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Healey’s Latest: Wilkerson, Marte

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Gotham Baseball’s Mark Healey has a new post up with some good trade rumors:

  • The Mets are talking to the Rangers about Brad Wilkerson, not Eric Gagne.  This makes sense, as Wilkerson has hit lefties well this year and can play right field.
  • The Mets are also talking to the Reds; could’ve been about Ken Griffey Jr. or David Weathers.  From what we’ve heard, though, Weathers is not available.  And would Junior approve a trade to the Mets?  He vetoed a trade there once before.
  • The Pirates want Alan Horne from the Yankees for Damaso Marte.  Given that Brian Cashman didn’t seem to want to give him up for Gagne, I don’t see this happening.
  • The Orioles are shopping Chad Bradford, but the Yankees aren’t allowed in the store.

Proctor For Betemit Still Possible

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ESPN’s Buster Olney is reporting that the Dodgers and Yankees are still talking about swapping reliever Scott Proctor and infielder Wilson Betemit.  Betemit would act as A-Rod insurance and could even help out at first base this year.  Proctor might be the reliever the Dodgers are craving.  Keep in mind, though, that the Dodgers still might be able to sneak in a last-minute offer for Octavio Dotel. 

The Market For Eric Gagne

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Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog has the latest regarding Texas closer Eric Gagne.  It seems the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Indians, Mariners, and Dodgers may all be in on him depending on who you listen to.  We’ve heard the Tigers in on him previously but not so much anymore.  We’ve heard the Diamondbacks and Cubs connected to Gagne in the past but not as much lately.

There still seems to be some confusion about which teams Gagne can be dealt to without his consent.  To review what’s been published:

Gagne can be traded to the Yankees, Mets, Angels, and nine other clubs without his consent.

If Gagne is to be traded to the Tigers, Indians, Phillies, Red Sox, or thirteen other unknown clubs, he must consent.  That means additional concessions on the part of the acquiring team.

So, we don’t know where the Mariners, Dodgers, Cubs, or Diamondbacks fall.  But I don’t know why the Yankees would have to worry about Gagne missing his incentives if they acquire him.  Being on the first list is a big plus for the Yanks.

Yankees To Pass On Gagne?

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Jon Heyman wrote yesterday that the Yankees appeared to be the frontrunner for Texas closer Eric Gagne, given the Yanks’ need and Gagne’s lack of veto power.

However, today Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger says the Yankees’ involvement on Gagne is exaggerated.  Apparently the Rangers wanted Melky Cabrera in return.  Joba Chamberlain has been switched to relief at Triple A; he could be 90% of Gagne without the cost.

Farnsworth’s Trade Value Slips Further?

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The Yankees brought Kyle Farnsworth in for a junk appearance yesterday against Baltimore.  They were up 10-6 and probably wanted to get him out there for scouts one last time (A Tigers scout was indeed watching).  He was working around 93-94 but touched 96.  He threw only a handful of sliders.  Farnsworth allowed a two-run home run to Brian Roberts in the inning.

But an incident took place that may further decrease his trade value, according to George King.  King describes it:

Brought into yesterday’s game against the Orioles at Camden Yards with a six-run bulge in the eighth inning, Farnsworth not only walked the first batter and gave up a two-run homer, he crossed up Jorge Posada and then had the audacity to walk off the mound when the catcher went to talk to him about why he threw a fastball that hit Posada in the arm when Posada called for a slider. Things became so heated Alex Rodriguez played peacemaker on the mound.

I just watched the incident in question twice.  The New York cameramen either did a lousy job capturing the incident or purposely decided not to show it.  Posada definitely glared at Farnsworth after the cross-up; he took a 95 mph heater off the wrist because the pitcher missed the sign.  Then the catcher was shown calling time-out but the broadcast cut to replay until Posada returned to his position.  So the entire confrontation on the mound was missed.  Farnsworth was shown swearing to himself and muttering before he threw the next pitch.

When asked afterward if he and Posada were OK, Farnsworth simply said, "We’ll see."  He also complained about not pitching enough.

As I’ve said before, the Yankees would seemingly have to eat half of Farnsworth’s $5.5MM for 2008 in order to move him.  His velocity is down, his attitude is up – his value is pretty low right now even with relievers a hot commodity.  Jim Leyland may elect to keep this type of player out of his clubhouse.  Plus, those glasses Farnsworth wears are kind of weird.

Heyman On Eric Gagne

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SI.com’s Jon Heyman had a new post in the wee hours of the morning today.  The Yankees seem to be the frontrunner for Eric Gagne, while simultaneously trying to unload Kyle Farnsworth.

Gagne would set up Mariano Rivera in New York.  Gagne can’t veto this trade, even though working as a setup man would cause him to miss some of his incentives.  Heyman talks about the Yankees accomodating this problem, although they are under no obligation to do so.

The Yankees are being very possessive about their pitching prospects.  Beyond Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes, they’ve deemed Ian Kennedy and Alan Horne off-limits.  Jeff Marquez and Tyler Clippard are two who could go to Texas for Gagne.  Not bad, but not the big names we’ve been expecting.

The Mets might pay some mind to Gagne, whose price couldn’t be higher than Chad Cordero’s.  The Mets are the other contender to can trade for Gagne without his approval.

As for Farnsworth, we’ve already heard the Tigers and Rockies have some interest.  Heyman adds the Dodgers to the mix; they inquired on him as a Plan B if they can’t get Octavio Dotel.

Madden Takes On Mike Pagliarulo

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Bill Madden of the New York Daily News illustrates an interesting discrepancy regarding some harsh criticism of Brian Cashman.  Mike Pagliarulo, former player and co-founder of a scouting company, has a pretty cool website called The BaseLine Report where he dishes scouting knowledge.  His company often gathers intelligence on Japanese players and consults for many teams.

Pagliarulo put up this MySpace post a few weeks ago, giving Brian Cashman a D- grade and calling him one of the worst GMs in the game.  He compares the Kei Igawa signing to the Mike Hampton contract.  Huh?  Madden quotes Pagliarulo as writing, "The Yankees chose not to use (Cashman’s) Japan consultants, who told him to walk away from Igawa."  That’s Pagliarulo’s way of saying Cashman ignored his sound advice against signing Igawa.

However, that sentence has apparently been removed from the blog post since Madden revealed that Pagliarulo’s actual report to Cashman was fairly positive.

Madden called out Pagliarulo, whose response has apparently been to edit the MySpace post in his company’s favor. 

Rosenthal’s Latest Videos: Teixeira, Dye, Garland

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Ken Rosenthal has a couple of recent videos up at FOXSports.  Check ’em out.  Some highlights:

  • The Mark Teixeira talks are at a standstill; the Braves and Angels are reluctant to improve their offers.  The Dodgers are said to be out of the picture.  Daniels, Schuerholz, Stoneman – which one blinks first?  I’ll say Daniels; he’ll go with Atlanta’s best offer.
  • Jermaine Dye is Plan B for the Angels, but as you know the Red Sox still have interest.
  • Jon Garland can be had, but Kenny Williams’ price is sky-high.  The Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Mets, and Braves all have interest.  The Braves had offered not only Edgar Renteria but a top pitching prospect, and still were rejected.  Rosenthal expects Garland to stay put because as the asking price is not met.
  • The Dodgers are still the leaders on Octavio Dotel, but the Tribe could jump in if they part with Ben Francisco.  Would Francisco really be missed?
  • The Cubs are looking at role players like Jay Payton and Jeff Conine.  Many Cubs fans have written me looking for some good rumors – anything I would hear would go on the site.  My gut feeling is that they do nothing major.
  • The Orioles asked about Kei Igawa, but were told he’s not available.
  • Rosenthal can see Adam Dunn and Eric Gagne staying put at the deadline.  The need to deal Gagne is a bit more pressing, in my opinion.

Backwards Center Field Trade Bait

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Most of Joel Sherman’s column today is filled with the Mark Teixeira stuff you’ve been reading about everywhere else.  (I, for one, am now absolutely sure of how to spell Tex’s name.  A couple of weeks ago?  Not so much.)

But, there are two tidbits buried in the column that are interesting both on their own and juxtaposed.

First, Sherman corroborates Buster Olney’s claim that the Yankees are hot after Dan Johnson.  But he gives us more: Billy Beane asked for Brett Gardner and was rejected.  Uh, Brett Gardner?  Useful player, perhaps, but the Yanks are interested in Johnson because he’s a useful player too, and one who is a lot more likely to help them this year (and next, too, in all likelihood).  Sherman interprets that as New York’s new protectiveness of their prospects.  Too bad there isn’t another ~$15M rental like Bobby Abreu out there this year … unless you count Richie Sexson, whom I don’t.

Second, he repeats the common Gerald Laird-to-the-Cubs refrain, but adds a twist:

The Cubs have interest in Laird and Rangers relievers, and might include center field prospect Felix Pie to get that.

I suppose Laird + Eric Gagne might merit Pie.  Maybe.  It would certainly make the Cubs more credible contenders immediately, but…Felix Pie? 

What an odd world it is, when Brett Gardner is off the block, and Felix Pie is on.

By Jeff Sackmann
Brew Crew Ball

Mariners Considering Kei Igawa, Al Reyes, Jason Jennings?

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Apparently the Mariners have some interest in twice-demoted Yankees starter Kei Igawa, according to an uncited TV report.  The report pleased Ichiro Suzuki and Kenji Johjima.

Igawa is locked up through 2011, which may or may not be a positive.  He earns another $1.5MM this year plus $4MM annually through the end of the contract.  The posting fee situation ensures that Igawa’s salary is  really cheap, the price a team might pay for a semi-utility guy like Mark DeRosa.  If Igawa can be league average in the comfy confines of Safeco, he’s a bargain.  More likely he’d have value to an NL team. 

The Mariners were in on Igawa this offseason, along with the Padres, Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Braves, Mets, Cubs, Tigers, and Indians.  Igawa was said to prefer playing on the West Coast.  The 28 year-old had a decent strikeout rate but has otherwise been rocked in 62 innings as a Yankee.

Meanwhile Dan Graziano says the Mariners are entertaining practically every available starter.  He says they’re "hot on the trail" of Jason Jennings.  I still think Jennings stays put.

Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times has a few new names for us: the Mariners have "serious interest" in reliever Al Reyes and may go for Edwin Jackson as well.

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