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Decision On Johnson Could Come This Week

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There just doesn’t seem to be a spot in Oakland for Dan Johnson. Once seen as a solution at first base, ineffectiveness and injuries have slowed him down a bit. While the 28-year-old still has some promise, he’s blocked in Oakland at first base by Daric Barton and Mike Sweeney, and at DH by Sweeney and Jack Cust.

There’s been some speculation of a Johnson trade, and that might be coming soon. Chad Gaudin can come off the DL on April 12, and Johnson could be the casualty. It depends, really, on whether Billy Beane and Bob Geren want to continue carrying 11 pitchers, or they want to up it to 12.

Apparently, Giants GM Brian Sabean told a sports radio program that he’s looking for a left-hand-hitting first baseman. They seem like a good fit from one end, but do the Giants have the chips the A’s are looking for? Other than that, I can’t see too many other teams that would be interested in him as a starter. Maybe as a backup, but then I suppose most teams wouldn’t be willing to part with much value for a backup first baseman.

I’m thinking that the A’s stick with 11 pitchers for the foreseeable future, and wait for a better opportunity to trade Johnson — probably an injury.

Posted by Joe Pawlikowski. Please, email me rumors.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Pedro’s Injury

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Earlier this week Pedro Martinez pulled a hamstring in his first start of ’08 and is expected to be out until mid-May. The loss of Martinez will likely only cost the Mets seven to eight starts, which might only be a difference in two to three wins over that span. Of course, two or three more wins in ’07 and the Mets would have spent October in the playoffs. With the importance of every single start magnified this year for the Mets, it would not be surprising for Omar Minaya to seek outside help as a contingency plan for Martinez (who at this point in his career cannot be counted on to stay healthy for any length of time). One long shot is Rich Harden, whom the A’s may be auditioning for possible suitors. Let’s take a look at what is being said in the Blogophere…

  • The ’Ropolitans don’t see the Mets trading any more players in the near future, especially for an injury-riddled player such as Harden.
  • Mets Fever doesn’t think the Mets have the pieces to land Harden and would rather see the money go to Oliver Perez after the season.
  • Mets Merized thinks that Claudio Vargas would provide the Mets with some stability but if he isn’t willing to accept a minor league deal they feel the Mets have plenty of in-house options…Mets Merized also feels that the loss of Martinez will not have an effect on the Mets’ championship hopes.
  • MetsBlog comments on the Vargas rumors and says that a backup plan for Martinez should be Minaya’s number one priority…MetsBlog also notes that the Mets should stay away from Harden as he will certainly cost Fernando Martinez.
  • Faith and Fear in Flushing is reminded of Mets injuries from years past and won’t be expecting any contribution from Martinez in the near future.

Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.

The Harden Situation

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Rich Harden is popular this morning – both Bruce Jenkins and Buster Olney discussed his trade value in the wake of his second excellent start of ’08.  Jenkins suggests it’ll take at least six starts for suitors to begin believing in Harden.  Olney believes he could be the top difference-maker to acquire via trade this summer.  It’s pointless to speculate on teams yet – any contender would benefit greatly from adding a healthy Harden (though I will mention that he was recently linked to the Yankees).

Harden is still just 26.  He earns $4.5MM this year and then has a $7MM club option for ’09 with no buyout attached.  Cot’s Baseball Contract’s also notes escalators based on innings pitched.  Harden’s ’09 option is a given as long as he makes a dozen starts this year without needing surgery.

Harden had unkind words in February about Oakland’s handling of him in ’07.  His shoulder issues apparently lingered until December.

Odds and Ends: Giles, Crisp, A-Rod

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Nothing huge cooking this morning, so here are some odds and ends.

  • Doesn’t look like the Dodgers will acquire Marcus Giles.
  • Rany Jazayerli writes about how Kansas City is home to many of the country’s best baseball journalists.  On a related note, the Star’s Sam Mellinger has a chat with Brian Bannister on his blog.
  • Coco Crisp rattles off the trade rumors he’s heard: Cubs, Sox, A’s, Padres.  No deal appears imminent, though Crisp was healthy enough to pinch-run this morning.
  • John Harper snags an exclusive with Alex Rodriguez.  A-Rod admitted he chose the Rangers over the Mets for money and feared he was going down that road again this past winter.
  • Roch Kubatko writes that Brian Roberts was pulled from the lineup today for back pain, hoping to nip trade speculation in the bud.
  • The Phillies have to make a decision on Kris Benson today.
  • Aaron Gleeman weighs in on the Joe Nathan extension.  Buster Olney talked to baseball execs who felt the Twins should’ve added Nathan’s money to their Johan offer.

Tigers Want Huston Street?

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According to Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger:

The Tigers, desperate for a pitcher at the back end of their bullpen, are trying to have serious discussions with Oakland about closer Huston Street. But so far, the A’s have not even decided if they want to trade Street. And if they do, they’re likely to ask more than the Tigers have to offer.

We talked about Street a couple days ago.  Jon Heyman believed the asking price would be huge; Susan Slusser suggested the A’s might wait until midseason.  The Tigers aren’t a great fit given their farm system.

Heyman Discusses Huston Street

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SI.com’s Jon Heyman says "some executives believe Huston Street is available for a steep price."  Last we’ve heard the A’s were talking extension with Street.  In January, the Chronicle’s Susan Slusser had this to say on him:

Street opens the season with the team but potentially could get moved by the deadline if a contender were to lose a closer, but overall, he’s less likely than Blanton to get dealt – he’s three years younger and, coming off an arm injury, he’s not going to bring back as much.

To help describe Street’s likely high price, Heyman tells us that the A’s asked the Yankees for Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes for Joe Blanton.  That’s odd, given the Yanks’ unwillingness to trade that much for Johan Santana. 

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.

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