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Rosenthal’s Latest: Reed, Aardsma, Cueto

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Rumor king Ken Rosenthal has the latest at FOXSports.com.

  • Looks like the Padres will give near-regular playing time to Jody Gerut, at least until Jim Edmonds returns.  If Gerut performs, Kevin Towers may be able to stop his outfielder search.  Still, Rosenthal notes the Padres’ interest in Seattle’s Jeremy Reed.  Reed has two options left, by the way.
  • Rosenthal names three Boston players who are out of options and probably available for little: David Aardsma, Bryan Corey, and Kyle Snyder.  The O’s are known to be eyeing Corey.  You can check out our running out of options list here.
  • The A’s wanted spring sensation/top pitching prospect Johnny Cueto from the Reds for Joe Blanton – no deal.

Yankees Interested In Harden?

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According to a source of Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, "the Yankees have apparently expressed interest in Rich Harden."  Slusser believes the A’s would demand full price for Harden, perhaps asking for Ian Kennedy and young pitchers.

If you look at this from each party’s point of view, it doesn’t seem like a trade could be reached anytime soon.  Harden would be a tantalizing #1 starter for the Yankees, but why pay full price for a guy who’s pitched 200 innings over the last three years?  Replacing Kennedy with Harden could deplete the team’s starting pitching depth.

On the other hand, if you’re Billy Beane, why trade Harden at a discount right now? He is nowhere near his peak value.  The one reason to do it might be if Beane does not believe Harden will return to good health this year or next.  Joe Pawlikowski weighs in on this rumor over at River Ave. Blues.

Odds and Ends: Jerome Williams, Linden, Lo Duca

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Below you’ll find the day’s random rumors and links.

Linden Doesn’t Have Spot With A’s

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Outfielder Todd Linden hit .353/.421/.482 in 85 Spring Training at-bats in 2007.  That and the fact that he was out of options helped him snag the Giants’ fourth outfielder job that year.  Linden can play all three outfield positions.  However, the Giants designated Linden for assignment on May 10th after just 55 ABs.  The Marlins picked him up and he fared a bit better.  But they were still able to pass him through waivers to send him to Triple A in June.

This year the 27 year-old boasts a spring line of .577/.633/.885 in 26 ABs.  Nonetheless, the A’s decided not to take him with to Japan.  That means he’s not making the team, and Linden understandably isn’t happy about it.  The versatile switch-hitter should be able to hook on somewhere as a fourth outfielder.

Odds and Ends: Dan Johnson, Baldelli, Soria

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Let’s round up some linkage.

Gammons’ Latest: Bailey, Crisp, Giants

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ESPN’s Peter Gammons posted to his blog yesterday; let’s take a look.

  • More negative vibes around the Reds’ Homer Bailey.  His apparent availability seems odd given his talent.  Bailey was described by an evaluator friend of Buster Olney as "someone who thinks he’s got it all figured out."
  • Gammons likes the fit of Barry Bonds in Seattle, but sees Jeff Clement as the team’s DH in the event that Richie Sexson starts to repeat his ’07.
  • The A’s still like Coco Crisp, but the Red Sox want young catching and/or pitching that the A’s would prefer to keep.  Susan Slusser wrote on Saturday that talks between the two clubs had revived.
  • Giants scouts are apparently handing out a list to other teams with almost a dozen available players (basically all the veterans).  The Giants currently have nine pitchers vying for three bullpen spots.

A’s Revive Talks For Crisp

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According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the A’s and Red Sox are "believed to be discussing Coco Crisp again."  Slusser wonders whether the Sox could target Chris Denorfia.

Crisp is guaranteed $11MM over the next two seasons, assuming his 2010 option is bought out.  Oakland seems like a nice fit for Crisp as they seem likely to fully appreciate the value of his tough-to-quantify defense. 

There seems only a slim chance Crisp makes the Japan trip with the Sox.  He’s making progress on his groin injury, but any acquiring team is probably going to want to see him in games first.

Odds and Ends: Inge, Salcedo, Corey, Nathan

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I write this odds and ends post with two less wisdom teeth than I had yesterday.  Looks like applesauce for dinner.

  • Jon Heyman says the Dodgers and Tigers haven’t talked lately, and doesn’t see L.A. taking on Brandon Inge’s $19.1MM.  Aside from the standard Giants suggestion, Heyman puts on his speculation cap and wonders whether Inge could catch for Houston.  What is J.R. Towles, chopped liver?
  • This is questionable, but hey, it’s a Friday.  Hi5 is a popular social networking site in Central America.  A reader sent me a link to this page, which may belong to future superstar kid shortstop/Boras client Edward Salcedo.  The owner of the page slapped up a big ol’ Indians logo over a month ago with the caption "my team."  I have to reiterate that I don’t know if this is really Salcedo’s page.  The Tribe said on Tuesday that Salcedo remained unsigned.
  • The Orioles are observing 34 year-old journeyman reliever Bryan Corey.
  • Joe Nathan, still chatting contract with the Twins.  Kelly Thesier noted that it was the Twins reaching out recently.  Nathan’s agent will meet with them Tuesday.
  • Jacob Jackson goes out on a limb and wonders if Justin Upton could be Oakland’s first $100MM player.
  • The new Phils-ville blog is up.

A’s Talking Extension With Street

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According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the A’s are discussing a long-term extension with closer Huston Street.  Slusser says a deal would likely cover Street’s last two arb years and possibly his first of free agency.

I have no idea if Street wants to break the bank.  But if he compares himself to K-Rod, he could ask for something close to $17MM for 2009-10.  The low end for Street’s last two arb years would have to be around $12MM.  The A’s could point to J.J. Putz’s deal signed a year ago; he exchanged quite a bit of money for security.  Ditto Manny Corpas, who was kind enough to give his team two club options.

Yankees Not Scouting Joe Blanton?

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5:05pm: Joel Sherman of the New York post says the Yankees were not watching Blanton specifically.  The scouts were just doing normal coverage.

12:22am: According to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Yankees had a scout watching Oakland starter Joe Blanton on Sunday.

Blanton, 27, saw his salary escalate to $3.7MM this year as he reached his arbitration years.  He’ll remain under team control through the 2010 season.  The projection would change if Blanton switched to pinstripes, but PECOTA sees a 4.36 ERA in 187 innings from him this year (a performance valued at $8.8MM).

The Yankees are relying on Chien-Ming Wang and Andy Pettitte to front their rotation.  They’ll round it out with Phil Hughes, Mike Mussina, and Ian Kennedy.  Joba Chamberlain is expected to join the rotation mid-summer.  I imagine the Yanks are just doing their due diligence with Blanton; a preseason trade doesn’t seem likely.

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