Olney On Deadline Plans For NL Teams
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
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
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
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
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
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.
Kuroda Requires Compensation To Waive No-Trade
Hiroki Kuroda is drawing interest from multiple teams, but acquiring the right-hander won't necessarily be as simple as out-bidding his other suitors. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported last Tuesday that the right-hander will require "some form of compensation" to waive his no-trade clause.
The Rockies and Reds are among the teams with some interest in Kuroda, who may be having his best season yet at age 36. He has a 3.10 ERA with 6.8 K/9, 2.5 BB/9 and a 44.6% ground ball rate in 101 2/3 innings this year. His $8MM salary could be an obstacle for clubs with limited flexibility; about $2.7MM will remain on the one-year deal at the end of July.
Many Clubs Showing Interest In Kuroda
Multiple clubs are showing interest in Dodgers right-hander Hiroki Kuroda, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Rockies and Reds had scouts at his most recent start.
The 36-year-old right-hander has a 3.10 ERA with 6.8 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 in 101 2/3 innings for the Dodgers. His average fastball velocity (91.7 mph) and ground ball rate (44.6%) have dipped slightly so far in 2011. Kuroda earns an $8MM base salary this year and his full no-trade clause enables him to veto any deal. MLBTR's Dan Mennella examined Kuroda's free agent stock earlier this month.
Morosi hears from one executive who doubts the Dodgers will trade Andre Ethier or Matt Kemp, who are both under team control through 2012.
Reaction To The Dodgers’ Bankruptcy
The Dodgers are 35-44 in their first season under manager Don Mattingly, but their sub-.500 record is the least of their problems. The historic franchise has filed for bankruptcy as owner Frank McCourt attempts to remain in control. Here's reaction to McCourt's latest move…
- Commissioner Bud Selig says McCourt's move "does nothing but inflict further harm to this historic franchise," according to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times. The Dodgers are in this situation because of McCourt’s “excessive debt and his diversion of club assets for his own personal needs,” Selig says.
- The attorney for Jamie McCourt, David Boies, called the Dodgers' bankruptcy filing "disappointing and disturbing" in a statement at the LA Times. "The rule or ruin philosophy that appears to have motivated today’s filing is bad for everyone who cares about, or has an interest in, the Dodgers," according to Boies.
- ESPN.com's Jayson Stark explains that McCourt's move means the Dodgers will be in "legal limbo" for many months to come. One sports attorney tells Stark that McCourt is simply buying himself time with today's move.
Dodgers File For Bankruptcy
The Dodgers filed for bankruptcy, tweets Richard Sandomir of the New York Times. Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times reports that owner Frank McCourt loses the franchise upon filing under MLB rules, but bankruptcy court generally overrides that. This is McCourt's next move as he fights to keep the Dodgers.
McCourt's goal appears to be to have his MLB-rejected Fox deal approved in bankruptcy court, based on this Shaikin tweet. If the team's creditors sign off on the Fox deal, Shaikin says MLB would then have to explain to the bankruptcy court why the deal should be vetoed (Twitter link). Shaikin notes that McCourt says he has $150MM in interim financing to cover the costs of operating the team until then. He'll need almost $30MM to meet the Dodgers' payroll on Thursday. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets that the union has informed the Dodgers players that they will be paid on time.
Shaikin lists McCourt's largest creditors per the bankruptcy petition: Manny Ramirez ($21MM), Andruw Jones ($11MM), Hiroki Kuroda ($4.5MM), and Rafael Furcal ($3.7MM). Click here to enjoy the full list, on which Kaz Ishii makes an appearance.