Freddy Garcia To Audition Later This Month
Coming off shoulder surgery, Freddy Garcia is a major question mark. But since he only costs money, more than a dozen teams are interested in the free agent starter. He is supposed to audition in late July, roughly a week before the trade deadline. If he can make it onto a big league mound by August 31st, he’ll be eligible for the playoffs. Garcia says he feels like he has a new shoulder.
So far twelve teams have been named as interested in various reports: the Mets, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, White Sox, Rangers, Indians, Mariners, Tigers, Rays, Astros, and Cubs. The Indians and Mariners seem unlikely.
Odds and Ends: White Sox, Mackowiak, Garcia, Rays
A gathering of Sunday afternoon links…
- From the What Might’ve Been File – Phil Rogers reminds us that the White Sox offered more than the Cubs did for Kosuke Fukudome.
- The White Sox seem content with the current roster.
- River Ave. Blues doesn’t expect Brian Cashman and the Yankees to pursue an impact player at the trade deadline.
- The Reds signed Rob Mackowiak to a minor league deal.
- Free agent Freddy Garcia is looking to sign before the trade deadline. Garcia says he feels like he has a new shoulder.
- For the first time in their history, the Rays will consider trading for rentals.
Astros Still Like Freddy Garcia
When we last checked in on free agent rehabber Freddy Garcia, SI.com’s Jon Heyman was adding the Astros to the list to bring us to twelve teams. We might be able to cross the Indians and Mariners off the list, bringing us to ten clubs.
The Astros went public with their interest tonight, as Ed Wade told MLB.com’s Jim Molony that his team will watch Garcia throw. As you may recall, Garcia came up with Houston and was included in the Randy Johnson deal. The Astros are 7.5 games out of the wild card, so they’re a long shot for the playoffs. Perhaps they want to bring in Garcia to audition him for ’09. He may opt for a more competitive situation though.
Heyman’s Latest: Garcia, Ricciardi, Sabathia
Here’s a look at Jon Heyman’s latest column.
- At last count, our Freddy Garcia list included the Mets, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, White Sox, Rangers, Indians, Mariners, Tigers, and Rays. Heyman adds the Astros, and we also have rumblings about the Cubs. Although a few may have dropped out, that’s a dozen suitors.
- Heyman suggests Cito Gaston’s hiring was not J.P. Ricciardi’s decision. Ricciardi may not last past this season.
- Heyman’s source says C.C. Sabathia "is believed to be interested in a ‘Johan Santana contract.’" Santana received six years and $137.5MM with a club option, full no-trade clause, and deferred money.
- Heyman believes the relief market is limited, naming a handful of these pitchers.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Teixeira, Liriano, Garcia, Willingham
Ken Rosenthal has a new hot stove article up.
- Rosenthal leads with some Mark Teixeira-Angels speculation, but admits the Braves aren’t considering trading him and the Angels are content with their team. The Halos’ .706 team OPS ranks 12th in the AL; something should be done.
- All kinds of Mariners turmoil. They could look to acquire a center fielder given the move back to right for Ichiro. Releases of Richie Sexson and Jose Vidro could be on the agenda. And chemistry problems abound, with Ichiro and Kenji Johjima at the center.
- The Ms might consider Chris Antonetti and David Forst for the GM job, but both could choose to wait for the position to open up on their current teams. Antonetti seems likely to stay put, based on his comments and actions.
- Adam Dunn likes the Reds’ future and wants to stay.
- If the Twins keep Francisco Liriano in the minors a bit longer, he will lose his shot at becoming a Super Two player.
- Past reports have named the Mets, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, White Sox, Rangers, Indians, Mariners, and Tigers as clubs interested in Freddy Garcia. Rosenthal adds the Rays to the mix.
- On Sunday, Peter Gammons said the Red Sox "might look at a count worker like the Marlins’ Josh Willingham" if David Ortiz needs surgery. Rosenthal agrees that the Sox "indeed might be interested" but believes the Marlins want to hang on to him (even though he reaches arbitration after this season).
- The Cardinals "made a quick inquiry" on Michael Barrett but backed off when Yadier Molina’s injury turned out to be day-to-day.
Tigers Interested In Freddy Garcia
Who said the Tigers were sellers? According to Jon Paul Morosi, they’ve contacted Freddy Garcia‘s agent to express interest. At 6.5 games out, the Tigers have roughly a 15% chance at making the playoffs (not unlike the Mets).
Garcia is coming back from shoulder surgery, and if all goes according to plan he could reach a Major League mound in late August. It’s important that he makes it before September so that he’s playoff-eligible. Morosi notes that Detroit is a good fit for Garcia, given his friendship with Carlos Guillen and the team’s Venezuelan leanings.
On May 16th, Buster Olney said at least seven teams were monitoring Garcia: the Mets, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, White Sox, Rangers, and Mariners. The Indians also had past interest. We can probably take the Ms off the list now.
Heyman’s Latest: Griffey, Garcia, Sabathia
SI.com’s Jon Heyman has a new column up.
- Ken Griffey Jr. is reportedly telling friends that the Rays are his preference if he is to be traded. He’d be close to his Orlando home, always a major consideration for him. Heyman says Junior would prefer to be dealt after the All-Star game. It’s not known whether the Rays have interest in Griffey, though. Jayson Stark suggested yesterday that Griffey could sign there as a free agent next year.
- Freddy Garcia hit 85 mph in a recent session. It’s been suggested he could be in the Majors by late August.
- Heyman talked to a "hopeful competing GM" who expects C.C. Sabathia to be traded.
Odds and Ends: Viciedo, Gibbons, Uribe, Danks
Today’s link collection.
- The Yankees are in the mix for Cuban third baseman Dayan Viciedo, as are 13 other clubs.
- The Mets designated Abraham Nunez for assignment. Well, it was fun while it lasted.
- Hank Steinbrenner gets a monthly magazine column…this should be interesting.
- Jay Gibbons is begging for a minor league deal. Might make sense to join an independent league and prove himself. Additionally, Barry Bonds‘ agent has talked to all teams and can’t get a bite at the minimum salary.
- Juan Uribe wants to stay with the White Sox. In the same article, John Danks sounds open to a long-term deal.
- Not rumor-related, but I found this Tom Verducci piece about Chipper and .400 interesting.
- Buster Olney says Freddy Garcia should be able to pitch a simulated game by month’s end.
Davidoff’s Latest: Padres, Garcia, Lofton
Newsday’s Ken Davidoff posted a new column yesterday.
- Davidoff spoke to Padres GM Kevin Towers, who is not ready to throw in the towel. Realistically Towers could let all of June play out before shopping his veterans.
- If all goes according to plan, Freddy Garcia might appear in the Majors in late August. If so, he’d be eligible for the postseason.
- Davidoff implies that Kenny Lofton is asking for the same $6MM he earned last year. No wonder he’s still sitting at home.
Crasnick On Remaining Free Agents
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick examines the status of nine free agents: Sammy Sosa, Kenny Lofton, Reggie Sanders, Jeff Cirillo, Royce Clayton, Steve Finley, Freddy Garcia, David Wells, and Damian Miller.
- Lofton is likely to find a job; he’s healthy and played reasonably well last year. The Cubs still might be a fit.
- Seems that Garcia probably won’t reach a big league mound until September; auditioning for teams may take place in July.
- Miller received calls from the Yankees and Padres, but he’s still taking a Brewers or nothing stance.