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Latest On Giambi

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A slew of stories in today’s papers featured Jason Giambi, as reporters approached him yesterday regarding the Angels trade rumor.  Giambi said, "News to me," which I find kind of hard to believe.  I think it’s safe to say that someone in his camp told him about yesterday morning’s New York Post article from George King.

Giambi’s broken quotes seemed to indicate that he never asked for a trade, and that he has no desire to go to L.A.  As you know, he has the right to veto any trade.  An Angels spokesman denied interest, but what else is he going to say?  Bill Stoneman did the same, and publicly passed on Troy Percival as well.

The MLB Players Association and Commissioner’s Office are currently trying to figure out how to interview Giambi about his recent steroid comments to USA Today.  Giambi mentioned that he’s "probably tested more than anyone else," which is in part because of his amphetamine use. 

This story is already getting kind of old…we need some more pristine trade rumors to surface.  Give us some decent Ken Griffey Jr. rumors or something.  Giambi has a no-trade clause, tons of baggage (including his age), and a nearly immovable contract.  The Yankees are probably stuck with him.

Angels Interested In Jason Giambi

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I definitely did not see this one coming.  According to George King of the New York Post, the Angels are interested in trading for 36 year-old Yankees slugger Jason Giambi.

The interest surfaced prior to Giambi’s public semi-admission of steroid use and subsequent MLB investigation.  The Angels will wait it out to see whether the Yanks are able to void his contract.  As Peter Abraham said yesterday, it’s not likely.

Giambi earns $21MM this year and another $21MM in 2008.  He has a $22MM club option for ’09 with a $5MM buyout attached.  Now, no club would exercise the option, so essentially the Yankees owe $47MM for 2007-08.  Take out the money Giambi has already been paid this year, and the remaining commitment is about $41.4MM. 

In theory the Yanks could eat about $15MM, and the Angels would send over some fairly valuable players in Chone Figgins and Jose Molina.  However, I don’t think Arn Tellum would instruct Giambi to approve the trade with nothing in return.  That full no-trade clause could be a major obstacle.  Typically a player wants his option exercised to waive his no-trade rights, and Giambi’s ’09 option is crazy.  Yes, Giambi would be close to home once again, but I doubt that alone would be enough.

Assuming he can stay healthy, Giambi would give the Angels a much-needed dose of OBP and power.  The Halos rank tenth in the league with a .326 OBP and also tenth with a .394 SLG.  Giambi is just what the doctor ordered for their offense, and they might be able to get him without surrendering any top prospects or young pitchers.

Abraham On Giambi’s Contract

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Good read over at the LoHud Yankees Blog: Journal News beat writer Peter Abraham discusses why voiding Jason Giambi’s contract is highly unlikely.  Check it out.

The only point on which I might disagree is the first – that the Yankees could not find a DH to replace Giambi.  I’ll grant that they won’t dig up a .970 OPS guy, but we don’t know if the 36 year-old Giambi can still play at that level.  Jack Cust has shown us that high OBP minor league lifers who can’t play defense are freely available.

More Rosenthal

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Ken Rosenthal’s been a busy man today.  He’s got another column up for FOXSports.com; go read it.  The high-level version:

  • Rosenthal sees the Yankees declining Bobby Abreu’s 2008 option and turning to Melky Cabrera or a big name free agent for right field.  I agree; you can check out my other assessments of 2008 club options here.  Might be time to switch my predictions on Juan Uribe, Jose Guillen, and Paul Byrd.  I can now see Uribe declined and the other two exercised. Byrd has come alive, and Guillen’s strong May has sparked the chance of the Ms taking their $9MM option for ’08.
  • Torii Hunter’s having a well-timed career year, but the Twins can’t trade him unless they’re out of contention.  Tough situation.  The Twins are 7.5 games back in the Central, 7 out of the wild card.  If it’s double digits in July the decision gets easier.
  • It wouldn’t be easy for the Cardinals to trade Scott Rolen right now, based on the factors outlined here.
  • Erick Aybar remains an excellent trading chip for the Angels.  His .600 OPS doesn’t help his value, but it’s pretty much what PECOTA expected.  There’s a small chance Aybar becomes Barry Larkin, but to me he looks like the next Cesar Izturis.

Cubs Trade Speculation

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What are those crazy Cubs up to now?  They’ve got some surprising plans regarding their pitching staff.  Here’s the rundown:

  • Ryan Dempster may switch back to starting, after he mentors the future closer.  Dempster made six starts for the Cubs to begin 2005, four of which were quality efforts.  Apparently the Cubs think his repertoire is better suited as a starter.  He’s due $10.5MM for 2007-08, and if he can emerge as a quality #4 type starter the contract won’t look so bad.  Dempster’s best season came in 2000 with the Marlins, when he made the All-Star team and won 14 games.  His success will depend on his control.  It doesn’t appear that the Cubs are shopping him, though Paul Sullivan speculated that the Yankees could be interested.
  • Angel Guzman will be groomed as the next Cubs closer.  This is an interesting and unexpected idea.  He’s looked sharp in relief this year, but it’s only been seven innings.  He does have good stuff and decent control.  Phil Rogers offers a little Chad Cordero speculation.  It seems the Cubs will try internal options first, with the knowledge that most great closers were once starters.
  • Rogers seems to think the Cubs should let the inconsistent Carlos Zambrano walk after this season, and focus that money towards a big name hitter.  He names Andruw Jones, Torii Hunter, and Kosuke Fukudome as options.  I like the Fukudome idea.  According to Mike Plugh, Fukudome is best served as a right fielder.  A Cubs outfield of Soriano, Pie, and Fukudome could be a nice core.  Not sure where that would leave Matt Murton, however.
  • Rogers also reminds us that the Cubs nearly signed Japanese ace starter Hiroki Kuroda last winter, and could try again after the season.  Kuroda has great command, and won’t require a posting fee.  Kuroda chose to re-sign with the Hiroshima Carps last winter.  He’ll turn 33 before the 2008 season.

Could Yanks Void Giambi’s Contract?

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When I first heard this, I figured it was just idle talk.  It seemed highly unlikely to me that Jason Giambi’s recent comments – mainly "I was wrong for doing that stuff" – could get his contract voided.  But with MLB now investigating, it’s starting to become a possibility. 

Brian Cashman is still interested in getting out from under the contract.  The Yanks tried to void the deal before, when Giambi was coming off an uncharacteristic .721 OPS.  Even with an excellent performance over the last two seasons, no one wants to pay Giambi $47MM for 2007-08 (’09 buyout included).

The Yankees did manage to void Aaron Boone’s contract because he got hurt playing basketball, so you never know.  The pickle will be that Giambi’s contract doesn’t have language specifically referring to steroid use.

Truly odd would be to see the Yankees void Giambi’s contract, only to turn around and trade for Todd Helton.  I suppose if reduced to $60MM over five years, Helton’s contract looks slightly better than Giambi’s.

Renck’s Latest

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Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has a host of trade rumors in his recent column.  Let’s break it down:

  • Time to restart those Todd Helton rumors, as the first baseman is hitting a robust .360/.473/.533.  Renck thinks a trade to Detroit is unlikely, but that the Yankees, Red Sox, or Braves could make a play for him this summer.  The Yanks came up recently via Mark Healey.  Maybe with Helton’s strong start, the Rockies can get their part of Helton’s $90MM contract down to $30MM.
  • Renck likes the Rockies, Braves, and Red Sox as suitors for Rocco Baldelli.  Rocco hopes to return in early June from a strained left hamstring.  I wouldn’t expect a deal until at least late June.
  • The Astros apparently are not making Chris Burke available despite his demotion.  That’s a shame, because the Rockies like him.  The Rox are hoping to see Kaz Matsui return from a back strain this week, so we’ll see how that goes first.
  • The Angels still have interest in Garrett Atkins but talks haven’t been serious.  Seems odd that Dan O’Dowd would sell low on Atkins at this point, but I guess it depends on the return and the Rockies’ projections for him.

Yankees Considering Helton?

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For all the talk of how the Yankees have changed, the team went back to its old brute force spending approach to add the one available free agent difference-maker in Roger Clemens.  Ten games behind the Red Sox and in third place, it seems they may be considering another expensive acquisition.  According to Mark Healey of Gotham Baseball, the Yanks are considering acquiring Todd Helton to play first base.  The Rockies might have to accept a contract in return, perhaps Kyle Farnsworth’s.  I would except a Helton deal to resemble the Bobby Abreu trade, where the Yankees mostly provide salary relief rather than players. 

The Yankees’ offense has been kind of average in May.  However, the .262/.347/.460 line they’ve gotten from Josh Phelps and Doug Mientkiewicz is about league average for the position.  It’s far from a major need.

Aside from the Angels, there aren’t many teams that could take on Helton’s contract or even compete for his services.  In contrast, one Rockie likely to be coveted by is closer Brian Fuentes.  Healey says he’s on the Yanks’ radar as well.  Fuentes is a 31 year-old lefty with 75 career saves.  He’ll be a free agent after the 2008 season.

Stark’s Latest

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Jayson Stark posted a new Rumblings and Grumblings column over at ESPN; it’s definitely worth a read.  A summary of his trade rumors:

  • GMs calling the Marlins have noticed that the team seems a little more open to trading Dontrelle Willis this year. Miguel Cabrera doesn’t appear to be under discussion.  If the Marlins are out of the race in mid-July and a team ponies up with three legimate young regulars, they might be able to pry him away.  The D’Backs or Dodgers could probably pull this off without damaging their current group too much.
  • Stark says the D-Rays are considering promoting both Evan Longoria and Reid Brignac before the trading deadline, filling out the left side of their infield.  Someone would have to be pushed out; maybe B.J. Upton to center, Akinori Iwamura to second, and Rocco Baldelli to another team.  Stark reminds us of past interest by the Red Sox.  And don’t forget all the interest from Atlanta in December.   
  • The Rich Harden trade rumors may just reflect frustration on Billy Beane’s part, and not actual availability.
  • Stark also debates whether the Rangers would still be on the hook for $21MM if Alex Rodriguez opts out and then the Yankees re-sign him.  Right now it’s an open question.

Yanks Interested In Jose Molina

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The Yankees, not thrilled with Wil Nieves as Jorge Posada’s backup, have expressed interest to the Angels in Jose Molina.

Molina turns 32 in June; he’s caught 348 big league games to date.  He was a Cubs farmhand until he release in 2000.  To part with him, the Angels would have to have full confidence in the tandem of Mike Napoli and Jeff Mathis.  Napoli’s hitting like a backup this year, while the 24 year-old Mathis is at .256/.296/.360 in Triple A.  So, seems doubtful that Molina is going anywhere.

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