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Stark On Deadline Deals

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ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports that, with only five teams more than six games under .500, it's a tough time to be a buyer. Here are the details from his latest Rumblings and Grumblings:

  • There are many trade candidates in Washingon, but free agent-to-be Nick Johnson is the likeliest to move of them all.
  • Adam Dunn's price would be "astronomical" according to one executive.
  • One of Danys Baez and George Sherrill will likely be dealt, and it seems more likely that Baez will move. As one official says, "he's throwing great, but he's still Danys Baez."
  • The D'Backs would prefer to move prospective free agents, like Doug Davis and Chad Tracy. Stark writes that Davis could fit on the Mets.
  • One executive believes Brian Giles "should get released."
  • Cla Meredith could bring a decent return for the Padres, who could also move Chris Young and Kevin Kouzmanoff.
  • The Royals could move reliever Ron Mahay.
  • At this point the Astros still aren't likely to sell. No one expects them to move Roy Oswalt, but Ivan Rodriguez, LaTroy Hawkins and Jose Valverde could be dealt if the Astros decide to sell.
  • One official says the Pirates would "love to move Jack Wilson."
  • Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee aren't going anywhere, but Mark DeRosa is becoming "more marketable by the minute."
  • Matt Holliday will hit the market if the A's don't play very well for the next few weeks. The A's will want the equivalent of a first rounder and a sandwich pick and, because few elite bats are available, at least one exec thinks they'll get a good return.
  • The A's are worried he'll accept arbitration if they offer it, but Stark hears that Scott Boras would likely direct Holliday towards a better hitter's park, even if it was for less money.
  • The Red Sox aren't in a hurry to deal Brad Penny. If they go for a shortstop, they'd want a short-term fix only.
  • The Rockies- definitely not sellers right now- could eventually look to add a setup man.
  • Delmon Young is "exceptionally available."
  • The Brewers won't discuss dealing Mat Gamel or Alcides Escobar.
  • The Rays would like to add a reliever, but they're one of many teams that can't add much payroll.

Odds & Ends: Cubs, Brewers, Twins

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Some notes from around the horn as another top potential trade piece, Erik Bedard, hits the DL:

Jesse Crain Optioned To Triple A

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Joe Christensen reports Jesse Crain has been optioned to Triple-A Rochester to make room for Glen Perkins, back from the DL. Crain carries a cumbersome 8.15 ERA and is returning to the minors for the first time since 2004.

Christensen notes that should Denard Span need to go on the DL, "it sounded like the team would promote an outfielder." So Crain may not soon be back. In 2009, he is making $1.7MM in the final year of his 3 year, $3.5MM deal, with one year of arbitration remaining.

Minor League Transactions

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Baseball America released this week's set of minor league transactions, and there was plenty of interesting movement. Let's break it down.

  • The Indians signed reliever Mike Gosling to a minor league pact. The Twins released Gosling earlier this month. He last pitched in the big leagues for the Reds in 2007.
  • The Tigers released Jason Tyner. You probably remember that the Brewers traded Tyner to the Tigers back in April for literally nothing.
  • Marlins youngster Cameron Maybin was suspended for "aggressively arguing a call and bumping an umpire."
  • The Astros removed Geoff Geary from the 40-man roster and outrighted him to Triple-A.
  • The Angels signed former Orioles wunderkind Val Majewski to a minor league pact.
  • Chris Burke was granted free agency by the Padres. He fashioned just a .207-.270-.305 batting line in 89 plate appearances this season.
  • The Giants released Jesse Foppert, who was once the best pitching prospect in the game. He hasn't pitched in the majors since 2005.

Yankees In On Sano?

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You've heard the name plenty around these parts over the past few weeks.  Miguel Angel Sano, a 16-year-old infield prospect from the Dominican Republic, has been linked to the Pirates, Indians, Orioles and Twins.  

Now it appears the Yankees have jumped into the bidding.  As ESPN The Magazine's Jorge Arangure reported through his Twitter account this afternoon, Brian Cashman and Co. believe they have a "50/50" chance of landing the phenom.  

It all comes down to dollars and cents, however, and the Yanks are actually practicing fiscal responsibility.  That may come as a surprise, but keep in mind that throwing millions of dollars at a kid who just hit the legal driving age is a monstrous gamble. The Pirates are reportedly preparing an offer around $4MM, and it doesn't sound like the Yankees are willing to go that high.  As Arangure continued in his "tweet," if the price was $3MM, "then yes."

Pirates, Twins Are Sano’s Top Suitors

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ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure Jr. hears that the Pirates may not offer Miguel Angel Sano as much as $3MM, let alone $4MM. The Pirates are still tracking Sano closely, and, along with the Twins, they're the frontrunners to sign the 16-year-old shortstop once July 2nd comes around. The Orioles recently worked Sano out, but they are not expected to beome serious bidders.

Here are some more rumors about the international free agent market:
  • Padres director of international scouting Randy Smith says he hopes to acquire one "big-name" international player.
  • Daniel Sanchez is a player to watch; Arangure says some consider him the year's best Latin American pitcher.  

Odds And Ends: Draft, Francoeur, Crede

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More links for your Friday afternoon…

Odds & Ends: Rockies, Mariners, Astros

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Some linkage as we enter the post-draft hangover, with more to come:

Twins Interested In LaTroy Hawkins

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According to Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Twins are "seriously interested" in acquiring LaTroy Hawkins. In the absence of Jose Valverde, Hawkins has collected eight saves and struck out nearly a batter per inning as the Astros closer. He makes $3.5MM this year and will become a free agent after the season.

The Twins have a bullpen ERA of 4.16 in 175.1 innings and Minnesota relievers are striking out nearly two batters for every one they walk (137/70 K/BB). R.A. Dickey, Jose Mijares and Matt Guerrier have been especially effective backing Joe Nathan.

Problem Positions For Contenders

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SI.com's Tom Verducci applauds Braves GM Frank Wren for making a deal early in the summer and suggests early deals for five other teams with obvious needs. Verducci doesn't suggest deals like these will happen, but he offers them up as possible fits:

  • The Twins could improve at second base. What about Freddy Sanchez, Clint Barmes or Jamey Carroll?
  • The Giants aren't getting much production from Travis Ishikawa at the plate, though the plus/minus system ranks him as the best defensive first baseman in the league. Verducci wonders if the Giants would use Jonathan Sanchez to acquire a player such as Jorge Cantu, Nick Johnson, Miguel Tejada or Garrett Atkins.
  • The Mets would look much better with Brad Hawpe, Matt Holliday or even Mark DeRosa roaming the outfield.  
  • Ryan Spilborghs could help the White Sox in the outfield, as one reader suggested in today's chat. 
  • The Reds could use help in the outfield and at third base. Mark DeRosa can only play one position at a time, but he could be a useful addition for Cincinnati.  

Would these suggestions work? Many of the players Verducci lists aren't on the block yet, but what if they were available? 

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