Athletics Rumors

Latest On Braves’ Outfield Targets

By Tim Dierkes | July 30, 2011 at 10:00pm CDT

The Braves are expected to add an outfielder today; here's the latest…

The Athletics' asking price for Coco Crisp was a bit much, tweets David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. We know the Braves are looking at Houston's Michael Bourn, and O'Brien says they're still in on B.J. Upton of the Rays as well.

Red Sox Talked To A’s About Harden, Willingham, Crisp

By Tim Dierkes | July 30, 2011 at 8:15pm CDT

8:15pm: The Red Sox are out on Willingham and still trying on Harden, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter).

3:18pm: The Red Sox checked in with the A's on old friend Coco Crisp, tweets ESPN's Gordon Edes. He says the price is high for a player who may not bring draft pick compensation. Crisp does have a shot at Type B status though.

11:11am: The Red Sox talked to the Athletics about a possible trade for starter Rich Harden and outfielder Josh Willingham, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney, but it's unclear whether the deal currently has a pulse. The rumor mill has been quiet on Harden and Willingham, though they'd both be solid pickups for a contender.

Pirates Rumors: Willingham, Pena, Lee

By Tim Dierkes | July 30, 2011 at 5:20pm CDT

It's been awfully quiet on the Pirates rumor front lately, but maybe that's just because the team's front office is keeping a lid on it. The latest:

Talks between the Pirates and A's about Josh Willingham are finished, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter). The talks never intensified.
The Pirates and A's are talking, tweets Jon Paul Morosi, as Oakland can fill the Pirates' need for a bat and a reliever.
The Pirates inquired on Carlos Pena but sensed the Cubs weren't motivated to trade him, tweets SI's Jon Heyman. The Bucs are not sure that Pena's predecessor, Derrek Lee of the Orioles, is an upgrade for them. I think he would be.
The Pirates had interest in lefty Charlie Furbush before the Tigers sent him to Seattle today, tweets Troy Renck of the Denver Post.

Latest On Braves’ Outfield Targets

By Tim Dierkes | July 30, 2011 at 1:26pm CDT

The Braves offered a four-player package to the Astros for Hunter Pence, tweets ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. However, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Astros sought two of the Braves' top four pitching prospects and another good young pitcher, so a deal was not reached. With Pence and Carlos Beltran off the board, here's the latest on the Braves' hunt for a hitter…

Byrd is not going to be traded, writes ESPN's Jayson Stark, though the Braves took a run at him. Stark says the Twins are set on receiving big league-ready players for Denard Span. Bourn, Upton, Crisp, and Quentin are on the radar, while there are no signs the Braves have pursued Ludwick or Willingham of late.
The Braves are strongly in on Quentin, tweets Bob Nightengale, but the White Sox are still unlikely to move him. Chicago's asking price is very high, tweets Jon Paul Morosi, and the Braves are interested but not optimistic.
Cubs center fielder Marlon Byrd appears to be among the names on Atlanta's radar, reports David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
The Braves' talks for Oakland center fielder Coco Crisp slowed Friday, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney, but he wonders if they'll be rekindled now that the Phillies got Pence.
The Braves are almost certain to land an outfielder before the deadline, reports Rosenthal. He cites the names you have been hearing for a while: B.J. Upton, Michael Bourn, Ryan Ludwick, Carlos Quentin, and Josh Willingham.
Bourn is on the Braves' radar, tweets Crasnick. Padres right fielder Ludwick is "more down the list of options." Would Astros GM Ed Wade deal another outfielder? He told reporters earlier tonight, "We’re going to be open-minded on all fronts. We’re going to be good listeners."
The Braves are targeting a center fielder, tweets Yahoo's Jeff Passan, though it doesn't rule them out on corner guys.

Quick Hits: Fister, Mets, Giants, Rangers

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 28, 2011 at 11:40pm CDT

With less than three days until the trade deadline, here are the latest rumors and notes from around MLB…

Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus introduced us to some prospects on contenders who should come with a "buyer beware" sign. Jonathan Singleton of the Phillies and Jesus Montero of the Yankees make the list, which is at ESPN.com.
One team with interest in Doug Fister heard there's "zero" chance the Mariners part with him, according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (on Twitter).
Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger hears that the Mets aren't likely to sign first round pick Brandon Nimmo until close to the August 15th deadline for teams to sign their draft picks (Twitter link).
Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that the Giants still have interest in adding a catcher (Twitter link).
The Rangers appear to be involved in serious talks with the Padres and A's regarding relievers, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (on Twitter). For the latest on Heath Bell and Mike Adams, click here.

Braves Eyeing Crisp, Ludwick, Upton, Quentin

By Tim Dierkes | July 28, 2011 at 6:58pm CDT

The latest on the Braves' search for an outfielder:

The Braves have also had internal discussions about Coco Crisp, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter).
A scout told Mark Bowman of MLB.com that Ludwick tops the Braves' wish list.
The Braves are "desperate" for an outfield bat, but Quentin may cost multiple top prospects, according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com.
It's starting to seem like the White Sox will trade Quentin and the Braves are most often mentioned as a frontrunner, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter).
The Braves and Phillies are both "very interested" in Quentin and it appears that the White Sox will consider moving him, according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (on Twitter).
Scott Miller of CBSSports.com confirms that the Braves have talked about Ludwick (they have "significant interest"), Willingham, Quentin and Pence. He adds B.J. Upton to the list of outfielders they're considering.
The Braves are "hot" for White Sox right fielder Carlos Quentin, tweets Rosenthal, and the Sox love Atlanta's young arms. However, one holdup is the thumb injury to Dayan Viciedo, who would replace Quentin in Chicago's lineup.
The Athletics' Josh Willingham is on the Braves' list of post-Carlos Beltran options, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Earlier we heard that the Braves are the last team in on Houston's Hunter Pence and one of four teams in on San Diego's Ryan Ludwick.

Stark On Quentin, Pirates, Braves, Indians, Reds

By Tim Dierkes | July 28, 2011 at 2:40pm CDT

Another must-read column from ESPN's Jayson Stark…

Stark has updated his take on Carlos Quentin's availability. He says there is "increasing evidence the White Sox are talking to several teams about Quentin, one of which is believed to be Atlanta." An executive of a team that has talked to the Sox says that while they are not "bound and determined" to trade Quentin, they would do it.
The Pirates are focused on finding a professional hitter, but aren't hot on Carlos Pena or Josh Willingham. They're eyeing the Twins' Jason Kubel, but GM Bill Smith considers his team a contender at six games out.
Stark hasn't heard much that suggests the Braves are still bullpen shopping.
The Indians are turning their attention to starting pitching, but players Drew Pomeranz, Alex White, Lonnie Chisenhall, and Jason Kipnis appear to be untouchable.
The Astros continue to shop Wandy Rodriguez, and Stark wonders if he'll fit for the Yankees as a salary dump type.
The White Sox dangled Adam Dunn. Dunn has over $48MM remaining on the four-year, $56MM deal he signed in December.
The Reds have "stepped up their calls this week on controllable middle-of-the-order bats," although it's hard to name any available hitters of that nature.

Red Sox Rumors: Rasmus, Starting Pitchers

By Tim Dierkes | July 28, 2011 at 9:46am CDT

The latest on the Red Sox, who have the best record in the American League…

The Red Sox are “still looking at all options,” including outfielders, but their focus may be shifting to pitching, according to Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald.
Lauber hears that the Red Sox didn’t actively pursue Colby Rasmus.
The Red Sox will consider Rich Harden, Erik Bedard, Hiroki Kuroda, Jeremy Guthrie, Aaron Harang, and Ubaldo Jimenez as they decide whether to add a starting pitcher, reports Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. ESPN's Jayson Stark names Kuroda, Bedard, Harden, and Jimenez as pitchers on their radar. He notes that the Red Sox have "stayed involved from the beginning" on Jimenez.
The Red Sox wouldn't give up anything really good for Kuroda, opined MLB Network's Peter Gammons on WEEI's Mut & Merloni show.
Gammons believes the Cubs' Reed Johnson is the most logical fit for an outfielder for Boston.

Rangers Eyeing Bell, Adams, Bailey, Balfour

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 27, 2011 at 4:31pm CDT

Now that Carlos Beltran is heading to the defending World Champions, last year’s American League pennant winner can focus its attention elsewhere. The Rangers, who showed some interest in Beltran before the Giants agreed to acquire him, continue to pursue relievers, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

They are talking to the Padres about Heath Bell and Mike Adams, who are among the most highly coveted relievers available. They are also interested in Grant Balfour and Andrew Bailey of the A’s, though Bailey is a “distinct longshot,” in Rosenthal’s estimation.

Beane Not Impressed By Offers Yet

By Tim Dierkes | July 27, 2011 at 7:42am CDT

GM Billy Beane "believes that two months' more service from the A's pending free agents, plus any potential draft compensation picks for losing them, would be more valuable than the types of proposals he has seen," reports Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Said Beane:

"We've accepted calls on players, but we made it clear we're not going to give these guys away. We don't have any monetary issues, and we're not looking to dump payroll. If we did anything, it would have to help us significantly moving forward, not some team's prospect No. 37. In respect for Bob Melvin, we're not going to strip-mine things for two months for players of no consequence."

Beane has been expected to purge the team of impending free agents David DeJesus, Josh Willingham, Coco Crisp, Conor Jackson, and Rich Harden, plus any number of relievers who are controlled beyond this year. The Athletics' demands for reliever Brad Ziegler are considered reasonable, notes Slusser.

Currently, Willingham projects as a Type A free agent, DeJesus a B, and Crisp, Jackson, and Harden nothing. Arbitration offers are not certain for Willingham and DeJesus, either. With the five free agents making a combined $22.45MM in base salary this year, Beane could save over $7MM if he changes his mind and cleans house just for the savings.

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