Athletics Rumors

Odds And Ends: Zito, Red Sox, Pedro

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 16, 2009 at 11:50am CDT

Some links for the morning…

Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News says the Giants have to think about releasing Barry Zito after the season because he's weighing them down.
ESPN.com's Rob Neyer says the Giants can't afford to release Zito just yet.
Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe says the Red Sox could use another lefty specialist in the 'pen.
Joe Starkey of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the Pirates are confident Miguel Angel Sano is a 16 years old, like he says.
Jamey Newberg updates us on the top 20 Rangers prospects at MLB.com. You have to think the Blue Jays are looking at a version of this list.
Bruce Jenkins of the San Francisco Chronicle says no one will be watching Matt Holliday more closely than the Giants.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post wonders if Pedro Martinez can have a David Cone-like late career renaissance in Philadelphia.
And check out the final part of my discussion over at NESN.com for a look at the Yankees, Red Sox and Rays and an under-the-radar trade candidate.

Braves Rumors: Escobar, Soriano, Payroll

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 15, 2009 at 9:00am CDT

David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has the latest on the Braves. Here are the details:

They're taking calls from teams interested in Yunel Escobar.
There's nothing to the suggestion that the Braves could send Escobar and prospects to Oakland for Matt Holliday and Orlando Cabrera, especially since Escobar's much cheaper than Holliday and hitting about as well.
The Cardinals are interested in Escobar, but they wouldn't trade Ryan Ludwick.
O'Brien hears that the Braves offered Rafael Soriano to the Cards for Joe Mather last winter but the Cards wouldn't make the move.
Braves GM Frank Wren repeated that he doesn't want to move prospects and can't afford to add much payroll.

Odds And Ends: Holliday, Yabu, Bay, Latos

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 14, 2009 at 10:14am CDT

Some links to look through on the morning of the Midsummer Classic…

This week's chat will take place today at 2pm CST.
MLB.com's Mychael Urban keeps hearing about a possible deal that would send Matt Holliday, Orlando Cabrera and salary relief to the Braves for Yunel Escobar and prospects.
The Giants released Keiichi Yabu yesterday, according to the Kyodo News. He had been pitching in Triple A.
Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post says Albert Pujols belongs with the elite players in baseball history.
John Tomase of the Boston Herald says the Red Sox still aren't talking with Jason Bay about an extension, but there are indications they may revisit his contract before the end of the season.
It looks like the Padres will promote their top pitching prospect, Mat Latos, according to MLB.com's Corey Brock.
In the second part of my Q&A with NESN.com, I discuss Pedro Martinez, Clay Buchholz and the Mets.

Billy Beane On Deadline, Needs, Geren

By Nat Boyle | July 12, 2009 at 12:18pm CDT

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle has a nice interview with A's general manager Billy Beane.

When asked about whether he's planning on being active at the deadline, Beane's answer: "We have always managed our budget, and we could quite possibly lose money this year – very likely we will. But we won't have to make trades for financial reasons. If we make any, it will be for baseball reasons."

Slusser asked him "What is the most pressing need?" Beane's answer: "Some of it is pretty obvious. We need to get some position players and some bats… We need to get some core position players in place. The good news is that we have some kids coming that I think will be a part of that. With the injuries, we've had a tendency to rush some of the development and it's not ideal. We want to make sure we do everything to give them a chance. But obviously as we go through the summer, we might want to see if some of these guys are ready for the next level."

Beane also acknowledged Bob Geren has faced his fair share of adversity during his three years with the A's. Is his job safe? Beane says yes.

Renck’s Latest: Freddy Sanchez, Giants, Rockies

By Nat Boyle | July 12, 2009 at 10:30am CDT

Troy E. Renck has some thoughts on why it doesn't make sense for the Rockies to acquire Roy Halladay if they can't afford to retain his services beyond 2010. In the same piece, he has a few more footnotes:

Freddy Sanchez will be traded. The Giants could land him for Jonathan Sanchez and a prospect.
The Giants are "lukewarm" on Matt Holliday but like Jermaine Dye. Brian Sabean recently defused rumors involving Dye.
If Garrett Atkins is traded, Seth Smith could become Todd Helton's backup at first base. He's been taking throws in batting practice. Renck feels Smith needs to get more at bats if the Rockies want to make the playoffs. Smith is hitting .295 with 1.04 BB/K and an impressive .902 OPS in 70 games.

Seattle Acquires Jack Hannahan

By Mike Axisa | July 11, 2009 at 3:16pm CDT

CSNBayArea.com reports that the A's have traded infielder Jack Hannahan to the Mariners for minor league righthander Justin Souza. Hannahan was hitting .193-.278-.303 in 134 plate appearances this year, not to mention spending some time in the minors.

Souza, 23, was Seattle's ninth round selection in the 2006 draft, and had a 3.35 ERA working mostly as a starter in Double-A. He was not one of the Mariners top 30 prospects coming into the season according to Baseball America.

Heyman On Halladay, Davis, Holliday

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 8, 2009 at 12:21pm CDT

Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Jays aren't likely to deal Roy Halladay within the AL East and will likely seek premium bats and shortstops in possible deals, since Marco Scutaro becomes a free agent after the season. Heyman hears that Halladay would likely be open to playing for most contenders. Here are some details and more rumors:

The Jays had interest in Phillies shortstop prospect Jason Donald last year.
Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi won't publicly rule out any destinations, but it would be much more bearable for the Jays and their fans to see Halladay pitching in the NL, or at least outside the AL East.
Heyman wonders if the Giants could have interest. Imagine a rotation with four Cy Young Award winners plus Matt Cain. However, the Giants say they're looking for offense.
One White Sox official says the team wouldn't have traded Gordon Beckham straight up for Jake Peavy, but they would likely have to consider dealing Beckham if they want Halladay.
Heyman hears the Cardinals may not have the prospects to acquire Halladay. Brett Wallace and Jess Todd would presumably interest the Jays.
Could the A's simply hold onto Matt Holliday and collect draft choices? They'd have to risk paying him $15MM or so in arbitration next year to do so and Heyman thinks it's a possibility.
The D'Backs don't think they're hearing good enough offers for Doug Davis.

A’s DFA Dana Eveland; Won’t Lose Him

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 8, 2009 at 8:22am CDT

The A's designated pitcher Dana Eveland for assignment, according to MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez. Oakland called on the 25-year-old lefty to replace Dallas Braden Monday night, but Eveland struggled, allowing four runs and nine baserunners in less than three innings, so he'll return to Triple A.

He faltered in six games for the A's this year, but has fared better in Triple A. His 7-1 record and 3.49 ERA are slightly misleading, but he hasn't allowed many hits or homers in his 12 minor league starts.

As Assistant GM David Forst explains in this MLB.com article, the A's are essentially optioning Eveland to Triple A and aren't at risk of losing him to another club through waivers. He has to clear optional waivers, something no player has failed to do since they were implemented.

Odds And Ends: Rays, Hairston, Escobar

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 6, 2009 at 4:03pm CDT

Even more links for your Monday afternoon…

Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that the Rays signed Venezuelan third baseman Cesar Perez for $1MM. The "kid can play," according to Heyman.
Ben Badler of Baseball America reports that the Indians agreed to terms with two players: a shortstop and Angel Berroa's cousin, who's a pitcher.
ESPN.com's Rob Neyer doesn't see Scott Hairston in the lineup of the next A's playoff team.
MLB.com's Mark Bowman says he doesn't get the sense the Braves have any desire to deal Yunel Escobar.

Odds And Ends: Kepler, Rangers, Hairston

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 6, 2009 at 2:15pm CDT

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