Gammons’ Latest: Sabathia, Dunn, Harden
ESPN’s Peter Gammons has a new blog post up.
- The Indians are "thoroughly scouting" eight teams that may be interested in C.C. Sabathia, including the Yankees, Red Sox, Cubs, and Dodgers (the Mets may be another). Gammons agrees with Ken Rosenthal that Mark Shapiro may trade Sabathia soon to maximize his value. Gammons does not see the Yanks jumping in with Phil Hughes or a multi-prospect offer, unless Chien-Ming Wang‘s injury forces their hand. He does not think the Cubs or Phillies have the goods, but suggests the Rangers as a dark horse.
- If the Cubs don’t have enough for Sabathia, Plan B could be Randy Wolf, Greg Maddux, or even Erik Bedard. The Padres and Mariners have been informed of the Cubs’ interest.
- Gammons seems to indicate that Mark Teixeira could be available if the Braves fall out of the race (although Tex is not mentioned by name).
- The Dodgers may have been open to trading Brad Penny, but his shoulder injury puts the kibosh on that.
- Adam Dunn‘s whifftastic ways scare the Red Sox, who might pass even if David Ortiz needs surgery. Gammons suggests Josh Willingham would be a better fit.
- Rich Harden could be a huge acquisition, one of the game’s most dominating pitchers. It’s the same story though – will any team be willing to meet Billy Beane’s asking price given Harden’s injury history?
Rosenthal’s Latest: Dunn, Sabathia, Teixeira
Ken Rosenthal has a new Full Count video up.
- Adam Dunn‘s no-trade protection narrows from all teams to ten teams today. Dunn told Rosenthal he’d like a resolution soon rather than another round of rumors. He’d be open to an extension with the Reds, but the team has not made contact. Will Walt Jocketty attempt to re-sign Dunn before shopping him?
- Tough situation for the Indians – at 6.5 games out, they’re not ready to give up. However, Mark Shapiro could maximize the return for C.C. Sabathia by trading him now rather than late July. As many have noted, Sabathia is more than just a rental given the certain Type A draft pick compensation.
- Rosenthal says the Braves (also 6.5 games out) are even less likely to concede than the Indians. So don’t look for another summer of Mark Teixeira rumors. The Braves may be buyers, hunting for a left fielder and a young controllable starting pitcher.
No Dunn Talks Yet
C. Trent Rosecrans has the latest on Adam Dunn. He reminds us that Dunn’s no-trade clause switches from all teams to 10 teams on Sunday. GM Walt Jocketty is aware of Dunn’s veto teams, even if the public is not. Ken Rosenthal has suggested that Dunn strategically chose the high-revenue teams (Dunn makes $13-16MM this year).
Despite the upcoming change in Dunn’s no-trade clause, Rosecrans quotes Walt Jocketty as saying "there have been no discussions." Negative on extension talks too, even when Wayne Krivsky was GM.
Dunn, 28, is hitting .240/.406/.531 in 251 plate appearances (in line with his career numbers). It’s been suggested by both Rosecrans and Rosenthal that Dunn would make sense in Boston if David Ortiz has complications. For Jocketty to trade his slugger, he’d need a bounty superior to two ’09 draft picks.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Roberts, Bonds, Dunn
Ken Rosenthal has a new column; let’s discuss.
- Rosenthal notes that many contenders will need relief help come July. We’ve got a list of available relievers here.
- The Brewers are interested in second baseman Brian Roberts. Rosenthal suggests they offer Rickie Weeks for Roberts and another player. Rosenthal notes that the various rumored springtime Cubs offers are now off the table.
- Barry Bonds is not a consideration for Boston even if David Ortiz‘s injury becomes long-term. Rosenthal believes Adam Dunn could be on the radar under that scenario.
Crasnick On Griffey And Dunn
Jerry Crasnick comments today on the Reds new youth movement and what that might mean for Ken Griffey Jr and Adam Dunn.
Crasnick notes that it will be difficult to replace Dunn’s production, but wonders if he just needs a change of scenery. Dunn does not appear to have any desire to enter negotiations on an extension and still seems to be harboring some bad feelings towards the club…Although Crasnick doesn’t specifically speculate, it sounds as if the Reds would be best served trading Dunn.
As for Griffey, Crasnick believes that Griffey might be willing to renegotiate his $16.5MM ’09 option if the team is willing to add a second year on to the deal. However, Crasnick is not sure the Reds are willing to keep Griffey around until he is 40. Crasnick does speculate that even though the Mariners poor start eliminates the possibility of a trade during the season, the M’s may be willing to bring Griffey back in ’09 as a free agent to play first base, especially with Richie Sexson’s contract set to expire.
Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here .
Rosenthal’s Latest: Sabathia, Griffey, Dunn
The latest from Ken Rosenthal’s Inside Pitch video:
- The Indians are going to have to at least entertain deals for C.C. Sabathia. If they continue to fall in the standings, Rosenthal expects the Indians to try for a Dan Haren type deal involving numerous prospects in return. Two teams he mentions with interest are the Dodgers and Yankees.
- Ken Griffey Jr. will not be traded until after he hits his 600th home run.
- Rosenthal also touches on Adam Dunn. He can block any trade before June 15th. After that he can block trades to ten unknown teams. The Reds are still weighing their options – it is possible they sign him to a long-term deal.
Posted by Shannon McKeown
Rosenthal’s Latest: Victorino, Hatteberg, Paul Byrd
The Padres stuff got its own post; let’s see what else Ken Rosenthal has for us today.
- Rosenthal thinks it makes sense for the Phillies to shop Shane Victorino for pitching, since Jayson Werth is playing well. That’d increase reliance on Geoff Jenkins, though. The Marlins expressed some interest in Victorino last year.
- Rosenthal expects the Reds to move Scott Hatteberg and a catcher before they get down to the more serious business of mullling offers for Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr.
- Trading Paul Byrd would make sense for the Indians. Rosenthal says the Brewers, Braves, and Astros "likely would show interest." Byrd sports a 3.61 ERA and 4.4 K/BB.
Indians Prefer Infield Acquisition?
Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer believes the Indians’ preference to be to acquire an infielder, if they are to explore the trade market. If so, they might pass on discussing potentially available outfielders such as Ken Griffey Jr., Adam Dunn, and Jason Bay. However, Hoynes notes the Indians’ past interest in Dunn.
Hoynes believes the Brian Roberts rumblings could resurface, perhaps a month or two from now. Peter Gammons suggested in April that the Orioles’ decent start might cause Peter Angelos to mandate retention of Roberts.
Some other possibly available infielders: Garrett Atkins, Nick Johnson (perhaps six weeks from now), Aubrey Huff, Mark Grudzielanek, Jose Castillo, Cristian Guzman, Felipe Lopez, Melvin Mora, Chad Tracy, and Mark Ellis (once he recovers from a strained hamstring). It seems easier to acquire an impact outfielder. Regardless, Hoynes believes the Indians would use their starting pitching surplus to engineer a trade.
Teams Scouting Griffey, Dunn
If the Reds slip out of contention in May, Walt Jocketty might begin to field offers for corner outfielders Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn. Both are paid well and have at least some control over trade destinations. According to MLB.com’s Jim Molony, "a few teams are having their scouts keep an eye" on the pair in case they become available.
The standard speculation for Griffey is that he could be traded back to Seattle after he gets his 600th home run with the Reds. Junior might be a nice boost in right field for the Ms if Wladimir Balentien needs time to adjust. I doubt the Mariners would give up Jeff Clement for Griffey though. There’s been some Chicago speculation, never mind that both the Cubs and Sox are set at the corner outfield positions.
Dunn would help the Padres, who are last in baseball in both OBP and SLG. The Jays, Mets, or Indians could also make sense.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Krivsky, Scherzer, Edwin Jackson
Ken Rosenthal has a new column up; let’s take a look.
- Rosenthal gives a good refresher on July trade candidates; pretty much the names you’d expect.
- Reasons for Wayne Krivsky’s firing are discussed. By the way check out John Fay’s blog for some candid final comments from Krivsky. One interesting note is that he had no extension talks with Adam Dunn.
- The D’Backs could use Max Scherzer to strengthen their bullpen, or they could shop Chad Tracy for a reliever.
- Rosenthal wonders whether the Nationals might consider the under-30 segment of the next free agent class.
- Plenty of teams continue to express interest in the Rays’ Edwin Jackson. Something has to give in their rotation when Scott Kazmir returns, but demoting Andy Sonnanstine to the pen would solve the logjam.