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Brian Fuentes

Rosenthal’s Latest: Sabathia, Burnett, Fuentes, Guillen

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Ken Rosenthal has a new column up.  I updated the second bullet about Burnett – I had omitted an interesting rumor accidentally.

  • The Dodgers could’ve gotten CC Sabathia, Casey Blake, and Jamey Carroll without giving up Matt Kemp.  Owner Frank McCourt may have killed the deal, though he denies it.  Rosenthal describes the Dodgers as a "near-impossible trading partner."
  • Rosenthal reminds us that A.J. Burnett can veto trades to 15 teams and would probably require compensation to waive that right or his opt-out rights.  Rosenthal also says the Jays offered Burnett to the Brewers for J.J. Hardy, but the Brewers passed and then acquired CC Sabathia.
  • The Rays are named as the frontrunner for Brian Fuentes.  Fuentes has been linked to nine clubs in various reports.
  • Players such as Orlando Cabrera, Cristian Guzman, Jack Wilson, and Hardy may be hot commodities this winter given the large number of teams looking for a shortstop.
  • The Royals received inquiries on Jose Guillen in the wake of his scuffle with the team’s pitching coach.  However, the Royals plan to keep him.
  • The Padres hope to acquire up-the-middle players.  On a related note, Randy Wolf had a nice start last night.

Odds and Ends: Resop, Myers, Gallardo, Fuentes

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Today’s link collection:

  • Joel Sherman says the Mets would be willing to eat some money on a contract to reduce the prospect price for a corner outfielder.  He suggests names like Xavier Nady, Raul Ibanez, Randy Winn, and Adam Dunn.  The salary-eating strategy would probably only help with Winn.
  • The Hanshin Tigers purchased reliever Chris Resop’s contract from the Braves.
  • Ricky Bottalico says Brett Myers wants to be traded, but Myers and the Phillies denied it.
  • It would be cool to see Yovani Gallardo return this year, if only to see him line up with CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets for a brief period of time.  That’s three aces.
  • The Yankees are still interested in Rockies closer Brian Fuentes; the Rox might be interested in Mark Melancon.
  • More rumblings that the Dodger front office is confusing other teams.
  • SI.com’s Jon Heyman ranks the most impactful potentially available players, raising the question of whether impactful is a word.  Heyman also includes odds of each player being dealt.

Red Sox Rumors: Bonds, Fuentes

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Checking in on the Red Sox…

Rockies Rumors: Holliday, Fuentes

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Let’s dig into those recent Rays-Rockies rumors.

  • Southpaw reliever Brian Fuentes has been linked to the Marlins, Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Phillies, A’s, Cubs, Cardinals, and Rays.  Troy E. Renck wrote Saturday that the Rays are the most aggressive suitor, noting that the Rockies like Wade Davis and Jeremy Hellickson. Trading either for Fuentes does seem crazy and unlikely.  Nonetheless, MLB.com Rays beat writer Bill Chastain verifies the Rockies’ interest in Davis.
  • As for Matt Holliday, Chastain says the Rockies want David Price.  While Price is probably untouchable, we have seen top prospects like Cameron Maybin, Elvis Andrus, Carlos Gonzalez, and Matt LaPorta traded in recent months.

Week In Review

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Continuing with Tim’s new tradition, here’s my take on some of the top rumors of the week from June 29 – July 6:

  • The C.C. Sabathia sweepstakes is nearing an end, with the Brewers’ Matt LaPorta package being the frontrunner. We’ll let everyone know the full story as soon as possible.
  • The Phillies extended Brad Lidge to a three-year contract. Lidge looks like his old self – great deal for Philadelphia. Looks like this means Brett Myers will remain in the rotation if he can get back on track.
  • We heard a lot about the Rays’ growing interest for Colorado closer Brian Fuentes. They could be preparing an offer. Troy Percival has been good, but injury prone, and you almost hate to move Dan Wheeler from the eighth inning where he’s been so good all year.
  • The shortstop market is hot, as the Dodgers, Orioles, and Jays would all like to upgrade. The Dodgers are interested in Jack Wilson, while the Orioles are looking at David Eckstein and possibly Juan Uribe or Felipe Lopez. The Jays could look to move A.J. Burnett and his contract for an upgrade there as well. Interesting that Toronto wants an upgrade over Eckstein, while Baltimore looks at him as an upgrade…
  • The Indians finally cut Joe Borowski loose, designating him for assignment. Was this too little too late? They tried to sneak Craig Breslow through waivers earlier this year. I’m guessing they’d rather have the 1.42 ERA he’s posted this season than Borowski’s 7.56, but the Twins are enjoying Breslow’s benefits.
  • Could the Angels add Matt Holliday? Seems unlikely with the stockpile of large contracts they already have in their outfield if you ask me.
  • The A’s signed Michel Inoa for $4.25MM on Thursday.
  • The Padres will be sellers this July. The onslaught of injuries have made this a frustrating season for San Diego. If you’d been able to see Adrian Gonzalez’s monster numbers through July 1 before the season started, who would’ve believed this team wasn’t contending? Wow.
  • For those who are interested, Tim looked at this past years’ offseason moves and compiled an All-Star lineup of free agent hitters signed prior to the 2008 season. That’d be a heck of a team to try to beat right now…

Rays Preparing Offer For Fuentes?

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In this piece by Troy E. Renck, the Rays have had scouts at Coors Field over the weekend and are preparing to make an offer for Brian Fuentes.

"Tampa Bay is preparing to make the most aggressive play for the Rockies’ closer, according to a major-league source… Opposing executives who have spoken with Tampa Bay say the Rays are determined to bolster their bullpen in an attempt to create separation between them and the Red Sox."

The Rockies have been seeking "one quality player", says Renck, in return for Fuentes.  The Rays could offer either Double-A RHP starters Wade Davis or Jeremy Hellickson, both of whom the Rockies have expressed interest in.

Davis, 23, has made 18 starts for Double-A Montgomery with a 3.98 ERA  over 101.2 IP with a 6.64 K/9. Hellickson, 21, has been having an outstanding season in Montgomery Double-A and Vero Beach Single-A ball, going 7-2 with a 2.85 ERA with 87 K in 85 IP.  He has struggled some since being promoted to Double-A.

Acquiring Fuentes would take an option away from Boston as well as provide the Rays with another lefty reliever and increased depth at closer should Troy Percival remain incapable.

Stark’s Latest: Harang, Bedard, Hardy, Weeks, McLouth

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Brand new column from ESPN’s Jayson Stark.

  • Stark explains why he feels the trade deadline is overrated.  I guess it all depends on what you expect from it.
  • You may recall Walt Jocketty’s Reds untouchables list from a few weeks ago.  It did not include Aaron Harang.  While the Reds might listen on Harang, there wouldn’t be any kind of discount.
  • The Mariners have pushed Erik Bedard to the backburner, focusing on shopping other veterans.  They’re also not dying to move Raul Ibanez at the moment.
  • The Brewers might be willing to include J.J. Hardy or Rickie Weeks in a trade.  In our chat today, a commenter wondered whether some kind of Hardy-A.J. Burnett swap could work.
  • The Tigers are looking ahead, inquiring about various shortstops they might be able to use in ’09 and beyond.  Perhaps if they find one they’ll decline Edgar Renteria’s option.
  • Add the Marlins to the list of Brian Fuentes suitors.  One source from another team said the cost for Fuentes is "one good piece." 
  • Stark agrees with recent indications that the Royals aren’t dying to move Ron Mahay.  Nonetheless, the Yankees, Marlins, Phillies, and Tigers are named as interested parties.
  • Pirate outfield chatter: some teams are calling on Nate McLouth, though the Bucs prefer to move Jason Bay or Xavier Nady.  Despite earlier reports, Stark says the Bucs could consider trading both.  The Rays are "especially interested" in Bay.
  • Stark talked to one club official who hasn’t heard any indications that the Phillies are willing to trade Shane Victorino.  Also possibly off-limits: Double A catcher Lou Marson.
  • To acquire Rich Harden, a package "would have to at least approach last year’s Dan Haren extravaganza."  So, look for him to stay put.  Harden’s velocity was down yesterday, by the way.
  • Brett Myers’ future with the Phillies could hinge on whether they re-sign closer Brad Lidge.
  • Still no buzz around Adam Dunn.
  • C.C. chatter: don’t write off the Indians’ attempt to sign him to an extension.  "One friend" sees Sabathia as more likely to land on the West Coast than the east if he doesn’t re-sign.

Rays In On Fuentes

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On Monday, Tim talked about the Brian Fuentes situation, naming a few known suitors: the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Phillies, and A’s. Today, Tracy Ringolsby adds another to the list, the Tampa Bay Rays. The team’s current closer, Troy Percival, has missed some time with injury this year, and the Rays would like to add some insurance for late inning situations.

This would give them a viable eighth inning option to pair with Percival when healthy, especially with Al Reyes missing time with elbow tendinitis. If Percival continues to suffer from his hamstring injury, Fuentes could easily slide into the closer role. Though Grant Balfour didn’t do a shabby job with that last night and Dan Wheeler is solid.

If they’re so inclined, though, they certainly have the prospects to do it.

Rockies Rumors: Holliday, Fuentes, Torrealba

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The Rockies have been even worse than the Padres – 19 games under .500, 10 games out in a lousy division.  According to Tracy Ringolsby, they’ll decide at the All-Star break whether to officially become sellers.

Let’s start with closer Brian Fuentes, whose ERA jumped from 2.56 to 3.94 last night.  Reports had the suitors at the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Phillies, and A’s.  Ringolsby says to cross the A’s off the list and add the Rays, Cubs, and Cardinals.  Ken Rosenthal tossed the Cubs into the mix on June 12th, but then changed that report.  Troy E. Renck adds the Cardinals to the list.

Ringolsby rattles off teams interested in Matt Holliday: Cardinals, Rays, Angels, Dodgers, and Royals.  Definitely some new names in there.  Holliday is hitting .332/.415/.538 in 299 plate appearances (.309/.401/.472 on the road).  Ringolsby says the A’s will "kick the tires" on Holliday but are more likely to pursue Willy Taveras. 

We also have RotoWire, which reports that catcher Yorvit Torrealba told the Tigers’ radio network that he wants to be traded.  After nearly signing with the Mets, Torrealba inked a two-year, $7.25MM deal with the Rockies.  He is hitting as badly as expected: .252/.291/.387 in 180 PAs.  He’s thrown out only 24% of runners, up slightly from last year. Torrealba has been splitting time with Chris Iannetta since May.

The Brian Fuentes Situation

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Let’s review the Brian Fuentes reports floating about.  The Rockies closer has saved 13 games in 17 opportunities this year.

  • On Friday, Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News wrote, "The Rockies would want two quality prospects, but they won’t deal him until Manny Corpas can return to the closer role or they concede the division and wild card."  Corpas is having his best month of the year, with a 3.86 ERA.  But Taylor Buchholz has been untouchable all year, so I don’t see why this should be a sticking point.
  • Buster Olney agrees; he’s heard that the Fuentes Sweepstakes will begin if the Rox don’t start playing better over the next few weeks.  The Rockies are nine games out in the NL West.
  • On June 24th, Ken Rosenthal sang a different tune.  He said, "The Rockies remain willing to move closer Brian Fuentes regardless of whether they climb back into contention."  One reason for their willingness to trade Fuentes: they’d be hesitant to offer him arbitration after the season and then have him accept.  Rosenthal said the Rockies "remain intrigued by Mets righty Aaron Heilman."
  • The list of known suitors remains at five: Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Phillies, and A’s.  Sean McAdam wrote today that Hideki Okajima’s struggles may cause the Red Sox to step up their pursuit.
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