Graziano’s Latest: Schoeneweis, Rhodes, Pavano
Here’s a look at the fresh rumors from Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger.
- The Yankees, Tigers, Rangers, and Rays have talked to the Mets about Scott Schoeneweis. The Mets might prefer to acquire a replacement if they move Schoeneweis. Arthur Rhodes is one possibility if he doesn’t end up in Florida. Geoff Baker believes it’s down to the Marlins and Brewers for Rhodes, with the other getting Eddie Guardado.
- The Yanks might have to acquire a reliever now that they’ve dealt Kyle Farnsworth. Rhodes isn’t on their radar though.
- The Ivan Rodriguez trade could kick off other trades for catchers.
- The Yankees have been getting calls on Carl Pavano. One unconfirmed rumor has the Mets interested.
Odds and Ends: Bautista, Uehara, Pavano
I tried busting out my old Super Nintendo last night, to see if I am still the Mario Kart stud I once was. The console didn’t work right though, so I ordered something called the FC Twin. It’s a console that came out a few years ago when Nintendo’s patent expired; it plays both NES and SNES games. I’m excited! On to the hot stove links.
- We’ll be doing our usual live chat here today at 2pm CST.
- The A’s don’t anticipate any problems in signing top draft pick Jemile Weeks. And the D’Backs are nearing a deal with their top choice, Daniel Schlereth.
- Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski is working to trade recently-designated reliever Denny Bautista. He’s optimistic. There is a general tone of optimism in this entire odds and ends post, in fact.
- NPB Tracker has an in-depth look at Koji Uehara, who will finally get his wish of trying MLB in ’09.
- Steven Goldman thinks it’s time for the Yankees to trade Melky Cabrera, who seems a bit of a tweener. Might be better to trade him amid a hot streak though. At least that’s what I do in fantasy baseball!
- Yankee whipping boy Carl Pavano could actually be around in August.
- MLB.com’s Jim Molony appeared on their Whip Around program (the 6/23 link). He mentioned that he doesn’t expect the Brewers to make a major acquisition.
- Speaking of MLB.com, they’ve got a new Trade Talk blog up where various beat writers have weighed in.
Odds and Ends: Pavano, Lima, Sabathia
Today’s link collection contains a trio of awesome pitchers. Enjoy.
- Carl Pavano is talking about five or six more seasons; his new agent calls him a "1-2 starter." You can chuckle, but some team will probably toss him a million bucks this winter.
- The Kia Tigers have already had enough of Jose Lima. Coincidentally here’s a funny quote from Lima regarding his Atlantic League paycheck from ’03.
- Ken Rosenthal discusses C.C. Sabathia‘s situation, noting that the Indians could probably sign him if they’d give five years.
- Rany Jazayerli writes in praise of Dayton Moore.
- Rule V pick Fernando Hernandez is headed back to the White Sox.
Odds and Ends: Spiezio, Pavano, Gross, Jackson
Links, rumors…
- Scott Spiezio is in trouble with the law, and the Cardinals decided to release him for it. Joe Ostermeier notes that the Cards now have about $20MM in dead money on the payroll for ’08.
- Evan Grant believes the Rangers would want Jose Ceda or Donald Veal in a deal for Marlon Byrd.
- Call it informed speculation, but Mike Berardino wonders whether Carl Pavano could end up back with the Marlins eventually.
- Ken Rosenthal recently wrote that the Padres were eyeing Gabe Gross. Tom Haudricourt found out that Kevin Towers never inquired on the Brewers outfielder, but that doesn’t mean the Friars weren’t eyeing him.
- Ken Davidoff makes a case for why the Astros should sign Roger Clemens.
- Sadly, the Rockies pulled the plug on a deal with Neifi Perez at the last minute.
- We hear "best shape of his life" often in Spring Training, but not with the newly signed Bartolo Colon. The Red Sox have some history pursuing Colon, as noted by Rob Bradford.
- Conor Jackson switched agents.
Odds and Ends: Perez, Jones, Howard, Burnett
Let’s round up today’s linkage.
- No more long-term discussions with Oliver Perez and the Mets.
- Andruw Jones already wants to talk extension with the Dodgers.
- The Cardinals are not likely to make anymore acquisitions. In my view the team has question marks in right field, the middle infield, and the rotation. Here’s a look at their MLB.com depth chart. By the way, could Ryan Franklin be a league average starter? They could try it if the current options don’t pan out.
- Jim Salisbury thinks the Ryan Howard contract situation is a nonstory. I think this is partially because (and I hope this doesn’t sound condescending) most fans do not understand the arbitration process. Anyway Salisbury’s source says the Phillies would match Chase Utley‘s seven-year, $85MM deal and might approach $100MM. He says Howard may want "significantly more."
- Ivan Rodriguez would like to play beyond the 2008 season and retire a Tiger. If the Tigers can’t find a taker for Brandon Inge this year, he could be their starting catcher in ’09.
- Carl Pavano doesn’t seem too popular in the Yankees’ clubhouse.
- J.P. Ricciardi does not plan to do an extension during the season with A.J. Burnett. I think Burnett will stay healthy enough to top the two years, $24MM he could get if he does not opt out.
Odds and Ends: Inge, Greene, Pavano
A few tidbits this morning as we wait to hear more on Fukudome…
- The Tigers and Pirates have had talks about Brandon Inge. Not sure how he fits in with that club, but OK.
- Yesterday Barry Svrluga wrote of a failed Padres-Nats trade worth noting. The Nats would’ve sent Jon Rauch or Chad Cordero plus Felipe Lopez to the Padres for Khalil Greene. The talks fizzled; it never sounded like something the Padres would be interested in. They usually grow their own relievers. Tom Krasovic over at the San Diego Union-Tribune elaborates a little more on Jim Bowden’s love for Greene.
- Carl Pavano, the American Idle, is deciding whether to take a minor league contract with the Yanks. Peter Abraham says the Yankees are offering this to make sure they can collect on insurance.
- Xavier Nady will be tendered a contract, officially putting the rumors to rest.
- The Brewers inked Eric Munson to be their possible backup catcher.
Odds And Ends: Inge, Gagne, Pavano
Couple of findings around the Internets:
- Drew Sharp argues that Brandon Inge should stay with the Tigers. His argument is that Inge would still get 300 or so at bats and would be playing for a surefire contender. If he was to be traded, he likely wouldn’t land with a team nearly as good. Plus, with some of the injury histories of current Tigers, it might be best for Inge to wait around for playing time.
- Though the Rangers were interested in Eric Gagne, they were only $6 million interested. For a one-year deal with an option, there was little chance of that happening. Gagne likely would have sooner accepted the Red Sox arbitration offer.
- Carl Pavano will accept a minor league assignment after the Yankees release him this week. They need 40-man roster spots for Alex Rodriguez and Mariano Rivera. They’ve already released Bronson Sardinha to make room for Andy Pettitte.
- Monte Pool dislikes the idea of the A’s signing Barry Bonds. He mentions what you’d expect: The trial, his health, and the money.
–Joe
Mariners Searching For Starters
John Hickey has an update on the Mariners’ starting pitching targets. The options look grim.
As far as trade targets, there’s always Johan Santana and Dontrelle Willis. The Mariners have long had their eye on Dontrelle, so maybe they’d offer a Wladimir Balentien/Jeff Clement package.
Carlos Silva might be on the radar, but Hickey says the vibe is that he could get north of $12MM per season. A better deal might be Hiroki Kuroda, who is estimated to earn $7-9MM annually by Hickey. The Mariners may have the edge on Kuroda because of their location and Japanese catcher. I keep reading that Kuroda throws in the mid-90s…forgive me if I’m skeptical.
Hickey notes that Bartolo Colon might also be on the radar, and implies that they could pick up Carl Pavano on a whim if he’s released.
Yankees Expected To Release Carl Pavano
It’s been a long, strange journey. The New York Post’s Joel Sherman reports that the Yankees plan on releasing oft-injured starter/punchline Carl Pavano before November 20th. The 40-man roster spot will be needed to protect more valuable players. At the latest, the Yanks would release Pavano before Spring Training.
The $13MM still owed to Pavano has to be treated as a sunk cost. At most he might be able to pitch for two months in 2008 following Tommy John surgery.
Has a lesson been learned here? Just last year the Yankees committed $46MM for five years of Kei Igawa, seemingly as an answer to the Red Sox getting Daisuke Matsuzaka. It doesn’t seem likely that they’ll go after any of these free agent landmines this winter.
Yanks Plan On Keeping Pavano
As always, plenty of clubs need starting pitching. As long as everyone is healthy, the Yankees may have a mild surplus once Phil Hughes and/or Tyler Clippard are ready. Whether Andy Pettitte and Mike Mussina can post healthy seasons is unknown, but at this moment everyone is fine. Another open question is whether Kei Igawa can act as a credible fourth starter.
Even oft-injured Carl Pavano is feeling good; he did a decent job against the Red Sox yesterday. It has been speculated for months that the Yankees want to trade the 31 year-old, perhaps this spring.
However, Peter Abraham of the Journal News says Brian Cashman has maintained since winter that he will not trade Pavano. Abraham quotes Cashman as saying he’s not in the business of selling low. The Yanks would prefer not to pick up $10-11MM of the $21MM owed to Pavano over the next two years. If they wait and he and the rest of the Yankee staff has a healthy, effective April, perhaps trade talks will be revisited. Otherwise the Yankees might wait to see what happens with Roger Clemens.
One thing’s for sure – the Yanks won’t finish the season with a Mussina-Pettitte-Wang-Igawa-Pavano rotation.