Phillies Rumors

Odds and Ends: Eaton, Dykstra, Lohse, Burnett

By Tim Dierkes | July 28, 2008 at 10:36am CDT

Let’s round up some linkage.

ESPN’s Buster Olney wonders if Adam Everett would be a good fit for the Dodgers.
Phillies pitcher Adam Eaton accepted a minor league assignment today. It seems that J.A. Happ will replace him.
Jim Callis of Baseball America thinks the only first-round pick who might not sign will be San Diego’s Allan Dykstra.
I did a Q&A with Mets Fans Forever.
Cardinals GM John Mozeliak dismissed the idea of trading Kyle Lohse. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe believes the Cardinals have the best shot at acquiring A.J. Burnett. But don’t forget that interesting suggestion yesterday from John Perrotto: the Jays might offer Burnett an additional $2MM in ’09 and ’10 to entice him to stay.
Marlins catcher Matt Treanor had a setback, increasing their need to acquire a backstop.
Rays manager Joe Maddon says the chances of a trade are "50-50 at best."
The D’Backs are still talking extension with Cy Young contender Dan Haren, who is signed cheaply through 2010.
Blue Jays reliever Brian Tallet is out at least three weeks with a broken toe; bad timing for potential suitors like the Mets.
I did the Drunk Jays Fans podcast last night.

Odds and Ends: Happ, Igawa, Hawkins, Lowe

By Tim Dierkes | July 27, 2008 at 10:11pm CDT

Rounding up rumors and links from the weekend…

SI.com’s Jon Heyman says the Mariners are asking the Mets for Jon Niese for Raul Ibanez. Not likely.
ESPN’s Buster Olney says the Braves would require Conor Jackson from the D’Backs in a Mark Teixeira deal, but Arizona is not biting.
Another quick hit from Olney: the White Sox are surveying the relief market in the wake of Scott Linebrink’s shoulder injury.
Several readers have written in about Phillies’ lefty J.A. Happ being pulled early from a Triple A start (2.2 scoreless innings) with no sign of injury. Something to keep an eye on, as the Phillies hunt for a lefty reliever on the trade market. UPDATE: Happ may be getting the call to replace Adam Eaton.
Even on the DL, Phil Hughes has been in high demand.
The White Sox let Esteban Loaiza go.
No team claimed Kei Igawa off waivers. Also, the Yankees designated LaTroy Hawkins for assignment.
Ned Colletti on the possibility of trading Derek Lowe: "No."
Jim Bowden and Chad Cordero patched things up, making a re-signing possible this winter.
The emergence of Jeff Samardzija this weekend may make Scott Eyre or Jon Lieber expendable.
At least 20 teams have called about one of the Rangers’ catchers.
Jamey Newberg wrote a few days ago that most likely the only way Kevin Millwood can lock in his $12MM for 2010 will be to pitch 180 innings next year.

Manny Would Approve Trade

By Tim Dierkes | July 27, 2008 at 10:02pm CDT

10:02pm: Jon Heyman provides some Manny musings. Despite Manny’s comments, he doesn’t believe he’d waive his no-trade rights for nothing. Like others, Heyman doesn’t find a trade likely.

8:36pm: Todd Zolecki finds a Manny acquisition unlikely for the Phillies, though he says they have discussed him internally. Signing Ramirez as a free agent might be more feasible, if Pat Burrell leaves.

5:40pm: Jayson Stark puts the kibosh on the idea of the Phillies pursuing Ramirez. Never made much sense anyway. Stark says the Phils remain focused on relief help.

3:56pm: Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez said today that he’d approve a trade if the team can reach one. The implication is that Ramirez would not require additional compensation to waive his no-trade power, but that’s uncertain.

The quote:

"If they can get a trade, I’d approve it. If they can’t trade me, then they will simply have to inform me by the end of the season that they won’t use the options and we’ll go separate ways."

Notice how Manny doesn’t mention the possibility of his ’09 option being exercised.

Perrotto’s Latest: Ross, Jacobs, Kent, Burnett

By Tim Dierkes | July 27, 2008 at 6:39pm CDT

Baseball Prospectus’ John Perrotto has a new column.

The Mets are looking at relievers Huston Street, Brian Fuentes, Arthur Rhodes, and Eddie Guardado. On the radar for outfielders: Jason Bay, Raul Ibanez, and Randy Winn.
A new suitor for Fuentes has emerged: the Diamondbacks. Would they really make another move for a reliever? Other known suitors were named here.
The Marlins would consider trading Cody Ross or Mike Jacobs for relief help.
New name on the Rays’ radar: Dodgers second baseman Jeff Kent. They’re better off with Akinori Iwamura aren’t they?
George Sherrill suitors: Cardinals, Tigers, Dodgers, Marlins, and Phillies.
The Blue Jays may offer A.J. Burnett an additional $2MM per year to convince him to stay for 2009-10.
The Rangers are "expected to be among the top bidders" for CC Sabathia this winter.

Manny Ramirez Speculation: Phils, D’Backs, Mets

By Nat Boyle | July 27, 2008 at 1:40pm CDT

Theo Epstein told Tim McCarver he’d try to trade Manny Ramirez if he’d waive his 10-and-5 no-trade rights. If Ramirez were to be dealt, I’m guessing he’d either require an extension or reassurance that his $20MM option would not be picked up so he could reach free agency. Here’s some reverb from Epstein’s remarks:

Ken Rosenthal doesn’t see a good match anywhere. He notes that Manny got himself into this odd contractual situation in the first place.
Jon Heyman says the Mets have no interest in Manny. His string of bad behavior this year has been undoubtedly a turnoff. They’d rather pursue Raul Ibanez.
The Boston Herald’s Tony Masarotti doesn’t think the team needs "to find a Hall of Fame-caliber player to replace him anymore because Ramirez no longer is a Hall of Fame-caliber player." He even cites David Murphy as a more productive outfielder since April.
Joel Sherman and Mike Puma speculate on Manny to the Phillies, noting how Charlie Manuel and Ramirez have remained close since Manuel was his hitting coach in Cleveland. They go on to list Arizona as having interest as well.

Jayson Stark’s Latest: Rays

By Cork Gaines | July 26, 2008 at 3:34pm CDT

Jayson Stark touches on a few rumors circling around the Tampa Bay Rays…

The Rays and the Phillies both made multiplayer offers to the Indians for Casey Blake, but neither was willing to offer a top prospect and a second prospect close to the big leagues.
With Blake and Xavier Nady both traded, the Rays are leaning towards eventually filling their need for a right-handed outfielder with Rocco Baldelli who played in the outfield this week on a rehab assignment. It was his first outfield action since May of ’07 and will play 5 more innings today.
After discussing Mark Teixeira, the Rays have decided to pass, not wanting to move Carlos Pena to DH.
While the Rays would still like to acquire a relief pitcher, they feel the price is too high for Brian Fuentes and they have little interest in Huston Street. Stark notes that last year’s top pick, David Price, could be called up to provide insurance for the bullpen.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

George Sherrill Rumors

By Tim Dierkes | July 24, 2008 at 4:53pm CDT

4:50pm: The Baltimore Sun lists the Cardinals, Brewers, Dodgers, Cubs, Reds, Phillies, Marlins, and Tigers as teams represented at yesterday’s Orioles-Blue Jays tilt. The article implies that those clubs were there hoping to scout Sherrill, though a few might have been eyeing A.J. Burnett or both pitchers.

Jeff Zrebiec says the O’s want two or three prospects for Sherrill, who is under team control for a long time.

2:16pm: According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the Brewers are not engaged in trade talks for Orioles closer George Sherrill. The O’s are looking for a shortstop, and the Brewers aren’t willing to part with J.J. Hardy or Alcides Escobar. Makes more sense to wait until Escobar forces their hand, anyway.

GM Doug Melvin told Haudricourt he doesn’t expect to add a reliever this month.

A.J. Burnett Rumors

By Tim Dierkes | July 24, 2008 at 4:42pm CDT

Let’s put all of the A.J. Burnett rumors and links in one place.

Joe Strauss says the Cardinals were one of 15 teams scouting Burnett yesterday. Strauss says that Burnett’s contract allows a trade to the Cardinals, and they "remain intrigued" after Walt Jocketty pursued him as a free agent in ’05.
Will Carroll says he’s been heavily scouted but demand is low. Carroll thinks the Phillies could jump back in if the price comes down. He also wonders whether Burnett would clear waivers in August.
Jayson Stark says Burnett is "eminently available," with the Yankees, Phillies, and Cardinals checking in. He adds that the Blue Jays won’t trade within the division, the Phillies chose Joe Blanton, and the Cardinals balked at the price of two premium players.
Jim Molony expects Burnett to stay put.
Dave Cameron thinks Burnett is underrated.
Ken Rosenthal finds trade interest in Burnett minimal, noting that teams would prefer a guarantee that the pitcher will opt out after the season.

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.

Stark’s Latest: Teixeira, Padilla, Sheffield, Beltre

By Tim Dierkes | July 24, 2008 at 2:50pm CDT

ESPN’s Jayson Stark has a new Rumblings and Grumblings up. You may want to grab a glass of water or something, because this is a beast of a column.

If the Braves have a bad weekend and decide to trade Mark Teixeira, a deal could come together quickly. Stark says the Braves have already touched base with the Rays, Red Sox, Dodgers, Angels and Yankees. Where Tex fits on the Rays, I’m not sure. Additionally, interest in Will Ohman is said to be "massive."
A Jorge Posada move to first base could affect the Yankees’ interest in Teixeira this winter.
Though Brian Fuentes has many suitors, the Rockies have actually exchanged names with only the Marlins and Yankees. GM Dan O’Dowd has not dropped his price. By the way, Todd Helton’s injury takes Garrett Atkins off the market. As for Matt Holliday, many execs believe the Rockies will never trade him.
The Phillies are focused on a left-handed reliever, with Fuentes, Damaso Marte, George Sherrill, and Jack Taschner in the mix.
The Phillies were scared off by the asking prices on Holliday and Xavier Nady, and never even made an offer. They still could acquire a lesser hitter.
The Pirates are inspiring much grumbling with high asking prices for Jason Bay, Nady, Marte, John Grabow, and Jack Wilson.
The Rangers are looking for young, controllable starting pitching. Vicente Padilla is available, with the Tigers and Yankees showing mild interest. Eddie Guardado and Jamey Wright are not available.
In pursuing Jarrod Washburn, Bronson Arroyo, and Padilla, the Yankees are demonstrating their plan to reduce the prospect price for pitching by taking on a decent-sized contract.
While A.J. Burnett is "eminently available," no trade talks are cooking. The Jays apparently won’t deal him within the division. Other Jays veterans might be available, though Roy Halladay isn’t among them.
The Tigers are looking for pitching and a long-term shortstop. They’d be willing to move Gary Sheffield, though they’d have to eat salary.
Top Rays prospects such as Wade Davis, David Price, and Jeremy Hellickson are off-limits. Rays Index recently ran through the more likely trade candidates.
The Braves asked the Royals about Jose Guillen, but Dayton Moore is asking for a ton.
Stark says the Twins’ talks for Adrian Beltre are "far from dead." The Twins are zeroed in on a third base upgrade. Beltre, by the way, has the Dodgers on his no-trade list. Joe Christensen says the Twins have found the asking price prohibitive for various third basemen.
The Rangers are looking for a young pitcher for Hank Blalock, who is drawing interest from the Twins, Giants, and Dodgers. The Dodgers also like Casey Blake, who is likely to be traded somewhere.

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