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Eric Gagne

Tim Brown’s Latest: Cordero, Quentin

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UPDATE: You can throw Conor Jackson into the mix along with Quentin.

Yahoo’s Tim Brown has some new rumors and info:

  • Plan B if the Red Sox can’t get Eric Gagne: Washington’s Chad Cordero.  It seems Wily Mo Pena would be a part of that, but I imagine Jim Bowden would want a top prospect as well.
  • The Diamondbacks are shopping Carlos Quentin for a starting pitcher; the Indians and Nationals have interest.  Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Indians are willing to deal Cliff Lee, so maybe there’s a match there.  And keep in mind that former Diamondbacks Director of Scouting Mike Rizzo now works as the Nationals’ Assistant GM and VP of Baseball Operations.  Rizzo still has a lot of Arizona connections, and he definitely loves Quentin.
  • Interestingly, Will Carroll indicates that Justin Upton may be on the verge of a callup. 

Latest On Eric Gagne: Brewers Jump In, Red Sox Leading

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Deadline day!  I’ll be with you nonstop until the trading is done.  Eric Gagne is the big name to watch, unless things heat up with Adam Dunn and Jermaine Dye.

  • UPDATE: Ken Rosenthal mentioned in his recent column that the Brewers are one of the 12 teams that can acquire Gagne without his permission.  So to review:  the Yankees, Mets, Angels, Brewers, and eight other unknown teams can acquire Gagne without his permission.  He’d need to consent to trades to the Tigers, Indians, Phillies, Red Sox, and 13 other unknown clubs.
  • UPDATE: Gordon Edes of the Boston Globe is hearing that the Rangers may prefer to hold onto Gagne and try to sign him to an extension.
  • Brewers GM Doug Melvin called up Jon Daniels to see what it would take to add Eric Gagne to his bullpen.  We don’t know whether Gagne must consent to a trade to Milwaukee, but I’d guess he does have veto power with them.  Francisco Cordero leads all of baseball in saves, so would Gagne set up for him?  Melvin would have to pay up both in prospects and salary.  The Brewers have some pretty good chips like Manny Parra, Carlos Villanueva, and even Rickie Weeks (could he move to center field?)  Tom Haudricourt says the Mets, Yankees, and Red Sox are also in on Gagne.
  • SI.com’s Jon Heyman pegs the latter three as the suitors, with Boston in the lead even though Gagne would need to approve a trade there.  The Red Sox will try to find a deal that doesn’t involve Clay Buchholz or Jon Lester.   The Yankees won’t give up Joba or Hughes for Gagne, but maybe they’ll crack on Ian Kennedy.  The Mets won’t trade Carlos Gomez for him. 
  • The Boston Herald says the Red Sox made a substantial offer for Gagne, which certainly did not include Buchholz, Jacoby Ellsbury, or Justin Masterson.  Jeff Horrigan talked to one GM who said Boston’s offer was the best.
  • The New York Daily News has the Cubs in on Gagne as well.  Mark Feinsand says the Yankees turned down a weekend proposal from the Rangers that included Alan Horne for Gagne.  Feinsand says Kennedy is not up for discussion but guys like Tyler Clippard, Matt DeSalvo, Jeff Marquez, Chase Wright, and Scott Proctor are available.  The Yankees have their eye on Al Reyes as a backup plan but the Rays don’t want to trade him within the division.  Feinsand believes the Red Sox would do David Murphy and Kason Gabbard for Gagne.  Of course they would.
  • The New York Post talked to a scout who believes there’s a 75% chance Gagne is dealt today.  The Indians and Tigers appear to be out of the mix.  Scott Boras remarked yesterday that Gagne only wants to go where he can close.  But it’s not entirely up to Gagne now is it, Scott? 
  • Newsday confirms the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, and Brewers as the finalists for Gagne.  Kat O’Brien adds Dan Wheeler as another name the Yanks will consider if they don’t get Gagne.  The Yanks could relent and give up Melky Cabrera or Brett Gardner to get Gagne. 

The Market For Eric Gagne

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Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog has the latest regarding Texas closer Eric Gagne.  It seems the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Indians, Mariners, and Dodgers may all be in on him depending on who you listen to.  We’ve heard the Tigers in on him previously but not so much anymore.  We’ve heard the Diamondbacks and Cubs connected to Gagne in the past but not as much lately.

There still seems to be some confusion about which teams Gagne can be dealt to without his consent.  To review what’s been published:

Gagne can be traded to the Yankees, Mets, Angels, and nine other clubs without his consent.

If Gagne is to be traded to the Tigers, Indians, Phillies, Red Sox, or thirteen other unknown clubs, he must consent.  That means additional concessions on the part of the acquiring team.

So, we don’t know where the Mariners, Dodgers, Cubs, or Diamondbacks fall.  But I don’t know why the Yankees would have to worry about Gagne missing his incentives if they acquire him.  Being on the first list is a big plus for the Yanks.

Yankees To Pass On Gagne?

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Jon Heyman wrote yesterday that the Yankees appeared to be the frontrunner for Texas closer Eric Gagne, given the Yanks’ need and Gagne’s lack of veto power.

However, today Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger says the Yankees’ involvement on Gagne is exaggerated.  Apparently the Rangers wanted Melky Cabrera in return.  Joba Chamberlain has been switched to relief at Triple A; he could be 90% of Gagne without the cost.

Mets Hunting For Reliever, Second Baseman

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Pretty much the same old story with the Mets, though Joel Sherman and Mark Hale of the New York Post do have some new tidbits.

  • The authors name Chad Cordero, Jon Rauch, Octavio Dotel, and Eric Gagne as relievers on the radar.  However it seems the asking price is too high for Gagne and the Indians have become the frontrunner for Dotel (they may have passed the Dodgers).  Shawn Chacon doesn’t catch the Mets’ eye, and they don’t want Chad Bradford’s three-year commitment.  They had that option with Bradford this winter.  I think that logic is silly – Bradford’s pitched well this year, and acquiring him now would be akin to a two-year contract.  Sometimes it seems GMs pass over certain players because they simply want to add a fresh name.
  • You can add Al Reyes to the mix for the Mets, according to the St. Petersburg Times.
  • The Mets think many of the available starting pitchers could be traded in August – Jose Contreras, Kyle Lohse, and Steve Trachsel for example.  I don’t agree on Lohse – he’ll be traded today or tomorrow.  But Contreras’s contract would probably get through waivers without a claim.
  • The Post reports no substantive talks to the Royals about Mark Grudzielanek.  An inquiry has been made on Mark Loretta. 
  • Meanwhile, Newsday says the Twins are open to trading Luis Castillo but don’t want any of the current Major League Mets.  Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger seems to disagree, citing a Twins scout at Shea yesterday.  Graziano does not believe Castillo would get through waivers unclaimed.  He believes the Twins want Double A starter Kevin Mulvey and then some (perhaps Ruben Gotay).
  • Graziano says a deal for Castillo could be expanded to include 28 year-old righty reliever Juan Rincon.  Rincon had been consistently solid for three years (perhaps aided by steroids) but has seen his strikeout rate and overall performance plummet in 2007.  Rincon is under control next year and will make at least $2MM again.
  • Graziano notes that the Mets have talked to the A’s about Joe Blanton, but Billy Beane wants Lastings Milledge.  The Mets can’t do that without damaging the current team.  The Mets could actually add an outfielder in Jay Payton; the Cubs’ interest has waned.  The Sammy Sosa rumor also has some legs, as the Mets could bring him in to platoon with Shawn Green if they decide they can tolerate the sideshow.

Heyman On Eric Gagne

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SI.com’s Jon Heyman had a new post in the wee hours of the morning today.  The Yankees seem to be the frontrunner for Eric Gagne, while simultaneously trying to unload Kyle Farnsworth.

Gagne would set up Mariano Rivera in New York.  Gagne can’t veto this trade, even though working as a setup man would cause him to miss some of his incentives.  Heyman talks about the Yankees accomodating this problem, although they are under no obligation to do so.

The Yankees are being very possessive about their pitching prospects.  Beyond Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes, they’ve deemed Ian Kennedy and Alan Horne off-limits.  Jeff Marquez and Tyler Clippard are two who could go to Texas for Gagne.  Not bad, but not the big names we’ve been expecting.

The Mets might pay some mind to Gagne, whose price couldn’t be higher than Chad Cordero’s.  The Mets are the other contender to can trade for Gagne without his approval.

As for Farnsworth, we’ve already heard the Tigers and Rockies have some interest.  Heyman adds the Dodgers to the mix; they inquired on him as a Plan B if they can’t get Octavio Dotel.

Tigers Trade Rumors: Barmes, Dotel, Qualls

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The Detroit Free Press has a Tigers update for us today.

  • The Tigers are intent on acquiring a backup shortstop.  They recently sent a scout to watch the Rockies’ Clint Barmes at Triple A.  Barmes is at .310/.374/.464 in the minors this year.  Perhaps the Tigers envision him as a possible successor to Carlos Guillen at short.
  • Relievers on the radar: Brad Lidge, Chad Qualls, Octavio Dotel, and Kyle Farnsworth.  Eric Gagne does not seem likely right now, and we know Lidge is a long shot.  Farnsworth might make the most sense, as the cost would mainly be money.
  • The article names Craig Monroe plus pitching prospects Dallas Trahern and Jair Jurrjens as players the Tigers would trade.  Despite all that we’ve read, I’d be surprised if the Royals could get something better than Jurrjens for Dotel.

Mets and Devil Rays

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Ryan McConnell of the New Jersey Star-Ledger posted a run-down of Mets’ rumors, mostly old hat by now.  Items of note:

  • The Mets are being asked too much for both Chad Cordero and Octavio Dotel, causing them to take another look at Eric Gagne.  They are also looking at Matt Thornton (White Sox), Shawn Chacon (Pirates), Chad Bradford (Orioles) and Jon Rauch (Nationals).  I think they should go for Chad Bradford, silly contract be damned.
  • We’ve all heard about second base possibilities in Mark Grudzielanek, Mark Loretta and Luis Castillo.  I think that of these candidates, Grudzielanek is the best defender, while Castillo is the best offensive player, even though Loretta is putting up better numbers this year.  All three will be free agents this off-season, with the exception of Grudzielanek if he earns the $4M player option for 2008 which vests with 500 plate appearances, a slim possibility.  Castillo is the youngest player and the best choice for the Mets, if they can get him.  He’s likely be a Type A free agent if the Mets let him go; if they don’t, he could be their 2008 second baseman.  All in all, though, I’d prefer the Mets stick with Damion Easley and Rubén Gotay.
  • Now the kicker.  This is what makes trade deadlines fun (and painful).  From McConnell:

And, finally, the hot, completely unsubstantiated rumor floating around my workplace was that the Mets and D-Rays were discussing a Lastings Milledge and "a Minor League pitcher" (probably Pelfrey, maybe Humber) for Carl Crawford. It didn’t pass my smell test — I’d think Tampa would command a lot more for their stud outfielder — but it’s fun to think about regardless. Plus, for what it’s worth, a Met scout was spotted at Tropicana Field last week.

It doesn’t pass my smell test either, but it’s still fun to think about, unless you’re convinced that Lastings Milledge is the next Gary Sheffield, like I am.

John Peterson writes for the Met-blog Blastings! Thrilledge.

Rosenthal’s Latest Videos: Teixeira, Dye, Garland

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Ken Rosenthal has a couple of recent videos up at FOXSports.  Check ’em out.  Some highlights:

  • The Mark Teixeira talks are at a standstill; the Braves and Angels are reluctant to improve their offers.  The Dodgers are said to be out of the picture.  Daniels, Schuerholz, Stoneman – which one blinks first?  I’ll say Daniels; he’ll go with Atlanta’s best offer.
  • Jermaine Dye is Plan B for the Angels, but as you know the Red Sox still have interest.
  • Jon Garland can be had, but Kenny Williams’ price is sky-high.  The Diamondbacks, Dodgers, Mets, and Braves all have interest.  The Braves had offered not only Edgar Renteria but a top pitching prospect, and still were rejected.  Rosenthal expects Garland to stay put because as the asking price is not met.
  • The Dodgers are still the leaders on Octavio Dotel, but the Tribe could jump in if they part with Ben Francisco.  Would Francisco really be missed?
  • The Cubs are looking at role players like Jay Payton and Jeff Conine.  Many Cubs fans have written me looking for some good rumors – anything I would hear would go on the site.  My gut feeling is that they do nothing major.
  • The Orioles asked about Kei Igawa, but were told he’s not available.
  • Rosenthal can see Adam Dunn and Eric Gagne staying put at the deadline.  The need to deal Gagne is a bit more pressing, in my opinion.

Yankees Focused On Gagne, Wheeler, Qualls

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It seems highly likely that the Yankees will make a move to upgrade their bullpen before the Tuesday trade deadline.  They appear to have three main targets.

Kat O’Brien of Newsday says the Yanks have had serious discussions with Texas regarding Eric Gagne.  Though Gagne wants to close, remember that he can be traded to New York without his consent.  A Rivera-Gagne combo would essentially turn every game into seven innings.  O’Brien names righthanders Ian Kennedy and Jeff Marquez as two pitchers the Rangers might be after.  Kennedy is definitely more highly regarded.  The Rangers also like Melky Cabrera but the Yankees are resisting.

Meanwhile, Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News tells us that the Yankees have "narrowed their sights" to Dan Wheeler and Chad Qualls of the Astros.  The Astros control Wheeler through 2009 and Qualls through 2010, so the asking price will be significant.  Jayson Stark says Houston is looking for a young MLB-ready position player; Cabrera seems to fit the bill.

Another Yankee-related note from O’Brien’s article – the Yankees are not pursuing Ty Wigginton anymore.  Other writers do not agree.  Dan Graziano indicates that Wiggy is still in play and the Yankees might try get Al Reyes added to the deal as well.  Peter Abraham talked to an AL exec who expects the Yanks to get Wigginton.  Graziano adds that the Yankees have had recent discussions about Octavio Dotel and Jon Rauch.

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