Adam Dunn To The Nationals?
Surprisingly, with roughly four hours to ago, Adam Dunn‘s most likely suitor still appears to be the Washington Nationals.
Will Carroll says that Dunn would love to be reunited with good friend Austin Kearns in Washington, and might sign an extension there. He could become the face of the franchise. The problem is that the Nats don’t have what the Reds want, so a third team would have to get involved.
Just speculating, but I could see some bad blood lingering between the two teams over the Gary Majewski thing. That has to make you wonder how Wayne Krivsky would ever let Dunn end up in Washington. Maybe he and Jim Bowden can let bygones be bygones.
Healey’s Latest: Wilkerson, Marte
Gotham Baseball’s Mark Healey has a new post up with some good trade rumors:
- The Mets are talking to the Rangers about Brad Wilkerson, not Eric Gagne. This makes sense, as Wilkerson has hit lefties well this year and can play right field.
- The Mets are also talking to the Reds; could’ve been about Ken Griffey Jr. or David Weathers. From what we’ve heard, though, Weathers is not available. And would Junior approve a trade to the Mets? He vetoed a trade there once before.
- The Pirates want Alan Horne from the Yankees for Damaso Marte. Given that Brian Cashman didn’t seem to want to give him up for Gagne, I don’t see this happening.
- The Orioles are shopping Chad Bradford, but the Yankees aren’t allowed in the store.
Nationals Working On Cordero Or Rauch Trade
According to Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post, the Nationals are definitely shopping Chad Cordero and Jon Rauch. Svrluga’s source believes one of them will go for prospects, most likely Rauch. Glad to hear it; I was worried both would stay put. I always prefer more trade action.
There’s also the possibility of packaging both relievers together to get one top-notch prospect. The Dodgers seem most likely to agree to something like that. Matt Kemp would probably work for Jim Bowden. The post mentions that Bowden indeed asked for Cameron Maybin from the Tigers for Rauch.
One last note: Adam Dunn remains on the radar, but right now it’s mostly just interest.
Braves Discussing Arroyo With Reds
According to Yahoo’s Tim Brown, the Braves are talking to the Reds about Bronson Arroyo. This wouldn’t be the first time they’ve shown interest in him.
Despite his decline this year, Arroyo would still probably be the best starter dealt this July. John Schuerholz would really be going for broke if he snagged Arroyo. I have to imagine Jo-Jo Reyes and/or Yunel Escobar would be involved, because they’re running out of prospects.
Phillies Acquire Kyle Lohse
Ken Rosenthal again. The Phillies just traded for Reds starter Kyle Lohse. They gave up 23 year-old Double A southpaw Matt Maloney. With both Kyle Kendrick and J.D. Durbin in the rotation, the Phils had to try something.
Wayne Krivsky did well here, as Maloney was the Phillies’ ninth best prospect entering the seasona according to Baseball America. He’s more about deception and pitch selection that velocity or electric stuff. His upside is pegged as a #4 starter.
Lohse has been an enigma – quite good in April and July, awful in May and June. Tom Koch-Weser of the STATS, Inc. blog may have unraveled the mystery somewhat.
Mets Hunting For Reliever, Second Baseman
Pretty much the same old story with the Mets, though Joel Sherman and Mark Hale of the New York Post do have some new tidbits.
- The authors name Chad Cordero, Jon Rauch, Octavio Dotel, and Eric Gagne as relievers on the radar. However it seems the asking price is too high for Gagne and the Indians have become the frontrunner for Dotel (they may have passed the Dodgers). Shawn Chacon doesn’t catch the Mets’ eye, and they don’t want Chad Bradford‘s three-year commitment. They had that option with Bradford this winter. I think that logic is silly – Bradford’s pitched well this year, and acquiring him now would be akin to a two-year contract. Sometimes it seems GMs pass over certain players because they simply want to add a fresh name.
- You can add Al Reyes to the mix for the Mets, according to the St. Petersburg Times.
- The Mets think many of the available starting pitchers could be traded in August – Jose Contreras, Kyle Lohse, and Steve Trachsel for example. I don’t agree on Lohse – he’ll be traded today or tomorrow. But Contreras’s contract would probably get through waivers without a claim.
- The Post reports no substantive talks to the Royals about Mark Grudzielanek. An inquiry has been made on Mark Loretta.
- Meanwhile, Newsday says the Twins are open to trading Luis Castillo but don’t want any of the current Major League Mets. Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger seems to disagree, citing a Twins scout at Shea yesterday. Graziano does not believe Castillo would get through waivers unclaimed. He believes the Twins want Double A starter Kevin Mulvey and then some (perhaps Ruben Gotay).
- Graziano says a deal for Castillo could be expanded to include 28 year-old righty reliever Juan Rincon. Rincon had been consistently solid for three years (perhaps aided by steroids) but has seen his strikeout rate and overall performance plummet in 2007. Rincon is under control next year and will make at least $2MM again.
- Graziano notes that the Mets have talked to the A’s about Joe Blanton, but Billy Beane wants Lastings Milledge. The Mets can’t do that without damaging the current team. The Mets could actually add an outfielder in Jay Payton; the Cubs’ interest has waned. The Sammy Sosa rumor also has some legs, as the Mets could bring him in to platoon with Shawn Green if they decide they can tolerate the sideshow.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Dye, Lamb, Jennings
Ken Rosenthal has a new article up. Let’s see what’s in there beyond the Teixeira stuff.
- The Angels have a few alternatives to Mark Teixeira in Jermaine Dye and Mike Piazza. However, the team isn’t exactly bursting with open outfield/DH spots, especially once Juan Rivera returns. Troy Glaus still makes a ton of sense, but the Blue Jays would want a lot. Probably 2/3 of the Teixeira package.
- Aside from Mark Loretta, the Padres would also like to acquire Mike Lamb from the Astros. Even tossing aside his awful April, Kevin Kouzmanoff has been about average for his position offensively (.271/.328/.476 since May 1). If the Padres instead used Lamb against southpaws and Kouzmanoff against lefties, they’d have a nifty platoon.
- The Mets have inquired on Joe Blanton and Jon Garland but have found the price prohibitive. It’s easy to lose sight of the fact that both are just innings eaters. They’re just elevated by a terrible market for starters.
- The Phillies also asked about Blanton, but are more likely to settle for Kyle Lohse or Jason Jennings. Phil Garner decided to offer Jennings’ ERA up for sacrifice today, leaving him in to allow 11 earned runs in two-thirds of an inning. That was a several million-dollar decision, as Jennings is a free agent after the season.
- The Mets seem to have only mild interest in Luis Castillo and Mark Grudzielanek due to salary and injury concerns.
Rosenthal’s Latest Videos: Teixeira, Dye, Garland
Ken Rosenthal has a couple of recent videos up at FOXSports. Check ’em out. Some highlights:
- The Mark Teixeira talks are at a standstill; the Braves and Angels are reluctant to improve their offers. The Dodgers are said to be out of the picture. Daniels, Schuerholz, Stoneman – which one blinks first? I’ll say Daniels; he’ll go with Atlanta’s best offer.
- Jermaine Dye is Plan B for the Angels, but as you know the Red Sox still have interest.
- Jon Garland can be had, but Kenny Williams’ price is sky-high. The Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Mets, and Braves all have interest. The Braves had offered not only Edgar Renteria but a top pitching prospect, and still were rejected. Rosenthal expects Garland to stay put because as the asking price is not met.
- The Dodgers are still the leaders on Octavio Dotel, but the Tribe could jump in if they part with Ben Francisco. Would Francisco really be missed?
- The Cubs are looking at role players like Jay Payton and Jeff Conine. Many Cubs fans have written me looking for some good rumors – anything I would hear would go on the site. My gut feeling is that they do nothing major.
- The Orioles asked about Kei Igawa, but were told he’s not available.
- Rosenthal can see Adam Dunn and Eric Gagne staying put at the deadline. The need to deal Gagne is a bit more pressing, in my opinion.
Reds Acquire Jorge Cantu
In a minor move, the Reds acquired infielder Jorge Cantu today along with outfielder Shaun Cumberland. They shipped pitchers Calvin Medlock and Brian Shackelford to the Devil Rays in the deal.
The Reds are doing the right thing by sending the 24 year-old Cantu to Triple A to re-establish himself. Yes, he once drove in 117 runs and blah blah blah. The power potential is nice; he now needs to keep his head down, maybe learn a little plate discipline, and hit his way into the Reds’ lineup. There’s no infield spot for him, unless Wayne Krivsky foolishly trades Edwin Encarnacion or just starts Cantu over EE.
Cumberland is a legitimate prospect, though the 23 year-old didn’t step up to the challenge of Double A. He’s got the tools to succeed, and he was never going to crack the Devil Rays’ outfield. There’s some upside here even if the numbers don’t show it.
I don’t know much about Medlock but the reliever posted sick numbers in his second crack at Double A this year – 11.1 K/9, 0.9 BB/9. He hit a wall in Triple A though. According to Baseball Prospectus, he’s a small flamethrower with a fine change-up. I’m not sure why the Reds would be giving up an interesting guy like this for Cantu.
Shackelford is a 31 year-old southpaw who the Reds were probably happy to unload. Shackelford is best known for this debacle, though ultimately charges weren’t pressed. He’s not anything special on the mound.
I have to give this trade to the Devil Rays, because Medlock seems interesting and Cantu’s value was near rock bottom. The Rays had no place for Cantu, though the Reds don’t appear to either.
Unconfirmed Rumor: Cubs Looking At Griffey, Dunn
UPDATE: Will Carroll chimed in on the idea of Dunn to the Cubs in a recent update. He cited the intra-division and salary factors as reasons it won’t happen.
Didn’t hear the report myself, but a loyal reader dropped me an email.
Apparently a recent Bruce Levine report for ESPN Radio 1000 had some interesting Cubs rumors. Levine says the Cubs might try to trade for Adam Dunn or Ken Griffey Jr. Any deal would likely include Sean Gallagher, and the Cubs called up Matt Murton today to showcase him.
This rumor leaves more questions than answers:
- Would the Cubs again move their superstar signing Alfonso Soriano to center or right field to create a spot for Dunn?
- If not, how ugly would Dunn be in right field at Wrigley? He hasn’t played the position regularly since 2001.
- With the management situation in flux, could the Cubs really take on Griffey’s contract, which runs through 2008? Or even the $3.8MM still owed to Dunn this year?
- Are Arby’s new popcorn chicken shakers as tasty as they look on TV?
- Would Gallagher and Murton be enough for either of those players?