The Griffey Situation
WEDNESDAY: Armstrong, through a spokesman, clarified that his comments about Griffey were meant in a broad, rather than impending, context. It doesn’t sound like any trade talks have occurred at this point. I’m sure we’ll be revisiting this topic though.
TUESDAY: Bob Nightengale spoke to Ken Griffey Jr. recently. Junior’s comments were not surprising or new – if the Reds decide to trade him he wants to play for a contender. Nightengale also has a comment from Mariners President Chuck Armstrong, who admitted he’d like Griffey to retire a Mariner.
Griffey makes $12.5MM this year and has a $16.5MM option for ’09 with a $4MM buyout (much of the money is deferred). It’s unknown whether Griffey would require that the ’09 option be exercised in the event of a trade, but that wouldn’t be surprising. Reds GM Walt Jocketty has yet to engage in trade discussions about Griffey.
Peter Gammons suggested the Cubs might be a fit, but they won’t pick up the option and that figures to be a problem. The Mariners could certainly make room at DH and right field. Griffey could help the Indians, Braves, and Padres as well.
Trading Junior makes more sense than trading Adam Dunn. While Griffey might be able to maintain Type A status when the Elias rankings come out this winter, the Reds would not get draft pick compensation for him unless they offer arbitration. That’d be a risky move.
Gammons’ Latest: Bradley, Griffey, Padilla
ESPN’s Peter Gammons has a new blog post to discuss.
- Gammons says Cubs manager Lou Piniella would like to add a left-handed hitting right or center fielder to bat fifth. Milton Bradley and Ken Griffey Jr. seem like long shots though. It’s odd that the Rangers wouldn’t want to move Bradley.
- Gammons notes that the Rangers wanted Mike Pelfrey, Aaron Heilman, and Deolis Guerra for Vicente Padilla in the offseason. Even as a negotiation starting point, that’s a ton for Padilla.
Reds Podcast Appearance
Yesterday I joined Dan Clasgens and Greg Shoemaker on the Get Sports Radio Reds podcast. You can download the mp3 here.
On the show, I wasn’t able to explain the Cardinals’ hot start. How are they doing it? The starting pitching is clicking on all cylinders (with more help on the way), and the hitters are collectively getting on base quite often.
Teams Scouting Griffey, Dunn
If the Reds slip out of contention in May, Walt Jocketty might begin to field offers for corner outfielders Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn. Both are paid well and have at least some control over trade destinations. According to MLB.com’s Jim Molony, "a few teams are having their scouts keep an eye" on the pair in case they become available.
The standard speculation for Griffey is that he could be traded back to Seattle after he gets his 600th home run with the Reds. Junior might be a nice boost in right field for the Ms if Wladimir Balentien needs time to adjust. I doubt the Mariners would give up Jeff Clement for Griffey though. There’s been some Chicago speculation, never mind that both the Cubs and Sox are set at the corner outfield positions.
Dunn would help the Padres, who are last in baseball in both OBP and SLG. The Jays, Mets, or Indians could also make sense.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Krivsky, Scherzer, Edwin Jackson
Ken Rosenthal has a new column up; let’s take a look.
- Rosenthal gives a good refresher on July trade candidates; pretty much the names you’d expect.
- Reasons for Wayne Krivsky’s firing are discussed. By the way check out John Fay’s blog for some candid final comments from Krivsky. One interesting note is that he had no extension talks with Adam Dunn.
- The D’Backs could use Max Scherzer to strengthen their bullpen, or they could shop Chad Tracy for a reliever.
- Rosenthal wonders whether the Nationals might consider the under-30 segment of the next free agent class.
- Plenty of teams continue to express interest in the Rays’ Edwin Jackson. Something has to give in their rotation when Scott Kazmir returns, but demoting Andy Sonnanstine to the pen would solve the logjam.
Odds and Ends: Chat, Krivsky, Valverde
Let’s discuss today’s random links.
- We’ll be doing a chat here at 2pm CST, don’t miss it!
- Jon Heyman suggests that the number of unqualified GMs is dwindling. He names seven whose jobs may be in jeopardy.
- Wayne Krivsky cleared the air on various issues, including the signings of Dusty Baker, Josh Fogg, and Corey Patterson.
- Jose Valverde denies the notion that he made outlandish salary demands of the D’Backs.
- Good news on Jorge Posada‘s shoulder; maybe the Yanks won’t have to acquire a catcher.
Freel Unhappy
Reds beat writer John Fay talked to Ryan Freel tonight. Freel is not amused about sitting tonight in favor of Corey Patterson. Freel has been hitting well lately, better than Patterson.
Wayne Krivsky shopped Freel around this spring, calling the Twins and other clubs. The lack of interest was no surprise; Freel was coming off a lousy season and earns $7MM over 2008-09. The versatile Freel hits lefties well, and was good for a .360-.370 OBP prior to last season. Still, the Reds would probably have to eat some salary or take some back in order to move Freel.
Hatteberg Hopes For Trade
According to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, first baseman Scott Hatteberg would welcome a trade. Joey Votto, off to a .310/.319/.549 start (AVG/OBP/SLG), seems to have taken Hatteberg’s job. When asked about the situation, new GM Walt Jocketty said he hasn’t had inquiries on the veteran. He makes just $1.85MM, so that won’t be an obstacle.
Hatteberg, 38, hit .310/.394/.474 in 116 games last year for the Reds while facing mostly righties (he’s a lefthanded hitter with a major platoon split). For that reason, Hatteberg wouldn’t pair well with Carlos Delgado on the Mets. He’d be better suited to replace Delgado if the Mets release him. Delgado might have bought himself some time with a two homer game yesterday.
One first baseman who doesn’t hit righties well is Richie Sexson. Hatteberg could be a good fit in Seattle.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Crede, Lofton, Millwood, Dunn
Ken Rosenthal has a new Full Count video up; let’s discuss.
- Despite his .268/.330/.537 start, the White Sox would still entertain trading Joe Crede if it’d help the big league team. This is a change from their apparent springtime willingness to deal him for prospects. The most likely desire would be pitching, if the Sox can find a suitor.
- Jake Peavy put on his GM hat, suggesting the Padres sign Kenny Lofton. Rosenthal likes the idea, but notes that Kevin Towers will first turn to his farm system. I discussed some future trade candidates for San Diego in my latest video mailbag.
- Rosenthal suggests Kevin Millwood‘s contract will be an obstacle in trading him. He earns $8.5MM this year, $11MM in ’09, and a fairly achievable $12MM vesting option for ’10. Plus there’s a limited no-trade clause.
- Walt Jocketty’s biggest test this year might be deciding whether to trade Ken Griffey Jr. and/or Adam Dunn. They both have no-trade clauses to deal with; even after June 15th Dunn’s includes most high-revenue teams.
Will Salty Callup Lead To Laird Trade?
Jarrod Saltalamacchia has been called up, and GM Jon Daniels has no plans for him to warm the bench. Salty performed well at AAA Oklahoma, and when backup backstop Adam Melhuse broke a bone in his hand on Thursday, the call-up seemed imminent. However, incumbent Rangers catcher Gerald Laird has also been solid to start the season. Given the organization’s desire to get Saltalamacchia regular at-bats and the lackluster hitting of first baseman Ben Broussard, I think it’s likely that the defensively sub-par Salty will see at least some time at the "cold corner."
But with the Rangers off to an absolutely abysmal start–Buster Olney cites a scout today saying that the team looks "out of control"–we have to wonder when the Rangers will open up the treasure chest and share some of their backstop bounty with the rest of the league. As previously noted in this space, the team is expected to be sellers come July. In addition to Laird and Saltalamacchia, the Rangers also have three decent catching prospects. With catching talent so scarce, other GMs will likely come knocking sooner rather than later. Rumors about Laird have been flying to and fro since Texas acquired Saltalamacchia in the Mark Teixeira deal last summer, but Salty’s call-up means the clock has officially started ticking. Although Daniels said recently he wasn’t planning on trading Laird, I have a feeling he’s just playing hard to get. Some possible suitors? The Reds, the Mets, the Blue Jays, or the Red Sox.
Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.com. She can be reached here.