Clayton Kershaw Pulled After One Inning
Dodgers fans following phenom southpaw Clayton Kershaw‘s start tonight may have been disappointed. The 19 year-old was pulled after just one inning. Conspiracy theorists have already established that Kershaw must be involved in a trade.
Usually I’m quick to contribute to any conspiracy, but I decided to take a few minutes to listen to the Great Lakes Loons broadcast instead. Turns out that the plan all along was to have Kershaw pitch just one inning – this plan was outlined before the game started. Apparently the Dodgers sent down this directive to keep Kershaw’s innings count down this year. After all, this is Kershaw’s first full pro season.
You could call BS on the Dodgers and insist Kershaw is headed to Oakland in a Joe Blanton deal. After all, there had to be some kind of party line for the announcer to use to explain the one-inning stint. But if he really had been traded, why let him pitch at all? Why not just scratch him and say he has the flu?
Kershaw might be the best pitching prospect in all of baseball right now. He’s definitely the top lefthander. Most likely, the Dodgers are just being careful with him.
Additionally, I’m still trying to track down why Mets prospect Fernando Martinez was pulled from tonight’s game after one at-bat. But I do know he recently came off the DL for a right hand contusion, so taking it easy with him is entirely reasonable.
One more for you: apparently Philip Humber was supposed to start tonight for the Zephyrs after being scratched Friday for food poisoning. Adam Bostick started instead, but I’m not sure why.
Proctor For Betemit Still Possible
ESPN’s Buster Olney is reporting that the Dodgers and Yankees are still talking about swapping reliever Scott Proctor and infielder Wilson Betemit. Betemit would act as A-Rod insurance and could even help out at first base this year. Proctor might be the reliever the Dodgers are craving. Keep in mind, though, that the Dodgers still might be able to sneak in a last-minute offer for Octavio Dotel.
Dodgers Pursuing Joe Blanton
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Dodgers are going after 26 year-old Oakland starter Joe Blanton. Blanton would add some stability and would find the NL to his liking.
The discussion is centered around three frontline prospects going to Oakland. Olney names Andy LaRoche, Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, Clayton Kershaw, and Jonathan Meloan as possibilities. I’m thinking the A’s wouldn’t mind Chin-Lung Hu either.
It figured that Billy Beane would see what Blanton might bring in a market devoid of decent starting pitchers.
The Market For Eric Gagne
Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog has the latest regarding Texas closer Eric Gagne. It seems the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Indians, Mariners, and Dodgers may all be in on him depending on who you listen to. We’ve heard the Tigers in on him previously but not so much anymore. We’ve heard the Diamondbacks and Cubs connected to Gagne in the past but not as much lately.
There still seems to be some confusion about which teams Gagne can be dealt to without his consent. To review what’s been published:
Gagne can be traded to the Yankees, Mets, Angels, and nine other clubs without his consent.
If Gagne is to be traded to the Tigers, Indians, Phillies, Red Sox, or thirteen other unknown clubs, he must consent. That means additional concessions on the part of the acquiring team.
So, we don’t know where the Mariners, Dodgers, Cubs, or Diamondbacks fall. But I don’t know why the Yankees would have to worry about Gagne missing his incentives if they acquire him. Being on the first list is a big plus for the Yanks.
Latest Mark Teixeira Trade Rumors
Now we’re really getting down to the wire; will Jon Daniels take this thing all the way to tomorrow’s deadline, knowing that some teams will move on if he doesn’t commit soon?
- Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News writes of serious talks with the Angels, Dodgers, and Braves. Grant was the one who still saw the Dodgers involved yesterday, and he’s held fast to that. He believes Arizona’s late interest may kick the Dodger talks back into high gear. Inclusion of Clayton Kershaw would get it done pretty quickly, it seems. In that scenario a reliever would go to L.A. as well.
- Tony Jackson of the Los Angeles Daily News has a source saying an Internet report that the Dodgers offered James Loney, Andre Ethier, and Jonathan Meloan to the Rangers for Teixeira and Joaquin Benoit is false. I’m not sure what Internet report Jackson is referring to; Jayson Stark mentioned Meloan recently but said nothing about an offer.
- David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution adds that the shortstop going to Texas could be Brent Lillibridge instead of Elvis Andrus. John Schuerholz is still engaged in talks. Neither O’Brien or Grant mentions Matt Harrison‘s injury. Harrison is a top pitching prospect who was supposed to be included in the deal. O’Brien has the Braves, Angels, and Diamondbacks as the teams in the mix for Teixeira. In a separate article O’Brien adds that the Braves might be able to get southpaw Ron Mahay added to the deal.
- Yahoo’s Jeff Passan says righty Tommy Hanson could replace Harrison in the deal. Hanson is 6-foot-6 but only throws in the 88-92 range. He’s more known for his excellent command and is currently working on his secondary pitches in High A ball.
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.
Heyman On Eric Gagne
SI.com’s Jon Heyman had a new post in the wee hours of the morning today. The Yankees seem to be the frontrunner for Eric Gagne, while simultaneously trying to unload Kyle Farnsworth.
Gagne would set up Mariano Rivera in New York. Gagne can’t veto this trade, even though working as a setup man would cause him to miss some of his incentives. Heyman talks about the Yankees accomodating this problem, although they are under no obligation to do so.
The Yankees are being very possessive about their pitching prospects. Beyond Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes, they’ve deemed Ian Kennedy and Alan Horne off-limits. Jeff Marquez and Tyler Clippard are two who could go to Texas for Gagne. Not bad, but not the big names we’ve been expecting.
The Mets might pay some mind to Gagne, whose price couldn’t be higher than Chad Cordero‘s. The Mets are the other contender to can trade for Gagne without his approval.
As for Farnsworth, we’ve already heard the Tigers and Rockies have some interest. Heyman adds the Dodgers to the mix; they inquired on him as a Plan B if they can’t get Octavio Dotel.
Latest Mark Teixeira Trade Rumors
Mark Teixeira is the biggest name likely to be dealt for the 2007 deadline, so you’re going to see millions of rumors until he’s physically wearing a different uniform. Here’s the latest.
- David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says "it’s going to get done" and he’d be "really, really surprised if it doesn’t happen, period." This is not just some guy; this is the Braves’ beat writer. He would not be talking this way if he had doubts about the Braves getting their man.
- The L.A. Times sees the Braves as the clear frontrunner. The L.A. Daily News thinks the Angels are out of the running.
- Contrary to this report from yesterday, ESPN’s Jayson Stark says the Angels are still in on Teix. He describes it as a chess match with the Angels, Braves, and Rangers – much like Ken Rosenthal did last night.
- Unlike other writers, the Dallas Morning News’ Evan Grant seems to indicate that the Dodgers are still involved.
- Dave Sessions of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram suggests the Diamondbacks are now interested in Teixeira, and could perhaps offer Conor Jackson as part of a deal. This rumor seems to have come from left field, but who knows. UPDATE: Rosenthal confirms Arizona’s interest, but says their offer isn’t on par with that of Atlanta and Los Angeles.
Rosenthal’s Latest Videos: Teixeira, Dye, Garland
Ken Rosenthal has a couple of recent videos up at FOXSports. Check ’em out. Some highlights:
- The Mark Teixeira talks are at a standstill; the Braves and Angels are reluctant to improve their offers. The Dodgers are said to be out of the picture. Daniels, Schuerholz, Stoneman – which one blinks first? I’ll say Daniels; he’ll go with Atlanta’s best offer.
- Jermaine Dye is Plan B for the Angels, but as you know the Red Sox still have interest.
- Jon Garland can be had, but Kenny Williams’ price is sky-high. The Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Mets, and Braves all have interest. The Braves had offered not only Edgar Renteria but a top pitching prospect, and still were rejected. Rosenthal expects Garland to stay put because as the asking price is not met.
- The Dodgers are still the leaders on Octavio Dotel, but the Tribe could jump in if they part with Ben Francisco. Would Francisco really be missed?
- The Cubs are looking at role players like Jay Payton and Jeff Conine. Many Cubs fans have written me looking for some good rumors – anything I would hear would go on the site. My gut feeling is that they do nothing major.
- The Orioles asked about Kei Igawa, but were told he’s not available.
- Rosenthal can see Adam Dunn and Eric Gagne staying put at the deadline. The need to deal Gagne is a bit more pressing, in my opinion.
Dotel Would Like Contract Extension
While Octavio Dotel is very likely to be traded by the Royals, he said yesterday that he’d like to talk about a contract extension to stay. It’s possible but doesn’t seem likely.
Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star says Dotel would probably look for something around three years, $21MM, which the Royals could afford. Locking him in would allow Joakim Soria or Zack Greinke to move to the rotation.
It still looks like Dotel will end up a Dodger or Indian by Tuesday though. The names we’ve heard so far include Franklin Gutierrez, Ben Francisco, Chin-Ling Hu, and Tony Abreu.