Mets Rumors

CC Sabathia Links

By Tim Dierkes | July 8, 2008 at 3:28pm CDT

The CC Sabathia trade is complete, but there’s still some good info floating about.

Michael Silverman says the Brewers wanted players such as Michael Bowden, Lars Anderson, Jed Lowrie, and Josh Reddick from the Red Sox in various Sabathia scenarios.
The Dodgers apparently talked about dealing Matt Kemp and one of Jonathan Meloan/James McDonald for Sabathia, Casey Blake, and Jamey Carroll.
Baseball Prospectus’ Joe Sheehan analyzes the trade.
Turns out Sabathia prefers CC over C.C.
The agent for Brewers prospects Michael Brantley and Taylor Green believes both are in play as the player to be named later in the Sabathia deal.
MetsBlog reports that Mark Shapiro approached Omar Minaya, suggesting the Mets had the necessary players to make a trade for Sabathia. Matthew Cerrone believes the Mets would’ve had to give up Fernando Martinez and two pitching prospects.
The Phillies were the Indians’ backup plan in case the Milwaukee deal fell through. The Phillies weren’t a great fit because the Indians preferred a young power hitter to a young pitcher.
The Yankees had interest, but the price was too high for Brian Cashman. That price may have included Phil Hughes. The Yanks reportedly required a signing window in any Sabathia deal, also.
Cubs GM Jim Hendry says nothing’s changed for his team.
Brewers fans are ecstatic to have Sabathia.

Mets Not Interested In Bonds

By Tim Dierkes | July 8, 2008 at 10:17am CDT

In a perfect world, the Mets will get two corner outfielders back this month in Ryan Church and Moises Alou. If either player has a major setback, GM Omar Minaya plans to look at the trade market more aggressively.

One option is free agent Barry Bonds. Minaya hasn’t called Bonds’ agent Jeff Borris and doesn’t plan to. Borris sent a statement through a spokesman saying the team does not have interest in his client. Minaya, however, did not completely dismiss the idea of signing Bonds. On the other hand, he didn’t imply interest. Kenny Lofton is another, less controversial free agent Minaya could consider.

If the Mets choose to enter the trade market for corner outfielders later this month, options abound. Jason Bay, Matt Holliday, Xavier Nady, Brian Giles, and Raul Ibanez would be tough to pry loose though. Adam Dunn is an interesting name, and recent reports indicate that he is not highly sought-after. Minaya could also consider less certain players such as Matt Murton, Frank Catalanotto, and Juan Rivera.

Odds and Ends: Phillips, Chacon, Hewitt, Griffey

By Tim Dierkes | July 1, 2008 at 5:22pm CDT

Random links for Tuesday.

Interesting news out of Philly…Brett Myers accepted a minor league assignment. The Phils seem likely to acquire a starter this month.
That was quick – the Mets designated Andy Phillips for assignment.
Shawn Chacon cleared waivers and was released without pay, but the players’ association plans to file a grievance. It’s a matter of a million bucks.
The Phillies signed first-round pick Anthony Hewitt, a high school infielder. He’ll get about $1.4MM.
The Cards officially inked top pick Brett Wallace, a college third baseman.
Three scouts watched Reds reliever David Weathers last night. Just throwing it out there, the Marlins are looking for a righthanded reliever.
NPB Tracker discusses Yu Darvish.
The Reds offered Ken Griffey Jr. to the Mariners, and they declined.
Tom Verducci’s article about Tim Lincecum and pitching biomechanics is a must-read.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Padilla, Manny, Beltre, Dunn

By Tim Dierkes | July 1, 2008 at 2:07pm CDT

Rumor man Ken Rosenthal has a new column up.

At least three teams have inquired on the Rangers’ Vicente Padilla: the Mets, Yankees, and Brewers. Jon Daniels is looking for "quality young pitching."
Manny Ramirez’s $20MM option for ’09 isn’t a lock. It’s a tough call – .900 OPS players on one-year deals don’t grow on trees.
Rosenthal suggests David DeJesus or Melky Cabrera would be nice fits for the Diamondbacks, who aren’t looking for a rental. He also speculates on names like Brian Giles, David Dellucci, and Randy Winn. Note: Rosenthal is playing GM here, not relaying inside info of trade talks.
Rosenthal believes Matt Stairs would be a nice addition for the Dodgers, and notes that the Dodgers and Blue Jays have spoken. The Jays’ direction for ’08 is still uncertain though.
Still sounds like it’d take a "knockout offer" to pry Rich Harden loose from the A’s.
The A’s are said to like Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre. He can block trades to eight unknown clubs though.
Adam Dunn isn’t generating much trade interest yet.
KC’s Ron Mahay is "drawing significant interest." The trade market for lefty relievers is fairly robust.

Olney’s Latest: Wolf, Lohse, Sabathia, Fuentes, Oswalt, Bailey

By Sarah Green | June 28, 2008 at 2:27pm CDT

Buster Olney has a new column up. Let’s take a look:

He suggests Randy Wolf as a "possible trade chip" with the Padres looking increasingly out of it this year. One problem: Wolf has veto power over trades to 14 teams. He’s been decent this year, with a 4.13 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 98 innings, but nothing to get too excited over.
Gossip item: the Mets could have had Kyle Lohse for what the Cardinals are paying ($4.25MM), only Omar Minaya passed.
Olney doesn’t see much in the speculation about the Angels wanting C.C. Sabathia. With Kelvim Escobar’s rehab going well, great first-half performances from Joe Saunders and Ervin Santana, and John Lackey likely to improve going forward, why should they make a push for C.C.? Olney sees the Brewers and the Cubs as more interested parties. (Ken Rosenthal mentioned the Brewers and the Rays as C.C. suitors yesterday.) Later in the post, Olney notes that Sabathia has a 1.96 ERA in his last fourteen starts. Yowza.
How the Rockies fare over the next two weeks could determine what becomes of Brian Fuentes.
Olney can’t decide whether the Orioles should buy or sell. What do you think?
Roy Oswalt won’t get traded, with Olney linking to the Houston Chronicle’s Richard Justice for his evidence. (Oswalt has, of course, been talking like he’d prefer to be somewhere else.) Also working against a deal for Oswalt: his continued experiments with pitching to contact (to keep the ol’ pitch count down) haven’t been going very well this year, either. His K/9 has been declining for years, of course, but it may have reached a point of no return this season. Whatever happens, I’m sure the ’stros would prefer to move him at peak value, not right now when he has a 4.77 ERA.
Homer Bailey, back in Triple A Louisville, isn’t getting any love from the scout quoted here, who says he threw "batting practice fastballs." Bailey was 0-3 with a 8.73 ERA in the majors this year after a hotly anticipated call-up. Given the bounty of young arms they already have, the Reds would probably prefer to trade him…but alas, his value has dropped the way his curveball used to.

Sarah Green writes for UmpBump and the Boston Metro and can be reached here.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Sabathia, Blake, Greinke, Tejada

By Tim Dierkes | June 27, 2008 at 1:48pm CDT

And now…a fresh Ken Rosenthal column.

An opposing viewpoint: Rosenthal says "any team that acquires C.C. Sabathia would gain an exclusive window to sign him long-term before he reaches free agency." Rosenthal notes that the Brewers and Rays are stacked enough to acquire Sabathia and wouldn’t mind taking draft picks for him after the season.
Casey Blake is drawing trade interest; his versatility is a plus. Rosenthal likes the fit for the Dodgers, Mets, and A’s.
An anonymous general manager tossed out this "trade concept": Adam Dunn to the Dodgers for Juan Pierre, Chin-lung Hu, and cash. Thoughts?
Teams such as the Braves, Phillies, and Brewers have expressed interest in Zack Greinke at some point, but the Royals plan to keep him. He’ll be eligible for free agency after the 2010 season.
Earlier this year the Cubs inquired on David DeJesus, but now they seem content with their Jim Edmonds–Reed Johnson platoon. Maybe talks will be rekindled after the season?
The Astros will talk about any player on the roster without a no-trade clause, which would include Miguel Tejada. Does that mean Jose Valverde, Hunter Pence, and Wandy Rodriguez aren’t off limits?

Odds and Ends: Chacon, Minaya, Inoa

By Tim Dierkes | June 27, 2008 at 9:18am CDT

Nothing major cracking on the hot stove this morning, so we’ll kick it off with odds and ends.

The Padres haven’t finalized the deal with top pick Allan Dykstra due to concerns with his physical.
Sorry Pirates fans, but the team does not have interest in bringing back Shawn Chacon.
David Lennon believes Omar Minaya’s job is safe. Minaya could seek an extension after the season (he’s signed through ’09).
In a non-subscriber article, Baseball Prospectus’ Joe Sheehan gives his take on whether certain teams should be buyers or sellers.
Saberscouting gives a scouting report on Michel Inoa.
Henry Schulman asks C.C. Sabathia whether San Francisco will be on his list.
A case for the Braves to sign Barry Bonds.
Sam Mellinger continues his look at Dayton Moore’s work in Kansas City.
Theo Epstein expects Red Sox execs Ben Cherington and Jed Hoyer to become GMs soon.

Stark’s Latest: K-Rod, Burnett, Oliver Perez, Bedard

By Tim Dierkes | June 26, 2008 at 4:41pm CDT

It’s Thursday, and that means it’s time to dig in and feast on Jayson Stark’s latest rumor-packed column.

The Braves have shifted their focus from starting pitching to an impact bat in left field. Stark suggests Raul Ibanez, Jason Bay, and Xavier Nady would make sense. Matt Holliday would be too costly; Adam Dunn is not mentioned.
We have seen the surprising rumor that the Angels could pursue C.C. Sabathia. However, Stark’s sources are in agreement with Bill Plunkett – the Angels are likely to stand pat.
Francisco Rodriguez wants four years and more than $60MM, a dangerous record-breaking commitment. The Halos aren’t even sure if they’d do three years and a vesting option.
There have been no recent extension talks between the Angels and Vladimir Guerrero, but his $15MM option for ’09 is an easy call.
As we’ve written before, A.J. Burnett is like a rental, but worse. He either pitches well and opts out or pitches poorly and you’re stuck with him. Stark adds that despite Burnett’s willingness to pitch for the Cubs, he’s not on their list. The Cubs are still planning a run at Sabathia. The Brewers are also serious about the Cleveland ace.
The Mets might shop Oliver Perez, but I’d be surprised if he draws much interest.
The Blue Jays were already one of Adam Dunn’s ten no-trade teams. His no-trade rights switched from full to ten teams on June 15th.
Bill Bavasi talked to the Reds about bringing Ken Griffey Jr. back to Seattle, but Lee Pelekoudas isn’t interested.
Interesting Indians players who might be available: Rafael Betancourt, Rafael Perez, and Franklin Gutierrez.
The Yankees aren’t interested in Erik Bedard, but the Phillies are. The teams have differing opinions on whether Bedard’s surly demeanor would present a problem.

Odds and Ends: Bonds, Davis, Chulk, Ichiro

By Tim Dierkes | June 26, 2008 at 2:28pm CDT

Time for some random linkage.

I’ll be on XM Radio today at about 5pm CST – channels 176-189 with Mike Ferrin.
The Dodgers signed Jerome Williams – remember him?
Viva El Birdos runs through starting pitchers who might be on the Cardinals’ radar.
Sam Mellinger of the KC Star takes a look at Dayton Moore’s trade record. Meanwhile, Joe Posnanski explains why the Royals should sign Barry Bonds.
Ken Rosenthal doesn’t want to let Ed Wade off the hook in the Shawn Chacon dustup.
Red Reporter thinks the Reds are winning the Edinson Volquez–Josh Hamilton swap.
Rangers first base prospect Chris Davis is getting the call.
Russell Branyan has been training his eyes.
"Unsubstantiated report" – the Phillies might have interest in recently-designated reliever Vinnie Chulk.
Mariners beat writer Geoff Baker expects the team to shop Ichiro.
Buster Olney sees the Rays as a sleeper in the C.C. Sabathia derby.
Omar Minaya defends the Luis Castillo signing.

Mets Add Andy Phillips

By Tim Dierkes | June 25, 2008 at 6:16pm CDT

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Mets have signed 31 year-old infielder Andy Phillips. Phillips spent most of his career in the Yankee organization before the Reds signed him this year. After the Reds DFA’d him, the Mets scooped him up. Rosenthal hints that new Mets exec Wayne Krivsky may have played a role.

Rosenthal says Phillips might platoon with Carlos Delgado at first base and could even see time at second. Phillips hit .315/.394/.493 in 40 Triple A games this year.

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