’s request of Cabrera and Gardner for Washburn is "a non-starter for the Yankees."
FRIDAY, 9:21am: Joel Sherman says Igawa is not part of the Washburn discussions.
THURSDAY, 5:36pm: According to Ed Price of the Newark Star-Ledger, talks have progressed on a possible Washburn-Yankees trade. Price says the Ms aren’t sold on Kei Igawa, but the Yankees are willing to discuss Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner.
4:56pm: This is a bit out of order, since Abraham’s info below actually came out after this Seattle PI column from John Hickey.
Hickey says the Yankees, Cardinals, White Sox, and possibly Brewers have talked to the Mariners about Washburn. The pitcher’s no-trade clause allows him to block a deal to the Yankees but not the Cards or Sox. He seems willing to waive the clause, anyway.
11:12am: According to Peter Abraham:
One trade the Yankees could make now if they wanted would be Kei Igawa and a B-level prospect to Seattle for LHP Jarrod Washburn and DH/1B Jose Vidro. The Yankees would take on $16 million (plus a $500,000 buyout for Vidro) while shedding the $9.4 million owed to Igawa.
So for roughly $7.1 million, you get Washburn for this year and next and Vidro for this season. Washburn would likely want something to waive his no-trade clause, which includes the Yankees.
I agree with Abraham – that seems pretty reasonable. As he says, you can just DFA Vidro. Washburn alone is worth it, as long as the prospect isn’t anyone special and he doesn’t demand a ton for the no-trade compensation.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Trade Deadline
Some random links as we head toward the trade deadline, from the Blogosphere…
- One writer at Bugs and Cranks thinks that the Rockies should not lower their demand for Brian Fuentes and feels that the Cardinals are the most likely team to land the closer.
- UmpBump wants the Rockies to keep Matt Holliday and would prefer moving Garrett Atkins, allowing Ian Stewart to play third.
- Meanwhile, another writer at Bugs and Cranks wants the Cardinals to pass on Matt Holliday and Jason Bay, but think St. Louis should go after George Sherrill and/or Fuentes.
- Outs Per Swing does not feel that the Rays need to add a player like Xavier Nady, but they are also skeptical that Rocco Baldelli can be the right-handed bat the team needs.
- MetsBlog does not see the Mets landing George Sherrill or Huston Street, noting the O’s are asking for too much and the Mets will not meet the A’s demands. MetsBlog also feels the Mets have more obvious holes than relief pitcher.
- River Ave. Blues says the recent success of Ian Kennedy in Triple A has given the Yankees a very big chip in the trade market.
- Drunk Jays Fans says Roy Halladay will not be traded, despite recent reports that the Jays were secretly shopping him.
Graziano’s Latest: Sherrill, Arroyo, Rhodes, Zaun
Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger has a new Trade Winds column.
- Graziano notes how incredible the Erik Bedard trade could look for Baltimore if they spin George Sherrill for prospects. He names the Cardinals, Rays, Marlins, and Red Sox as suitors. The Mets fear Sherrill’s price tag, while the Yankees don’t expect a deal within the division.
- The Yankees haven’t spoken to the Reds about Bronson Arroyo (although based on previous reports, they have scouted him). The Yanks aren’t likely to sign Barry Bonds, and aren’t terribly thrilled with the catching market.
- Fernando Martinez‘s possible injury could increase the Mets’ urgency to find a left fielder. For some reason, Adam Dunn is not in the mix. The Mets are in on relievers Brian Tallet, Jack Taschner, and Arthur Rhodes.
- The division rival Marlins are after Rhodes, as well as Gregg Zaun.
- Graziano says no one denied his rumor that the Blue Jays were quietly discussing Roy Halladay with other teams. The offseason might be a better time to shop him, though.
George Sherrill Rumors
4:50pm: The Baltimore Sun lists the Cardinals, Brewers, Dodgers, Cubs, Reds, Phillies, Marlins, and Tigers as teams represented at yesterday’s Orioles-Blue Jays tilt. The article implies that those clubs were there hoping to scout Sherrill, though a few might have been eyeing A.J. Burnett or both pitchers.
Jeff Zrebiec says the O’s want two or three prospects for Sherrill, who is under team control for a long time.
2:16pm: According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the Brewers are not engaged in trade talks for Orioles closer George Sherrill. The O’s are looking for a shortstop, and the Brewers aren’t willing to part with J.J. Hardy or Alcides Escobar. Makes more sense to wait until Escobar forces their hand, anyway.
GM Doug Melvin told Haudricourt he doesn’t expect to add a reliever this month.
A.J. Burnett Rumors
Let’s put all of the A.J. Burnett rumors and links in one place.
- Joe Strauss says the Cardinals were one of 15 teams scouting Burnett yesterday. Strauss says that Burnett’s contract allows a trade to the Cardinals, and they "remain intrigued" after Walt Jocketty pursued him as a free agent in ’05.
- Will Carroll says he’s been heavily scouted but demand is low. Carroll thinks the Phillies could jump back in if the price comes down. He also wonders whether Burnett would clear waivers in August.
- Jayson Stark says Burnett is "eminently available," with the Yankees, Phillies, and Cardinals checking in. He adds that the Blue Jays won’t trade within the division, the Phillies chose Joe Blanton, and the Cardinals balked at the price of two premium players.
- Jim Molony expects Burnett to stay put.
- Dave Cameron thinks Burnett is underrated.
- Ken Rosenthal finds trade interest in Burnett minimal, noting that teams would prefer a guarantee that the pitcher will opt out after the season.
Jays Quietly Discussing Halladay?
According to Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger:
Roy Halladay is apparently unhappy in Toronto and has let management know it, and management has apparently responded by doing some quiet surveying of teams (such as St. Louis and the Dodgers) that are far, far away from the AL East in an effort to see what it could get for the 2003 Cy Young Award winner.
Apparently, the returns other teams are getting for top-talent pitchers such as CC Sabathia, Rich Harden and Erik Bedard has inspired the Blue Jays to at least find out what it could get for one of the best pitchers in the American League. It remains unlikely that they’d deal him, but you never know.
Halladay has been ridiculously good this year, and he is signed through 2010 at a below-market rate. Doc is the face of the franchise, though, and if anything the Jays might try to extend him further.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Teixeira, Burnett, Sherrill
Here’s the latest from Ken Rosenthal, who should probably take a vacation in August.
- The D’Backs inquired on Mark Teixeira, but a trade is unlikely. Tex might be the best available hitter, as Matt Holliday seems likely to stay put.
- The Rockies scouted Nick Adenhart‘s last start. The Angels have more interest in Brian Fuentes than Holliday.
- Tons of scouts converged on Camden Yards last night to watch A.J. Burnett and George Sherrill pitch (those hoping to see Sherrill were disappointed). The Cardinals, Phillies, Yankees, Brewers, Marlins, Dodgers, and Tigers all had scouts there to watch at least one of the pitchers.
- Rosenthal says trade interest in Burnett "remains minimal," as teams fear the pitcher’s contract.
- The Orioles are taking a look at the Brewers’ Triple A team, but it is believed that they are reluctant to part with more prospects.
- The A’s chose first baseman Chris Carter over Emilio Bonifacio in the Dan Haren trade.