Week In Review
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…
Latest Sabathia Rumors
ESPN’s Buster Olney and the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel’s Tom Haudricourt have the latest C.C. Sabathia trade rumors this evening.
- Olney says the Brewers restructured their offer today. That offer is believed to include Matt LaPorta plus lesser prospects. Haudricourt suspects those prospects might be Taylor Green and Lorenzo Cain. Haudricourt says the Indians have the Brewers’ offer in hand and Milwaukee GM Doug Melvin is waiting to hear back. Olney says the Brewers are looking at some Plan B starters in case they don’t win the Sabathia sweepstakes.
- Olney also has the Rays, Dodgers, and Phillies in the Sabathia talks. Those teams all have their issues. The Rays may not have the motivation, the Dodgers are being vague about who’s available, and the Phillies’ best talent is at the lower levels.
Odds and Ends: LaRoche, Bonds, Salazar
As America collectively recovers from yesterday’s festivities, here are some odds and ends from the world of baseball.
- The Rangers signed 33 year-old reliever Kiko Calero to a minor league deal. Calero is currently pitching with a torn rotator cuff.
- The Dodgers’ Andy LaRoche commented to XM Radio on the idea of a C.C. Sabathia acquisition. He doesn’t seem to acknowledge that he could be part of such a deal.
- Larry King chatted with Barry Bonds a couple of weeks ago. His impression is that Bonds would like to play but doesn’t expect an offer. King also mentions an interesting unsubstantiated Boston rumor.
- Joe Frisaro of MLB.com thinks newly-DFA’ed Joe Borowski could be an option for the Marlins.
- The D-Backs DFA’d Jeff Salazar. The 27 year-old outfielder hit .202/.319/.333 in 117 plate appearances this year.
- With his salary due to more than double next year, Bronson Arroyo knows that this is "the prime year for me to be traded."
Paul Moro writes for UmpBump.com and can be reached here. Tim Dierkes also contributed to this post.
Brewers Offering LaPorta In Possible Sabathia Deal
Brewers GM Doug Melvin told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwakee Journal Sentinel the team is in pursuit of C.C. Sabathia and has an offer on the table.
Haudricourt thinks the Brewers’ offer includes top prospect Matt LaPorta, minor-league third baseman Taylor Green and probably another prospect, perhaps outfielder Lorenzo Cain, but Melvin would not specify which players are included in the offer.
Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro doesn’t plan to overhaul his team before the trade deadline or in the off season but, according to Melvin, he’s listening to offers from other teams for Sabathia.
"Cleveland is in control of this, not us," said Melvin, who wouldn’t reveal the names of players he has on the table. "They told us they’re talking to other clubs, too. You never know how these things are going to work out.
"I’ve talked to Cleveland. We’ve discussed players. They’re trying to make the best deal they can. At least we’ve got players they’re willing to discuss. But I don’t anticipate anything happening in the next couple of days."
Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Rumors? Comments? Email me alexo05 (at) umpbump (dot) com.
Dodgers Interested In Jack Wilson, C.C. Sabathia
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers have jumped into the fray for C.C. Sabathia. They don’t have a Matt LaPorta-caliber prospect, but they could make a substantial three-player offer. The Dodgers, being a big market club, could try to sign Sabathia before he hits free agency.
Rosenthal says the Dodgers are simultaneously pursuing Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson. He might require some of the same prospects, so L.A. probably can’t get both Wilson and Sabathia. Since Wilson is signed for ’09, such an acquisition might allow the Dodgers to let Rafael Furcal walk as a free agent. Based on Ned Colletti’s comments to MLB.com, he seems willing to let some talent go to get a regular shortstop.
On the Brewers-Sabathia front – LaPorta is in play, but if he’s included Alcides Escobar is out. The Brewers do not plan on offering up J.J. Hardy (Tom Haudricourt agrees). Rosenthal talked to some baseball people who believe Sabathia will be traded before his Tuesday start.
Brewers Offer LaPorta For Sabathia
10:45am: Haudricourt explains why he thinks the Brewers could and would acquire Sabathia. Haudricourt wonders if the Crew will make a knockout offer right now rather than be forced to wait until the deadline. It could be a difference of four extra starts.
The Brewers would not, however, offer both LaPorta and Escobar.
FRIDAY, 8:17am: Most people assumed the Brewers would not part with last year’s 7th overall pick, left fielder Matt LaPorta. However, Ken Rosenthal reports that the Brewers’ offer for Sabathia does include LaPorta and may include shortstop Alcides Escobar as well. The feeling is that the Brewers would be reluctant to include both players, but maybe the Indians could chip in another player.
LaPorta is the big, centerpiece type name I imagine the Indians crave…if the Brewers are willing to trade him they’re the clear frontrunners. Brewers beat writer Tom Haudricourt has his doubts that both LaPorta and Escobar would be offered.
THURSDAY, 8:14pm: Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has a new post up with some buzz around the Brewers’ possible pursuit of C.C. Sabathia.
Haudricourt confirmed with GM Doug Melvin that the Brewers had a scout watching Sabathia last night. Haudricourt adds that the Indians reportedly scouted Brewers prospect Taylor Green as well as their stacked Double A team.
This info gels with something Buster Olney wrote this morning:
Heard this from rival talent evaluators: The Indians have dispatched scouts to watch the minor leaguers of teams that might be interested in Sabathia, and those talent evaluators expect the Indians to begin presenting proposals to other teams for the left-hander very soon, perhaps at the beginning of next week.
Cubs Eyeing Harden, Wolf?
So many diehard Cubs fans hitting up this site…they need their own thread to talk trades. As you know, the Cubs hope to add a starter this month.
Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times echoes the common sentiment that the Cubs probably don’t have the young players needed to acquire C.C. Sabathia. I mentioned in today’s chat that I thought the only way the Cubs could be seriously considered would be to include Sean Gallagher. You can debate the merits of that.
Beyond Sabathia, De Luca says Rich Harden and Randy Wolf "sit atop their wish list." Jayson Stark noted today that Harden would require quite a bounty. Wolf’s price might be reasonable, but is he enough of an upgrade?
Stark’s Latest: Harang, Bedard, Hardy, Weeks, McLouth
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.
Latest On C.C. Sabathia
The latest on the C.C. Sabathia Sweepstakes…
- Indians GM Mark Shapiro said yesterday "it’s pretty obvious" that his team is in sell mode. There’s no new information on the team’s reported attempt to sign Sabathia to an extension before actively shopping him.
- The Phillies have scouted both Sabathia and Erik Bedard in recent weeks. The Mariners attempted to observe Phils prospect Carlos Carrasco last night, but he was scratched with shoulder stiffness. With Brett Myers in the minors, GM Pat Gillick is trying not to look desperate.
- Yesterday ESPN’s Buster Olney heard that the Rays and Red Sox "essentially have no interest in completing a trade for Sabathia, because of other concerns."
Gammons On The Cubs’ Starter Pursuit
ESPN’s Peter Gammons has a new blog entry up, with the focus on the Cubs’ desire to add a starting pitcher. Gammons talked to a Cubs official who said, "We almost certainly will do something. But we really don’t want to give up Sean Gallagher at this point."
Here’s a quick rundown of the candidates:
- C.C. Sabathia – Cubs don’t believe they have enough to get him.
- Rich Harden – Gammons doesn’t specifically say the Cubs are interested, just that they’re monitoring Oakland.
- Randy Wolf – The Cubs have interest, and Gammons says Wolf would waive his no-trade to go to a contender. Plus, Wolf treated the Cubs well when they courted him in the 2006-07 offseason. Gammons adds that the Padres still like Matt Murton. History has shown that Jim Hendry and Kevin Towers work well together on trades.
- A.J. Burnett – The Cubs "also keep looking" at him. Last Thursday, Gammons’ colleague Jayson Stark hadn’t found "any indication that the Cubs have even batted his name around."
- Aaron Cook – Gammons says the Cubs would love him, but Rockies’ GM Dan O’Dowd said earlier this month, "We’re not doing anything with Cookie."
- Bronson Arroyo, Kevin Millwood – Gammons says the Cubs have "kicked around" these names.