D-Backs, Angels Interested In Eckstein
The Angels have been in pursuit of infield depth this week, and were rumored to be finalizing a deal with the Blue Jays for veteran shortstop and 2006 World Series MVP, David Eckstein until a "mystery" team entered the running.
Ken Rosenthal is now reporting that the mystery team is the Arizona Diamondbacks. Both teams are looking to finalize the deal before Sunday’s deadline for setting post-season rosters.
The Angels would mainly use Eckstein as a backup, but the D-backs need a boost in the infield since Orlando Hudson is out for the rest of the season.
It seems the Diamondbacks are the team with the most urgent need for Eckstein’s services, but a return to Anaheim would be a homecoming of sorts. Where would he be a better fit?
Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? E-mail me alexo05 (at) umpbump (dot) com.
Angels Eyeing Backup Shortstops
FRIDAY: Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi confirmed he’s in discussions with the Angels about his shortstops.
THURSDAY: With Maicer Izturis out for the season and Erick Aybar day-to-day, the Angels are looking to acquire a veteran backup shortstop. Backup at second base wouldn’t be a bad idea either, in case Howie Kendrick‘s injury is serious. Mike DiGiovanna names John McDonald, David Eckstein, Marco Scutaro, Juan Castro, and Jamey Carroll as targets. The numbers on these guys:
- McDonald: .222/.269/.292 in 162 PAs. Owed $350K in ’08, $1.9MM in ’09.
- Eckstein: .274/.353/.357 in 293 PAs. Owed $830K in ’08.
- Scutaro: .265/.347/.348 in 475 PAs. Owed $290K in ’08, $1.1MM in ’09.
- Castro: .194/.233/.250 in 118 PAs. Owed minimum, Reds paying contract.
- Carroll: .271/.355/.346 in 314 PAs. Owed $400K in ’08, $2.5MM club option for ’09 with $0.15MM buyout.
Scutaro seems like the best fit; Carroll has not played shortstop this year. It is not known whether any of these players have cleared waivers. Who do you think the Angels should target?
Odds and Ends: Hart, Ellis, Mientkiewicz, Varitek
Today’s random links…
- Ken Rosenthal discusses possible changes at various GM positions. Jon Heyman says Pat Gillick could take a high-ranking role with the Blue Jays if not the Mariners.
- Former Indians and Rangers GM John Hart is interested in the Mariners job. The Mariners hope to have their permanent GM hired by the end of October.
- A Japanese pitcher invented a new pitch called the shake.
- Eddie Bajek wonders if Mark Ellis could handle shortstop. It’s good to think out of the box given the free agent market at the position.
- Doug Mientkiewicz would like to spend another season as a Pirates clubhouse leader, but he’d also like more playing time.
- The trio of Blue Jays middle infielders react to the Angels rumor.
- DraftInfo chatted with MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo.
- Amalie Benjamin believes there’s a good chance the Red Sox re-sign Jason Varitek.
Heyman’s Latest: Street, Durham, Holliday
SI.com’s Jon Heyman just posted a new column.
- The Brewers and White Sox inquired on A’s closer Huston Street. However, A’s GM Billy Beane said "there is nothing going on" in regards to Street. The Sox were linked to both Street and Jon Rauch today, so Kenny Williams is clearly monitoring the relief market.
- Heyman says the Rays have not discussed Street with the A’s, and the Dodgers "aren’t believed to be heavily involved."
- Heyman is on board with the recent rumors about Ray Durham and Jack Taschner possibly heading to Milwaukee.
- Heyman also confirms Ken Rosenthal’s report of the Phillies’ interest in Matt Holliday. He agrees that these talks have cooled, but notes a good relationship between GMs Dan O’Dowd and Pat Gillick. Gillick and O’Dowd have matched up for three deals, two occuring while Gillick worked for the Mariners.
- The Dodgers continue to consider shortstop a priority. Heyman wonders if Cristian Guzman would be a fit, especially if extension talks sour. Jack Wilson and David Eckstein are other possibilities.
Dodgers Looking For Shortstop Help
TUESDAY, 3:49pm: MLB.com’s Jim Molony chimes in on the Dodgers’ hunt for a shortstop. He says they’ll give Nomar Garciaparra a chance, but they are also considering Toronto’s David Eckstein. Back on July 3rd, the Baltimore Sun suggested the Orioles were looking at Eckstein.
TUESDAY, 8:53am: Dejan Kovacevic puts the brakes on the Jack Wilson-to-L.A. rumor. He says that while Wilson is not untouchable, the Pirates are not likely to trade him. They consider him affordable and do not have a capable replacement.
Kovacevic says talks with the Dodgers "seem dormant," and the Dodgers never offered a player from their Major League roster. Additional unknown teams have also called about Wilson.
MONDAY: John Perrotto of the Beaver County Times wrote an article Sunday concerning the Dodgers’ pursuit of Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson. Wilson, 30, is hitting .306/.348/.361 in 160 plate appearances this year. He’s under contract next year for $7.25MM with an $8.4MM club option for ’10. Wilson can block trades to six teams.
Perrotto wrote that Wilson is the Dodgers’ primary trade target. He says "a Dodgers source indicated that Los Angeles might be willing to deal center fielder Matt Kemp." A Kemp acquisition would create a logjam until the Pirates are able to move Jason Bay or Xavier Nady. Failing that, Perrotto’s sources indicate the Bucs have interest in pitcher James McDonald and shortstop Chin-lung Hu.
Ken Rosenthal wrote this morning that the Dodgers’ bid for Wilson is on hold as they restructure their offer. If the Dodgers get him, that should eliminate any chance of re-signing Rafael Furcal.
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…
Olney Rumor Bag: Eckstein, Teixeira
Another Saturday, another edition of Buster Olney’s weekly blog; along-side the deafening Sabathia discussions, we find some hidden gems:
According to the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles are pondering making a deal for David Eckstein. The Blue Jays have a well-stocked infield that has made the veteran short stop and former World Series MVP expendable.
The Orioles have also been inquiring about Juan Uribe of the White Sox and Felipe Lopez of the Nationals.
Mark Bradley of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution thinks the Braves should trade Mark Teixera. Although some veteran leaders think the team is still in the division race, the Bravos do sit 7 games behind Philadelphia and have been hampered by injury all year.
Teixeira signed a one year-deal in January and can become a free agent next year, but he would prefer not to be traded this year.
Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Rumors? Comments? Email me alexo05 (at) umpbump (dot) com.
Orioles Interested In Eckstein
According to the Baltimore Sun, citing "industry sources," the Orioles are talking to the Blue Jays about shortstop David Eckstein. The Jays have deemed Eckstein expendable, even though they’re reportedly hunting for a long-term shortstop. Jeff Zrebiec and Roch Kubatko believe it wouldn’t take much to acquire him.
Eckstein, 33, is hitting .273/.360/.348 this year. The Orioles’ shortstops have hit .228/.264/.287 this year collectively.
The O’s have also scouted Juan Uribe and Felipe Lopez. Despite previous reports of "substantive conversations" for Lopez, the Sun says the team’s interest has waned.
Odds and Ends: Barrett, Koufax, Santana
A few notes from this evening…
- Michael Barrett and the Padres avoided arbitration, arriving at a $3.5MM deal. A little less than I expected given his $4.6MM salary in ’07. If some team acquires Barrett on the cheap he could bounce back if he’s comfortable. Wasn’t long ago he was one of the better-hitting catchers in the game. Is there even a slight chance he wouldn’t embarrass himself back at the hot corner?
- Great ShysterBall post in reference to Curt Schilling‘s attempt to call out Roger Clemens.
- Sandy Koufax did not do steroids.
- Derrick Goold looks at how David Eckstein ended up leaving the Cardinals despite his desire to stay.
- LENIII says it’s possible nothing has happened on the Johan Santana front since the Meetings ended. Neal also names Kris Benson as a pitcher on the Twins’ radar. They were one of many teams watching his recent session. Plus they were eyeing Glendon Rusch before he signed with the Padres.
Jays Sign David Eckstein
UPDATE, 12-13-07 at 10:56am: Rosenthal says it’s a one-year, $4.5MM deal. Who can complain about that?
FROM 12-13-07 at 8:30am:
This one’s from out in left field – Ken Rosenthal reports that the Blue Jays are close to signing David Eckstein. Rosenthal expects the signing to push newly inked defensive specialist John McDonald to a backup role.
Perhaps the Jays can go for some kind of offense/defense platoon. If a groundballer like Jesse Litsch or Jeremy Accardo happens to be on the mound, the Jays could opt for defense.