Odds And Ends: Atkins, Ryan, Halladay
More links for the afternoon…
- Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports that the Red Sox phoned the Rockies about Garrett Atkins, who's hitting much better since the beginning of June.
- Bradford Doolittle of the Kansas City Star says the Royals can't give Mark Teahen away, but they should be open to trading him.
- Joel Sherman wonders if a contender will pick B.J. Ryan up as a lefty specialist.
- Jorge Arangure Jr. says Ryan could fit with the Marlins, who have been handing out second chances non-stop.
- MLB.com's Lyle Spencer looks at pieces the Angels could offer for Roy Halladay, about whom they have called the Blue Jays.
- But the Angels are not the only ones inquiring. As Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports, J.P. Ricciardi has received "several" calls about Halladay.
Angels Seek Starter, Relievers
The Angels would love to add a front-of-the-rotation starter like Roy Halladay and they're looking hard for relief help, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times. Acquiring relievers may be easier than obtaining a top starter, because, as Torii Hunter says, "If they're shopping Roy Halladay, everybody and their momma is going to be after him."
Roy Halladay Rumors: Wednesday
One of baseball's most talented and dependable pitchers is available for the right combination of talent. Here's a collection of Roy Halladay-themed rumors and thoughts from around the league:
- It's doubtful that the Jays would trade Halladay within the AL East and the Yankees wouldn't be likely to part with enough pieces to acquire him, a source told Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.
- Seems to me that it's in the Jays' best interest to have many bidders involved, especially their AL East rivals, if only to boost the asking price for other clubs.
- Feinsand suggests Yankees fans should give up on acquiring the Jays ace and just hope he's dealt to the NL.
- Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times says the Angels have known for weeks that the Jays would listen on Halladay.
- One Phillies person told Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer the team's serious about pursuing Halladay.
- One scout told Salisbury Halladay's the best pitcher in baseball, good enough to win 27 games in the NL. Another scout expects Doc to end up with the Red Sox or Angels.
- Scott Lauber of the News Journal believes Ruben Amaro Jr. needs to strike a deal for Halladay.
- When his contract expires after 2010 Halladay will want to play for a winner, whether in Toronto or elsewhere, according to Mike Rutsey of the Toronto Sun.
- MLB.com's Ken Gurnick doesn't expect the Dodgers to acquire Halladay.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post believes the Jays missed their chance to deal Halladay last year, when money flowed more freely and before teams clung onto their prospects as tightly.
- Yahoo's Gordon Edes agrees, as attendance is down this year, but says teams like the Yankees could always jump in with a bid.
- A friend of Halladay's told Jon Heyman of SI.com that Doc would likely approve trades to Boston, New York or Philadelphia.
- Pete Abraham of the Journal News says J.P. Ricciardi played it "exactly right" yesterday, building hype about Halladay by telling everyone he could be available.
More Halladay Chatter
GMs' phones must be ringing off the hook tonight, and most of the incoming calls are probably from your friendly neighborhood baseball beat writer. Let's scope out the latest news from Buster Olney:
- Olney has updated his previous post on the news, and gets word that Halladay might be open to waiving his no-trade clause.
- Olney goes on to say that since Halladay would depart after 2010 as a likely Type A, he will command two high draft choices. Thus, all trade offers would have to begin with such talent.
- Angels manager Mike Scioscia says GM Tony Reagins has talked to Toronto about Doc.
- Olney runs through more suitors: the Red Sox, who have "stubbornly clung to their young pitching," the Mets and Cubs, who may or may not have the proper package of prospects, Yankees, and the Phillies.
In other news around the beat:
- MLB.com's Jordan Bastian has a source that says over a dozen teams have asked about Halladay, with the most serious interest expressed by the Cardinals, Yankees, Mets, Brewers, Dodgers, Angels and Red Sox.
- Adam McCalvy at MLB.com has this quote from Brewers GM Doug Melvin on the matter: "I'm open to talking about anybody…I'm also realistic to know that not everybody is available all the time."
- Dave van Dyck at the Chicago Tribune talked to White Sox GM Kenny Williams, who reiterated his concerns about finances and doesn't think he can afford to ship the young talent Halladay will require.
Roy Halladay Rumors: Tuesday
4:20pm: Ricciardi told Jon Heyman of SI.com that he wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't at least listen to offers for Halladay.
3:20pm: Ricciardi told ESPN.com's Buster Olney that he prepared his ace for a possible trade. Halladay told his GM that he will listen if Ricciardi decides on a deal and needs approval.
"We're going to see what's out there," Ricciardi told Olney.
Speaking to the Canadian Press, Ricciardi said he's not confident the Jays and Halladay have a future once their current deal expires after next year.
"I'm not so sure payroll-wise where we're going to be able to be after 2010," he said. "I'm not so sure that the player wants to stay here beyond 2010."
1:27PM: Roy Halladay can be had, but any team looking to acquire him will have to part with a number of top young players or prospects. Here are the details on the latest name to become available:
- Jeff Blair of the Globe and Mail talked to J.P. Ricciardi who repeats that the Jays will listen to offers for Roy Halladay. However, the Jays are only going to trade him for an awesome collection of talent.
- Jon Heyman of SI.com sees the Phillies and Yankees as early favorites for Halladay, followed by the Angels.
- MLB.com's Todd Zolecki points out that the Blue Jays "hold all the cards." If they hear a great offer, they can take it; if not, they have their ace around for 2010.
Edes’ Latest: Giants, Teahen, Relievers
Currently standing atop the National League wildcard standings, the Giants are looking for a lefthanded bat to add to their lineup according to Gordon Edes of Yahoo Sports. He cites a major league executive who says that San Francisco has focused their efforts on three first baseman: Nick Johnson, Aubrey Huff and Adam LaRoche. Edes also says that the Giants have spoken to the Padres about a potential Jonathan Sanchez–Scott Hairston swap.
Let's round up the rest of Edes' rumors…
- Royals GM Dayton Moore has heard from multiple teams about Mark Teahen, including the Red Sox, Cubs, Angels and Giants.
- The Braves "might be inclined to take a look at" Jose Guillen. The Royals would love to discuss Yunel Escobar.
- We've heard this before, but if Boston moves a reliever, it will most likely be Takashi Saito.
- Padres' closer Heath Bell may command the most attention amongst relievers.
- The Astros are likely to hold on to LaTroy Hawkins and Jose Valverde, barring a collapse before the trade deadline.
- The Blue Jays would love to move BJ Ryan, but are more likely to see interest in Jason Frasor and Scott Downs.
- Bronson Arroyo is back on the trade block.
Angels Aren’t Close To Making A Deal
Angels GM Tony Reagins told Kevin Baxter of the LA Times that he's talking to other clubs, but those discussions haven't brought him any closer to making a trade than he was a month ago. The Angels could use help in the rotation and in the bullpen and could deal from depth in the middle infield and behind the plate. However, Reagins says there's no point in trading for the sake of trading.
Angels Sign First Round Pick
According to Eric Schwartz of the Newark Star-Ledger, the Angels have agreed to terms with first round pick Michael Trout. He was handed a $1.215MM signing bonus and will head to rookie ball in Arizona on Friday.
Trout, selected 25th overall in the June First-Year Player Draft, hit .531 with 49 runs scored, 18 dingers and 45 RBI as a senior outfielder at Millville High School in New Jersey. He also went 5-1 with a 1.71 ERA as a starting pitcher.
D’Backs Discussed Haren With Angels?
Ken Rosenthal at FOX Sports says that the Angels inquired on Dan Haren, hoping to add the elite starter through a deal that could have included "their surplus of catchers and middle infielders to put together a blockbuster offer." However, the Diamondbacks declined to engage in more serious talks for Haren. Says one D'Backs exec:
"I almost can't conceive of a package that would motivate us to move him."
Rosenthal goes on to say that the Diamondbacks consider Haren an integral piece of their future, but one source indicated that "talks could accelerate" if the Angels bowl over the Diamondbacks with an overwhelming offer. Rosenthal notes this is a sign that teams are trying to get creative in a depleted market for starting pitching.
Reds Seek Bats
Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports that the Reds are actively seeking right-handed hitting, especially after losing out on Mark DeRosa to the rival Cardinals. Here are a few options for the Reds, who could improve at third base, shortstop and left field:
- They have considered dealing for Josh Willingham.
- Ty Wigginton could fit their needs as well.
- Adding Matt Holliday would be huge for the Reds, but he'd command the biggest return of all.
- Gary Matthews Jr. could fit in Cincy if the Angels are willing to pay a considerable portion of his contract. The Angels would likely want relief help in return.
- Since the Red Sox may be prepared to eat a considerable portion of Julio Lugo's salary, the Reds could consider dealing for him and asking for Boston to pay most of his $9MM salary.