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Quick Hits: Zambrano, Stewart, Reds, Hall

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We at MLB Trade Rumors are delighted that our site has been selected as one of TIME Magazine's Best Blogs Of 2011.  Thanks to TIME for the tip of the cap, and thanks to all of our readers for your support in making MLBTR one of the internet's top sports news sites.

Some news items from around the league….

  • Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com and David Haugh of the Chicago Tribune both feel that Carlos Zambrano and the Cubs should part ways in the wake of Zambrano's recent tirade against the club, and that the right-hander would certainly waive his no-trade clause in order to leave town. 
  • Levine and Haugh each cite the Yankees as a potential trade partner, though it's hard to imagine the Yankees taking on a high-priced pitcher with such baggage.  It's even harder to imagine New York parting with a significant player like Joba Chamberlain or Brett Gardner in exchange for Zambrano, as Levine suggests.
  • Ian Stewart is "the best player to buy low on," a non-Rockies scout tells Troy Renck of the Denver Post.  For that reason, Renck feels the Rockies will hold onto the struggling third baseman until he gets back in form or at least improves his trade value.
  • The Reds have won just five of their last 18 games, which has B.J. Bethel of the Dayton Daily News and John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer both calling for a "shake-up."  Bethel suggests the club should look for relief pitching, a veteran starter, or a solid bat for left field and/or at third base or shortstop.  Fay suggests that a prospect like Yonder Alonso, Todd Frazier or Zack Cozart could help fill those holes in the lineup, and also thinks Cincinnati could deal one of its catchers (Ramon Hernandez and Ryan Hanigan).   
  • Bill Hall drew some attention from the Yankees last winter and the Bombers could sign Hall for the minimum salary now that the veteran utilityman has been released by the Astros, writes Mike Axisa of the River Avenue Blues blog.  As Axisa notes, Hall doesn't offer much more than what the Yankees currently have in bench options, but for a minimum salary, Hall is a no-risk signing.   

Rosenthal On Rangers, Upton, Marlins, Indians

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With only five teams more than seven games out of first place, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports thinks this year's trade market could play out differently than your usual scenario of struggling teams selling to contenders.  An unnamed general manager tells Rosenthal “It might be more of a reallocation of pieces than classic buying or selling…Parity also means that teams that aren’t close are saying, ‘Next year, it can be us.’ Maybe they buy a two- to three-year asset that they wouldn’t otherwise.”

Here's the latest from Rosenthal on a number of teams looking to fill needs as the pennant races begin to heat up…

  • The Rangers are looking for right-handed relievers and have a number of trade chips to offer other teams.  Rosenthal speculates Texas could offer Taylor Teagarden to the Giants for a righty arm, or possibly Chris Davis to the Padres or another team that is looking for offensive help. 
  • Todd Coffey is drawing interest from the Rangers, and Rosenthal thinks Coffey could be part of a package for Julio Borbon since the Nationals need a center fielder/leadoff hitter type.
  • Of course, Washington is also looking at B.J. Upton to fill that hole in center.  Rosenthal thinks it's unlikely the Rays move Upton, though they could change their minds if the Nats offer Tyler Clippard and a young positional prospect.
  • The Marlins are interested in acquiring veteran bullpen help in exchange for one of their minor league relievers.  Right-handers Jose Ceda, Jhan Marinez and Sandy Rosario have all attracted some attention from other clubs.
  • While "the Indians’ most obvious need remains a quality starting pitcher," Rosenthal also thinks the Tribe could be in the market for right-handed hitting help.  One of Rosenthal's Twitter followers asked if Cleveland could make a move for Hunter Pence, but Rosenthal doesn't think Houston will move Pence and the Indians already have Shin-Soo Choo in right field.
  • The Brewers "would love to add another power arm to their 'pen," as Milwaukee relievers rank 13th in the league in K/9. 
  • The Diamondbacks had an interest in David Purcey before the A's dealt the left-hander to the Tigers on May 27.
  • Bruce Bochy thinks rookie shortstop Brandon Crawford can be a productive Major League hitter, which would seem to lessen the Giants' chances of acquiring Jose Reyes before the deadline or trying to sign Reyes this winter in free agency.
  • Rosenthal "can't see" Jim Hendry returning as the Cubs' general manager given the team's current state.  "Forget about signing a free agent such as the Cardinals' Albert Pujols or the Brewers' Prince Fielder," Rosenthal writes.  "The Cubs are so far gone, they are much more than one player away."  Carlos Pena, John Grabow, Kosuke Fukudome, Kerry Wood and Jeff Baker are all trade candidates this summer; MLBTR's Tim Dierkes recently looked at the values of these players and others on the struggling Cubbies. 

Rosenthal On Wood, White Sox, Reyes, Rays, Dodgers

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Let's check out the latest edition of Full Count from FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal..

  • Cubs reliever Kerry Wood is likely to be in high demand at the deadline, in part because his salary this year is just $1.5MM.  The Cubs gave him a full no-trade clause and Wood told Rosenthal that he hasn't thought about what he would do if the team asked him to waive it.  After all, Wood came back to Chicago to be with his family and to lay the groundwork for a job with the organization after his career is through.
  • The White Sox expect teams to inquire about their surplus of starting pitching, with Edwin Jackson as their most obvious trade candidate as he is a potential free agent.  However, GM Ken Williams wouldn't necessarily seek offense in return.  Instead, they'd prefer a right-handed reliever or even prospects.  If the White Sox were to add a bat, they wouldn't know where to put it in the lineup.
  • The Rays have been sliding as of late but are still in contention in the AL East so we can expect them to be buyers.  With offense as their biggest need, it wouldn't be surprising to see them inquire on Jose Reyes, but they likely won't land him.  Tampa Bay would have to part with top-notch prospects to pull off such a deal, and prospects are more valuable for the Rays than they are for most teams.
  • The Dodgers were hoping to bounce back in the NL West once they got healthy, but a second rash of injuries has left them depleted again.  If the Dodgers ever do get healthy, Rosenthal expects them to go after a power bat to put in left field or at third base.

Outrighted To Minors: Coello, Stevens

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We'll keep track of all of today's outrighted players right here:

  • The Cubs outrighted right-hander Robert Coello to Double-A Tennessee, according to the team transactions page.  The 26-year-old was designated for assignment last week to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Rodrigo Lopez.  Coello made nine starts for the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate this season, posting a 7.82 ERA with 7.6 K/9 and 4.5 BB/9.
  • The Cubbies also sent right-hander Jeff Stevens to Triple-A Iowa, according to the affiliate's transactions page.  Stevens cleared waivers after being DFA'd Monday morning.  That move allowed the Cubs to bring infielder D.J. LeMahieu on to the 40-man roster.

Debt May Impact Cubs’ Free Agency Plans

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The Cubs are one of nine teams in violation of MLB's debt service rules, and Gordon Wittenmyer of The Chicago Sun-Times hears that the debt might impact the team's ability to pursue big free agents over the next few years. Wittenmyer estimates the debt at $400MM or so.

On paper, a free agent first baseman like Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols would make perfect sense for the Cubs, who have a ton of money coming off the books after the season as Tim Dierkes explained in his 2012 Contracts Issues post. Now their ability to pursue players of that caliber is in question. Chairman Tom Ricketts has been preaching player development since purchasing the team in 2009, and the draft will be even more important if the Cubbies are unable plug holes with free agents. 

NL Central Notes: Reds, Cardinals, Bartlett, Cubs

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Let's take a look at some items out of the NL Central, including a Point-Counterpoint on the Cardinals and Jason Bartlett..

  • The Reds' biggest need at the trade deadline will be at shortstop if Paul Janish doesn't turn things around at the plate, tweets John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.  The 28-year-old is hitting .221/.250/.260 so far this year.
  • Jeff Gordon of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Cardinals should be "all over" Jason Bartlett if the Padres make him available.  While Gordon likes what Ryan Theriot has brought to the table this year, he believes that his substandard defensive play at shortstop is hurting the club.
  • Meanwhile, Derrick Goold of the Post-Dispatch presents a respectful dissent to the case for Bartlett.  While Bartlett is a better option defensively than Theriot, the gap between the two at the plate is too large to overlook.
  • Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald wonders if it's time for a regime change with the Cubs’ baseball operation.  Miles points out that GM Jim Hendry is getting to rebuild his club for a third time, something few major-market GMs get to do.

Nine Teams In Violation Of Debt Service Rules

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The Dodgers and Mets are among the nine MLB teams in violation of MLB’s debt service rules, according to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times. The regulations came into being in 2002 and are intended to limit a team’s debt to ten times its yearly earnings and ensure that each team can pay its bills. The Orioles, Cubs, Tigers, Marlins, Phillies, Rangers and Nationals are also in violation of the rules, according to Shaikin.

MLB executive VP of labor relations Rob Manfred says he isn’t “concerned about the overall economic condition of the industry" and a National League executive called the high number of teams out of compliance a “hiccup” for an otherwise healthy league.

Along with the competitive balance tax and revenue sharing, the debt service rule figures to be a major financial issue in the negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement between the players and the owners. The Phillies have confirmed that they are not currently compliant with the debt-service rule, according to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer.

If The Cubs Become Sellers

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At 23-30, the Cubs are 8.5 games back in the NL Central and eight back in the wild card.  Their chance of making the playoffs is 1.1%, according to Baseball Prospectus.  The team's front office has to start thinking about a potentially huge offseason and how they can improve and free up even more cash for 2012.  Which Cubs might be available this summer?

  • Alfonso Soriano, currently on the DL with a strained left quad, always has to be presumed available.  The 35-year-old left fielder is showing good pop, but with a walk rate down to 3.2% he's a one-trick pony.  He earns $18MM per year through 2014, a contract I'd probably deem immovable if the Blue Jays hadn't managed to send Vernon Wells packing.  Soriano has a full no-trade clause.
  • Also close to immovable is righty Carlos Zambrano, who earns about $18MM this year and next.  He's pitched OK, with a reduced strikeout rate but the best control of his career.  Pitching is always coveted at the trade deadline, but the Cubs would need Zambrano's consent to make a deal.
  • Third baseman Aramis Ramirez has been healthy this season but his power has been missing.  He earns $14.6MM this year and his $16MM option for 2012 vests upon a trade.  He also has full no-trade rights.  A trade could be worked out if Ramirez displays power over the next six weeks or so, consents to a trade, and waives the '12 option.  Stranger things have happened.
  • Outfielder Kosuke Fukudome has trade protection as well.  At .432 he has the fourth-best OBP in the National League, though he has only six extra-base hits.  He could help a lot of teams, but is known for his fast starts and has a troublesome $13.5MM salary.
  • Starter Ryan Dempster saw his ERA top out at 9.58 on April 28th.  He then turned in a 3.08 mark in May.  Dempster has a $14MM player option for 2012 with no buyout.  This is a tricky one – he could get more total dollars and years on the open market, but he has a strong relationship with the Cubs and he wouldn't find a $14MM salary.  Dempster must approve any trade.
  • First baseman Carlos Pena had an awful April, but smacked seven home runs in May.  He's earning $10MM on a one-year deal and could be one of the better bats available.
  • Southpaw John Grabow is earning $4.8MM this year.  He hasn't been anything special against lefties and hasn't been used as a specialist.  He'd be hard to move.
  • Reliever Kerry Wood has been decent this year and would be a popular trade deadline target.  However, he took a big discount to come back to Chicago at $1.5MM, so he'll probably only be dealt if that's his preference.
  • Extra outfielder Reed Johnson is having a strong year in a limited sample, but he's on the DL due to back spasms.  If healthy, the Cubs figure to be open to moving him.
  • The Cubs have a lot of overpaid, somewhat useful players.  Guys like Dempster and Pena could generate a lot of interest, but in general GM Jim Hendry would have to assume salary to have another active trade deadline.  The Cubs were willing to eat $4.2MM in salary to move Derrek Lee, Ted Lilly, and Ryan Theriot last year.  Would Hendry resist another fire sale, knowing that those moves could be his last as Cubs GM?  Would the Cubs install someone else to conduct the proceedings, as the Diamondbacks did last year?
  • We've covered the Padres, Pirates, Twins, and Astros as potential sellers as well.

Draft Notes: Cole, Hultzen, Bradley, Springer

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The draft takes place one week from today; here’s the latest as teams prepare their draft boards for next Monday… 

  • ESPN.com’s Keith Law projects the Pirates to select UCLA right-hander Gerrit Cole with the first overall pick, though he says they’re still seriously in on Virginia left-hander Danny Hultzen and high school outfielder Bubba Starling. It’s too early to rule out Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon either. 
  • The D’Backs could take Hultzen, UCLA right-hander Trevor Bauer or high schooler Dylan Bundy third overall, according to Law.
  • It looks like the Orioles will take an arm fourth overall; they have Bundy, high schooler Archie Bradley and Cole in their sights.
  • If Bauer falls to the Indians, they’ll take him, according to Law.
  • The Cubs “sent a small army” to watch outfielder George Springer at the Big East tournament.
  • The Padres are interested in UConn right-hander Matt Barnes and Vanderbilt right-hander Sonny Gray. 
  • The top three players on one team’s draft board are advised by agent Scott Boras, according to Yahoo’s Jeff Passan.
  • Rendon's stock is down a bit because of a dip in production and injury concerns, writes Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, but Rendon's coach at Rice, Wayne Graham, expects the third baseman to go within the top two picks.
  • The Giants shouldn't (and won't) alter their draft strategy in response to Buster Posey's season-ending injury, writes Jim Callis of Baseball America in a mailbag.

Cubs Designate Jeff Stevens For Assignment

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The Cubs designated Jeff Stevens for assignment to create 40-man roster space for infielder D.J. LeMahieu, the team announced. To create 25-man roster space for LeMahieu, the Cubs placed Jeff Baker on the 15-day disabled list.

Stevens has a 9.64 ERA with a 6K/10BB ratio in 14 innings at Triple-A this year. The 27-year-old right-hander has a 6.27 ERA with 6.8 K/9 and 6.0 BB/9 in 37 1/3 innings out of the Cubs' pen over the course of three seasons. Despite his recent struggles, he has averaged more than one strikeout per inning and posted a 3.48 ERA against minor league hitters in his career.

LeMahieu, who has never appeared in the Major Leagues, is in uniform for today's game. The former second round pick is the first member of the Cubs' 2009 draft class to reach the big leagues and he arrives with a .325/.360/.408 line in 984 minor league plate appearances, none of them above Double-A.

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