Rosenthal’s Latest: Angels, D’Backs, Giambi, Ellis
Here is the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- Many important Angels will reach free agency this winter: Mark Teixeira, Francisco Rodriguez, Jon Garland, and Juan Rivera. Rosenthal doesn’t expect any of these four back. Garret Anderson‘s $14MM option will not be exercised, but he could be re-signed. John Lackey and Vladimir Guerrero both have reasonable club options for ’09, but the Halos need to plan beyond that.
- Several journalists have noted the D’Backs may restock the farm system if they let Adam Dunn, Orlando Hudson, Brandon Lyon, and Juan Cruz depart as free agents after the season. They’re not worried about Dunn accepting an offer of arbitration. Why would he want a one-year deal?
- Rosenthal guesses the Indians, Mariners, Blue Jays, and A’s might have interest in Jason Giambi this winter. Giambi’s .398 OBP ranks 7th in the AL. The leader: fellow free agent Milton Bradley at a staggering .446.
- Mark Ellis surprisingly postponed negotiations with the A’s on an extension. It had been said Ellis wanted to figure out a contract before season’s end. He’s the affordable free agent alternative to Hudson.
- The Twins are trying to get creative to find bullpen help. GM Bill Smith says he’s made many waiver claims and won some.
- Rosenthal says "speculation persists" that J.P. Ricciardi will be canned after the season.
- The Tigers aren’t considering trading Magglio Ordonez, but Nate Robertson could be moved this winter. Robertson seems due for a move back to the NL. He earns $7MM in ’09 and $10MM in ’10.
- The Reds are being questioned for holding on to relievers David Weathers and Jeremy Affeldt.
Rhodes To The Marlins?
2:44pm: ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick also heard the Marlins were eyeing Jeremy Affeldt and David Weathers of the Reds.
12:47pm: Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald is reporting that the Marlins could be close to landing Arthur Rhodes from the Mariners.
The Marlins could be closer to a deal to acquire left-handed reliever Arthur Rhodes from the Seattle Mariners, who are looking only for a midlevel minor-league prospect in return. Rhodes, 37, is 2-0 with a 3.83 ERA in 35 relief appearances this season.
Yesterday we heard that the Marlins were targeting several left-handed relievers and it looks like they have narrowed their focus to Rhodes.
With many teams balking at the asking price for relievers such as Brian Fuentes and George Sherrill, we have heard of several teams showing more interest in Rhodes (ie. the Brewers).
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Carroll’s Latest: Torrealba, Wheeler, Dunn
Here’s the latest from Will Carroll at Baseball Prospectus. Some of this info is from this afternoon, so I apologize for the tardiness.
- The Rockies may still move a lesser player like Yorvit Torrealba, if anyone’s interested. There doesn’t seem to be a match with the catching-hungry Marlins though.
- Carroll tosses a new name into the relief market: Dan Wheeler. Would the Rays part with him?
- Carroll’s sources don’t think much of the recent Jeff Kent rumor.
- The White Sox have been aggressive in their relief pursuit; the Twins have been passive in general. The Mets, Rays, and Phillies have been quiet.
- Still no interest in Adam Dunn. The man has 30 home runs! Carroll says David Weathers is drawing some inquiries.
Arroyo Off The Market
First A.J. Burnett, now Bronson Arroyo. According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, the Reds have informed other teams that Arroyo unavailable. Arroyo’s contract was causing unsatisfactory offers.
The Reds are pretty quiet all around. MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon says offers for Adam Dunn, David Weathers, Dave Ross, and Jeremy Affeldt have been unimpressive.
More From Stark: Mets, Dodgers, Indians
Jayson Stark brings us a few more tidbits from the Hot Stove…
- The price for Raul Ibanez may be too high for the Mets as Stark reiterates what we heard previously, that Fernando Martinez and Jon Niese are not available…Ken Rosenthal added Robert Parnell to that list of untouchables.
- The Mets may no longer be in the running for Brian Fuentes as they are not willing to part with Aaron Heilman.
- Stark says other relief pitchers the Mets have shown some interest in include Cla Meredith, Chad Bradford and Jeremy Affeldt.
- The Dodgers are said to be interested in several relief pitchers, including Fuentes, George Sherrill, David Weathers and Alan Embree, but they are not interested in Huston Street. The other possibility is Greg Maddux, who would allow the Dodgers to move another starter to the bullpen.
- The Indians’ primary goal now is to deal Paul Byrd.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Odds and Ends: Alvarez, Kotsay, Street
Time to round up today’s links.
- Hank Steinbrenner admits Barry Bonds‘ name will be mentioned at today’s meeting of Yankees execs.
- Mark Cuban is a finalist to buy the Cubs.
- Pirates president Frank Coonelly expressed frustration with the Pedro Alvarez negotiations, in the first public comments on those talks.
- Dejan Kovacevic’s source says the Pirates aren’t requiring two prospects for Xavier Nady or Damaso Marte. One elite prospect would work.
- Mark Kotsay wonders if he’ll be traded this year. As with Mark Teixeira, it’ll depend heavily on the next week.
- Richard Justice takes Drayton McLane to task.
- DRays Bay relays a Peter Gammons report that the A’s are shopping Huston Street to the Red Sox, Rays, and White Sox.
- David Weathers doesn’t remember which teams are on his limited no-trade clause.
- Tom Henke’s Army is back, with reinforcements.
- Sam Mellinger thinks the Royals should sign Rafael Furcal this winter. I concur.
- Joe Posnanski believes that the Royals should try Tony Pena Jr. as a pticher, all kidding aside. He bemoans the lack of "outside the box" thinking in baseball.
Reds Rumors: Weathers, Ross, Harang, Dunn
Time for a look at the Reds. They’re currently 11.5 games back in the NL Central and 8 out of the wild card.
- You might imagine the Reds are sellers, but GM Walt Jocketty won’t commit yet. The Reds’ current road trip against division foes may be the deciding factor.
- Jocketty says he’s been getting more phone calls since the CC Sabathia trade. Apparently interest has centered on reliever David Weathers and catcher Dave Ross. The Marlins could make sense for both, though they’re only said to have interest in Ross. The Fish are eager to snare a backstop, and are put off by Yorvit Torrealba‘s salary.
- On July 3rd, ESPN’s Jayson Stark said the Reds would accept bids on Aaron Harang. He cautioned that the Reds would have to be bowled over. Jocketty, however, downplayed the idea of a Harang trade. And with Harang possibly hurt, a trade is even less likely.
- Why is there no buzz on Adam Dunn yet? It might be because Dunn "hasn’t yet been made available," according to Will Carroll. I still think interest in Dunn will heat up in coming weeks. Joel Sherman wonders if the Reds would be hesitant to offer Dunn arbitration after the season for fear that he might accept. That could reduce the asking price.
Odds and Ends: Phillips, Chacon, Hewitt, Griffey
Random links for Tuesday.
- Interesting news out of Philly…Brett Myers accepted a minor league assignment. The Phils seem likely to acquire a starter this month.
- That was quick – the Mets designated Andy Phillips for assignment.
- Shawn Chacon cleared waivers and was released without pay, but the players’ association plans to file a grievance. It’s a matter of a million bucks.
- The Phillies signed first-round pick Anthony Hewitt, a high school infielder. He’ll get about $1.4MM.
- The Cards officially inked top pick Brett Wallace, a college third baseman.
- Three scouts watched Reds reliever David Weathers last night. Just throwing it out there, the Marlins are looking for a righthanded reliever.
- NPB Tracker discusses Yu Darvish.
- The Reds offered Ken Griffey Jr. to the Mariners, and they declined.
- Tom Verducci’s article about Tim Lincecum and pitching biomechanics is a must-read.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Reds, Marlins, Turnbow
Ken Rosenthal has a new column; let’s take a look.
- Aside from Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr., Rosenthal suggests Walt Jocketty could look to trade veterans Paul Bako, Scott Hatteberg, David Weathers, Jeremy Affeldt, and Kent Mercker.
- Most of the Marlins’ best players will reach arbitration for the first time after this season, which could prompt a trade or two.
- Rosenthal expects collusion investigations to go nowhere.
- The Brewers don’t plan on paying any of the $2.5MM remaining on Derrick Turnbow‘s contract in order to trade him. They might end up losing him and paying it anyway, however.
Healey’s Latest: Wilkerson, Marte
Gotham Baseball’s Mark Healey has a new post up with some good trade rumors:
- The Mets are talking to the Rangers about Brad Wilkerson, not Eric Gagne. This makes sense, as Wilkerson has hit lefties well this year and can play right field.
- The Mets are also talking to the Reds; could’ve been about Ken Griffey Jr. or David Weathers. From what we’ve heard, though, Weathers is not available. And would Junior approve a trade to the Mets? He vetoed a trade there once before.
- The Pirates want Alan Horne from the Yankees for Damaso Marte. Given that Brian Cashman didn’t seem to want to give him up for Gagne, I don’t see this happening.
- The Orioles are shopping Chad Bradford, but the Yankees aren’t allowed in the store.