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.
Rockies Interested In Arroyo
According to Pat Rooney of the Rocky Mountain News, the Rockies are interested in starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo. Rooney says the Reds might be willing to pick up some of the $22.5MM owed to Arroyo for 2009-10.
Arroyo spoke out yesterday, saying he’d be disappointed if traded. If Walt Jocketty moves him, it won’t be just a salary dump. The Yankees are said to be another possible suitor.
Arroyo Hopes To Stay
8:25pm: Reds GM Walt Jocketty stressed that he has not been instructed to dump salary. Still, that doesn’t mean an Arroyo or Adam Dunn trade couldn’t help the team.
4:12pm: Reds starter Bronson Arroyo commented today on the trade rumors:
"I’d really be disappointed if they made a trade for me. I feel like honestly if you trade me, you’re going ahead and saying we’re not going to build a winning team here…If you go ahead and trade me out now, you’re cashing in the money for a losing team."
It’s been rumored that the Yankees have scouted Arroyo. Arroyo actually has a career high strikeout rate going, but hits, walks, and home runs are also up. His salary jumps to $9.5MM next year, and he’ll earn $11MM in 2010 with a club option for ’11.
Based on their interest in Arroyo and Jarrod Washburn, it seems that the Yankees are hoping add an innings eater by spending money rather than top prospects.
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.
Reds Interested In Huston Street?
Up until today, the list of known Huston Street suitors included the Mets, White Sox, Dodgers, and Brewers (though the Dodgers and Brewers may be out). The San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser tosses a new club into the mix: the Reds.
It’s an interesting development; the Reds are nine games out of the wild card. Of course, that didn’t stop the Astros from making an acquisition. And unlike Randy Wolf, Street is under team control through 2010. On the other hand, Street could earn more than $5MM next year and the Reds are already paying Francisco Cordero $12MM in ’09.
For discussion’s sake…would a Street-Adam Dunn swap make any sense? We know that the A’s are lingering around on Jason Bay discussions. Dunn isn’t under contract for ’09, but he should be good for two draft picks. Walt Jocketty and Billy Beane matched up once before, on the Mark Mulder–Dan Haren deal.
Heyman’s Latest: Sabathia, Dunn, Blake
Another column from SI.com’s Jon Heyman.
- The Yankees "appear primed to make a big push" for CC Sabathia when he hits free agency. While Sabathia may prefer the West Coast, he reportedly will not be offering a discount to those teams. He’ll want Johan money.
- Heyman speculates that Adam Dunn could be a nice addition for the Yankees, one that might mostly cost just money. I know he hates playing baseball and all but the lack of interest is perplexing. Brian Cashman and Walt Jocketty have matched up a couple of times for trades, including one that sent Sterling Hitchcock to St. Louis in ’03.
- Heyman believes both the Yankees and Mets might consider Cleveland’s Casey Blake.
The Lefty Reliever Market
Let’s take a look at some of the left-handed relievers on the market.
George Sherrill, Orioles
- 31 years old, under team control through 2011.
- Known suitors: Cardinals, Brewers
- Asking price: two or three prospects, possibly a shortstop among them
Brian Fuentes, Rockies
- Almost 33 years old, free agent after season. Type A status likely.
- Known suitors: Marlins, Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Phillies, Cubs, Cardinals, Rays, Angels, Brewers, Tigers
- Asking price: Apparently a young starting pitcher – Jon Niese, Ian Kennedy, and Clay Buchholz have been named
Damaso Marte, Pirates
- 33 years old, $6MM club option for ’09 with a $250K buyout. Type A status likely.
- Known suitors: Red Sox, Tigers, Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Cardinals, Rays
- Asking price: Perhaps a package exceeding the value of two draft picks
Ron Mahay, Royals
- 37 years old, signed for ’09 at $4MM.
- Known suitors: Cardinals, Yankees, Rays
- Asking price: Unknown, but Royals intend to keep him. Rany Jazayerli wonders if trading Mahay now would discourage future free agents from signing with KC.
John Grabow, Pirates
- 29 years old, under team control through ’09. Elbow stiffness last year.
- Known suitors: Tigers, Phillies, Cardinals
- Asking price: Less than that of Marte
Eddie Guardado, Rangers
- 37 years old, free agent after season. Type B status possible.
- Known suitors: Cardinals
- Asking price: Perhaps a starting pitching prospect; Rangers are said to be interested in the Cardinals’ Jess Todd
Alan Embree, Athletics
- 38 years old, $3MM club option for ’09. Type A status possible, but may choose to accept offer of arbitration. Embree wouldn’t be surprised if he was traded.
- Known suitors: None
- Asking price: Unknown
Jeremy Affeldt, Reds
- 29 years old, free agent after season. Type B status possible, could accept offer of arbitration.
- Known suitors: Yankees, Rays, Astros, Phillies last offseason
- Asking price: Unknown
Nationals Rumors: Guzman, Rauch, Holliday
MLB.com’s Bill Ladson has the goods on the Nationals.
- The Nationals are currently negotiating with Cristian Guzman‘s agent on a possible extension. Last month, the Nats proposed a two-year extension. It’s thought that Guzman might make some concessions given how little he gave the Nats in the first three years of his current contract. But if the two sides can’t reach an agreement soon, the Nats may choose to trade Guzman.
- Ladson also reports that the White Sox and Rays are scouting closer Jon Rauch. Rauch, you may recall, came up as a starter with the Sox and was traded to the Expos in ’04. Kenny Williams made that deal with Omar Minaya.
- Ladson’s source confirmed mild interest in Colorado’s Matt Holliday. Ladson notes Jim Bowden’s fondness for Adam Dunn as well. However, the source considers the infield a greater need for the Nats.
Dunn Could Stay, Says Fay
Reds beat writer John Fay says he thinks the Reds will hold on to Adam Dunn and take the draft picks when he leaves as a free agent, because Cincinnati’s outfield is so thin that they can’t afford to lose Dunn.
With Ryan Freel done for the year, the Reds currently have four healthy outfielders on the roster. That means if they traded Adam Dunn or Ken Griffey Jr. right now, you’re looking at Corey Patterson playing every day. That might blow up this blog.
This makes no sense to me. The Reds would only trade Dunn if they were prepared to give up on the season. And since they’re four games under .500 and 11 games back of the Cubs, it’s probably about time to give up on the season. So, if you’re looking ahead to next season, who cares if Patterson is playing everyday in August and September?
Coley Ward writes for Umpbump.com and can be reached here.
Heyman’s Latest: Yankees, Manny, Bowden, Pudge
SI.com’s Jon Heyman has a new column up.
- Given Richie Sexson‘s expected part-time role, the Yankees are in the market for an everyday outfielder to replace Hideki Matsui‘s bat. Barry Bonds is not under consideration. Heyman tosses out names such as Matt Holliday, Xavier Nady, Jason Bay, and Adam Dunn, while noting that the price on most is too high (the Pirates deny this).
- Heyman is still saying the Cardinals will consider trading Colby Rasmus, despite various denials.
- The Yanks are also looking to add a #3-4 starter type. Here’s a look at the market.
- Manny Ramirez probably isn’t going to get what he wants – free agency, an extension, or a trade.
- The Nationals are supporting GM Jim Bowden despite his recent problems. Heyman reported rumblings last month that Bowden "could be in trouble."
- Despite the Marlins’ interest, the Tigers are unlikely to trade Ivan Rodriguez. Jon Paul Morosi agrees, while noting that Pudge’s salary might be too high for Florida anyway.