Rosenthal’s Latest: Sabathia, Burnett, Fuentes, Guillen
Ken Rosenthal has a new column up. I updated the second bullet about Burnett – I had omitted an interesting rumor accidentally.
- The Dodgers could’ve gotten CC Sabathia, Casey Blake, and Jamey Carroll without giving up Matt Kemp. Owner Frank McCourt may have killed the deal, though he denies it. Rosenthal describes the Dodgers as a "near-impossible trading partner."
- Rosenthal reminds us that A.J. Burnett can veto trades to 15 teams and would probably require compensation to waive that right or his opt-out rights. Rosenthal also says the Jays offered Burnett to the Brewers for J.J. Hardy, but the Brewers passed and then acquired CC Sabathia.
- The Rays are named as the frontrunner for Brian Fuentes. Fuentes has been linked to nine clubs in various reports.
- Players such as Orlando Cabrera, Cristian Guzman, Jack Wilson, and Hardy may be hot commodities this winter given the large number of teams looking for a shortstop.
- The Royals received inquiries on Jose Guillen in the wake of his scuffle with the team’s pitching coach. However, the Royals plan to keep him.
- The Padres hope to acquire up-the-middle players. On a related note, Randy Wolf had a nice start last night.
Odds and Ends: Bedard, Teixeira, Longoria, Durham
Rounding up today’s links…
- Live chat here today at 2pm CST.
- Geoff Baker has a link and commentary on Erik Bedard‘s Philadelphia radio appearance. I’m with Baker – this was an odd choice by Bedard, who typically avoids the media.
- According to Ken Rosenthal, the Brewers are interested in the Giants’ Ray Durham and Jack Taschner.
- MLB.com’s Mark Bowman believes the Braves will shop Mark Teixeira if they decide they can’t contend. They’re currently six games out.
- Dave Cameron concluded his MLB Trade Value series at FanGraphs. He considers Evan Longoria the most valuable asset in the game, partially because of his team-friendly contract.
- Ken Davidoff runs through starting pitching trade candidates now that CC Sabathia is off the market.
- Sam Mellinger wonders what it would’ve been like if the Royals had successfully signed Hiroki Kuroda. Of course, they were eyeing Andruw Jones and Carlos Silva too.
- With Matt Treanor DL-bound, the Marlins’ search for a catcher may intensify.
Stark’s Latest: Harang, Bedard, Hardy, Weeks, McLouth
Brand new column from ESPN’s Jayson Stark.
- Stark explains why he feels the trade deadline is overrated. I guess it all depends on what you expect from it.
- You may recall Walt Jocketty’s Reds untouchables list from a few weeks ago. It did not include Aaron Harang. While the Reds might listen on Harang, there wouldn’t be any kind of discount.
- The Mariners have pushed Erik Bedard to the backburner, focusing on shopping other veterans. They’re also not dying to move Raul Ibanez at the moment.
- The Brewers might be willing to include J.J. Hardy or Rickie Weeks in a trade. In our chat today, a commenter wondered whether some kind of Hardy-A.J. Burnett swap could work.
- The Tigers are looking ahead, inquiring about various shortstops they might be able to use in ’09 and beyond. Perhaps if they find one they’ll decline Edgar Renteria‘s option.
- Add the Marlins to the list of Brian Fuentes suitors. One source from another team said the cost for Fuentes is "one good piece."
- Stark agrees with recent indications that the Royals aren’t dying to move Ron Mahay. Nonetheless, the Yankees, Marlins, Phillies, and Tigers are named as interested parties.
- Pirate outfield chatter: some teams are calling on Nate McLouth, though the Bucs prefer to move Jason Bay or Xavier Nady. Despite earlier reports, Stark says the Bucs could consider trading both. The Rays are "especially interested" in Bay.
- Stark talked to one club official who hasn’t heard any indications that the Phillies are willing to trade Shane Victorino. Also possibly off-limits: Double A catcher Lou Marson.
- To acquire Rich Harden, a package "would have to at least approach last year’s Dan Haren extravaganza." So, look for him to stay put. Harden’s velocity was down yesterday, by the way.
- Brett Myers‘ future with the Phillies could hinge on whether they re-sign closer Brad Lidge.
- Still no buzz around Adam Dunn.
- C.C. chatter: don’t write off the Indians’ attempt to sign him to an extension. "One friend" sees Sabathia as more likely to land on the West Coast than the east if he doesn’t re-sign.
Odds and Ends: Torrealba, Teixeira, Butler
Time to round up some linkage.
- The Brewers’ GM, assistant GM, and manager had a long private chat today.
- 2002’s #1 overall pick, Bryan Bullington, was designated for assignment today by the Pirates. Still can’t believe this guy was picked first overall.
- Andy Phillips‘ journey continues: he’s back with the Reds.
- The Rockies will honor Yorvit Torrealba‘s request by listening to trade offers for him. His stock is low, and the Marlins aren’t interested despite their plan to add a catcher.
- Mark Teixeira would prefer not to be traded this year. By the way, the Braves are at least considering sending Jeff Francoeur to the minors.
- Sam Mellinger explains why the Royals should not trade Billy Butler.
Strong Interest In Ron Mahay
Royals lefty Ron Mahay is having a great year, with a 2.13 ERA in 42.3 innings. His strikeout rate is down from ’07, but so is his walk rate. He’s signed affordably through ’09. The Royals beat out several teams to sign Mahay last winter, including the Yankees and Rays. Both teams are known to be hunting for relief help currently.
The KC Star’s Bob Dutton says nobody has called Dayton Moore with a firm offer for Mahay. Dutton believes interest is strong, but Moore’s comments imply the Royals intend to keep him. A lesser alternative might be Jimmy Gobble, but only if the Royals want to sell low on him.
Odds And Ends: International Signings, Lo Duca, Ichiro, ChiSox
Here’s a list of loose links (sink ships) from today:
- The A’s officially inked Michel Inoa for $4.25MM.
- Corey Brock of MLB.com has a piece on the Padres’ international signings. More here from the man himself, Paul DePodesta.
- The Marlins are still looking for a catcher, and one of their former guys might be available. That would be Paul Lo Duca. With the Nats out of it, could they swap Lo Duca within the division? And would they assume part of Lo Duca’s remaining salary? Keep in mind that MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro said yesterday that the Marlins were "not serious" about Lo Duca.
- Ozzie Guillen is completely content with the current White Sox team. Other than an underperforming and injured Paul Konerko, they’re looking solid.
- Sam Mellinger goes over the Royals trade options. It’s full of the usual suspects: Mark Grundielanek and Ron Mahay. He also mentions Esteban German, who in the past might have intrigued teams as a solid utility player, but who has dropped off considerably in 2008.
- The best way to rebuild the Mariners? Trade Ichiro, says Scott Miller.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Padilla, Manny, Beltre, Dunn
Rumor man Ken Rosenthal has a new column up.
- At least three teams have inquired on the Rangers’ Vicente Padilla: the Mets, Yankees, and Brewers. Jon Daniels is looking for "quality young pitching."
- Manny Ramirez‘s $20MM option for ’09 isn’t a lock. It’s a tough call – .900 OPS players on one-year deals don’t grow on trees.
- Rosenthal suggests David DeJesus or Melky Cabrera would be nice fits for the Diamondbacks, who aren’t looking for a rental. He also speculates on names like Brian Giles, David Dellucci, and Randy Winn. Note: Rosenthal is playing GM here, not relaying inside info of trade talks.
- Rosenthal believes Matt Stairs would be a nice addition for the Dodgers, and notes that the Dodgers and Blue Jays have spoken. The Jays’ direction for ’08 is still uncertain though.
- Still sounds like it’d take a "knockout offer" to pry Rich Harden loose from the A’s.
- The A’s are said to like Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre. He can block trades to eight unknown clubs though.
- Adam Dunn isn’t generating much trade interest yet.
- KC’s Ron Mahay is "drawing significant interest." The trade market for lefty relievers is fairly robust.
Grudzielanek Wants To Play Two Or Three More Years
According to the Kansas City Star’s Bob Dutton, Royals second baseman Mark Grudzielanek would like to play two or three more years. Grudzielanek, 38, is hitting a healthy .307/.365/.406 in 269 plate appearances. He’s earning $4.5MM this year.
Dutton notes the Royals’ other second base options, and wonders if the team will shop Grudzielanek this month. Grudzielanek is undecided as to whether he’d prefer to stay in Kansas City beyond this year.
The Blue Jays and Dodgers seem like possibilities. However, the Jays have Joe Inglett playing well and Jeff Kent had a decent June for the Dodgers. There is not an obvious suitor for Grudzielanek.
Rockies Rumors: Holliday, Fuentes, Torrealba
The Rockies have been even worse than the Padres – 19 games under .500, 10 games out in a lousy division. According to Tracy Ringolsby, they’ll decide at the All-Star break whether to officially become sellers.
Let’s start with closer Brian Fuentes, whose ERA jumped from 2.56 to 3.94 last night. Reports had the suitors at the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Phillies, and A’s. Ringolsby says to cross the A’s off the list and add the Rays, Cubs, and Cardinals. Ken Rosenthal tossed the Cubs into the mix on June 12th, but then changed that report. Troy E. Renck adds the Cardinals to the list.
Ringolsby rattles off teams interested in Matt Holliday: Cardinals, Rays, Angels, Dodgers, and Royals. Definitely some new names in there. Holliday is hitting .332/.415/.538 in 299 plate appearances (.309/.401/.472 on the road). Ringolsby says the A’s will "kick the tires" on Holliday but are more likely to pursue Willy Taveras.
We also have RotoWire, which reports that catcher Yorvit Torrealba told the Tigers’ radio network that he wants to be traded. After nearly signing with the Mets, Torrealba inked a two-year, $7.25MM deal with the Rockies. He is hitting as badly as expected: .252/.291/.387 in 180 PAs. He’s thrown out only 24% of runners, up slightly from last year. Torrealba has been splitting time with Chris Iannetta since May.
Odds and Ends: Meche, Horne, Manny, Uggla
Today’s random hot stove links…
- Gil Meche wants to stay with the Royals.
- Yankees pitching prospect Alan Horne may be injured. This could have hot stove ramifications – Horne could’ve been a top trade chip or even a rotation addition this year.
- Peter Abraham does not think Barry Bonds makes sense for the Yankees. Hideki Matsui will be out at least a couple of weeks with a knee injury, with surgery as a last resort.
- Manny Ramirez shoved the Red Sox’s traveling secretary. This is slightly different than the Shawn Chacon situation, in that Chacon had his hands around Ed Wade’s neck. But is Manny getting off easy because he’s Manny?
- CBS’s Scott Miller weighs in on the starting pitching market.
- Dan Uggla is in line for at least a tenfold raise in arbitration next year. The Marlins haven’t decided whether to talk extension with him.