Ty Wigginton For Scott Proctor?
According to George King and Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Devil Rays are willing to send Ty Wigginton to the Yankees for Scott Proctor. The Yanks are willing to trade Proctor because they believe Joba Chamberlain can jump up from Double A and fill in capably. Chamberlain is flat-out nasty.
Given his previous interest in Wilson Betemit, it looks like Brian Cashman is focused on adding a versatile player who is under control for several more years. A bonus for Wigginton is that he bats right-handed. Betemit is a switch-hitter but hasn’t done much from the right side.
It’s unclear how the Devil Rays would use Proctor, but I’m guessing they’d leave him in relief. Having a decent guy who can pitch 80 solid innings in the AL East for a few seasons is a stronger need than starting pitching right now. The Rays quietly have a ton of quality pitching in the Majors or in the pipeline. This is a team with a $24MM Opening Day payroll this year – imagine if they bumped it to $75MM and added three star players to complement the current group.
Another note from the column is that the Rockies like the idea of taking Kyle Farnsworth off the Yankees’ hands, but don’t want to pay too much of his remaining salary. Farnsy makes another $2.2MM this year and $5.5MM in ’08. In my opinion, the Rockies should go for it if the Yankees will eat half.
Tim Brown’s Latest: A’s, Yankees
Yahoo’s Tim Brown has a new post up, with some trade rumors we’ve heard before and some we haven’t.
- Clearly the A’s are sellers, and they’re offering up Mike Piazza, Joe Kennedy, and Bobby Kielty. Brown names the Twins as the club most interested in Piazza. He also feels the Yankees, Angels, Mariners, and Red Sox would be good fits. But where would Piazza play on the Red Sox?
- The Red Sox were apparently close to a deal for Kielty, a 31 year-old switch-hitting extra outfielder. He hasn’t played much center since ’02, so maybe the Sox have relaxed that requirement. Kielty was supposed to be moved in a three-team deal that would have sent Wily Mo Pena somewhere. The deal has stalled, but it’s really starting to look like Pena is on the move.
- The Yankees and Rangers are still discussing Mark Teixeira. My guess is that Brian Cashman just wants to see if this can be done without involving Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain. Failing that, the Yanks have Ty Wigginton and Shea Hillenbrand on their list. Wiggy would be a useful addition. Joe Maddon would still find a way not to play Jonny Gomes though.
Cantu On His Way Out Of Tampa Bay?
Jorge Cantu seems to want out of Tampa Bay; he’s dissatisfied with his lack of playing time this year. He was recently designated for assigment to Durham again. Most likely, the only reason he’s still in the organization is that Andrew Friedman couldn’t get anything useful for him via trade. 117 RBIs just don’t have the pull they did in the past.
But even if he doesn’t really have a position and doesn’t draw walks, there should be at least a little interest in a 25 year-old with good power. Cantu slugged .497 with 28 HR in 2005; he still owns those skills somewhere. He’s never actually had a full season at the Triple A level. Maybe it’s time to take a step back before his development moves forward.
I think almost any team would be well served to buy low on Cantu, figure out one position he can play tolerably, and get him back on track.
White Sox Interested In Elijah Dukes?
The Devil Rays optioned Elijah Dukes to Class A and put him on the temporary inactive list back on June 22nd. He’s earning his Major League salary and getting counseling for his problems.
According to Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus, the White Sox may be interested. Given their clear need for outfielders for 2008, a Dukes trade makes plenty of sense. Chicago is a far way from Tampa and would represent a fresh start for Dukes.
Andrew Friedman and Kenny Williams have yet to match up for a trade to the best of my knowledge, though the Rays apparently have interest in Chicago’s available starters.
White Sox Planted Buehrle To Boston Rumor
Keith Law, on ESPNEWS yesterday, reported that the Mark Buehrle-to-Boston rumor is bogus and almost certainly planted by the White Sox front office. Couldn’t hurt to try, unless the plant damages relations with the Red Sox in the future. This type of practice is probably more common than we realize, though.
Furthermore, Tony Massarotti of the Boston Herald says the Red Sox are out of this thing (if they were ever really in it). By the way, the reason for the refusal to allow a 72-hour negotiating window: Buehrle’s likelihood of signing with St. Louis after the season.
A loyal MLBTR reader, summing up Ken Rosenthal’s recent comments on WEEI, noted that the Yankees are not actually involved on Buehrle. A GM always wants the Yankees and Red Sox involved when conducting a player auction, but it looks like that’s not the case with Buehrle. Perhaps the Mets-Braves rivalry can be exploited instead.
Another Buehrle note – R.J. Anderson of D-Rays Bay informs me that radio host Dan Sileo of 620 WDAE has a source indicating that the Devil Rays are interested in Buehrle. This doesn’t make much sense on the surface with the Rays out of contention. However, maybe Andrew Friedman and Co. will offer players that they value less than the two compensatory draft picks. That could be the main motivation, with the ancillary benefits of sparking the fanbase and having Buehrle around for three months to work with the younger pitchers.
Elijah Dukes Demoted
We knew something was coming…the Devil Rays demoted outfielder Elijah Dukes today and also placed him on the temporary inactive list (ie, no pay).
A trade or release is forthcoming. According to the Tampa Tribune, the Rays spent yesterday exploring potential deals. You’d think with millions of dollars hanging in the balance, Dukes would just relax and focus on baseball with his new team.
Marlins Still Like Elijah Dukes
The Marlins have flirted with the idea of acquiring Elijah Dukes for center field for at least a few months. Back in March, Jayson Stark mentioned the idea. At that point, Peter Gammons felt that the Fish would not trade young pitching to get their center fielder.
Now they may be able to get Dukes for next to nothing. The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that the Marlins have Dukes on the radar if they can get him for little. Any breathing reliever might do the trick. If the Marlins think, for some reason, that they can alleviate Dukes’ off-the-field issues, it could be a fantastic example of buying low.
By the way, one source tells me that the Nationals are definitely not interested in Dukes.
A less exciting but safe option for Florida would be Brady Clark, who recently became a free agent. The Marlins have some interest.
Healey’s Latest
Mark Healey at Gotham Baseball has long been a solid, underappreciated source of inside information. He’s got another Rumor Mill up at his site. My summary follows.
- The Yankees have an eye on big-name 1Bs like Mark Teixeira and Todd Helton. But more realistically, they’re looking at Tampa Bay’s Carlos Pena. He’s got the defense, so even if he regresses to a 20 HR bat it’s a nice pickup. Healey’s source believes Tyler Clippard is too much but the Rays like Sean Henn. The Yanks have also inquired about the versatile Ty Wigginton.
- The Reds, Rockies, and others have been scouting the Yankees’ Double A Trenton affiliate. Joba Chamberlain, Ian Kennedy, and Brett Gardner are probably the most desirable players on that roster. Gotham Baseball has previously connected the Yankees to Brian Fuentes and David Weathers. Another reliever the Yankees like is Chad Bradford, though the O’s price may be too high.
- Gotham quotes an NL scout who doesn’t believe the Mets will acquire a starter by trading Lastings Milledge, Carlos Gomez, or Fernando Martinez. That scout believes the return of Pedro will supply the needed boost. Personally, I can see Milledge going.
- Some former Mets on the radar: Brady Clark, Jay Payton, and David Weathers.
- Healey says the Mets sent scouts to look at Randy Winn this weekend. They must not be pleased with Moises Alou‘s progress. As I mentioned earlier, Winn is signed through 2009. He has a full no-trade clause this year. For 2008-09 he can block deals to ten teams.
- The Pirates have some vets to trade, and have contacted the Mets regarding Shawn Chacon and Damaso Marte. Marte is quietly having a fine season with a 1.21 ERA and 1.03 WHIP. Marte earns $2.45MM this year, and $2MM in ’08 with an odd $6MM club option for 2009. He can also earn incentives based on games finished.
Dukes Trade Coming Soon?
The Devil Rays have a new-look outfield, with Delmon Young in center, Jonny Gomes in right, and Elijah Dukes on the bench. Gomes just homered today and could really take off as a 30 home run guy if he plays every day.
Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times hinted this morning that if Dukes didn’t start today, his departure may be imminent. He didn’t, and Rocco Baldelli may be back by Friday. Some sort of action with Dukes at that point seems likely, whether a release, demotion, or trade. Jim Bowden’s recent "character is extremely important" comment to the Washington post seems to indicate he’s not interest in Dukes despite initial reports.
However, that comment may mean nothing. Dmitri Young choked his 21 year-old girlfriend last year, and Bowden signed him. Most likely Bowden just needs to sit with the player and feel convinced that he is reformed.
Dukes would still be a great fit for the Marlins, baseball-wise. The Rays were said to be looking for a solid reliever in return for Dukes, but that was a few offenses ago.
Rosenthal’s Latest
The authority on all trade rumors, Ken Rosenthal has spoken. Let’s review.
- As we have heard before, the Dodgers like Adam Dunn. We’ve also discussed the fact that there’s not a clear place to put him. Whether you go with first base or left field, a veteran must move. The Padres like Dunn as well but talks have yet to occur. The Angels may have liked him in the past but they don’t seem likely at this point. And the Twins? They just won’t break the bank for him unfortunately.
- With Michael Barrett having issues with 40% of the Cubs’ rotation, the Cubs could look to trade him. Even though he’s a top offensive catcher, his impending free agency might prevent any strong return. Plus, the Cubs would have to go with a Henry Blanco/Koyie Hill tandem. A more likely scenario is that the Cubs will let Barrett walk after the season.
- Finally some clarity on Eric Gagne‘s limited no-trade protection. Rosenthal reveals that he can veto trades to 12 teams. The Phillies and Indians are again mentioned as suitors. Rosenthal thinks Mark Teixeira could generate a lot of talk but no action at the trading deadline. Kind of like Alfonso Soriano or A.J. Burnett before him.
- The asking price for Brad Lidge, supposedly: a premium young catcher and promising young pitcher. Lidge will probably earn $8MM next year before hitting free agency. The Astros should be happy with a young catcher or a young pitcher, not both. I’d mention Salty here but I think he is worth much more than Lidge. Rosenthal says the Astros could move another bullpen arm like Wheeler or Qualls to get the bat they need.
- Could the Devil Rays simply retain Al Reyes and Carlos Pena? Both players could be valuable contributors to the 2008 club. I like the idea of keeping Reyes around for next year, but I think Pena has peaked.
- Noah Lowry would get the attention of the Braves or Cardinals, but the Giants are unlikely to move him.
- The Phils are likely to pass on Tomo Ohka despite their need for pitching.