Reds Not Discussing DeJesus With Royals
A team insider tells John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer that the Reds are not discussing a David DeJesus trade with the Royals. The Reds appear content with Jonny Gomes, Jay Bruce and Drew Stubbs in their outfield and are not currently pursuing the hot-hitting DeJesus. Chris Heisey and Laynce Nix are also on the Reds' active roster and Gary Matthews Jr. is at Triple A.
The Red Sox and Giants are among the teams that have been linked to DeJesus, who is having a career year. The 30-year-old outfielder is hitting .331/.397/.481 and makes $4.7MM this year. DeJesus has about $2.5MM left on his 2010 contract, plus a $6MM option or a $500K buyout for 2011, so any team acquiring him would have to pay at least $3MM in salary and send prospects to the Royals. Unlike Jose Guillen, a player GM Dayton Moore would like to move, DeJesus should command valuable prospects in return.
Red Sox Have Inquired About Available Outfielders
6:46pm: Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com tweets that even though DeJesus would be a good fit for the Sox, word is that Kansas City is asking for "way too much."
10:48am: With injuries decimating their outfield corps, the Red Sox have contacted multiple teams around the league to gauge the availability of outfielders in advance of the trade deadline, writes Scott Lauber of The Boston Herald. He adds that one such conversation centered around David DeJesus.
Outfield depth was one area that MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith highlighted when he reviewed the team's needs, which is obvious given the injuries to Jacoby Ellsbury, Jeremy Hermida, J.D. Drew, and Mike Cameron. The Royals are said to "love" currently injured shortstop prospect Jose Iglesias, though there has been no indication that Boston would part with him in a deal for DeJesus.
The 30-year-old DeJesus is enjoying a career year at .320/.389/.475, and he's owed approximately $2.6MM the rest of the season. There is also a $6MM club option for 2011 in his contract with a $500K buyout. Some other outfielders that could end up on the trading block include Austin Kearns, Coco Crisp, Scott Podsednik, Gabe Gross, Brad Hawpe, and Xavier Nady, all of whom can become free agents after the season.
Braves Not In Search Of Pitching
The Braves won't be looking for pitching as we near the trading deadline, tweets Buster Olney of ESPN. However, Olney goes on to write (also via Twitter) that the club could seek a left-handed bat off of the bench if Eric Hinske continues to be a semi-regular player.
Recently, it was reported that GM Frank Wren could be in the market for a right-handed hitting outfielder to boost Atlanta's offense, though it seems that they'll now look for a left-handed hitter. David DeJesus and Luke Scott have been linked to the Braves in recent weeks, but Olney's report might indicate that they'll look to make a smaller move.
Royals “Love” Jose Iglesias
People in the Royals organization “love” Red Sox shortstop prospect Jose Iglesias, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. The 20-year-old Cuban is hitting .306/.340/.408 in AA, so chances are most teams like the looks of him. Not only can Iglesias hit, “scouts can’t say enough about [his] defensive ability,” according to Baseball America.
All of Boston's 29 rivals would probably have some interest in Iglesias, who signed an $8.25MM deal with the Red Sox last summer. The Royals’ interest in the shortstop doesn’t mean the Red Sox would consider moving him, but it’s noteworthy as the trade deadline approaches.
Because of their depleted outfield, the Red Sox would like to acquire a left-handed hitting outfielder. David DeJesus, who is playing well and under contract for just $4.7MM this year, fits that description. Cafardo hears that the Royals want a lot in return for DeJesus in potential trades, though there’s no sign that the Red Sox would so much as consider moving their shortstop prospect. The Royals will have a top shortstop prospect of their own, once they officially agree to terms with Christian Colon.
Boston’s Areas Of Need
Red Sox assistant GM Ben Cherington told Jim Bowden of Sirius XM Radio that Boston will consider improving its bullpen, adding a defense-first shortstop and finding outfield help this summer (Twitter link). Red Sox relievers have combined for a 4.18 ERA and a 1.85 K/BB ratio, so the 'pen has pitched respectably. Still, the team could use a top arm or two behind Jonathan Papelbon and Daniel Bard.
Adam Everett, now a free agent, would likely be an option for any club looking to acquire a strong defensive shortstop. The Red Sox could also consider John McDonald, who backed up current Boston shortstop Marco Scutaro when both were with the Blue Jays last year.
Mike Cameron, Jacoby Ellsbury, Jeremy Hermida and J.D. Drew have all missed time with injuries this year, but replacements like Daniel Nava and Darnell McDonald have filled in admirably. The Red Sox just called up Josh Reddick, but could look outside the organization for outfield help. David DeJesus seems like a fit, since the Red Sox would prefer to add a left-handed hitter.
Poll: Will David DeJesus Be Traded?
The Giants appear to have interest in David DeJesus and there's a good chance that other clubs will consider the outfielder between now and the end of July. Depending on injuries and team performance, the Red Sox, A's, Braves and Padres could also be looking for outfielders in the near future. The Royals appear to be asking a lot for DeJesus, and why not? He's affordable ($4.7MM salary), plays good defense and is hitting .323/.395/.485. The Royals could hold onto DeJesus and exercise his $6MM option for 2011, but there's a definite chance they make a trade.
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Giants Interested In David DeJesus
8:02pm: Mychael Urban of CSNBayArea.com hears from a Giants official that there's "nothing happening" regarding DeJesus right now, which doesn't necessarily contradict Morosi's report.
6:43pm: The Giants have some interest in acquiring David DeJesus, according to FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi, who cites two major league sources. Morosi adds that it doesn't appear the two sides have engaged in serious discussions yet.
According to Morosi, the Giants may have a hard time matching the Royals' asking price for DeJesus, echoing Nick Cafardo's report from yesterday. The Giants could also be less inclined to deal a prospect for DeJesus if their own outfielders continue hitting so well. Aubrey Huff (.307/.399/.550), Andres Torres (.285/.389/.460), and Pat Burrell (.341/.404/.634) have all made positive contributions to the Giants' offense, though DeJesus would be a defensive upgrade over Huff and Burrell. The Royals' outfielder has also swung a hot bat this year, posting a slash line of .328/.400/.492.
Morosi notes that DeJesus would also fit well with contenders like the Braves, Padres, and Red Sox, particularly given the 30-year-old's ability to play all three outfield positions. So far though, with no pressing need to move one of their best hitters, the Royals are holding out for a significant return.
Odds & Ends: Giants, D’Backs, Rivera, Ramos
Some links for Monday, before Mike Leake tries to restore order for the Reds…
- Mychael Urban of CSNBayArea.com explains why he believes the Giants should acquire bullpen help.
- Dave Cameron of U.S.S. Mariner wonders (via Twitter) if the Mariners and Blue Jays could swap two recently-designated players: Ian Snell and Edwin Encarnacion.
- D'Backs GM Josh Byrnes told Jack Curry of the YES Network that he will need "very significant players" in return for some of his stars (Twitter link). Sounds like Dan Haren will be hard to obtain this summer.
- Mariano Rivera told Joel Sherman of the New York Post that he doesn't want to think about his contract (it expires after the season) but would consider signing a one-year deal like Andy Pettitte.
- Wilson Ramos is thought of as the kind of prospect that could help the Twins pry Cliff Lee from the Mariners. But as Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune notes, the catcher will miss about a week with a strained oblique.
- Pat Andriola of FanGraphs names winners and losers from some 2008 deadline deals.
- Most expect the D'Backs to continue selling, but Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports notes (via Twitter) that no scouts made a special trip to see Edwin Jackson's most recent start.
- The Red Sox signed Jay Broughton from the independent league Calgary Vipers, according to Sean Myers of the Calgary Herald. The 23-year-old had enrolled in grad school, but he quit and Red Sox assistant GM Allard Baird took notice and signed him.
- Alex Speier of WEEI.com explains that the Dodgers, who lost to Clay Buchholz last night, nearly drafted the right-hander in the 2005 draft.
- R.J. Anderson of FanGraphs says the Braves could improve by adding an outfielder before the trade deadline. Few Braves fans would argue that GM Frank Wren shouldn't consider players like Luke Scott and David DeJesus if the price is right.
- MLB.com's Joe Frisaro says the Marlins need to solidify their bullpen if they're going to contend.
Cafardo’s Latest: Oswalt, DeJesus, Aardsma, LaRoche
There are a handful of big names that could be moved before this July's trading deadline, and Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe opens his latest column by taking a look at some of the possibilities. Let's check out the highlights from Cafardo's piece….
- There's skepticism within the Astros' organization that owner Drayton McLane would want to trade Roy Oswalt to the Rangers, baseball's other Texas team.
- The return the Royals are requesting in exchange for David DeJesus is higher than any team is willing to pay for now.
- Mariners closer David Aardsma is "already drawing a lot of interest."
- Pedro Feliz, Willie Bloomquist, and Jay Payton could be small-scale trade bait.
- Adam LaRoche on his brief time as a Red Sox: "The ballpark was perfectly suited for the way I swing, and it would have been nice to have stayed there and see what would have happened over a full year."
Olney’s Latest: Rockies, Lee, Diamondbacks, Royals
In today's blog post at ESPN, Buster Olney speculates about some possible trade targets for the Rockies now that Troy Tulowitzki is going to miss the next six to eight weeks with a fractured wrist. Among those mentioned: Dan Uggla, Craig Counsell, Julio Lugo, and Cesar Izturis. Uggla would obviously be the most expensive, but Colorado would boast a dynamic offensive middle infield once Tulo returns.
Here are the rest of Olney's rumors…
- Sources tell Olney there is no clear signal from the Mariners indicating that they're ready to trade Cliff Lee, but presumably that will come soon. He compares a potential Lee trade to the CC Sabathia trade, meaning that the sooner he's dealt, the more Seattle will receive in return.
- The Diamondbacks continue to gather intel about possible trades, but they are not close to making another deal at the moment.
- The Royals have a pair of outfielders in Rick Ankiel and David DeJesus who could be fits for the Red Sox. J.D. Drew suffered a hamstring injury yesterday, and Boston was already without Jacoby Ellsbury and Jeremy Hermida, who are both on the disabled list. Mike Cameron is playing through an abdominal tear as well.