Red Sox: Center of Every Trade/Rumor?
It's been a busy day for the Red Sox. They acquired Chris Duncan and a player to be named later for Julio Lugo, turning an albatross into a viable left-handed hitter.
They also dealt a pair of prospects for Adam LaRoche, adding a power bat who normally excels in the second half. And according to Jon Heyman's Twitter feed, they may not be finished yet.
"Red Sox dealing up a storm. Now have Chris Duncan (for Lugo). still scouting Victor Martinez, though," Heyman tweets.
No details yet on what it will take to get Martinez, other than continued interest from Cleveland in Clay Buchholz.
Odds And Ends: Timlin, Rays, Reds
Some more links as the trading heats up…
- Buster Posey and Clay Buchholz are two of the better-known players on the list of untouchable players compiled by John Manuel of Baseball America.
- Mike Timlin worked out at Coors Field and the relief-starved Rockies may offer him a minor league contract, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post.
- Dave Cameron of FanGraphs implores Andrew Friedman and the Rays to go all out and trade for Cliff Lee.
- John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer adds Jerry Hairston Jr. to the list of Reds trade candidates and says he'd be "stunned" if they deal Brandon Phillips.
- Check out this NBC Sports clip for my take on Roy Halladay, Matt Holliday and others.
- I'll be talking trades on The Big 1070 at 4:15 CST and here's a clip from an appearance earlier in the week on the Sports Show Live.
Rosenthal On Penny, Yankees, Dodgers, Rays
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Red Sox are open to dealing Brad Penny, even with Tim Wakefield and Daisuke Matsuzaka on the DL. They could add a bat or a prospect for Penny, but it's unlikely they'll actually move him. Here are the rest of Rosenthal's rumors:
- The Yankees could use some rotation depth, as it makes sense to keep Phil Hughes and Alfredo Aceves in the 'pen, but you can rule out a Carl Pavano acquisition. As one Yankee official says, the players would "go crazy" if the Yanks added Pavano.
- Rosenthal says Russell Martin wouldn't qualify as the centerpiece of a Roy Halladay trade because he's faltered offensively and the Jays have J.P. Arencibia in the minors.
- The Phillies could trade Rodrigo Lopez if Pedro Martinez takes over in the rotation.
- The Rays are interested in Halladay and Cliff Lee, even if they don't have financial flexibility. However, a trade seems highly unlikely.
Odds And Ends: Rolen, Gonzalez, Buchholz
Time for more links as we wrap up the weekend after a rain-shortened Futures Game. Well really a rain-prolonged Futures Game, but here are the links either way…
- As Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com points out, there was a time when GMs made a point of attending All-Star Games. This week, many will spend time with their families and message one another from a distance.
- Blue Jays Assistant GM Alex Anthopoulos says the Jays plan on keeping Scott Rolen around through the end of next season, when his contract's up, according to MLB.com's Brian Eller.
- Yahoo's Tim Brown reports that Adrian Gonzalez will continue to be a Padres fan whether he plays in San Diego or not. Gonzalez seems to have confidence in the team's new CEO, Jeff Moorad.
- Clay Buchholz told WEEI.com's Alex Katz that he'll focus on process, not results when he pitches for the Red Sox in Toronto after the break.
Buchholz Called Up, Scouted By Jays?
WEEI.com's Alex Speier writes that the Red Sox will recall Clay Buchholz from Triple-A Pawtucket to make a start in Toronto following the All-Star Break. With two starters in the All-Star Game, Boston wants the ability to give Tim Wakefield and Josh Beckett extra rest following the break.
WEEI's Alex Katz confirmed that the Blue Jays had two scouts in attendance for Buccholz's last minor league start, in which he surrendered four earned runs to bring his season thus far to a 7-2 record with a 2.36 ERA.
Odds & Ends: Reds, Jays, Buchholz
A couple odds and ends on a quiet Sunday…
- MLB.com beat writer Mark Sheldon expects the Reds to "recalibrate their roster some for the second half." They have 13 pitchers on the roster and only want 12, and Dusty Baker has confirmed a position player will be added. Adam Rosales was called up today to fill a roster spot for Jay Bruce who fractured his wrist. Sheldon notes the club is down to five outfielders, if you count Jerry Hairston Jr.
- The Jays will have two scouts watching Clay Buchholz pitch today. Don't read too much into it. The Jays appear to just be doing their homework, says TV/radio broadcaser Dan Hoard.
Roy Halladay Rumors: Thursday
All of this morning's Roy Halladay rumors:
- Could the Red Sox make a play for Halladay? Sure, but Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe says "they won't."
- Nick Cafardo of the Globe says the Red Sox hadn't inquired about Halladay as of late yesterday afternoon.
- Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald says the Red Sox would have to be prepared to surrender Clay Buchholz and two other top prospects to acquire Halladay.
- Josh Beckett told Rob Bradford of WEEI.com that he'd like to pitch in the same rotation as Halladay, but thinks the Red Sox have enough talent to win already.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post believes the Jays would need "near-perfect health and near-peak production" to contend next year, so their best chance to obtain more than draft picks for their ace could be right now.
- Halladay's one of the best, but as Joe Berkery reminds us, Doc struggled mightily before finding his place in the majors.
- Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun lists the Angels and Brewers as the leaders to acquire Halladay.
- Andy Martino and Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer report that the Phillies have been in regular contact with the Jays about Halladay and are "serious players."
- They may be the favorites, but Sherman hears that the Cardinals and Rangers have real interest, and the Angels do too.
Heyman On V-Mart, Red Sox, Chapman
Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Red Sox will come calling if the Indians are willing to part with Victor Martinez. And take this for what it's worth, but the Indians were scouting Boston's best prospects this week. Here are details on those two clubs and the rest of Heyman's rumors:
- Clay Buchholz, Justin Masterson and Michael Bowden are just the sort of MLB-ready pitchers the Indians seek.
- Still, the Indians would require a stunning amount in return for Martinez or Cliff Lee, since both players can be part of a contending Indians club for affordable 2010 options.
- Generally speaking, the Red Sox are reluctant to deal their top young pitching.
- The Indians are relatively deep at catcher, with Kelly Shoppach and prospect Carlos Santana.
- Red Sox first base prospect Lars Anderson could also appeal to the Indians.
- The Pirates initially asked for Craig Stammen or Garret Mock in their recent deal with the Nats, but Mike Rizzo wasn't willing to deal them.
- The Phillies discussed Pedro Martinez, since there are few good fits for them on the trade market now.
- Heyman says Doug Davis makes sense for the Brewers.
- A D'Backs person says "[Dan] Haren stays," even though many of his teammates are believed to be available.
- Heyman names the Yankees as the early favorites to sign Aroldis Chapman.
Buchholz And Bowden On Boston Rotation
WEDNESDAY: WEEI's DJ Bean talked to Buchholz, who clarified his comments from earlier this week. The young pitcher explained, "My goal is to pitch in Boston." Maybe Buchholz won't squeeze his way in this year, but I imagine at the worst he'll have a spot in the 2010 rotation.
MONDAY: Clay Buchholz and Michael Bowden both believe their impressive starts at Triple A Pawtucket would translate into big-league success. Buchholz told Mike Giardi of NECN.com that he's ready to help Boston, but said "if not that team, I want to be in the big leagues and I do want to go somewhere where I'll be able to play and pitch every fifth day." Buchholz did not suggest that he's hoping for a trade, but he's clearly eager to return to the majors. Check out Joe Haggerty's transcript on Hacks with Haggs.
Odds & Ends: Buchholz, Nats, O’s, Rays
A few bits and pieces from around the web:
- According to Daniel Barbarisi of the Providence Journal, the Red Sox are "shrugging off" comments made by Clay Buchholz that may have been blown out of proportion. "Whenever they come to a problem, they seem like they find a way to fix it without me being in the picture. It is what it is — it's frustrating at times," said Buchholz. Terry Francona called the comment one throwaway line in "a really mature interview."
- The AP reports Nats' manager Manny Acta has no worries about being fired despite reports that that he'll be replaced by bench coach Jim Riggleman.
- Eight draft picks were signed by the Orioles, all players selected between rounds 12 and 45, says Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.
- Cheng Sio of MLB.com reports the Rays signed 14 of their draft picks, all collegiate level players taken in the 12th round or later.