Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Dodgers Rumors

Quick Hits: Hanrahan, Harden, Dodgers, Ring

By | at

Some links for Sunday afternoon…

Dodgers Not Ready To Sell

By | at

Even though the Dodgers find themselves in the cellar of the NL West, GM Ned Colletti says that it's too early to go into selling mode, writes Ben Bolch of the Los Angeles Times.

"We haven't been healthy all year, but I still don't think we've played as well as we can play," the GM said. "The next three-plus weeks, if we can show some of that, we might be adding people."

The Dodgers could draw interest from contenders in players such as Hiroki Kuroda and Jamey Carroll.  Kuroda is in the middle of yet another strong season, posting at ERA of 2.90 with 6.7 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9.  Carroll, meanwhile, is hitting .300/.370/.365 and can play a number of positions.  The Rockies are believed to be interested in Carroll, but Colletti said that he'd have to feel very confident about the return in order to trade within the division.

Olney On Dodgers, Cardinals, Bell, Kazmir

By | at

The Dodgers are playing hard and preparing diligently for every game, but you'd have to be blind to not see the cloud that hangs over the team on a daily basis, writes ESPN.com's Buster Olney.  Because of the club's situation, the team knows that there probably won't be help coming in before the trade deadline.  They've also seen their farm system dry up and their club is no longer a top destination for big-time free agents.   Regardless of who the owner is of the team this time next year, they'll likely need years to repair the damage that has been done.  Here's more from Olney..

  • The Padres are scouting the farm systems of several clubs as the deadline approaches, and the Cardinals are among those clubs.  All along, St. Louis has been a natural fit for Heath Bell or one of the other San Diego relievers.  On Thursday, Olney reported that San Diego has told teams that they're ready to take offers on Bell and Mike Adams.
  • Pitcher Scott Kazmir is expected to pick his next team sometime in the next ten days.  The veteran has met with the Rangers and other clubs are in the mix, such as the Padres.  Kazmir worked out for Texas last week and was healthy for the workout.

Dodgers Have Not Had Serious Talks About Kuroda

By | at

Despite interest from several teams, the Dodgers have not had any serious trade discussions about right-hander Hiroki Kuroda according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Morosi notes that tomorrow's start against the Angels will give teams a chance to evaluate Kuroda against an AL lineup.

Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers is said to hold the 36-year-old righty in high regard, and team ownership recently said they'll be able to take on payroll at the deadline. Kuroda will require compensation to waive his no-trade clause, though it's unclear exactly what kind of compensation he's looking for. The Reds and Rockies scouted his most recent start, and Morosi reminds us that the Yankees are always lurking.

Kuroda has a stellar 3.10 ERA through 101 2/3 innings this year, and his strikeout (6.8 K/9) and walk rates (2.5 BB/9) are right in line with his career norms. He is getting fewer ground balls in 2011 (44.6%) compared to the rest of his career (49.7%), so it's not surprising that he's giving up a career high 1.1 homers per nine innings.

Olney On Deadline Plans For NL Teams

By | at

The trade market is still developing at this point in the season, but it’s starting to take shape. Buster Olney outlines the plans for National League teams in a highly recommended insider-only piece at ESPN.com. Here are the details:

  • The Dodgers can’t make long-term investments in young stars like Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Clayton Kershaw because of their uncertain financial status. The Los Angeles front office is now gathering information about some of their trade candidates and taking calls on some players. No teams have called on Jamey Carroll yet, though the Rockies are interested.
  • James Loney and Casey Blake have next to no trade value, as Olney explains.
  • No team has called about Jose Reyes, who won’t be traded for anything less than a top prospect and a solid secondary prospect.
  • Rival executives expect the Phillies to acquire proven veterans this summer.
  • Though the Astros will listen to offers on Hunter Pence and Wandy Rodriguez, they will be asking a lot for them.
  • The Braves are checking out available hitters. Some rival executives have speculated on the possibility that the Braves will consider trading Jair Jurrjens, whose stock has never been higher.
  • Some rival executives think B.J. Upton will be a borderline non-tender candidate this offseason. Upton will earn a raise from $4.825MM next year and he currently has a .223/.308/.396 line with 20 steals. I can’t envision the Rays non-tendering Upton, who would presumably have trade value if Tampa made him available.
  • The Padres have told teams that they’re ready to take offers for Heath Bell and Mike Adams. Rival clubs believe Adams will be harder to obtain than Ryan Ludwick.
  • The Rockies will wait a few weeks before deciding whether to buy or sell.
  • The Giants are looking for catching help and Ramon Hernandez is a possible upgrade, as I explained earlier in the week.
  • The Reds are concerned about starting pitching and will consider making moves for upgrades at left field or shortstop. Though rival teams don’t expect Reyes to end up in Cincinnati, GM Walt Jocketty may be aggressive enough to make a deal happen.
  • GM Jim Hendry says there won’t be a fire sale, but the Cubs are “open for business,” Olney reports. Jeff Baker and Kerry Wood are “among the most coveted players in the trade market,” since they’re cheap and useful. Rival executives have mixed opinions about Carlos Pena, who is powerful but streaky.
  • Wood is near the top of Arizona’s list of targets.
  • The 40-39 Pirates will look for modest ways to improve and won’t be selling.

Dodgers Links: McCourt, Selig, Uribe

By | at

The Dodgers have filed for bankruptcy and owner Frank McCourt is up against MLB in a legal battle that’s not getting any friendlier. Here’s the latest…

  • McCourt obtained court approval to use $60MM for his immediate bills and will learn whether he can access the rest of his $150MM loan on July 20th, according to Bill Shaikin and Michael Oneal of the LA Times.
  • Yahoo's Jeff Passan shows that commissioner Bud Selig has changed his stance on McCourt dramatically since the Dodgers owner took control of the franchise in 2004.
  • Giants GM Brian Sabean shot down a rumor about the possibility that infielder Juan Uribe could return to San Francisco this year, according to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News (on Twitter). Baggarly and MLB.com's Chris Haft had both heard that the Dodgers could trade Uribe to the Giants, the team he played for in 2010. 
  • ESPN.com's Buster Olney hears that the Dodgers are in no substantive trade talks about anyone (Twitter link).

Heyman On Padres, Athletics, Twins

By | at

The latest from SI's Jon Heyman…

  • The Padres are being aggressive in engaging in trade discussions, say executives who have spoken to them.  They're even willing to discuss dominant set-up man Mike Adams, who is under team control for next year.  Many teams prefer Adams over closer Heath Bell, who Heyman says is "very likely" to be dealt.  There are a couple of surprise suitors for Bell, but one exec told Heyman the righty "won't bring as much as you think."
  • The impending returns of Rich Harden, Brandon McCarthy, and Tyson Ross are delaying the Athletics' decision on whether to sell.  If they do sell, here's a look at who might be available.
  • A rival executive believes the Mets would have to be bowled over to trade Jose Reyes, though teams seem convinced Carlos Beltran and Francisco Rodriguez will be traded.  Teams haven't even called the Mets yet about Reyes' availability, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.
  • Heyman says that the Dodgers have not received any calls on Matt Kemp.
  • Though they are nine games out, Heyman says there is no evidence the Twins will start shopping soon.  A competing exec thinks they'll stand pat.  While Michael Cuddyer would be coveted, his value in the clubhouse might compel the Twins to keep him.
  • The Giants don't have much interest in Cleveland's Orlando Cabrera, writes Heyman.
  • The Reds "seem reluctant" to trade catcher Ramon Hernandez.  For more on Hernandez, click here.
  • The Rockies are in wait-and-see mode, but if they sell they'll look to move closer Huston Street.  Street is signed through 2012 with a club option for '13.

Dodgers Bankruptcy Links: Tuesday

By | at

The Dodgers filed for bankruptcy yesterday, an event that ESPN's Buster Olney ranks among the ten worst chapters in MLB history.  The latest:

  • MLB was happy with today’s events and will move to have monitors re-installed at Dodger Stadium, according to Yahoo’s Tim Brown (Twitter links). MLB will also request a trustee for the team.
  • MLB struck back against Frank McCourt today, blaming the Dodgers' owner for the team's inability to make payroll.  MLB is asking the bankruptcy court to reject McCourt's $150MM loan, which comes with 10% interest and a $4.5MM fee, in favor of their own financing with 7% interest and no fee.  Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times has all the details.  He notes that the court could decide today which financing to accept.
  • Shaikin has a great primer on this whole mess, using a Q&A format.  He says the essence of the case is whether bankruptcy court can override MLB rules, if Bud Selig revokes McCourt's ownership.
  • The Dodgers should sell off impending free agents like Hiroki Kuroda, Jamey Carroll, and Casey Blake, writes Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, as well as non-tender candidate James Loney.  How about MVP candidate Matt Kemp?  "We trade him, and we're done," one member of the organization told Morosi.

Sherman On Yankees, Padres, Clippard

By | at

Joel Sherman of the New York Post dishes all kinds of Yankees rumors today; let's check it out.

  • Yankees GM Brian Cashman admitted the team's weakness is left-handed pitching, but says, "I can't force it.  I can't make it happen if it is not there." Another Yankees official said that a lefty would help, "But I don't think it is live or die."  Sherman believes Wandy Rodriguez and Francisco Liriano might be the two best available southpaw starters, but both bring concerns.  Relief-wise they could go for the Marlins' Randy Choate or consider higher-priced names in August like Brian Fuentes and Mike Gonzalez.
  • In general, Cashman said he doesn't think he can trade for a starter better than Bartolo Colon or Phil Hughes or a reliever better than Rafael Soriano, and all three could be back in July.  According to Sherman, the Yankees "have shown no interest in high-cost veterans with dubious stuff such as the Brett Myers, Carlos Zambrano, Ryan Dempster, Edwin Jackson, Livan Hernandez, and Jason Marquis."
  • Hoping for the Yanks to acquire Jair Jurrjens or Derek Lowe?  We're not sure if either is available, but Sherman says "the Yankees' policy has become pretty much to run away from Atlanta pitching after having successful Braves hurlers blow up on them."
  • The Yankees would not offer an extension to Hiroki Kuroda, if the righty were to make that a condition of a trade.  We know Kuroda will require some form of compensation.
  • The Padres "want to get out in the market quickly" with relievers Heath Bell and Chad Qualls, writes Sherman.  The Yankees, however, prefer Mike Adams, who is considered much less available.
  • The Nationals are willing to trade setup man Tyler Clippard, but are looking for a center fielder and have their sights on B.J. Upton.

Rockies Interested In Jamey Carroll

By | at

The Rockies are looking for second base help, reports Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, and they've expressed interest in Dodgers infielder Jamey Carroll.  Carroll spent the 2006-07 seasons with Colorado, sending the Rockies to the playoffs in '07 with a sacrifice fly off Trevor Hoffman.

Carroll, 37, is hitting .300/.368/.366 in 288 plate appearances on the season.  He's capable of playing second base, shortstop, third base, and the outfield corners.  I examined his trade candidacy about a week ago.  Carroll is earning $1.8MM and he's a bit short of Type B status.

Rockies second basemen, mainly Jonathan Herrera and Chris Nelson, are hitting .240/.296/.325 on the season.  I think Nelson deserves more of a look, but adding Carroll wouldn't hurt.  There aren't too many contenders seeking second basemen, but Carroll, Mark Ellis, and Jeff Keppinger are the top trade candidates.  Renck says the Rockies also want to bolster their rotation, but may look internally for that.  At six games out, they're on the fringe of contention.

GMs Dan O'Dowd and Ned Colletti matched up on a trade last year, when the Rockies acquired Octavio Dotel from the Dodgers for Anthony Jackson.  Before that, the division rivals hadn't matched up since '03.

Show all

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top