Relief Rumors: Grabow, Marlins, Yankees
Contenders are always in the hunt for relief help this time of year. Let's scope out the latest on that front:
- After refusing to deal Eric Young Jr. for John Grabow or Joe Beimel, the Rockies have lowered their aim, notably toward the Orioles' Mark Hendrickson, says Joel Sherman at the New York Post.
- The Marlins are in the mix for Grabow's services, says Joe Frisaro at MLB.com.
- CBS Sports' Danny Knobler says the Yankees have steered their focus toward middle relief help, but too many of their desired names reside in the AL East.
- The Cardinals are indeed still interested in bringing back righty Russ Springer, says Mychael Urban at MLB.com.
Yankees Acquire Jason Hirsh, Release Tomko
The Yankees acquired minor league righty Jason Hirsh from the Rockies, according to Tyler Kepner of the New York Times. Hirsh, 27, started 19 games for the 2007 NL Champion Rockies, but hasn't made an appearance in the majors so far this season. He's allowed 130 hits and 35 walks in just over 101 innings at Triple A, striking out 59.
It's a depth move for the Yankees and it's unclear what they gave up to obtain Hirsh.
The Yankees also released veteran pitcher Brett Tomko, according to Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger. The Yankees designated the righty for assignment earlier in the month.
Rockies Rumors: ‘Pen, Spilborghs
The Rockies would to add a left-handed reliever, but won't necessarily be able to, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Here are the details:
- There are few left-handers available. John Grabow and George Sherrill could be had, but they could cost too much in terms of money and prospects.
- After adding Rafael Betancourt the Rockies have limited payroll flexibility.
- They aren't willing to move Ryan Spilborghs now, but may consider trading him after the season. The Phillies have had interest in Spilborghs.
Odds & Ends: Felix, DiPoto, Red Sox, Marlins
More links as we count down the hours to the deadline…
- Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times asks if the Mariners should listen to offers for Felix Hernandez, in the event they cannot sign him long-term.
- SI's Tom Verducci sees Arizona exec Jerry DiPoto as "the frontrunner for the Nationals GM job."
- Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald says the Red Sox are looking for a right-handed hitting fourth outfielder who plays good defense. He mentions Willie Bloomquist and Cody Ross as possible fits.
- The Marlins are looking to make moves, but it's unclear where they'd want to upgrade, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. They could add a starter, a reliever or a position player, but don't expect them to trade prospects Logan Morrison and Mike Stanton. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Fish "are split on whether to acquire a hitter or starting pitcher."
- Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Cubs GM Jim Hendry wants to make a deal, but doesn't expect to make a "splashy" one.
- The Rockies could use an experienced lefty reliever, according to MLB.com.
Heyman On Washburn, Halladay, Red Sox
1:21pm: Heyman hears that Adrian Gonzalez may be Boston's top target now, especially since discussions about Victor Martinez aren't progressing.
11:51am: Jon Heyman of SI.com has the latest on Roy Halladay and the next-best options for pitching-starved teams. Here are the details:
- The Yankees called the Mariners about Jarrod Washburn over the weekend. The Mariners say they aren't selling now, but that could change this week.
- The Yanks would have to give up "a top prospect or two" to acquire Washburn.
- Bronson Arroyo could be an option for the Yankees, but the Reds haven't offered to take on any of the $17MM remaining on his deal.
- The Yankees have a miniscule chance of acquiring Halladay. They wouldn't part with both Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain for him, but they might trade one.
- An executive involved in the Halladay talks says "it's early," since no one's taking tomorrow's pre-deadline too seriously.
- Sensing they don't have much of a chance at Halladay, the Dodgers are more focused on Cliff Lee.
- The Red Sox could still make a big move, but don't expect them to deal for Halladay. The Blue Jays could ask for Clay Buchholz, Jed Lowrie and Daniel Bard, according to one of Heyman's sources.
- Victor Martinez remains an option for the Red Sox, who talk with the Indians "all the time."
- The Red Sox are keeping an eye on Adrian Gonzalez, who's not available now.
- Bud Selig says he won't prevent the Rangers from taking on payroll even though the commissioner's office has helped Rangers owner Tom Hicks make payments.
- The Rangers have inquired on Halladay and Lee.
- The Cardinals will try hard to extend Matt Holliday.
- The Rockies are still looking for a reliever.
- The Giants scouted Nick Johnson and Josh Willingham this weekend.
Rockies DFA Ryan Speier
According to Steve Foster of Inside the Rockies, the team has designated reliever Ryan Speier for assignment. The 29-yr old righthander has spend most of the season in the minors, but has a 3.99 career ERA in 99.1 big league innings.
Rockies Acquire Rafael Betancourt
2:52pm: Troy Renck of the Denver Post says the Rockies traded Single A pitcher Connor Graham to the Indians for Betancourt.
2:32pm: Ed Price of AOL FanHouse says the Rockies acquired Rafael Betancourt from the Indians.
1:01pm: MLB.com reports that the Rockies will trade for right-handed bullpen help today. We'll update you as information becomes available.
Rockies To Promote Jhoulys Chacin To Majors
11:50am: The Denver Post reports that Chacin will join the Rockies tomorrow as a reliever. Here's Baseball America's take on the young pitcher.
THURSDAY, 11:46am: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Rockies pulled Chacin from last night's start to promote him to the majors, possibly as a reliever. The right-hander has allowed 87 hits and walked 35 in 103.1 innings at AA, striking out 86.
WEDNESDAY, 11:42pm: According to Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus, the Rockies pulled pitching prospect Jhoulys Chacin from his start tonight "as a precaution for possible, future organizational moves." Chacin tossed one inning for the Double A Tulsa Drillers, tallying just nine pitches.
Chacin, a 21 year-old righty, ranks as the Rockies' top prospect according to Baseball America. BA wrote in praise of his fastball and changeup in their latest Handbook.
Thinking about a possible Roy Halladay connection? Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd didn't seem keen on the idea, talking to MLB.com this morning. Elsewhere in the rumor mill, SI.com's Jon Heyman recently linked Colorado to a slew of relievers (including Chad Qualls and George Sherrill).
Roy Halladay Rumors: Wednesday
6:49pm: ESPN's Peter Gammons says the Dodgers are still in the mix for Halladay. Pros for the Dodgers are a number of Single-A and Double-A prospects and the willingness to take on Halladay's contract. Cons are a lack of near-ready pitching prospects, and absence of Toronto scouts at Dodger games.
5:02pm: ESPN.com's Tim Kurkjian says he doesn't expect the Jays to deal Halladay because their asking price is "enormously high."
3:40pm: Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd told MLB.com that Halladay is not a fit for his team because the cost would be "devastating" financially and in terms of talent.
12:59pm: Wondering what kind of haul the Jays might bring in? ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick looks back at nine trades for top pitchers and shows that not all blockbusters are created equal.
11:08am: Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Brewers appear to be a threat to acquire Halladay. He's hearing Manny Parra's name and suspects Mat Gamel or Alcides Escobar would have to be involved, too.
11:06am: Ricciardi told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark that talks are expected to intensify early next week. The Blue Jays haven't exchanged names with interested teams yet, but Ricciardi expects to tell teams what he's looking for by Monday.
That wouldn't leave much time before Tuesday's self-imposed deadline, but Ricciardi said it's a soft deadline.
Ricciardi says four teams are "really, really serious" about Halladay. The Phillies are believed to be one of his top suitors and Ricciardi confirmed that the Jays will scout Kyle Drabek's upcoming start.
8:33am: Here's what we heard yesterday: the Yankees and Mets aren't major threats to acquire Roy Halladay; the Cards are still involved; the Phillies are considering other options and may have told the Jays Kyle Drabek is off-limits; the Jays have imposed a pre-deadline of July 28th on the negotiations and GM J.P. Ricciardi says a trade is becoming "unlikely."
- Yahoo's Gordon Edes says the Phillies want Halladay more than Cliff Lee, but bellieve the Jays are asking for too much.
- Sportsnet.ca has a clip of Ricciardi saying a deal is unlikely.
- The Phillies won't publicly admit they're pursuing Doc, but Ray Parrillo of the Philadelphia Inquirer hears they're still interested.
- Tracy Ringolsby of FOXSports suggests the Blue Jays have to consider trading Halladay because Ricciardi hasn't committed money to the right players.
Odds And Ends: Timlin, Rays, Reds
Some more links as the trading heats up…
- Buster Posey and Clay Buchholz are two of the better-known players on the list of untouchable players compiled by John Manuel of Baseball America.
- Mike Timlin worked out at Coors Field and the relief-starved Rockies may offer him a minor league contract, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post.
- Dave Cameron of FanGraphs implores Andrew Friedman and the Rays to go all out and trade for Cliff Lee.
- John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer adds Jerry Hairston Jr. to the list of Reds trade candidates and says he'd be "stunned" if they deal Brandon Phillips.
- Check out this NBC Sports clip for my take on Roy Halladay, Matt Holliday and others.
- I'll be talking trades on The Big 1070 at 4:15 CST and here's a clip from an appearance earlier in the week on the Sports Show Live.