Quick Hits: Nationals, Upton, Webb, Inge, Mariners
With nine days remaining before the trade deadline, the biggest trade chips in baseball are arguably Carlos Beltran (latest rumors) and Hunter Pence (latest rumors). Here are some other relevant links from around MLB…
- The Nationals are in greater need of outfield depth than infield help or a catcher, a baseball source tells Bill Ladson of MLB.com.
- The Rays pulled B.J. Upton and prospect Desmond Jennings from their respective games, tweets Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post (via Twitter). However, Upton says that he has not been traded, tweets Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times.
- Rangers pitcher Brandon Webb will undergo surgery on his right shoulder with the intent to pitch again in 2012, according to his agent Jonathan Maurer. This will not be a full surgery of the rotator cuff but it will prevent him from throwing for four months.
- The Tigers would need to eat some salary to move Brandon Inge but teams still believe that the veteran has value, tweets Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).
- The Reds scouted Jason Vargas and Doug Fister when the Mariners visited Toronto this week, a source told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter).
- Indians team president Mark Shapiro said that he expects the club will make a move in the next ten days, tweets Nick Camino of WTAM 1100.
- Reds GM Walt Jocketty told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that he’s looking for a bat to insert at the top of the order or in the middle of the lineup. However, the Reds are also open to acquiring pitching, either for the rotation or the bullpen. The Reds have lots of depth, but Jocketty says he “hates” trading prospects.
- Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago hears that Hall of Fame executive Pat Gillick is open to a role with the Cubs. Gillick said last week that he's open to taking on a full-time role as a team president at some point in the future.
- MLB talent evaluators tell Alex Speier of WEEI.com that the Red Sox have a number of players whose prospect status is starting to rise and who could become elite prospects within a year. Though the Adrian Gonzalez deal made a major dent in Boston’s farm system, Speier’s sources say the Red Sox still have secondary prospects who could be valuable trade bait this summer. Third baseman Will Middlebrooks and right-hander Anthony Ranaudo are among the organization’s top prospects.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports confirms that the Red Sox have had exploratory conversations with the Royals about Jeff Francoeur.
Tigers, Dodgers Talking Kuroda
The Tigers and Dodgers have had dialogue about a deal that would send Hiroki Kuroda to Detroit, sources tell Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. However, other teams remain involved and a trade is not yet close.
The Rangers and Indians are among the other teams with interest in Kuroda, according to major-league sources. We also heard this week that the Red Sox also inquired on the veteran hurler.
The 36-year-old's no-trade clause could potentially be a stumbling block in any deal. It has been rumored that Kuroda would decline trades to the East Coast.
Kuroda signed a one-year, $12MM deal with the Dodgers before this season.
AL Central Notes: Indians, Tigers, Twins, Avila
The Indians called up top prospect Jason Kipnis today, hoping that his .281/.363/.485 batting line in Triple-A will provide a boost for their big league offense. Let's see what else is going on around the division…
- The Indians need a starter and a bat, but Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports says (on Twitter) that they are taking a conservative approach to the trade deadline.
- Meanwhile, SI.com's Jon Heyman says (on Twitter) that the Indians' top two trade targets are Hiroki Kuroda and Aaron Harang. Earlier today we heard they were looking at Coco Crisp as well.
- The Tigers are still not talking to the Astros about either Wandy Rodriguez or Brett Myers, reports Morosi (on Twitter). Earlier today we heard Houston is "making it clear" that they're willing to move Wandy.
- Danny Knobler of CBS Sports reports that the Twins are dipping their toe in the bullpen market, and seek a reliever to pair with Joe Nathan and Matt Capps at the end of the game.
- The AL Central is up for grabs, and MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince says the trade deadline could play a big part in determining who eventually wins the division.
- ESPN's Jerry Crasnick wrote about the rise of Alex Avila, the Tigers 24-year-old All-Star catcher.
Marlins Have Interest In Brandon Inge
The Marlins are said to be seeking a veteran third baseman, and MLB.com's Joe Frisaro says they have their eyes on Brandon Inge. Inge was designated for assignment after the Tigers acquired Wilson Betemit yesterday, but he said he would accept an assignment to Triple-A if he clears waivers.
The 34-year-old Inge has hit just .177/.242/.242 this season and there's approximately $8.5MM left on his contract through 2012, assuming his 2013 option is bought out. That salary almost guarantees that he will go through waivers unclaimed. Marlins' third basemen have hit just .267/.333/.347 this season.
AL Central Notes: Dunn, Buehrle, Tigers
Four teams are within five games of the American League Central lead. The Tigers and Indians are tied atop the division and the White Sox (4.5 games behind) and Twins (5.0 games behind) are within striking distance. Here's the latest…
- Slumping White Sox slugger Adam Dunn told Yahoo's Jeff Passan that he has contemplated quitting the game, though he can't imagine actually doing so. "I enjoy playing," Dunn said. "Even though I suck. Or have been sucking. I enjoy playing the game. Love it. But as soon as I lose that, I’m gone, dude. It’s true."
- White Sox starter Mark Buehrle confirmed to Passan that he would block trades to certain teams. The left-hander, who has ten and five rights, isn’t sure he’d want to remain with another team in 2012. If he gets traded, a clause in Buehrle’s contract causes a $15MM option to kick in for '12.
- Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski made it clear that he's still looking for starting pitching, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck.
Tigers Designate Brandon Inge For Assignment
The longest tenured Tiger may soon be suiting up for the Toledo Mud Hens. The Tigers designated Brandon Inge for assignment, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck (on Twitter). The veteran will accept an assignment to Triple-A, assuming he clears waivers, according to Beck.
Inge, 34, hit .177/.242/.242 in 239 plate appearances this year after signing a two-year, $11.5MM deal with Detroit last offseason. In need of more offense at the hot corner, the Tigers acquired Wilson Betemit earlier today. Shortly before picking up ten and five rights, Inge told me he would like to spend his entire career in Detroit.
Tigers Acquire Wilson Betemit
The Tigers have acquired Wilson Betemit from the Royals for prospects Antonio Cruz and Julio Rodriguez, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (Twitter links). Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star first reported that a trade involving Betemit was imminent (on Twitter). The Royals have confirmed the move in a press release.
The 29-year old Betemit was a sought after man this summer; the Brewers, Angels, and Marlins all expressed interest in acquiring him at various times. He has hit .281/.341/.409 with three homers in 226 plate appearances this year, though he lost playing time to Mike Moustakas in recent weeks. The Tigers have been focused on pitching in recent weeks, but this move gives them an upgrade over Brandon Inge at the hot corner. Inge is hitting just .177/.242/.242 this season.
Neither Cruz or Rodriguez ranked among Detroit's top 30 prospects in Baseball America's 2011 Prospect Handbook. Cruz, a 19-year-old left-handed pitcher, has a 3.11 ERA in 75 1/3 innings with the Tigers' Low Class-A affiliate this season. He's struck out 58 and walked 28 in ten starts and a dozen relief appearances. Rodriguez, a 20-year-old catcher, has hit .283/.325/.354 with one homer in 246 plate appearances for Detroit's High Class-A affiliate this season.
Ubaldo Jimenez Rumors: Wednesday
Yesterday the Red Sox joined the list of teams that have reportedly checked in on Rockies' ace Ubaldo Jimenez, while the Reds' interest was said to be strong. The latest:
- One MLB official says the Rockies never seriously intended to deal Jimenez, according to Jayson Stark of ESPN.com (on Twitter). It still sounds like he's staying put.
- The return in a Jimenez trade "would have to blow everybody away," GM Dan O'Dowd told Woody Paige of the Denver Post.
- The Rockies have yet to receive a single official offer for Jimenez, report Yahoo's Tim Brown and Jeff Passan. The Tigers, Reds, and Yankees are said to be the "most smitten" clubs. The writers add that a Tigers package would have to include pitching prospect Jacob Turner, the Reds would have to part with catcher Devin Mesoraco, and the Rockies inquired on Jesus Montero and Manny Banuelos of the Yankees.
Carlos Beltran Rumors: Wednesday
Though he's well-compensated and has full no-trade protection, Mets right fielder Carlos Beltran is the best available hitter. The latest:
- The Red Sox aren't willing to part with the prospects the Mets want, according to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com. The Mets are interested in Josh Reddick, Ryan Kalish, Jose Iglesias, Anthony Ranaudo, Felix Doubront and Will Middlebrooks, according to Edes. Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald hears that the Red Sox are focusing on internal solutions, particularly Reddick.
- SI's Jon Heyman runs through ten Beltran suitors, naming the Phillies the "clear favorite." The Mets' first target would be Domonic Brown, a concession Matt Gelb can't see happening.
- Boston's talks with the Mets about Beltran have not advanced beyond preliminary discussions, reports WEEI's Alex Speier. Eight to ten teams are said to be in the mix, with the Red Sox among the top six.
- Some Mets officials feel a deal could get done well before the July 31st deadline, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Sherman agrees with a previous Ken Rosenthal report that the Phillies and Red Sox are the most aggressive suitors. Sherman says they're followed by the Braves, Giants, Indians, and Pirates. He notes that the Mets "have been somewhat surprised by Detroit's disinterest."
- Yesterday the Mets provided Beltran with a short list of teams to consider, and the Phillies are believed to be on it, report Tim Brown and Jeff Passan of Yahoo. The writers add that the Mets have indicated a willingness to pay much or all of the $6MM owed to Beltran depending on the return. They list the Red Sox, Giants, and Yankees as other suitors, and wonder if the East Coast teams have an edge since Beltran lives in New York. Brown and Passan named the Brewers as a dark horse, but they don't have much in the way of top prospects.
Tigers Close To Acquiring Wilson Betemit
The Tigers are close to acquiring Wilson Betemit for two prospects, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (Twitter links). Kansas City would receive two prospects in the deal. Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star originally reported that a trade appeared imminent (on Twitter). The Brewers, Angels, and Marlins had expressed interest in Betemit recently.
This post was originally published on July 20th.