More From Stark: Mets, Dodgers, Indians
Jayson Stark brings us a few more tidbits from the Hot Stove…
- The price for Raul Ibanez may be too high for the Mets as Stark reiterates what we heard previously, that Fernando Martinez and Jon Niese are not available…Ken Rosenthal added Robert Parnell to that list of untouchables.
- The Mets may no longer be in the running for Brian Fuentes as they are not willing to part with Aaron Heilman.
- Stark says other relief pitchers the Mets have shown some interest in include Cla Meredith, Chad Bradford and Jeremy Affeldt.
- The Dodgers are said to be interested in several relief pitchers, including Fuentes, George Sherrill, David Weathers and Alan Embree, but they are not interested in Huston Street. The other possibility is Greg Maddux, who would allow the Dodgers to move another starter to the bullpen.
- The Indians’ primary goal now is to deal Paul Byrd.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Jayson Stark’s Latest: Rays
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.
Stark’s Latest: Dunn, Tankersley, Sherrill
ESPN has a new Trade Deadline blog going; here’s the link. Jayson Stark already has two entries up, found here and here. Let’s dig in!
- The Yankees have explored the idea of acquiring Adam Dunn, though they’re reluctant to meet the Reds’ demands.
- The Marlins are proposing the idea of swapping lefty Taylor Tankersley for a more experienced one like Brian Fuentes or George Sherrill. So far, nothing’s cooking. Tankersley, 25, was demoted to Triple A earlier this month after being bitten by the home run bug. He dealt with shoulder tendinitis in early ’07.
- The Rockies instead have their eye on Florida’s Ryan Tucker, a young Double A righty with a mid-90s heater and a 1.41 ERA. I don’t see that happening. Stark says they want to push the bidding closer to the deadline though.
- The Orioles are apparently trying to pry Alcides Escobar or Mat Gamel from the Brewers for Sherrill, but as you know they’re not biting.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Trade Deadline
Some random links as we head toward the trade deadline, from the Blogosphere…
- One writer at Bugs and Cranks thinks that the Rockies should not lower their demand for Brian Fuentes and feels that the Cardinals are the most likely team to land the closer.
- UmpBump wants the Rockies to keep Matt Holliday and would prefer moving Garrett Atkins, allowing Ian Stewart to play third.
- Meanwhile, another writer at Bugs and Cranks wants the Cardinals to pass on Matt Holliday and Jason Bay, but think St. Louis should go after George Sherrill and/or Fuentes.
- Outs Per Swing does not feel that the Rays need to add a player like Xavier Nady, but they are also skeptical that Rocco Baldelli can be the right-handed bat the team needs.
- MetsBlog does not see the Mets landing George Sherrill or Huston Street, noting the O’s are asking for too much and the Mets will not meet the A’s demands. MetsBlog also feels the Mets have more obvious holes than relief pitcher.
- River Ave. Blues says the recent success of Ian Kennedy in Triple A has given the Yankees a very big chip in the trade market.
- Drunk Jays Fans says Roy Halladay will not be traded, despite recent reports that the Jays were secretly shopping him.
Heyman’s Latest: Dodgers, Braves, Fuentes, Downs
Today we have a new column from SI.com’s Jon Heyman.
- Heyman writes of turmoil within the Dodgers’ front office. Owner Frank McCourt is meddling, and assistant GM Logan White has "unusual say-so." Shortstop targets for the Dodgers include Jack Wilson, Orlando Cabrera, and Edgar Renteria. However, it is unclear which young Dodgers are available.
- Braves decision-makers remain split on whether to buy or sell, with manager Bobby Cox leading the buy side.
- Asking prices for relievers remain high, though Heyman seems to think Brian Fuentes wouldn’t cost the Mets much more than Aaron Heilman.
- Heyman relays a report from Joe DeMayo of NY Baseball Digest: the Mets may have interest in Toronto’s Scott Downs.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Redding, Laird, Wolf
Fresh column from Ken Rosenthal.
- The Rockies, six games out in the NL West, could certainly become buyers. They offered Clint Barmes for Jeremy Guthrie and were turned down, and continue to monitor Bronson Arroyo and Tim Redding. Closer Brian Fuentes still seems likely to be traded though (the demand: top of the line prospect and a secondary player).
- Rosenthal cautions us against judging the Pirates’ new regime too quickly. The deadline will be a good test for them.
- The Yankees definitely have interest in Rangers catcher Gerald Laird, but haven’t asked the Royals about Miguel Olivo.
- The Astros are unlikely to flip Randy Wolf before the deadline, partially due to lack of interest.
Carroll’s Latest: Duchscherer, Burnett, Ibanez, Cabrera
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
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.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Teixeira, Burnett, Sherrill
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.
Marlins Rumors: Fuentes, Taveras, Torrealba
How about some Marlins rumors from MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro?
- The Marlins still like the Rockies’ Brian Fuentes, but aren’t willing to trade Chris Volstad for him (it’s unclear whether the Rockies asked, but he’s in line with their asking price for other teams).
- The Fish were previously linked to their expansion-mate on two other players, center fielder Willy Taveras and catcher Yorvit Torrealba. Frisaro’s source says that discussion is dead.
- Keep in mind that the Rockies are in third place, six games out. They may not want to throw in the towel.