Dodgers Talks For Wilson At Impasse
WEDNESDAY, 10:34pm: Rosenthal actually posted this update last night, but we’re adding it now. He says the Pirates sought Hu, Delwyn Young, and a third player for Wilson. That caused talks to grind to a halt. Rosenthal added that the Dodgers are showing mild interest in Edgar Renteria but not Orlando Cabrera.
TUESDAY, 6:34pm: Rosenthal says the Pirates wanted Hu and two other young players, and the Dodgers balked at the price.
6:06pm: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Dodgers are again considering trading for Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson. The Bucs would like to receive Chin-Lung Hu in return to replace Wilson at short. The Tigers are known to have interest in Wilson as well. He’s set to earn $7.25MM in ’09 and has a $8.4MM option for ’10 with a $600K buyout. Wilson is known for his defense; he made sixteen more plays than the average shortstop in this year despite playing fewer than 700 innings.
Rosenthal says the Dodgers aren’t likely to sign Rafael Furcal and aren’t pursuing Orlando Cabrera or Edgar Renteria. He notes that four teams are in on Cabrera.
Brown’s Latest: Fuentes, Hoffman, Wilson, Aurilia
Here’s a look at the latest from Yahoo’s Tim Brown.
- The Mets kicked around the idea internally of signing both Brian Fuentes and Trevor Hoffman. The eighth inning would be a tough sell for either pitcher though.
- Brown says that if the Angels fail to sign Mark Teixeira they will try to sign C.C. Sabathia as well as a closer like Fuentes.
- The Dodgers want the Pirates to eat "a huge chunk" of the $7.85MM Jack Wilson has coming.
- The Giants and Dodgers have shown interest in Rich Aurilia.
Tigers Interested In Jack Wilson
Ken Rosethal just updated his column to include the latest on Jack Wilson.
According to Rosenthal’s source, the Tigers are one of several teams interested in trading for Wilson. The 30-year-old shortstop will earn just over $7MM next year and he has a club option for 2010.
Rosenthal adds that the Pirates would like to acquire Marlins catcher Matt Treanor and then trade him to Detroit along with Wilson.
Wilson could start at short for the Tigers, and Treanor could become their back-up catcher.
Tigers Want Short-Term Shortstop
According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers seek a short-term solution at shortstop. The Tigers like the idea of using prospect Cale Iorg in 2010. That means they won’t be signing free agents Orlando Cabrera and Rafael Furcal. The Tigers view the relief market in the way – they like their long-term options (Ryan Perry, for example).
The Tigers have "mild interest" in Khalil Greene, who is signed through 2009. They don’t like his $6.5MM price tag, which might mean Jack Wilson is also too pricey. John McDonald is a more affordable name on the radar (the pitchers certainly wouldn’t mind).
The Tigers have an eye on the Rangers’ catchers, Gerald Laird in particular. It might be tough to make a deal, as the Tigers don’t have pitching to spare.
Odds and Ends: Twins, Big Unit, Rockies
Links and tidbits for Wednesday. Remember to check back on this post for updates!
- Dave Cameron notes that the Elias rankings screwed over Damaso Marte by making him a Type A. See also: Doug Brocail, Bob Howry, Darren Oliver.
- Remember to check out the Previous Entries link at the bottom of the website, as stories get buried pretty quickly in times like these.
- Japanese outfielder Saburo Ohmura (link in Japanese) would be fine with a minor league deal.
- Roch Kubatko has info on what it might take to trade for Khalil Greene or Jack Wilson.
- Pirates president Frank Coonelly confirmed the team’s interest in Junichi Tazawa. For what it’s worth, Coonelly wouldn’t rule out Derek Lowe when asked.
- Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times offers his thoughts on the rumor mill.
- Official Elias rankings for the AL and NL.
- Ballplayers are in for a tax bump under the Obama administration. They’ll manage.
- The Twins are looking for righthanded pop.
- The D’Backs have just $3-5MM budgeted for Randy Johnson.
- The Hanshin Tigers are eyeing Nelson Cruz, Kevin Mench, and Jose Bautista. Only Mench is a free agent of the three.
- The Rockies are looking for a lefty reliever, according to Troy Renck and Keith Law. How about Jeremy Affeldt again?
- Brewers GM Doug Melvin doesn’t like his C.C. Sabathia offer being called window dressing.
Pirates Rumors: Wilson, Sanchez, LaRoche
More Pirates stuff courtesy of Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- Shortstop Jack Wilson played very little since breaking a finger on August 31st, but he wanted a plate appearance in front of the die-hard season ticket crowd yesterday at the team’s final home game. Wilson received a standing ovation, with fans knowing his Pirates career may end with a trade this winter. Kovacevic says Wilson is a "highly likely trade target," while GM Neal Huntington insists he is not trying to trade his shortstop. He will definitely listen though.
- Kovacevic adds Freddy Sanchez as a trade candidate, but feels Adam LaRoche will stay put. If the Bucs move both middle infielders, they could have a $30MM payroll in ’09.
Week in Review: 8/17 – 8/23
Another week in the books, and we keep seeing big names moved after the July 31 non-waiver deadline. Let’s look back on the past week:
- The Dodgers acquired Greg Maddux from the Padres for two minor league players to be named later. Nice acquisition to bolster their rotation, and does anyone want to place bets on how excited 20-year-old Clayton Kershaw is to get tips from Maddux every day for the rest of the season?
- The Pirates are exploring the idea of trading Jack Wilson this offseason more and more. Given the slim free agent market for shortstops, he would likely gather a lot of interest.
- Nate Robertson’s struggles this season have lost him his spot in the rotation, but have they also lost him a spot with the Tigers after 2008?
- Orlando Hernandez needs surgery on his foot, and that could likely mean that El Duque’s career would be over.
- Lots of speculation lately about where Ben Sheets is going to land after 2008. And while there’s no way to tell right now, Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman have stepped up and said they would like the Astros front office to go out and sign him in the offseason.
- A lot of minor-league deals signed this week: Kip Wells signed with Kansas City, the Mets added Al Reyes, the Astros signed Jose Castillo, the Red Sox signed Dave Ross, and the Braves took a flyer on Rodrigo Lopez following his Tommy John surgery last year. The Jays made a trade to acquire Jose Bautista for a PTBNL as well.
- The Rangers would like Milton Bradley back in 2009, and the feeling is mutual, though negotiations will wait until after the season. Similarly, Frank Thomas would prefer to stay with the A’s in 2009.
- Eric Gagne, David Riske, and David Weathers all cleared waivers this week. The first two make sense to me, but given Weathers’ success this year, his affordable contract for the rest of the season, and all of the teams desperately seeking bullpen help, it seems strange that no one would place a claim on him. Here’s an updated list of all the players who have been confirmed to have cleared waivers this year.
Perrotto’s Latest: Reds, Dempster, Silva, Lugo
John Perrotto’s Every Given Sunday column is up over at Baseball Prospectus. For those without a BP subscription, here’s the highlights:
- Perrotto believes that Reds owner Bob Castellini will give Walt Jocketty the go-ahead to dive into the free agent market this season in an attempt to contend in 2009. The Reds like their young core, and feel a solid bat or two can help them contend in NL Central immediately.
- Jed Lowrie’s play since taking over for the injured Julio Lugo has convinced the Red Sox that he can be the everyday shortstop. They’ll look to move Lugo (and his contract) this offseason.
- There’s been a lot of talk about teams looking for corner outfield help, but don’t expect the Tigers to jump into that category. They’re convinced that rookie Matt Joyce can be their everyday left fielder next season. Joyce already has 12 home runs this season in just 183 ABs.
- Despite a great season, the Cubs may be hesistant to re-sign Ryan Dempster to a long-term deal because they already have Rich Harden, Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, and Jason Marquis signed for 2009.
- I apologize in advance to Mets fans for what I’m about to write: Perrotto feels that the Mets could make a push to trade for Carlos Silva in the offseason, in the hope that a reunion with his close friend and former teammate Johan Santana can revitalize him.
- The Pirates are almost certain to trade Jack Wilson before the 2009 season begins.
- Another name for teams seeking starting pitching: The Marlins are likely to trade Scott Olsen this offseason to help keep their payroll down.
Pirates May Shop Jack Wilson This Winter
Pirates GM Neal Huntington was diplomatic when asked about Jack Wilson‘s future with the Pirates. But it seems pretty clear the 30 year-old shortstop will be shopped this winter.
Wilson makes a fine trade chip for the Bucs, especially given the free agent market for shortstops. Orlando Cabrera may require three or four years, and he’ll be 34 in November. Rafael Furcal wants to stay with the Dodgers. All the other free agents are question marks. Teams such as the Blue Jays, Tigers, Twins, Reds, Cardinals, and Giants may be looking for a shortstop. The Jays would probably only enter the mix for Wilson if J.P. Ricciardi is fired.
Wilson will earn $7.25MM in ’09 and may see his $8.4MM option for ’10 exercised. He can block trades to six teams. He’s hitting .279/.322/.355 this year in 288 plate appearances, down from last year but near his career marks. His defense is highly regarded.
Marlins, Red Sox, Pirates Talking Manny Trade
12:03am: Baseball Prospectus’ Kevin Goldstein believes the Pirates will end up with Stanton, Tucker, and Hermida.
11:21pm: Heyman says there’s some prospect haggling but the teams are optimistic a deal will get done. The Marlins and Red Sox seem certain to make a swap, while the Pirates are trying to enhance their part. They are still at risk of being replaced by another club.
Gordon Edes of the Boston Globe thinks a deal may be close, but not done. So we’ve got journalists on both sides of the fence, but everyone seems optimistic.
10:33pm: The Palm Beach Post says a tentative agreement has been reached, despite Gammons’ comments. Here’s the deal:
Marlins get: Manny Ramirez, cash, prospect from Red Sox
Red Sox get: Jason Bay, John Grabow
Pirates get: Ryan Tucker, Jeremy Hermida, one prospect from Red Sox, perhaps another prospect from Marlins
10:22pm: More from Gammons. The deal is definitely not done – the Bucs aren’t yet satisfied with the players they’d get from Boston for Bay. Nothing has been done in regards to Manny’s no-trade or paperwork to the Commissioner’s Office.
Gammons expects this to go right down to the wire.
10:11pm: Kovacevic believes Ryan Tucker might end up with the Pirates, though it’s tentative.
9:05pm: Gammons: talks will continue into Thursday. Good, it’ll give me something to do.
8:50pm: Will Carroll believes the Commissioner’s Office has been informed of a Red Sox-Pirates-Marlins trade even though the teams haven’t agreed on the prospects. Here’s how he sees it:
Marlins get Manny Ramirez, one prospect (BOS), and cash (likely Ramirez’s remaining salary)
Pirates get Jeremy Hermida and three prospects (two FLO, one BOS)
Red Sox get Jason Bay and John Grabow
8:48pm: Perrotto clarifies a bit – Grabow could go to Florida with Stanton joining the Pirates. Interestingly, the Pirates are still talking to the Rays about Bay.
8:29pm: Here’s the latest. MLB.com says we’re moving closer to the three-team deal. The Pirates could receive a minor leaguer from the Red Sox. Dejan Kovacevic says the Pirates would receive four or more prospects for Bay, as well as Hermida. John Grabow could end up in Boston or Florida. Perrotto says it could be expanded to have Jed Lowrie go to Pittsburgh and Jack Wilson to Boston. The Bucs also like Red Sox prospect Hunter Jones.
7:46pm: Rosenthal talked to a Marlins official who said there’s "no way" Stanton is in the deal. The Fish might want young players back if they’re giving up prospects.
7:33pm: Gordon Edes of the Boston Globe characterizes it as "strong interest" from the Marlins but not a done deal. Jon Heyman also has the Fish in the lead. Will Carroll has some kind of Bay/Marlins multiteam deal in the final stages. Jim Molony says the talks are real but a Manny to Florida deal is unlikely. Meanwhile, Manny keeps talking his way out of Boston.
7:23pm: Jayson Stark says the Red Sox are trying to get Stanton, Ryan Tucker, and one of Willingham/Hermida for Ramirez.
6:24pm: MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro is hearing about a three-way deal that would also send Jason Bay to the Red Sox. Hermida would wind up in Pittsburgh.
5:56pm: Baseball Prospectus’ John Perrotto has multiple baseball sources saying the Red Sox are on the verge of sending Ramirez to Florida for three players, including outfielder Mike Stanton. Dan Graziano says Hermida would be in this deal.
MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro said his baseball sources aren’t dismissing it.
5:31pm: The latest: Buster Olney says the Sox are in "serious conversations" with the Marlins about Ramirez. The Red Sox would kick in money and want three players back, one of whom would probably be Willingham or Hermida. Progress on this is said to be "slow," per Ken Rosenthal’s source.
3:24pm: Mike Berardino just can’t see the Manny-Marlins thing happening at all. The Marlins remained mum on the topic when Berardino asked, but he cited many reasons why it didn’t make sense. Also keep in mind that the Josh Willingham mention was speculation from Ken Rosenthal, not a rumor.
ESPN’s Jayson Stark agrees with others saying Manny is staying put. He notes that the rumors could resume into August due to Ramirez’s salary. Awesome!
11:22am: ESPN’s Andrew Marchand says the deadline for a Manny trade might be 3pm CST today, as he has to sign paperwork 24 hours prior to a deal to waive his no-trade rights. However, it is possible that Ramirez already signed away his no-trade rights for some teams.
9:31am: Ken Rosenthal says Manny is a longshot to be traded. As it was all along. Sounds like the Red Sox will decline his ’09 option.
8:24am: Late last night, Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus had an interesting rumor:
One good source told me that he had heard that the Marlins were involved, willing to give up Jeremy Hermida and Boston-area product Jeff Allison, but I couldn’t confirm this. I just don’t see this deal getting done.
I imagine the Red Sox would be willing to eat all of Ramirez’s salary to get a player like Hermida. As Carroll said, it seems unlikely.