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Unfounded Rumors

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Would you think less of me if I busted out the old Unfounded Rumors category?  I know the #1 request at MLBTR is More Rumors.  So why not toss a few unfounded ones out there?  These are 100% unconfirmed, shaky rumors that have crossed my inbox.  Believe them at your own risk. 

But since 99% of deadline rumors don’t happen anyway, why not put ’em out there for discussion?

Latest On Jermaine Dye

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Jermaine Dye stands to be one of the bigger names dealt within the next seven days.  He’s been hitting well since the All-Star break, but it’s only been 48 ABs.  Here’s the latest on the 33 year-old right fielder.

  • Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times names the Mets, Padres, Dodgers, and Mariners as the top suitors for Dye.  In case you were wondering, Dye has not played more than one game in left field in a seasons since 1996.  A position switch could be necessary, depending on where he ends up.
  • Bill Madden of the New York Daily News thinks Dye could be had in August.  I don’t agree – Dye has only $2.6MM left on his contract this year and Kenny Williams would be better served trading him in July.  Plan B would be to just let him leave via free agency and take some good draft picks.
  • MetsBlog’s Matthew Cerrone believes that Dye would cost a leadoff hitting center fielder or a zero-to-three reliever.  The Mets might be able to offer up the CF, but is Dye worth it?
  • Plenty of speculation around Chicago that the Cubs could pursue Dye.  However, I haven’t seen any reason to think this is more than just speculation.  He does seem like a fine fit on the North Side.  Paul Sullivan believes Cliff Floyd’s fragility may force the Cubs to acquire an outfielder.  Will Carroll thinks the Cubs are the best fit for Dye as they can offer the White Sox a prospect and a reliever.
  • Something that could heighten the Cubs’ interest: the Brewers are said to be kicking the tires on Dye.
  • I don’t see why the Mariners would pursue Dye; there is good reason to believe top prospect Adam Jones would outproduce him.

Latest From Baseball Prospectus: Jacque, Snell

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Will Carroll and John Perrotto have teamed up at BP to join the rumor mill, and yesterday’s post is free to nonsubscribers.  Some highlights:

  • Carroll reports that the Cubs could swap Jacque Jones and a prospect for Jeff Conine.  Perhaps such a move would be in tandem with Adam Dunn leaving Cincinnati.  The Cubs might want to hold on to Jones though; he’s playing well lately.
  • Carroll heard a far out Alex Rodriguez to the Dodgers rumor, but doesn’t buy it.  Neither do I – the Yankees don’t seem to be selling.  Carroll says Brian Cashman and Co. will wait until the last second to make a buyer/seller decision.  There’s a slight chance Jorge Posada becomes available if they choose the latter.
  • Perrotto confirms a rumor that surfaced a week ago, that Ian Snell could be had for the right bat.  Perrotto would know, as he spent time as a Pirates’ beat writer.  Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Matt Kemp are two possible targets for the Bucs.
  • The Tigers may be looking for relievers, and some possible names on the radar include Chad Qualls, Dan Wheeler, Brad Lidge, Salomon Torres, Damaso Marte, Shawn Chacon, and Chad Cordero.  That’s most of the market right there, though Lidge seems likely to stay put.  And don’t forget that the Tigers have internal reinforcements on the way.

Pirates Acquire Cesar Izturis

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The Cubs have traded shortstop Cesar Izturis and cash to the Pirates for a player to be named later.  I suppose the move is meant to push Jack Wilson, but I don’t really see the point as they’re similar players. 

Addition by subtraction for the Cubs, who might want to call up Ronny Cedeno soon.  Instead they brought up Jake Fox, who was moved off the catcher position earlier this year.  He’s hitting .284/.327/.504 in 91 games at Double A.  Fox has been playing first base and outfield for the Smokies lately, so he can help fill in for Derrek Lee.  Fox could become a Ryan Doumit type one day, catching on occasion.  He was college guy, and has been old for his levels.  This could possibly be a trade showcase, though Fox doesn’t have a ton of value.

A fellow had emailed me about the Bucs’ interest in Izturis a few days ago, but I couldn’t confirm it and didn’t print it.  The reason I mention it is that he also said the Cubs have interest in Xavier Nady.

Graziano On Greinke, Pettitte

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Good stuff today from Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger.  Here’s my summary:

  • Beyond the Cubs, Graziano lists the Braves, Dodgers, and Diamondbacks as teams interested in pitcher Zack Greinke.  If the initial asking price for Octavio Dotel was as high as reported, I can’t imagine what Dayton Moore would want for Greinke.
  • Graziano’s Dotel suitors: Cubs, Dodgers, and Brewers.  The Red Sox, Rockies, and Indians have been mentioned by other sources.  Quite a market for this guy.
  • David Weathers is seen as the poor man’s Dotel/Gagne.  Let’s see if Wayne Krivsky can get something useful for him.  Stormy makes another $2.75MM in ’08 before his contract is up.
  • The Mets are mostly focused on a power relief arm, as Roy Oswalt and Dontrelle Willis are said to be unavailable.  I have no idea why Willis keeps getting lumped in with Oswalt; they are nowhere near equal.  Graziano says the Mets still like Javier Vazquez but the White Sox keep trying to pawn off Jose Contreras instead.
  • The Braves are trying to deal for southpaw reliever C.J. Wilson of the Rangers.  The 26 year-old has an undeserved 2.81 ERA right now.  His control has been worse this year, so he’d have to remain unhittable to be effective.
  • The Mariners inquired on Andy Pettitte, but the Yankees aren’t giving up yet.

Cubs Interested In Zack Greinke

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Whether he tops out at 96 or 100 mph, there’s no doubt 23 year-old Zack Greinke is an intriguing pitcher.  His name helps us remember or mnemonic devices from elementary school.  The man even has his own website.

Bob Dutton mentioned Greinke as a trade possibility a few days ago, and now Jeff Vorva of the Daily Southtown reports that the Cubs are interested.  Vorva is quoting "broadcast reports" for this rumor; I will try to find more detail.  UPDATE: The rumor is from 670 The Score out of Chicago.

Greinke would be a fine addition for the Cubs whether used as a starter or reliever.  I don’t believe he becomes a free agent until after 2010, though you’d have to check my math.  However, Greinke is a very valuable property for Kansas City and the Cubs would have to give up something good.  Maybe Dayton Moore could add some middle infield depth with Ronny Cedeno or Eric Patterson.  Would that be enough for Greinke?

Zambrano Expects To Stay With Cubs

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Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune has some quotes up today from Carlos Zambrano, and they strongly indicate he’ll sign a contract extension to stay with the Cubs once the season ends.  Specifically, he said there’s a "90% chance" he re-signs.  Negotiations may not have re-opened, but Z is certainly positive about the situation.  The Cubs are likely to pay extra for waiting.

Signing Zambrano might put the Cubs in a position to enter 2008 with the exact same rotation they have now – Zambrano, Rich Hill, Ted Lilly, Jason Marquis, and Sean Marshall.  That group will almost certainly regress from where it is now, but it still looks like a better than average staff to me.

Time to put on my fan cap and speculate about some moves I’d like to see for 2008 (if you hate this sort of thing, just stop reading.  No complaints about too much Cubs stuff.) 

  • For the catching situation, I’d just turn it over to Geovany Soto and Henry Blanco.  They should be acceptable.
  • I’d like to see a third of the Iowa Cubs promoted for ’08.  Bring up the DP combination of Eric Patterson and Ronny Cedeno, and give Felix Pie a legitimate full-time shot at CF.  These kids are all hitting well at Triple A.  Can you imagine a Cubs lineup with four of eight position players homegrown?
  • No more patchwork stuff in right field.  Go out and spend some money on the best right fielder available – Kosuke Fukudome.  It would be fun to see the Cubs garner Japanese attention.  Even at $14-15MM a year, I’d throw it down.  This will compensate if a few of the kids falter.
  • I don’t have a great solution for Matt Murton.  Trade him for a respectable reliever if possible, or just use him as the fourth outfielder.  Projecting him as more than that may have been wishcasting anyway.  Similar situation with Mike Fontenot.
  • Mark DeRosa and Ryan Theriot are solid guys but they’re on my bench. 
  • Nontender Scott Eyre and Jacque Jones, eat the salaries and be done with it.
  • Keep Ryan Dempster in the pen but use Carlos Marmol as the closer.  Mix and match with kids and vets, same as this year.  Don’t spend big bucks on free agent relievers.  Dempster could slide into the fifth starter role if the pen is a strength and Marquis bombs.
  • Another $3.6MM on Mark Prior on the chance he can outpitch Marquis?  Sure.  Wouldn’t be opposed to bringing in a Freddy Garcia/Jon Lieber/Kenny Rogers if the price is right. You can never have too much pitching.

Cubs Acquire Jason Kendall

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The Cubs made a deal tonight, sending catcher Rob Bowen and pitcher Jerry Blevins to the Athletics for Jason Kendall and cash. (ESPN keeps saying it was Sean Marshall going to Oakland, which is silly and not true).

Kendall had a respectable .758 OPS in June, but his bat has been anemic otherwise.  But as signified by the questionable Michael Barrett trade, the Cubs are looking for defense at catcher. (Incidentally, Jim Hendry acquired Barrett from Beane in December of ’03 for Damian Miller).  Kendall can certainly handle the pitching staff.  And it wouldn’t be shocking to see him hit a little bit back in the NL; he rarely strikes out and knows how to draw a walk. 

The Cubs didn’t give up much here.  Bowen is a backup at best.  Blevins, a southpaw reliever, will turn 24 in September.  He’s been dominant in 53 innings between High A and Double A, but he’s not anyone’s idea of a top prospect.  I like the move for the Cubs.  As for Oakland, it gives them a chance to try Kurt Suzuki full-time for a few months as an audition for 2008.

Slick-Fielding Shortstops Available

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If you’re looking for an all-glove type shortstop this summer, you have plenty of options.

  • The Giants could move Omar Vizquel, but only if they feel that he can’t help them in ’08.  According to Tim Brown, he loves the city and would stay if they made an offer.  The Giants talked extension with him in March but his offensive performance this year may have changed their mind.  He has $1.8MM in salary left.
  • With Ryan Theriot performing OK this year and Ronny Cedeno tearing up Triple A, the Cubs may deem Cesar Izturis expendable.  Giving Cedeno the starting shortstop job to begin last year was questionable, but it might make some sense now.  Izturis makes another $1.8MM this year, plus probably another $300K to buy out his ’08 option.
  • Juan Uribe may no longer deserve the slick-fielding tag, but he’s been an awful hitter so I have to call him something.  Even his customary low OBP/decent SLG is slipping.  His salary situation is pretty much the same as crosstown counterpart Izturis.
  • Jack Wilson makes another $2.3MM this year, $6.5MM in ’08, $7.25MM in ’09, and a $600K buyout for ’10.  He has a limited no-trade clause allowing him to block trades to six clubs each year.  About a month ago, Tim Brown spoke to a baseball source who thought he’d draw interest.  Wilson is back to playing every day currently.

What team would want any of these guys?  The Red Sox would probably be the only contender in need of a shortstop, and they’re probably stuck with Julio Lugo.

All Eyes On Contreras

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Buster Olney says that Jose Contreras may be the best available starting pitcher at the moment, which speaks to how weak the market is.  Olney lists the Cubs, Braves, Marlins, Indians, and Phillies as teams on hand to watch his six inning, five run performance Sunday night in Baltimore.

To call Contreras the best available indicates that Javier Vazquez is off the market.  Contreras’s challengers still include Matt Morris, Dontrelle Willis, and Jason Jennings.  If the Pirates were to inexplicably consider trading Ian Snell, he’d easily jump to the forefront.  That he’s even available is a dubious rumor at this point.

As for Contreras, his junk might work over in the NL.  Maybe that’s why four of the five teams watching his start reside in that league.  Olney’s scout said he was working at 87-91, though he did touch 94 last night.

Contreras makes another $4MM this year, $10MM in ’08, and another $10MM in ’09.  That shouldn’t scare off too many clubs.  Maybe the Marlins.  With a 2-4% chance at making the playoffs this year the Marlins would be acquiring Contreras more for 2008-09.

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