What’s In Store For Oakland?
Susan Slusser’s recent article for the San Francisco Chronicle had some interesting rumor tidbits.
- The Dodgers see the Esteban Loaiza handover as something of a small gift from the A’s. The team’s talked about sending someone to Oakland – Brett Tomko was mentioned – but ultimately Oakland moved Loaiza only for salary relief. However, the goodwill between Ned Colletti and Billy Beane from the deal could result in positive offseason discussions about Joe Blanton. The Dodgers could sweeten a Blanton package beyond what’s necessary, in rememberance of the Loaiza gift.
- The Tigers haven’t asked about Mike Piazza, and the Twins had only mild interest back in July. But that might be one last salary the A’s try to unload before tonight’s trade deadline.
- Interesting thought from Buster Olney the other day – is it time to shop Eric Chavez? His plus defense might play well in L.A., New York, or Boston. Olney speculates that the A’s might ask the Dodgers for Clayton Kershaw…can’t see that one happening. Chavvy makes $11MM in ’08, $11MM in ’09, $12MM in ’10, and a $3MM buyout in ’11. His limited no-trade clause allows him to block trades to the Blue Jays, Nationals, Devil Rays, Mets, Twins, Brewers, Marlins, and Indians.
- Slusser writes in another article that the A’s will slice their ’08 payroll by roughly $15MM.
Dodgers Receive Loaiza On Waiver Claim
Given the $8MM+ owed to 35 year-old starter Esteban Loaiza, Billy Beane chose to hand him over to the Dodgers solely for salary relief. The Dodgers basically inherit Loaiza on a one-year, $7MM deal for 2008, which is less than he’d cost on the open market. If healthy he’s a more than credible fourth starter. He had great success for the Nationals in the NL back in ’05.
Loaiza slots into the fourth slot for the rest of the season, behind Chad Billingsley but ahead of David Wells. Ned Colletti did a fine job adding two respectable starters for nothing. One consequence of the acquisition is that the Dodgers are likely to turn Randy Wolf loose rather than exercise his $9MM option, according to Ken Rosenthal.
You can read a history of Loaiza’s ailments and misdeeds since the A’s signed him here.
Dodgers Interested In Loaiza
According to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Dodgers have "genuine interest" in Oakland starter Esteban Loaiza. The 35 year-old righty has been excellent in two starts against the Blue Jays since coming off the DL.
Loaiza was coming off a fine 34-start 2005 season for the Nationals when the A’s signed him to a three year, $21MM pact. I wasn’t high on the deal at the time, though it’s more palatable given some of the starting pitching deals that followed.
Loaiza pitched for Mexico in the WBC in March of ’06. He reached April with a marked decline in velocity, and the A’s blamed his early struggles on the tournament. Spasms in his non-throwing shoulder surfaced later that month. On the first of May he hit the DL with a strained trapezius muscle.
He returned in June to mediocre results, but his velocity had returned. He snagged a DUI later that month, driving 120 mph in his Ferrari while drunk. The incident prompted the A’s to ban alcohol in both the home and visitor clubhouses. Loaiza was healthy but awful in July of ’06. In August he was surprisingly lights out in winning four starts with a 1.48 ERA. Loaiza even touched 95 on the gun in a start that month. He ended up making a couple of playoff starts – one decent, one lousy.
This spring, tightness in Loaiza’s pitching shoulder and a bulging disc in his neck surfaced. His rehab was delayed due to a torn meniscus in his knee, which he had surgery for in June. He finally returned this month, and is working in the 86-88 mph range. With $8MM due next year, it’s possible Loaiza cleared waivers. However, we only have speculation on that currently. A switch back to the NL would not be a bad move at this stage in his career, and the Dodgers are still short on starting pitching even with David Wells in tow.
Dodgers To Sign David Wells
UPDATE: Dan Graziano’s source says Wells is close to signing with the Dodgers.
Back on Monday, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe broke down the David Wells situation. At the time of his writing Wells seemed likely to retire. The sticking point is $1.13MM in incentives Boomer could’ve earned with San Diego – he wants his new team to pay up. Four clubs inquired, with the Rockies and Dodgers confirmed. When Ken Rosenthal wrote on the topic that same day, he said the Rockies would pass. The Mark Redman signing probably puts the nail in that coffin.
Breaking down the candidates:
- According to the L.A. Times today, the Dodgers still appear interested. Brett Tomko‘s stinker last night didn’t hurt.
- The Mets could be one of the mystery teams.
- The Diamondbacks and Mariners appear to be out.
- I’ve speculated in the past that the Braves might consider signing Wells.
- The Phillies have a heightened need with Cole Hamels‘ injury.
- The Cardinals appear set with Joel Pineiro as their fifth starter for now.
Dodgers, Rockies Interested In David Wells
Who wants seven starts from David Wells? Apparently the Rockies and Dodgers do, as both teams have already inquired. Wells is now a free agent.
I say seven starts because Boomer still has a seven-game suspension to serve. We knew from this morning’s Denver Post that the Rockies were considering Wells, though that article cited only "internal discussions." Well it’s external now, baby. The Dodgers were also under heavy speculation with the whole West Coast thing, and now they’re officially in the game.
Dodgers To Scout Contreras On Friday
The White Sox will grant Jose Contreras a showcase start on Friday, in hopes of unloading some of the $20MM owed to him from 2008-09. Contreras hasn’t started since he was bombed by the Yankees on July 31st. According to Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Dodgers will be in attendance when Contreras goes Friday in Seattle. The Mariners are actually a candidate to acquire him as well.
Contreras has thrown two consecutive scoreless relief appearances, and his last one lasted five innings against those same Mariners after Gavin Floyd was knocked around. I’ve seen that attributed to Don Cooper’s recent tinkering, but can’t find a link to that story.
As I mentioned before – it’s either going to have to be a bad contract swap or the Sox eating half of Contreras’s contract. He’s cleared waivers, so he can be traded anywhere. Here’s a list of others who have cleared waivers, but I don’t see a sensible fit. I’m sure there are many more not on this list though.
Jose Contreras Clears Waivers
The trusty Players Who Have Cleared Waivers post has been updated again. The latest edition: Jose Contreras.
SI.com’s Jon Heyman says Contreras’s last two scoreless outings may put him in a positive light in the eyes of some teams. Heyman specifically names the Dodgers as a team that might get involved.
Still, it was only two appearances, and Contreras is signed through 2009. He makes $10MM in each of the ’08 and ’09 seasons. I imagine the White Sox would have to eat half the contract, or take on a bloated salary in return. How about Nomar? Garciaparra’s $8.5MM salary in ’08 could balance out some of Contreras’s. Nomar could play some third base; Josh Fields could try left field. Just thinking aloud. The Dodgers could also consider trying to pass Rafael Furcal through waivers; he makes $13MM in ’08 and currently sports a .707 OPS.
The ugliest contract on the Mariners belongs to Richie Sexson, but the White Sox would have nowhere to play him. The Braves could try to send Mike Hampton over; would that make sense? Hampton hasn’t pitched in the bigs since ’05 but expects to be ready for the 2008 season.
Where’s David Wells Headed?
Another August, another David Wells trade. Which teams would consider the 44 year-old southpaw?
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe believes there’s a small chance the Diamondbacks or Dodgers could be interested. Wells’ agent, Gregg Clifton, specifically mentioned the Mets, D’Backs, and Dodgers as teams the pitcher would strongly consider.
However, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic indicated Friday that the D’Backs "do not appear to have interest" in Wells. Similar story for another West team, the Mariners. Larry Stone of the Seattle Times says the Ms "don’t appear to be interested." Stone says Wells has a strong preference to stay in the NL. I don’t blame him. I wonder if Wells is on Atlanta’s radar.
Dodgers Acquire Mark Sweeney
The Dodgers acquired pinch-hitter extraordinaire Mark Sweeney from the Giants yesterday, which is notable because two rivals hadn’t struck a deal since 1985. The Giants will receive cash or a player to be named later.
The 37 year-old provides a needed left-handed bat, and can play first base and left field. He’s got about $280K left on his contract this year. He can still help against righties off the bench.
Dodgers Considering Troy Percival
ESPN’s Jayson Stark says the Dodgers are "actively exploring" a trade for Cardinals reliever Troy Percival. It would apparently require a mid-level prospect. Percy would be a consolation prize after the Dodgers missed on Octavio Dotel; really, he’s not much worse.