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Manny Ramirez Speculation: Phils, D’Backs, Mets

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Molony’s Latest: Francoeur, Bay, Blalock

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MLB.com’s Jim Molony has a new column up.

  • The Braves will listen to offers for Jeff Francoeur and Will Ohman, and maybe Mark Teixeira if the Braves struggle in the next week.  The Royals are said to be interested in Francoeur.  Mike Gonzalez is unavailable.
  • The Braves have scouted Jason Bay and Xavier Nady, in case they decide to become buyers.
  • The Phillies had an exec scouting the Pirates recently.  The Phils are looking for a lefty reliever.  The Phillies also may be looking at relievers on the Jays and Orioles.
  • Molony rattles off Freddy Garcia suitors: Astros, Cardinals, Phillies, Rangers, Red Sox, Royals, Tigers, Mets, White Sox and Yankees.  The Royals might be a new one.
  • At least five teams are in on Casey Blake, including the Twins.  However the Twins seem to prefer Hank Blalock.  I like the Blalock idae for the Twins.
  • Molony sees A.J. Burnett staying put.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Teixeira, Burnett, Sherrill

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Here’s the latest from Ken Rosenthal, who should probably take a vacation in August.

  • The D’Backs inquired on Mark Teixeira, but a trade is unlikely.  Tex might be the best available hitter, as Matt Holliday seems likely to stay put.
  • The Rockies scouted Nick Adenhart’s last start.  The Angels have more interest in Brian Fuentes than Holliday.
  • Tons of scouts converged on Camden Yards last night to watch A.J. Burnett and George Sherrill pitch (those hoping to see Sherrill were disappointed).  The Cardinals, Phillies, Yankees, Brewers, Marlins, Dodgers, and Tigers all had scouts there to watch at least one of the pitchers. 
  • Rosenthal says trade interest in Burnett "remains minimal," as teams fear the pitcher’s contract.
  • The Orioles are taking a look at the Brewers’ Triple A team, but it is believed that they are reluctant to part with more prospects.
  • The A’s chose first baseman Chris Carter over Emilio Bonifacio in the Dan Haren trade.

Phillies Scouting Burnett?

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Let’s check in with the Phillies.

  • Robert MacLeod notes the presence of the Phillies’ director of Major League scouting at A.J. Burnett’s start tonight in Baltimore.  Would the Phillies add another starter?
  • Jim Salisbury talked to Phils GM Pat Gillick about the rumored Matt Holliday blockbuster.  Gillick rolled his eyes at the rumor. 
  • In general, Gillick seems higher on catching prospect Lou Marson than pitching prospect Carlos Carrasco.
  • Gillick’s top target is a left-handed reliever, with a bat on the radar as well.  Some kind of acquisition is a "good possibility."

Heyman’s Latest: Nady, Teixeira, Sherrill

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Jon Heyman is cranking out a lot of rumorage.  Here’s his latest.

  • The price has dropped a tad on Xavier Nady, as the Pirates have become more interested in moving him.
  • The Braves still might trade Mark Teixeira right before the deadline, and Heyman thinks they can easily beat two draft choices.
  • Many teams scouted George Sherrill recently: the Marlins, Dodgers, Cardinals, Phillies, and Brewers.
  • Some execs "expressed annoyance" at the D’Backs underpaying for Jon Rauch.
  • Heyman says the Yankees are looking for catching, though Peter Abraham doesn’t agree.
  • The Twins, Giants, and Dodgers have interest in Hank Blalock, who has a $6.2MM option for ’09.
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