Marlins No Longer Buyers?
It looked like the Marlins might be buyers this July, but after losing three games to the NL East-leading Phillies, that may be about to change. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports hears that the Marlins are neither buyers nor sellers at the moment. Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post believes they're buyers for now, but says that could change soon.
Multiple Teams Interested In Sherrill
The Marlins, Dodgers, Brewers, Angels and Cubs all have some interest in Orioles closer George Sherrill, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The Orioles would listen to offers, but one rival GM says they're "playing the 'don't-have-to-move-him-so-make-us' card." However, others are confident the O's will move him.
Odds & Ends: Marlins, Pirates, Gammons
A fresh batch of links on a busy Sunday evening around the baseball world…
- Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post suggests the Marlins may quickly turn into trade-deadline "sellers" if they continue to fall back in the NL East. We probably won't see one of those classic "fire sales," but a few chips may be dealt.
- According to MLB.com's Jennifer Langosch, the Pirates are having a little trouble agreeing to terms with a few of their younger draft picks because the Commissioner's Office "frowns on clubs that offer above-slot money." It's an interesting read.
- If you're into moving images, ESPN's Peter Gammons has a new video up previewing the July 31 trade deadline. He talks Giants, Rockies, Red Sox, Phillies, Astros and, of course, Roy Halladay.
- The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Terry Pluto is confused as to why the Indians continue to give playing time to Jhonny Peralta while Andy Marte is at Triple-A, and just a phone call away.
Odds & Ends: Johnson, Redding, Lopez, Giants, Hillman
Hope everyone's Sunday is going well! Here's some links for the afternoon…
- Israel Gutierrez of the Miami Herald feels that the face of the Marlins' future is ace Josh Johnson. Gutierrez feels that the most critical move the Marlins need to make it locking up Johnson to a long-term deal. To quote Gutierrez: "If Hanley Ramirez was worth paying for, then Johnson is at least as important, if not more."
- David Lennon of Newsday has Tim Redding's take on the possibility of being released: "I'm not an idiot. I've been around the game long enough to know what's going on, with the way I've been used." Redding, however, remains with the Mets despite a 7.22 ERA.
- Felipe Lopez isn't thinking about the trade rumors surrounding him, according to Nick Piecoro. He's focused on helping Arizona. Piecoro says that the Brewers have expressed interest in the Arizona second basemen.
- It's been a hard weekend for the Giants, as the team's largest shareholder, Sue Burns, died at the age of 58 just a week after learning that she had cancer. Rich Aurilia had some kind words about Burns: "Being here for a while, I've known her family for a long time. They're great people to be around and always treated everyone on the team like a part of their own family, which is nice. You don't get that a lot from a lot of teams and owners. This is a huge loss not only for the Giants but everybody who knew her." Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Burns family, Giants organization, and Giants fans everywhere.
- Royals general manager Dayton Moore has given Trey Hillman his vote of confidence, stating that despite the club's struggles, Hillman will remain with the Royals for both this season and next. Says Moore: "We're all in this thing together… You just can't keep reshuffling." The Royals have lost 42 of their last 61 games.
Odds & Ends: Escobar, Peavy, Mets, Cardinals
A gaggle of links for your Thursday evening reading pleasure…
- In response to someone mentioning the Yunel Escobar–Matt Holliday rumors, MLB.com's Mark Bowman says "There is zero truth to those Escobar rumors. The Braves have NO and I repeat no intention to move him. Believe me, if they move him, it will simply be a deal that they simply can't refuse and that wouldn't include anything involving Holliday."
- Tom Krasovic notes that Jake Peavy is out of his walking boot, and is ready to begin "ramping it up."
- David Lennon of Newsday says that earlier today Mets GM Omar Minaya twice mentioned "that he talked with five or six teams today."
- Joe Strauss of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says that the Cardinals may search for starting pitching if Todd Wellemeyer doesn't show more consistency over his next 2-3 starts.
- Scott Lauber of The News Journal notes that the Phillies promoted one of their best prospects, outfielder Michael Taylor, to Triple-A. He speculates that Taylor may best serve the club as trade bait, considering all three of their regular outfielders were All Stars.
- When asked who the best prospect was if matched up head to head, Baseball America's Jim Callis said he'd go with Bryce Harper over Justin Upton, citing Harper's advantage in power.
- MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports that the Reds gave Venezuelan shortstop Humberto Valor a $690k bonus. Valor signed with Cincinnati earlier this month.
- David Villavicencio of MLB.com mentions that the Marlins have signed eight of their first ten draft picks. First rounder Chad James remains unsigned, however.
Orioles Hoping To Deal Before Deadline
According to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun, "The Orioles are one of only a handful of teams entrenched as sellers." Here's a summary of his breakdown of what the Orioles can offer:
- George Sherrill "has been the most popular target." The Orioles have him under control for two more years and are looking for a pitcher with "closer" value in return.
- The Marlins "still look like the best fit" for Sherrill. They need a bullpen arm and have "a number of corner infield prospects that intrigue the Orioles."
- Danys Baez "is probably the most likely Oriole to be moved." Zrebiec notes that the Orioles will have to eat "a good portion" of his contract if they want to get anything substantial in return.
- Melvin Mora is available, but has a blanket no-trade clause. According to Zrebiec, Mora "may want a team to pick up his 2010 option in order to approve a trade."
- The compensatory draft picks the Orioles might get if Aubrey Huff left via free agency "may be worth more to the club than what they could get for him in a trade."
Zrebiec quotes Orioles President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail as saying, "I would hope that we'd do something [before the deadline], I really would. But as I've said before, we're not a farm system for contending teams."
Odds And Ends: Chapman, Werth, Marlins
More links for the morning…
- One GM told Brian Lewis of the New York Post that he expects Cuban lefty Aroldis Chapman to sign for less than the $52MM that Daisuke Matsuzaka received before the 2007 season.
- One executive told Lewis that Chapman will need some minor league seasoning.
- Padres GM Kevin Towers told MLB.com's Corey Brock that the Padres tried to sign Jayson Werth a few years ago. Towers is impressed with the former catcher's athleticism in the outfield.
- Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald hears from Marlins president David Samson that the team isn't discussing long term deals with any of its players. Even with a new ballpark on the way, Samson said the Marlins need to be cautious spenders.
- Be sure to follow MLBTR on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook, where we're asking a question that's on everybody's mind: Where will Roy Halladay end up?
Odds And Ends: Acta, Strasburg, Johnson
More links for the afternoon…
- Today's chat will begin in a little over an hour.
- Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune says Manny Acta could become a bench coach for the Astros.
- Stephen Strasburg won the Golden Spikes Award as the nation's best amateur player, according to MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez.
- Juan C. Rodriguez of the Sun Sentinel says the Marlins should consider signing Josh Johnson to a four-year deal after the season.
- I'll be talking rumors at 6:15 CST tonight on 580 WCHS, so tune in then for some trade talk.
Marlins Looking To Add Pieces
MLB.com's Joe Frisaro spoke to Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest, who said he's looking to add pieces before this month's trade deadline.
"We don't want to take away, we'd like to add," Beinfest said.
"We'd like to improve just like all the other teams looking to improve," Beinfest said. "We recognize, we're heading into the All-Star Break, and we're in the race for the division. So you want to see what's out there to improve yourself the best you can.
"There are so many teams in it, that it's tough to make trades. They don't want to take from their team. They want to add to it. In terms of your prospects, you have a threshold on what to give and not to give."
The Marlins have already said that they will not be moving any of their top prospects for help. Beinfest said the team will "make do" with what they have when it comes to the bullpen, noting that Matt Lindstrom will hopefully be back on a mound in the next week.
Odds & Ends: Stanton, Halladay, Sonnanstine
Even more links on a slow rumors day…
- Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post spoke to Marlins GM Larry Beinfest about top prospect Mike Stanton. Beinfest wouldn't say as much, but it sounds like Stanton is untouchable in trade talks.
- ESPN's Keith Law tweets that a Roy Halladay trade was unlikely two days ago, but seems even less likely now after some conversations.
- Andy Sonnanstine has been placed on the minor league disabled list with mononucleosis according to Joe Smith of The St. Petersburg Times. If he's out for a while, could it impact the club's ability to make a deal given the lessened pitching depth?
- Southpaw reliever Alan Embree is out for the season with a broken tibia according to MLB.com's Cheng Sio. Just two games back of the wild card, will the Rockies look to add a reliever?
- Maury Brown at The Biz of Baseball has a complete list of 2009 All Star bonuses.