Olney: Dodgers, A’s Still Talking Blanton
ESPN just had Buster Olney on to say that the Joe Blanton to the Dodgers talks are still ongoing. Rosenthal had indicated that the Dodgers’ offer last night fell short.
By the way, I changed the front page of this site to display 30 posts instead of 20, so that you can see everything I’ve written today just by scrolling.
Wilson Betemit For Scott Proctor Trade Completed
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Yankees and Dodgers have completed the rumored Scott Proctor for Wilson Betemit trade.
I give a slight edge to Brian Cashman on this trade, given the volatility of relievers. Betemit I think can still be a capable infield regular.
Dodgers Tracking Cordero and Rauch
Chad Cordero and Jon Rauch are on the Dodgers’ radar, and they would gladly offer shortstop Chin-Lung Hu according to Yahoo’s Jeff Passan.
The Washington Post’s Barry Srvluga confirms the Dodgers’ presence and adds the Mets and Tigers as teams following the relievers. As he mentioned yesterday, Srvluga’s source thinks a trade of one of Cordero or Rauch is likely and the return would be prospects. I’m sure we’ll be hearing much more about this today.
Jon Morosi of the Detroit Free Press ran down the Tigers’ stance on various relievers this morning, but Cordero and Rauch were not mentioned. Morosi doesn’t see the Tigers getting Eric Gagne, C.J. Wilson, or Joaquin Benoit from the Rangers. He also doesn’t think they’re close on Chad Qualls, Kyle Farnsworth, Al Reyes, or Dan Wheeler. Plucking a Pirate reliever in a Jack Wilson trade makes sense.
White Sox Discuss Vazquez, Garland
There hasn’t been much buzz on Javier Vazquez, but as suspected, Kenny Williams is at least willing to discuss him. According to Toni Ginnetti of the Chicago Sun-Times, Williams was discussing Vazquez with the Phillies before the Phils got Kyle Lohse. Pat Gillick and Kenny Williams really get along it seems. It would be interesting to see Vazquez in play over the next 6.5 hours.
SI.com’s Jon Heyman reports some talks surrounding Jon Garland. Heyman says Garland is "by far the best available starting pitcher right now." The Dodgers, Mets, and Diamondbacks have all inquired and found the price unreasonable, however. And don’t forget the Mariners and Yankees, who liked Garland earlier this month.
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.