Burnett Wouldn’t Mind Playing For Cubs
SUNDAY, 9:09pm: Burnett clarified his comments, explaining that his focus and loyalty still lies with the Jays. Burnett also pointed out that it’s no lock that he’ll opt out of his contract at year’s end.
SUNDAY, 10:30am: Wittenmyer continues working the Burnett angle today, getting quotes from the player indicating that he’d welcome a trade to the Cubs. The Jays are six games out of the wild card, though, so they’ll probably want to hang on to Burnett for now.
SATURDAY: Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times writes that the Cubs might want to take a second look at A.J. Burnett as the Jays are expected to shop him all throughout the next several weeks until the trade deadline.
Last night’s Cubs-Jays game served as a bittersweet "scouting foray" as Burnett pitched five effective innings, striking out seven. Pitching for the Cubs was Sean Gallagher, who according to Wittenmeyer, wasn’t on anyone’s radar to be the club’s fifth starter in June.
After Rich Hill‘s struggles and demotion, the first-place Cubs are increasingly being mentioned in trade speculation.
Burnett is slated to make $12MM in ’09 and ’10; and can opt out of his contract at the end of the season.
By Alejandro A. Leal and Tim Dierkes
Sherman’s Latest: Sabathia, Fielder, Marte
The New York Post’s Joel Sherman has a host of rumors in his new column.
- Sherman believes the Indians are leaning toward trading C.C. Sabathia. He names the usual suspects (Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs) but also throws the Brewers into the mix based on the opinion of an "AL talent evaluator."
- Speaking of the Brewers, Sherman believes Prince Fielder will be available "almost definitely in the offseason" and perhaps even this summer. Doug Melvin says he’s not exploring it but never rules out anything. The presence of Mat Gamel and Matt LaPorta plus Fielder’s unwillingness to sign long-term could lead to a deal. Fielder figures to jump up to at least $7-8MM upon reaching arbitration for the first time.
- The Yankees have Damaso Marte atop their list, but the Pirates want something better than two draft picks in return. He’s looking like a Type A free agent.
- Walt Jocketty wants to "clean house." The usual players are named, but Sherman also mentions Bronson Arroyo as a possibility.
Rockies May Find Podsednik, Taveras Expendable
On Tuesday, Rockies manager Clint Hurdle hinted that Ryan Spilborghs would begin to receive more playing time in center field. As a result, Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post says the futures of Scott Podsednik and Willy Taveras are in question.
It might make sense to keep Podsednik around as the resident speedy extra outfielder. However Pods is hitting just .222/.311/.311 in 103 plate appearances despite a solid April. Renck says the Cubs might have renewed interest if Jim Edmonds doesn’t work out. He says the Cubs have a "working list of potential available left-handed bats" as a contingency plan. One other Cubs-Rockies note – Ken Rosenthal says that despite his initial report, the Cubs do not have interest in Brian Fuentes.
Taveras, 26, is at .233/.288/.272 in 224 PAs. That’s quite a downturn from last year. He earns nearly $2MM this year and has two more seasons of arbitration-eligibility. He’s a trade candidate, though it’d be hard to sell much lower.
Cubs Sign Broussard
A reader writes in with news of a minor transaction heard on ESPN 1000 radio. Reportedly, the Cubs have signed first baseman Ben Broussard to a minor league deal.
Broussard did play ten games in left last year, so it’s conceivable the Cubs could try him out there down the road before Alfonso Soriano returns.
Meche Available?
WEDNESDAY: Jon Heyman of SI.com says Meche is "expected to be shopped by the Royals at the trade deadline," tossing out the Cubs as a possibility. Who knows. On a related topic, Buster Olney says "some folks within the industry" believe the Cubs would be C.C. Sabathia‘s most aggressive suitor if he becomes available.
TUESDAY: Yesterday, ESPN’s Peter Gammons said the Cubs are "sifting through names that could be available," mentioning starters A.J. Burnett, Gil Meche, Randy Wolf, Paul Byrd, Joe Blanton, Erik Bedard, and Aaron Cook. Gammons notes that the Cubs tried to sign Meche in the winter of ’06 (as did the Jays).
The Kansas City Star’s Bob Dutton spoke to Meche as well as a club official. It doesn’t seem that the Royals will shop Meche, and he wouldn’t necessarily waive his no-trade clause for Chicago anyway. Dutton’s club source indicated that Meche is expected to be a big part of the next winning Royals team. Meche earns $11MM this year, $11MM in ’09, $12MM in ’10, and $12MM in ’11.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Kemp, Bradley, Fuentes, Street
New Rosenthal. Seems like he just put a column out a few days ago.
- Rosenthal believes the Dodgers would consider trading a young player (especially Matt Kemp) for a slugger. He discusses what it would take to get Jason Bay, Magglio Ordonez, Adam Dunn, or Matt Holliday. This all seems like a bad idea for the Dodgers.
- There are certainly arguments for the Rangers to keep or even extend Milton Bradley. But Rosenthal thinks he could net "multiple high-end prospects" if Jon Daniels goes the trade route. He says the Rangers could shop some of their veterans while also trying to acquire a controllable reliever.
- Rosenthal’s best guess is that the Pirates will trade Xavier Nady or Jason Bay but not both. He says Neal Huntington is not under pressure to clear salary.
- The Cubs are interested in Brian Fuentes, which is a new one. Rosenthal adds that Jim Hendry plans to pursue the best available starter.
- The Brewers have many quality minor league trade chips, and they may be looking for a starter.
- Minimal trade interest in Huston Street, and the A’s have backed off the extension idea.
- The Yankees are "aggressively" trying to move LaTroy Hawkins.
- The Dodgers wanted to do an Esteban Loaiza–Juan Uribe swap, but the Sox just waited them out and signed Loaiza.
- Rosenthal says the Phillies "lack the prospect inventory" to get an impact starting pitcher, which I don’t agree with. He says they may look for another lefty reliever or bench bat.
Brewers Not Interested In Brian Roberts
According to Ken Rosenthal today:
Here’s a deal that makes sense: Brian Roberts for Rickie Weeks. The Brewers, who recently had two scouts watching the Orioles, are interested in Roberts, but it remains to be seen whether they are ready to give up on Weeks.
Brewers GM Doug Melvin denies the report, stating that his scouts "were watching the Orioles as part of their normal assignments." The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel’s Tom Haudricourt has mentioned before that Melvin has always been frank and honest with him, and this is no exception. Melvin even revealed that the Orioles tried to get the Brewers involved during the spring as competition for the Cubs.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Roberts, Bonds, Dunn
Ken Rosenthal has a new column; let’s discuss.
- Rosenthal notes that many contenders will need relief help come July. We’ve got a list of available relievers here.
- The Brewers are interested in second baseman Brian Roberts. Rosenthal suggests they offer Rickie Weeks for Roberts and another player. Rosenthal notes that the various rumored springtime Cubs offers are now off the table.
- Barry Bonds is not a consideration for Boston even if David Ortiz‘s injury becomes long-term. Rosenthal believes Adam Dunn could be on the radar under that scenario.
Odds And Ends: Weaver, Mulder, Pena, Giambi
Here are a few random notes from the MLBiverse…
- Paul Hagen is reporting that the Mets are interested in acquiring a first baseman and/or a corner outfielder. Hagen says that Omar Minaya is rumored to be interested in Kevin Millar, Jason Bay and Xavier Nady. Hagen must share a source with Dan Graziano, who mentions the same trio. Might Aaron Heilman be used as bait?
- According to the minor league deal that Jeff Weaver signed with the Brewers, if he was not called up by this Sunday he could ask for his release. The Brewers and Weaver’s agent, Scott Boras, have agreed to extend that deadline to June 15.
- Mark Mulder, who has made three starts since 2006, announced that he would retire if a third surgery became necessary on his ailing shoulder.
- The Royals snagged catcher Brayan Pena off waivers from the Braves.
- Rany Jazayerli proposes a Cubs-Royals trade.
- Joel Sherman wonders if the Yankees could buy out Jason Giambi for $5MM and then re-sign him.
Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here. Tim Dierkes also contributed to this post.
Left-Handed Power Options For Cubs
Lou Piniella seemingly wouldn’t mind a left-handed power hitter on his team, even if he’s not complaining about it. It’s fair to assume the Cubs are locked in at first base, third base, and left field. That makes the left-handed power pursuit much more challenging.
We can probably rule out Adam Dunn, Raul Ibanez, Chad Tracy, Barry Bonds, Aubrey Huff, and Hank Blalock. Kosuke Fukudome could be shifted to center field, but none of these guys could handle right regularly.
I came up with three possibly available players who can play right field, somewhat. I’m thinking of Eric Hinske, Milton Bradley, and Ken Griffey Jr. Putting Bradley in right field with no DH option seems dangerous, and recent chatter says Junior’s staying put. Hinske, who is hitting .257/.340/.542 in 162 plate appearances, seems the best target. Keep in mind that this is just one guy’s opinion, not a trade rumor.