Odds & Ends: Strasburg, Diamondbacks, Indians
Lots of trade talk means lots of links, so let's get right to the madness:
- Corey Brock at MLB.com examines the possibility presented by Chico Harlan at the Washington Post that Stephen Strasburg could end up a Padre.
- Bernie Miklasz at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch looks at the Cardinals' five biggest winners in the Matt Holliday trade. Rick Hummel looks at other memorable trades in which the Cardinals dealt top prospects.
- According to Nick Piecoro at the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks are currently in a "holding pattern" with no. 16 overall pick Bobby Borchering.
- Geoff Baker at the Seattle Times wonders if the Mariners' brutal 9-0 loss last night will mark the team's transition into selling mode.
- Paul Hoynes at the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that the Indians will have a look at recently departed reliever Rafael Betancourt when he hits the free agent market.
- Hoynes also outlines the Indians' payroll obligations for next season, and wonders if low attendance and revenues will force them to trim the team's "luxury items."
- Toni Ginnetti at the Chicago Sun-Times talked to Cubs GM Jim Hendry, who expects some upgrades will come after the non-waiver deadline.
- Jamey Newberg takes a look at the concept of trading prospects through the lens of the Rangers.
- Tom Haudricourt at the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel chatted with Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, who will take an "aggressive but smart" approach at the deadline.
- Jeff Zrebiec at the Baltimore Sun says director of scouting Joe Jordan is "irked" by the fact that only 20 of the Orioles' 50 picks have signed with the team.
- Rumors are swirling that Luis Gonzalez might be heading back to the Diamondbacks as a team official, says Jesse Sanchez at MLB.com.
Rosenthal’s & Morosi’s Latest: Halladay, Cabrera, Glaus
Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com say that the Phillies and Blue Jays are getting closer on a potential Roy Halladay deal, but nothing is imminent. The Rangers and Dodgers have both expressed interest in Halladay, but did not talk with Toronto on Friday. The Angels have reportedly improved their offer for the former Cy Young Award winner, but it's unlikely they'll match Philadelphia's package. The Yankees have also expressed interest, but Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi has yet to engage them in discussions.
In a separate column, Rosenthal and Morosi fork over a slew of rumory goodness…
- Don't be surprised if the Red Sox "show renewed interest" in shortstop Orlando Cabrera before the deadline. O-Cab was hitting .365-.377-.500 in his last 30 games coming into tonight.
- The addition of Matt Holliday ensures that the Cardinals will look to move Troy Glaus. The Giants, Braves, Rangers and Tigers are expected to show interest in the former AL homerun champ.
- One GM had this to say about the Holliday deal "In light of the current climate, good return on a 70-game guy. All based on what (Wallace) turns out to be. We are not high on the other two guys."
- Meanwhile, a scout offered this about Brett Wallace: "He can hit but he throws like a girl. They acquired a DH — I think he might be Jack Cust Jr. with fewer Ks. (Outfielder Shane) Peterson is the hidden gem!"
- The Jays are pushing Scott Rolen and Kevin Millar in trade talks, while a number of their bullpen arms are drawing interest.
- The Marlins expressed interest in Holliday at one point, but wanted the A's to pick up most of the money owed to him this year. The Reds also inquired.
- A bid to get Holliday ended for the Tigers when the A's asked for prospects Casey Crosby and Scott Sizemore.
- Anaheim is indeed interested in Scott Kazmir, spurred on by input from pitching coach Mike Butcher, who once held the same position with Tampa.
- The Cubs don't appear to be in any serious talks to acquire another catcher.
- One scout familiar with the Reds said they "are listening on about everyone."
- The Rangers have interest in lefty relievers George Sherrill and Scott Downs.
- Sherrill is also on the White Sox's radar.
- Oakland is reluctant to move reliever Michael Wuertz, but there is so much interest in him that the team might get the return it desires.
- A number of clubs are expected to watch Justin Duchscherer on his rehab assignment as he comes back from elbow surgery.
- The article closes with an amusing text message exchange between Skip Schumaker and Mark DeRosa.
Edes On Holliday, Willingham, Sherrill
Yahoo's Gordon Edes hears the Cardinals aren't the only team interested in Matt Holliday. Here are the details:
- The White Sox have some interest in Holliday, according to Edes' colleague, Tim Brown.
- The Tigers have considered Holliday, but probably won't meet Billy Beane's asking price.
- The Phillies have interest in Josh Willingham.
- The Giants may be the favorites to acquire Nick Johnson, now that the Red Sox have Adam LaRoche.
- George Sherrill has many suitors, including the Brewers and White Sox.
- The Cubs and Red Sox would like to add left-handed relievers.
Cubs Still Monitoring Options
Dave van Dyck at the Chicago Tribune talked to Cubs GM Jim Hendry, who says that while anything can happen, the Cubs are looking more to "tinker" rather than make a big splash at the deadline. Van Dyck reminds that the Cubs just don't have the pieces to make a major trade, and Hendry sees team health as the major issue at hand.
Such tinkering, Van Dyck speculates, could involve the acquisition of a veteran backup catcher, left-handed reliever or vet outfielder along the lines of Jim Edmonds. He mentions there is room to add salary, but that it is "limited," which would discount someone like Jake Peavy. The Cubs have been in the mix for George Sherrill and Joe Beimel on the relief front, and Lou Piniella has said he desires "a couple hitters" before the deadline.
Cubs Can Add Pieces At Deadline
They're not involved in the chase for Roy Halladay, but the Cubs could still add players before next week's trade deadline, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. The Cubs apparently have enough payroll flexibility to add a "mid-level" player and Wittenmyer suggests the team could pursue relievers such as George Sherrill and Chad Qualls. GM Jim Hendry said the Cubs can make moves "if something comes up," but didn't discuss specific needs.
Milton Bradley’s 2011 Option Vests
Cubs right fielder Milton Bradley made a pinch-hit plate appearance in the 11th inning against the Phillies tonight, marking his 75th game played in 2009. The significance? The games played milestone caused his 2011 option, worth $12MM, to vest.
Bradley's Cubs career has been a disappointment so far. His .372 OBP is fine, but he's slugging only .369 and showing nothing as a left-handed hitter. He's also been a negative on defense, based on UZR/150 (though we're only working with 527 innings).
Odds and Ends: Cubs, Meredith, Fuentes, Dunn, Pavano
A few links on a busy Tuesday night around the league:
- Lou Piniella still wants a left-handed power bat, according to Carrie Muskat of MLB.com.
- The Orioles officially added Cla Meredith to their active roster today, optioning reliever Kam Mickolio to Triple-A Norfolk.
- On Twitter, ESPN The Magazine's Jorge Arangure reports that the Giants have signed Colombian outfielder Leonardo Fuentes for a bonus of around $280k. Arangure also reports that the Padres made a late bid for the outfielder.
- According to Matthew Leach of MLB.com, Tony LaRussa downplayed rumors that the Cards are pursuing Adam Dunn.
- And R.J. Anderson at Fangraphs argues that Carl Pavano could be a trade deadline bargain.
Odds And Ends: Marlins, Lopez, Sherrill
On this date in 1975, Mets third baseman Joe Torre grounded into four double plays. Here are some links to read through…
- Today's chat takes place in half an hour at 2pm CST.
- Justin Duchscherer will begin rehabbing soon and ESPN.com's Buster Olney says he could be a solid alternative to Roy Halladay, if healthy. Olney speculates that Duchscherer, who makes $3.9MM this year, would fit well on the Brewers.
- The Mets released Emil Brown from their Triple A affiliate today, according to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post.
- Many Marlins players told Tom D'Angelo of the Palm Beach Post that they're trying to ignore trade chatter and win ballgames.
- Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic says the D'Backs didn't want to offer Felipe Lopez arbiration in the offseason because he might have accepted. He would have been in line for a $5-6MM salary so the Brewers chose two mediocre prospects instead of offering Lopez arbitration.
- ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick says the Cubs could have a big second half, even though they're "muddling along" now.
- George Sherrill told Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun that he wants to be in Baltimore in spite of the rumors swirling about.
Multiple Teams Interested In Sherrill
The Marlins, Dodgers, Brewers, Angels and Cubs all have some interest in Orioles closer George Sherrill, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The Orioles would listen to offers, but one rival GM says they're "playing the 'don't-have-to-move-him-so-make-us' card." However, others are confident the O's will move him.
Odds & Ends: Glaus, Pirates, Schmidt, Cubs, Reds
A few links for your Saturday evening reading…
- MLB.com's B.J. Rains says that Troy Glaus is going to work out in the outfield as he rehabs from offseason shoulder surgery. The Cardinals haven't committed to using him in the outfield when he returns, they're just giving it a try to see what happens. Glaus played five innings in left field tonight before moving to first base. The Cards have been looking to add a bat seemingly all year.
- John Perrotto of Pirates Report.com says that it's unlikely Jack Wilson and Freddy Sanchez sign extensions. This morning we learned that the Bucs lowballed both players with their offers.
- Jason Schmidt will return to the Dodgers' rotation on Monday, reports MLB.com's Ken Gurnick. It'll be just his seventh start for the Dodgers since signing his three year, $47MM deal in Decemeber 2006, and his first since June 16th of 2007.
- The Cubs have signed second round pick D.J. LeMahieu, according to Carrie Muskat of MLB.com. LeMahieu was the 79th overall pick in last month's draft, which has an expected slot recommendation of around $460k.
- Bronson Arroyo wants to see the Reds kept together at the trade deadline rather than having the veterans sold off, says MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.