Reds In Lead For Bedard?
UPDATE, 12-10-07 at 2:47pm: I thought this link in the Cincinnati Enquirer was worth including here. A member of the Reds’ organization rated the team’s chances of getting Bedard at 75%. Should we consider them the frontrunners in this race? Some talent would be coming into the NL, for once. However, Ken Rosenthal believes the Reds’ unwillingness to include Jay Bruce may prevent this deal from happening.
FROM 12-8-07 at 9:05pm:
The Reds definitely have the talent to acquire Erik Bedard from the Orioles. They may even be able to pull it off without including Jay Bruce. John Fay believes Homer Bailey, Joey Votto, and a top prospect could work. Johnny Cueto, a 21 year-old hard-throwing starter, would definitely be on the Orioles’ short list. Those three would be a slam dunk for Baltimore. Bedard could become a fashionable NL Cy Young pick, even pitching at Great American.
You could also imagine guys like Josh Hamilton and Edwin Encarnacion piquing Andy MacPhail’s interest. There are many ways this deal could work.
Giants Discuss Hideki Matsui, Reds Like Rios
UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 1:38pm: Abraham has more than a no comment now – he confirms that the Yankees and Giants have discussed Matsui. Abraham speculates that Noah Lowry could make sense.
UPDATE, 12-6-07 at 12:29pm: Peter Abraham got a "no comment" from Cashman on Matsui. Abraham implies that the no comment could be telling. Abraham also adds that Matsui has said he would waive his no-trade clause.
FROM 12-6-07 at 10:31am:
Good stuff from the Toronto Sun’s Bob Elliott today.
- Just a small blurb from Elliott – the Giants and Yanks have discussed Hideki Matsui. Elliott notes that Matsui has a full no-trade clause. He makes $13MM in each of the 2008 and ’09 seasons. On November 8th, Ken Davidoff noted that the Yanks would prefer to move Matsui over Johnny Damon. He added that it could be embarrassing for Matsui to leave New York.
- Elliott also said the Reds are interested in Alex Rios. If the Giants are pondering sending Tim Lincecum to the Jays for him, I imagine the Reds would have to counter with Homer Bailey. Bailey, however, is less proven than Lincecum.
Odds and Ends: Cliff Lee, Edwin Jackson
You know the drill…
- Nick Piecoro checks in on his blog. Apparently the D’Backs discussed swapping Carlos Quentin for Cliff Lee before sending him to Chicago. As much as he might’ve liked to it seems like Josh Byrnes couldn’t get a starter for Quentin.
- Geoff Baker links the Mariners to Lee, Ben Sheets, Mark Prior, and Edwin Jackson based on yesterday’s buzz. The Sheets one has since been questioned, since the Dodgers were identified as the West Coast team that inquired. Prior could be part of a Raul Ibanez trade, but the Cubs are first focusing on Fukudome. As for Jackson, the Rays would want more than just Ben Broussard.
- John Fay believes the Reds will have to part with Jay Bruce or Homer Bailey to get a frontline starter.
Homer Bailey Coming Soon?
The Reds aren’t sure who will start in Eric Milton‘s place on Sunday; phenom Homer Bailey is in the running. RotoAuthority has the fantasy take.
Speaking of the Reds, they just demoted third baseman Edwin Encarnacion. He’s had an awful start both offensively and defensively, but did hit .276/.359/.473 as a 23 year-old. I can see some Aramis Ramirez parallells, though Ramirez doesn’t make EE’s top 20 comps at Baseball Prospectus. He does have some big names on there, like Ron Gant, Steve Garvey, Ron Santo, and Adrian Beltre. A team like the Twins would do well to buy low on him if possible. He’s a known name on the Angels’ list.
Astros Talking About Miguel Tejada
MLBTradeRumors has learned that the Astros are in talks with Baltimore for Miguel Tejada. I don’t have much more detail than that, but it comes from a trusted source. Houston has been reluctant to offer up outfielder Hunter Pence, who currently has 22 home runs in Double A. It’ll be interesting to see how this one plays out. The Astros previously expressed interest back in January.
A couple more tasty Tejada nuggets: The Reds kicked the tires on the superstar shortstop, but a deal couldn’t be completed without including stud pitcher Homer Bailey. In my opinion, if the Reds are really going for the gold this year, they should’ve pulled the trigger. Also, the reason the Angels are resisting a Tejada deal: Mike Scioscia. Scioscia doesn’t want Tejada bringing his…influence…into the clubhouse.