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Cubs Pursuing Harden In Wake Of Sabathia Deal

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How will the Cubs counter the Brewers’ C.C. Sabathia acquisition?  They simply can’t match it, but the next best thing might be Rich Harden.  Harden is also a frontline starter, but he lacks Sabathia’s durability.

According to Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times, "the Cubs have spent a lot of time on the phone recently with Oakland Athletics GM Billy Beane trying to pry away Harden."  De Luca says they’ve been discussed a deal for at least a month.  Plan C is apparently Randy Wolf.  Will Carroll says the Cubs "think they match up well for A.J. Burnett."      

Jayson Stark commented on the Harden situation on Thursday:

The A’s will consider any offers that allow them to add and subtract at the same time. But any Harden deal would have to at least approach last winter’s Dan Haren extravaganza.

A reminder: Baseball America ranked Carlos Gonzalez as the game’s #22 prospect, and Brett Anderson was #36.  The Cubs don’t have two players like that.  Then add Greg Smith and Dana Eveland, who have combined for a 3.52 ERA in 207 innings this year.  Oh, and toss in Chris Carter and Aaron Cunningham for good measure.  That was a haul, even for an ace like Haren. 

Week In Review

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Continuing with Tim’s new tradition, here’s my take on some of the top rumors of the week from June 29 – July 6:

  • The C.C. Sabathia sweepstakes is nearing an end, with the Brewers’ Matt LaPorta package being the frontrunner. We’ll let everyone know the full story as soon as possible.
  • The Phillies extended Brad Lidge to a three-year contract. Lidge looks like his old self – great deal for Philadelphia. Looks like this means Brett Myers will remain in the rotation if he can get back on track.
  • We heard a lot about the Rays’ growing interest for Colorado closer Brian Fuentes. They could be preparing an offer. Troy Percival has been good, but injury prone, and you almost hate to move Dan Wheeler from the eighth inning where he’s been so good all year.
  • The shortstop market is hot, as the Dodgers, Orioles, and Jays would all like to upgrade. The Dodgers are interested in Jack Wilson, while the Orioles are looking at David Eckstein and possibly Juan Uribe or Felipe Lopez. The Jays could look to move A.J. Burnett and his contract for an upgrade there as well. Interesting that Toronto wants an upgrade over Eckstein, while Baltimore looks at him as an upgrade…
  • The Indians finally cut Joe Borowski loose, designating him for assignment. Was this too little too late? They tried to sneak Craig Breslow through waivers earlier this year. I’m guessing they’d rather have the 1.42 ERA he’s posted this season than Borowski’s 7.56, but the Twins are enjoying Breslow’s benefits.
  • Could the Angels add Matt Holliday? Seems unlikely with the stockpile of large contracts they already have in their outfield if you ask me.
  • The A’s signed Michel Inoa for $4.25MM on Thursday.
  • The Padres will be sellers this July. The onslaught of injuries have made this a frustrating season for San Diego. If you’d been able to see Adrian Gonzalez’s monster numbers through July 1 before the season started, who would’ve believed this team wasn’t contending? Wow.
  • For those who are interested, Tim looked at this past years’ offseason moves and compiled an All-Star lineup of free agent hitters signed prior to the 2008 season. That’d be a heck of a team to try to beat right now…

Cubs Eyeing Harden, Wolf?

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So many diehard Cubs fans hitting up this site…they need their own thread to talk trades.  As you know, the Cubs hope to add a starter this month.

Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times echoes the common sentiment that the Cubs probably don’t have the young players needed to acquire C.C. Sabathia.  I mentioned in today’s chat that I thought the only way the Cubs could be seriously considered would be to include Sean Gallagher.  You can debate the merits of that.

Beyond Sabathia, De Luca says Rich Harden and Randy Wolf "sit atop their wish list."  Jayson Stark noted today that Harden would require quite a bounty.  Wolf’s price might be reasonable, but is he enough of an upgrade?

Stark’s Latest: Harang, Bedard, Hardy, Weeks, McLouth

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Brand new column from ESPN’s Jayson Stark.

  • Stark explains why he feels the trade deadline is overrated.  I guess it all depends on what you expect from it.
  • You may recall Walt Jocketty’s Reds untouchables list from a few weeks ago.  It did not include Aaron Harang.  While the Reds might listen on Harang, there wouldn’t be any kind of discount.
  • The Mariners have pushed Erik Bedard to the backburner, focusing on shopping other veterans.  They’re also not dying to move Raul Ibanez at the moment.
  • The Brewers might be willing to include J.J. Hardy or Rickie Weeks in a trade.  In our chat today, a commenter wondered whether some kind of Hardy-A.J. Burnett swap could work.
  • The Tigers are looking ahead, inquiring about various shortstops they might be able to use in ’09 and beyond.  Perhaps if they find one they’ll decline Edgar Renteria’s option.
  • Add the Marlins to the list of Brian Fuentes suitors.  One source from another team said the cost for Fuentes is "one good piece." 
  • Stark agrees with recent indications that the Royals aren’t dying to move Ron Mahay.  Nonetheless, the Yankees, Marlins, Phillies, and Tigers are named as interested parties.
  • Pirate outfield chatter: some teams are calling on Nate McLouth, though the Bucs prefer to move Jason Bay or Xavier Nady.  Despite earlier reports, Stark says the Bucs could consider trading both.  The Rays are "especially interested" in Bay.
  • Stark talked to one club official who hasn’t heard any indications that the Phillies are willing to trade Shane Victorino.  Also possibly off-limits: Double A catcher Lou Marson.
  • To acquire Rich Harden, a package "would have to at least approach last year’s Dan Haren extravaganza."  So, look for him to stay put.  Harden’s velocity was down yesterday, by the way.
  • Brett Myers’ future with the Phillies could hinge on whether they re-sign closer Brad Lidge.
  • Still no buzz around Adam Dunn.
  • C.C. chatter: don’t write off the Indians’ attempt to sign him to an extension.  "One friend" sees Sabathia as more likely to land on the West Coast than the east if he doesn’t re-sign.

Draft Roundup: Kelly, Scheppers, Inoa

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Some draft notes for the morning…

Odds And Ends: International Signings, Lo Duca, Ichiro, ChiSox

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Here’s a list of loose links (sink ships) from today:

  • The A’s officially inked Michel Inoa for $4.25MM.
  • Corey Brock of MLB.com has a piece on the Padres’ international signings. More here from the man himself, Paul DePodesta.
  • The Marlins are still looking for a catcher, and one of their former guys might be available. That would be Paul Lo Duca. With the Nats out of it, could they swap Lo Duca within the division? And would they assume part of Lo Duca’s remaining salary?   Keep in mind that MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro said yesterday that the Marlins were "not serious" about Lo Duca.
  • Ozzie Guillen is completely content with the current White Sox team. Other than an underperforming and injured Paul Konerko, they’re looking solid.
  • Sam Mellinger goes over the Royals trade options. It’s full of the usual suspects: Mark Grundielanek and Ron Mahay. He also mentions Esteban German, who in the past might have intrigued teams as a solid utility player, but who has dropped off considerably in 2008.
  • The best way to rebuild the Mariners? Trade Ichiro, says Scott Miller.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Padilla, Manny, Beltre, Dunn

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Rumor man Ken Rosenthal has a new column up.

  • At least three teams have inquired on the Rangers’ Vicente Padilla: the Mets, Yankees, and Brewers.  Jon Daniels is looking for "quality young pitching."
  • Manny Ramirez’s $20MM option for ’09 isn’t a lock.  It’s a tough call – .900 OPS players on one-year deals don’t grow on trees.
  • Rosenthal suggests David DeJesus or Melky Cabrera would be nice fits for the Diamondbacks, who aren’t looking for a rental.  He also speculates on names like Brian Giles, David Dellucci, and Randy Winn.  Note: Rosenthal is playing GM here, not relaying inside info of trade talks.
  • Rosenthal believes Matt Stairs would be a nice addition for the Dodgers, and notes that the Dodgers and Blue Jays have spoken.  The Jays’ direction for ’08 is still uncertain though.
  • Still sounds like it’d take a "knockout offer" to pry Rich Harden loose from the A’s.
  • The A’s are said to like Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre.  He can block trades to eight unknown clubs though.
  • Adam Dunn isn’t generating much trade interest yet.
  • KC’s Ron Mahay is "drawing significant interest."  The trade market for lefty relievers is fairly robust.

Gammons On The Cubs’ Starter Pursuit

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ESPN’s Peter Gammons has a new blog entry up, with the focus on the Cubs’ desire to add a starting pitcher.  Gammons talked to a Cubs official who said, "We almost certainly will do something.  But we really don’t want to give up Sean Gallagher at this point."

Here’s a quick rundown of the candidates:

  • C.C. Sabathia – Cubs don’t believe they have enough to get him.
  • Rich Harden – Gammons doesn’t specifically say the Cubs are interested, just that they’re monitoring Oakland.
  • Randy Wolf – The Cubs have interest, and Gammons says Wolf would waive his no-trade to go to a contender.  Plus, Wolf treated the Cubs well when they courted him in the 2006-07 offseason.  Gammons adds that the Padres still like Matt Murton.  History has shown that Jim Hendry and Kevin Towers work well together on trades.
  • A.J. Burnett – The Cubs "also keep looking" at him.  Last Thursday, Gammons’ colleague Jayson Stark hadn’t found "any indication that the Cubs have even batted his name around."
  • Aaron Cook – Gammons says the Cubs would love him, but Rockies’ GM Dan O’Dowd said earlier this month, "We’re not doing anything with Cookie."
  • Bronson Arroyo, Kevin Millwood – Gammons says the Cubs have "kicked around" these names.

Rockies Rumors: Holliday, Fuentes, Torrealba

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The Rockies have been even worse than the Padres – 19 games under .500, 10 games out in a lousy division.  According to Tracy Ringolsby, they’ll decide at the All-Star break whether to officially become sellers.

Let’s start with closer Brian Fuentes, whose ERA jumped from 2.56 to 3.94 last night.  Reports had the suitors at the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Phillies, and A’s.  Ringolsby says to cross the A’s off the list and add the Rays, Cubs, and Cardinals.  Ken Rosenthal tossed the Cubs into the mix on June 12th, but then changed that report.  Troy E. Renck adds the Cardinals to the list.

Ringolsby rattles off teams interested in Matt Holliday: Cardinals, Rays, Angels, Dodgers, and Royals.  Definitely some new names in there.  Holliday is hitting .332/.415/.538 in 299 plate appearances (.309/.401/.472 on the road).  Ringolsby says the A’s will "kick the tires" on Holliday but are more likely to pursue Willy Taveras. 

We also have RotoWire, which reports that catcher Yorvit Torrealba told the Tigers’ radio network that he wants to be traded.  After nearly signing with the Mets, Torrealba inked a two-year, $7.25MM deal with the Rockies.  He is hitting as badly as expected: .252/.291/.387 in 180 PAs.  He’s thrown out only 24% of runners, up slightly from last year. Torrealba has been splitting time with Chris Iannetta since May.

A’s To Sign Michel Inoa

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According to John Manuel of Baseball America, the A’s have reached an agreement with 16 year-old Dominican righty Michel Inoa.  He’ll receive a $4.25MM signing bonus, a record for an international amateur (excluding Cuban defectors).  Manuel reports that the Yankees had a tentative deal in place for $2.7MM at one point but agent Adam Katz stepped in and raised the price.

This signing is akin to drafting a top high school player here in the states, only Inoa is younger.  Oakland’s farm system has improved drastically in the last year or so.

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