Latest C.C. Sabathia Rumors
We’ve entered trade deadline month, with Indians ace C.C. Sabathia front row and center. Let’s discuss.
- Ken Davidoff has a nice summary of the situation, agreeing with Buster Olney’s suggestion that the Brewers have the best mix of means and motivation to acquire Sabathia. Olney’s handicap yesterday ranked the Rays, Red Sox, Dodgers, and Cubs behind the Brewers (in that order).
- Brewers GM Doug Melvin calls the speculation "just the same old rumors." Still, Melvin would consider moving prospects for a rental and notes that his stacked Double A club has been popular with other clubs.
- Yankees GM Brian Cashman does not sound like someone who plans to go all-in to get Sabathia. Gammons says they’ve "lurked."
- On the topic of the Cubs, ESPN’s Peter Gammons writes, "They doubt they have enough to get Sabathia, although Hendry constantly touches base with Indians GM Mark Shapiro." Regardless, Gammons expects the Indians to move quickly on Sabathia.
- Gammons says the Rangers are out but the Phillies "shouldn’t be overlooked." The Rays? They’ve lurked.
Odds & Ends: Rivera, Sabathia, Mark Sweeney
Some Odds & Ends for this Sunday morning:
- Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times proposes the Dodgers offer middle reliever Cory Wade or Single-A fireballer Javy Guerra for OF Juan Rivera. Despite already having a logjam in the outfield, Rivera would provide the power the Dodgers need. As he sees it, the Angels have a propensity for stockpiling arms and Rivera is only gathering dust behind Gary Matthews Jr. Fun fact from Shaikin: it’s been 32 years since the last Dodgers/Angels trade.
- The Baltimore Sun’s Peter Schmuck tells Orioles fans not to expect C.C. Sabathia to be signed by the O’s this offseason.
- Tony Jackson of the Los Angeles Daily News says Mark Sweeney may draw the short straw when Rafael Furcal and Nomar Garciaparra return from the DL within the next week. The Dodgers would release the 38 year old.
- Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times notes all indications are that the Rays will be making some moves before the deadline. They have the payroll flexibility, prospect depth, and would be happy to pickup draft picks from any big free agent they can’t re-sign. They’re looking for a veteran starting pitcher, a late inning reliever, and a right handed hitting outfielder.
Olney’s Latest: Wolf, Lohse, Sabathia, Fuentes, Oswalt, Bailey
Buster Olney has a new column up. Let’s take a look:
- He suggests Randy Wolf as a "possible trade chip" with the Padres looking increasingly out of it this year. One problem: Wolf has veto power over trades to 14 teams. He’s been decent this year, with a 4.13 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 98 innings, but nothing to get too excited over.
- Gossip item: the Mets could have had Kyle Lohse for what the Cardinals are paying ($4.25MM), only Omar Minaya passed.
- Olney doesn’t see much in the speculation about the Angels wanting C.C. Sabathia. With Kelvim Escobar‘s rehab going well, great first-half performances from Joe Saunders and Ervin Santana, and John Lackey likely to improve going forward, why should they make a push for C.C.? Olney sees the Brewers and the Cubs as more interested parties. (Ken Rosenthal mentioned the Brewers and the Rays as C.C. suitors yesterday.) Later in the post, Olney notes that Sabathia has a 1.96 ERA in his last fourteen starts. Yowza.
- How the Rockies fare over the next two weeks could determine what becomes of Brian Fuentes.
- Olney can’t decide whether the Orioles should buy or sell. What do you think?
- Roy Oswalt won’t get traded, with Olney linking to the Houston Chronicle’s Richard Justice for his evidence. (Oswalt has, of course, been talking like he’d prefer to be somewhere else.) Also working against a deal for Oswalt: his continued experiments with pitching to contact (to keep the ol’ pitch count down) haven’t been going very well this year, either. His K/9 has been declining for years, of course, but it may have reached a point of no return this season. Whatever happens, I’m sure the ‘stros would prefer to move him at peak value, not right now when he has a 4.77 ERA.
- Homer Bailey, back in Triple A Louisville, isn’t getting any love from the scout quoted here, who says he threw "batting practice fastballs." Bailey was 0-3 with a 8.73 ERA in the majors this year after a hotly anticipated call-up. Given the bounty of young arms they already have, the Reds would probably prefer to trade him…but alas, his value has dropped the way his curveball used to.
Sarah Green writes for UmpBump and the Boston Metro and can be reached here.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Sabathia, Blake, Greinke, Tejada
And now…a fresh Ken Rosenthal column.
- An opposing viewpoint: Rosenthal says "any team that acquires C.C. Sabathia would gain an exclusive window to sign him long-term before he reaches free agency." Rosenthal notes that the Brewers and Rays are stacked enough to acquire Sabathia and wouldn’t mind taking draft picks for him after the season.
- Casey Blake is drawing trade interest; his versatility is a plus. Rosenthal likes the fit for the Dodgers, Mets, and A’s.
- An anonymous general manager tossed out this "trade concept": Adam Dunn to the Dodgers for Juan Pierre, Chin-lung Hu, and cash. Thoughts?
- Teams such as the Braves, Phillies, and Brewers have expressed interest in Zack Greinke at some point, but the Royals plan to keep him. He’ll be eligible for free agency after the 2010 season.
- Earlier this year the Cubs inquired on David DeJesus, but now they seem content with their Jim Edmonds–Reed Johnson platoon. Maybe talks will be rekindled after the season?
- The Astros will talk about any player on the roster without a no-trade clause, which would include Miguel Tejada. Does that mean Jose Valverde, Hunter Pence, and Wandy Rodriguez aren’t off limits?
Heyman Weighs In On Sabathia
To review, we learned yesterday from Ed Price that the Indians are making one last effort to sign ace starter C.C. Sabathia. Now SI.com’s Jon Heyman has a new article on the ever-popular topic of Carsten Charles. A summary follows.
- Heyman’s sources believe the Indians will not commit to a fifth guaranteed year in their offer.
- At least a dozen teams are interested, and "every contending team but the Cardinals already has checked in with Cleveland."
- Heyman says Sabathia is believed to be seeking at least $125MM. But he talked to "a person who knows Sabathia" who believes the pitcher won’t try to wring out every last dollar and might not prefer New York.
- More doubt is cast on the idea of the Indians providing a window to sign Sabathia.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Sabathia
A few notes on recent rumors involving C.C. Sabathia from the Blogosphere…
- At the time of the Johan Santana deal with the Mets, many thought the contract would raise the price for Sabathia. The Tribe Time Report wonders if the Santana deal, as well as the Barry Zito deal might actually have been a good thing for the Indians as other teams are more likely to balk at Sabathia’s demands.
- Tribal Pursuit feels many Indians fans will be unhappy with the package of players the team receives for Sabathia, if dealt.
- Waiting For Next Year does not believe the Indians have any leverage in their attempt to sign Sabathia to an extension before the trading deadline.
- Outs Per Swing does not see the Rays mortgaging their future for a rental player like Sabathia.
- Knuckle Curve sees four teams as the most likely destinations for Sabathia, including the Red Sox, Yankees, Cubs and Dodgers.
- Bugs and Cranks has an image of what Sabathia might look like if traded to the Brewers.
Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.
Odds and Ends: Chacon, Minaya, Inoa
Nothing major cracking on the hot stove this morning, so we’ll kick it off with odds and ends.
- The Padres haven’t finalized the deal with top pick Allan Dykstra due to concerns with his physical.
- Sorry Pirates fans, but the team does not have interest in bringing back Shawn Chacon.
- David Lennon believes Omar Minaya’s job is safe. Minaya could seek an extension after the season (he’s signed through ’09).
- In a non-subscriber article, Baseball Prospectus’ Joe Sheehan gives his take on whether certain teams should be buyers or sellers.
- Saberscouting gives a scouting report on Michel Inoa.
- Henry Schulman asks C.C. Sabathia whether San Francisco will be on his list.
- A case for the Braves to sign Barry Bonds.
- Sam Mellinger continues his look at Dayton Moore’s work in Kansas City.
- Theo Epstein expects Red Sox execs Ben Cherington and Jed Hoyer to become GMs soon.
Stark’s Latest: K-Rod, Burnett, Oliver Perez, Bedard
It’s Thursday, and that means it’s time to dig in and feast on Jayson Stark’s latest rumor-packed column.
- The Braves have shifted their focus from starting pitching to an impact bat in left field. Stark suggests Raul Ibanez, Jason Bay, and Xavier Nady would make sense. Matt Holliday would be too costly; Adam Dunn is not mentioned.
- We have seen the surprising rumor that the Angels could pursue C.C. Sabathia. However, Stark’s sources are in agreement with Bill Plunkett – the Angels are likely to stand pat.
- Francisco Rodriguez wants four years and more than $60MM, a dangerous record-breaking commitment. The Halos aren’t even sure if they’d do three years and a vesting option.
- There have been no recent extension talks between the Angels and Vladimir Guerrero, but his $15MM option for ’09 is an easy call.
- As we’ve written before, A.J. Burnett is like a rental, but worse. He either pitches well and opts out or pitches poorly and you’re stuck with him. Stark adds that despite Burnett’s willingness to pitch for the Cubs, he’s not on their list. The Cubs are still planning a run at Sabathia. The Brewers are also serious about the Cleveland ace.
- The Mets might shop Oliver Perez, but I’d be surprised if he draws much interest.
- The Blue Jays were already one of Adam Dunn‘s ten no-trade teams. His no-trade rights switched from full to ten teams on June 15th.
- Bill Bavasi talked to the Reds about bringing Ken Griffey Jr. back to Seattle, but Lee Pelekoudas isn’t interested.
- Interesting Indians players who might be available: Rafael Betancourt, Rafael Perez, and Franklin Gutierrez.
- The Yankees aren’t interested in Erik Bedard, but the Phillies are. The teams have differing opinions on whether Bedard’s surly demeanor would present a problem.
Indians Making Final Effort To Sign Sabathia
Before trading ace starter C.C. Sabathia, the Indians intend to make one final attempt to sign him long-term. Ed Price notes that Sabathia does not want to discuss a contract during the season and the Indians won’t be ponying up Johan money.
The sides last negotiated in February. The Indians offered four years and around $68-72MM, plus a bonus for his ’08 salary. Will the Indians crack and offer a fifth year?
Odds and Ends: Bonds, Davis, Chulk, Ichiro
Time for some random linkage.
- I’ll be on XM Radio today at about 5pm CST – channels 176-189 with Mike Ferrin.
- The Dodgers signed Jerome Williams – remember him?
- Viva El Birdos runs through starting pitchers who might be on the Cardinals’ radar.
- Sam Mellinger of the KC Star takes a look at Dayton Moore’s trade record. Meanwhile, Joe Posnanski explains why the Royals should sign Barry Bonds.
- Ken Rosenthal doesn’t want to let Ed Wade off the hook in the Shawn Chacon dustup.
- Red Reporter thinks the Reds are winning the Edinson Volquez–Josh Hamilton swap.
- Rangers first base prospect Chris Davis is getting the call.
- Russell Branyan has been training his eyes.
- "Unsubstantiated report" – the Phillies might have interest in recently-designated reliever Vinnie Chulk.
- Mariners beat writer Geoff Baker expects the team to shop Ichiro.
- Buster Olney sees the Rays as a sleeper in the C.C. Sabathia derby.
- Omar Minaya defends the Luis Castillo signing.