Latest Dunn To Padres Rumor
A new trade rumor has surfaced, though Kevin Towers may have already shot it down.
The report on San Diego radio (specifically XX Sportsradio 1090) was that the Padres could send southpaw reliever Justin Hampson as well as groundball artist Clay Hensley to the Reds for Adam Dunn. Kevin Towers described this rumor as "not worth chasing" to the San Diego Union Tribune’s Tim Sullivan.
Hampson is the only lefty in the Padres’ pen, and he’s allowed just two earned runs in 22.1 innings. However, his strikeout rate is quite low and his history isn’t that impressive. The Padres insist they don’t need a southpaw in the pen, but could easily bring up Royce Ring if they trade Hampson.
After a breakout rookie season in ’06, Hensley hasn’t been able to get on track this year. He’s been battered around in 12 starts split between the Padres and Triple A. He had a fine spring but blister and groin injuries surfaced and Hensley ended up losing his rotation spot to Justin Germano.
Kevin Towers and Wayne Krivsky have matched up on a trade once before. In March of 2006, Towers sent catcher Dave Ross to the Reds for right-handed starter/former top prospect Bobby Basham.
Rosenthal’s Latest
Time for another Rosenthal column! Some of this is just a writeup from his recent video; here’s the new stuff.
- A little elaboration on the Adam Dunn to San Diego idea – Rosenthal throws Clay Hensley‘s name into the mix. Hensley has had a rough couple of months, with a nasty blister, a groin strain, and some awful starts. His 54% groundball rate would be a nice fit in Chicago or Cincinnati. Another player I could see catching Wayne Krivsky’s eye is Cla Meredith.
- The Cubs continue to shop Jacque Jones, hoping to slide Felix Pie in every day. Pie is ready for the show, but the Cubs would like something to show for Jones. He is earning $4MM this year and $5MM in ’08. It looked like a bargain after Jones hit .285/.334/.499 last year, but he’s tanked in the Cubs’ crowded outfield. He could fit well with the Padres, a team that doesn’t hit lefties or righties. Jones normally just struggles with lefties. Jacque was born in San Diego, too. Kevin Towers and Jim Hendry matched up for a couple of smaller deals last summer with Todd Walker and Scott Williamson.
- Mike Lowell may leave Boston after this season as a free agent. He’s easily the best affordable 3B on the market. Perhaps the Yankees want him back. Other possibilities include the Dodgers, Giants, Angels, Phillies, and Astros according to Rosenthal. Hard to believe Lowell is so popular and successful after he was a throw-in forced upon the Red Sox in the Josh Beckett deal.
- Eric Byrnes is probably headed out of Arizona, and he’d be a valuable center field addition who won’t break the bank. He’ll be 32 in ’08, and on a reasonable three-year deal could be a better value than Ichiro, Torii, or Andruw. Wouldn’t be surprised to see the White Sox get involved.