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Rosenthal On Atkins, Red Sox, Webb

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It's time for a new Ken Rosenthal column.  He's cranking these out daily now?

  • Add Rosenthal to the list of columnists who don't understand why the Mets don't just use Daniel Murphy at first base.
  • The Rockies have kicked around a Garrett Atkins for Mark DeRosa swap, but it doesn't work from the Cleveland side.  Rosenthal likes the Brewers and Mets as possible fits for DeRo.
  • If the Red Sox are to trade Clay Buchholz or Michael Bowden, they'd want an elite hitter under similar team control (for example, Justin Smoak or Brett Wallace).  Players aren't eligible to be traded until a year after signing, anyway.
  • Given his injury situation, Rosenthal does not see Brandon Webb as a viable trade candidate this summer.  More likely, a Jon Garland deal.
  • Rosenthal sees Joe Beimel as a trade chip for Washington if he starts pitching decently.

Heyman On Mets, Trades, Billingsley

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The latest from SI's Jon Heyman…

  • Heyman wonders why the Mets aren't giving Daniel Murphy a chance as their regular first baseman.  He names trade possibilities, in order of likelihood: Nick Johnson, Aubrey Huff, Russell Branyan, Victor Martinez/Mark DeRosa, and Garrett Atkins.
  • Heyman names 22 players who might hit the trading block this summer, headed by Jake Peavy, Matt Holliday, and Erik Bedard.  The A's could potentially have a lot of veterans to spin off.
  • Heyman says "the Dodgers briefly tried to lock up Chad Billingsley this winter, and probably wish they had."  Billingsley will be eligible for arbitration for the first time after this season, so his salary figures to jump up past $4MM.

Indians Fielding Offers For Mark DeRosa

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According to SI's Jon Heyman, the Indians are now fielding offers for infielder Mark DeRosa.  DeRosa, 34, is hitting .242/.312/.412 on the season in 170 plate appearances as the Tribe's third baseman.  He has about $4.15MM left on his contract.

Heyman says the Indians "are looking mainly for pitchers who can help them now."  Heyman believes DeRosa is below Nick Johnson, Aubrey Huff, and Russell Branyan on the Mets' wish list.  What other teams would make sense – the Braves, Cubs, Brewers, or Cardinals perhaps?  You can discuss it in the comments here, and also head over to our Facebook fan page and jump into that discussion.

Over at the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Paul Hoynes says Indians GM Mark Shapiro "is talking to general managers, but it's not about subtracting players in preparation for next year."

Nick Johnson Rumors

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The Nationals' injury-prone first baseman, Nick Johnson, is off to a .333/.432/.468 start in 169 plate appearances.  He hasn't played a full season since '06, so it might make sense for GM Mike Rizzo to trade him while he's healthy and hitting.  Johnson has about $4.2MM left on his contract.

On Saturday, ESPN's Peter Gammons wrote:

The Nationals have let it be known that Nick Johnson is available, but Boston won't trade Clay Buchholz.

I think MLB.com's Bill Ladson was responding to that Gammons sentence when he wrote today:

Nationals first baseman Nick Johnson has been mentioned in trade rumors of late. The Red Sox are said to be scouting Johnson, but the truth is, according to a baseball source, Washington and Boston haven't talked since April.

Ladson goes on to say that the Nationals would want a pitching prospect in a Johnson trade, and the player had kind words for the Red Sox.

How about the Giants, who are 14th in the NL with 3.97 runs scored per game and have gotten a .228/.275/.272 line out of first basemen Travis Ishikawa and Rich Aurilia?  Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News says "I heard Nick Johnson's name on the lips of more than one uniformed person Tuesday."  Aurilia might be on the way out, but to make room for Jesus Guzman.

The Mets are another team often speculated as a suitor for Johnson.  GM Omar Minaya will stay in-house for now for Carlos Delgado's replacement, but maybe he'll make a deal if Delgado has a setback.

Olney On Trade Scenarios

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ESPN's Buster Olney talks about future trade possibilities in his blog today.

  • Olney's Brewers source says the team is not looking outside for Rickie Weeks' replacement at this point.  Manager Ken Macha doesn't view Craig Counsell as a regular, but he can platoon with Casey McGehee.  And Alcides Escobar will start to work at second base in Triple A.
  • The Red Sox might have to do something to replace David Ortiz at DH if he doesn't show signs of life soon.  Olney speculates on the idea of Boston trading starting pitching "for some talented young hitter – like Matt LaPorta of the Indians."  That would stink for LaPorta, getting traded twice within a year.
  • Olney likes Mark DeRosa for the Mets.  Most writers like DeRosa for any team though.  Olney figures the Indians would seek pitching for him. 

Odds & Ends: Mets, Cubs, Astros

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Links for Monday…

Gammons On Ackley, Red Sox, Relievers

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ESPN's Peter Gammons has a new blog post up.  Let's take a look.

  • Gammons writes in praise of North Carolina's Dustin Ackley, who is likely to be chosen by the Mariners at #2 in June.  Ackley may wind up at center field or second base.
  • The Red Sox don't appear willing to trade young pitchers like Clay Buchholz, Michael Bowden, and Nick Hagadone.  The Sox have looked at bats such as Colorado's Matt Murton and Ryan Spilborghs, but for now aren't desperate enough to trade pitching.  Gammons wonders if, for the right bat, Boston would part with Manny Delcarmen.  He believes Delcarmen could close in the NL.
  • Gammons says the Mets think they could have Carlos Delgado back by August if he has hip surgery, allowing them to stay in-house for his replacements.
  • The Dodgers, Indians, Yankees, and Twins are looking for relief help.  Gammon names Jose Valverde, Huston Street, Danys Baez, Russ Springer, and John Grabow as future trade candidates.

Mets Considering Trading For A First Baseman

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As Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post reports, Carlos Delgado's hip problems have put his career in jeopardy. For now he's on the DL, but there's no immediate timeline for his return. This leaves the Mets without a first baseman. Here are some of Minaya's options:

  • Fernando Tatis could play first, perhaps with help from Daniel Murphy. Gary Sheffield's probably not an option anywhere but the outfield.
  • The Mets could sign Richie Sexson, Jose Vidro or another free agent   
  • He could make a trade. Jerry Manuel said Minaya's looking at trade possibilities. Could a player like Aubrey Huff or Jorge Cantu be a fit?

Heyman On Lee, Martinez, Green

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A look at the latest from SI.com's Jon Heyman…

  • Heyman addresses the issue of whether the Indians will trade staff ace Cliff Lee.  GM Mark Shapiro isn't thinking about it (not under consideration, according to Ken Rosenthal), and rival execs are divided.  Heyman says neither side made a contract extension proposal during the offseason.  The Indians will have Lee through 2010 once they exercise his option.
  • The Mets mulled calling up Fernando Martinez, but they'll stick to their plan of keeping him in Triple A until at least June.
  • The Orioles are "seriously considering" drafting USC shortstop Grant Green with their #5 pick.  However, the Padres are said to be eyeing Green at #3.
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