Odds And Ends: White Sox, Bonds, Mariners, Orioles, Rangers
A few more minor notes from around the MLBiverse…
- Ken Williams says "the climate is awful" in regards to the trade market.
- Despite reports that the Yankees were discussing the possibility of signing Barry Bonds, Brian Cashman hints that Bonds is not in the plans for the Bombers.
- Several scouts feel that the Mariners’ interim GM is in a very tough situation. The scouts think that Seattle may be better suited to wait until the offseason to make deals, but Lee Pelekoudas may not be the GM after the season, forcing him to make an impression now.
- Andy MacPhail says he is spending a lot of time on the phone with other teams, but he said the Orioles are not close to making any deals.
- Ron Washington would like to see the Rangers trade for a leadoff hitter, lefty relievers and starting pitching, but knows that a potential deal is unlikely. GM Jon Daniels said that the Rangers won’t be sellers, but they are also not interested in moving their top prospects for rental players.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Jarrod Washburn Rumors
3:09pm: Jayson Stark says the Yankees view Washburn as a salary dump, and won’t include even low-level prospects unless the Mariners eat money or take Igawa.
1:27pm: Peter Abraham says the Yankees are trying a new way to get Washburn. Neither Abraham nor Geoff Baker believes Washburn’s no-trade clause will be an issue or something the Yankees would compensate for.
9:59am: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says Seattle’s request of Cabrera and Gardner for Washburn is "a non-starter for the Yankees."
FRIDAY, 9:21am: Joel Sherman says Igawa is not part of the Washburn discussions.
THURSDAY, 5:36pm: According to Ed Price of the Newark Star-Ledger, talks have progressed on a possible Washburn-Yankees trade. Price says the Ms aren’t sold on Kei Igawa, but the Yankees are willing to discuss Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner.
4:56pm: This is a bit out of order, since Abraham’s info below actually came out after this Seattle PI column from John Hickey.
Hickey says the Yankees, Cardinals, White Sox, and possibly Brewers have talked to the Mariners about Washburn. The pitcher’s no-trade clause allows him to block a deal to the Yankees but not the Cards or Sox. He seems willing to waive the clause, anyway.
11:12am: According to Peter Abraham:
One trade the Yankees could make now if they wanted would be Kei Igawa and a B-level prospect to Seattle for LHP Jarrod Washburn and DH/1B Jose Vidro. The Yankees would take on $16 million (plus a $500,000 buyout for Vidro) while shedding the $9.4 million owed to Igawa.
So for roughly $7.1 million, you get Washburn for this year and next and Vidro for this season. Washburn would likely want something to waive his no-trade clause, which includes the Yankees.
I agree with Abraham – that seems pretty reasonable. As he says, you can just DFA Vidro. Washburn alone is worth it, as long as the prospect isn’t anyone special and he doesn’t demand a ton for the no-trade compensation.
Heyman’s Latest: Dodgers, Braves, Fuentes, Downs
Today we have a new column from SI.com’s Jon Heyman.
- Heyman writes of turmoil within the Dodgers’ front office. Owner Frank McCourt is meddling, and assistant GM Logan White has "unusual say-so." Shortstop targets for the Dodgers include Jack Wilson, Orlando Cabrera, and Edgar Renteria. However, it is unclear which young Dodgers are available.
- Braves decision-makers remain split on whether to buy or sell, with manager Bobby Cox leading the buy side.
- Asking prices for relievers remain high, though Heyman seems to think Brian Fuentes wouldn’t cost the Mets much more than Aaron Heilman.
- Heyman relays a report from Joe DeMayo of NY Baseball Digest: the Mets may have interest in Toronto’s Scott Downs.
Knobler’s Latest: Pirates, Brewers, Beltre, Cabrera
Here’s the latest from CBSSports.com’s Danny Knobler.
- A rumor made the rounds that Pirates president Frank Coonelly and GM Neal Huntington were at odds over the team’s strategy, with Coonelly pushing .500 as a goal. Huntington denied that, and has five coveted players to work with in the next week. Keep in mind that only Damaso Marte is a free agent after the season, so moves can be made in the offseason.
- Teams with available relievers believes the Brewers are still in the market, despite Doug Melvin’s claims. Many teams are scouting the Brewers’ Double A club.
- Adrian Beltre‘s contract wouldn’t be a problem for the Twins, but the teams haven’t found a match on players.
- Knobler heard that the Marlins might consider Baltimore catcher Ramon Hernandez.
- The rumor about Kevin Towers becoming a candidate for the Seattle GM vacancy won’t die.
- Some folks expect the White Sox to move shortstop Orlando Cabrera before the deadline. They’re still looking for pitching.
Uribe-Cora Trade Not Happening
8:48pm: Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says the Red Sox backed away from a potential Uribe deal, opting to stick with Cora as Jed Lowrie‘s backup.
4:31pm: Ken Rosenthal has further details on Danny Knobler’s report of Boston’s trade talks for Juan Uribe.
Rosenthal says a Juan Uribe–Alex Cora swap between the Red and White Sox could happen, with the teams splitting the salary difference. Then he lays this idea on us:
One scenario would be for the White Sox to use Cora at least part-time at second, move rookie Alexei Ramirez to short and trade shortstop Orlando Cabrera, possibly to the Dodgers for right-hander Derek Lowe.
Hard to say if this scenario has actually been discussed between Kenny Williams and Ned Colletti. But Rosenthal says the Dodgers are aggressively shopping Lowe, which I didn’t see coming.
Carroll’s Latest: Duchscherer, Burnett, Ibanez, Cabrera
Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus has some rumors to consider this afternoon.
- The Tigers are 5.5 games out, but are still on the fence about buying or selling.
- Carroll says there’s "much more substance to rumors of the White Sox going after Justin Duchscherer" as compared to the one about the A’s pursuing Jason Bay.
- The Phillies could jump back in on A.J. Burnett if the price comes down. Also – could Burnett clear waivers in August?
- The Rockies’ demands for Brian Fuentes might be holding up the relief market.
- Regarding Raul Ibanez, the Mariners either want to tack Jose Vidro on in a deal or get back premium prospects.
- The White Sox have become aggressive, and apparently had failed talks about Orlando Cabrera with the Red Sox. Josh Fields is not considered untouchable.
Odds and Ends: Alvarez, Kotsay, Street
Time to round up today’s links.
- Hank Steinbrenner admits Barry Bonds‘ name will be mentioned at today’s meeting of Yankees execs.
- Mark Cuban is a finalist to buy the Cubs.
- Pirates president Frank Coonelly expressed frustration with the Pedro Alvarez negotiations, in the first public comments on those talks.
- Dejan Kovacevic’s source says the Pirates aren’t requiring two prospects for Xavier Nady or Damaso Marte. One elite prospect would work.
- Mark Kotsay wonders if he’ll be traded this year. As with Mark Teixeira, it’ll depend heavily on the next week.
- Richard Justice takes Drayton McLane to task.
- DRays Bay relays a Peter Gammons report that the A’s are shopping Huston Street to the Red Sox, Rays, and White Sox.
- David Weathers doesn’t remember which teams are on his limited no-trade clause.
- Tom Henke’s Army is back, with reinforcements.
- Sam Mellinger thinks the Royals should sign Rafael Furcal this winter. I concur.
- Joe Posnanski believes that the Royals should try Tony Pena Jr. as a pticher, all kidding aside. He bemoans the lack of "outside the box" thinking in baseball.
Red Sox In Trade Talks For Juan Uribe
According to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com, the Red Sox are "deep in conversations" for White Sox infielder Juan Uribe. Knobler says the return is unclear but the White Sox want to shed Uribe’s salary. Uribe has about $1.7MM left on his contract this year.
Uribe’s White Sox career has been on life support several times this year, but he’s managed to stick around. With Joe Crede‘s back ailing, Uribe is currently filling in at third base.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Laird, Washburn, Nady, Bay
Ken Rosenthal has more new material. I’ve updated the post, as Rosenthal updated his.
- The Yankees are looking for catching – Rosenthal and Jon Heyman do not agree with Peter Abraham. Rosenthal says the Yanks have expressed interest in Gerald Laird and Miguel Olivo. The Rangers want young pitching for Laird, however.
- Jarrod Washburn‘s limited no-trade protection includes the Yankees. He might want compensation to waive that, putting him out of the Yanks’ price range. Washburn, a Boras client, wouldn’t mind pitching in New York though. The Mariners are looking for young pitching for him. It sounds like the Yankees aren’t willing to eat the entire contract and send good prospects.
- The Yankees may explore other trades, and are said to have interest in A.J. Burnett and Bronson Arroyo.
- The Nationals were apparently locked in on a second baseman for Jon Rauch, perhaps explaining why they traded him for just Emilio Bonifacio. The jury is still out on the speedy young infielder.
- The White Sox explored a scenario where they would’ve acquired Brian Roberts from Baltimore, traded Orlando Cabrera to the Dodgers, and moved Alexei Ramirez to shortstop. That obviously didn’t work out. The Sox may be currently trying to decide whether to part with third baseman Josh Fields, their best trade chip and third baseman of the future.
- Suitors for Xavier Nady, such as the Rays, Yankees, and Phillies, are balking at Pittsburgh’s asking price. The Bucs continue to insist they’re being reasonable.
- Interestingly, the A’s are still talking to the Pirates about Jason Bay. Rosenthal says a trade seems unlikely.
- The Cardinals had scouts in Baltimore yesterday, and their interest in George Sherrill is well-known. But they might not match up with the Orioles’ needs.
Odds and Ends: Murphy, Vizquel, Roberts
Today’s collection of links and rumors.
- I’ll be doing the weekly live chat here at 2pm CST. Right after that I’ll be on New Jersey’s Fox Sports Radio 1260AM.
- White Sox GM Kenny Williams talked about difficult it is to find an impact starter on the trade market.
- River Ave. Blues thinks the Yankees should pursue Josh Bard.
- The Athletics designated second baseman Donnie Murphy for assignment. Murphy, 25, showed a hint of promise at Triple A last year.
- The Giants don’t want to embarrass Omar Vizquel by releasing him.
- The Red Sox aren’t likely to make a major bullpen addition.
- A Brian Roberts trade is unlikely.
- David O’Brien on the difficulty in trading Mark Teixeira.