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Sherman’s Latest: Adenhart, Burnett, Niese, Ibanez

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Joel Sherman of the New York Post has been digging up rumors left and right – here, here, and here in recent days.  Let’s discuss.

  • The Angels have "hinted at a willingness to build a deal around pitching prospect Nick Adenhart."  This would apparently involve Mark Teixeira or Matt Holliday.
  • The Phillies made an initial offer last week for A.J. Burnett, and the Jays were thoroughly unimpressed.  The Phillies won’t discuss prospects Carlos Carrasco, Lou Marson, or Greg Golson in trades.
  • The Yankees have zero interest in Burnett.
  • The A’s are willing to move Joe Blanton.  He’s not perfect, but he can eat innings and is under team control through 2010.
  • Six games out of the wild card with a league-best offense, the Rangers don’t look like sellers.
  • At least ten teams watched Mets’ Double A starter Jon Niese pitch Saturday.  He’s their top trade chip given the unavailability of Fernando Martinez.
  • The Pirates have their eye on the Yankees’ Ross Ohlendorf, if the Yanks become buyers for players like Damaso Marte or Xavier Nady.
  • Three Raul Ibanez suitors are named: the Diamondbacks, Dodgers, and Red Sox.
  • At least nine teams are monitoring Freddy Garcia: the Yankees, Mets, Astros, Rangers, Royals, Red Sox, Phillies, Tigers, and White Sox.  We’ve seen the Braves, Rays, and Cubs mentioned too.  Garcia’s agent isn’t up for an ’09 option with his client.  A-Rod is said to be pushing for the Yankees to sign him. 
  • Sherman notes a rumor around the game that has Pat Gillick becoming Mariners president next year, and Brian Cashman coming on as his GM.

Olney’s Latest: Sexson, Ibanez, Ortiz

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Buster Olney’s blog post is overloaded with rumors today. Here’s a rundown:

  • Olney’s Speculation: Will the Red Sox will express interest in Khalil Greene with Julio Lugo on the DL for 4-6 weeks? Olney also wonders if the Dodgers will seek Huston Street if Takashi Saito is seriously hurt.
  • Scout Speculation:  Huston Street and Matt Murton to the Rays for prospects? 
  • Bobby Kielty was granted release by the Red Sox.
  • Richie Sexson could decide where to go based on greatest offered playing time.  I’d say that’s expected for a veteran starter.
  • Olney says that requests for Max Scherzer are keeping the Dbacks from making any moves, such as for Raul Ibanez.
  • David Ortiz is slated to return to the lineup on July 25th, which leaves the Red Sox less than a week to evaluate him and make a move if necessary.  Olney details some options:
    • Acquire a hitter during the waiver period after the deadline.  This would rule out comparable replacements such as Matt Holliday or Mark Teixeira.
    • Make a "preemptive strike" for Holliday or Teixeira costing them "at least one of their best prospects".
    • Target a "second or third tier bat" such as Ibanez or Xavier Nady.
    • Continue on with or without an effective Ortiz, hoping their offense is good enough.

Odds and Ends: Kemp, Kearns, Carrasco, Garcia

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Friday linkage…

Odds and Ends: Taveras, Kemp, Mota

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Today’s random linkage.

More On Harden, Sabathia Trades

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I’ve got some odds and ends related to the Rich Harden and CC Sabathia trades.

  • The Cub Reporter had an interesting post yesterday, stating that Harden can demand a trade after this season under the old CBA.  The Cubs could always sidestep that by declining Harden’s $7MM option and going through the arbitration process with him.  I ran this by a source close to the situation, and he said the Cubs are not worried about Harden demanding a trade.
  • Bruce Miles talks about the "great personal and working relationship" between GMs Jim Hendry and Billy Beane.
  • Susan Slusser says Beane never inquired on the Cubs’ top draft pick from 2007, third baseman Josh Vitters.  She says the A’s did not consider it appropriate to ask for a player they had no chance of getting.
  • Slusser adds that "there is thought among other clubs that the A’s might deal Matt Murton or Eric Patterson."
  • Authors at the Hardball Times did a roundtable about both trades.
  • Squawking Baseball praises Beane’s boldness.
  • The Royals spoke internally about Sabathia, but it never got to the point of a discussion with the Indians.

Rich Harden Links

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It’s only July 9th, and we’ve already seen two huge names moved.  Today let’s round up the Rich Harden links.

  • Susan Slusser says the A’s weren’t discussing Harden with any other teams.  Jim Hendry was persistent for weeks, while Billy Beane has had his eye on Sean Gallagher for years (however, Buster Olney says this deal was pulled together within the last two days).  Chad Gaudin was included in the deal as insurance for Harden.  Slusser wonders whether Joe Blanton could be next to go.
  • Rob Neyer is reminded of the Mark Mulder trade, and thinks the A’s might even be better this year from this deal.  Similarly, Dave Cameron thinks the deal favors the A’s.
  • Keith Law notes that no available pitcher had better stuff than Harden and that Gaudin is "an outstanding second player."  He thinks the move to Oakland will help Gallagher and that Harden was at risk of breaking down at any time.  He seems to consider it a fairly even swap.
  • Joel Sherman sees a Kerry Wood/Mark Prior parallel here.
  • The Phillies didn’t get involved due to Harden’s injury history.

Cubs Acquire Rich Harden, Chad Gaudin

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5:36pm: The AP story is out.  The Cubs get Harden and Chad Gaudin for Gallagher, Murton, Patterson, and catching prospect Josh Donaldson.  Jim Hendry did his best to counter the Brewers’ acquisition of CC Sabathia, and Gaudin is more than a throw-in.  The A’s get three MLB-ready players plus a solid offense-oriented catching prospect. Gallagher would have to be considered the centerpiece for Oakland.

5:25pm: Dave Kaplan of WGN Radio in Chicago reports that the Cubs have acquired Rich Harden from the A’s.  Sean Gallagher is reportedly part of the deal, and possibly Matt Murton.  Hal McCoy says Eric Patterson and another minor leaguer are also included.  More when I have it.

Harden, 26, has been dominant in 13 starts for the A’s this year.  The injury-prone Harden is a tantalizing player; he’s only topped 130 innings once but has a career ERA of 3.42.  The latest concern: decreased velocity/dead arm in his last start.

Harden has a $7MM club option for ’09, which is highly likely to be exercised.

Cubs, A’s Sign First Round Picks

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According to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs signed their first round pick Andrew Cashner today for $1.53MM.  Cashner was the first reliever off the board at #19.

Additionally, the A’s inked first rounder Jemile Weeks, a college second baseman.  He gets a $1.91MM bonus.

This site has done a nice job compiling a list of which draft picks have signed and for how much.  By my count, 13 of the 30 first rounders have signed.

Duchscherer Hopes To Sign Extension With A’s

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30 year-old righty Justin Duchscherer hadn’t started regularly since 2003.  He made the switch this year, and the result has been the best ERA in baseball (1.96) and an All-Star appearance.  Granted, that ERA isn’t sustainable (nor is a .227 BABIP or 5.7% HR per flyball rate).  Still, he’s having a fantastic year any way you slice it.

According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Duchscherer hopes to sign a three-year extension to stay in Oakland.  That’d cover his last two arbitration years and one of free agency.  GM Billy Beane implied that he’d prefer to pursue a deal in the offseason, after Duchscherer completes a healthy season.  Over the last few years, he’s dealt with a biceps strain, hip surgery, and elbow tendinitis.

Odds and Ends: Jack Wilson, Victor Zambrano, Bedard

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Time to round up some non-Sabathia links.

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