Padres Acquire Morgan Ensberg
According to Buster Olney (via RotoWorld), the Padres have traded for third baseman Morgan Ensberg.
Kevin Kouzmanoff might be well-served with a platoon partner, but it would make sense to get someone who hits righties. Both Kouzmanoff and Ensberg excel against southpaws, Kouzmanoff more so this year. Give Kouzmanoff a mulligan for his awful April (his first full month in the bigs), and he’s hit .273/.328/.486. Nothing amazing, but why would Ensberg be any better?
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.
Could D-Rays Flip Dan Wheeler?
Keith Law raises a good point in his blog post today – the Devil Rays might be able to spin Dan Wheeler for a younger, cheaper player. Law thinks it’s very likely that Andrew Friedman and Co. will aggressively shop Wheeler in the next two days. They’ve managed to spin Ty Wigginton into a more scarce commodity with higher demand.
For example: if Octavio Dotel is worthy of a discussion about Dodgers’ shortstop Chin-Ling Hu, does Wheeler fall within the same realm? If not, does controlling him through 2008 close the gap? With Reid Brignac struggling in Double A overall, why not attempt to add another shortstop? Or if Brignac succeeds (his bat has come alive this month), the Rays could move Hu to second base. Evan Longoria at third base would make Akinori Iwamura expendable.
Another option would be to target Seattle’s Jeff Clement, though I’d imagine Bill Bavasi would want more than just Wheeler. Carlos Pena would be a nice fit.
The Rockies could re-engage talks to get Wheeler, perhaps offering up one of their young flamethrowers or a guy like Jeff Baker.
Morgan Ensberg Designated For Assignment
UPDATE: Jim Molony of MLB.com says the Dodgers and Padres have scouted Ensberg recently. Will Carroll adds that the Twins and Phillies kicked the tires, with the Phils possibly offering up Chris Coste.
To make room for Ty Wigginton, the Astros designated 32 year-old third baseman Morgan Ensberg for assignment today. They have ten days to trade, release, or send him to the minors. Tim Purpura is hoping to work out a trade.
2005 was Ensberg’s career year; he hit .283/.388/.557 with 36 home runs. His bat kind of died after the first two months of 2006, and he may never return to full-time status. But I do think he deserves one more shot with a new organization. The Twins, Phillies, Dodgers, or Giants could try him at third base.
Tigers Trade Rumors: Barmes, Dotel, Qualls
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.
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.
Astros Trade Wheeler To Devil Rays For Wigginton
UPDATE: Wigginton will be used as the primary third baseman; you have to expert Morgan Ensberg to be gone soon.
We expected both players to be traded, but not for each other. Today, the Astros traded 29 year-old reliever Dan Wheeler to the Devil Rays for 29 year-old supersub Ty Wigginton. By my count, Wheeler reaches free agency after the 2008 season and Wiggy after 2009.
Looking at the two most important metrics, strikeout and walk rate, Wheeler should return to form for Tampa Bay. His strikeout rate is up; his walks down. Wheeler does not allow many baserunners. Perhaps the reunion with former Astros pitching coach Jim Hickey will help Wheeler curb his gopheritis. Should the Rays trade Al Reyes, or perhaps even if they don’t, Wheeler is a strong candidate to assume closing duties for the team.
I’m seeing a lot of folks panning Tim Purpura for getting Wigginton for Wheeler. Personally I don’t think it’s too bad. The Astros will have holes at second and third base next year, and Wigginton can play either position based on which spot the Astros can fill otherwise. I’d like to see him at second base, where his bat would be above average. Could Purpura have done better, given the strong demand for relievers? If it was the Wheeler of years past, sure. But he has a 5.07 ERA this year.
Latest Mets Rumors: Luis Castillo, Chad Cordero
Let’s have a look at the latest rumors swirling around the Mets.
- Second base remains an area of focus. A Twins scout was at Shea recently, presumably trying to figure out what to ask for from the Mets for Luis Castillo. The Mets were recently scouting the Twins as well. The problem is that Castillo is not yet officially available. A couple of Marks, Grudzielanek and Loretta, remain on the radar. The Astros might consider signing Loretta to an extension, though no details have been discussed.
- The Devil Rays hosted the Red Sox last night, and a Mets scout was on hand. Speculation on my part, but possible targets include Ty Wigginton, Jonny Gomes, Edwin Jackson, Al Reyes, and Casey Fossum. The Mets had some interest in Jackson way back in November.
- According to Dan Graziano, the Mets are still pushing for Chad Cordero or Jon Rauch. Graziano is skeptical that the Nationals can arrive at a trade. Matthew Cerrone believes the Mets might give up Mike Pelfrey to get Cordero.
- Will Carroll has some other relievers the Mets are considering: Matt Thornton, Chad Bradford, and Shawn Chacon.
- The Mets had a scout in attendance yesterday to watch Jon Garland. He gave up ten hits but only three runs in 7.1 innings to the Blue Jays.
Mariners Considering Kei Igawa, Al Reyes, Jason Jennings?
Apparently the Mariners have some interest in twice-demoted Yankees starter Kei Igawa, according to an uncited TV report. The report pleased Ichiro Suzuki and Kenji Johjima.
Igawa is locked up through 2011, which may or may not be a positive. He earns another $1.5MM this year plus $4MM annually through the end of the contract. The posting fee situation ensures that Igawa’s salary is really cheap, the price a team might pay for a semi-utility guy like Mark DeRosa. If Igawa can be league average in the comfy confines of Safeco, he’s a bargain. More likely he’d have value to an NL team.
The Mariners were in on Igawa this offseason, along with the Padres, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Braves, Mets, Cubs, Tigers, and Indians. Igawa was said to prefer playing on the West Coast. The 28 year-old had a decent strikeout rate but has otherwise been rocked in 62 innings as a Yankee.
Meanwhile Dan Graziano says the Mariners are entertaining practically every available starter. He says they’re "hot on the trail" of Jason Jennings. I still think Jennings stays put.
Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times has a few new names for us: the Mariners have "serious interest" in reliever Al Reyes and may go for Edwin Jackson as well.
Yankees Focused On Gagne, Wheeler, Qualls
It seems highly likely that the Yankees will make a move to upgrade their bullpen before the Tuesday trade deadline. They appear to have three main targets.
Kat O’Brien of Newsday says the Yanks have had serious discussions with Texas regarding Eric Gagne. Though Gagne wants to close, remember that he can be traded to New York without his consent. A Rivera-Gagne combo would essentially turn every game into seven innings. O’Brien names righthanders Ian Kennedy and Jeff Marquez as two pitchers the Rangers might be after. Kennedy is definitely more highly regarded. The Rangers also like Melky Cabrera but the Yankees are resisting.
Meanwhile, Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News tells us that the Yankees have "narrowed their sights" to Dan Wheeler and Chad Qualls of the Astros. The Astros control Wheeler through 2009 and Qualls through 2010, so the asking price will be significant. Jayson Stark says Houston is looking for a young MLB-ready position player; Cabrera seems to fit the bill.
Another Yankee-related note from O’Brien’s article – the Yankees are not pursuing Ty Wigginton anymore. Other writers do not agree. Dan Graziano indicates that Wiggy is still in play and the Yankees might try get Al Reyes added to the deal as well. Peter Abraham talked to an AL exec who expects the Yanks to get Wigginton. Graziano adds that the Yankees have had recent discussions about Octavio Dotel and Jon Rauch.