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Odds And Ends: Nats, Bruce, Padres, Halladay

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Congrats to All-Star Game starters Roy Halladay and Tim Lincecum. What a matchup. Here are some more links to look through…

  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Nationals "will remain an embarrassment" unless they give Mike Rizzo and Stan Kasten more power.
  • Jay Bruce will miss 6-8 weeks, according to Brian Kollars of the Dayton Daily News, but the young outfielder didn't suffer any ligament or tendon damage in his right wrist. 
  • One talent evaluator told Tom Krasovic that it will be five years before the Padres are good again, so Krasovic creates a blueprint for the team.
  • Some of his suggestions: Make the most of every dollar, go after high upside pitching, find out how much Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell would bring in a trade.
  • WEEI.com's Alex Speier reports that Roy Halladay does not have a list of teams he would accept trades to. Last week Joe McDonald of the Providence Journal reported that Halladay had such a list, but it is not the case.

Edes’ Latest: Giants, Teahen, Relievers

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Currently standing atop the National League wildcard standings, the Giants are looking for a lefthanded bat to add to their lineup according to Gordon Edes of Yahoo Sports. He cites a major league executive who says that San Francisco has focused their efforts on three first baseman: Nick Johnson, Aubrey Huff and Adam LaRoche. Edes also says that the Giants have spoken to the Padres about a potential Jonathan Sanchez–Scott Hairston swap.

Let's round up the rest of Edes' rumors…

  • Royals GM Dayton Moore has heard from multiple teams about Mark Teahen, including the Red Sox, Cubs, Angels and Giants.
  • The Braves "might be inclined to take a look at" Jose Guillen. The Royals would love to discuss Yunel Escobar.
  • We've heard this before, but if Boston moves a reliever, it will most likely be Takashi Saito.
  • Padres' closer Heath Bell may command the most attention amongst relievers.
  • The Astros are likely to hold on to LaTroy Hawkins and Jose Valverde, barring a collapse before the trade deadline.
  • The Blue Jays would love to move BJ Ryan, but are more likely to see interest in Jason Frasor and Scott Downs.
  • Bronson Arroyo is back on the trade block.

Marlins Considering Bullpen Options

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The Miami Herald reports that the Marlins are considering George Sherrill and Luis Ayala as they look to improve an injury-depleted bullpen. There's also confirmation of Jon Heyman's weekend report that the Marlins discussed Joakim Soria and Heath Bell.

However, they don't want to add payroll without subtracting some. None of the relievers named make over $3MM, but the Marlins may not have the flexibility to add any of them without sending a similarly priced player away. Cameron Maybin has hit well in the minors this year, so the Marlins could promote him if they trade an outfielder away.

Heyman’s Latest: Best & Worst Free Agent Signings

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Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman has compiled a list of the best and worst free agent signings. Here are the lists, in descending order:

The Best: Raul Ibanez, Trevor Hoffman, Francisco Rodriguez, Orlando Hudson, Mark Teixeira, Brad Penny, CC Sabathia, Ivan Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, Randy Johnson, Adam Everett, Randy Wolf, David Eckstein, Adam Dunn, and Felipe Lopez.

The Worst: Milton Bradley, Oliver Perez, Pat Burrell, Manny Ramirez, Kerry Wood, Kyle Farnsworth, Orlando Cabrera, Jason Giambi, Ken Griffey Jr., and Edgar Renteria.

What do you think? Anyone missing from these lists? Any surprises?

Heyman has a few more bullet points:

  • With Matt Lindstrom and Kiko Calero on the DL, the Marlins inquired about Heath Bell and Joakim Soria. Of course, neither star closer is available according to Heyman.
  • Heyman likes the Mark DeRosa deal for both sides, and thinks the Cardinals did well to acquire a versatile player like DeRosa to solve their 3B issues.
  • The Indians are not anxious to trade Cliff Lee. He's making a $6MM in 2009 with a $9MM club option for 2010. The Dodgers, Mets, and Brewers have inquired. Heyman says the Rangers could get a deal for Lee done with Derek Holland or Neftali Feliz.
  • Bad news for Xavier Nady. Heyman quotes a source saying second Tommy John surgeries have "as low as 20 percent" chance of success.

Heyman On Pedro, Nats, Mets, Rangers

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Jon Heyman of SI.com says those closest to the Pedro Martinez situation expect him to sign soon. Heyman has many more rumors; here they are:

  • One GM thinks the Nationals are demanding too much in return for their players. He says they want "a dollar and a quarter for a dollar."
  • As Heyman points out, interim GM Mike Rizzo has an especially tough role, since his job isn't secure.
  • Heyman says the Nats will make an announcement on a full-time GM this season. Rizzo has a good shot at the position.  
  • Rival GMs say Omar Minaya is now looking to boost the Mets' offense.  
  • Adding a player who can handle first base and the outfield would allow the Mets to make room for Carlos Delgado when he returns later in the season. Mark DeRosa fits the bill, but the Indians are apparently asking for a lot in a potential deal.
  • The Rangers aren't likely to trade for Brad Penny, though they have considered him.  
  • Huston Street's one of the relievers who appeals to the Rangers. 
  • Texas can't add payroll, but can trade prospects. 
  • Chad Qualls and Heath Bell would both command big returns in a trade.  
  • Most contenders believe they need to add relievers, but the Red Sox are willing to trade one away.  
  • Heyman says releasing Dontrelle Willis would be a drastic move.
  • The Reds, Braves and possibly the Cardinals are looking for right-handed hitting corner outfielders. 

Morosi On Penny, Hermida, Padres

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Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports shows that Derek Jeter's much-criticized defense has been above average this year. He also provides some rumors, so let's take a look:

  • One official said he doubts the Red Sox move Brad Penny. They can do so without his permission, now that we're two and a half months into the season.
  • Morosi says Chris Young and Heath Bell are sure to attract interest, but says Kevin Towers doesn't have to trade either player.  
  • It's possible that the Padres will "flip relievers for prospects."
  • The Braves like Jeremy Hermida, but it makes sense for them to pass the Marlins in the standings before inquiring on him.

Long-Term Deal Coming for Heath Bell?

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By agreeing to a one-year, $1.225MM deal earlier today, the Padres and Heath Bell avoided the potentially distasteful process of exchanging figures, and Bell avoided the always distasteful process of getting dressed up.

Now, Corey Brock of MLB.com reports that the two parties  may soon come to terms on a multi-year extension.

Regarding the likelihood of such an extension, Padres GM Kevin Towers stated, "We explored it in September for probably about a month. It’s something we’re still open to. I imagine that’s something we will explore in the next couple days. I don’t see this thing dragging out."

Bell, set to replace Trevor Hoffman as the Padres’ closer in 2009, had a 3.58 ERA in 78 innings in 2008.

Eight More Avoid Arbitration

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SI.com’s Jon Heyman has seven more players who avoided arbitration today: Jeremy Accardo ($900K), Heath Bell ($1.225MM), Ryan Church ($2.8MM), Gerald Laird ($2.8MM), Javier Lopez ($1.35MM), Bobby Seay ($1.3MM), and Joel Zumaya ($735K).  I think next year we’ll put all of these in one constantly-updated post.

ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick says Angel Pagan signed for $575K.

Padres Rumors: Bell, Hensley, Giles

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A couple of Padres rumors this morning from Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune…

  • Reliever Heath Bell says talks on a multiyear deal didn’t get very far and he’s content using the arbitration process for the first time.  Bell stands to earn a million or two in ’09.
  • The Reds are interested in Padres pitcher Clay Hensley.  Hensley, 29, posted a 5.31 ERA in 39 big league innings.  He pitched another 48 innings in Triple A.  His strong groundball rate could make a nice fit for the Reds.  Jeff from Cot’s Baseball Contracts told me Hensley has enough service time to qualify as a Super Two, meaning he’ll be arbitration-eligible this winter.
  • Tim Sullivan of the U-T says Brian Giles is the Padres’ primary offseason issue.  In my opinion, it’d be embarrassingly cheap for the Padres to choose the $3MM buyout over the $9MM option.
  • Nothing imminent on the Trevor Hoffman front.

Padres Discussing Deal With Heath Bell

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According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Padres are discussing a multiyear contract extension for setup man Heath Bell.  Bell hopes for a three-year deal. 

Krasovic says the Padres control Bell’s rights for four more seasons, though by my count it’s three.  He’s arbitration-eligible for the first time after this season.  Manny Corpas will receive $12.25MM for his three arb seasons, though the third is a club option.

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