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Jack Wilson May Still Be Dealt

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Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported yesterday that the Tigers and Pirates continue to discuss shortstop Jack Wilson.  Passing Wilson through waivers shouldn’t be a problem; no team would want his entire contract dumped on them.  Kovacevic describes the current state of the deal:

"One source intimately familiar with the matter said that a deal was virtually done Tuesday and that the Pirates would receive two of Detroit’s top six prospects, including an unnamed pitcher ready to join the major-league staff. But the sides haggled on how much of Wilson’s contract the Pirates would pick up, the source added, and the delay was on."

Kovacevic’s report doesn’t mention it, but there has to be more going to Detroit than just Wilson.  Probably one of the Pirates’ relievers, a group that was oddly retained at the deadline.  Such an addition might compel the Tigers to take on most or all  of Wilson’s contract.  But who are the two prospects?  Bucco Blog believes they’re starter Jair Jurrjens and outfielder Brent Clevlen, and Jake provides a scout’s take.  Jake is not a fan of such a trade.

Personally I think Jurrjens would be a fantastic return on Wilson if he becomes a #3-4 starter one day.  Clevlen seems a long shot to me to realize his potential.  The two prospects might not become Pirates until after the season, as they might not pass through waivers.

Tigers Could Acquire Jack Wilson

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UPDATE: My source may have jumped the gun here, because talks are still ongoing.

UPDATE: An insider tells me Wilson has indeed just been traded, though he could not confirm the recipient or any details yet.

According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson may be traded to the Tigers today.  Wilson and his agent were getting phone calls about possible deals all day yesterday, making a trade seem likely.

The Tigers wouldn’t assume all of the $16.3MM Wilson still has coming to him through the 2009 season.  But they might eat a larger portion of it if the Pirates throw in one of their relievers – Shawn Chacon, Damaso Marte, or Salomon Torres. 

The plan: use Wilson as a middle infield defensive replacement this year and make him the starting shortstop next year, moving Carlos Guillen to first base. 

Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press adds that Wilson has a limited no-trade clause, but would probably wave it to finally player for a winner.  Wilson can only block trades to six teams anyway; not sure if the Tigers are one of them.

Dodgers Tracking Cordero and Rauch

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Chad Cordero and Jon Rauch are on the Dodgers’ radar, and they would gladly offer shortstop Chin-Lung Hu according to Yahoo’s Jeff Passan.

The Washington Post’s Barry Srvluga confirms the Dodgers’ presence and adds the Mets and Tigers as teams following the relievers.  As he mentioned yesterday, Srvluga’s source thinks a trade of one of Cordero or Rauch is likely and the return would be prospects.  I’m sure we’ll be hearing much more about this today.

Jon Morosi of the Detroit Free Press ran down the Tigers’ stance on various relievers this morning, but Cordero and Rauch were not mentioned.  Morosi doesn’t see the Tigers getting Eric Gagne, C.J. Wilson, or Joaquin Benoit from the Rangers.  He also doesn’t think they’re close on Chad Qualls, Kyle Farnsworth, Al Reyes, or Dan Wheeler.  Plucking a Pirate reliever in a Jack Wilson trade makes sense.

Farnsworth’s Trade Value Slips Further?

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The Yankees brought Kyle Farnsworth in for a junk appearance yesterday against Baltimore.  They were up 10-6 and probably wanted to get him out there for scouts one last time (A Tigers scout was indeed watching).  He was working around 93-94 but touched 96.  He threw only a handful of sliders.  Farnsworth allowed a two-run home run to Brian Roberts in the inning.

But an incident took place that may further decrease his trade value, according to George King.  King describes it:

Brought into yesterday’s game against the Orioles at Camden Yards with a six-run bulge in the eighth inning, Farnsworth not only walked the first batter and gave up a two-run homer, he crossed up Jorge Posada and then had the audacity to walk off the mound when the catcher went to talk to him about why he threw a fastball that hit Posada in the arm when Posada called for a slider. Things became so heated Alex Rodriguez played peacemaker on the mound.

I just watched the incident in question twice.  The New York cameramen either did a lousy job capturing the incident or purposely decided not to show it.  Posada definitely glared at Farnsworth after the cross-up; he took a 95 mph heater off the wrist because the pitcher missed the sign.  Then the catcher was shown calling time-out but the broadcast cut to replay until Posada returned to his position.  So the entire confrontation on the mound was missed.  Farnsworth was shown swearing to himself and muttering before he threw the next pitch.

When asked afterward if he and Posada were OK, Farnsworth simply said, "We’ll see."  He also complained about not pitching enough.

As I’ve said before, the Yankees would seemingly have to eat half of Farnsworth’s $5.5MM for 2008 in order to move him.  His velocity is down, his attitude is up – his value is pretty low right now even with relievers a hot commodity.  Jim Leyland may elect to keep this type of player out of his clubhouse.  Plus, those glasses Farnsworth wears are kind of weird.

Tigers Trade Rumors: Barmes, Dotel, Qualls

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The Detroit Free Press has a Tigers update for us today.

  • The Tigers are intent on acquiring a backup shortstop.  They recently sent a scout to watch the Rockies’ Clint Barmes at Triple A.  Barmes is at .310/.374/.464 in the minors this year.  Perhaps the Tigers envision him as a possible successor to Carlos Guillen at short.
  • Relievers on the radar: Brad Lidge, Chad Qualls, Octavio Dotel, and Kyle Farnsworth.  Eric Gagne does not seem likely right now, and we know Lidge is a long shot.  Farnsworth might make the most sense, as the cost would mainly be money.
  • The article names Craig Monroe plus pitching prospects Dallas Trahern and Jair Jurrjens as players the Tigers would trade.  Despite all that we’ve read, I’d be surprised if the Royals could get something better than Jurrjens for Dotel.

Tigers Notes

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Will Carroll has the scoop on which relievers the Tigers may be chasing:

The Tigers are also after a reliever, but they’re not willing to give up much, knowing that Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney are coming back. All rumors involving the Tigers seem to be centered on Kyle Farnsworth, but they’ve also looked at Rauch, and asked about Jason Isringhausen and Al Reyes.

Between getting guys back and being in the catbird seat in the AL Central with postseason odds around 86%, it seems likely to me that the Tigers stand pat.  After all, that seems to be what Jim Leyland thinks, as well.

By Jeff Sackmann
Brew Crew Ball

Molony’s Latest: Willis, Encarnacion, Sowers

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MLB.com’s Jim Molony has his daily rumor summary up; check it out.  New rumors:

  • Molony’s sources say the Marlins are now listening to offers for Dontrelle Willis.  Might as well – what if the Mariners decide to offer Adam Jones?  Many folks remain enamored of Willis’s talent, if not his recent numbers.
  • The Cardinals could shop Russ Springer or Juan Encarnacion.  Springer is unlikely to be traded, however, because he has his son going to a specific school in St. Louis and the Cardinals respect that.  Encarnacion is hitting decently at .293/.329/.471; it might be high time to unload the $6.5MM he’s owed next year.
  • Something seems to be going on in Cleveland; GM Mark Shapiro has been in Buffalo watching Jeremy Sowers and Aaron Laffey.  Laffey was nearly called up recently.  Not much talk about trading Sowers previously, but he might be an interesting chip.  He’s similar to Kevin Slowey. They might find success in the NL.
  • The Tigers sent scouts to watch Joe Koshansky and Ian Stewart of the Rockies (rumor originated in the Denver Post).  Not sure how those two teams match up, but a cheap Koshansky might be worth a look for Detroit at first base next year.  Unless Carlos Guillen moves over.

Heyman’s Latest: Teixeira, Otsuka

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Jon Heyman of SI.com has been working the phone lines; here are some notable rumors from his latest column.

  • The Braves seemed fairly close to a Mark Teixeira trade yesterday, but the Angels are definitely knee deep in it.  They’ll make a solid offer including Casey Kotchman, Ervin Santana, and Major League player.  Adam Dunn remains Plan B.
  • Heyman says there’s speculation that Akinori Otsuka could need Tommy John surgery, which might compel the Rangers to sign Eric Gagne and/or keep Joaquin Benoit.
  • Refresher on Gagne’s 12-team allowable list can be found here.  Gagne must consent to a trade to Detroit, and it seems the Rangers asked for Cameron Maybin.  Not gonna happen.  The Yankees appear to be out on Gagne because he wants to close.  I’m skeptical – he wouldn’t pitch as a setup man if they guaranteed his entire contract?
  • Seems the Yanks entertained a Morgan Ensberg acquisition.  They would’ve used him at first base.  Joe Torre nixed the idea because Ensberg hasn’t hit for a long time.
  • Heyman’s top five available starters are Matt Morris, Livan Hernandez, Jose Contreras, Jason Jennings, and Kyle Lohse, in that order.  That ranking is reasonable.  A Jon Garland, Noah Lowry, or Joe Blanton would easily jump to that top of the list if made available.

Tigers Eyeing Farnsworth

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Kyle Farnsworth really lost it this year; he’s striking no one out but still walking too many.  Last year he at least racked up the Ks.  The Yankees would love to get out from some of the $5.5MM they owe him in 2008.

A few teams have kicked the tires on the Farnz, like the Rockies, Phillies, and Devil Rays.  But maybe it would be best for him to go back to the site of his last success, Detroit.  George King writes that the Tigers are interested, if the money can be worked out.  This makes a lot of sense to me.  The Tigers aren’t desperate for relievers, and this risk would be more in money than players.  Unlike Eric Gagne, who would cost both.  Maybe Chuck Hernandez can right the ship for Farnsworth.   

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