More From Rosenthal: Bay, A’s, Mets, Rays
Now we have Ken Rosenthal’s regular video contribution…
- In an interesting twist, Rosenthal says the A’s have had regular conversations with the Pirates about Jason Bay. Rosenthal notes the A’s are hoping that other teams will balk at the asking price.
- The Mets are making it clear they will not part with any of their top three prospects Fernando Martinez, Jon Niese and Robert Parnell.
- Now that Xavier Nady has been traded, the Rays are more interested in acquiring a relief pitcher rather than an outfielder.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Odds and Ends: Mets, Tigers, Rays, Nats
Tying up loose ends before lunch:
- The Mets are one of three teams that have inquired on the availability of Brian Giles. The Padres may be asking for Fernando Martinez in return.
- Larry Brooks of the NY Post, however, thinks the Mets shouldn’t force a trade for an outfielder.
- The Tigers will intensify their hunt for relief help if Freddy Dolsi’s shoulder keeps acting up. Dolsi was off since Monday, resting what the team deemed as a fatigued shoulder, and said he felt better after a side session on Friday.
- The Rays are still looking for a corner outfielder.
- MLB.com beat writer Bill Ladson believes the Nationals could trade Felipe Lopez before Thursday’s non-waiver trade deadline. Regardless, he thinks Lopez will not be with the team next year.
- The Brewers are not interested in Jarrod Washburn. Melvin did talk to the Mariners about the left-handed pitcher, but the conversations took place prior to the CC Sabathia trade.
Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? alexo05 [at] umpbump [daught] com.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Trade Deadline
Some random links as we head toward the trade deadline, from the Blogosphere…
- One writer at Bugs and Cranks thinks that the Rockies should not lower their demand for Brian Fuentes and feels that the Cardinals are the most likely team to land the closer.
- UmpBump wants the Rockies to keep Matt Holliday and would prefer moving Garrett Atkins, allowing Ian Stewart to play third.
- Meanwhile, another writer at Bugs and Cranks wants the Cardinals to pass on Matt Holliday and Jason Bay, but think St. Louis should go after George Sherrill and/or Fuentes.
- Outs Per Swing does not feel that the Rays need to add a player like Xavier Nady, but they are also skeptical that Rocco Baldelli can be the right-handed bat the team needs.
- MetsBlog does not see the Mets landing George Sherrill or Huston Street, noting the O’s are asking for too much and the Mets will not meet the A’s demands. MetsBlog also feels the Mets have more obvious holes than relief pitcher.
- River Ave. Blues says the recent success of Ian Kennedy in Triple A has given the Yankees a very big chip in the trade market.
- Drunk Jays Fans says Roy Halladay will not be traded, despite recent reports that the Jays were secretly shopping him.
Heyman’s Latest: Dodgers, Braves, Fuentes, Downs
Today we have a new column from SI.com’s Jon Heyman.
- Heyman writes of turmoil within the Dodgers’ front office. Owner Frank McCourt is meddling, and assistant GM Logan White has "unusual say-so." Shortstop targets for the Dodgers include Jack Wilson, Orlando Cabrera, and Edgar Renteria. However, it is unclear which young Dodgers are available.
- Braves decision-makers remain split on whether to buy or sell, with manager Bobby Cox leading the buy side.
- Asking prices for relievers remain high, though Heyman seems to think Brian Fuentes wouldn’t cost the Mets much more than Aaron Heilman.
- Heyman relays a report from Joe DeMayo of NY Baseball Digest: the Mets may have interest in Toronto’s Scott Downs.
Odds and Ends: Darvish, Giles, Teixeira
Today’s link roundup…
- I was a guest on Get Sports Radio yesterday to talk about the Reds. Click here to download an mp3 of the show.
- NPB Tracker notes that 21 year-old phenom Yu Darvish threw 165 pitches last night.
- GM Dave Dombrowski says the Tigers are definitely not sellers. They’re undecided on whether to buy or stick with internal options. The Tigers’ approach to the relief market may hinge on Freddy Dolsi‘s fatigued shoulder.
- Buster Olney says the Mets and Padres have discussed right fielder Brian Giles. He’d earn $11MM in ’09 if traded. However, Joel Sherman doesn’t think Giles is on the Mets’ radar.
- Learn about the PITCHf/x system in a Josh Kalk Q&A.
- D’Backs beat writer Nick Piecoro doesn’t think there’s much to the Mark Teixeira rumors.
- ESPN’s Keith Law isn’t impressed with Emilio Bonifacio. He’s also not a fan of the Cristian Guzman extension.
- RotoAuthority finds a Tim Lincecum–Johnny Cueto parallel for fantasy baseball players to consider.
Graziano’s Latest: Sherrill, Arroyo, Rhodes, Zaun
Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger has a new Trade Winds column.
- Graziano notes how incredible the Erik Bedard trade could look for Baltimore if they spin George Sherrill for prospects. He names the Cardinals, Rays, Marlins, and Red Sox as suitors. The Mets fear Sherrill’s price tag, while the Yankees don’t expect a deal within the division.
- The Yankees haven’t spoken to the Reds about Bronson Arroyo (although based on previous reports, they have scouted him). The Yanks aren’t likely to sign Barry Bonds, and aren’t terribly thrilled with the catching market.
- Fernando Martinez‘s possible injury could increase the Mets’ urgency to find a left fielder. For some reason, Adam Dunn is not in the mix. The Mets are in on relievers Brian Tallet, Jack Taschner, and Arthur Rhodes.
- The division rival Marlins are after Rhodes, as well as Gregg Zaun.
- Graziano says no one denied his rumor that the Blue Jays were quietly discussing Roy Halladay with other teams. The offseason might be a better time to shop him, though.
Mets Cool On Street, Nady?
According to David Lennon of Newsday, the Mets are searching for a shutdown reliever. However, he says Huston Street has apparently dropped off the Mets’ radar. Billy Wagner was able to pitch today, so maybe the need for relief will remain secondary.
Lennon adds that the Mets’ interest in Xavier Nady has cooled, but they are still in on Casey Blake and Raul Ibanez.
The Price For Fuentes
According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Rockies have asked various teams for the following players for closer Brian Fuentes: Wade Davis, Ian Kennedy, Clay Buchholz, and Jon Niese. Tracy Ringolsby says no concrete offers have been made for Fuentes yet.
Fuentes will provide two months of solid relieving, and possibly two draft picks after that. But alternatives are plentiful, and the Rockies are in danger of overplaying their hand if the price doesn’t come down soon. It doesn’t help the Rockies that the Nationals accepted Emilio Bonifacio for for 2.3 years of Jon Rauch.
Heyman’s Latest: Sabathia, Dunn, Blake
Another column from SI.com’s Jon Heyman.
- The Yankees "appear primed to make a big push" for CC Sabathia when he hits free agency. While Sabathia may prefer the West Coast, he reportedly will not be offering a discount to those teams. He’ll want Johan money.
- Heyman speculates that Adam Dunn could be a nice addition for the Yankees, one that might mostly cost just money. I know he hates playing baseball and all but the lack of interest is perplexing. Brian Cashman and Walt Jocketty have matched up a couple of times for trades, including one that sent Sterling Hitchcock to St. Louis in ’03.
- Heyman believes both the Yankees and Mets might consider Cleveland’s Casey Blake.
Will Carroll’s Latest: Blake, Mike Gonzalez, Fuentes
Baseball Prospectus’ Will Carroll checks in with a slew of rumors.
- Carroll believes Orioles relievers Jamie Walker and Chad Bradford would clear waivers. Bradford isn’t striking anyone out, but he does have a 2.45 ERA by virtue of good control and tons of grounders. He has a reasonable $3.5MM commitment for ’09.
- Casey Blake suitors: Mets, Rays, and Twins.
- Carroll wonders if the Rangers could send an outfielder to Atlanta for closer Mike Gonzalez. MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan also linked the Rangers to Gonzalez. Gonzalez is under team control through ’09; I’d be surprised to see him traded.
- The Marlins are "very aggressively" pursuing Rockies closer Brian Fuentes.