Athletics Rumors

Mets Cool On Street, Nady?

By Tim Dierkes | July 24, 2008 at 5:07pm CDT

According to David Lennon of Newsday, the Mets are searching for a shutdown reliever. However, he says Huston Street has apparently dropped off the Mets’ radar. Billy Wagner was able to pitch today, so maybe the need for relief will remain secondary.

Lennon adds that the Mets’ interest in Xavier Nady has cooled, but they are still in on Casey Blake and Raul Ibanez.

Carroll’s Latest: Duchscherer, Burnett, Ibanez, Cabrera

By Tim Dierkes | July 24, 2008 at 4:22pm CDT

Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus has some rumors to consider this afternoon.

The Tigers are 5.5 games out, but are still on the fence about buying or selling.
Carroll says there’s "much more substance to rumors of the White Sox going after Justin Duchscherer" as compared to the one about the A’s pursuing Jason Bay.
The Phillies could jump back in on A.J. Burnett if the price comes down. Also – could Burnett clear waivers in August?
The Rockies’ demands for Brian Fuentes might be holding up the relief market.
Regarding Raul Ibanez, the Mariners either want to tack Jose Vidro on in a deal or get back premium prospects.
The White Sox have become aggressive, and apparently had failed talks about Orlando Cabrera with the Red Sox. Josh Fields is not considered untouchable.

Odds and Ends: Alvarez, Kotsay, Street

By Tim Dierkes | July 24, 2008 at 1:22pm CDT

Time to round up today’s links.

Hank Steinbrenner admits Barry Bonds’ name will be mentioned at today’s meeting of Yankees execs.
Mark Cuban is a finalist to buy the Cubs.
Pirates president Frank Coonelly expressed frustration with the Pedro Alvarez negotiations, in the first public comments on those talks.
Dejan Kovacevic’s source says the Pirates aren’t requiring two prospects for Xavier Nady or Damaso Marte. One elite prospect would work.
Mark Kotsay wonders if he’ll be traded this year. As with Mark Teixeira, it’ll depend heavily on the next week.
Richard Justice takes Drayton McLane to task.
DRays Bay relays a Peter Gammons report that the A’s are shopping Huston Street to the Red Sox, Rays, and White Sox.
David Weathers doesn’t remember which teams are on his limited no-trade clause.
Tom Henke’s Army is back, with reinforcements.
Sam Mellinger thinks the Royals should sign Rafael Furcal this winter. I concur.
Joe Posnanski believes that the Royals should try Tony Pena Jr. as a pticher, all kidding aside. He bemoans the lack of "outside the box" thinking in baseball.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Teixeira, Burnett, Sherrill

By Tim Dierkes | July 24, 2008 at 9:18am CDT

Here’s the latest from Ken Rosenthal, who should probably take a vacation in August.

The D’Backs inquired on Mark Teixeira, but a trade is unlikely. Tex might be the best available hitter, as Matt Holliday seems likely to stay put.
The Rockies scouted Nick Adenhart’s last start. The Angels have more interest in Brian Fuentes than Holliday.
Tons of scouts converged on Camden Yards last night to watch A.J. Burnett and George Sherrill pitch (those hoping to see Sherrill were disappointed). The Cardinals, Phillies, Yankees, Brewers, Marlins, Dodgers, and Tigers all had scouts there to watch at least one of the pitchers.
Rosenthal says trade interest in Burnett "remains minimal," as teams fear the pitcher’s contract.
The Orioles are taking a look at the Brewers’ Triple A team, but it is believed that they are reluctant to part with more prospects.
The A’s chose first baseman Chris Carter over Emilio Bonifacio in the Dan Haren trade.

Odds and Ends: Bedard, Hudson, Inoa, Varitek

By Tim Dierkes | July 23, 2008 at 1:28pm CDT

Let’s dig through today’s links.

Cork Gaines takes a look at the Rays most likely to be traded.
According to Ken Davidoff, the Rockies have been scouting Yankees pitching prospect Humberto Sanchez. He’d be a more reasonable return for Brian Fuentes.
Erik Bedard’s MRI came out clean, but it’s still hard to see him in a big league game before August.
Dan Haren used to follow every trade rumor on the Internet, but Justin Duchscherer doesn’t monitor the hot stove buzz.
Shane Victorino is aware of the rumors, but wants to stay in Philly.
With Emilio Bonifacio gone, Scott Bordow thinks the D’Backs should try to sign Orlando Hudson. Bordow would only offer $8MM a year though.
Paul Hoynes looks at the Indians’ areas of need for the offseason.
Peter Abraham doesn’t expect the Yankees to pursue a catcher.
Melissa Segura of SI.com writes about Michael Inoa’s buscon.
Patrick Newman profiles Kenshin Kawakami, who should be quite popular this winter.
Buster Olney expects Jason Varitek to feel a ripple effect from Jorge Posada’s injury. His sources expect the Red Sox to offer Varitek one or two years at $6-8MM per.
MLB.com is looking for a fan to guest host their show The Dish.

Reds Interested In Huston Street?

By Tim Dierkes | July 23, 2008 at 11:50am CDT

Up until today, the list of known Huston Street suitors included the Mets, White Sox, Dodgers, and Brewers (though the Dodgers and Brewers may be out). The San Francisco Chronicle’s Susan Slusser tosses a new club into the mix: the Reds.

It’s an interesting development; the Reds are nine games out of the wild card. Of course, that didn’t stop the Astros from making an acquisition. And unlike Randy Wolf, Street is under team control through 2010. On the other hand, Street could earn more than $5MM next year and the Reds are already paying Francisco Cordero $12MM in ’09.

For discussion’s sake…would a Street-Adam Dunn swap make any sense? We know that the A’s are lingering around on Jason Bay discussions. Dunn isn’t under contract for ’09, but he should be good for two draft picks. Walt Jocketty and Billy Beane matched up once before, on the Mark Mulder–Dan Haren deal.

Odds and Ends: Murphy, Vizquel, Roberts

By Tim Dierkes | July 22, 2008 at 1:50pm CDT

Today’s collection of links and rumors.

I’ll be doing the weekly live chat here at 2pm CST. Right after that I’ll be on New Jersey’s Fox Sports Radio 1260AM.
White Sox GM Kenny Williams talked about difficult it is to find an impact starter on the trade market.
River Ave. Blues thinks the Yankees should pursue Josh Bard.
The Athletics designated second baseman Donnie Murphy for assignment. Murphy, 25, showed a hint of promise at Triple A last year.
The Giants don’t want to embarrass Omar Vizquel by releasing him.
The Red Sox aren’t likely to make a major bullpen addition.
A Brian Roberts trade is unlikely.
David O’Brien on the difficulty in trading Mark Teixeira.

The Lefty Reliever Market

By Tim Dierkes | July 22, 2008 at 10:59am CDT

Let’s take a look at some of the left-handed relievers on the market.

George Sherrill, Orioles

31 years old, under team control through 2011.
Known suitors: Cardinals, Brewers
Asking price: two or three prospects, possibly a shortstop among them

Brian Fuentes, Rockies

Almost 33 years old, free agent after season. Type A status likely.
Known suitors: Marlins, Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Phillies, Cubs, Cardinals, Rays, Angels, Brewers, Tigers
Asking price: Apparently a young starting pitcher – Jon Niese, Ian Kennedy, and Clay Buchholz have been named

Damaso Marte, Pirates

33 years old, $6MM club option for ’09 with a $250K buyout. Type A status likely.
Known suitors: Red Sox, Tigers, Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Cardinals, Rays
Asking price: Perhaps a package exceeding the value of two draft picks

Ron Mahay, Royals

37 years old, signed for ’09 at $4MM.
Known suitors: Cardinals, Yankees, Rays
Asking price: Unknown, but Royals intend to keep him. Rany Jazayerli wonders if trading Mahay now would discourage future free agents from signing with KC.

John Grabow, Pirates

29 years old, under team control through ’09. Elbow stiffness last year.
Known suitors: Tigers, Phillies, Cardinals
Asking price: Less than that of Marte

Eddie Guardado, Rangers

37 years old, free agent after season. Type B status possible.
Known suitors: Cardinals
Asking price: Perhaps a starting pitching prospect; Rangers are said to be interested in the Cardinals’ Jess Todd

Alan Embree, Athletics

38 years old, $3MM club option for ’09. Type A status possible, but may choose to accept offer of arbitration. Embree wouldn’t be surprised if he was traded.
Known suitors: None
Asking price: Unknown

Jeremy Affeldt, Reds

29 years old, free agent after season. Type B status possible, could accept offer of arbitration.
Known suitors: Yankees, Rays, Astros, Phillies last offseason
Asking price: Unknown

Dodgers Scouting A’s?

By Tim Dierkes | July 22, 2008 at 10:14am CDT

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle notes that the Dodgers have a scout at the current A’s-Rays series in Tampa Bay. Ken Rosenthal recently named the Dodgers as one suitor for A’s closer Huston Street. Slusser also speculates that the Dodgers could consider shortstop Bobby Crosby.

Street is not at peak value right now, with eight hits and four runs allowed in his last three appearances. His average fastball velocity is down to 89.7 mph this year from 90.4 last year. Strikeouts are down, walks and home runs are up. He’s dealt with a groin strain this season and ulnar nerve irritation last year. Street is under team control through 2010.

Other teams eyeing Street: the Mets, White Sox, and Brewers.

Odds and Ends: Mets, Cardinals, Phillies, Tigers

By Tim Dierkes | July 21, 2008 at 12:49pm CDT

Today’s links.

Mets manager Jerry Manuel expects a move, most likely for a left fielder.
Baseball Prospectus’ Kevin Goldstein wrote Saturday about the remaining unsigned draft picks. BP is free for all this week, by the way.
Cardinals GM John Mozeliak faces a tough situation – he doesn’t have much time before the trade deadline to determine what Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright will contribute.
Don McKee believes the Phillies should sell the farm for Matt Holliday and Brian Fuentes.
Jon Paul Morosi notes that the Tigers might be able to trade Ivan Rodriguez in August. He also says that Edgar Renteria’s ’09 option is for $12MM, not $11MM as was previously reported.
Jacob Jackson thinks the Athletics should trade most of their remaining chips for one player: Colby Rasmus.

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